Ireland vs England

Haha! I had the exact same bet mate when he left for Everton, but with a Leeds fan. Initially it was just to play for England, his pick was Sam Byram if i remember correctly, and then we upped it to being captain. Unfortunately, I haven't been in contact with him for a good few years but if I do ever come across him again, I'll be sure to let him know

 

Funny that, I had the same bet with a Leeds supporter friend. Stones v Byram to play for England (when Stones first moved to Everton IIRC). He coughed up, and I still remind him when I see him.

 

Haha, brilliant mate. Same players! Leeds fans were bigging up Byram like he was the next Cafu. To be fair I was also bigging up Stones but least I was right

 

I think Byram moved to West Ham same time as Stones to Everton, but then it was downhill from there for him.

 

Not quite mate, I think it was another 2 years after Stones left, Stones joined City roughly same time Byram took his step up, but you are right though about it going downhill, barely played for West ham, and in fact anyone hardly, up until rejoining Leeds last season. Bet he played less than 100 league games in those 6/7 years he was away from Leeds too. He was cracking as a youngster though, very decent player, not a patch on Stones but certainly had some potential, don't think he's fulfilled it at all.

 

Aye, you're right, knew I could remember a transfer for them both at about same time, but yes it was to City for Stones.

Byram was a decent young player, but in all honesty when he offered me the bet there was never any doubt in my mind, Stones looked an absolute shoe in for loads of caps, I just couldn't see it in Byram.

 

Aye he was one of Pep's first signings when he first arrived. Completely agree with your second sentence, mate. Had no qualms about taking the bet, absolutely nailed on. Stones at the time was head & shoulders above him, and it's remained that way every season since. Any player who has had lots of championship games and a seasons-worth of games in the prem is a good player, but like night and day the difference

 

Yeah its just a pile of tomorrows fish n chip wrapping paper!.
I couldn't give a monkeys either if Carsley, or whoever, doesn't want to or even refuses to sing the anthem. Its not even England's anthem is it!.

 

As for the match, I was impressed at how we went at them and dominated the first half. It ought to have been 3 or 4, but a wins a win.
Rep Ireland used to be tough opposition and this had the potential to be a right banana skin of a game.
And well done to both Dec Rice and greasy Jack lol, both getting a goal each against the country they both used to play for.

 

On paper, yes I agree, but, having watched England under Southgate never once did his brand of football excite me, perhaps the new shoes will want to tread more open terrain instead of plodding a narrow path, I have also read the morning reports of the game and it would seem, although slightly veiled, the journo's are in agreement, Southgate's tenure was a turgid one, anyone not affiliated with England will look at his record and believe he was a successful international coach, but the truth is he was conservative and negative to the point of sending the entire football world into a coma.

 

You must yearn for the heady days of Taylor, Keegan, McClaren, Sven, Fab and Woy....

 

With exception of Ramsey, Robson and Venables I agree our history of international management has been somewhat bland, but with the current crop of players and the ones touted to come through, I would expect a good, inventive, adventurous coach to go on and win a major trophy before I turn my bloody toes up, here's me hoping my hopes and expectations turn into reality.

 

Sounds like you are saying an unbiased opinion will lead to a conclusion of a successful international coach.
A biased one will not.
Interesting.

 

Never sung it never will, I'm not asking some fantasy sky dweller to save some human being who I'm supposed to be subservient to just because of the man or women parts that produced them.