June: The Euro 2020-ish Group Stages

[Don]

Kane is English.

He's also not leading the line infront of 10 plumbers.

[Bernanke]

Lewa wouldn't miss that rebound if he was wearing a Bayern shirt.

[Adramelch]

There's a polish defender, I think Glik, who has genuinely raised his hands for an offside or an offensive foul every time Spain gets into the box.

[Spoonsky]

He's also not leading the line infront of 10 plumbers.

All I meant is that the English have a tendency to rip their own players apart regardless of the logical validity. But agreed in this case.

Lewa should be scoring there though.

[Spoonsky]

Fucking hell, Jurgen Klinsmann. Huge fraud. I'd love to see him get the Spurs job and get exposed.

[Manc]

Penetration is the word of the day.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Robbie :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

VAR is ruining the game.

[Manc]

How is that different to the Sterling incident? Balls gone, studs on foot.

[Adramelch]

Morata. :happycry:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Gahahahahahahaha.

Justice you pricks.

[igor_balis]

I'm not normally a conspiracy theorist about this kind of thing, but I've had a deeply uneasy feeling about refereeing decisions in this game.

[Spoonsky]

Spain are deeply uninspiring. They must be up there with biggest 10-year regressions in terms of players, but I'm sure this board would generate other candidates.

[-james-]

Spain are awful to watch and not very good either. No sauce whatsoever.

[Adramelch]

Can't expect more when your alternative to Moreno is Sarabia.

One would think Luis Enrique would like to have an Asensio or an Isco in the squad right about now.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

All they do is pass sideways with no real cutting edge.

[-james-]

This was so boring that I ranked the teams at the tournament on my phone's notes instead.


24. North Macedonia
23. Turkey
22. Finland
21. Slovakia
20. Russia
19. Hungary
18. Poland
17. Ukraine
16. Wales
15. Austria
14. Switzerland
13. Scotland
12. Croatia
11. Czech Republic
10. Sweden
9. Denmark
8. Spain
7. Portugal
6. Netherlands
5. England
4. Belgium
3. Germany
2. Italy
1. France

[Adramelch]

Just as a bit of context, Spain went out in the round of 16 in 2016 and 2018 and didn't make it out of the groups in 2014. They're trully back to their old loser selves.

[Shindig]

What happened with Spain a decade ago is once in a lifetime stuff, too.

[Adramelch]

In a similar vein, France had 7 points with 3-1 goals in 2018 and 7 points with 4-1 goals (3 of which in stoppage time) in 2016, so they are on point here.

[Bernanke]

I'm finding the whole uncertainty over which 3rd placed teams go where in the bracket to be extremely frustrating now that we look well set up to win the group...

[Shindig]

I just think of it as everyone goes through as long as they have 3 points.

[Waffdon]

I think you’ll need 4 points this year and even then I’m uncertain at this point with the way the results are going. I’m now convinced Scotland beat Croatia just to miss out on GD

[Mellberg]

Yep, to put last night in context Spain have drew against shit twice, France once and I doubt many Euro/World Cup winners have won every game in 90 mins.

[Bernanke]

I just think of it as everyone goes through as long as they have 3 points.

I didn't mean who progresses, I meant this crap:

https://i.imgur.com/ahp222V.png?1

[Manc]

Catching the highlights and Portugal's defending is shambolic. Imagine being Yev and thinking England couldn't beat that shower. :happycry:

[Spikey M]

When Scotland lose to Croatia and all this 3rd place / 4 points bollocks is irrelevant :happycry:

[Shindig]

I only remember Brazil in 2002 going with a 100% record.

France won every match in 1984, although their semi went into extra time.

[Waffdon]

When Scotland lose to Croatia and all this 3rd place / 4 points bollocks is irrelevant :happycry:

You’re not taking this v well hun

[Gray Fox]

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/married-england-legend-michael-owen-24356692


Rebecca asked what intrigued him about her. Owen replied: “Your past. Your present. Your posts with your t**s out.”

Stunning.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He's a real poet.

[Bernanke]

and asked if her breasts were “falsies”

Is he 8?

[Manc]

Deffo falsies.

[Spikey M]

I guarantee he called them Chesticals atleast once.

[Manc]

What's the game of choice for tonight then?

[Baz]

Italy Wales without a doubt.

[Shindig]

I'd rather watch Italy v Wales but there's nowt riding on it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Switzerland Turkey they both have to win, so it'll be that.

[Baz]

Both are gonna be 0-0 anyway.

[Ian]

For the hope of some entertainment I guess you'd want it to be Italy and Switzerland 1-0 up at half time so Wales and the Swiss are both trying to win a goal difference battle in their respective games and having to attack but a) fuck Switzerland qualifying, the less games from in tournaments the better and b) lol at the idea of them pushing for goals.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Turkey need to win about 3-0 minimum so I can't imagine there not being goals in that one.

[Baz]

Turkey need to score otherwise my Hungary bet is done.

[Pleb]

What's the game of choice for tonight then?
Torquay United v Hartlepool

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Turkey need to score otherwise my Hungary bet is done.

I need Yilmaz to score twice to keep both of my goalscorers bets on.

[Adramelch]

For the hope of some entertainment I guess you'd want it to be Italy and Switzerland 1-0 up at half time so Wales and the Swiss are both trying to win a goal difference battle in their respective games and having to attack but a) fuck Switzerland qualifying, the less games from in tournaments the better and b) lol at the idea of them pushing for goals.

Wales are kinda fine with losing 1-0. For them to even drop third in their group they need a 5 goal swing between them and Switzerland.

Also 4 points with positive goal difference is a guaranteed qualification, as groups C and E will have the third place at 4 points with a GD of 0 as best case scenario.

[Ian]

Yeah I mean the I was talking about a situation involving Switzerland and an Italy side who can rest their best players so I was already grasping at straws on the entertainment front.

[Adramelch]

I see. I think realistically I'd expect the Belgium group and the Spain group to have a third place team at 3 points so 4 points still make it.

[Waffdon]

Be funny if Wales get scudded but 4 or more goals and miss out. Doubtful though. Turkey game should be full of goals even though Switzerland are involved, Turkey need to score loads to have a hint of a chance and Switzerland need to win by 2 or more to basically guarantee going through top 3.

[Manc]

What channel is streaming Swiss v Turkey?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

what channel is streaming swiss v turkey?

ITV4.

dot

[Waffdon]

Turkey all over them at the minute. In before Swiss on the counter

[Waffdon]

There you go :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:lol:

Turkey really are crap.

[Boydy]

I just stuck a bet on Turkey ffs.

[Don]

Classic Waff.

[Bernanke]

Someone has edited Seferovic Wiki, I assume before this game though:


Seferović's family, including his half-brother Swedish international Marcus Berg, is from Sanski Most, Bosnia and Herzegovina (then in SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia), who immigrated to Switzerland in the late 1980s.

:D

[Adramelch]

"His half-brother is the Swiss forward Haris Seferović, one of the most gifted players of his generation"

From Berg's.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's a lovely finish.

Turkey are horseshit.

[Adramelch]

A goal from Italy before halftime will make things proper spicy.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:eyemouth:

That was a great goal.

[Spikey M]

He's also not leading the line infront of 10 plumbers.

Might as well be for all the service he's getting.

[Spikey M]

Turkey are a very light shade of Dark Horse it turns out.

[-james-]

Italy in this group has been like Man City plonked into the FA Vase. They've got the lot.

[Manc]

Is four points still looking enough for third spot?

[Spikey M]

Are the third place team likely to make it out of the group stage in this group? Christ I hope so.

[Browning]

Wales are guaranteed through unless they concede again, regardless of the Switzerland result. So come on Italy.

[Don]

Wales should fake a few serious injuries to make sure they have a good 5-10 mins at the end, after the Swiss game has finished and they know the result.

[Waffdon]

Is four points still looking enough for third spot?

If you’re on + GD, yeah. For reference, Scotland need two of the following:

No draw in Ukraine/Austria
France to beat Portugal
Swiss not to win by 2 or more or Wales to lose 4-0
Sweden not to lose to Poland
One of Russia or Finland to lose

That’s assuming Scotland win by 1 goal and would be through if any of the above 2 happens. Scotland are 100% going out on 4 points. The glorious failure :cool:

[Manc]

Someone get a spreadsheet going.

[Waffdon]

Think Scotland just need Russia not to win actually as their GD is -2 as it stands

[Lewis]

lol that isn't a red card.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

You still need to win too ofc.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's a yellow for me.

[Don]

If Turkey don't save them, Wales are on the brink here :drool:

[Waffdon]

You still need to win too ofc.

Aye, 2-1 Croatia after we take the lead NAP

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's a belter from Turkey.

[Waffdon]

That’s some goal

[Adramelch]

A good point regarding the situation with "best 3rd placed teams" that I hadn't thought about is how Switzerland at the moment don't know what's expected of them as opposed to say one of the teams in Group E. That's a bit garbage.

Edit: That's been a great match so far.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Wales back on the brink.

Great counter goal.

[phonics]

I backed Germany and Italy to do well and thought the Turks will be shit. Am I smarter than the collective pundit world.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bale :lol:

[Adramelch]

Hoping for another goal here from the Swiss, so that other teams are forced to play some football. If they score here they go to 5-5 goals and then Austria can't necessarily afford to play for a draw against Ukraine for example.

[Danny]

1406330040548220934

[Lewis]

Is the Domino's yodelling thing the worst advertising campaign ever made, yes or yes?

[Spikey M]

Is the Domino's yodelling thing the worst advertising campaign ever made, yes or yes?

All fast food adverts are annoying but this one is spectacularly annoying. Just get Snoop Dogg in to rap about your new kebab pizza and fuck off.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, it's the worst. Also has a strange racist vibe to it.

[Bernanke]

I can't get over the Michael Owen-story.


How far are you from Doncaster? I’m there in a couple of weeks for a couple of days so if it was close I’d have suggested we meet for a debate.

And as a reaction to a nude:


Tremendous by the way

Edit: What the hell is this. :D


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFnymJDZAS8&ab_channel=FootballLatest

[niko_cee]

:D

You have to say that's pretty tremendous.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm pretty sure that wasn't Sam Torrance.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's magnificent.

[randomlegend]

Owen is seriously one of the oddest people around. I'm sure everyone's seen it but good excuse to post another classic of his.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqOxNspUPyE

[phonics]

"Guy who's been world famous since he was 17 is a bit weird. Update at 11"

I'm amazed he and Beckham turned out so well.

[niko_cee]

Billy Gilmour has covid.

Oh dear.

[Kikó]

Paging Magic

[Waffdon]

:D

Of course. How can they say no close contacts?

[Jimmy Floyd]

If they're all getting tested the whole time, presumably the close contacts bollocks us plebs have to do doesn't apply.

[Baz]

:D

Of course. How can they say no close contacts?

McGinn and Robertson playing table tennis with him on Robertson’s Insta yesterday .. no close contacts though ��

[Waffdon]

Yeah, he’s deleted it now but they’re all on top of each other. Crazy how covid doesn’t seem to run through football teams like it does anyone else.

We’re as well as not turning up if McGinn and Robertson end up not playing

[Spikey M]

If the rules are worth a fuck the whole squad and possibly the whole England Squad should be isolating for 10 days.

Thankfully they're Millionaires so they are exempt.

[CJay]

How has he even got it? Aren’t they in a bubble? Or are we just assuming the tests are crap?

[niko_cee]

I've just been doing a little bit of studying of the old wall chart, and am I right in thinking that the top quarter of the draw is absolutely rancid? Wales play whoever comes second in Belgium's group (so someone shite), and then likely the Netherlands versus potentially the third placed team from England's group (although I have no idea how 3rd placed teams are allocated)? SO you could have Wales, Finland, Scotland and Holland in that bracket? Talk about falling on your feet for the Dutch. The Group D 3rd placed team (assuming one qualifies out of that group) seems either destined for that bit of the draw (lol) or to play the winner of Spain's group, which probably isn't going to be Spain. So, all in all, is it even possible for England to come 3rd in the group?

[Jimmy Floyd]

It is possible for England to come third in the group, we just need to get a good hiding off the Czechs and then hope for Scotland to win the other game.

[Magic]

Symptomless.

[Manc]

Russia v Denmark promises much. Is there an outside chance of Denmark sneaking through?

Ukraine v Austria looks a write off.

[Ian]

I suppose if they gave Russia a proper shoeing there are a few teams currently in third who aren't actually very good and could lose their last games and give them a way in.

[Browning]

Denmark can still get second if they and Belgium both win.

[Ian]

Excellent point, I was too busy trying to work out the third place table permutations.

Same goal difference as Russia and only two behind Finland so that's actually pretty doable.

[Waffdon]

GD won’t even matter as if they beat Russia they’ll get the H2H over them. So just a straight up Denmark/Belgium double. Ukraine, Finland and Russia are all gonna draw just to piss me off.

[Browning]

No because the head to head would be Denmark vs Russia Vs Finland. That said I think any Denmark win that isn’t 1-0 coupled with a Finland loss sees them win the H2H. If they win 1-0 I think they still go through on overall goals scored unless Finland lose by 1 and also score.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They'd be good with any win wouldn't they? As a 1-0 would take it to overall GD which they would have.

What will actually happen is Belgium reserves 0-0 Finland.

[Browning]

They wouldn’t necessarily have overall GD. If Finland lose 2-1 then Denmark and Finland can’t be separated at all and I believe it goes to discipline record (lol...). If Finland lost 3-2 Finland would advance on goals scored.

[Waffdon]

They'd be good with any win wouldn't they? As a 1-0 would take it to overall GD which they would have.

What will actually happen is Belgium reserves 0-0 Finland.

Belgium team might end up being better as I presume Hazard, De Bruyne and Witsel will all start the first hour for match fitness.

[Manc]

The Dutch going full strength is a bit odd.

[Waffdon]

Manager said he wants to get familiar with their 433 formation or something. Whoever finishes 3rd in Group D is getting blessed with such an easy bracket.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Now that it's likely to be Germany or France, I really think Southgate will try and lose to the Czechs. Not sure how you go about that without it being obvious, but it would fit his modus operandi from World Cup 18.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/654064837432967198/856548664779604019/Screenshot_20210621-1555392.png

Get your money on Kane AGS in the next match.

[Waffdon]

If he makes lots of changes I’d fancy you to skelp them. Your bench was better than the two starting 11’s played so far

[Serj]

Alaba on the left and Arnautovic up top. 'Mon then, let's Gijon this up.

[Adramelch]

Deserved goal for Austria, if only because they showed attacking intent, even though a draw would probably suffice.

[Manc]

Macedonia have turned up.

[Waffdon]

All set up for a dodgy Ukraine equaliser in the 86th minute

[Adramelch]

Nah I think the game probably has goals in it, cause Ukraine will want to attack and their defense can't handle counter attacks really.

[Serj]

Pity about Baumgartner, he'd started really well and was putting a shift in defensively. Let's see if we can adapt to this new setup.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why was he not brought off ages back? Brazen negligence from Austrian management/doctors.

[Serj]

Yeah, considering what he looked like after the clash I was really surprised they didn't sub him off immediately.

[Waffdon]

Arnautovic :face:

[Serj]

:moop:

[Serj]

Ukrainian skulls are evidently sturdier than Austrian ones. We're going to run out of players at this rate.

[Waffdon]

Arnautovic is doing his best to keep it 1-0

[Don]

Classic Manc.

[Spikey M]

Chilwell and Mount isolating. :happycry:

[niko_cee]

Is there any chance Rice and Sterling might have it?

[Shindig]

Good job we brought all those right backs as cover.

[Adramelch]

Ok yeah, if Austria continue like that, this has a shitty late equaliser written all over it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Of all the things that have happened to Europe in the last decade, Clive Tyldesley's pronunciation of 'Wout Weghorst' is by far the worst.

[Spoonsky]

Who goes second with a draw?

[Browning]

Who goes second with a draw?

Ukraine.

[Waffdon]

Ok yeah, if Austria continue like that, this has a shitty late equaliser written all over it.
Arnautovic Is at it 100%

[Adramelch]

Mind you as things stand I think Austria have a really high chance of going through even with an equaliser, and possibly against an easier team than Italy.

[Waffdon]

Well yeah, that’s why the draw was odds on at some point for this game lol

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That dive from the Ukrainian lad hoping for a free kick :lol:

[Shindig]

At this rate, I'd love to see an Italy - Holland final.

[Waffdon]

We’re all Belgium. Nice of them to play their best XI for a meaningless game :cool:

[Adramelch]

Belgium meets Italy in the quarters.

[Waffdon]

15/1 for Poland, Portugal, Finland and Russia to all avoid defeat. Tenner on that just in case.

Any of them lose or Scotland win by 2 goals and they’re through. Mon the letdown :cool:

[Manc]

Why on earth are both ITV & BBC showing the suboptimal games on their main channels. Stop it.

[Baz]

Could do with lots of goals tonight.

[Bernanke]

I'm watching the Dutch broadcast and Van Der Vaart has put on about 25 kilos since he stopped playing.

[Waffdon]

He must be huge then as he was a fat bastard at Spurs

[Shindig]

I've clocked the HiSense advert on his twitter. He's normal, Rafael van der Vaart sized.

[Waffdon]

Jenas is presenting the One Show so we’re saved from his commentary

[Adramelch]

The Russians wasting time from minute 20 just sums their team up.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Such a shame that Hojbjerg shot didn't find the net.

[Adramelch]

That was so lovely.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:drool:

Lovely goal.

Get fucked Russia.

[Manc]

Beautiful strike. Pints in the air stuff.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Braithwate is useless.

[Shindig]

It bothers me he's in that squad at the expense of someone else.

[Adramelch]

Wales praying things stay as they are so they get Finland in the next round.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Brathwaite playing for Barcelona is the epitome of why football is crapper than it was. There needs to be a moratorium on work rate.

[Adramelch]

Russia are truly terrible.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Russia :lol:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Left back heading for the gulag.

[Waffdon]

Denmark :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Did the keeper try and propel himself to attempt the save with his head?

[-james-]

Finland qualifying in second after having about two shots on target across three games will surely be some sort of record.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

wtf is Dolberg thinking there?

[Adramelch]

That was a second yellow any day of the week.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ref will pay for that with later appointments, obvious bottle job.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lukaku \0/.

Denmark second.

[Adramelch]

Justice restored I think. Denmark have been clearly better than both Russia and Finland, even with the whole Eriksen saga.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was a second yellow any day of the week.

Almost instantly subbed off.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lukaku was offside.

[Adramelch]

Ok that seems like a joke. The (only one I saw mind you) replay had him covered.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Harsh penalty.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Schmeichel should have gone for dissent there. Football isn't a serious sport if you can storm towards the ref like that and stay on the pitch.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Belgium with a legit goal this time.

[Adramelch]

That's a proper belter.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was a fucking rocket after some quality saves from the keeper.

[Manc]

What a hit. This has been a belter of a game.

[Adramelch]

That's been a mental 10 minutes or so in what looked like a boring day before that.

[Shindig]

Drilled home. Awesome.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Denmark :cool:

This has been a great game.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Thank god they didn't defend like this in 1942.

[Danny]

What miracle do we need for Russia to go out?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What miracle do we need for Russia to go out?

They're out.

[Adramelch]

A winner in Croatia-Scotland and they are basically out.

[Shindig]

Pints thrown onto the pitch is a feature of this tournament.

[Adramelch]

To rephrase, the only scenario where Russia goes through is if Croatia-Scotland is a draw, Slovakia beats Spain and Poland doesn't beat Sweden.

Edit: Nevermind, Finland is 3rd now with them goals.

[Waffdon]

Tomorrow is going to be hell. Mon you beautiful, bottling cunts

[Raoul Duke]

I'm watching the Dutch broadcast and Van Der Vaart has put on about 25 kilos since he stopped playing.

Wesley Sneijder is a bit chunky as well. Plus he's in some shit advert, rapping

[Shindig]

I need to see that.

[Bernanke]

So Denmark is a win against Wales and a Dutch team with an awful coach from a semi. Suddenly the dark horse status is back.

[Bernanke]

I've clocked the HiSense advert on his twitter. He's normal, Rafael van der Vaart sized.

https://static.voetbalzone.nl/images/photos/ori_576_324/8935165358635.jpg

[Lewis]

He looks like The Saint.

[Shindig]

So Denmark is a win against Wales and a Dutch team with an awful coach from a semi. Suddenly the dark horse status is back.

"Tragedy struck the Danish team again when Martin Braithwaite's semi-final winner caused Christian Erikson to have another heart attack."

[CJay]

On the Copa America: it all feels a bit pointless as a concept when the entire continent is in a continuous cycle of playing against each other anyway to qualify for the World Cup. And is it held every 2 years now? Mental.

And Richarlison starting in attack for Brazil shows you how far the continent has fallen quality-wise.

[Shindig]

It's hosted this year because they want it on cycle with the European championships, every four years.

[-james-]

The third place permutations are a fair bit clearer now, I think there are only two that are particularly likely. In order of decreasing probability for each row, a defaced screenshot of wikipedia:

https://i.imgur.com/XJrloh8.png

[Waffdon]

Wales v Scotland in the QF heh.

I thought Scotland/Croatia - assuming there was a winner - would get winners of Spain’s group but what do I know.

[niko_cee]

It's hosted this year because they want it on cycle with the European championships, every four years.

They seem to have been saying this for years, but no one has broken it to them that the way to do it isn't to hold the fucking thing three times in four years, as I believe they did pre-covid.

[-james-]

I think it comes down to whether the third placed team in Group E qualifies. If they do they Scotland/Croatia play the winner of that group, otherwise they play Netherlands. The latter scenario is more likely according to the bookies.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Copa and African Nations etc they try and do as often as possible because those confederations are desperately strapped for cash and the only two ways they can get some are selling out to FIFA, and holding those tournaments. Africa speedily going down the former route of late.

[Pen]

Really hope Scotland game ends in a draw and Slovakia beat Spain.

Belgium were just too good for us yesterday. We used our luck against Denmark with a performance like that.

[Shindig]

They seem to have been saying this for years, but no one has broken it to them that the way to do it isn't to hold the fucking thing three times in four years, as I believe they did pre-covid.

C'mon, they needed to celebrate their centenary year. :D

[Mellberg]

Is that the only outcome which gets you through, Pen? Need a minor miracle there.

[niko_cee]

So what is the best outcome for England? Bland 0-0 to bag second? Take a pasteing and hope the jocks hold up their end of the deal and beat Croatia to go for third? Winning surely not an option as not only does that lead to almost certain last 16 elimination, it also creates the problem that the team will probably have some changes and how to you get the spastic first teamers back in when the deputies have put in a decent performance? I suppose a Rice-Phillips-Henderson axis of creative doom midfield might be alright against better teams who want to attack, maybe.

[Waffdon]

...........Pickford
Walker Stones Maguire Shaw
Rice. Phillips
Saka. Grealish. Sterling
Kane

That’s your team so you’re not going to be changing much if you do win. Best bet is losing 0-2 and Scotland winning 1-0 and you getting either Netherlands (easy bracket) or winner of Spain’s group which isn’t really a scary thought looking at that group.

[Jimmy Floyd]

2nd isn't that much better than 1st. I'd be looking to lose, and lose heavily. This would be my team:

Sterling
Kane - Grealish - Foden - Calvert-Lewin
Phillips - Rice
Shaw - Maguire - Stones
Pickford

[Spikey M]

Sterling would be a terrible Goalkeeper.

[Manc]

We need to win and win well.

[Don]

Saka is the thinking gammon's Grealish where calls to start England players is concerned so I'd be interested in his performance if it wasn't for the fact no one will be watching the game.

[Yevrah]

We're not seriously thinking of not trying to win this game and/or rest people, are we?

New low if so.

[Kikó]

Sterling would be a terrible Goalkeeper.

I think that was the err


Just go out and try and win tonight. Take out Germany in the next round and go on and win the thing.

[Ian]

I've seen plenty suggesting we should try and finish second, as if England are in any way good enough to pick and choose your results.

We had an easy run at the World Cup and still got mugged off by the first half decent team we faced.

Try and win every game and then if we go out in the round of 16 then fine, I can enjoy the rest of the tournament and pray we can think of somebody who remembers how goals work. It's funny to think we were actually alright to watch under this very same manager until he shat his pants and became the sort who spends his time wondering if three centre-halves and two defensive mids is a bit too maverick.

[Lewis]

Is Jadon Sancho actually shit or something?

[Yevrah]

Honestly, any thoughts of not trying to win this game should see everyone involved banished from the England camp.

Win and we stay at Wembley, it’s just offensive shit to try anything else. Same was true 3 years ago and it’s even worse if we do it now.

[Spikey M]

I think that was the err



Oh no, I get that. It's just the others could do some kind of job in those positions. Get Kane swinging in crosses and Maguire would get a few from headers alone. Also, having Pickford as close to the object he's aiming for as possible may improve his end product.

[Manc]

Is Jadon Sancho actually shit or something?

I've come to the conclusion that he must be a horrible trainer. Hazard levels.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/JbOuXcB.png

I'd be happy with Czech and Scottish wins.

[Lewis]

Selling England out for a couple of chat tokens. You are a disgrace.

[Lofty]

:D

[Yevrah]

Have to admit, there was a genuine lol at that one.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Have to admit, there was a genuine lol at that one.

It was pretty good tbf.

[niko_cee]

Is Jadon Sancho actually shit or something?

You have to wonder.

I'm sure Saka has had a decent season (I've not seen much, why would anyone watch Arsenal?) and is obviously a player of quite some potential, but if England really do have an "abundance of attacking talent" then should he really be getting one of the starting berths, even in a changed side? Doesn't he play fullback for them much of the time?

[Lofty]

You have to wonder.

I'm sure Saka has had a decent season (I've not seen much, why would anyone watch Arsenal?) and is obviously a player of quite some potential, but if England really do have an "abundance of attacking talent" then should he really be getting one of the starting berths, even in a changed side? Doesn't he play fullback for them much of the time?

Saka came in to the team as a fullback but is wasted there and can play anywhere along the attack line.

[SincereTheRebel]

Quinton Fortune John O'Shea

[randomlegend]

Sancho not starting a single game shows what an absolute banter manager Southgate is. He'd start for every other side at the tournament apart from possibly France.

[Spikey M]

He's more likely to take 2021's equivalent of playing Rooney on the left wing; drop him deeper and use him as the play maker.

:henn0rz:

[Adramelch]

Not starting is one thing, but if I am not mistaken he hasn't played at all.

[Shindig]

Sterling's sabotaging Kane's career. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

A breeze would see Grealish tumble to the ground.

[Magic]

Dat defending. :drool:

[Magic]

My god Dykes is absolute toilet.

[randomlegend]

Grealish is so much better than Mount

[phonics]

Sterling's sabotaging Kane's career. :D

Kane has refused to pass to him when he’s open twice in 2 minutes.

[phonics]

A breeze would see Grealish tumble to the ground.

This isn’t true at all. He gets more fouls because he’s a close contact player with the ball and turning to beat his man.

[randomlegend]

This isn’t true at all. He gets more fouls because he’s a close contact player with the ball and turning to beat his man.

He gets genuinely fouled a lot but he's also a cheating bastard

[phonics]

Name a player who isn’t.

Players can’t win. They go down and called a cheat. They don’t go down they get called naive.

[Magic]

Steve Clarke just brought on McKenna instead of Cooper for Hanley (injury). Shocking sub but his first contribution was a wild tackle so he's now on a yellow. :D

[Max Power]

Grealish is a delight to watch. The CLAMOUR is something I can get behind tbh

[Lewis]

Eric Bailly is not a cheating bastard.

[Danny]

Cheating out of money.

[randomlegend]

Bailly :cool:

If only he wasn't made of glass.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Nice hit by McGregor.

[phonics]

By the way, is it a big shock that Maguire's playing? I hadn't heard mention of him being back before.

[Pen]

Is that the only outcome which gets you through, Pen? Need a minor miracle there.

Yeah, it’s very unlikely. Spain winning by three would do it too or some silly results in group F. We scored a goal and I saw us win a game so even if we go out, I’m happy with how we did. Think we were quite unlucky with the draw, but that was clear well before the first game. Hopefully this won’t be our last appearance in Euros.

[Manc]

Man like Saka.

[Spikey M]

By the way, is it a big shock that Maguire's playing? I hadn't heard mention of him being back before.

He was expected back back at some point. He declared himself fit before the first fixture I think, Southgate just begged to differ.

[Don]

Sensational touch and strike by McGregor, he's got a real distinctive gait but his touch and tekkers are tidy af. This Scotland side need to stop doing a Brighton and fucking do some serious damage at this tourney.