Team GB: Olympic Football

[j0rd]

3 Swansea players, the team with most players from a single club. Not bad for just completing the first season in the prem huh?

[luce]

3 Swansea players, the team with most players from a single club. Not bad for just completing the first season in the prem huh?

Well yes in a way but they're hardly full internationals are they? But I think they're getting there. Be interesting to see how they fare this season without Rogers and his style of play.

[j0rd]

Well yes in a way but they're hardly full internationals are they? But I think they're getting there. Be interesting to see how they fare this season without Rogers and his style of play.

What do you mean by full internationals?
I think Laudup will do equal if not better than Rodgers, he played the passing game at Mallorca and done them wonders. We'll see when the season starts though

[Kasabian]

What do you mean by full internationals?

Either that the tournament isn't exactly a 'full international' tournament(which IMO , it is)
or that;
Joe Allen - 8 caps for wales
Scott Sinclair - 0 caps for england
Neil Taylor - 9 caps for wales
(not including youth)

[luce]

What do you mean by full internationals?
I think Laudup will do equal if not better than Rodgers, he played the passing game at Mallorca and done them wonders. We'll see when the season starts though

yeah I have no idea about him so it will be good to see.

Either that the tournament isn't exactly a 'full international' tournament(which IMO , it is)
or that;
Joe Allen - 8 caps for wales
Scott Sinclair - 0 caps for england
Neil Taylor - 9 caps for wales
(not including youth)

And yeah the second one, i'm not questioning the credibility of the tournament - it's different but still an honour to play in and is significant. No team in Europe is sending their full squad because it's too much to ask of the players - especially those who have domestic campaigns in big leagues to consider but it should be good none the less. Also looking at the Spain squad, it's an insult to call it second choice!

[-:Undertaker:-]

I have no interest in the Olympics or Football, but I have to say - I wish there was a British national football team. Whether I like it or not, football means a heck of a lot to some people - just a shame there isn't a national football team which would unite us and be rid of some of the pettiness between Scotland V England etc.

[Ardemax]

I have no interest in the Olympics or Football, but I have to say - I wish there was a British national football team. Whether I like it or not, football means a heck of a lot to some people - just a shame there isn't a national football team which would unite us and be rid of some of the pettiness between Scotland V England etc.

I think if we had a British team (rather than an English team because, let's be honest, that's all that matters really) we could be top 5/3 easily.

We wouldn't have to rely on certain individuals to perform game after game if we had just as good substitutes to choose from. It would increase the level of competition in the squad to perform better to get picked in the starting 11...

[luce]

I think if we had a British team (rather than an English team because, let's be honest, that's all that matters really) we could be top 5/3 easily.

We wouldn't have to rely on certain individuals to perform game after game if we had just as good substitutes to choose from. It would increase the level of competition in the squad to perform better to get picked in the starting 11...

Technically we're 4th best in the World already with England if you go by the obviously problematic FIFA rankings. However I couldn't disagree more with the idea. The whole point of having a national football team is just that? A national team. Making it team GB for anything other than the Olympics, which is a valid exception, is making it regional and some other countries could argue unfair. Say Eastern Europe could claim to united to better their chances etc. And before anyone mentions the Soviet Union - that's different because all the countries were essentially ruled by one government. If there was one GB parliament, essentially making us one country, then yes go ahead. But to combine the teams to make us stronger or to smooth over political conflicts isn't a valid reason!

Also realistically Bale would get in the starting line up but other than that the others would be fringe players at best. It would probably stunt the growth of some promising Irish, Scottish and Welsh talent because they wouldn't play regular international football as they wouldn't get a look in the team. They have only got in the Olympics team because the first choice England players are unavailable and even then they're in a convincing minority.

[Ardemax]

Technically we're 4th best in the World already with England if you go by the obviously problematic FIFA rankings. However I couldn't disagree more with the idea. The whole point of having a national football team is just that? A national team. Making it team GB for anything other than the Olympics, which is a valid exception, is making it regional and some other countries could argue unfair. Say Eastern Europe could claim to united to better their chances etc. And before anyone mentions the Soviet Union - that's different because all the countries were essentially ruled by one government. If there was one GB parliament, essentially making us one country, then yes go ahead. But to combine the teams to make us stronger or to smooth over political conflicts isn't a valid reason!

Also realistically Bale would get in the starting line up but other than that the others would be fringe players at best. It would probably stunt the growth of some promising Irish, Scottish and Welsh talent because they wouldn't play regular international football as they wouldn't get a look in the team. They have only got in the Olympics team because the first choice England players are unavailable and even then they're in a convincing minority.

To be fair, after that Euro 2012 campaign, I think the Swansea team could teach the English team a bit about passing...

I understand where you're coming from but I just feel that everyone in the UK gets their hopes up on the English team to perform well and, except for some minor cases, they never do and we all re-live the disappointment year on year. Shouldn't there be more variety to choose from and more players to mix and match to hopefully achieve success? Just my feelings.

[luce]

To be fair, after that Euro 2012 campaign, I think the Swansea team could teach the English team a bit about passing...

I understand where you're coming from but I just feel that everyone in the UK gets their hopes up on the English team to perform well and, except for some minor cases, they never do and we all re-live the disappointment year on year. Shouldn't there be more variety to choose from and more players to mix and match to hopefully achieve success? Just my feelings.

At the end of the day the England team surpassed expectations this year as they nearly made the semi's (penalties are harsh on any team because they are hit or miss regardless of what the media say). And if they continue progressing under Roy like they did in those few weeks before the Euro's I believe that the they could do us proud at the next world cup.

In regards to passing like Swansea, that style of football isn't a blueprint for absolute success. I don't believe that we will ever beat Spain at their own game, which is the passing game, because we have to accept that we don't have as good a players all over the pitch like they do. This doesn't mean we can't compete. Look at United this season taking City to the line when they out class us in regards to players in most positions if we're going to be black and white. Spain's amazing players are highlights by Ramos, a defender, taking an amazing penalty in the semi's and having some pretty sweet shots on goal.

Finally I don't think it would create much more competition initially but it could be true if they are integrated from grass roots youth level as maybe the players from the other countries receive the coaching and standards as in England but you just don't know. Anyway I think it's a pointless discussion because it will never happen.