Ok, let's just presume your "3 of the best 5" comment is entirely accurate. If that's the case, and the top 5 are all of an equal standard, then I'd say that means everyone below them is not world class.
Badger, your involvement in this thread has been an absolute joy to read, some people are so naive and believe what the majority will say.
Those people are sheep, and you sir, are a shepard of the prize herd.
Yes, I'd agree with that. I just wouldn't class amateurs as world class.
Yes, I'd agree with that. I just wouldn't class amateurs as world class.
it's not exactly innovative to slate the english football team is it?
everyone does it but then seems to ignore the brilliance week in week out of some of these players in the premiership.
lampard, for example, may not perform well as part of the england team on a regular basis but he has been among the top goalscorers in the league for about 4/5 years now
Yep, so when they become professional and dedicate every minute of every day to their sport they can then come under consideration for 'world class.'
Do you think footballers train more than runners, cyclists or rowers?
You cannot use the top goalscorers chart to decide if someone is world class, Lampard plays with quality players every week, and in a side that plays and should beat opposition every match.
Chelsea will score more goals and as a result Lampard will get more than, for example, Bullard. The fact is, Lampard wouldn't be top 4/5 goalscorer if he played for Fulham either!!
Lampard is not world class, when he plays for Chelsea the players around him make him look much better than he is (Essien is exceptional). But put him in an England side and his colleagues are not at the same level in comparison to the standard and Lampard is found out.
Yep, so when they become professional and dedicate every minute of every day to their sport they can then come under consideration for 'world class.'
I don't mean this to be a 'slate the England football team' thread. The cricketers and rugby players are equally as mediocre. The Olympians are amateurs. Face facts, Lewis is the only Brit currently competing at the very top of a competitive sport.
Yep, so when they become professional and dedicate every minute of every day to their sport they can then come under consideration for 'world class.'
I've no idea how long footballers spend actually on the training pitch, but I'm sure they have to remain dedicated to their profession 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There are a lot of things they won't be able to do, and a lot of rules to stick to. As professionals, they ensure they're in top condition all year round. Very different to amateurs who have another job (something that, in itself, compromises their sporting pedigree), and only have to be at their peak once every FOUR YEARS. I mean I reckon even I could get fit once every four years