DavidP02

@PhilJBowers New Zealand 0 Finland 2. Eden Park, Auckland. Ben Waine started; subbed on the 64th minute. Finland not qualified for the World Cup. 3rd in their grip behind Netherlands and Poland.

@cadelucas @MichaelLynchy Supreme player and proved to be an excellent coach. Much of the philosophy at Barcelona is down to him.

@Aussie_DaveP @MichaelLynchy I'd have Cruyff ahead of Best.

Still don't think I have ever seen a better player than Diego. Flawed of course but a natural genius. Met him a few times at press conferences post playing career when covering Argentina games, a magnetic character.

@MichaelLynchy Last two sentences spot on - totally agree. However a tad harsh on his record Michael, I feel - forget the lightweight stuff after but is 470 games for MU “too early”? Arguable perhaps, but we could mention playing surface too.

@Aussie_DaveP Best was great of course, but flamed and burned too early to be in the same conversation as Diego. I think trophies are a rather pointless way of measuring greatness. Man City's third choice keeper has loads of trophy medals - doesn't make him great

@DavidJack20 @pmens72 Likewise Dave and remember seeing the concert at the cinema (my favourite Beatle)

@pmens72 From the Concert for Bangladesh 1971 ? I have the whole concert on DVD and love to see Eric Clapton judicially placing his burning ciggy between the tuning pegs of his guitar 😁

👌

@MitchellGlenn … and they couldof honed in … 🙄 (You are not a dinosaur Glenn - quite simply you are correct!)

“Versing” Kids ➡️ adults ➡️ commentators 🤷🏻‍♂️ Perhaps, I’m just a dinosaur 🙄

@ChrisJo93299298 @ExtremeFootbal4 Introduced in 1970 World Cup. Idea of English ref Ken Aston - FIFA Head of refs - after he had trouble in 1966 making Antonio Rattin understand the meaning of ‘Early bath mate’ 😏😊 (England v Argentina, quarter final). [Yellow card or booked - same same].

@ExtremeFootbal4 Stanley Matthews was never carded neither was Billy Wright

Gary Lineker is the only footballer in history who was never carded. 🟨🟥 Yes, you read that correctly: he didn’t receive a single yellow or red card in his entire career. 😲 He played 654 matches over 16 years.

@theprojecttv Denmark still in with a chance to qualify for the World Cup. King Frederik a keen follower by all accounts. Several Australian players in Denmark’s Superliga. Come on @FootballAUS get a grip

During her royal visit home to Australia, the Tasmanian-born Queen Mary of Denmark visited the MCG and showed she still knows her way around a Sherrin.

@MichaelLynchy As I recall Michael don’t think Schumacher was booked and no free kick awarded. Battiston hospitalised, jaw wired up & didn’t play for a long time. 3rd of Germany’s dark ‘hat trick’ in 1982 IMO (1. Utter disrespect shown towards Algeria; 2. The Disgrace of Gijon.)

Remember watching this live with brothers and friends. The whole world I think wanted Italy to win after Toni Shumacher's appalling foul on Patrick Battiston in the semi which Germany won on penalties against France. Truly horrifying challenge. France should have won that game...

@a_betting @RobbieSlater17 @aleaguemen @gomvfc Yep - Who ‘nose’? 😏😏

@RobbieSlater17 @aleaguemen @gomvfc No lol

Juan Mata is on fire for @gomvfc, but is he in conversation for best A-Leagues marquee ever? 🌟🤔 Not for two A-Leagues icons. Tommy Oar and Daniel McBreen have named their top five star imports of all-time, drop yours in the comments below 👇

@footballhops21 Cheers George. Not sure which is best - Vale Park (for a who knows what can happen) or at the Emirates for a good day out and a payday.

@Aussie_DaveP congrats on the FA Cup win, here’s hoping for an Arsenal trip to Stoke in the QF’s

Come on the Vale!! Magic of the Cup! Aussie manager, Kiwi goalscorer - Vale 1 Sunderland 0 - @simonhill1894 @Mike_Tuckerman @DavidJack20 @DameJulieWelch @DanielGarb @jimvale @JacquiOatley @IanDarke @Gatty54

@Gatty54 @simonhill1894 Even being massively generous it deserves the classic chant of, “You don’t know what you’re doin’!!”

@simonhill1894 Disgraceful and disgusting Simon. I reckon it was done on purpose.

Another little eg of how ⚽️ in Oz is never allowed to enjoy its moment in the sun. I can’t think of another place on the planet that would make this mistake…if indeed it is a mistake.

@VinceRugari They’re laughing at us Vince.

@MicallefPhilip I agree Philip - a very clever piece. To be honest, not knowing what to expect. I was surprised English players finished so high

This is very good.

@daily_set Forgot to mention “The Greatest Player You Never Saw” ( it’s the Robin Friday story)

Inverting the Pyramid Provided You Don’t Kiss Me Should keep me going to Christmas. Feel free to add more

Following my post yesterday on The Miracle Of Castel di Sangro I have compiled a list of all the books recommended in the comments. In no particular order- Thirty One Nil My Father and Other Working-class Heroes A Season in Verona Pointless How Not To Ruin a Football Club Cont…

@DavidJack20 @terrychristian Who? Never ‘eard of ‘im Dave.

@terrychristian Terry, these “best ever” teams are a joke and apart from the omissions you mentioned, what about a certain Duncan Edwards? 🙄

Ridiculous - No George Best , No Bobby Charlton , No Denis Law , No Dennis Irwin. No Bryan Robson -

@daily_set It’s a beauty Pro Set for sure. Some already mentioned - the Tim Parks book is great. I have to give myself a plug - “Football Fans in their own write” - fans, all with great stories on ‘Why’, some notable folks, some not so much, check out middle guy top row of cover

Any of you guys ever read this. I’ve read over 100 books on football and this is absolutely my favourite

@Gatty54 Quite agree Ray - it’s brilliant and a treasure trove 👍😊

Finally got to Jamberoo and the famous Jamberoo pub. The homage to Johnny Warren is unbelievable.

@simonhill1894 @SteveMascord I’ve often wondered why the “war” so much in Australia. I have no idea but is there a “war” in e.g. the USA? Presumably NFL, MLB and NBA are also well aware of ⚽️’s global power too (and it’s about to be thrust in their face - and in the NFL’s stadia - wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

@SteveMascord Only my opinion but I don’t think Code Wars exist in the UK to the same extent. ⚽️ is so dominant there’s really no “war” - it’s less clear cut in Oz, where ⚽️’s global power is well known, and is seen as a “cultural invader” by many…all rather daft. There’s room for all.

I don't get angry bout code war shit anymore. It is what it is. I am trying to convince my friend @simonhill1894 to be equally zen about the issue. But just because I don't get upset about it doesn't mean various things didn't happen. League also benefits at times from unfairness