Harleybloke

The big clubs don't sign managers to make PC statements.

They sign 'em to win stuff. White, black, Jewish, French..................I know it's a very short journey for a thought to cross the mind of most Chairman but if they see winning potential, nothing else ever enters their thought process.

.................ok, ok, maybe money.......................

.....You couldn't hear it, if they were shooting at me with howitzers!

Third Man

You're right they are all very annoying as commentators and pundits but so are a multitude of so-called experts on the TV - Shearer looks so far out of his depth next to Hansen and O'Neil that he could sink without trace - Motson talks so much dribble he could play for Brazil - Peter Drury and Jim Beglin make me want to press the mute button but they sometimes have a saving grace in that the very knowledgeable David Pleat accompanies them. I find Robbie Earle excellent and informative on tactics and even more so Marcel Desailly but he's not British.

It also helps though if commentators and pundits have good style of talking and relaying whats going on and prefably not shouting.

Simon (note to self must stop talking football, I promised myself)

scholes

Well boys at least I'm not alone in sharing similar thoughts.
The racist sympathy card is cordially invited by the media to provoke trouble.
Why point out that Ince is the first English coloured gentleman in Premiership football in the first place? It certainly didn't cross my mind.
With Hullit and Tigana we weren't made aware that their skin colour was any big issue, just that they were both good players, the former exceptionally so, and trusted they would bring something else to Premiership football like Wenger and Ranieri did.
Simple
Good manager + success = L s d (not the pink elephant variety)

DB7

That's true, certainly in England that fans couldn't care less as long as the club moves in the right direction. It's a cut-throat results business and if Ince is bombed-out early doors like Sammy Lee or Martin Jol it'll be because of his team not skin colour.

I've no idea why there aren't many in management. Maybe it's because so many things financially changed in football between the Taylor Report and the inception of the Premier League, and many of the players from the last decade and a half have earned enough that they don't need (or want) the hassle of management.

I think that part of the problem is that ex-England players believe they are worthy of walking straight into a 'big' job with no experience; Stuart Pearce, John Barnes and Gareth Southgate (he deserves the sack) spring to mind, whilst others like Tony Adams and Ince started out at the lower leagues.

batman

A richly undeserved Kraut victory tonight. Outplayed by Turkey for virtually the entire game they sneaked a last minute win. My cash is safe but I still feel cheated!

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

billy bentley

I'm sure Tommy Cooper would tilt is fez to the Turkish team, they have delivered some terrific entertianment. Sad to see 'em go.

David Brent

I think you will find that Paul Ince has matured.
I saw a short sports doco on him last year and he seemed a lot more humble and talked a lot of sense.
His main ambition in life is to one day manage Inter Milan.
I laughed when I first heard that but hey, the guy has already reached the Premier League.

Dave.

David Brent

It's a funny thing about the Germans, they have not got a great side but they always seem to be able to grind out a result in their favour when it matters.

I feel sorry for the Turks. They had a side much weakened by injury and suspension but played the much better football against Germany. Their luck just ran out at the last minute.

Both goalkeepers had a shocker of a night.

Dave.

batman

I predict a Russian win tonight .... I haven't been overly impressed by the Spaniards and I think Hiddink will have learned the lessons from the first game between them. Arshavin was missing from that game and he could be a decisive factor in their favour as Iniesta and Xavi have not been performing at their best.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

TheParaders

Think I saw that and he said something along the lines of "The Chairman has invited me back in the future to hopefully manage the club, I would be honoured".

I then watched an interview with Robbie Keane and read another with an ex Inter player and Moratti had basically said exactly the same to them.

Seems like Moratti puts it about a bit

batman

He is the Joan Collins of Italian football.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

TheParaders

In a way I agree. I said in a previous post that I thought it time to replace Xavi with Fabregas as I believe Spain will benefit more from his directness but whether Aragones will drop Xavi is doubtful. Iniesta has been disappointing but with Zhirkov suspended maybe he'll get the chance to shine.

Russia simply couldn't cope with Torres and Villa last time but actually maybe stronger now that Colodin is suspended as he had an awful game.

It could easily go either way for me .... although I do feel Silva is due a goal !

DB7

I saw a 'hands off' quote from him yesterday re: Santa Cruz going to Man Utd where he said "I'm the enemy now!"

I just thought oh dear, he's in for a rude awakening.

batman

I am actually looking forward to this game more than any other in the tournament so far .... I do hope it doesn't disappoint. Aragones doesn't like to change his teams too much and that has often been his downfall. It will certainly be a close one but as long as we get lots of action and a few goals I'll be happy. I don't like this idea of arranging the draw so that teams from the same group meet at a specific time if they get through. If they both go all the way to the final fair enough, but to 'manufacture' fixtures like this does irritate me, but then I am easily irritated.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

Marky B

I was sorry to see Turkey lose last night,as I was hoping for a Russian/Turkish final on Sunday night. Never mind,it could be a German/Spanish final yet.
Ta Ta
Marky B

I am special. The heavens always open for me.