You guys get in your own feedback bubble about Popa. He is hated, so any little thing is grabbed onto as hope it will finally see him sacked. That squad selection, that team selection, that performance in a friendly and on and on. Meanwhile at FA if you brought any of this up they would just...

I dislike the style and setup as well, for aesthetic reasons. But playing haramball isn't equal to accepting qualifying is good enough. It is as legitimate a way of playing. Opening up to go forward doesn't mean you tried harder. Cape Verde didn't win a match and were knocked out at the same...

Guus took Arnold but also had his own staff. Neeskens was one. From memory there was arguments from the FA about bringing on his his staff, thinking he would just come by himself. Sometimes small things show that some progress has been made over the years.

When I look at the WC I consider it match by match and ask who had the players playing at a higher level and who was expected to win. Only Paraguay would I say it maybe approached even. Expectations for that match were shifted because both sides needed the draw. All the other points can be true...

People in general seem pretty negative towards the NC. I haven't done anything coaching related in over 15 years, but when I had a look over the content it would have been really useful to me.

What about this take? It is clear evidence the national curriculum worked to provide better education at a grass roots level. This generations successes are attributed to the success of the NC and we are now reaping the benefits. Haha. Everyone who doubted it can post your apologies below. I...

If my post was unclear I pretty much agree with you. I don't even think it was about Okon senior being on staff. People just dislike Popa and wanted to slam him for whatever they could. He deserved it because he is better (at least according to the manager). All the things you mentioned are...

He hasn't played...yet. But if the WC performances didn't already, this transfer and playing Bundesliga will justify the original squad selection based on potential, prior to any real professional career. Thank god Popa is a manager so focused on youth development.

This is their transfers last season. Lower end of the fees paid. Probably undervalued a little but not drastically. The A league needs to get to a standard where players can make the transition and play first team football immediately. At the moment this is only happening for smaller...

It's good to even be able to have this type of conversation and it being close. It has been a pretty rough 20 years.

Loved your work through the WC.

I would disagree a little with you on this. The current defenders are not better than GG. They hopefully will be, the potential is there. But they clear level/s below. Lucas Neill was an EPL starter for 8 seasons. No one is close to that yet. Souttar and Burgess' careers are not dissimilar to...

Maybe BA knows more detail about what/how they are doing it. But if we are looking internally, it is hard to expect new programs/ideas that cost when they are hemorrhaging dollars. Even the WC, making it out of the groups stage means the FA might break even on the whole thing. There are...

I can't comment on that. But we know the FA ran a $15 million loss last year. Based on something like $120 million revenue. They aren't going to be putting on regular camps for kids, they aren't paying someone to do this as a job. It is a narrow focus with prioritising the major competitions...

I don't enjoy being the kill joy all the time. But the primary reason is always money. It's far easier to have vision and foresight if you can pay for it.