Euro 2024 - Group Stage: This format is bollocks

[Yevrah]

It's rose tinted glasses. There were some amazing things in there, but for each one of those you had eye bleeding shitfests such as the 2006 World Cup and the turgid horror shows against Portugal.

[phonics]

Everyone thought Sven was shit and England were massive underperforming bottlers.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The last time there was genuine unalloyed optimism about the England team I still think was 1996. I know people talk about 2004 but that wasn't the same in my memory.

[Yevrah]

As for the dropping deep stuff, it's hardly rocket science as to why it's happened and is still happening. Sir Gareth may not be explicitly telling them to do it, but his whole approach (even when we looked competent in previous tournaments) was orientated around a cautious approach, so when we do take the lead the players just instinctively default to bird in the hand mode. Fast forward to this tournament and it's the same approach, but on top of that the players now have a horror show of a tactical set-up to navigate and have seemingly lost faith in the manager as a result - it's no bloody wonder then that when they have scored they can hardly believe their luck and resort to self preservation, which in turn affects confidence and the ability to even play a simple path.

Bellingham's body language and general attitude in that game was so telling, he might as well have been wearing the Man Utd number 8 shirt during the last knockings of the binman's reign. If you think we struggle to understand how Southgate played the same team as against Serbia, imagine how the players must be feeling when they heard it. It'll be exactly the same as it is in any job when you have that horrible realisation of "fuck, my manager is incompetent".

[Yevrah]

The last time there was genuine unalloyed optimism about the England team I still think was 1996. I know people talk about 2004 but that wasn't the same in my memory.

My recollection of that is that you're right, there wasn't before the tournament but once we got there and saw just how good Rooney was going to be in that environment it went through the roof.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I wonder what Bellingham actually thinks.

Going from Ancelotti and winning a double to Southgate and this.

[Spikey M]

I don't know and I don't want to know. He's a majestic player, but he has the voice of a whiney coalminer.

[Kikó]

I think we'd be much better if he let the full backs push on and overlap the wingers. At the moment no one is going past Saka or Foden and creating them space. The one time it happens yesterday and we score. Very tepid.

[Magic]

It's the banality of it all. The slowness. Constantly seeing Southgate do the hands down calm down motion. What a total loser of a man.

[Adramelch]

I don't even necessarily have a problem with dropping deep after scoring if that's his preferred approach. The problem is that his "dropping deep" seems to mean defend at all costs instead of soaking pressure and looking for counter attacks.

[Yevrah]

Yeah, it's being too kind on him to describe it as cautious football when what we've seen so far this tournament can barely even be described as football full stop.

[Dark Soldier]

Just woke up, had a few beers celebrating last night. Top of the group lads, incredible. Southgate's army marches on. First trophy since 66 incoming.

[niko_cee]

We don't have the players to drop deep and hold a lead. The defence is tragic, midfield largely non-existent [this has been the case for all of Southgate, midfield numpties getting rings run around them] and there is precious little threat of pace in attack. If you want to be cautious counter attackers then pick a team to do that, don't pick players who can't run and get confused when everyone is just standing still and you're getting overrun.

He has so very clearly wargamed international management as do what Didier Deschamps has done from day 1, but he has fucking Kylian Mbappe, a bunch of other players who can run and a very good defence to build it off, and, probably most tellingly, a champion mentality from previous living memory successes.

Literally all that will change for the next game is that Gallagher will be running round like a lunatic from the first minute rather than the 55th and everything else will be the same. Kieran Trippier at leftback is one of the worst selections of all time, although maybe he'll go worse and stick Jomez in there to sure things up a bit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I still don't get why you wouldn't just pick the best available actual left back (Tyrick Mitchell), and the only answer I can come to is Lewis's thinking that he isn't a big enough name. Trippier of course a veteran of every Southgate campaign so you can trust him.

[Adramelch]

The Trippier selection is indeed baffling. He's offered absolutely nothing playing at left back.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Southgate would take the minus offer on The Chase.

[Magic]

He'd walk away with £100 on Millionaire after using all his lifelines.

[Yevrah]

A right back at left back, a right back in central midfield and a striker in the Pirlo role. It's such a sorry state of affairs.

[Spikey M]

And to think, it's all Kalvin Phillips' fault.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I know all this top of the group stuff is lol, but we now have to beat Slovenia or we could well come 2nd and face the bosch on their own turf in the last 16.

[niko_cee]

It's all Pep's fault really.

The Tony Blair of football.

[Yevrah]

I know all this top of the group stuff is lol, but we now have to beat Slovenia or we could well come 2nd and face the bosch on their own turf in the last 16.

Bring it on I say. I'd welcome a game that has a bit of excitement about it (if only for the occasion) than the drab shit we've seen so far. And it makes little difference when we play the first actually good side anyway as we all now know (even James and DS deep down) that as soon as we do, we'll lose.

There's also a chance (albeit still an outside one I'd say, as I think we'll continue what we've nearly always done in knockout games against good sides and do just enough to go out) that Germany will give us an absolute drubbing, which really, is what we and particularly Sir Gareth deserve and hopefully would go some way to removing from the lexicon utter nonsense like "it's only the first game" and "we'll play our way into the tournament", as if momentum is something that can just be switched on.

I've watched England long enough to know that if it looks like shit and it smells like shit, it's shit.

[niko_cee]

Second paragraph got my hopes up again thinking the 'chance' might be that such a game suddenly galvanises the team and they start playing well before going on to win the tournament.

Is the last 16 game where Gareth switched system to match up the back 5 of the worst German team in living memory his actual greatest day coaching? We were terrible in that game as well.

[Yevrah]

Second paragraph got my hopes up again thinking the 'chance' might be that such a game suddenly galvanises the team and they start playing well before going on to win the tournament.

Is the last 16 game where Gareth switched system to match up the back 5 of the worst German team in living memory his actual greatest day coaching? We were terrible in that game as well.

No, it would take a genuine modern day miracle to come back from this - you can see that the whole thing is rotten to the core. Not just a slack 20 minutes here or there or a player or two chucking in a bad performance, but a rotting, putrid carcass of a team that even the maggots are thinking twice about getting involved with.

[niko_cee]

It can't be long until the we'll play better against better opposition line comes out, probably after limping past Slovenia. Has it ever actually happened?

[Dark Soldier]

I don't know deep down. I'm optimistic, we'll win. I've not let that middle aged malaise of hatred and fear of things I don't understand settle into my soul yet. Let's absolutely shitkick our way to glory. One shot a game for Kane, one goal. Glory glory Gazza Southgate.

[Yevrah]

It can't be long until the we'll play better against better opposition line comes out, probably after limping past Slovenia. Has it ever actually happened?

My default thought was that we've raised our game when we needed to, but subjecting that to closer scrutiny made me realise I was thinking about World War II.

[niko_cee]

The logic probably doesn't even hold anymore seeing as we have no threat on the break against teams that come on to us.

But enough of this malaise, he's got 4 days on the training pitch. Luke Shaw will make his first outing since god knows when [remember when we used to fret about the fitness of the likes of Beckham and Rooney going into major tournaments?], the fullbacks are going to bomb on, an actual midfielder is going to be given licence to overhaul that area of the pitch, Phil Foden isn't going to hit the post, Harry Kane is going to do whatever it is that has made him the player he is at club level, and if needs be Connor Gallagher will avenge the Lampard injustice of 2006 in the last 16. Me and my mum and my dad and my nan . . .

[CJay]

I know all this top of the group stuff is lol, but we now have to beat Slovenia or we could well come 2nd and face the bosch on their own turf in the last 16.

If England lose to Slovenia and Denmark beat Serbia, do England finish 3rd based on H2H?

[niko_cee]

We would be third on points. That is the dream route though.

[Yevrah]

What is the situation with Shaw? I'm not up to speed on it, so has he been injured for months and I'm now going to have to watch him get rushed back unfit to save us?

[Yevrah]

Having looked at the table I am now waiting for one of the England camp to refer to Slovenia as an excellent side, as evidenced by their unbeaten record so far in this tournament.

[7om]

I hold no hope for this tournament.

We’ve been here before where, on paper, the squad looks amazing but plays like utter shit. We’ve had the likes of Ferdinand, Terry, Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney etc do absolutely fuck all on the big stage so my faith in this team is rock bottom. The manager is the icing on the cake.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What is the situation with Shaw? I'm not up to speed on it, so has he been injured for months and I'm now going to have to watch him get rushed back unfit to save us?
Been out since February.

[Yevrah]

Ok, we haven’t got a left back in the squad then. Marvellous.

[Spikey M]

We've got 3 right backs playing, I'm sure it'll be fine.

[Adramelch]

I remember Goe Jomez playing left-back for Liverpool at least once. There you go, sorted.

[phonics]

1803856789064015900

The Anti-Yev

[Yevrah]

"Ah, that's languid, yes!"

:D

[Yevrah]

Can anyone do me a solid and paste Martin Samuel's article in the Times today into here?

[Waffdon]

Type the link into here: https://12ft.io/

[niko_cee]

Doesn't seem to result in the full article when you do that, at least not on a phone.

What article anyway? Play like this and we'll lose to the first decent team one?

[Yevrah]

Yeah, that one.

[Yevrah]

I like Martin Samuel and while looking like the Honey Monster doesn't help matters he really should have positioned himself better in regards to the internets. Writing articles stuck behind £1 paywalls is so small time.

[Boydy]

https://archive.is/D1Kpr


archive.is is better than 12ft.io

[Jimmy Floyd]

Good start to this game. Slovakia look a pretty decent outfit and Ukraine look potent on the, well, on the counter-offensive I suppose, but genuinely.

[Waffdon]

Ukraine are awful. As is Zinchenko, another example of players lost without ‘pep’

[Jimmy Floyd]

I did notice Foden's veins weren't bulging quite as much last night.

If the Slovaks win today it puts a lot on the French-Dutch encounter tonight, the draw will be 'opening up' Southgate-style for the winners.

[Adramelch]

He was never great in fairness, just a decent option to have.

[niko_cee]

Is 'resting in possession' the new punditry buzz phrase? I keep hearing it.

[Waffdon]

I did notice Foden's veins weren't bulging quite as much last night.

If the Slovaks win today it puts a lot on the French-Dutch encounter tonight, the draw will be 'opening up' Southgate-style for the winners.

Yeah potentially Turkey and then Romania. Lolz

[Jimmy Floyd]

Slovakia have been sucked into a bit of Tournament Football this half. You see yourself on 4 points from 2 and you suck yourself back onto the edge of the area.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That first touch was lovely.

[Adramelch]

Dubravka falling asleep there, though it was a great effort by Yaremchuk.

All this needs now is a Belgium win to have every team on 3 points going into the last game.

[Giggles]

Whoever you could say is shite on your coverage, I can guarantee none of them are as terrible as James McClean.

[-james-]

I regret to inform you all that England do indeed look like they're in the EASY HALF of the draw, especially if France don't win their group.




1st B Spain
3rd A/D/E/F Sco/Hun/Pol/Aut/Rom/Ukr/Svk/Cze/Tur

1st A Germany
2nd C Denmark


1st F Portugal
3rd A/B/C Sco/Hun/Cro/Serb/Slo

2nd D Netherlands/France
2nd E Rom/Svk/Ukr/Bel


1st E Rom/Bel/Svk
3rd A/B/C/D Sco/Hun/Cro/Serb/Slo/Pol/Aut

1st D Netherlands/France
2nd F Tur/Cze


1st C England
3rd D/E/F Pol/Aut/Rom/Ukr/Svk/Cze/Tur

2nd A Switzerland
2nd B Italy

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

We've started so badly.

Lovely header.

[Adramelch]

I regret to inform you all that England do indeed look like they're in the EASY HALF of the draw, especially if France win their group.

That's not accurate, at least if Wiki is to be believed.

[-james-]

Oh aye. Fixed. :)

[niko_cee]

I regret to inform you all that England do indeed look like they're in the EASY HALF of the draw, especially if France don't win their group.

Semi final exit to France, what more can you expect [!] and we're doomed to this cycle FOREVER.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Piatek :cool:

[Adramelch]

Neither of those teams seem to know how to defend.

[Waffdon]

I regret to inform you all that England do indeed look like they're in the EASY HALF of the draw, especially if France don't win their group.

Italy and France before even reaching the final is not an easy route. Fuck you on about

[Jimmy Floyd]

Austria look really good on the ball and a complete mess off it.

Both sides have to win really so could be a good game.

[Adramelch]

Is it me or does virtually every single counter attack in this tournament end with a shitty final pass? It's either overhit or behind the player.

Edit: On replay, that pass was decent, maybe a tad late if anything.

[-james-]

Italy and France before even reaching the final is not an easy route. Fuck you on about

Hopefully Netherlands beat France to top spot. Italy is preferable to Germany/Spain.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lewandowski time.

Here. We. Go.

[Magic]

Clinton Morrison was commentating on the game at 2 on the radio. If terminal cancer was a noise, his voice would be it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

RIP, we're fucked.

[Pepe]

Mahow :harold:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Wonderful goal. Austria look much the better.

[Adramelch]

Yeah that was very nicely done.

[Dan]

You don’t often see a goalie dive the wrong way on a shot from open play that wasn’t deflected.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Could be done here.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Outrageous that Szczesny is not sent off there. Clear professional foul, he had no intention of going anywhere near the ball.

Justice done.

[niko_cee]

Harry Kane special.

[Pepe]

No foul. Justice for Mahow.

[Magic]

I'm in Austria for the semis. Come on lads.

[Adramelch]

Big for goal difference as well for Austria, though I can very well see them getting a draw against the Dutch (where I guess the GD could also factor in giving them second place).

[Jimmy Floyd]

Dutch win over France tonight would set up a great last day in this group. Either way, pretty sure one of the third place qualifiers will be from this section.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Proper Matthias Sammer runs from this Austrian number 20, nostalgia central.

[Adramelch]

Probably just a coincidence but Poland immediately became worse the moment Lewandowski came on.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Probably just a coincidence but Poland immediately became worse the moment Lewandowski came on.

It's not a coincidence. He's a lumbering old hack who should retire (from this), holding the young attackers back.

[Giggles]

:drool: fuck Poland

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Probably just a coincidence but Poland immediately became worse the moment Lewandowski came on.

It's actually been like that for a while tbh.

[Waffdon]

Dutch win over France tonight would set up a great last day in this group. Either way, pretty sure one of the third place qualifiers will be from this section.

If France win, I’m not so sure. Think France win and that means Austria and Netherlands have a shoot out. Potentially one of them loses out in 3rd on 3 points.

They might sneak in but I can see 3 spots at least with 4 points in 3rd

[Serj]

We've actually won a game at the Euros for once and looked vaguely competent to boot. Everything from here is just a bonus

[Pepe]

If Rooney told you that he used to be good at football, you would think that he means doing stupid side-steps in a playground, not that he was an international footballer.

[Baz]

We've actually won a game at the Euros for once and looked vaguely competent to boot. Everything from here is just a bonus

Rangnick + most players played under him before +/or most players having played together for a leipzig at one point, seems to serve them well.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

If Rooney told you that he used to be good at football, you would think that he means doing stupid side-steps in a playground, not that he was an international footballer.

He's so fucking wide these days.

[Yevrah]

Really looking forward to this, hopefully it washes the taste of faeces out of my mouth from yesterday evening.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Presumably Marine and Geert enjoying this one together in a cheap hotel room with blindfolds and a bottle of bleach.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why did Rabiot pass there?

[Yevrah]

Why the fuck is Rabiot passing that?

[Shindig]

What the fuck was that tumbling bollocks? :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Greaseman didn't think he'd pass to him in a million years.

[Adramelch]

I don't even mind Rabiot choosing to pass, but at least make a proper pass if you go for that.

[Pepe]

BOTTLED it, Rabiot.

[Waffdon]

Yeah, passing is fine but at least give it to him in front if you’re not going to shoot yourself

[Pepe]

The ball to Rabiot though. :drool:

[Kikó]

If Rooney told you that he used to be good at football, you would think that he means doing stupid side-steps in a playground, not that he was an international footballer.

Wtf are side steps?

[Jimmy Floyd]

It was just classic 'the problem with Arsenal is they try and walk it into the net'.

Strong incentive for either to win this, particularly France, so I hope they both give it a go for 90 and don't succumb to Tournament Football thinking, which must be tempting.

[Pepe]

When you move your feet sideways as opposed to forward.

[Adramelch]

Given how much Rabiot fucked the pass, you'd think he would have failed to score anyway.

[Kikó]

When you move your feet sideways as opposed to forward.

Oh right. That's clearer now thanks.

[SincereTheRebel]

This huge french la coq sportif badge on the kit is hideous.

[Pepe]

Nice shot lol.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why are France wearing white and blue? Why not blue and white?

[Pepe]

Blue and orange are basically the same color. Would never work.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is there a better defender in the world than Saliba?

[niko_cee]

Good of France to give everyone a chance by constantly picking Rabiot.

They're a bit piss and wind without Mbappé. Who's going to do the honourable thing and take on the role of Columbia 2014?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Is there a better defender in the world than Saliba?

Harry Maguire.

[Adramelch]

Is Dembele basically Kyle Walker playing further up the pitch?

[niko_cee]

Is Dembele basically Kyle Walker playing further up the pitch?

Isn't he unbelievably lazy? Or is this a philandering comparison?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Anthony Taylor is just guessing all these decisions when Thuram hurls himself to the ground at the first sniff of cannabis. UEFA/FIFA absolutely love him but Michael Oliver is far better in my eyes.

[Adramelch]

Isn't he unbelievably lazy? Or is this a philandering comparison?

I guess the comparison mostly occured to me by both being fast and always making the wrong final pass.

[Dan]

A few English lads in the Dutch crowd, apparently.

[niko_cee]

Probably Liverpool fans.

[Jimmy Floyd]

France have not taken a single risk in that half. Deschamps delighted with 0-0 by the looks.

[Giggles]

Probably Liverpool fans.

They'll get away with it so.

[Baz]

Get away with… cheering on the four players they like?

[Giggles]

Get away with… cheering on the four players they like?

Well, they've a history of it.

[Adramelch]

Taylor genuinely seems to give whatever the players indicate happened.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't see how you beat this French side. They are just completely 100% solid and also have a gear to switch into.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yay and then nay.

Poland saved and then re-buried.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's a goal for me.

[Yevrah]

This is one where a 100 people could look at it and it'd be 50/50 every time.

[Yevrah]

So ultimately I don't think they'll overrule the ref.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Appalling decision by Taylor. You have to be addicted to disallowing goals to disallow that.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

If it's taking this long they're just going to stick with the assistant's decision.

[Yevrah]

And there we go.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Horseshit.

[Waffdon]

Of course it’s an English ref taking an age.

Can’t believe I’m copying something out of Jenas’ mouth

[niko_cee]

I really feel those ones are never given when they should be.

Why are there absolutely no replays?

Why doesn't he go and look at the replay?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

My Nan isn't getting there in a million years even if Dumfries isn't there.

[Bernanke]

That's bullshit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Even worse by Attwell in the VAR room not to intervene, that will be the end of his tournament career.

[Adramelch]

Horrible decision.

[7om]

Of course it’s the English who fuck this royally. God we’re shit at this sport.

[randomlegend]

I think it's right to disallow that. The keeper is completely prevented from diving for it.

[Baz]

Appalling decision by Taylor. You have to be addicted to disallowing goals to disallow that.

If that kills my ‘a goal every game / group stage game’ bets then I will have a personal vendetta against him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

All set up for a Greaseman screamer in the 80th minute.

[niko_cee]

My Nan isn't getting there in a million years even if Dumfries isn't there.

Once you're within 5 yards of a goalkeeper in that sort of situation they always deem you to be interfering unless you're obviously miles outside of the goal. He was between the goalkeeper and where the ball went in. He would never have saved it, but that's the bullshit we've had since the get go with VAR. That ITV woman will be along to explain shortly.

[Danny]

This is one where a 100 people could look at it and it'd be 50/50 every time.

Exactly that.

Send the ref to the monitor and make him decide since it’s his job.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That would absolutely never ever ever be disallowed prior to VAR. Taylor having spent the last few years straining to disallow goals in the PL is addicted to finding the man who might be interfering, in any reasonable football logic that is a goal. Ref should always give that and be overruled if there's a clear interference. Refs' lawbook probably says it's offside but it's such a horrible on-field call.

[Waffdon]

Should stop making the top two seeds play the second match. Happy with a draw, the boring fucks

[Dave.]

Even worse by Attwell in the VAR room not to intervene, that will be the end of his tournament career.

I thought the goal was given on the field and disallowed by people in the VAR room.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I thought the goal was given on the field and disallowed by people in the VAR room.

No, Taylor (suspecting interference) ran over to the linesman and then he raised his flag (about an hour late) before it then went to VAR check.

[Waffdon]

Referee went over to linesman to discuss something and called it offside

[Magic]

I think it's right to disallow that. The keeper is completely prevented from diving for it.

No, he only saw him as he watched the ball go past.

[Dave.]

No, Taylor (suspecting interference) ran over to the linesman and then he raised his flag (about an hour late) before it then went to VAR check.

Right.

Thanks for clearing that up. I wasn't watching properly but it didn't seem overly clear from the commentary.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Line of sight I can understand, but line of where he might have liked to dive at full stretch given a perfect reaction is bullshit.

[Waffdon]

France have all the quality in the world and we’ve got them with Giroud, Coman and Rabiot part of the front 4. :sick:

[Magic]

Morally there has to be a Dutch goal.

[Waffdon]

Southgate wankathon this match.

[niko_cee]

Southgate wankathon this match.

How long until someone says it makes England look less shite?

[Lewis]

Why are Poland so shit at football? They have a reasonably large population, are increasingly wealthy, don't take any other sports seriously, and are close enough to Germany and Italy that their best kids could conceivably go through their systems. All things considered they might be the biggest timewasters in the sport.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why are Poland so shit at football? They have a reasonably large population, are increasingly wealthy, don't take any other sports seriously, and are close enough to Germany and Italy that their best kids could conceivably go through their systems. All things considered they might be the biggest timewasters in the sport.

They take volleyball, handball, basketball and speedway (does that count?) seriously.

[Dan]

How long until someone says it makes England look less shite?

About that long.

[-james-]

The disallowed goal was obviously offside imo. The fact that he's never saving it is immaterial.

[CJay]

Alan Shearer covered that decision very nicely with a couple of replays that clearly showed Maignan physically couldn’t have made it and that Dumfries wasn’t even close enough to block him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The disallowed goal was obviously offside imo. The fact that he's never saving it is immaterial.

I think by standing there like a lemon, with no line of sight issues, he gives up that privilege. Otherwise there is effectively a 5 yard forcefield around the goalkeeper at all times and everyone in it is always active, which is clearly nonsense.

[Dark Soldier]

One goal scored by the French. Only four points. Deschamps should be fucking fired, useless.

[Yevrah]

One goal scored by the French. Only four points. Deschamps should be fucking fired, useless.

Yeah, you're right. England have been brilliant.

[Yevrah]

That game was pretty bobbins mind.

[Dark Soldier]

Yeah, you're right. England have been brilliant.

Glad you've come round mate you're a good egg.

[Waffdon]

One goal scored by the French. Only four points. Deschamps should be fucking fired, useless.

He probably should be. They win in spite of him

[Kikó]

I think by standing there like a lemon, with no line of sight issues, he gives up that privilege. Otherwise there is effectively a 5 yard forcefield around the goalkeeper at all times and everyone in it is always active, which is clearly nonsense.

Agree with this. The keeper isn't getting there, goal stands.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He probably should be. They win in spite of him

They are basically a better England in that an even more talented group of players is made to play risk-free football because that is how it is believed that tournaments are won. If I were national team coach of any country I would see my responsibility as being a lot more than simply jobbing my team into the later rounds, and I think most fans think the same way, hence the frustration.

[niko_cee]

Tournois de football, pas de jeu facile, en tete du groupe . . . although they aren't, are they?

Bof!

[Yevrah]

I was playing the man not the ball when responding to DS last night - Deschamps is wank and his French team spend most of their time asleep. As Waff says, they win in spite of him.

[Waffdon]

I’m hoping Georgia surprise us again with another belter game but I think Czechia will bring them down to their level and it will make the game last night look elite

[niko_cee]

Why are their loads of videos of fans snapping things of 'cultural significance' like baguettes and spaghetti in front of rival fans who then mock horror at the act? What's the England version? Can't wait to see someone snapping a sausage roll and then getting hit by a plastic chair or bundled by some flat cap wearing Millwall thugs.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Let them fucking try to snap our Shepherd's Pie.

[Spikey M]

Speaking of which, SvN is Taz still banned? Or is he just sulking/browsing his ISIS propaganda forum instead?

[Lewis]

Yeah bring back Taz.

[SvN]

He was only banned for a week.

[Danny]

He needs to comes back so we can all get rich betting against everything he says.

[randomlegend]

He's so fucking tragic.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That might have been a pen.

Edit: Meh, I can see why it wasn't given.

[Pepe]

He's so fucking tragic.

@Taz, you are going to let that go?

Is he still Don? :harold:

[Adramelch]

Are players not trained on how to cross the ball anymore? The vast majority of them either don't beat the first defender or are aimed nowhere near where the players in teh box are.

[niko_cee]

Running and keeping your shape are the only things that are coached any more. Everything else relies on innate ability.

On the coaching front I read a particularly lol comment from a Liverpool blogger or something [those things that google feeds to you] saying that fans would be pleased with Slot's approach as the team haven't been particularly well coached over the last few seasons. :cab:

I know they're fishing for clicks and all but come on.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Poor Georgia :(

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:face:

What a shocking attempt.

[niko_cee]

That finish. :D

Dear god.

[Yevrah]

What a game.

That was a proper David Ginola moment from whatever Czech was twatting that at goal from 30 yards, gutted Georgia fucked it.

[Adramelch]

The ball slightly bounced right before his shot judging from the replay. He shouldn't have gone for that hard a shot mind you, but still.

[Yevrah]

If I ran a tv channel I'd insta-sack and never invite back any pundit that comes on and blames "the players" for shit performances. Obviously I disagree, but it's still fair enough if you think it's the fault of the players rather than the manager, but name names and explain what they're doing wrong you absolute flanges.

[Waffdon]

Was hopeful for this game but Turkey have papped it and dropped their two most exciting players. Mugs

[Yevrah]

With 895 goals, Ronaldo is clearly going to carry on until he gets 1,000.

[Adramelch]

Was hopeful for this game but Turkey have papped it and dropped their two most exciting players. Mugs

Turkey would have always been happy to play for the draw though. Even more so with the draw in the other game.

[Lewis]

It will be interesting to see how/if he declines from where he is. He's obviously lost his explosive athleticism, but presumably the decline from early to late-thirties is much steeper than where he is now to forty-three, so will he get worse? He could always go through progressively worse leagues like when Rivaldo went and lolled around Uzbekistan.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He's bottled that ffs.

Proper sitter.

[Adramelch]

Good start this.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Turkey punished for not taking their chances.

[Adramelch]

That's a silly yellow to give.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:face:

Didn't even see it properly due to the bullshit director.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Defender has properly fucked it.

[Magic]

:harold:

[Adramelch]

And he had the gall to complain to the goalkeeper. Passed it towards the goal without even looking.

[Waffdon]

I cant believe he no look passed that :D

[-james-]

Men's football :chortle:

[Magic]

Lol at them all beta clapping Ronaldo when he does something shit, like an old person that's tried to reach the toilet but not quite made it. Pathetic.

[Kikó]

Pepe has an amazing ability to read danger. He could keep going for another 10 years.

Looks pretty much like I've got Portugal in Frankfurt for the next round as well 😍

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Leao :harold:

Two yellows in two games both for diving.

[Adramelch]

That's Leao's second yellow card for diving outside the box. And that's about all he has contributed so far this Euro. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lol at them all beta clapping Ronaldo when he does something shit, like an old person that's tried to reach the toilet but not quite made it. Pathetic.

The fucking directors missed the Turkey OG live because they wanted a shot of Ronaldo SEETHING at not receiving a pass ffs.

[Adramelch]

The fucking directors missed the Turkey OG live because they wanted a shot of Ronaldo SEETHING at not receiving a pass ffs.

To be honest I think that inadvertendly made it better because it made the own goal look even more comical.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's a brilliant tackle ffs.

[Waffdon]

This referee is a mess.

[Adramelch]

Ye he's been quite horrible. That Leao yellow card is just about the only thing he's gotten right so far.

[-james-]

He's been done for match fixing in the past, absolutely mental that he's reffing at an international tournament.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Let's hope he's on an Ayhan and Bruno yellow in the second half.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They're blaming the goalkeeper?!?!?

The defender does a no look pass ffs.

[Adramelch]

I don't understand, why have Portugal not dropped all the way back? They already have one too many goals.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This Turkish side has no defence.

Stunned that Ronaldo passed.

[Magic]

Dear oh dear.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1804567199450865665

Kid has pace.

[Waffdon]

Pepe is 41? What a don.

[Baz]

Yeah Pepe has been phenomenal.

[Adramelch]

Yeah I talked shit about his age before the first game, but he's still comfortably the best defender on the pitch. Just obscene.

Regarding that last chance, it's a bit surreal seeing Ronaldo passing to Silva only for him to selfishly take a shot in front of defenders, instead of passing it to a wide open Fernandes.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Four pitch invaders, lol.

Stewards are wank.

[Kikó]

Bobby Martinez setting up Portugal to play non tournament football.

[Lewis]

Hope Ronaldo gets the assist for the own goal because of his aura.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Belgium starting on fire.

[Adramelch]

Tielemans special straight from the get go.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

McCoist suggesting that Lukaku could have turned quicker :harold:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just play Openda over Lukaku.

[Adramelch]

I know we like to laugh at him and he deserves it, but he's scored something like 15-20 goals in the last year and a half for Belgium. A lot of that will be against minnows and whatnot, but you can't just leave him out of the squad.

[Magic]

So have the better teams suddenly realised that they actually need to dominate and pound the shitter teams?

[Waffdon]

Mental how Scotland can still qualify on 2 points if Italy/Spain and Turkey/Portugal all win. Hardly an unlikely scenario since they’d all be favs

Hope Clark isn’t aware. He will play for it

[Adramelch]

Not sure Turkey are favorites. I also wouldn't necessarily bet on Italy beating Croatia.

That Mihayla is great at creating space for himself, but every shot he's taken has been abysmal.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was a nice finish tbf.

[Adramelch]

Looks slightly offside.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:harold:

[niko_cee]

Great, semi automated offsides have made VAR even more hateful.

[Yevrah]

The one on one finishing in this tournament has been garbage.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

ffs, Man fucked that chance hard.

[Adramelch]

I'd be fuming if I had a goal like that disallowed, even if it's technically the correct call, not gonna lie.

[niko_cee]

I'd be fuming if I had a goal like that disallowed, even if it's technically the correct call, not gonna lie.

Was it his knee cap wot dun it? This technology is going to be even more poisonous for the game.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Was it his knee cap wot dun it? This technology is going to be even more poisonous for the game.

It would have still been disallowed with the lines but it would have taken about 10 minutes.

[Adramelch]

Oh wow, that's the FM-legend Denis Alibec.

[Waffdon]

Not sure Turkey are favorites. I also wouldn't necessarily bet on Italy beating Croatia.

That Mihayla is great at creating space for himself, but every shot he's taken has been abysmal.

I’m not saying it will happen but it isn’t like you’re asking for a freak set of results. They all should win based off of what has been played so far but that doesn’t legislate for teams not bothering in the 3rd game

[niko_cee]

It would have still been disallowed with the lines but it would have taken about 10 minutes.

I dunno, very tricky to spot that sort of minor overhang 'infringement', the lines were more adept to catching toes/feet. Of course, it depends on which mong was drawing them.

Thought the second was going to go as well. Did Lukaku not get a flick on it?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Nah, the defender was closer to get a flick.

[Pepe]

Forward plaer should be fully clear from the defender for it to be an offside. We need more through ball goals, not less.

[Yevrah]

Yep. I've been saying this for ages. The way the offside rule is implemented now is simply not for what it was introduced to stop and as with many things in football, it's moronic.

[Pepe]

I only recognize three players in this Mexico squad.

(This is the Copa America thread now, by the way)

[Pepe]

God this is atrocious.