Logic

He's playing for Sweden. A team that needs to play qualifying games to make it to the Euros. Unlike Iceland.

"There is not much difference between that and the fanfares for Jurgen Klopp, except that Liverpool’s new manager has won two Bundesliga titles and reached a Champions League final." Except those three little things...

I don't think Iceland will get anything out of the game vs Turkey. In the last game vs. Latvia the players were quite careless and didn't seem to be able to keep focused. Played some excellent football going forward but forgot how to defend. If they go into the game vs. Turkey the same way we'll get battered.

(sorry - just had to. )

Wasn't it that paper that sent a reporter and photographer to follow Rodgers around on his vacation?

He should have to answer for both incidents. The c*nt.

Costa not charged for the (apparent) scratching of Gabriel's neck?

Depends on the severity IIRC. Can be a pain in the ass to heal.

Good point. And my nick is a desperate attempt to make people take me seriously. It obviously isn't working...

I'm in no way a medical professional but could this be plantar fasciitis? If so he'll be in and out of the team for a long time (mostly out).

+ Ibe, Brannagan, Rossiter and Sinclair. (so no Teixeira) http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2016/clubs/club=7889/index.html#ui-tabs- I'm ignoring the fact that Ilori was sent on loan. As that was obviously a ridiculous thing to do. (did I f*** up more than that? - Ignoring the fact that Teixeira isn't on the B-list...)

We need a few slightly mad. Both on the sidelines and on the pitch. We've been too nice for too long.

You could put Benteke in for Ings and Milner for Rossiter/Teixeira. Based on recent performances I'm not sure this would be any weaker of a team than the one we've been playing in the league...

Bogdan Clyne Ilori Sakho Moreno Lucas Rossiter Teixeira Firmino Origi Ings Then our best players on the bench in case of emergency.

Ignoring the utterly horrific performances of late the club should always be striving to improve every position at the club. At the moment both Ancelotti and Klopp are out of a job. FSG are incompetent owners if they don't do pretty much anything to get either of those two in as manager. Irrespective of the last few performances.

Yeah, we were so close then. But now we've qualified after being seeded 5th in a group containing the Netherlands, Turkey and the Czech Republic. After winning both home and away against the team who came third in the last world cup. The teams celebration on the pitch post-game.

ICELAND QUALIFIES!!!!

A small fix would make it more likely: GK: NECsson RB: Hammarbyson CB: Krasnodarsson CB: Malmöson LB: OBsson RM: Charltonsson CM: Cardiffsson CM: Swanseasson LM: Baselsson CF: Nantesson CF: Vikingsson

Yeah, Gylfi didn't get a proper chance there IMO. IIRC he mostly got time wide left in a 4231 while he's probably more like Hendo as a player. He'd be perfect as one of the two in a 1-2 midfield or as the nr 10 in a 4231 as he's a bit more creative then Hendo while also having a great shot on him. He could basically play any role we have Hendo and Milner playing. But I'm too biased to make a claim about wether he's better than either of them. The Swedish influence comes from the coach. Lasse Lagerbäck. He's done wonders for the team. As for where the players are from in the Icelandic squad. The starting eleven (only writing the clubs) yesterday was: GK: NEC RB: Hammarby CB: Krasnodar CB: Malmö LB: OB RM: Charlton CM: Cardiff CM: Swansea LM: Basel CF: Nantes CF: Viking So two players playing in the top 5 leagues in Europe. The rest... not exactly very well known clubs I'd say.

It's a mix of several things. We've built up the infrastructure in the typical Icelandic way of probably spending way too much money on it. Most towns/villages have an indoor fullsize pitch or at least a smaller astro-turf pitch that's heated to be able to use it throughout the whole year. Then we've spent a lot of time and money investing in getting coaches at all levels well educated. So kids have proper facilities and proper training from a young age. But then I think the real secret is that we have a mix of the Icelandic mentality (which is to be strong, independent and just react to what is in front of you rather than plan anything) with the Swedish rigidness and planning. So you have a bunch of guys who all work really hard, who many of them are quite talented footballers and a bit "mad" but they are put inside a framework and given specific instructions that somehow works wonders with the Icelandic chaotic behaviour. We play a rather rigid 4-4-2 with two hard working, big strong forwards and then the two wingers are both playing as inverted wingers meaning they always get up and support the forwards rather than play wide stretching the play. And then we have Gylfi Þór in midfield and I'm of the opinion that if he was from a more "exotic" footballing nation he'd be playing for the best teams in Europe rather than just being the main man at Swansea. tl;dr - Mix Icelandic hard working chaos with Swedish rigidness and planning + good infrastructure.

The Netherlands might not make it. Even if they win the bronze in Brazil. And thanks guys. If things go as planned on Sunday it's going to be one hell of a party! Oh - and I read somewhere that iceland has now scored the most goals in qualifying. I haven't factchecked that but will just accept that as the truth.

FT! Iceland f*cking won! 1 point from going to France! Two "easy" games at home and one tough away in Turkey left. f*** YEAH!

Netherlands 0 - Iceland 1. 58min

Update on Iceland's progress (because you all care). 30min gone in Amsterdam. Netherlands just went down to 10 men after Martins Indi got sent off. Oh... And the FIFA rankings puts us above France. So it's pretty clear they are a load of BS.