tom_widdows

Back on topic https://www.afc.co.uk/2018/07/03/dons-capture-irish-youth-internationals/

Fucking NC500 Tourists!!

Don't worry mate. We locals always avoid Elgin purely because we have no desire to go there

Seems Spain got what they deserved......unless you want a conspiracy theory for their reluctance to seriously attack the Russians. Potential for only 1 previous winner to be in the semi-finals (If so I'd personally like it to be Uruguay) so may that be someone 'new' will win it.

Perhaps you could consider putting this into a formal letter/ email and send it to cockwomble and co?

Really hope the french win this one now. Whilst the Argentina equaliser was good I don't think it deserved as much of a commentator wankfest as it got. The French equaliser on the other hand was sweet (better or at least more spectcular IMO) yet seemed to have a fairly low key response from BBCs finest

Seems they are following the Ed Sheerin methodology of cancelling 're-sold' tickets should they happen to catch anyone with them. Ticket touts targetting a Dons game eh? I remember not so long ago seeing someone trying to give away tickets outside pittodrie and being told to fuck off

Think the last time I was 'involved' with anything classed as rowdy with the Glasgow reds was a scottish cup tie in Forfar

I dont think these stats make much headway in the 'why are scotland unable to qualify' discussion. If you could say find a list(s) showing where those players fitted into the various scotland teams from schoolboy up to the first team, or as Bobby highlighted, those who were allowed to continue playing despite never developing a 'first touch' we might be onto something

Kawashima showing the skills that helped the arabs achieve relegation

CONCACAF qualifying pot - 35 teams (3/4 qualifying spots) 29 of those teams go through 3 'qualifying rounds' to for 6 spots in the group stages which is when the USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Trinidad & Tobago, Honduras & Panama entered Group stages wittled it down to 6 teams who then played for 3 automatic qualifying sports and 1 playoff places against the Asian playoff winners. Panama's group had Costa Rica, Haiti & Jamaica UEFA Qualifying pot - 54 teams (13 qualifying spots) No preliminary rounds Potential opponents from the start include Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, England, France, Portugal, Belgium etc If yer gonna compare teams who have qualified for the tournament with Scotland, using anyone other than the UEFA based teams is pointless. Croatia, Serbia, Iceland & Denmark spring to mind followed by Northern Ireland and Eire who made it to the playoffs

My question is does Christie have the correct attitude to handle what would be seen as a 'step down'? He seemed an excellent player 2 seasons back when it was seen as just a half season loan to get him some gametime and show what yon tic were missing. Once the loan was extended it seemed his heart wasn't in it as much.

This is only a theory and I have little knowledge of former Yugoslavia but I threw the birthplace in as a possible factor to the success of a sports team. Could have absolutely fuck all to do with it but based on my family being born and raised in england is quite different to being born and raised in Scotland. I am surprised at how parochial and generally ignorant many english people are about anywhere outside england and moreover how they are perceived by other countries. Ergo is it possible that players who were born and raised down south where scottish football is belittled and patronised will not have the correct mindset to actually represent the country? Anyway as for the current scotland team, wikipedia has a 'current' squad plus a list of recent call ups which can be treated as a comparison. it is also possible to pick qualifying squads from previous tournaments. Perhaps this would be better moved to an actual thread on the scotland squad? edit Quick scan of the 'current' scotland squad plus recent call ups. only 2 players have played at under 16 level. That goes up to 4 when its under 17, and 5 at under 18. A handful started at under 19 or under 20 but the majority started at under 21 or went straight into the squad. Some represented england at under 18 & under 19 level. As per my earlier post a large chunk of the croatian squad have played from under15s right up to the full squad. Is this merely a coincidence or a big factor in the success of their national team. Iceland is the other country to consider. 1/10th population of Scotland and yet qualifying with relative ease for last 2 tournaments.

By any chance do you know many of them started either started their careers or have at least played for a croatian club? With the exception of the swiss and austrian guys all were born in the former Yugoslavia. Edit All but two of them started their careers in Croatian football. Also large chunk of that squad started playing international football from under 15 level so have been playing together since they were at School What are the stats with the Scottish squad in terms of schoolboy internationals?

The boy who works in my local takeaway has put his money on them to win it. His logic is 'they are all Croats' ie every single one of them was born & bred in the country (not actually sure if that is true given their age there is a chance they were born in other parts of the former Yugoslavia) and sites the example of Celtic 1967 Has anyone done any research into the demise of the Scottish national team and looked to see if there is any link to the number of players 1) Never having lived in Scotland 2) Never having played any football in Scotland) 3) Not having an 'actual' connection to Scotland (IE the one Scottish grandparent may have died before they were born) Scotland squad for France 98 (22 players) 12 Scottish club players Of the non Scottish based players 6 had started their careers in Scotland 19 were born in Scotland Scotland squad for Euro 96 (22 players) 11 Scottish club players Of the non Scottish based players 8 had started their careers in Scotland 19 were born in Scotland Reached the playoffs for Euro 2000 with similar squads and had the team not seen fit to throw away a 2-0 lead against the belgians would have made the playoffs for Korea/ Japan Potentially a massive piece of ignorance here but the consensus I have is after Craig brown left the habit of picking non scottish based (and perhaps even non scots) became more prevalent.

Given the bullshit the rail companies are pulling down in Englandshire it could end up being a very smart decision

Don't recall people giving Calderwood's tombolla eleven much hope against Dnipro (believe they were actually one of the favourites to win the trophy that year). A fairly average hearts team gave Liverpool a fright not so long ago Much prefer Burnley to Atalanta or AZ Alkamar as at least for me anyway there is a bit of excitement with this draw As long as the Dons put up a proper fight I'll be fine.

Shame about the result but did anyone else get to enjoy the whining on 5live's coverage? Chris Waddle & Terry Butcher throwing more than toys out of their respective prams.

I think everyone is annoyed by dementia

suffering from a dislocated showlace' or something along those lines French players acting was pathetic as was the referee. Had that ref been in charge of last nights game then Spain's first goal would have been disallowed. Had high hopes for the refereeing when I heard Collina was now in charge of it but instead its more of the same. The game has gone full circle from essentially being allowed to break players legs to being hauled up for having bad breath.

The use of the phrase 'thoughts & prayers' when people feel the need (or are 'forced') to comment on some sort of disaster/ tragedy.

Doesn't surprise me as no matter how much people say 'we are all in this together/ everyone is equal' there will always be those who seek to maintain a class system and wealth is one of the key drivers 'greed is good' etc etc The only thing that does surprise me is the transport companies (and other estabishments) have not had a severe PR drive and removed the word 'class' from their services/ facilities. If you rename them say 'bronze ticket, silver ticket, gold ticket etc then for me anyway, it doesnt seem to carry a label. I'm perfectly happy buying 'bronze' tickets for Ice Hockey games (don't see the point of paying an extra few quid for the gold and silver) but I was a tad pissed off when my GF was given a free upgrade to 'business class' on our flight to Melbourne (due to the flight being overbooked) whereas I was kept back in 'economy class' Could be wishful thinking but i think it would have seemed a but less painful had the attendant had said 'heres a free silver ticket' for your flight

It is said 'waiter's' alleged response of 'its my choice who I ask' which is the red flag. My follow up question would immediately be 'Ok, and what prompted you to 'choose' these passengers?' Going out on a limb here but I would not be surprised if sexism was also part of this person's personality but his assumption of any women in the 1st class carriage would be their 'big rich husband' would have stumped up to give the 'little woman' a treat/ keep her in the manor she is acustomed to and so on.... Just adds to my dislike of Virgin trains

Is this perhaps a response to a potential UEFA plot to have the Champions League final kick off at 3pm GMT saturday kick off?