Declan Rice | Switches international allegiance to England four years ago

Ban

New Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2015
Messages
26,022
Location
Zagreb, HR
Yeah fair play, England team is exciting right now. We'll se what will happen next year at the Euros but something is definitely happening.
 

Nick7

Full Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2011
Messages
19,231
Location
Ireland
The bits I've seen he looks good but yeah you're right, definitely too early to say ah he's a top player.

Loads of lads look good at a young age then fail to push on.
Yeah he's very solid, does a lot of things very well. He has everything in his locker to push on to be a top player. I'd just like to see if he does push on to that next level. Right now, do United need another player that "could" become a top player?
 

Zebs

Clare Baldings Daughter plays too much Wordscapes
Joined
Feb 7, 2008
Messages
16,964
Is this true? If so, holy shit we're bad :lol:
Yep, although you have to go back to 1988 for the last time we beat you.

We were on our way to beating you in 1995 before your fans decided to tear up our stadium and attack our fans, resulting in the game being called off. It's ok though, we have no reason to take enjoyment out of England losing. ;)
 

SquishyMcSquish

New Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2018
Messages
8,198
Supports
Tottenham
Yeah he's very solid, does a lot of things very well. He has everything in his locker to push on to be a top player. I'd just like to see if he does push on to that next level. Right now, do United need another player that "could" become a top player?

I think United should be looking at getting the best British talent, that core was something you always seemed to have.

I get where you're coming from though, if he's being signed to replace Matic really you'd want someone to come straight in and be relied upon.

I do like Rice though. He's very mature for his age and seems very comfortable at PL level. I'd back him to make the step up.
 

Nick7

Full Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2011
Messages
19,231
Location
Ireland
I think United should be looking at getting the best British talent, that core was something you always seemed to have.

I get where you're coming from though, if he's being signed to replace Matic really you'd want someone to come straight in and be relied upon.

I do like Rice though. He's very mature for his age and seems very comfortable at PL level. I'd back him to make the step up.
I agree, but as you say Matic will need to be replaced soon. Herrera isn't the kind of player for that position, Fred doesn't exist. McTominay similarly isn't ready to be first choice. We need someone who can step in this summer and take the position and make it his own. Because of that I'm not sure if Rice is the right man. But there's also the question there, if a team waits on him this summer and someone else snaps him up and he does kick on and make that step up it's a massive mistake not to be in for him.

It's a tough decision.
 

SquishyMcSquish

New Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2018
Messages
8,198
Supports
Tottenham
Yep, although you have to go back to 1988 for the last time we beat you.

We were on our way to beating you in 1995 before your fans decided to tear up our stadium and attack our fans, resulting in the game being called off. It's ok though, we have no reason to take enjoyment out of England losing. ;)

England's travelling fans do have a tendency to embarrass the country, in fairness.
 

SquishyMcSquish

New Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2018
Messages
8,198
Supports
Tottenham
I agree, but as you say Matic will need to be replaced soon. Herrera isn't the kind of player for that position, Fred doesn't exist. McTominay similarly isn't ready to be first choice. We need someone who can step in this summer and take the position and make it his own. Because of that I'm not sure if Rice is the right man. But there's also the question there, if a team waits on him this summer and someone else snaps him up and he does kick on and make that step up it's a massive mistake not to be in for him.

It's a tough decision.

Similar case to Sancho I think.

What you really want is to be able to wait to see if the player kicks on, but by that time they're worth insane money and there's huge competition. If Rice goes on and gets even better for West Ham next season, you can guarantee they'll want some ridiculous fee.

This is where good scouting comes in I guess. They know more than we do whether a player is the real deal and worth taking the plunge for early.
 

Trizy

New Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2014
Messages
12,009
Does that make Irish lads Berties pre-08 then? Or more accurately Notts County fans; bitter about a neighbouring fan base who last had success decades ago having any kind of joy whatsoever?

There is some well over the top bellendry from some English fans when we do anything even remotely good on a sports field but if we're Scouse, you're a bunch of Berties :lol:
Why would we be bitter of England success? 95% of Irish football fans follow English clubs and the majority of that would be a top 6 side. That means we all have England internationals in our teams who we want to see do well. England golden generation of Rooney, Rio, Scholes and Beckham I was desperate for them to win an international trophy.

Between the fans as I mentioned and the repulsive media (when backing a successful period or over stating failure) it's almost unbearable. I will admit I like watching the meltdowns after the hypes but that's just because we're at an English media driven part of Europe. I'd also enjoy the meltdown of Brazil (2014) and I've no ties what so ever to them :lol:
 

Nick7

Full Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2011
Messages
19,231
Location
Ireland
My bad. Think it’s a bit disingenuous though for any Irish fans making out as if it’s not a big loss. Looks a bright talent to me.
I suppose it is a big loss, but would it really move the needle for us? We have much bigger problems with the FAI than a player declaring for England. Have to say, it hurt obviously because he's a talent. But it's not like he's the difference between us being what we are now and a top side, we would still be just as average with him in the side as without. I think mostly it's just banter looking for a reaction.
 

Kostur

海尔的老板
Joined
Mar 8, 2012
Messages
28,749
Location
Poland, Kraków
Oh it's the Irish vs the English, episode #1024893753458.

Imagine fighting over Declan fecking Rice. Christ almighty.
 

Zebs

Clare Baldings Daughter plays too much Wordscapes
Joined
Feb 7, 2008
Messages
16,964
It's alright. We've got Glen Whelan back. We'll be fine.
 

12OunceEpilogue

In perfect harmony
Scout
Joined
Oct 2, 2016
Messages
18,392
Location
Wigan
Why would we be bitter of England success? 95% of Irish football fans follow English clubs and the majority of that would be a top 6 side. That means we all have England internationals in our teams who we want to see do well. England golden generation of Rooney, Rio, Scholes and Beckham I was desperate for them to win an international trophy.

Between the fans as I mentioned and the repulsive media (when backing a successful period or over stating failure) it's almost unbearable. I will admit I like watching the meltdowns after the hypes but that's just because we're at an English media driven part of Europe. I'd also enjoy the meltdown of Brazil (2014) and I've no ties what so ever to them :lol:
Fair enough, and I certainly see any United fan would like to see our lads doing well for any national team.

The attitude of Irish, Welsh and Scottish fans to English failure has always reminded me of the unrequited rivalries some teams in and around the North West have with United (Bolton fans particularly seem to hate us, which is hilarious to see up close considering we couldn't care less about them). I understand there are obvious historical and political reasons why there is needle, and the conduct of our fans and media at certain times asks to be mocked and derided, but the glee in English failure will always strike me as Trotterish/Bertieish from my side.

Stuff done in jest by people fully able to self-deprecate is great and should be encouraged, pointing out and laughing at Rice's tweet is perfect and needed to be done obviously.
 

Nick7

Full Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2011
Messages
19,231
Location
Ireland
To be fair, I don't know any Irish fans that actively watch England play wanting them to lose (people like that do exist, mind you. not the most altogether kind of people). We seem to just really enjoy the fallout, usually the media going bananas. I said it at the time, England were enjoyable to watch at the world cup, and it was great seeing the United players doing well. But all the football's coming home stuff turned from the English poking a bit of fun at themselves to the real thing and the fallout following that was pretty funny.
 

12OunceEpilogue

In perfect harmony
Scout
Joined
Oct 2, 2016
Messages
18,392
Location
Wigan
To be fair, I don't know any Irish fans that actively watch England play wanting them to lose (people like that do exist, mind you. not the most altogether kind of people). We seem to just really enjoy the fallout, usually the media going bananas. I said it at the time, England were enjoyable to watch at the world cup, and it was great seeing the United players doing well. But all the football's coming home stuff turned from the English poking a bit of fun at themselves to the real thing and the fallout following that was pretty funny.
I've no problem whatsoever with that. The gulf in terms of expectation and reality tournament after tournament has been literally a joke, so deserved laughing at by one and all. I'd also say Rice repping both the Queen and the RA is well-deserving of ridicule.
 

Robbie Boy

Full Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2010
Messages
27,693
Location
Dublin
He was your young player of the year wasn't he?

Not much competition there I imagine but still :D
Yeah I mean, thanks to the FAI for that, the incompetent idiots. But yeah, feck all competition in all honesty though Matt Doherty has been immense for Wolves this season so that's a rare positive.

Being completely honest, I just don't see 'it' with him. Feel free to read back through this thread when I was full sure he would declare for Ireland. He's basically another Eric Dier. He would certainly improve Ireland to a degree but I feel England will produce far better than him and I don't envisage him doing all that much in the national setup. England have some seriously exciting players either coming through or in the squad and he certainly isn't one (in my opinion, anyway).

I also don't know anyone that really cared that he declared for England. I feel more were pissed off with Grealish as he would have been a huge improvement on what we have.
 

Nick7

Full Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2011
Messages
19,231
Location
Ireland
Yeah Grealish was more annoying because he never looked good enough for England, especially now there are players five years younger and better than him in his position. That was all media driven hype for his declaration.
 

R.N7

Such tagline. Wow!
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
35,687
Location
Eating a meal, a succulent chinese meal
Supports
a wife, three kids and Eboue
The Irish should stop supporting English clubs and put more money into their neglected domestic league instead, then they might develop some own talents instead of stealing English ones.
 

Posh Red

Full Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2013
Messages
3,438
Location
Peterborough, England
To be fair, I don't know any Irish fans that actively watch England play wanting them to lose (people like that do exist, mind you. not the most altogether kind of people). We seem to just really enjoy the fallout, usually the media going bananas. I said it at the time, England were enjoyable to watch at the world cup, and it was great seeing the United players doing well. But all the football's coming home stuff turned from the English poking a bit of fun at themselves to the real thing and the fallout following that was pretty funny.
The problem is that now England have shown some promise, the press are doing exactly what they said they wouldn’t do by piling on the expectation again. It’s gone from ‘quietly optimistic’ to ‘great chance of winning a major trophy in the next few years’. Good chance it will all end in tears again, even with our upturn in form.
 

SquishyMcSquish

New Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2018
Messages
8,198
Supports
Tottenham
The problem is that now England have shown some promise, the press are doing exactly what they said they wouldn’t do by piling on the expectation again. It’s gone from ‘quietly optimistic’ to ‘great chance of winning a major trophy in the next few years’. Good chance it will all end in tears again, even with our upturn in form.
Its hardly piling on the expectation to say we have a shot in competitions.

Every talented NT deals with the same pressure, I never bought the idea that England failed because of too much expectation from the press. If you play for a top side the pressure is always there.

The atmosphere still seems happy, relaxed and the players are enjoying playing football. I see no issue with the press stating the obvious: there's promise in this England side.
 

Stick

Full Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2005
Messages
6,686
Supports
Liverpool
Yeah I mean, thanks to the FAI for that, the incompetent idiots. But yeah, feck all competition in all honesty though Matt Doherty has been immense for Wolves this season so that's a rare positive.

Being completely honest, I just don't see 'it' with him. Feel free to read back through this thread when I was full sure he would declare for Ireland. He's basically another Eric Dier. He would certainly improve Ireland to a degree but I feel England will produce far better than him and I don't envisage him doing all that much in the national setup. England have some seriously exciting players either coming through or in the squad and he certainly isn't one (in my opinion, anyway).

I also don't know anyone that really cared that he declared for England. I feel more were pissed off with Grealish as he would have been a huge improvement on what we have.
I agree that England look really exciting with Kane, Sterling, Sancho, Hudson Odoi, Barkley and Alli all very creative and fast but you need a balance and the aggressive ball winner and all round athlete in Rice could be a great player in that team. I think he will develop well and to be honest he made the right choice for him looking at the state of Irish football and the way England play. Still though you're only ever two losses and an umbrella in the rain away from the sack as England manager!
 

SquishyMcSquish

New Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2018
Messages
8,198
Supports
Tottenham
I agree that England look really exciting with Kane, Sterling, Sancho, Hudson Odoi, Barkley and Alli all very creative and fast but you need a balance and the aggressive ball winner and all round athlete in Rice could be a great player in that team. I think he will develop well and to be honest he made the right choice for him looking at the state of Irish football and the way England play. Still though you're only ever two losses and an umbrella in the rain away from the sack as England manager!

England were actually really patient with Hodgson in fairness, too patient. He finished with 1 point in 2014 and still got another tournament.

I don't think Southgate would be sacked based off one tournie unless we were a total disaster.
 

Stick

Full Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2005
Messages
6,686
Supports
Liverpool
Its hardly piling on the expectation to say we have a shot in competitions.

Every talented NT deals with the same pressure, I never bought the idea that England failed because of too much expectation from the press. If you play for a top side the pressure is always there.

The atmosphere still seems happy, relaxed and the players are enjoying playing football. I see no issue with the press stating the obvious: there's promise in this England side.
The thing is that your press don't just say that there is promise in your side. They say that your lads will win it and they disrespect your opponents to the point that it motivates your opposition. Anytime I see England vs Germany at a major tournament you have the Sun with their 2 World Wars and 1 World Cup headlines. It's not representative of the majority of fans but it sticks in the craw of many fans. Not all Irish fans want to see the English fail but sometimes the level of arrogance in the press leads us to want some sort of backlash. Couple that with a checkered history and you can get tempers boiling over. That said I thought the english lads at the world cup were great. I think Walker gave an interview prior to it about his background which was really interesting and I was backing them just wasnt to be.
 

Stick

Full Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2005
Messages
6,686
Supports
Liverpool
England were actually really patient with Hodgson in fairness, too patient. He finished with 1 point in 2014 and still got another tournament.

I don't think Southgate would be sacked based off one tournie unless we were a total disaster.
I think Southgate has brought a quiet dignity to the England manager role which after big Sam was really needed. I also really like his introduction of youth which he managed before this. He has taken a punt on young lads and it looks like a great bet. A bit like SAF with the class of 92. Some of these lads when they get backed will really shine and could jump levels with belief. You just need to look at Hudson Odoi and the fact that a bit of a chance from Southgate and he plays really well but the lack of faith from Sarri and he struggles.
 

SquishyMcSquish

New Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2018
Messages
8,198
Supports
Tottenham
The thing is that your press don't just say that there is promise in your side. They say that your lads will win it and they disrespect your opponents to the point that it motivates your opposition. Anytime I see England vs Germany at a major tournament you have the Sun with their 2 World Wars and 1 World Cup headlines. It's not representative of the majority of fans but it sticks in the craw of many fans. Not all Irish fans want to see the English fail but sometimes the level of arrogance in the press leads us to want some sort of backlash. Couple that with a checkered history and you can get tempers boiling over. That said I thought the english lads at the world cup were great. I think Walker gave an interview prior to it about his background which was really interesting and I was backing them just wasnt to be.

I mean yeah, if you pay too much attention to a few wanky the sun headlines it's going to give off a bad impression. They're horrible for basically every kind of news!

But yeah, I can understand it would grate on foreign fans, but it does have to be stressed that most of us are pretty negative come tournament time. The whole 'it's coming home!' shit was just us enjoying the ride and actually being competent for once.

There are definitely way more arrogant NT fans out there than England ones.
 

Lookatu

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Messages
58
Location
Dubland
To anyone baffled by ther Irish and our lack of support for the three lions on tour;

If you go around your housing estate shagging everyone's wife and smashing up their cars you probably won't get much support at the community games either.
Generally speaking the English fans don't command a lot of respect or affection on their travels.
It's not just us that think so . . Europe doesn't fancy you either.
We're gonnat talk so much sh1t in Brussels about you after you've left ;)
 

Cascarino

Magnum Poopus
Joined
Jul 17, 2014
Messages
7,615
Location
Wales
Supports
Swansea
I don't think we were anything special at the World Cup, it came way too early for us. We'll be much better in 2020.

But Wales weren't all that amazing in 2018 either, a hodgson led England beat them. The win over Belgium was like the Belgian 'Iceland moment' where they got rid of incompetence at the helm, again a proper big side put Wales to bed .. As Portugal did.

Bale in 2016 is no better than Kane now (arguably the best striker in the world) and some would even argue Sterling. And I adore Bale, but Kane is at least as good as he was for us. Less X factor perhaps, but all round game is superior. Again though, comes down to opinions and Bale is more exciting and has a bit more of the superstar touch.

Still, that Welsh side had a hell of a lot of heart and if you could combine that with more quality throughout the team, they'd smash anyone. Wales in international sport have a hell of a lot to be proud of, players seem to always give everything.
My last comment was aimed at getting a rise out of you rather than be being sincere, but you responded in good faith and now I feel a bit of an ass. I shall stop taking this thread off topic.
 

VeevaVee

The worst "V"
Scout
Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
46,248
Location
Manchester
Being crap and having to watch your neighbours look well really brings out the bitterness in fans doesn't it? :lol:
 

SquishyMcSquish

New Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2018
Messages
8,198
Supports
Tottenham
My last comment was aimed at getting a rise out of you rather than be being sincere, but you responded in good faith and now I feel a bit of an ass. I shall stop taking this thread off topic.

:lol: Your problem is I have a real soft spot for the Welsh team, I hope you qualify for the Euros too.

Ireland can feck off though.

kidding
 

Djemba-Djemba

Full Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2007
Messages
21,157
Location
Manchester
Fair enough, and I certainly see any United fan would like to see our lads doing well for any national team.

The attitude of Irish, Welsh and Scottish fans to English failure has always reminded me of the unrequited rivalries some teams in and around the North West have with United (Bolton fans particularly seem to hate us, which is hilarious to see up close considering we couldn't care less about them). I understand there are obvious historical and political reasons why there is needle, and the conduct of our fans and media at certain times asks to be mocked and derided, but the glee in English failure will always strike me as Trotterish/Bertieish from my side.

Stuff done in jest by people fully able to self-deprecate is great and should be encouraged, pointing out and laughing at Rice's tweet is perfect and needed to be done obviously.
Yeah I think that too.

I've always seen Scotland as a sort of City pre 2008, in that they seem to get more enjoyment out of England failing than they do Scotland being successful. Buying Croatia shirts and waving the Argentina flag in 98 etc. Proper obsessed stuff. And Ireland as a sort of Stoke or Bolton for the same reasons you said.

Anyway, at the end of the day when England fail they all laugh and when they fail England laughs. It's just about having a laugh, that's all.
 

Nick7

Full Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2011
Messages
19,231
Location
Ireland
The Irish should stop supporting English clubs and put more money into their neglected domestic league instead, then they might develop some own talents instead of stealing English ones.
A lot of us do want that, but the FAI is a massive massive stumbling block. They don't care about the game in Ireland. They don't care about the league and they don't care about grassroots football. It's depressing. The only chance a lot of kids here have of making it is by getting into an English clubs academy and that's hard enough as it is, never mind having to leave the country. I've known a bunch of very good young players that went over to England and didn't settle or got released and wanted to come back. They all came back and got absolutely no help by the FAI, they were left by the wayside. Most that I know just stopped playing football altogether.
 

Buster15

Go on Didier
Joined
Aug 28, 2018
Messages
13,297
Location
Bristol
Supports
Bristol Rovers
Yeah he's very solid, does a lot of things very well. He has everything in his locker to push on to be a top player. I'd just like to see if he does push on to that next level. Right now, do United need another player that "could" become a top player?
He already looks to be an outstanding prospect. I was very impressed with his debut for England. Very calm and composed and not afraid of the ball.
Now would be the time to sign him not later when the fee would be too high.
He looks better than McTominay and just the kind of good young English talent that United ought to be going for.

He is obviously ambitious as he changed to England. He won't win anything at West Ham but will with us.
 

Buster15

Go on Didier
Joined
Aug 28, 2018
Messages
13,297
Location
Bristol
Supports
Bristol Rovers
I think Southgate has brought a quiet dignity to the England manager role which after big Sam was really needed. I also really like his introduction of youth which he managed before this. He has taken a punt on young lads and it looks like a great bet. A bit like SAF with the class of 92. Some of these lads when they get backed will really shine and could jump levels with belief. You just need to look at Hudson Odoi and the fact that a bit of a chance from Southgate and he plays really well but the lack of faith from Sarri and he struggles.
Completely agree with you. Huge respect for him. Top man in many ways.