A one size fits all topic, setting it up to offer a place for members to talk about football, in past have had some decent football related discussions on here.

Thinking is that rather than different topics for different competitions, an all in one may work that bit better....

Just been listening to a build up of the Fifa World Club Cup competition starting 15 June

BBC Sport

FIFA Club World Cup - Scores & Fixtures - Football - BBC...

FIFA Club World Cup scores, results and fixtures on BBC Sport, including live football scores

starts Sunday, any one any thoughts on how it will all go?

https://www.live-footballontv.com/

off topic post dropped

as said the idea is to get some decent football related discussion going, if its not your thing then just stay away

I can remember a pre match interview with the late great Franz Beckenbauer I'm sure it was during a world cup , maybe late 80s early 90s he was asked " do you think we'll see the best football in the world here today " & his response was " no because a lot of the countrys can't be sure of having all their best players for one reason or another, but if it was a World Club competition then we definitely would " . He then went on to say he believed one day it would happen , he was right on both counts .

First chance to watch a game tonight Chelsea 2 v L A , 0 .

A decent game , Bayern where lucky considering how many chances they missed !

having watched England under Tuchel recently, and yesterday the U21's against Germany, i have to say how dreary it was. As has been said many times by others, we have a fantastic and exciting Premier league and below this level too, and yet our National teams are somewhat woeful at times, and it's like watching 'walking football'.

Yes i get that non-Englanders play in teams in the Premier League, and that these make a difference, and yes our England team ( presently) might not be a full strength, but playing the way we are at the moment doesn't bode well for the World Cup.

1 hour ago, Kenb said:

having watched England under Tuchel recently, and yesterday the U21's against Germany, i have to say how dreary it was. As has been said many times by others, we have a fantastic and exciting Premier league and below this level too, and yet our National teams are somewhat woeful at times, and it's like watching 'walking football'.

Yes i get that non-Englanders play in teams in the Premier League, and that these make a difference, and yes our England team ( presently) might not be a full strength, but playing the way we are at the moment doesn't bode well for the World Cup.

Successive managers seem to fall into the trap of picking star names when they are not the best player for that position. Also playing players in unfamiliar positions, Curtis Jones for example in the last game at right side defence when Trent Alexander is there, there was one of two other notable examples as well in the last game. I get some managers might not be fans of certain players but that has to be put aside at national level and the best players for that position should be chosen and if that means leaving a “star” name then so be it.

Our fear of losing far, far outweighs our ability to win. Or at the very least “ give it a good go”.

10 minutes ago, Kenb said:

Our fear of losing far, far outweighs our ability to win. Or at the very least “ give it a good go”.

Tuchel said he wants to play the PL way then plays a system alien to most of the players, play the way we play and like you said give it a go. Not many teams would keep up with the pace we normally play at. We also have the skill and flair players too.

On 12/06/2025 at 11:25, Mike said:

Just been listening to a build up of the Fifa World Club Cup competition starting 15 June

BBC Sport

FIFA Club World Cup - Scores & Fixtures - Football - BBC...

FIFA Club World Cup scores, results and fixtures on BBC Sport, including live football scores

starts Sunday, any one any thoughts on how it will all go?

been following results more than watching the matches

some shocks, some smile bringing

not a great tournament so far for betting, for me anyway

Maybe better luck this round...

Quarterfinal matches

Fluminense (Brazil) vs. Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

Palmeiras (Brazil) vs. Chelsea (England)

Paris Saint-Germain (France) vs. Bayern Munich (Germany)

Real Madrid (Spain) vs. Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

any forecasts?

2 hours ago, Mike said:

been following results more than watching the matches

some shocks, some smile bringing

not a great tournament so far for betting, for me anyway

Maybe better luck this round...

Quarterfinal matches

Fluminense (Brazil) vs. Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

Palmeiras (Brazil) vs. Chelsea (England)

Paris Saint-Germain (France) vs. Bayern Munich (Germany)

Real Madrid (Spain) vs. Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

any forecasts?

I think it’s been poor. I was bored the games I’ve seen. Europeans clearly struggling with the weather. Two hour delays for thunder etc. switched most matches off.

Have too agree with comments so far, the play acting, going down when hardly (touched, if at all) and games that were boring Stop Start, stop start affairs, Walking football would be far more enjoyable, other than the Odd Game a Bore Fest.

Agree with Chalky & Rick , can not understand why they don't pick a country or countries, that all the players are comfortable with playing in the summer , after a very competitive league season , it's not about the football simple . This tournament could & should of been the best of the best but unfortunately FIFA ,,,,,

Aside from the football being played, do you think the incessant Drum Banging in some games which is really loud and over powering some times particularly when the drummer is down close to pitch side where the TV Sound pick up Mics are situated, are drowning out \ competing with match commentary getting on your nerves to the extent like me muted the sound or worse still i abandoned the game altogether during some games. This is not the case with every game & i am not a kill joy by the way as the drum has become a part of the game to rally round the crowd and players but sitting at home trying to enjoy the game on TV some times it it is just a bit too much, for me this only seems to have come to the fore during this tournament and not having the desired effect with the Fans & players so far.

7 hours ago, Rick Scott said:

Aside from the football being played, do you think the incessant Drum Banging in some games which is really loud and over powering some times particularly when the drummer is down close to pitch side where the TV Sound pick up Mics are situated, are drowning out \ competing with match commentary getting on your nerves to the extent like me muted the sound or worse still i abandoned the game altogether during some games. This is not the case with every game & i am not a kill joy by the way as the drum has become a part of the game to rally round the crowd and players but sitting at home trying to enjoy the game on TV some times it it is just a bit too much, for me this only seems to have come to the fore during this tournament and not having the desired effect with the Fans & players so far.

Believe me (drum banging) it goes on a lot a sports grounds. Having watched Leigh Leopards more recently than my football team Man City. I kinda like the way it builds up the game but you have to be there to appreciate the tribalism. It makes for a great atmosphere.