Fraser Forster watched Joe Hart cost England a goal for the second game in four at the Euros last night and must wonder what he needs to do to become first choice. Playing better than his rival clearly isn’t enough.
Hart is a good goalkeeper, he does well for long periods of every season and makes fantastic saves, but he goes through error-prone periods. There’s a reason the world’s top clubs are linked with Manchester United’s goalkeeper but no one is linked with City’s. By contrast, Fraser is also a good keeper, who makes fantastic saves, without the errors.
More goes on in football than you will ever read about. The money involved in commercial deals, for a start. You don’t just get a flat fee when you sign up, there’s significant bonuses if you appear at international tournaments.
One former international manager told me a highly-decorated player failed to declare an injury (apart from to his team-mates) until after he played 45 minutes of a tournament. His team lost their opening game, while his sponsor was contracted to pay an appearance bonus which ran to many tens of thousands.
Players look after each other in this respect. If your pal is in line to earn, what for most of us would be a life changing amount of money if he keeps his place, would you make it clear to the manager you want him in the team? This happens – take my word for it.
Football team dynamics often afford a clique of senior players significant influence. They don’t need to be so brazen as to tell the manager who to pick, but they can be just as explicit in letting it be known who they ‘have faith in’. Each other, usually.
The shampoo man should have been dropped after the Wales game but I am sure his pals would have made it clear how much confidence they have when he’s in goal. The manager is then a hostage to fortune, drop a floundering keeper and give players cause to cite a confidence blow, or try to keep everyone happy and hope the hopeless handler doesn’t have a howler.
I could write screeds on why teams full of stars often fail, but I’d need to redact all the evidence as the best stories in football are all off the record.
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Will never tire of playing this brilliant piece of political oration by Alyn Smith MEP …
https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/747729114828779521
IF we went 3 at the back, I would fancy KT at left midfield.
Listening to the pundit chat and watching some of the teams at the Euros, it would seem that the two strikers model is coming back into fashion.
They would have to be mobile, though and willing to drop into midfield when required.
Croppybhoy,
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KEVJUNGLE on 25TH JUNE 2016 7:37 AM
MACANBEATHA, I was one of the unfortunates who never met you and, only came across your posts on here. The truth is, yer posts flew over my head.
Way, way, way too intelligent for the types of zany-nonsense that you would have read under my name.
I’m speaking to you as though your still here.
But, the thing is, you’ll always be here.
I know that you can read the thousands of words being typed for you from here, from where you are.
The words from those who knew you will probably be dripping in tears for a true, heroic legend.
You’ll Never go away.
Like those who have gone from here before you, they’ll always be here.
When I was younger, I used to sing all the songs in praise of you and yer brave comrades, especially in the Jungle at Celtic Park where, the events from you neck of the woods would be woven into a lot of the hearts and minds of the Celtic support.
MACANBEATHA, what you bravely achieved, then what you and yer heroic comrades had to endure under the bondage of slavery, should be more than enough to see you all seated in the grandest company among Jesus’s flock.
May God Bless You MACANBEATHA and, protect your soul.
Thoughts and Prayers
for all who are close to MACANBEATHA.
MACANBEATHA RIP.
Croppybhoy, Decided to scroll back & refresh Kev J’s post, I think it deserves to be read again.
KEVJUNGLE on 25TH JUNE 2016 7:37 AM
MACANBEATHA, I was one of the unfortunates who never met you and, only came across your posts on here. The truth is, yer posts flew over my head.
Way, way, way too intelligent for the types of zany-nonsense that you would have read under my name.
I’m speaking to you as though your still here.
But, the thing is, you’ll always be here.
I know that you can read the thousands of words being typed for you from here, from where you are.
The words from those who knew you will probably be dripping in tears for a true, heroic legend.
You’ll Never go away.
Like those who have gone from here before you, they’ll always be here.
When I was younger, I used to sing all the songs in praise of you and yer brave comrades, especially in the Jungle at Celtic Park where, the events from you neck of the woods would be woven into a lot of the hearts and minds of the Celtic support.
MACANBEATHA, what you bravely achieved, then what you and yer heroic comrades had to endure under the bondage of slavery, should be more than enough to see you all seated in the grandest company among Jesus’s flock.
May God Bless You MACANBEATHA and, protect your soul.
Thoughts and Prayers
for all who are close to MACANBEATHA.
MACANBEATHA RIP.
Clogher Celt, Snap.
As my Mam used to say ” Great minds think alike” before adding “and Fools seldom differ.”
that is spooky
Cork Celt,
Sorry about that, I hope you are well and are coming up to Dublin for the Barca match.
I’m good Clogher, I have my ticket for Barca in Dublin so all going well, I will be there. If there is a pre-match CQN meet up, I’ll be there as well.
EMBRAMIKE SAYS “THE HUNS ARE DEID” on 28TH JUNE 2016 2:48 PM
Will never tire of playing this brilliant piece of political oration by Alyn Smith MEP …
https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/747729114828779521
He was spelling out that loyalty is a two way street.
Cork Celt,
I’ll talk to Almore when he get’s back from holiday and we’ll let you know.
See you in Dublin.
Till later.
HH
Fulham fans while watching they’r national team getting pumped by a supermarket went to Twitter with this, they’r pompous arrogant behaviour has no boundaries, feck um I say.
http://talkingbaws.com/2016/06/fans-down-south-cant-believe-fulhams-moussa-dembele-is-moving-to-celtic/
Colin Stein thinks! REALY ?
http://www.insidefutbol.com/2016/06/28/rangers-fans-will-demand-side-challenge-celtic-insists-gers-legend/292575/
Looks like the cj at celtic park will need to hunt down Lord Rockingham’ s Eleven greatest hits to get a wee blast of “there’s a moose loose about this hoose” for our new striker’ s goal celebration.
It’ll make a change from magnificent seven I suppose.
If true? A REALY good piece of business IMO.
http://readceltic.com/2016/06/28/striker-set-for-celtic-medical/
GARYGILLESPIESHAMSTRING
I’ve got a scratchy 45 of it somewhere!!! Decca if I remember correctly found it among my Dad’s stuff after he died:)
Tony D
That would be Colin Stein of
“This old man, he told me
Colin Stein has got VD ” fame.
Old ones are the best csc
Clogher& Cork
Many thanks for reposting KevJ’s extremely heartfelt and moving tribute to Macanbheatha.
Saddened to read in other posts that he was only in his 50s. From the little knowledge that I have about Belfast, I know that the residents of the Short Strand have had to face many dangers and difficulties in simplying going about their daily tasks that we take so much for granted.
Macanbheatha was someone who was prepared to defend that community and its values in the face of great danger and uneven odds. That takes great courage and bravery.
HH
Starry plough
That must be pretty rare I would think.
Amazing the things you hear about on cqn
Dia daoibh uilig
There was much sadness expressed at the funeral of our friend and comrade MacanBheatha in the Short Strand this morning.The loss expressed by those of us who knew him was genuine and heartfelt but pales with that of the grief of his wonderful family.
A large crowd followed him from his home in Clandyboyle to St Matthews chapel,some 5 or 6 hundreds yards away.We walked in the shadow of the “peace wall”which protects the Short Strand from the constant threat of Loyalist attack.
Inside the beautiful chapel of St Mathews,where people, cut from the same cloth as MacanBheatha,fought and died to protect its very existence,it somehow seemed the right place to be at this time.We were give a sheet for the service with a photograph of MacanBheatha on the front and another on the back set above Bobbys’ Rhythm Of Time,very fitting indeed.
After the service we followed him around to the Memorial Garden erected in homage to those from Short Strand who made the ultimate sacrifice,again it felt the right place and time.He was laid at the front gates and his daughter Cathríona said some lovely words about her Da that were both very funny and sad.Something inside so strong was played and we drifted back in time with our own personal memories of Séany.
Then we headed to Milltown for the burial and to say our final farewells to MacanBheatha.Many hundreds came to say farewell to one of the good guys,it was a fitting send off with a Guard of Honour of six Blanketmen from all over Belfast,a testament to the high esteem in which he was held.
Slán a Shéain HH BB
Expect Forster to move to Everton in the next few weeks hopefully for a great deal of cash with us receiving a tidy sum too.
Just back on after watching Andy win a couple of sets to discover that I failed to add WDH`s stake to his winnings and managed to add a new dimension to the `extra man` cliche!
Anyway, how long does a medical take? Has anyone seen Dembele at either Celtic Park or Lennoxtown?
I am becoming a wee bit worried that rumour status is as far as this `transfer` actually goes.
JJ
Absolutely, Croppy & he lived right at the interface, he and his family had to face the brunt of the Loyalist Mobs. We may talk & sing about the troubles but what people like Sean went through would chill you to the bone.
I had a tour of the H Blocks and the stories the guide told about what these men endured, would reduce you to tears.
God Bless Sean & all his comrades, living & Dead.
“Something inside so Strong”.
Spooky is right, I had written my last post before I read the one from Big Bones.
Great post Big Bones, thank you for sharing it with us.
Sinclair up for medical also.
A Southside source confirmed
ERNIE LYNCH on 28TH JUNE 2016 8:13 AM
SIN CITY BHOY on 28TH JUNE 2016 1:45 AM
I’m Scottish. And unlike you, I actually live in Scotland.
I thought the English side last night were pathetic and Iceland deserved to win.
But the fact remains the Scotland side didn’t qualify, and the reason they didn’t qualify was because they weren’t good enough.
I’m no fan of the Scotland side, and see no reason why I should be.
———————-
Oh aye, right you are. Nae bother pal, just having a wee laugh at all the mince you post.
You profess to live in Scotland, yet detest the Scots??????
What’s the point of getting knickers in twist on an anonymous social media site?
Since you displayed your ill manners over the spat with Paul in the early days of the blog, I generally scroll by your contributions, unless it’s to have a chuckle at TBB nailing you to the wall over another nugget you laid out in plain sight.
:-)
Pick your version :))
https://youtu.be/pUE2jMK3kqg
https://youtu.be/Jeu72y0f4Kc
Dia daoibh uilig arís
MacanBheatha at the funeral of another friend and comrade Larry Marley
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13528995_10210122394686334_3109759344640184846_n.jpg?oh=52052ffdaa025a39321c82ea35e4a5a8&oe=57EF600C&dl=1
He’s the one in the brown leather coat
Apologies
HH BB
May as well toss him in the mix as well, why not? :))
http://www.hailhailmedia.com/the-serbian-messi/
BIGbones8867 supports MO’N and Ireland
thank you for updates
And of course a Wee bit of politics for those uni guys who still haven’t paid back they’r loans :))
https://johnjamessite.com/2016/06/28/the-misled-misinformed-misdirected/
https://youtu.be/xO3Dco5OdqE
Bigbones8867 thank you for posting about Macanbheatha funeral. It’s men like you and Macanbheatha that stood shoulder to shoulder and for that you have our eternal gratitude. I will be in Belfast next summer for my son’s wedding it would be a honour to buy you a drink or 3.
Macanbheatha thank you for your brave Irish heart and may your soul pass through Ireland.
HH
KTF
UTLR
On England… ‘I don’t really know what I’m doing here today, it’s no longer my job’ – Hodgson… He thinks he can walk away from any responsibility despite taking a salary of £3.6million a year. Everything that is wrong with English football in a nutshell. Hell mend them.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/short-strand-an-enclave-stranded-in-a-sea-of-loyalist-hatred-2301360.html
mighty tim on 28th June 2016 4:35 pm
https://youtu.be/xO3Dco5OdqE
Bigbones8867 thank you for posting about Macanbheatha funeral. It’s men like you and Macanbheatha that stood shoulder to shoulder and for that you have our eternal gratitude. I will be in Belfast next summer for my son’s wedding it would be a honour to buy you a drink or 3.
Macanbheatha thank you for your brave Irish heart and may your soul pass through Ireland.
HH
KTF
UTLR
Thank you for your kind words,the reason for the post is because of the high esteem in which he was held on the site,with Cork Celtic particularly in mind.
Let me know when you are coming, it would a pleasure to me up with you.I love a pint or 3!
HH BB
meet up with you
ABZMIKE on 28TH JUNE 2016 4:38 PM
On England… ‘I don’t really know what I’m doing here today, it’s no longer my job’ – Hodgson… He thinks he can walk away from any responsibility despite taking a salary of £3.6million a year. Everything that is wrong with English football in a nutshell. Hell mend them.
Perhaps a chink of light was alan Shearer’s admission last night that the EPL is not the best league in the world.
I believe that Wayne Rooney reportedly earns a £1 a week for every citizen Iceland has.
I honestly believed it was pie in the sky that we were interested in Dembele considering his reputation down south. Today, to read that he set to undergo a medical at Celtic Park given me the biggest grin in Belfast.
LovinItCSC