England v Albania

[Elite_Pie]

I wonder if San Marino think the same?

Of course they don't, but this game was like all teams entering the FA Cup starting as equals in Round 1. Hucknall Town would love to play Man U, but it would be a total mismatch and would clog up the fixture list. If tiny teams want to play the big teams they should earn the right, just like we now have to win through 3 rounds to get the chance of an FA Cup tie against one of the big names.

[nw6pie]

Of course they don't, but this game was like all teams entering the FA Cup starting as equals in Round 1. Hucknall Town would love to play Man U, but it would be a total mismatch and would clog up the fixture list. If tiny teams want to play the big teams they should earn the right, just like we now have to win through 3 rounds to get the chance of an FA Cup tie against one of the big names.

Agree with this. The Nations League has been a success because it's teams at the same level competing against each other.

I think San Marino ended up with a goal difference of -45 (scored 1; conceded 46), which is ridiculous and helps nobody - especially the San Marino keeper's overworked orthopedist.

Time for a rethink, especially if FIFA is serious about holding the World Cup every two years - which is worthy of another thread in its own right.

Talking of World Cups, I see the Championship is pausing from Nov. 13 to Dec. 9 next year, but the leagues below will carry on as per usual:

https://www.skysports.com/football/n...-will-continue

One thing that might - and hopefully will - affect us is that the EFL starts on July 30 next season.

[Elite_Pie]

Talking of World Cups, I see the Championship is pausing from Nov. 13 to Dec. 9 next year, but the leagues below will carry on as per usual.

That would present an ideal opportunity to repeat the 'Football for a Fiver' offer for a low-key home game in the middle of that. I'm sure the fact there were no games being played in the top two divisions helped us on Saturday.

[jacobncfc]

I wonder if San Marino think the same? I would hazard a guess that tonight was one of there bigger attendances and money earners.
The reality is that most games in the qualifying games are one sided affairs but that doesn’t mean they are completely pointless. Teams need to be given the chance to improve, but let’s not penalise countries that simply don’t have the resources to compete. It’s a bigger game for them than it would be for countries like us.

This. Playing San Marino is obviously pointless for England, but not everything is about what it means for England or the bigger teams. That game brings in lots of money to San Marino through television rights and a sell-out crowd, which their FA can then reinvest into improving their pitches, coaching and infrastructure.

Is it a great spectacle? Not at all, but thankfully the way European qualifying works is that there’s been several really exciting, close groups and a couple of shocks already.

[Elite_Pie]

That game brings in lots of money to San Marino through television rights and a sell-out crowd, which their FA can then reinvest into improving their pitches, coaching and infrastructure.

But improve to what extent, given they have a population the size of Chorley and a stadium smaller than King's Lynn?

[jacobncfc]

But improve to what extent, given they have a population the size of Chorley and a stadium smaller than King's Lynn?

To improve relative to what it is now, I guess. Part of the unique beauty of international football compared to other sports IMO is that San Marino and England start qualification for a World Cup on the same footing.

Small countries can improve as well. Iceland being the obvious example.

[legs77]

San Marino have not improved since they started they along with all the other deadbeats were given a place just to give Blatter an extra vote.

I mean who even watches the game its completely pointless all it does is stat pad people like Kane record.

National league teams would put up a better fight than them.

They LOSE every game even teams like Andorra batter them.

[countygump]

San Marino have not improved since they started they along with all the other deadbeats were given a place just to give Blatter an extra vote.

I mean who even watches the game its completely pointless all it does is stat pad people like Kane record.

National league teams would put up a better fight than them.

They LOSE every game even teams like Andorra batter them.

They can improve but I'm not sure getting a thrashing every time they take the field helps with that. A separate competition for all clubs ranked lower than 100 might help.

[jacobncfc]

They can improve but I'm not sure getting a thrashing every time they take the field helps with that. A separate competition for all clubs ranked lower than 100 might help.

That exists now in the Nations League where they get to play against the other smaller countries.

They’re never going to improve much because the place is so small. That’s not their fault, they’re a country and have as much right to enter qualifying for the World Cup as anyone else IMO.

[SwalePie]

To improve relative to what it is now, I guess. Part of the unique beauty of international football compared to other sports IMO is that San Marino and England start qualification for a World Cup on the same footing.

Small countries can improve as well. Iceland being the obvious example.

Agreed. It isn't so different from the 'romance of the FA Cup' principle that us fans generally love.