How to save International Football

Middlesex v Warwickshire

England 1 v Norway 0

Wednesday 3 October 2014

Double header at Lord's & Wembley. A day lost to the weather meant it was difficult for either side to push towards a win. But hey, a day at Lord's for this cricket lover.

Today's first drink was a bottle of Five Points Brewing IPA at 7.1%. I've had it before. It's not bitter intense enough for me. I prefer the Pale. But it is a lovely beer. For me a gentle spicy marmalade bitterness characterises it.

None of the flavours are overpowering & the sweetness is well balanced.

After they shook hands at the cricket, I had a Buxton Rednik Stout at 4.7% in The Euston Tap before the football. I really enjoyed it. But as it happens, the flavour I liked most in the mix was the bitterness. Is there really much difference nowadays between Stout, Porter & Black IPA. Anyway. Call it Fred. Call it Ginger. It was lovely. Very smooth. But it was mainly as I was walking to the Tube that I realised how great the bitter finish was.

International football. What a state that's in. I pride myself on realism. England are where they are. At the highest level, we have a lot of foreign stars. I'll remain happy enough with picking the best English players & trying to get the best out of them. If that makes us a mid-table international team. So be it.

But. Take a step back. We play international friendlies so that we can get ready for the competitive games against (no disrespect) San Marino. What a mad "business model" that is.

I sincerely believe if we started again we would not get to here. If I suggested that in order to decide the best team in the World (or Europe) Chelsea would have to qualify against Sheffield United for the right to play Liverpool. You'd be right in suggesting I'm mad.

FIFA, UEFA & the FA need to get a grip. In the average guys & gals lifetime England will play competitive games against the likes of France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Argentina a handful of times. Maybe 10.

We need (firstly) a merit & hierarchical qualification system for FIFA & UEFA finals. The Davids play the Davids to see who plays the Goliaths. The current system of a minnow in with a shark in every qualifying group is mental.

We need (secondly) a league style competition. Where you play teams "at your level". Let's make games really count & scrap friendlies.