edprice1984

The US is a different country to the one that hosted in 1994. Back then, they were generally seen in a positive light with the obvious caveats of not having a fucking clue about Football. Now 32 years on, they have become an experiment in unbounded greed and the answer to the question "What happens if you let Capitalism run amok with no guard rails?". As soon as FIFA expanded the tournament to 48 teams, only a few countries were in a position to host the thing. Also the enforced rotation of tournament hosts between different Confederations means that the US was always going to play some part. FIFA have also become even more corrupt during that time. Looking back at the stuff that went on under Havelange and Blatter, it almost seems quaint. Just a slight side note around why these tournaments aren't quite as exciting as they once were. Back in the 1980's or even 90's, we didn't have quite the wall to wall football that we do now. Brazil, Argentina and other teams would still have some mystique. Now all the top players ply their trade in Europe, most in the Premier League. There will be 205 players at this World Cup who play in the Premier League, EFL and even one from the National League. Familiarity breeds contempt to some degree.

Like most World Cup's once the football starts, it will be ok. I agree that there are too many teams - 32 was perfect - but the decision to expand was all about politics and Infantino's re-election as FIFA President. Heat and conditions will play a massive part, far more than at any other tournament since S.Korea and Japan. Although if you compare to 1994 when kick-offs were at midday (to attract the European audience) it's not quite as bad this time around. England to the Semi Finals, Japan and Norway to do very well, and Scotland to miss out on the Last 32 due to goal difference. France to win it. I am hoping for the USA to crash out early, Canada and Cyle to sneak through and very much looking forward to the Pride game between Egypt and Iran. Once you get to the knock-outs then the excitement will ratchet up.

Of course - I am not criticising anyone who is full throated in their forgiveness here. For some it will take longer, for others it may never happen. I have always felt uneasy about sacking Tonda (unless the FA ban him, where we would have no choice). I am still upset that my daughter and father missed out on Wembley, we have been lucky in that the club have been there quite a few times over the past decade, but that is not a guarantee. The statement from Dragan and from Tonda have gone a long way to satisfying me and as I said, I am nearly there. Hopefully the players are on board too and we can start next season in the same way we ended last.

Clearly if the FA don't ban him then he will be our manager in August at the start of the next season. Regarding the potential want away players, if Dragan is offering financial compensation and the club are giving guarantees on accepting offers from Premier League clubs etc, then we will be looking to make a tilt at winning the league not just promotion. I know that the financial implications of not going up could be severe, but equally you do get the sense that Dragan is here for the long haul and that we have backing to go again if the worst does happen. Tonda made an error, I am not ready to fully forgive him yet. It still hurts that we missed out on Wembley and likely promotion with a set of players who fans had really attached themselves too. It wasn't quite 2012 levels of optimism but it was getting there. If he does stay and the results on the pitch continue to be positive, he and the team will quickly win round the supporters. Let's hope we play Boro early, we get to vent and we can get behind the club.

I am sure it's been referenced elsewhere, probably on the Tonda Stay or Go thread - but as Bielsa is leaving the Uruguay job at the end of the World Cup, we have the chance to do something truly amazing.

I have always thought we should adopt the Sash as our identity. This for example is almost perfect. River Plate's 125th Anniversary kit.

Cheating is bad. (Yes there are different levels of cheating) We cheated. Tonda apparently orchestrated the cheating. Tonda also was extremely effective as manager and led us to 21 league games unbeaten and a FA Cup Semi Final. The FA are investigating and may make a ruling on whether Tonda gets a ban. If he gets a ban, we will sack him - almost certainly for Gross misconduct, meaning a reduced or no pay-out. If he isn't banned, the club will need to understand the position of the players and whether he still has their confidence and trust. If not, we will sack him. Personally, I think he will need the vast majority of the players to actively want him to stay for us to keep him. There is a quite a bit of me that thinks we should keep him, get the supporters, players and whole club to develop a siege mentality and use that to go hard at the league next season. The question is whether we as supporters (and club more generally) can be bothered with all the additional attention and 'banter' from outside? Sports Republic have another option, sack Tonda, employ a high profile, experienced manager and give him a war chest - don't sell players (unless we get massive bids) and go out and buy Peretz, Larin etc. Explicitly state that we are aiming to win the league. No doubt it will be a total mess, drag on far too long and come August we will be a mess once again.

The statement is basically all the club could say at this point. I find it incredibly unlikely that they will overturn any part of the decision - particularly expulsion. I don't think we deserve to be reinstated nor should be. However, the little devil on my shoulder also thinks for those moaning about not acknowledging Hull City, personally I couldn't give a f*ck. We are bang to rights, deserve to be chucked out, but if there is any sort of possibility that we can salvage this and then somehow win, I will be an angry supporter watching a Premier League team next season. What the club have done is morally repugnant and it is incredibly embarrassing for supporters, but as others have said, plenty of other sides have committed sustained cheating on a much larger scale. Man City, Everton, Leicester, Forest, Chelsea, Pompey, Leeds, Derby etc etc etc. I am angry, disappointed, and frankly fed up with the whole situation. We will have to get used to years and years of abuse for this from rival supporters, it's going to be a stick that we will be beaten with for a long time. Rambling thoughts from someone who hates that there is even 1% hope that we get reinstated. Bastards.

This thread has been reliving the glory days of the old Pompey one, but without the forensic accounting.

Surely the bigger question is why is a bloke from Peru supporting Hull?

Average afternoon to be honest

I am off to Paris next Wednesday. Beach Volleyball (Mens (Sweden v Italy) and Womens (Australia v Canada) and the first session of the Athletics. Looking forward to it. Then a couple of days at Disneyland, followed by a trek around Bavaria.

From my point of view I always struggled to get tickets to away games due to not having a season ticket and also ones I could get to (generally further North) clash with Gloucester Rugby matches. I will be totally honest and fully expected it to be much easier this season, but due to our incredible run of form I have only managed Coventry away so far. Bought a ticket for myself and for my Dad. Only been to Anfield once before, to watch Liverpool v Sunderland with a friend in 2009. Looking forward to it as an experience I don’t generally get to have, regardless of the somewhat diluted atmosphere. Obviously the league should be our priority but sometimes it’s good to dream!

They have lost four of their best players in the run up to the tournament and it looks like Walsh is out now too. A Semi-Final would be a great tournament in my opinion with the loss of talent the side has experienced.

Moron that I am, forgot to change address on the Saints account and it went to the old home address. Managed to sort picking up a replacement at Reading on Saturday.