July: The end of the Euros and.... friendlies?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Saka looks very nervous, he will need to go off for Foden and someone else for Grealish.

[Pepe]

That lad lying on the floor. :lol:

[Yevrah]

Why the fuck is Raheen Sterling taking direct free kicks?

[Pepe]

Is that a thing now?

[Boydy]

Saka's done fuck all.

[Lewis]

We're back to looking like United.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

How did he not score there?

[Ian]

Sterling. :moop:


Is that a thing now?

The draft excluder behind the wall? Yeah, pretty common.

[randomlegend]

Is that a thing now?

The lying on the floor? It has been for ages. There were quite a few under the wall free kicks being scored (kicked off by Messi I think) so everyone started doing it.

[Boydy]

Saka's done fuck all.

You're welcome.

[7om]

It still might be coming home. Maybe.

[randomlegend]

Saka's done fuck all.

Was about to say the same thing :D

[Pepe]

The draft excluder behind the wall? Yeah, pretty common.

Well, lol at that.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's a great ball behind by Kane.

[Ian]

I had also been about to slag off Saka before he was directly involved in our two consecutive chances. :D

[randomlegend]

Lewis you seen Damgaard's hairline? 21.

[Spikey M]

Pickford has been absolute dog shit since that meaningless misskick against Ukraine. Needs to sort his head out.

[randomlegend]

Pickford has been absolute dog shit since that meaningless misskick against Ukraine. Needs to sort his head out.

He's always been dogshit.

[Lewis]

Lewis you seen Damgaard's hairline? 21.

He took it all out on the ball.

[Spikey M]

He's always been dogshit.

He's not been particularly bad for the entirety of the tournament. He's a bag of nerves now.

[Pepe]

Those two crosses. :D

[Ian]

I was waiting for a replay to confirm my suspicion that the only way Schmeichel wouldn't have saved that Sterling shot was if he'd teleported to a different part of the pitch. I fucking hate commentators talking about saves from close range.

[Yevrah]

Almost annoying the own goal came there. I really want to see what Southgate has in his locker to change a game. Instead I suspect another 45 minutes of the same.

[Jimmy Floyd]

First half expert analysis

1 aaaaaaah
2 the period between 15 and 35 minutes was absolutely DIRE, in a way that could go in the first verse of the next Three Lions song (Four Lions?)
3 Sam Matterface must die
4 painfully
5 I hope Kasper Schmeichel throws in the winner, the chip-off-the-old-block prick
6 Grealish will win it

[Mellberg]

I was waiting for a replay to confirm my suspicion that the only way Schmeichel wouldn't have saved that Sterling shot was if he'd teleported to a different part of the pitch. I fucking hate commentators talking about saves from close range.

Same. Sterling has to make sure there. Schmeichel can only make himself big.

This game is absolutely made for Grealish btw. He'd be involved in any winner too.

[Boydy]

That lad lying on the floor. :lol:

1379873993113673735

[Lofty]

So you're saying Saka looks bad when not given the ball at ideal times :sherlock:

[Ian]

Sometimes as a professional footballer, you get the ball when it's not perfect circumstances. Doesn't mean you have to lose it nearly every time as he was for a chunk of the half.

He ended up turning it back round for us though so it's all good.

[Yevrah]

This is so shit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Maguire's head has gone.

[7om]

Get Grealish on now

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Now that's a brilliant save.

[Yevrah]

60 minutes and no subs sees Southgate on the list. With ITV.

[Pepe]

At least we got proper uniforms today, amirite?

[Pepe]

Or should Denmark be on white shorts?

[randomlegend]

Is Braithwaite really pronounced "Brath-way"?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Or should Denmark be on white shorts?

They should.

[Ian]

In the interest of of Saka-ing him: Mount does fuck all in this set up. Get Grealish on.

[Yevrah]

Why is Kane either so deep or wide?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Dolberg really should have played in Maehle there.

[randomlegend]

Mount is wank.

[randomlegend]

At least we got proper uniforms today, amirite?

Kits, mate.

[Pepe]

Tricots. :dc:

[Lewis]

*clap, clap, clap-clap-clap, clap-clap-clap-clap*
'TRICOT!'

[Ian]

Why is Kane either so deep or wide?

I dunno but given how much people talk about wanting Sterling and whoever on the wings because they'll fill the space Kane leaves it seems to be an accepted thing. He doesn't create that much for us though so I'm not sure what we'd lose by telling him to stay in the area and we'll try and get him the ball.

[Lofty]

Need someone better than Mount getting Mount's touches.

[Yevrah]

Denmark making subs before we do sums this up.

[Boydy]

Why are Denmark taking Damsgaard off? :cab:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They better not be taking him off, mental if true.

[Pepe]

Three subs at a time? :cab:

[Pepe]

Should save some for the extra time mate.

[randomlegend]

Watch him take Saka off for Grealish and stick him on the right where he's rubbish.

[7om]

Damsgaard and Dolberg off is criminal. They deserve to lose.

[Boydy]

Should save some for the extra time mate.

They get five.

And an extra one for extra time.

[Pepe]

They get five.

Oh. Go on then.

[Luca]

Watch him take Saka off for Grealish and stick him on the right where he's rubbish.

I'd have gone Grealish for Mount. Saka has been a constant threat.

[randomlegend]

Saka looks like he has foetal alcohol syndrome

[Pepe]

More like Sucka init?

[Ian]

More like Sucka init?

https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/58621578/sucka.jpg

[randomlegend]

I'd have gone Grealish for Mount. Saka has been a constant threat.

He's put Sterling on the right and Grealish on the left by the looks of things.

[Ian]

He's put Sterling on the right and Grealish on the left by the looks of things.

It's what he did previously when both were on.

[Lewis]

That was a penalty.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I thought VAR was going to give that.

[7om]

Daylight robbery. It’s Eurovision all over again.

[Pepe]

#brexit

[Ian]

That's just never getting overturned whichever way it's initially given.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ref has given Denmark everything.

[Ian]

Before I just call Waistcoat a cunt is there a reason we've got two goalies on the bench but no Calvert-Lewin?

[Pepe]

Who do we expect to bottle their pks?

[Ian]

Who do we expect to bottle their pks?

Sterling so the mongs can pretend he hasn't been our best player for most of the tournament. Maybe Luke Shaw skying one to go into Mourinho's wank bank.

[Boydy]

Can't believe Mount and Phillips are still on.

[Bernanke]

Where did they find six minutes?

[Lofty]

No England player fussed about attacking the 6 yard box apparently.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Where did they find six minutes?

Should have been far more if anything. Danes stopped the game for about 5 in the 60ish minute region.

[Ian]

It'd be nice if Kane could remember he has team mates when there's not a shot on.


Where did they find six minutes?

The concussion check I assume.

[Pepe]

And the fifty subs.

EDIT: Nevermind, three were at the same time.

[7om]

Foden on next please.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Such a frustrating game to watch. We are easily the better team, but deliberately sluggish and timid. Southgate just despises risk. This may work but it relies on us not digging our own graves.

I've also not FELT anything like this since covid. Like, you know, really felt. Proper all-encompassing stress. CL final was a breeze.

[randomlegend]

Before I just call Waistcoat a cunt is there a reason we've got two goalies on the bench but no Calvert-Lewin?

I vaguely remember reading it's a rule that you have to name two keepers on the bench.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This will be a long 30 for Denmark if England keep the pressure up.

[Yevrah]

Last 6 minutes good, previous 45 an abomination.

[randomlegend]

Get Sancho and Foden on.

[Lewis]

There should have been ten minutes for Eriksen, and England should have somebody sent off so that it's like Eriksen going off.

[Ian]

I've also not FELT anything like this since covid.

I genuinely just had this same thought.

[-james-]

Denmark are spent and England still have four subs. Would have to be a big fuck up to not get this done in ET.

[Mike]

I vaguely remember reading it's a rule that you have to name two keepers on the bench.

You have to name a 23 man ‘match day squad’ that has to include 2 keepers. Everyone named in the 23 can either start or be on the bench.

[Shindig]

Tense. Help.

[Mellberg]

Before I just call Waistcoat a cunt is there a reason we've got two goalies on the bench but no Calvert-Lewin?

Two keepers on the bench is some daft rule.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Fuck it, I've hit the whisky.

[Manc]

No changes? Jesus wept.

[Pepe]

Fuck it, I've hit the whisky.

:D

[Ian]

Fuck it, I've hit the whisky.

I've got some Leffe on the go but I'll be adding a whisky chaser shortly.

What whisky you got? Let's distract ourselves from the horror.

[Yevrah]

No changes? Jesus wept.

There’s a rant coming after this.

[Lewis]

I would fancy them on penalties (or rather our goalkeeper to be worse) so we need to be winning this here.

[7om]

There’s a rant coming after this.

:drool:

[Boydy]

He took Rice off for Henderson?!

[Ian]

He took Rice off for Henderson?!

Need him on to flub a penalty.

[Pepe]

This better be over before my kickabout begins.

[Lewis]

I don't get Declan Rice at all. His defensive play isn't anywhere near good enough to compensate for offering nothing - and I mean nothing, not even passing - going forward. You would think he was Fernandinho the way people go on.

[Boydy]

Need him on to flub a penalty.

I meant more why not take Phillips off.

[Lewis]

I meant more why not take Phillips off.

Because in the context of this tournament he's the bigger name.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Sterling has dived.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fuck.

[-james-]

Matterface lol

[Guybrush]

Never a penalty.

[7om]

:drool:

[7om]

Fuck off mughow

[Ian]

That's soft but it was never getting overturned.

Survived a shit penalty.

[Pepe]

:harold:

[Danny]

What a terrible penalty.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sounds weird to say, but Schmeichel fucked it there, should have held the save.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fuck off mughow

I'll be so glad when England fail to win the tournament.

[Yevrah]

So much ammunition for my point of view before the tournament here.

How does our number 1 spot kick taker, take a penalty like that?

[Spikey M]

They deserve to lose for that facepaint effort alone.

[Yevrah]

Matterface lol

Worst commentator ever.

[Spikey M]

So much ammunition for my point of view before the tournament here.

How does our number 1 spot kick taker, take a penalty like that?

... nerves?

[Ian]

"Scenes! Absolute scenes!"

Shut the fuck up Matterface you awful shitebag.

[Lewis]

1412863652798029831

An interpretative dance of 1939-45.

[randomlegend]

So much ammunition for my point of view before the tournament here.

How does our number 1 spot kick taker, take a penalty like that?

Because he's a human being in an extraordinarily high pressure situation.

[Pepe]

Denmark ROBBED.

[Yevrah]

... nerves?

Shouldn’t apply to anywhere near that extent. We’re perennially broken if it was.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Matterface is the first commentator I can remember who genuinely ruins games. Surely Clive has to get the final.

[Pepe]

Team compassion. :drool:

[Yevrah]

Because he's a human being in an extraordinarily high pressure situation.

Many many humans of his calibre in sport have coped with far harder, far better.

[-james-]

Many many humans of his calibre in sport have coped with far harder, far better.

And many, many haven't. Pure confirmation bias.

[Yevrah]

Matterface is the first commentator I can remember who genuinely ruins games. Surely Clive has to get the final.

They dropped him officially, no? I’ll be on BBC anyway.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why is he taking off Grealish? :cab:

[Boydy]

Is Grealish injured?

[Serj]

Pity, I don't think the Danes will be coming back from this. 3-1 much more likely at this point.

England must be disappointed with this performance though, they've barely created anything.

[Pepe]

Deserves it for that hairband.

[Spikey M]

Many many humans of his calibre in sport have coped with far harder, far better.

You're right. He's the first player to ever take a bad penalty.

[randomlegend]

Taking off Grealish instead of Sterling :D

Even if we win the whole thing, Southgate will still be a retard

[Spikey M]

They dropped him officially, no? I’ll be on BBC anyway.

Doesn't that mean Jenas? We can't win.

[Yevrah]

And many, many haven't. Pure confirmation bias.

Many more have than haven’t from the elite pool. Which he’s in. It was pathetic and Indont think he’s a pathetic player, far from it. He’s also not young enough to be part of the soft as shit generation either.

Playing for England does something to our players.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Pity, I don't think the Danes will be coming back from this. 3-1 much more likely at this point.

England must be disappointed with this performance though, they've barely created anything.

Yeah they're so tired right now and really struggling to get on the ball.

I still think Damsgaard shouldn't have been taken off.

[Spikey M]

Many more have than haven’t from the elite pool. Which he’s in. It was pathetic and Indont think he’s a pathetic player, far from it. He’s also not young enough to be part of the soft as shit generation either.

Playing for England does something to our players.

He's been in at least 3 finals for Spurs and not Turned up for any of them. For all his ambition, he does seem to shit the bed when it matters most.

[Yevrah]

And that is the worst substitution in all of human history. 3-1 against a team who can’t get the ball and it’s all over.

[Pepe]

:D

[Pepe]

Kane's a bit of a lump, isn't he?

[7om]

Yev’s brand of sensationalism provides an amazing commentary.

[Pepe]

Yev’s brand of sensationalism provides an amazing commentary.

The best part of any international tournament.

[Boydy]

We need Yev commentating on the final.

[Pepe]

Score a goal you mugs.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why can't Matterface just shut the fuck up?

[Spikey M]

Get the fuck in!

[Pepe]

Raheems Terling is a bit good.

[Ian]

Blimey, we're in an actual final. And - despite some questionable decisions - mostly had the better of that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We deserved that, but I think we might get butt fucked in the final.

[Waffdon]

Sterling has been incredible. Moving him on to the right was stupid but he’s been a class above everyone.

England piss the final. The proper test was tonight. They’d be the best team in the world fairly easily with a proper manager too

[Shindig]

Aye, we controlled it. Sterling's energy is ridiculous. Christ. We're in with a shout.

[Pepe]

We deserved that, but I think we might get butt fucked in the final.

Don't bottle it now. Go get a refill.

[Yevrah]

I’ve got so many things to say, but first and foremost, fuck me!

[randomlegend]

I have a horrible feeling we're going to get anticlimactically (is that a word) donned by Italy.

[Manc]

Suck me off clean Don @Mahow Yevrah.

[Shindig]

Yev’s brand of sensationalism provides an amazing commentary.

The bi-polar hot tub owner.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Suck me off clean Don @Mahow Yevrah.

Going in hard just because you've made it to a final, bless.

[Yevrah]

We deserved that, but I think we might get butt fucked in the final.

We’ll win.

[Ian]

I’ve got so many things to say, but first and foremost, fuck me!

Less of your chat-up lines, mate.

[Manc]

:happycry:

[Ian]

We’ll win.

:D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I do think Italy should wipe the floor with you but I'm nervous now, it's only one game and stranger things have happened.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Don't bottle it now. Go get a refill.

I'm on my second, don't worry. Nothing went wrong after I poured the first.

[Lewis]

Mahow BANNED for the final please.

[7om]

We’ll win.

Don’t know why but this made me laugh out loud.

[Don]

Jesus that was brutal to watch. Italy better do the biz. 120 mins of Kane and Sterling going down like Manc's mum :sick:

[Danny]

Delighted with how we managed that second half. We really should have had a third on one of those breaks but they really offered not threat at the end.

[Boydy]

The bi-polar hot tub owner.

Hot tub whine machine.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Are football fans just discovering Sweet Caroline? It's been ruining T20 cricket for about 15 years.

Sterling player of the tournament.

[randomlegend]

Imagine genuinely caring so much about a team not winning as to be nervous about it. How fucking sad can you get.

[Boydy]

I'm on my second, don't worry. Nothing went wrong after I poured the first.
I think that means you have to keep drinking through to Sunday.

[-james-]

England were really good from about the hour mark onwards. Denmark never created anything apart from the goal which you can't do much about.

Henderson for Rice on Sunday.

[7om]

Monghow in shambles.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Imagine genuinely caring so much about a team not winning as to be nervous about it. How fucking sad can you get.

Says the plane tracker.

[Spikey M]

Imagine genuinely caring so much about a team not winning as to be nervous about it. How fucking sad can you get.

Especially when said team is the team of the country you've lived in for the entirety of your life.

[Baz]

Left the pub as soon as Kane scored. Caught my train and presumably missed nothing :cool:

[Ian]

Hot tub whine machine.

:D

Excellent.

[Spikey M]

Left the pub as soon as Kane scored. Caught my train and presumably missed nothing :cool:

You missed Mahow being a mong.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I should be thanked anyway, nothing unites the board as much as hating on me during England games in a tournament.

[Boydy]

Red Nev getting a little political dig in on ITV. :drool:

[Disco]

Username change to "The Traitor Mahow" please.

[CJay]

How was that penalty not overturned? There’s literally nobody even trying to defend the decision, which speaks volumes.

Henderson made such a difference compared to Rice. A Rice / Philips combo surely gets eaten alive against Italy’s midfield?

Imagine how reserved and reactive Southgate is going to be in the final. :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

24 took him out even if the first guy didn't. It was soft but stay with the on field decision.

Floods of tears already emerging from certain quarters.

[Lewis]

Everyone seems to know the score
She's just a webcam whore
It's for show
They're so sure

That Mahow's gonna throw it away
Gonna blow it away
But so what? I can pay
'Cause I’ll inherit

Three flats and half the house
Pensions, cash and a Rolex
Nothing for his spouse
No more need for camsex

[Baz]

Got the wrong train cos I’m an absolute spaz. Currently on my way from Oxford road to Lea green �� x £70

[Ian]

While I will a) be working on the assumption that we lose and b) nervous, because it's what England tournament games do to me I'm not having any notion that Italy are some seriously scary team. They topped a group full of shite, just about survived Austria, beat a bang average Belgium team and squeezed passed Spain - the bottlers' bottler. There's not a great team in the tournament. It'll likely be a close game.


Henderson made such a difference compared to Rice.

Did he?

[Spikey M]

Everyone seems to know the score
She's just a webcam whore
It's for show
They're so sure

That Mahow's gonna throw it away
Gonna blow it away
But so what? I can pay
'Cause I’ll inherit

Three flats and half the house
Pensions, cash and a Rolex
Nothing for his spouse
No more need for camsex

:lol:

[Shindig]

Especially when said team is the team of the country you've lived in for the entirety of your life.

A country he professes to like. He only hates the team because the players look like the type of lads that bullied him at school. Or in the chat room.

[Jimmy Floyd]

While I will a) be working on the assumption that we lose and b) nervous, because it's what England tournament games do to me I'm not having any notion that Italy are some seriously scary team. They topped a group full of shite, just about survived Austria, beat a bang average Belgium team and squeezed passed Spain - the bottlers' bottler. There's not a great team in the tournament. It'll likely be a close game.

On paper you're right but having watched the two games, the difference in intensity / pace / quality was just enormous. I know the next game is another game but still.

Our best hope is Sterling who has been absolutely heroic in every single game. The way he carries the ball, I've never seen anything like it in an England shirt, and I'm not sure I've even seen him do it at club level either.

[Lewis]

1412895942014013440

We've lost. Congratulations Italy.

[Ian]

Our best hope is Sterling who has been absolutely heroic in every single game. The way he carries the ball, I've never seen anything like it in an England shirt, and I'm not sure I've even seen him do it at club level either.

He's been superb. Far a d away our best player which is some going given how indecisive and timid he'd been in basically every important game for England before this tournament. He's dangerous from the right too so when the changes get made he still tends to be our most reliable attacker.

[CJay]

While I will a) be working on the assumption that we lose and b) nervous, because it's what England tournament games do to me I'm not having any notion that Italy are some seriously scary team. They topped a group full of shite, just about survived Austria, beat a bang average Belgium team and squeezed passed Spain - the bottlers' bottler. There's not a great team in the tournament. It'll likely be a close game.



Did he?

He added drive. The act of a midfield player taking the ball and moving with it definitely made a difference in affirming England’s physical dominance late into normal time.

[Waffdon]

Yeah, Henderson should be starting ahead of Declan Rice, who is just a bit pointless

[Shindig]

And, when we did get deep, you had him and Kane willing to just charge up the pitch and relieve the pressure. With Grealish, Saka, Sancho and Bellingham, we've got that quality covered.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Rice does his job, but with him and Phillips there we are a bit one-paced. It wouldn't surprise me to see Henderson start the final.

It also wouldn't surprise me to see Foden start the final on the right, with Saka introduced later when the old men are flagging.

[CJay]

Sterling is player of the tournament if England win. Kane needs 2 for the Golden Boot right?

Not sure which Italian would get best player if they win. More of a team effort from them really.

[Lewis]

1412897238205050887

[Yevrah]

Red Nev getting a little political dig in on ITV. :drool:

What did he say?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Would have been Spinazzolla if he hadn't been killed in the quarter-final. Now probably Chiesa.

[Ian]

I thought the main difference was just that Henderson was fresh. I thought Rice was anonymous in the group's but has been really solid in the knockouts.

Not that I think putting Henderson in would be a downgrade. But I think Mount is a more pressing issue if we're making changes than Rice.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What did he say?

The standard of leaders in this country in the last couple of years has been really really poor, but Southgate is a proper leader, etc.

[Waffdon]

The laser pen on the keeper was some proper shithousing

[Mellberg]

If England do win it, the montage at the end needs to be done to Cast - Walkaway. They can then end international football.

[Lewis]

Players of the Tournament:

1: Raheems Terling orEnrico Chiesa
2. Raheems Terling or Enrico Chiesa
3. Boris Johnson
4. You're not winning it from the quarters so forget it lads

Harry Maguire has been our second best player lol.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Sterling is player of the tournament if England win. Kane needs 2 for the Golden Boot right?

Not sure which Italian would get best player if they win. More of a team effort from them really.

Two or a goal and 2 assists.

[Shindig]

If England do win it, the montage at the end needs to be done to Cast - Walkaway. They can then end international football.

Closing the loop. I like it.

[Kikó]

Fucking yes.

[Lewis]

If England do win it, the montage at the end needs to be done to Cast - Walkaway. They can then end international football.


Closing the loop. I like it.

It's the World Cup next year, and Sancho and Grealish will be at big enough clubs to start every game.

[Boydy]

I thought Rice was good tonight.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Can we send Her Maj to the final or is she still having to isolate?

[Ian]

Why, hasn't she got a telly?

[Yevrah]

Right, time for some real talk.

We were good for 6 minutes of injury time and for the first half of extra time, for the rest of it we were abysmal, interspersed with moments of ok. Denmark looked dangerous every time they came forward and our much lauded defence was shaky at best.
Kane continually dropping deep or wide must have been intentional and it's an absolute nonsense. When he was in the middle, he looked dangerous and we were good. No coincidence that was only for about 20 minutes.

While I was rightly corrected by James that losses in the past, with completely different players, have any bearing on the here and now, there is clearly something that's in our psyche that doesn't lend itself to knockout football for England. Pickford's looked solid all tournament and was a complete shambles tonight. Kane's penalty was absolutely horrific - an effort I'd have been disappointed with. Interesting that we also played far better than any other game away from Wembley.

But, but, but, we won, and on balance I'd say we deserved to and I think we'll win on Sunday too. My primary reasoning is that it just feels like it's time, but if you want a footballing one, 8 at the back with Sterling and a.n.other pace merchant terrorising their ageing backline will be enough to see us through. I think we'll concede, but will probably score a couple. The 8 at the back should keep Kane up front and centre too, which will help hugely.

Which then leads me onto Southgate, he'll be knighted and righty so, but we should part ways with him at the end of the tournament and get someone else in who can play football with a plan that involves some attacking intent. I got it wrong against Germany, he set out what he wanted to do and the players executed it superbly, but there was no plan tonight and (let's be fair, against a second tier team) we were pretty shocking for most of it, with the second half of extra time an abomination of an approach. This approach and style of football will never be good enough to win another tournament, where we'll be facing at least two good teams, another with historical significance and if we're lucky, one poor one over a four game knockout run. Against that calibre of opposition we'll never win anything playing like this and we'll never get another run in a tournament against such wank or knackered opposition as we've faced here. Which is also why we'll be the worst winners of an international tournament in my lifetime, and by some margin.

But on Sunday at least, that won't matter. It'll have come home.

[Manc]

Is Kalvin Phillips a reverse David Luiz? He was absoutley shocking for the first hour yet no own seemed to notice. Calling -james- for the stats. By my reckoning he lost a dozen or so duels.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Christ, I wasn't expecting the Southgate Out twist in that post. Kudos for keeping the hits coming.

[Lewis]

The worst winners but the best tournament. Creating history. :cool:

[Mellberg]

Worst winners? The last Euros for a start. Got out their group in third and won one game in 90 mins all tournament.

And I thought the second half of extra time was managed superbly. Kept the ball for approximately half of it and little risk. Job done.

[Yevrah]

Christ, I wasn't expecting the Southgate Out twist in that post. Kudos for keeping the hits coming.

I spent a lot of lockdown watching a WWII documentary so I'm likening it to Churchill being ousted after the war ended, which was absolutely the right decision for my money, despite every single one of us rightly being so thankful for what he did during it. As this would be too.

We're an average team at best and had we been in the other half of the draw in either this tournament or the last one we'd have not got close to a semi or a final. We've never been close to being that lucky in who we've faced in over 30 years, so I'd say it's fair to say I'll be dead before it happens again.

[Yevrah]

Worst winners? The last Euros for a start. Got out their group in third and won one game in 90 mins all tournament.

And I thought the second half of extra time was managed superbly. Kept the ball for approximately half of it and little risk. Job done.

We've been over this already and they were a very good team and a team that would have beaten us now, comfortably. Greece were also a very good team before someone pipes up with them. We are not and the main reason we're in the final is because of the most favourable draw since draws began.

[Ian]

You think that Yev post is mental when he starts off saying England were shit until injury time and then by the end of it he's both knighting and sacking the manager.

What chemicals are going in that hot tub?

[Mellberg]

Defeated World Cup finalists. DARK HORSES. Germans. It's hardly been a stroll in the park and that's about right for a run to the final. It feels comfortable because they've made it so. Were Belgium, Spain or France any better than Germany? Maybe France, but they lost to Switzerland. We've done well. Enjoy it.

[-james-]

I spent a lot of lockdown watching a WWII documentary so I'm likening it to Churchill being ousted after the war ended, which was absolutely the right decision for my money, despite every single one of us rightly being so thankful for what he did during it. As this would be too.

We're an average team at best and had we been in the other half of the draw in either this tournament or the last one we'd have not got close to a semi or a final. We've never been close to being that lucky in who we've faced in over 30 years, so I'd say it's fair to say I'll be dead before it happens again.

How do you figure that? England beat Germany who matched France in the group stage (who lost to Switzerland), and England will probably at least match Italy in the final. Home advantage has helped but England are clearly one of the best three sides at the tournament.

Obviously playing at home and having an easy draw has helped but you could probably asterisk half of the tournament winners ever with stuff like that.

[Yevrah]

You think that Yev post is mental when he starts off saying England were shit until injury time and then by the end of it he's both knighting and sacking the manager.

What chemicals are going in that hot tub?

It's all sense. Archive it and keep referring back to it when we stink up the next four tournaments but no one dare sack Sir Gareth Southgate.

The hot tub has been off for two months FYI. In May and June because of the awful weather and now because I'm using it as a stand to put the TV outdoors for England games. Normal service will resume from next week and the chemicals will continue to be chlorine and PH balancing agents.

[Lewis]

I think Southgate is a gimp, and I would sack him if we lose the final (especially if we lose convincingly), but he would be literally unsackable if he wins. Whatever the merits of doing so in theory, if player power exists in any sense of the word you couldn't sack him.

EDIT: Yeah, the problem will be if we soil the World Cup and can never sack him.

[-james-]

Who are you hiring in place of Southgate?

[Lewis]

Tommy Robinson.

[Manc]

Some absolute woppers on display in here. If you can't enjoy this you may as well end it all.

[Yevrah]

How do you figure that? England beat Germany who matched France in the group stage (who lost to Switzerland), and England will probably at least match Italy in the final. Home advantage has helped but England are clearly one of the best three sides at the tournament.

Obviously playing at home and having an easy draw has helped but you could probably asterisk half of the tournament winners ever with stuff like that.

You can't because none of them have had as east draws as we have. Go and have a look. It just doesn't happen very often. Brazil in 2002 might be the closest example, but even then their run was harder than this. Far harder.

And your first line is absolute nonsense. It's football not conkers.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The twitter replies are great. Entire world outside England seething their faces off. It's our turn, fuckers, suck it up.

[Yevrah]

Some absolute woppers on display in here. If you can't enjoy this you may as well end it all.

I did enjoy it, we're in a final which we're going to win and I'll enjoy that too.

[Yevrah]

Who are you hiring in place of Southgate?

I'm not, I don't work for the FA.

[Yevrah]

I think Southgate is a gimp, and I would sack him if we lose the final (especially if we lose convincingly), but he would be literally unsackable if he wins. Whatever the merits of doing so in theory, if player power exists in any sense of the word you couldn't sack him.

EDIT: Yeah, the problem will be if we soil the World Cup and can never sack him.

Which I'd probably take to win one tournament in my lifetime, but it's going to be horrific if we don't benefit from draws like this again for the next 20 years.

The only caveat to that is that stage two of his brilliance may involve some expansive (champagne was it Gaz?) football, but again, I'd like to have seen some actual evidence of that.

[Yevrah]

Defeated World Cup finalists. DARK HORSES. Germans. It's hardly been a stroll in the park and that's about right for a run to the final. It feels comfortable because they've made it so. Were Belgium, Spain or France any better than Germany? Maybe France, but they lost to Switzerland. We've done well. Enjoy it.

Do you genuinely think we'd be in the final had we been in the other half of the draw and played like we have?

[ScousePig]

You think that Yev post is mental when he starts off saying England were shit until injury time and then by the end of it he's both knighting and sacking the manager.

What chemicals are going in that hot tub?

All bases covered.

[Yevrah]

Evidence of that against anyone bar a genuinely dead Ukranian team, which was admittedly excellent. The rest of it, on the whole and for large swaythes, has been absolute garbage.

[Mellberg]

Spain nearly did. Italy have only bossed a ruined Belgium. Why not? We beat ze Germans.

[Yevrah]

Italy have knocked Spain and Belgium out. We've beaten the worst German team I've ever seen and some second rate shit.

[-james-]

You can't because none of them have had as east draws as we have. Go and have a look. It just doesn't happen very often. Brazil in 2002 might be the closest example, but even then their run was harder than this. Far harder.

And your first line is absolute nonsense. It's football not conkers.

My point is that you have to have a severe inferiority complex to not think England are one of the best two or three sides at this tournament.



I'm not, I don't work for the FA.


I find it hard to believe you'd find anyone who's as well liked, has BEEN THERE, has a VISION and, crucially, would want to manage England. You're looking at what, Eddie Howe, Scott Parker, Arsene Wenger?

This is by far the best England have played at a tournament in however long and it seems lol that you'd want to bin it in favour of something which would, inevitably, be a big gamble.

[Yevrah]

My point is that you have to have a severe inferiority complex to not think England are one of the best two or three sides at this


Or eyes.




I find it hard to believe you'd find anyone who's as well liked, has BEEN THERE, has a VISION and, crucially, would want to manage England. You're looking at what, Eddie Howe, Scott Parker, Arsene Wenger?

This is by far the best England have played at a tournament in however long and it seems lol that you'd want to bin it in favour of something which would, inevitably, be a big gamble.

If you're telling me we could get Wenger rather than watching this again in Qatar, I would absolutely bite your arm off. Or if we want to win it, Mourinho.

But like I said, I don't work for the FA, so it's not my problem. It will be theirs though and increasingly so as we go through the next few international tournaments. We're also never going to get the luxury of playing at home again either. Europe/UEFA hate us and our brown envelopes are far too pathetic for FIFA to give us another World Cup.

[thommo]

The twitter replies are great. Entire world outside England seething their faces off. It's our turn, fuckers, suck it up.

It's fantastic right now, the amount of Danish flags quickly being swapped out for Italian ones, and the angry responses to every post from news pages is something to behold. The number of bitter Welsh people on social media means I'm going to have an absolute field day until the weekend. Three Lions blaring out the car at every opportunity. Hope you enjoyed playing in Baku you sad bastards.

[-james-]

Mourinho lol. Odds on to do a France 2002/2010/2020.

[Lewis]

I think Germany was a test (passed), and so was tonight (meh). To use the Ole Gunnar Binman comparison again, if he nails it from the off like against Germany (United vs City in recent years) then we're away because we have the players; but if the other team out-tactics him like tonight, the clueless gimp in him comes to the fore and he can't/won't make changes on the run to address it beyond like-for-like substitutions (also scabbing penalties like United).

I think that is the issue for Sunday (and his fate going forward). If we get it right we will do them. If their plan beats ours then turn the telly off after half an hour.

[Yevrah]

Mourinho lol. Odds on to do a France 2002/2010/2020.

Mourinho is fantastic at playing shit football and getting results in knockout competitions.

How much would I get for laying that? It's free money.

[Lewis]

I love him but Mourinho would be absolute AIDS to this group of fannies.

[Yevrah]

I think Germany was a test (passed), and so was tonight (meh). To use the Ole Gunnar Binman comparison again, if he nails it from the off like against Germany (United vs City in recent years) then we're away because we have the players; but if the other team out-tactics him like tonight, the clueless gimp in him comes to the fore and he can't/won't make changes on the run to address it beyond like-for-like substitutions (also scabbing penalties like United).

I think that is the issue for Sunday (and his fate going forward). If we get it right we will do them. If their plan beats ours then turn the telly off after half an hour.

Nailed it with that. And it plays into what I said above, if he goes with his 8 at the back wank (he's an idiot if he doesn't) and some pace I think Italy will struggle. His substitutions tonight were appalling. Absolutely appalling.

[Yevrah]

I love him but Mourinho would be absolute AIDS to this group of fannies.

That is true. I remember saying a while back that millennials being soft as shite has ruined him and being jumped on, but it's true, isn't it? Nothing else makes sense.

[Lewis]

I would just play the Germany team. I wouldn't fancy either edge of a back four against those Italy forwards and we need to fill the middle with shit.

[Yevrah]

On paper you're right but having watched the two games, the difference in intensity / pace / quality was just enormous. I know the next game is another game but still.

Our best hope is Sterling who has been absolutely heroic in every single game. The way he carries the ball, I've never seen anything like it in an England shirt, and I'm not sure I've even seen him do it at club level either.

He hasn't. Kudos for Southgate for seeing that in him and getting it out of him, but it strikes me as akin to choosing to get blood out of a stone when you could just stab yourself if you really needed some.

[Yevrah]

I would just play the Germany team. I wouldn't fancy either edge of a back four against those Italy forwards and we need to fill the middle with shit.

That's the one. I'd probably put Saka in it though. We need as much pace as possible against Italy.

[Yevrah]

If he didn't start that game. He did though, didn't he?

[Boydy]

If England win this, they'll win the world cup too.

[Yevrah]

Oh and special mention to whoever that commentator was tonight. The worst I've ever experienced in a football match.

Is he getting lynched on Twitter?