Euro 2024 - Group Stage: This format is bollocks

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fucking hell.

That was lovely, shame it was just wide.

[Magic]

Jesus Christ what a goal that would have been.

[Waffdon]

A Turk with braided hair just looks wrong

[niko_cee]

There's obviously been some sort of central diktat to praise the semi-auto offside system, whilst zero meaningful replays are presented, so it seems a bit of a leap of faith for them to be blurting on about how much better it is. Do they use the chip in the ball for it, and is the chip in the centre of the ball if they do?

[Adramelch]

This Kvarakhtselia looks a decent player. Who'd have thought.

[Waffdon]

Strong wrist from the keeper there. Angus Gunn’s wrist would have folded

[niko_cee]

You don't see many goalkeeper's side freekick goals anymore. At best it's the wobble blast. You'd be gutted if that had gone in but take the point on Gunn.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Holy fuck.

[niko_cee]

Some hit that.

[Waffdon]

Star boy :drool:

Some stunning goals already this tournament

[Bernanke]

This game. :drool:

[-james-]

This is what Pep stole etc

[Yevrah]

Lovely stuff.

[niko_cee]

Yeah long range shooting back in the no process unstructured madness of international football.

[Danny]

Why is that man not shooting

[niko_cee]

"Starts the ball outside the post"

*replay shows ball swerving outwards away from the goalkeeper*

Jenas is just the worst.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fuck that would have been glorious.

[niko_cee]

Got to score there.

[Magic]

The effort on display here is epic. Total belief. Love it.

[Waffdon]

Left back for Turkey looks a player

[niko_cee]

Turkish Ashley Williams brave going off his feet on a yellow like that against the unpronounceable guy.

[Waffdon]

Turkish Ashley Williams brave going off his feet on a yellow like that against the unpronounceable guy.

Which one

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1803100048403665035

Barton to pay more :harold:

[niko_cee]

Amazing.

The costs will be eye watering.

[Bernanke]

Where did they find 6?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Damn, that should have been the equaliser.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Jesus fuck.

What a block.

[Magic]

:D

What a game.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Georgia :(

Why is the lad on the edge of the box pissing about.

[Adramelch]

One of the best international games in recent memory this.

[Pepe]

Mert :cool:

[Bernanke]

Georgia. :(

[Magic]

This annoys me because it makes Scotland look even more pathetic.

[Serj]

Loved the Georgian effort, but in the end just a tad too uncomposed in front of goal. The Turkish defence looked shakey though, I think they'll be made short work of if they get out of the group.

[Shindig]

What a fun set of lads. I'd love to see them get 3 points off Portugal.

[igor_balis]

"Starts the ball outside the post"

*replay shows ball swerving outwards away from the goalkeeper*

Jenas is just the worst.

Wait, for the second one?

[Yevrah]

This annoys me because it makes Scotland look even more pathetic.

At least your country wasn't involved in the dullest game so far.

[Magic]

Ah Sagnol and Montella. Why can't we have someone like that?

[niko_cee]

Wait, for the second one?

Yeah, it did that weird wobble thing where it starts going one way and then straightens/goes back and ends up going like an arrow.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1803080843797110840

There was some tasty fan action early too.

[Adramelch]

Well the Turks have quarrels with every single neighbour so it doesn't surprise me.
Magic: In fairness Georgia took a gamble with Sagnol. He seemingly was out of a job for 3.5 years at that point.

[Waffdon]

This annoys me because it makes Scotland look even more pathetic.

They literally finished 4th in Scotland’s group lol

[Waffdon]

No surprises but of course Martinez goes 5 at the back with Pepe and Ronaldo starting.

[Magic]

They literally finished 4th in Scotland’s group lol

Sounds good hun.

[Magic]

Well the Turks have quarrels with every single neighbour so it doesn't surprise me.
Magic: In fairness Georgia took a gamble with Sagnol. He seemingly was out of a job for 3.5 years at that point.

I don't care. It's better than Steve Clarke.

[Waffdon]

I know we got battered but at least wait until Switzerland do the same tomorrow before the meltdown. :D

Germany should be battering Scotland every single time

[Magic]

I know we got battered but at least wait until Switzerland do the same tomorrow before the meltdown. :D

Germany should be battering Scotland every single time

It was so dire, no effort, no idea. Pathetic. I watch inferior teams give it their all, why can't we fucking do that?

[Waffdon]

We did in the 0-0 win against England the last tournament

[Giggles]

Left back for Turkey looks a player

Plur?

[igor_balis]

I saw a YouTube short where someone was asked if they'd rather win a major tournament or a balloon door and all the comments section were people saying the latter would be much better. I know it's all spacker kids but still annoyed me.

[igor_balis]

Plur?

Or Oasis

https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/thumbs/1985A63B681038972948322971648_129d40830ab.4.7.1544 3436089595481426.mp4_2v2WMyz5xluBTV5iBuQliczjSGFIv k9ARakcnYgOWDpMepHvHfDYfYiHJT7I26iP.jpg?versionId= DAD0PpDa1gxbKYC5rrdBFrjjs_J5DKHn

[Giggles]

Or Oasis

https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/thumbs/1985A63B681038972948322971648_129d40830ab.4.7.1544 3436089595481426.mp4_2v2WMyz5xluBTV5iBuQliczjSGFIv k9ARakcnYgOWDpMepHvHfDYfYiHJT7I26iP.jpg?versionId= DAD0PpDa1gxbKYC5rrdBFrjjs_J5DKHn
That's Blur.

Though the correct answer can only ever be Oasis.

[Adramelch]

How's Pepe still starting for them?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ronaldo injury please.

[Magic]

Ew Danny Murphy. Fuck sake.

[Ben]

Pepe looking really old now.

[Adramelch]

To be fair he looked really old at 18.

[Kikó]

Pepe hasn't really lost much despite being 41. He's an amazing player.

[Pepe]

Feels like all teams play the same nowadays.

[Waffdon]

This is boring as fuck

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's been worse than the England match.

[Adramelch]

First truly boring game of the tournament. I know there's been others that haven't been the best, but this one is the pits.

[CJay]

Czechia are the worst team we’ve seen so far. No attacking intention and no player with even a small amount of flair or pace to threaten on the break.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Get fucked.

[Spikey M]

:drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Czechia are the worst team we’ve seen so far. No attacking intention and no player with even a small amount of flair or pace to threaten on the break.

lol.

[Shindig]

Yeah, this ball travels. :cool:

[CJay]

Top tier jinxing. 😎

[Spikey M]

We've been needing a Taz replacement.

[Serj]

I had Portugal down as winning the tournament. Should have looked at who the manager is.

[Spikey M]

Balls

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Christ.

[Spikey M]

I had Portugal down as winning the tournament. Should have looked at who the manager is.

Can everyone stop the mega-Jinxing?

[Adramelch]

Shit goalkeeping.

[Waffdon]

I had Portugal down as winning the tournament. Should have looked at who the manager is.

Instantly improve by taking Ronaldo out the side but that’s never going to happen. Martinez doesn’t have the balls.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

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How does he have that English accent?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ugh.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:harold:

[Adramelch]

All that's missing is a Czech goal through a deflection.

[SvN]

Lmao, something quite funny about that being instantly ruled out after the argy bargy over the celebration.

[Shindig]

I love that. Making a big fuss to get the ball for the baby celebration, too. :D

[Magic]

Hahaha. Love that.

[Baz]

All the kerfuffle just to do the baby celebration and now it’s been chalked off. Embarrassing.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fuck off.

[Waffdon]

Starts with 5 defenders and still brings on 2 more defenders to replace them. Martinez can’t be serious

[Adramelch]

You won't see a more impactful pair of subs than that.

[Spikey M]

Clear freekick up the other end too. Bollocks.

[Waffdon]

Oh look, a player in Neto who will actually run at his defender and creates the goal

[SvN]

Shambolic defending

[Dan]

These two Portugal goals have come from absolutely horrific bits of defending. No idea why the defender thought a knee slide was the right tactic for defending that cross.

[-james-]

France and Germany probably the most impressive after that round of games? An Mbappe-less France will be quite shit though.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

France?

Did you watch them play?

[-james-]

They did what they always do which was look quite shit but score a goal and then look absolutely deadly on the counter. I learned not to oppose them in the betting in 2018.

Who've you got, 'how?

[Adramelch]

Based on actual performances you'd go with Germany and Spain surely, though I understand Spain are an enigma. I also thought Italy's attacking play looked strong, but I'm not sure they have the end product for it to actually matter.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They did what they always do which was look quite shit but score a goal and then look absolutely deadly on the counter. I learned not to oppose them in the betting in 2018.

Who've you got, 'how?
That's fair enough and a better statement than saying that they were one of the most impressive.

Germany clearly ahead and I'd probably say Spain after, although I doubt they have legs. Seems most of the bigger teams have started slow.

[Waffdon]

Only 1 draw so far which is a surprise. Will probably see a lot more in the round 2 matches but it bodes well for teams getting through on 3 points

[Waffdon]

1803148293641208252


I’m obviously easily amused but that switch up is so good

[Magic]

You blind son?

[Spikey M]

Anyone seen this?

1803148293641208252

[Waffdon]

Horny.

Just read the World Cup in 2026 will have 4 games a day for 13 days straight and then 6 games a day for 3 days straight. Mahow’s booking accas are going to go off.

[Spikey M]

I'm on the fence. On the one hand, M0AR G4M35. On the other, less shite please.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Based on the FM ones I've done there will be a lot of stuff like Venezuela v Cape Verde to keep us occupied.

And a lot of less exotic but incredibly boring propositions like Canada v Slovenia or whatever. There will also be knockout games like that and a desperately weak quarter of the draw that shits up one of the semis.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

lol at Croatia.

Lovely cross in.

[Magic]

Albania first again. :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Keeper was wank mind.

[niko_cee]

Slow motion makes him look a right mug.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Croatia getting dumped out would be magnificent for the tournament. They've ruined the last three or four by beating exciting teams.

Would also be apt punishment for them dressing as Stevenage Borough.

[Adramelch]

Looked it up, before today 11 out of the 34 goals were scored in the first 20 mins, so with this one, more than 1 in 3. Seems way out of the ordinary.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Keeper doing better there.

[7om]

Would love Albania to win this. Get Broja on.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Albania :(

ffs.

[Adramelch]

Pasalic trying to be fancy or?

Ah nevermind, he just fucked it up.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fuck right off.

[Waffdon]

Sucic :cool:

FM legend. Maybe Croatia will start to play their younger players rather than the old diddies

[Ben]

The Croatian lass in the office making noises you'd more expect from dolphins.

[Spikey M]

https://i.ibb.co/djRzJMn/Screenshot-20240619-153726-Messenger.jpg

Southend fans have the highest IQ in the game imo.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The longer I've lived and the more I've read about WW2, the more I think that actually the knuckle-draggers are correct and the Germans should be reminded about it every hour of every day.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The Croatian lass in the office making noises you'd more expect from dolphins.

How hot?

[Ian]

Depends how sexy you think dolphins are, I guess?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:cool:

Fucking get in there.

[Pepe]

:drool:

[Waffdon]

Scenes

Croatia defence been all over the shop last 5 mins. They’re leaving their defenders 3v3 every time

[Ben]

How hot?

Not hot anymore. :harold:

[Pepe]

Those last minutes were wild.

[Waffdon]

Ridiculous last ten minutes. What a tournament so far

[Jimmy Floyd]

Croatia needing to beat Italy probably to go through, hopefully Spain win against the grappa swillers and set up a ding-dong.

[Spikey M]

The longer I've lived and the more I've read about WW2, the more I think that actually the knuckle-draggers are correct and the Germans should be reminded about it every hour of every day.

Yeah, but the Yanks needed them onside to keep the Communists as far away as possible, so we have to pretend they - and by extension Kiko - aren't SCUM.

[Yevrah]

Croatia needing to beat Italy probably to go through, hopefully Spain win against the grappa swillers and set up a ding-dong.

Isn't the first separator results against this time round? If so, a draw between Italy/Spain is good enough for Croatia to need to beat Italy to go through.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Isn't the first separator results against this time round? If so, a draw between Italy/Spain is good enough for Croatia to need to beat Italy to go through.

One has to assume that 2 points won't be enough with a -3 goal difference, so they'll probably need a win anyway, but Italy also needing something (even if to get a better draw) would make it a better game rather than 6pts Italy resting everyone and tanking it.

[Adramelch]

It's goal difference nowadays I believe, not h2h like it used to be.

Edit: Nevermind, it's still head to head, don't know where I heard/read otherwise.

[phonics]

It's goal difference for best third place.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hungary already looking better than Scotland.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Orban way too weak.

[Pepe]

Call the foul, come on.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Gets worse on second viewing for Orban.

He's about 4x the size of Gundogan.

[Pepe]

Hungary looking decent out there.

[Adramelch]

Lovely goal in its simplicity that one.

[Shindig]

Well, my employers have given everyone a Euro 2024 lanyard. I'm well into it until the Paris ones come next month. The TV in the office is dead but my team leader is trying to sort something out for the England match. That probably means watching it on a laptop which means I'll give it a miss.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Zanay just seems to always play the wrong ball.

[Waffdon]

Glad Switzerland have stopped Duah as that pace was frightening against Hungary. Shaqiri will probably score his yearly worldie though.

Billy Gilmour starting :cool:

Tony Ralston starting :sick:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hopefully the Swiss batter these twats.

[Yevrah]

Hopefully the Swiss batter these twats.

This unjustified level of optimism and bunting is only going to end one way.

[Spikey M]

Has someone told 'how they don't see him as Scottish now?

[Waffdon]

This unjustified level of optimism and bunting is only going to end one way.

By who? :D

What the fuck is this current video package on BBC right now. Jesus

[Jimmy Floyd]

Not sure I want to enquire who taught her German 80 years ago.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This woman is talking some right drivel suggesting that the Swiss will be as nervy as the Scots here.

[Magic]

Hopefully the Swiss batter these twats.

I have to agree. Bunch of dislikable English cunts.

[Waffdon]

Much better national anthem tonight.

Easy win.

[Ben]

The England one is so shite. Scotland must be well pumped up for kick off after belting that out.

[Dark Soldier]

mon you bunch of watch wearing, chocolate and cheese munching, Federer fucking mountain bastards

[Ben]

Here we go again with the kits. How does red clash with blue?

[Pepe]

Proper kits need to make a comeback. Separate colors for shorts/shirts, patterns, etc. Modern shit is wank.

[Waffdon]

Genuinely impossible for Scotland to play out the back with the keeper, Grant Hanley and Tony Ralston. So grim

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

At least it was McTominay.

[Adramelch]

Great finish by Schar.

[Waffdon]

Fucking Mon. Brilliant from Gilmour at the start

[Jimmy Floyd]

'Their sixth ever goal at the Euros!'

10/10 commentary.

[Adramelch]

'Their sixth ever goal at the Euros!'

10/10 commentary.

Own goal is their top scorer in the Euros. You're welcome.

[Yevrah]

By who? :D

What the fuck is this current video package on BBC right now. Jesus

The BBC, almost exclusively.

[Adramelch]

The Scots are really struggling to defend these corners it feels like, though their goal did start from defending a corner.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:drool:

What a hit.

[Adramelch]

Glad Switzerland have stopped Duah as that pace was frightening against Hungary. Shaqiri will probably score his yearly worldie though.



Like clockwork.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Tak a touch, wee laddie.

[Yevrah]

Shaqiri will probably score his yearly worldie though.


Ludicrous strike. :D

[Waffdon]

Called it. That little shit was always scoring.

Imagine my shock it comes from Ralston being utterly shocking. Get him to fuck. Wouldn’t get a game for Tranmere

[Jimmy Floyd]

Imagine my shock it comes from Ralston being utterly shocking. Get him to fuck. Wouldn’t get a game for Tranmere

A bit of a troubling one in that it happens because a clearly very average player is naturally conditioned to be doing one-touch no-look passes across the backline. Coaches really need to get on top of this epidemic. If you're shite, take a touch and give it safely to someone who isn't shite. It was Scotland that invented this in about 1860 ffs.

[Magic]

Gunn lol.

[Waffdon]

Sub this keeper and the right back off at half time. I beg.

[Boydy]

1803487843219591206

Lewis

[Ben]

Gunn and Ralston (and probably Hanley) are a right bomb scare. Scotland would be alright otherwise.

[Baz]

Would they though

[Magic]

Yes.

[Waffdon]

Would they though

Certainly makes a difference not having Hickey at right back as although he’s not exactly great going forward he’s two footed and can play under pressure from being pressed.

Switzerland are literally only pressing the right back. We just need to avoid even passing to him at this point.

[Baz]

Nice of Scotland to play Andy Robertson’s spastic twin who can’t kick a ball, rather than the real one.

[Waffdon]

We’re gonna bring on Liam Cooper to top off the worst defence in the competition. Bloody hell

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hamstring gone.

[niko_cee]

Phew, thought that was Billy G at first.

[Gray Fox]

I'd be more concerned about the knee there.

Okay maybe not. On replay that's him out for a while.

[Magic]

We’re gonna bring on Liam Cooper to top off the worst defence in the competition. Bloody hell

:drool:

[Waffdon]

Could do with a sub or two here to change it up. Be another 15 mins of this then.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

If his name was Grant McHanley he'd have scored.

[Waffdon]

Sitter

[Magic]

Donkey.

[niko_cee]

Hard to call it that when you have Schar trying to kick you in the face. Unlucky.

[Waffdon]

Referee gives a free kick and yellow without even seeing the ‘foul’. Joker

[niko_cee]

This ref is a bit of a joke. Classic Jimmy first ruler.

[Waffdon]

Could do with Christie on for McGregor here but it’ll be Gilmour who is hooked

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why is Duah still on the bench?

Get him on and running at that defence.

[Yevrah]

Fair play to Scotland, they've been pretty good here. I did not see that coming.

[Waffdon]

Ralston is so far out of depth. He can’t even defend and make up for lack of first touch

[Waffdon]

Of course he takes the best player off. Fuck off you balding cunt

[Waffdon]

This bastard ref and his fouls. Every single time

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1803524494478221448

:D

Nowhere is safe.

[Waffdon]

Should have won that. Switzerland were absolutely awful - especially in the second half. we will never winning a must win game against anyone so that’s the tournament over

[Yevrah]

On the plus side Waff, you've moved above England in the shittiest team in the tournament to date rankings.

[Shindig]

Have a day off, Yev.

[Adramelch]

I don't know about "should have won", it was a fairly even game it felt to me. You could have won it, sure, but a draw is pretty indicative of how the game played out.

[Baz]

According to Matt Law, England are sending out the same 11 tomorrow.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Sadly, I reckon Scotland qualify in third from here.

I can see them beating Hungary (who will have little to play for as it will be too hard for them to qualify) and 4 points will be enough.

[Yevrah]

Have a day off, Yev.

I was going to but I had to watch Gareth Southgate talking about the mental pressure of playing in an international tournament (even for these players) at half time of this game and it tipped me over the edge again.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

According to Matt Law, England are sending out the same 11 tomorrow.

I saw Southgate moaning that TAA was having to play in midfield for a year because they had no one for that role.

Mainoo is sitting right there.

[Shindig]

You didn't have to watch it, you chose to. :D

[niko_cee]

I was going to but I had to watch Gareth Southgate talking about the mental pressure of playing in an international tournament (even for these players) at half time of this game and it tipped me over the edge again.

:D

It was unreal wasn't it? NO ONE has experienced THIS PRESSURE playing for their clubs.

Alright mate.

[Yevrah]

I've never seen someone so articulate talk so much shit, but he's also a bit dim with it as I don't think he realises what he's implying half the time - in this case that his players aren't mentally up to it.

[Shindig]

Part of the binman game is to lay down some daft quotes with the utmost sincerity.

[Waffdon]

Sadly, I reckon Scotland qualify in third from here.

I can see them beating Hungary (who will have little to play for as it will be too hard for them to qualify) and 4 points will be enough.

That’s us fucked then.

[Lofty]

Tierney cant manage two games in a row, bodes well for selling him.

[Shindig]

I don't know who wins out of Hungary and Scotland. Both of them have defensive horrors within and the STAKES will imply they both have to go for it. A last 16 tie against England (possibly) awaits.

[Waffdon]

I think Hungary are fucked.

I’m now starting to think of Scotland win they’ll miss out with 4 other teams getting 4 points and a better GD. Would be very Scottish

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

I saw Southgate moaning that TAA was having to play in midfield for a year because they had no one for that role.

Mainoo is sitting right there.

Given how good Bellingham is box to box you'd be as well putting him in alongside Rice and Foden in front of them. The way he persists with Foden on the left is peculiar.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sadly, I reckon Scotland qualify in third from here.

I can see them beating Hungary (who will have little to play for as it will be too hard for them to qualify) and 4 points will be enough.

3 points -2 will have a shout I think (for Hungary). Could get help from groups B and C.

[-james-]

Scotland were pretty good, and had the chance to win that game because of Steve Clarke rather than in spite of. Switzerland should be taking a toaster into the bath for not scoring more than one against that back 5.

[-james-]

How many sets of fans are not currently having a cry about their coach's decisions so far? I reckon it's literally Germany and Romania.

[Serj]

Rangnick is pretty much venerated in Austria, plus we went into the tournament with a massive injury crisis, so no complaints yet (that I know of).

[Jimmy Floyd]

How many sets of fans are not currently having a cry about their coach's decisions so far? I reckon it's literally Germany and Romania.

And all of them have identical complaints i.e. play more exciting flair players and fewer functional ones.

[niko_cee]

Is that really the England complaint?

Isn't it more like the opening lines of Three Lions, which I have somehow still not heard at all yet? Is that going to end up some weird thing like the Eurovision song that the BBC only started playing well after the contest?

[John Arne]

Who at the FA thought it would be a good idea to put Mainoo at the press conference?

The media are cunts, the FA are thick as shit for not understanding this.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Didn't he talk at the last press conference too?

[niko_cee]

You're not confusing him with Saka are you? :baz:

Didn't they roll out Wharton for one?

Must be a plan to field genial youngsters who can't be asked about things like the rise of the far right.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Steve Cooper the new Leicester manager :harold:

[Lewis]

1803487843219591206

Lewis

:lol:

[niko_cee]

Looking forward to the obligatory half-time discussion as to how this game reflects on England.

Slovenia need to work on their corners.

Serbia look wank.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Have Serbia got out of a group since becoming Serbia?

Nope. Euro 2000 the last time.

[Adramelch]

It's the first time they make the Euros as Serbia, which makes it even worse, no?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Remember one World Cup when they should have done better but had an absolute meltdown against Ghana, then again at the last one they shat the bed against Cameroon. Don't think they are emotionally stable. Always had the players to do well. Produced loads of coaches who have done well elsewhere too.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a lad :cool:

Starts the move and ends it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Serbian fans are twats.

[Yevrah]

England team announced yet?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fuck off Serbia.

[Adramelch]

Their players aren't any better to be honest.

[Yevrah]

Fuck me, win tonight and we top the group with a game to spare. You couldn't make up the fortuitous way results elsewhere fall for Sir Gareth.

[Spikey M]

Unchanged 11. Fuck sake.

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[Jimmy Floyd]

England really need to pound Denmark tonight and get the group won, Southgate will no doubt aim for a draw.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Unchanged 11. Fuck sake.

1803802631309050076?t=Zuoip0aeCteK2vwMddCGng&s=19

lol.

[Yevrah]

I genuinely don't know how that's possible.

Still, I'm expecting and think we'll see a much better performance tonight.

[Yevrah]

England really need to pound Denmark tonight and get the group won, Southgate will no doubt aim for a draw.

It did cross my mind that when posting the above that two draws will probably all but guarantee top spot as well. Not sure what's worse really, shitty win tonight and a complete 2nd string dead rubber yawn fest in the final game or two 'exceptional' draws to see out the group.

[Ben]

Or just pump both teams and get some form and confidence under our belt.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It did cross my mind that when posting the above that two draws will probably all but guarantee top spot as well. Not sure what's worse really, shitty win tonight and a complete 2nd string dead rubber yawn fest in the final game or two 'exceptional' draws to see out the group.

The Southgate way is to take zero risks and shepherd them through to the next round. As Alain Prost would say, win the race at the slowest possible speed.

0-0 tonight. Really hope I'm wrong.

[Yevrah]

Or just pump both teams and get some form and confidence under our belt.

Well, quite.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Or just pump both teams and get some form and confidence under our belt.

Under Southgate? lol.

[Baz]

Hopefully Kane and Foden turn up.

[Spikey M]

And "Trent" remembers he has duties beyond passing.

[Waffdon]

Vestegaard starting is good news for Saka. Slower player you’ll struggle to find

[niko_cee]

And "Trent" remembers he has duties beyond passing.

He wasn't really in dereliction of those duties in the last game [per Sir Waistcoat] but he just isn't an actual midfielder.

I too am expecting the Yev certified 'much improved performance' today, followed by the second string 'asking some questions' against Slovenia, but I now can't shake the idea that maybe Gareth will want to keep his options open in case an insane route through the knock outs manifests itself for a not top of the group finish.

Desperately need Fatman Shaw to get fit. A sorry situation.

[Waffdon]

Think 2nd would have you against Germany and 1st will see you get France in semis if you both win as expected

[Yevrah]

It's Germany in the last 16 if we finish 2nd, no? Surely he'll be doing all he can to avoid risking that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Runner-up in this group takes you straight into the path of the Wehrmacht, so think that will be avoided. A real Southgatian move would be to throw both games and try to get us to be one of the best third places and then we'll probably face the winner of Group E.

[Waffdon]

How do they determine which 3rd place teams face who?

[Adramelch]

https://i.imgur.com/GEp4CNe.png

[Ian]

How do they determine which 3rd place teams face who?

It may well be very clear and obvious to a smarter man than me but I remain unable to figure that out from what's on Wikipedia.

EDIT: Including what Adra has posted there which I can't make head nor tail of. :D