The Importance of Sport (NEW CONCEPTS)

[Mick Harper]

So, back to POOFTA vs HOOPLA. These are the factors dictating the length of time when 'playing out time' applies:

1. The obduracy of your defence
Arsenal can afford to adopt POOFTA if they go up in the first minute. England had a scratch ever-changing back four.

2. The nature of the opposing attack
If it's average, goals will always be at a premium so a full half-hour might be safe enough. Argentina had a stellar attack only kept at bay hitherto by England retaining possession for long periods and energetically competing for it everywhere.

3. The capabilities of your upfield players
If they can make use of POOFTA balls then the time can be increased. There were no upfield England players in the last half-hour of the Argentine game, everyone was manning the low block.

4. The ability to retain possession
England had shown they could do that at 0-0. They panicked when Argentina started pressing at 0-1.

5. The importance of the equalising goal
If it's an away tie in a two-legged match, there is no great consequence if POOFTA fails. In a one-off semi-final in the World Cup, it's another four years of hurt.

[Mick Harper]

My favourite (American) mordant football critic, Zealandism, pointed out something we English don't always appreciate. The Argentines play for their country with a grimness, a verve and a unity of team spirit they don't always exhibit when turning out for their (European) club sides. Think Christian Romero at Tottenham.

It's more the other way about with our lads.

[Mick Harper]

I wonder how we shall fare when Djed Spence succeeds Andy Burnham.

And what about that name? He will be our first PM called Spence. Though we did have a Spencer Percival.

[Grant]

But who to blame for the failure? Here's my theory:

In 2020 we played Italy in the Euro final at home. We scored a goal in the first few minutes. Then we spent the next hour or so sitting back daring Italy to equalise. Of course, they did, and we lost. We later discovered that Italy were shite and failed to qualify for the next two world cups.

Yesterday, we played Argentina in the WC semi-final. We scored a goal after 50 odd minutes and then immediately sat back daring Argentina to score. They did, and we lost. Commentators are telling us how wonderful the Argies are with their aging dwarf in charge. Spain will test that concept.

Now, how many players started both games? Pickford, Stones, Rice and Kane.

My money is on Pickford and Kane as the guilty men. Pickford depresses the defenders by constantly shouting at them. Kane retreats to a defensive role as soon as the pressure is on.

This might be just personal prejudice on my part