Club or country?

[hypochondriac]

Always club over country. It's great watching England play in major tournaments but if it had to be any kind of choice between a Saints win or an England win it'll be Saints every time.

 

Thankfully life doesn't work like this though.

 

 

That depends though doesnt it. Typically an England game has a lot more riding on it than a saints game.

[Colinjb]

That depends though doesnt it. Typically an England game has a lot more riding on it than a saints game.

 

This is true, but personally I always get more of a buzz from a Saints goal or victory, regardless of opposition. There have been England games where I have actively cheered on a plucky underdog (Northern Ireland a few years ago is a good example) who is giving our national team a bit of a lesson, that would never happen for me when watching Saints.

 

I've just totally fallen out of love with the national game in recent years, only the recent inclusion of Rickie in proceedings has helped to revive any real interest.

[Lets B Avenue]

I hate ever agreeing with Hypo, but I'm 100% with him on this one. Coming from someone who wont go tomorrow, but will be at Old Stretford on Saturday.

[verlaine1979]

Oh my mistake I thought the football team you support is GENERALLY where you are from. Otherwise maybe everyone could take an interest in a conference South game. After all, there are other reasons for watching football...

 

Your mistake indeed - I wasn't talking about support, I was talking about enjoyment. I support Southampton, but that's the extent of my irrational sporting loyalty that doesn't care whether a game is dull as long as the result is right. The rest I watch purely for the skill and spectacle, and since England rarely bring either, I have no particular interest in whether they qualify or not.

[hypochondriac]

Your mistake indeed - I wasn't talking about support, I was talking about enjoyment. I support Southampton, but that's the extent of my irrational sporting loyalty that doesn't care whether a game is dull as long as the result is right. The rest I watch purely for the skill and spectacle, and since England rarely bring either, I have no particular interest in whether they qualify or not.

 

I feel sorry for you that you can derive no enjoyment from supporting the country of your birth (I presume) in a fantastic sport like football. I would suggest that the vast majority of English football supporters in this country would disagree with you.

[verlaine1979]

Thanks, that means a great deal to me. One day, with the care and support of people like you, I might aspire to reach the emotional level of the vast majority of English football supporters. I know it'll be tough, but you've got to have a dream, eh?

[simo]

Boruc to have a blinder keeping a clean sheet England draw but win the play off game and saints smash united 3 nil will do me !

[hypochondriac]

Thanks, that means a great deal to me. One day, with the care and support of people like you, I might aspire to reach the emotional level of the vast majority of English football supporters. I know it'll be tough, but you've got to have a dream, eh?

 

Enjoy not caring about your countries footballing exploits. I suspect it's vastly more fulfilling than the alternative

[Saintandy666]

It will be to the detriment of English football in the long run and therefore Saints if we do not qualify, so would definitely opt for the England win. I'm greedy though, so hoping for both.

[hypochondriac]

It will be to the detriment of English football in the long run and therefore Saints if we do not qualify, so would definitely opt for the England win. I'm greedy though, so hoping for both.

 

I'm sad because I've had to agree with hippy Andy about something

[Pastor Patrón]

I hope England lose regardless, seeing people who come across as enormous c#nts fail spectacularly and cry on national tv brings me a large amount of satisfaction

[CB Fry]

But England failing to win tomorrow won't mean we don't go through, it just means we're in the play-off.

 

Aware of that thanks. But we qualify, definitely, if we win.

 

Winning at OT on Saturday is, by your standards, meaningless as we can still finish top ten/six/four/not be relegated/etc regardless of that result.

[Toadhall Saint]

It's a very sad situation where you aren't patriotic enough to want the England team (in any sport) to do well. I understand all the arguments about overpaid players etc but at the end of the day I am a proud Englishman and I want us to do as well as possible at the sport that we invented.

 

I'm as patriotic as the next person hypo. Of course I want them to win the sport we invented but I'm afraid once we invented it that was it - we left every other nation to take the invention and improve it. Lets be honest watching England play most of the time is as dull as dishwater. I'm waiting for the day England tear another nation a new one - but I won't be holding my breath. The whole England set up needs to change.

[aintforever]

But how is them not doing very well in Brazil preferable to them not even qualifying in the first place?

 

It's not but to me it's not a big deal if we qualify or not because we will probably just get d!cked in Brazil anyway. That's why I chose a Saints win at OT.

 

Major tournaments are always better if England are there but there is always an annoying hype in the media about our chances, all that "England expects" nonsense. It gets intentionally hyped up just to make a bigger story when we inevitably get knocked out. That's followed by the usual campaign against the manager and pointless analysis of why England are cr@p at football.

[ericb]

Couldn't care less about England these days, though i'll support saints players when they play, it's definitely club over country for me.

[paulwantsapint]

Biggest question is how will hodgson spell

10 rickie or Rooney

Hope Boruc lets in a rickie shot at wembley then gets back to business with another clean sheet on sat

[hypochondriac]

I'm as patriotic as the next person hypo. Of course I want them to win the sport we invented but I'm afraid once we invented it that was it - we left every other nation to take the invention and improve it. Lets be honest watching England play most of the time is as dull as dishwater. I'm waiting for the day England tear another nation a new one - but I won't be holding my breath. The whole England set up needs to change.

 

I don't disagree with an of that. What I find is odd is not wanting them to qualify for the big tournaments or wanting the to do well.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Saints win - no question.

[Hamilton Saint]

I'd go for the England win, of course.

 

I have no difficulty supporting both England and Saints .

[whelk]

Can't believe how many say they don't care about England. Shame on you all and Sky Sports has really done a number on you. Yes we are generally crp but FFS not caring about us going to the Wprld cup is disgraceful. And know that any sniff in Brazil and you will all be on the bandwagon

[red&white56]

Saints win at OT for me!

[hypochondriac]

Good to see some sane people on here.

[SNSUN]

Without reading the responses to this, I would have to say an England win. Now in the past I've ranted that I'm a Saints fan first and an England fan a very distant second, but winning tomorrow and qualifying for the World Cup would be huge for England, and will give us all something to look forward to next summer. It's still early in the season (for Saints) and a loss against Man Utd is no big deal.

 

It's a question of timing. If Man Utd vs Saints was the last game of the season, and we needed a win to qualify for the Champions League or something, then of course I would pick a Saints win. In this context though, at this time of the season, an England win tomorrow is paramount.

[CB Fry]

It's not but to me it's not a big deal if we qualify or not because we will probably just get d!cked in Brazil anyway. That's why I chose a Saints win at OT.

 

Major tournaments are always better if England are there but there is always an annoying hype in the media about our chances, all that "England expects" nonsense. It gets intentionally hyped up just to make a bigger story when we inevitably get knocked out. That's followed by the usual campaign against the manager and pointless analysis of why England are cr@p at football.

 

All this stuff about "England always get hyped up" doesn't actually happen anymore though.

 

Pre-South Africa there was no expectation in the press at all, and even less going into the Euros.

 

Ahead of a specific match there is obvious expression of support but why wouldn't there be. Don't know if you've ever noticed but most of the time on here before a match there is an awful lot of "Saints will win this one" predictions regardless of form or opposition.

 

Before an England match is that exact same sentiment but in all media across the entire country.

 

That aside (do you expect newspapers to splash with "We will lose" on the day of a WC Game?) there will be no expectation that we will win the world cup this time. So don't worry.

Edited 14 October, 2013 by CB Fry

[hypochondriac]

Without reading the responses to this, I would have to say an England win. Now in the past I've ranted that I'm a Saints fan first and an England fan a very distant second, but winning tomorrow and qualifying for the World Cup would be huge for England, and will give us all something to look forward to next summer. It's still early in the season (for Saints) and a loss against Man Utd is no big deal.

 

It's a question of timing. If Man Utd vs Saints was the last game of the season, and we needed a win to qualify for the Champions League or something, then of course I would pick a Saints win. In this context though, at this time of the season, an England win tomorrow is paramount.

 

Is the correct answer.

[trousers]

Is the correct answer.

 

If only I'd known there was a right answer, rather than different opinions, I'd have answered differently. My bad.

[Lets B Avenue]

My bad.

 

Wash your mouth out!

[SaintBobby]

Saints for me all day long.

 

England leave me pretty cold.

 

I'd take a draw at Old Trafford and a Poland win if offered it right now.

[hypochondriac]

If only I'd known there was a right answer, rather than different opinions, I'd have answered differently. My bad.

 

It isn't worth listening to the opinion of an English football fan who doesn't want England to do well.

[Saint_clark]

It isn't worth listening to the opinion of an English football fan who doesn't want England to do well.

 

That's not the question though, is it. The question is essentially who would you rather do better.

[SarniaSaint]

I really couldn't give a flying F if england win or not:rolleyes: much better that Saints get 3 points at OT

[Saintandy666]

I'm sad because I've had to agree with hippy Andy about something

 

First time for everything my dear friend

[skintsaint]

England at the world cup - yes please...important for me. Hate watching tournies without us in it, even if we do struggle! Unlikely to happen but i'm sure if we did win it people on here who said they don't give a toss will be on the bandwagon!

 

Saints lose at OT not the end of the world for me. Can't see why we can't have both though

[OttawaSaint]

Easy! Saints all the way. England team is full of cvnts. Would be funny to see Gerrard and Rooney crying...

[trousers]

That's not the question though, is it. The question is essentially who would you rather do better.

 

Far too subtle for this forum...

[hypochondriac]

That's not the question though, is it. The question is essentially who would you rather do better.

 

Actually some on here have said they aren't bothered if England qualify or not.

 

Regardless, it depends how you define better. Beating United will be pleasing but could be pretty insignificant come the end of the season. England winning tomorrow will ensure that they reach the biggest football tournament in the world that only happens ever four years. Whatever anyone says, the England result is more important.

[Saint in Paradise]

I really cannot understand any supporter choosing country over club, it is only a game

not a blasted war when lives depend on the outcome.

 

A Saints win at OT is much more important for them than a win for England who will still

have another chance at scrapping through via the play-off games.

People on here always moan about the old guard letting England down at major tournaments

so if England don't qualify they can get rid sooner rather than later and give more youngsters

a start with less pressure on them.

[Avenue Saint]

Saints every single time.

[Toadhall Saint]

I don't disagree with an of that. What I find is odd is not wanting them to qualify for the big tournaments or wanting the to do well.

 

Always want them to qualify etc etc but on a straight club vs country question SFC come out in top nearly 100% of the time for me

[Saint Garrett]

Don't really have any affiliation with England Football, don't like many of the players, wouldn't spend the money that I spend on Saints watching them, they don't play good football, they don't excite the fans and they don't give me a 'feel good factor' when they win.

 

Saying that I still want us to qualify for the World Cup and Euros and in an ideal world would win a trophy. I support England for a few hours a year, I'm a Saints fan for the rest of the time.

[Restark19]

I'll admit I've been slightly disillusioned by England since the euros but I would much rather see a strong performance and win for England over Saints winning at OT, I think Saints will have a good season so don't think one loss will be the end of the world. England in the play offs is scary though. Although an impressive display from Boruc too would be good.

[Saint Charlie]

I support Saints, but I just watch England.

 

Can't believe some people would rather England win than Saints at Old Trafford.

[Fan The Flames]

Much rather get 3 points on Saturday, the euphoria after that will last much longer than it would following a win tonight. As a fan of football I can easily watch a tournament without England being involved. Yes the packed pubs are fun but I can't stand hearing the fans sing 'God save the queen', it makes me cringe it has no place at a football match.

[red&white56]

......... Beating United will be pleasing but could be pretty insignificant come the end of the season.......

 

Beating Man U at Old Trafford will NEVER be insignificant, not sure what you are smoking but please put it out!!!

[trousers]

Whatever anyone says, the England result is more important.

 

Totally agree. England losing today would be a blessing in disguise. It would accelerate the re-building of the squad in time for EURO '18 and beyond.

 

Being out of the top flight for 7 years did Saints the world of good in the long run and the same would be true for England if they missed the next World Cup.

 

I do like agreeing with you on stuff like this Hypo. Much better than the "my opinion is better than yours, ner, ner, ner, ner, ner, ner" bickering mentality of some on here.

[Whitey Grandad]

Does this mean that we're not going to win on Saturday?

[CB Fry]

Does this mean that we're not going to win on Saturday?

 

No, it just means that our young England players won't develop now because lots of them will have to waste their careers playing in the world's biggest football tournament against the best players in the world on the biggest possible stage.

 

What a disaster for developing an England football team.

 

When will England ever learn?

[Griffo]

A lot of people go on about supporting their local side and not being an 'armchair top 4 fan' but then when it comes to their country they're not ars*d? Regardless of if your local club or country are sh*t, you still support them because they're yours.

[Ziggy]

Club every time although I am Welsh so not much competition! Having said that I nearly jumped through the ceiling when Wales just equalised against Belgium!

[The9]

Club every time although I am Welsh so not much competition! Having said that I nearly jumped through the ceiling when Wales just equalised against Belgium!

 

I found out about the Belgium result about an hour after. Our relative welshness is clear (I'm from Newport).