Euro 2024 - Group Stage: This format is bollocks

Euro 2024 Group Stage
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OPENING MATCH: Germany vs. Scotland - Friday 14th June

The Groups
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The Knockout Bracket

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So yeah, not a huge surprise but shoehorning extra teams in is a bit crap, innit? Not sure if I'm being a dimwit but from the bracket it's not clear to me how it's decided which 3rd placed teams end up facing who, and this whole thing meaning some runners up just get to play each other is rubbish. Runner up of group D in particular looks to get a particularly cushy number on paper. That on top of the presumably even higher rate of drama-free games. Group stages can be naff enough without lowering the stakes.

Also have another plug for this: Euro 2024 Competition - free to play

Don't say I'm not good to you, Baz.

Best way to do it. :cool:

We're going to get absolutely thumped.

Something really bothers me about the middle two groups only having three flag colours between the eight teams. What are we doing here?

Even if by some miracle Scotland get 2nd we face either Spain, Italy or Croatia? Amazing. Belgium, Italy or Spain if we finish 3rd and go through.

Fuck me

It's the European Championship, pal, not Nations League B.

Of course but I was hoping with the sheer amount of teams going through the bracket might flip and they’d be dossing it up with the mongs in group E and F.

Runners up in France’s group loving life

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

Even if by some miracle Scotland get 2nd we face either Spain, Italy or Croatia? Amazing. Belgium, Italy or Spain if we finish 3rd and go through.

Fuck me

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3rd place would be the winner of Group B, E, or F. The latter two could easily throw up a Ukraine/Turkey.

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Originally Posted by Ian

Also have another plug for this: Euro 2024 Competition - free to play

Don't say I'm not good to you, Baz.

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Cheers Ian. 217 responses so far. :youpi:


Got my wallchart up and permission slip signed to go the pub on Father's Day for England's opener.

Also if anyone fancies doing Fantasy Euros, how about a TTH league?

https://i.imgur.com/wjv6dpe.png

https://gaming.uefa.com/en/eurofanta...61006C0066/Baz

I assume Spikey will be cheering for Germany.

Only against Poland.

I hated the format going in last time but the group stages were pretty good, so whatever. It's probably one of the least objectionable tournament structures UEFA and FIFA have presided over lately.

Too many thirds go through.

Excel tracker for those geeks. https://www.excely.com/football/uefa...schedule.shtml

Futmob have a cool little predictor thing... https://predict.fotmob.com/euro2024

https://gyazo.com/8499dc3e4d27529907803aa3db88d3c7.jpeg

Does that have Denmark winning England's group? Look at the state of the bracket they end up in. Southgate should be summarily dismissed if they fail to win the group.

I'm not sure about Germany making it that far. The goals can't all come from Leroy Sane.

Do an Ivory Coast and lift the trophy with Harry Maguire as gaffer.

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Originally Posted by Shindig

I'm not sure about Germany making it that far. The goals can't all come from Leroy Sane.

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Why would any of the goals come from him? He barely ever scores

Hoping Belgium finish with nil pois.

The in laws are joining in a few days and the father in law is going to all three Scotland games. Unfortunately, my gran in law just died so it's thrown all the initial plans into the bin.

Next week Lee, Duke and I will be throwing chairs at England Denmark.

Sorry to hear. Is he still going to the games? My soon to be brother in law has cycled over lol.

Yeah, he's having to now fly directly to Munich with my brother in law. Luckily the flights aren't crazy expensive from Lisbon.

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Originally Posted by Kikó

The in laws are joining in a few days and the father in law is going to all three Scotland games. Unfortunately, my gran in law just died so it's thrown all the initial plans into the bin.

Next week Lee, Duke and I will be throwing chairs at England Denmark.

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Hope he drops the Scot’s patter over there

I don't think he's going to be mute.

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Originally Posted by Kikó

Next week Lee, Duke and I will be throwing chairs at England Denmark.

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Cheers for the invite lads. Nice one.

It was in the group which you chose to mute.

Also Mellin is waiting on his latest cash installment for the risk free investment scheme.

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

Why would any of the goals come from him? He barely ever scores

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I just picked a name at random, to be honest. :D I just can't see Germany going that far without someone having a revelatory tournament.

Germany hosting means they'll lose in the final as is tradition.

Can't be that much of a tradition. They didn't even make the final in '88.

England, France, Portugal. Obviously you can ignore the smaller nations.

I don't remember us getting to the final in '96 either.

I got France in the work sweepstake so that's them not winning.

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Originally Posted by Spikey M

I got France in the work sweepstake so that's them not winning.

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Was it in a kinder egg thingy? What’s the prize(s)?

Nah, just paper folded and picked from a cup. Dunno what the prizes are. Only £2 to enter so won't be much.

Bet they still award prizes to the top 3 or 4 like my pathetic work. Should be all or nothing and none of this runners up nonsense

There's a bottle of whiskey up for grabs and a half-day for ours.

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

Bet they still award prizes to the top 3 or 4 like my pathetic work. Should be all or nothing and none of this runners up nonsense

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Should be top two and a wooden spoon prize for the worst team.

I'm with Waff. At £2 a pop, there's £48 up for grabs. That should just go to the winner, but at a minimum it will be first and second place splitting it. Possibly more than that, which would be bollocks.

Ayoze Perez being in the Spain squad completely passed me by.

Dutchies falling apart before the tournament even starts - Frenkie de Jong was ruled out at the start of the week, then Koopmeiners picked up an injury & is out too, and now Bwian Bwobbey has gone down.

So long as Xavi Simons stays fit. :drool:

I keep swinging from optimism to pessimism with England.

I think I'm going in the negative.
We face Serbia with a CB who ended this season pretty terribly and was dropped (Stones) alongside... Well, we don't know, probably a recently crocked Palace defender. Our left back is a right back and our right back is 33 and hasn't played well for England for a long time. Keeper has short arms.
Our midfield will feature a player who has started ZERO games for his club in that position last season (ex for 1 EFL cup game), but to be fair, Rice (I don't personally rate that much - way too immobile, but seems to be loved by everybody else) should be decent enough as a water carrier and Bellingham, who is class.
Front 3 are decent.
2-1 Serbia.

Piss off.

3-0 England. This is our year.

It had better be, because the next opportunity comes after 60 years of hurt and I'm not sure I can stomach another Three Lions reboot.

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Originally Posted by Ben

Piss off.

3-0 England. This is our year.

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https://youtu.be/va6nPu-1auE?si=D80P9-2MdDhkj4Wp

Jones is ill isn’t he? Guehi and Gomez.

I have no idea what Serbia have done since that pathetic game at the World Cup when they decided to draw 3-3 with Cameroon for absolutely no reason, and for that reason I think we will win 6-1.

Well, I picked out Georgia and Switzerland for the work sweepstake. :moop:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I have no idea what Serbia have done since that pathetic game at the World Cup when they decided to draw 3-3 with Cameroon for absolutely no reason, and for that reason I think we will win 6-1.

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All I know is I'm certain that even if you factored in 6000 years of tactical innovations that Serbia would still be doing near post flick ons on every corner.

I got Poland in the work sweep. A pound wasted.

What kind of french accent is this


https://youtu.be/Dh2mhimtPAU?si=UEqZ-E7MNHIMLt-9

Sounds Monegasque.

A black American French accent.

Sounds like a dodgy drake impression

He probably hasn't spoken to a white French person (including his team mates and coaches) for years.

Most forriners nowadays learn English with Yank accents. Grating as fuck.

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Originally Posted by John Arne

Most forriners nowadays learn English with Yank accents. Grating as fuck.

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Ah. That clears it up. So henry, vieira and the rest of them learned english from a french teacher

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

He probably hasn't spoken to a white French person (including his team mates and coaches) for years.

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:lol:

Romania in the work sweepstake. :moop:

Slovakia for me :thbup:

I've got England :baz:

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Originally Posted by thommo

Romania in the work sweepstake. :moop:

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Matches your energy.

I got Portugal. Some controversy about the useless woman's entry, paid up on Wednesday, sacked on Thursday. She's only got Turkey so probably moot.

Did big nips get Italy?

Few boys from Dundee got off the plane and hired a car in Germany. None of them realised they were driving on the wrong side of the road and had a head on collision. :lol:

Probably shouldn't laugh as 2 of them are apparently in serious condition but still. Tits

Poland in my sweep. :moop:

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

Few boys from Dundee got off the plane and hired a car in Germany. None of them realised they were driving on the wrong side of the road and had a head on collision. :lol:

Probably shouldn't laugh as 2 of them are apparently in serious condition but still. Tits

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Some boys.

No Billy Gilmour in favour of Callum McGregor :sick:

At least the best player in international football is back.

I'm hoping one Scotsman has a massive game and gets a contract at Bayern off the back of it.

Ian Wright just said "Ched Evans" instead of Che Adams. :harold:

Can’t get over Tony Ralston starting in a game like this. Fuck me.

6-0 Germany.

A meaningful goal would be nice though.

Christ, Chelsea might as well be playing.

Never even slightly heard of 2 of the 11 German starters. Edging towards old age.

Just said similar to the wife. Massively out of the football loop these days.

Why are the shorts the wrong way round. Tournament already ruined.

Virgin Media has chosen a great time to go down in my area. No TV and not internet until 4PM tomorrow, apparently.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Never even slightly heard of 2 of the 11 German starters. Edging towards old age.

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Max Town Centre's going to have a great future ahead of him.

Get fucked Scotland.

Wirtz is quality.

That Wirtz lad looks a decent player.

Dogshit goalkeeping.

Limp wrists.

Scloltland

Rab C in goal really should have saved that.

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Originally Posted by Yevrah

Dogshit goalkeeping.

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Harsh.

Brutal start. Set up all completely wrong. Typical Clarke in a tournament game.

Playing McTominay deep is just so fucking dumb. Has he not watched him at Man Utd? So narrow with a back 5 as well

Julian Nagelsmann must be the biggest fanny German football has ever produced. An olden days German team would have bullied him into suicide within weeks.

Yeah he should have saved that for sure. You can blame me for that one, I turned it on right when Kimmich got the ball there.

Twatterface mentioning that Nageslmann is younger than me has hit me hard.

This feels like Arsenal v Colchester in the FA Cup third round.

That was fucking lovely.

Could be a proper fisting here.

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Twatterface mentioning that Nageslmann is younger than me has hit me hard.

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I had a similar shocking moment a couple days ago when I learned that the Celtics head coach is about to win the NBA with back to back sweeps at the age of 35.

Waff might be right on the scoreline. :D

Gubbed.

Sclololtland.

Lol what are these tactics. Clarke is a total clown.

Slightly regretting not putting -5 on now.

Our form since qualifying has been Craig Brown levels of bad. Another knock out tournament with fuck all goals incoming :D

There's a problem in front of the five and behind the four! :D

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Never even slightly heard of 2 of the 11 German starters. Edging towards old age.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spikey M

Just said similar to the wife. Massively out of the football loop these days.

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On a related note, I watched that documentary about Greece 2004 last night, and I found that I could still name nearly every player just off their shape and a split second of their face. I couldn't pick Ivan Toney - say - out of a bookies' queue.

We went for a couple of pints at the golf club after work and one of the lads said he fancied Scotland and whacked a tenner on at 12/1. :D

Lol a player laying down behind the wall is still a thing.

That's a penalty

That's carton rouge isn't it? Off his feet.

Why is Janet Jackson the ITV ref expert?

That's a bonkers tackle.

Lol red card pen. Absolute lunacy.

Pen and red card surely.

Who’s this Yank doing the Peter Banks impression?

That’ll be a red card and penalty then

Even by Scotland's appalling tournament performances this is horrific.

Might be no harm going a man down and just getting the backs to the wall.

Sclolololtland.

Matterface is always a fucking terrible commentator, but dropping 'goal involvements galore' during the first half of a major tournament opener just sums up his craft. A man who is appalling at his job.

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Originally Posted by Giggles

Might be no harm going a man down and just getting the backs to the wall.

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That would require tactical nouse and organisation.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Matterface is always a fucking terrible commentator, but dropping 'goal involvements galore' during the first half of a major tournament opener just sums up his craft. A man who is appalling at his job.

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Suggesting that Scotland might as well just go for it in the second half now too.

And all of a sudden Waff's 6-0 prediction seems kind of optimistic.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

That's carton rouge isn't it? Off his feet.

Why is Janet Jackson the ITV ref expert?

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Can't even watch the footie without some compliance lady pecking your head. I hope Nigel bans it.

Quite unlucky that.

They need to fuck this VAR woman off pronto.

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Originally Posted by Yevrah

Even by Scotland's appalling tournament performances this is horrific.

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Based on line ups alone Germany should be winning this by 3 or 4 every single time. We have an awful championship goalkeeper with more championship and Saudi league shite in front of him.

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Originally Posted by Adramelch

And all of a sudden Waff's 6-0 prediction seems kind of optimistic.

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I was being deadly serious when I said the other week we’d be one of the worst teams in history. I think we’ll be -10 or worse GD after the 3 games

Yeah, Gunn looks dreadful. Like super nervous and super shit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Matterface is always a fucking terrible commentator, but dropping 'goal involvements galore' during the first half of a major tournament opener just sums up his craft. A man who is appalling at his job.

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Or just a sign of the times.

We’re gonna see Grant Hanley come on in the second half. Maybe extend the 6-0 to 8-0.

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

We’re gonna see Grant Hanley come on in the second half. Maybe extend the 6-0 to 8-0.

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Hoping for League One Liam cameo.

Only 16 teams should qualify.

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Originally Posted by Pepe

Lol a player laying down behind the wall is still a thing.

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Why wouldn't it be lol, it makes perfect sense

Don't know how you can play 3-4-3 and still look like you have no width

Also, these single color uniforms need to go.

McTominay strolling back whilst a goal is being scored fucking hell every single game.

I thought that was Christie lolling back?

I'm not sure we'd come out much better off against this Germany side with our woeful defence.

Small things but terrible opening ceremony and guaranteed-sacking stuff from the host broadcaster to manage not to show the referee showing the red card even though there was a massive set-piece lead in to it. Very amateurish start for the tournament.

You’d score a goal or two. Theyre pretty rank defensively

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Originally Posted by Lewis

McTominay strolling back whilst a goal is being scored fucking hell every single game.

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He only ever looks good ‘crashing the box’. Playing him where he needs to be an actual footballer is dumb. He’s been playing off the front for the past year and scored for fun.

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

We’re gonna see Grant Hanley come on in the second half. Maybe extend the 6-0 to 8-0.

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Oh my god he is as well.

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

He only ever looks good ‘crashing the box’. Playing him where he needs to be an actual footballer is dumb. He’s been playing off the front for the past year and scored for fun.

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The white Marouane Fellaini.

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Originally Posted by Dquincy

Or just a sign of the times.

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Didn't see Brian Moore or Clive getting involved with 'signs of the times' when they were ITV lead commentator.

https://i.ibb.co/vxCf0rW/4d1462f6-98...4841ba5ea5.jpg

Why is Twatterface calling him Zanay?

Jesus what the hell was that.

What a finish.

Sclololololtland

I like Fullkrug. Proper number nine, none of this poncy cunt stuff.

How weak are Angus Gunn’s wrists. Bloody hell

I can't quite work out whether they've done well to make VAR even worse with the inclusion of this rules analyst woman or they've done well trying to make it as bad for the viewer at home as the fan in the ground.

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

I can't quite work out whether they've done well to make VAR even worse with the inclusion of this rules analyst woman or they've done well trying to make it as bad for the viewer at home as the fan in the ground.

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It's an utterly bizarre choice. Like asking Siri to read you sections from the last IFAB minutes during a game.

Imagine if Musiala chose England instead.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Didn't see Brian Moore or Clive getting involved with 'signs of the times' when they were ITV lead commentator.

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They probably did, but you were a young whipper snapper back then and embraced it all. Where as now, you're really old.

Haven't seen Germany run through a European nation so easily since 1940.

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Originally Posted by Baz

Imagine if Musiala chose England instead.

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Then Waistcoat would have wasted him and he'd be wank.

Wafflez and Magic both being Scottish really is a treat.

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Originally Posted by Dquincy

They probably did, but you were a young whipper snapper back then and embraced it all. Where as now, you're really old.

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Don't be taking Sam Matterface's side, he's fucking shambolic and clearly desperate to generate a famous Moment.

Ahahaha.

The comeback is ON.

Rluldiger.

Seven Nation Army played for that goal is why Brexit happened.

Class finish by Rudiger that.

Oh just give them the goal you tossers

Can I mute this Yank twat with the red button or something?

That's basically a win for the Scots what a team what a nation haha scottish bants get it up ya

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Originally Posted by Dark Soldier

That's basically a win for the Scots what a team what a nation haha scottish bants get it up ya

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Nice eyes, dickheed

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

Nice eyes, dickheed

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:D

Scotland GUBBED.

Best in the world mate

This goalkeeper :D

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Originally Posted by Ian

Don't be taking Sam Matterface's side, he's fucking shambolic and clearly desperate to generate a famous Moment.

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Fair. Although always nice to have McCoist on the commentary.

The yank siri VAR lass is not needed though.

That will be very costly in the third place table if they get there.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

That will be very costly in the third place table if they get there.

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Doubt there are more than 4 teams that get to 4 points which is what you’d be hoping for.

Maybe he’ll actually try to play a little more expansive on Wednesday now. Doubt.

Scoring without a shot on target. Clarke will be delighted

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Why is Twatterface calling him Zanay?

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He called Zaire 'Zayer' as well.

The bloke who does the Bundesliga youtube matches for Sky calls him Zanay as well.

It would be Zanay in German, but on that basis he should do the whole commentary in German, which tbf might be more bearable.

Sit-down punditry was obviously keeping Roy Keane relaxed. This talking shit in the kitchen format is going to end with him shitting his pants.

I quite like looks like he might be on something skinny mad Keane.

The pitch-side punditry is the stuff that gets me. You're asking for a ball to the face. All because they didn't get the women a seat in the studio.

I've just noticed that the funky format causes unnecessary elongation of the tournament. I was doubting in my mind whether the final was July 14, figuring logic might say it was a week earlier for Sir Keir to walk into the ultimate national high, but it seems it is. Were the euros historically three weeks versus the four week world cup? A multi-day gap between the end of the group phase and the last 16 games is just terrible. I guess this happened last time.

Yeah. I went to check the Euro 96 schedule and that was 3 weeks. I also forgot how a group game at Old Trafford went ahead a day after the IRA bombed the shopping centre. :|

Antonio Rüdiger is now joint top scorer for Scotland in the history of the European Championships.

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

Wafflez being Scottish really is a treat.

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You could say he's a blue waffle tonight!!

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

Antonio Rüdiger is now joint top scorer for Scotland in the history of the European Championships.

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At least post the twitter link.

Scotland are obviously quite shit but I think the bigger takeaway from tonight is that Germany are probably an excellent side.

Will see how this stacks up in a week but I think you've got England, Spain, Germany, France, Portugal as more or less equally likely to win it.

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Originally Posted by -james-

Will see how this stacks up in a week but I think you've got England, Spain, Germany, France, Portugal as more or less equally likely to win it.

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Here we go again. :D

I don't think that's the controversial statement that you think it is.

I know you don't, we do this every tournament.

Scotland had no idea how to deal with the high press last night and just looked ridiculous. No out ball which just lead to being completely exposed all over the place. That lunge for the penalty was absolute filth, should be a 5 game ban minimum.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by -james-

Scotland are obviously quite shit but I think the bigger takeaway from tonight is that Germany are probably an excellent side.

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Germany had a bit of an Italy last time round feel.

Whether they can get away with that guy in the middle just fouling everything that moves against better opposition might be a question.

Think they will leak against decent teams. Scotland offered literally nothing and they still scored.

I would argue that limiting a team (even a hopeless one) to about two touches in the box and zero shots is a more useful indicator than conceding one flukey ricochet own goal.

Like Kiko said, Scotland had no outlet. Where was the threat really going to come from?

Not having a competent right back fit really showed up yesterday. I’m going to presume that’s why they were all shuffling over and leaving huge gaps for Kimmich every time.

Yesterday’s game was always a bit irrelevant. Tournament was always coming down to the Wednesday and Sunday games. Let’s hope Clark actually learned a thing or two.

Munich is proper good btw. Spent yesterday at the Augustiner Keller, what a place.

Hard to guess what’ll be the biggest scoreline between last night, Albania later or Poland tomorrow.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Albania get a draw tonight. Wouldnt fancy Italy at all.

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Originally Posted by Baz

Hard to guess what’ll be the biggest scoreline between last night, Albania later or Poland tomorrow.

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Fuck you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lewis

Sit-down punditry was obviously keeping Roy Keane relaxed. This talking shit in the kitchen format is going to end with him shitting his pants.

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I think he gets wound up by Souness too, remember the world cup opener they were nearly having a dust up at half time about that penalty decision.

He got a CBE or something in the honours list. We won't hear the end of it in the preamble.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lofty

I think he gets wound up by Souness too, remember the world cup opener they were nearly having a dust up at half time about that penalty decision.

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I reckon Souness is the gaffer and spends all day making little digs about Ireland.

He kept mentioning Celtic players rather than Scotland so you're probably right.

That looked onside.

Perfectly timed. I'm surprised that was flagged.

Terrible decision from the linesman. Looked miles onside

These two look miles better than we do.

This is pretty turgid.

Yeah Hungary don't look great actually. Turned it off now.

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Originally Posted by Magic

Yeah Hungary don't look great actually. Turned it off now.

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Still better than your lot.

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Still better than your lot.

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I agree, maybe a chance of a point against them but no chance against the Swiss.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Magic

I agree, maybe a chance of a point against them but no chance against the Swiss.

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That's how I see it.

Really can't see you getting 4 points.

That's a really nice finish.

Canny finish. Hungary like to chase everything down but they haven't got the defence sorted.

Aebischer has looked good this half. Was a lovely pass for the opener as well.

Genuinely never heard of him but makes sense he’s in that Bologna team

Fucking hell proper punditry sixth string here. I wonder if they level with them and say you're only getting the shit games, or whether they dangle promotion to the games people actually watch.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lewis

Fucking hell proper punditry sixth string here. I wonder if they level with them and say you're only getting the shit games, or whether they dangle promotion to the games people actually watch.

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Why wasn't Clive on with Ally last night instead of that cunt Shatterface.

Switzerland winning by 2 or 3 sets up Scotland fairly well. Blind faith and all that but you’d imagine Germany batter Hungary midweek so Scotland could potentially be playing a team with fuck all to play for. Obviously that doesn’t take Switzerland battering Scotland into account but you’d imagine they wouldn’t be totally against a draw

Why would Hungary have fuck all to play for in that scenario? A win against Scotland could still see them through.

That didn't look offside. Horrendous finish.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Adramelch

Why would Hungary have fuck all to play for in that scenario? A win against Scotland could still see them through.

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If they’re on 0 points going into the final game they’ll have a decent idea as to whether or not 3 points and presumably negative goal difference will go through. I think all the teams going through will be on 4 points based off the groups

Could be on for a quality ending here.

Switzerland have really switched off.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

If they’re on 0 points going into the final game they’ll have a decent idea as to whether or not 3 points and presumably negative goal difference will go through. I think all the teams going through will be on 4 points based off the groups

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You're the first group to play so they will go for the 3 points in the off-chance it's enough. In 2016 and 2020, three teams went through on 3 points for what it's worth. Obviously a big negative goal difference would make it unlikely, but it's not nothing to play for.

Hungary's response has been very good in the second half so far.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Magic

I agree, maybe a chance of a point against them but no chance against the Swiss.

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I take it back. Nil pois.

Broadcasters aren’t half obsessed with this Swiss manager

lol at Cucurella getting the nod ahead of Grimaldo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Baz

lol at Cucurella getting the nod ahead of Grimaldo.

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That Spain defence looks very mid. And tiny.

Is every game on ITV?

I've always just assumed Grimaldo was portuguese.

I haven't watched much of Williams and Yamal admittedly but they have no one better?

Especially Yamal who I thought was just hyped because BARCA MATE.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

Is every game on ITV?

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Italy is on BBC tonight.

Croatia are due a punishment for all the shit they've inflicted on us in recent tournaments.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Especially Yamal who I thought was just hyped because BARCA MATE.

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Never seen much of him but he looks insanely one footed so far.

Hoping for some good process from the VAR today.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

Never seen much of him but he looks insanely one footed so far.

Hoping for some good process from the VAR today.

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So evident a few minutes ago when he was put through and he was DESPERATE to put it on his left foot.

I liked it more when Morata was in Donkey mode for Spain.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

I liked it more when Morata was in Donkey mode for Spain.

---

That first touch was great to give himself time.

Ruiz doing whatever he wants on the pitch.

That was a class goal.

Lovely feet from Ruiz.

Maybe put a tackle in at some point lads.

Jesus that's glorious.

This might be the end of the 400-year old Croatian squad.

Waaay can't play for penalties in the group you tramps.

Maybe there's a reason why the incredibly one footed Yamal is playing.

Was it the last world cup or the last euros where Spain spannered someone in the opening game and then basically lost every game thereafter?

7-0 against Korea and then a point against Germany and a defeat to Japan. Went out to Morocco on penalties in the last 16.

I though Modric retired from international Football at the last World Cup? I'm sure they made a big song and dance of it.

How have they not scored there?

Yamal really should be playing on the left as a proper winger all the time, rather than on the right as the modern inverted winger shite.

You have to blast that high Germany style.

I'm really glad Lee Dixon keeps reminding us that Yamal is 16.

I seem to forget every minute.

I'm not convinced by Spain having those two taking all their freekicks.

I just adore Modric. What a player.

How the fuck is that only a yellow?

That should be a red for Rodri.

It should be a booking for the diving cunt.

It's a stupid challenge from Rodri. Just let it go, it changes nothing.

He hasn't even attempted to win the ball, he just swiped his ankles.

After the replay, that's a dive, surely?

Did he save the pen with his face?

He milked it for all that it was worth, but Rodri knocks his left foot at first.

Yeah, he clipped his own ankle and went down. Although I haven't seen the full replay.

lol.

So much lol.

Well, they're getting all the bad luck Lewis ordered. :D

This is dogshit.

Spain and Germany turning up I'm form is not good news for England. We need the equivalent of the year that Leicester won the league if we're to win it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Spain and Germany turning up I'm form is not good news for England. We need the equivalent of the year that Leicester won the league if we're to win it.

---

Mate, you're one of the favourites according to James.

It doesn't matter that he says that at every tournament now, IT'S COMING HOME.

He has STATISTICS on his side though.

Don't think Spain look that great defensively.

Neither will England.

All I've ever said about England is that they have a very good generation of players and are perfectly capable of winning a tournament. They've correctly been among the favourites since I started saying this in 2018.

"But they haven't won one!!". STATISTICS innit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Neither will England.

---

It's alright, Joe Hart says it's not a problem, although his reasoning was a bit left school at 14.

England are more than capable of winning this, even with the defence, their attackers are miles ahead of anyone else. It'll be only Southgate that stops them if they are stopped.

Yeah the old school engerrrlund arrogance was always a bit much, but people acting like we're fucking Austria or something every tournament are retarded. Saying we'll fuck it up cus we always fuck it up is one thing, but to knowingly scoff at the bookies making us one of the favourites when we do genuinely have one of the best teams is fucking stupid.

And if it's being done as a deliberate reverse jinx, grow up.

Also using previous tournaments as some kind of pretend evidence is even more fucking stupid, they're different fucking players.

It's like when commentators say something like ohhh stoke have real trouble against crewe, and it turns out they've not played each other since 1997.

Frattesi and Pellegrini both playing is surely curtains for Albania if it wasn’t already. Coming out all guns blazing.

I know I’m a weirdo but 3 lefties in your back 4 gives me the fear

Hahahahahah

That's fucking amazing. I'd be losing my mind if I was Albanian.

:harold:

What a start.

Quality assist.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

I know I’m a weirdo but 3 lefties in your back 4 gives me the fear

---

Turns right the fear was validated. Look at the body position

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Rluldiger.

---

Itloly

That pleb who threw trying to cover his bald patch by bleaching a triangle into his hair is a novel approach.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Also using previous tournaments as some kind of pretend evidence is even more fucking stupid, they're different fucking players.

---

It really isn't - there's something that runs through the national psyche of major international football teams and far more often than not it's very evident.

It's like Spurs always being a joke. Different teams, but still the same old lolfest.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

It really isn't - there's something that runs through the national psyche of major international football teams and far more often than not it's very evident.

It's like Spurs always being a joke. Different teams, but still the same old lolfest.

---

I do think there's some truth to this, but it's massively overstated.

Well worked corner.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

It really isn't - there's something that runs through the national psyche of major international football teams and far more often than not it's very evident.

It's like Spurs always being a joke. Different teams, but still the same old lolfest.

---

Or it's just a descriptor that's applied to teams that go on runs of not winning anything. Then they win something and nobody ever mentions it again.

Yea and in international football the sample size is even smaller.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

It really isn't - there's something that runs through the national psyche of major international football teams and far more often than not it's very evident.

It's like Spurs always being a joke. Different teams, but still the same old lolfest.

---

I think this is the case if teams are roughly as good as each other across the years, i.e. all of those good but not great Spanish teams BOTTLING IT across generations. The players we have now are miles better, across the full pitch/bench at least, than we've had before.

This feels like a golden generation of sorts for Albania. I remember recognizing one or two players in their squad, but now most of their squad is playing in the big leagues.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by -james-

Or it's just a descriptor that's applied to teams that go on runs of not winning anything. Then they win something and nobody ever mentions it again.

---

It's applied to far more than just teams that haven't won for a while. Germans being obscene at penalties, us not. South American teams always having a complete shithouse in the side. The Dutch being excellent at self destructing. Etc.

They're not miles better, but they are good enough to win a major tournament.

This group stage set up should be dogshit, but once again it's producing some really good games.

Poor Albania :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

The players we have now are miles better, across the full pitch/bench at least, than we've had before.

---

Relative to the quality of other teams, I'd probably agree with that. However, the team is lopsided (like what is our actual defence going to be?) and we have a manager who has consistently proven he simply does not have what it takes to take the team to the next level.

He's also built a style of play that relies on a defence being vaguely competent (as we're not attacking enough to go toe to toe and outscore teams) and banking that we have enough quality up the pitch to score a goal or two. We definitely have the latter this time, but if our defence is as bad as it might be Sir Gareth will have nowhere to go - he's not suddenly going to become Jurgen Klopp overnight.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

It's applied to far more than just teams that haven't won for a while. Germans being obscene at penalties, us not. South American teams always having a complete shithouse in the side. The Dutch being excellent at self destructing. Etc.

---

Yeah but this is just descriptive, it's a bit of a logical fallacy to use it to predict future events. Its also easy to see England's tournament failures through the lens of some kind of national bottling mentality, but like - we lost against brazil cus David Seaman had a mare, we lost against Argentina cus Beckham got sent off, see also Rooney against Portugal. We failed to qualify in 2008 cus we were just a bit shit. 2012 - lost on pens, it happens. And so on and so on. Some bad luck, some poor sides, and in recent years we've actually done pretty well. Lost on pens in a final that we should have probably won - again, poor management by Southgate imo, not cus England always bottle it.

I know humans have evolved to try to see patterns in everything, but sometimes you have to try to ignore the ape inside you, you get me.

Yeah the manager is toilet, and likely to be the main reason for us not winning this, but recent tournaments defeats have been squarely on him making crap decisions rather than the team being vaguely bollocks for some innate cultural reason like in 2004 or 2006. We would have done France and Italy with better substitutions, but those knock-outs against Portugal were almost inevitable in hindsight.

Yeah exactly

Was Sven actually that useless at game management or did he just have nothing on the bench? I know he single-handedly ruined England friendlies with his dogshit rotations, but when Rooney got injured in 2004 he brought Darius Vassell on, and when he got sent off in 2006 he brought Peter Crouch on for Joe Cole. Vassell on for Michael Owen in 2002 as well fucking hell.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Yeah but this is just descriptive, it's a bit of a logical fallacy to use it to predict future events. Its also easy to see England's tournament failures through the lens of some kind of national bottling mentality, but like - we lost against brazil cus David Seaman had a mare, we lost against Argentina cus Beckham got sent off, see also Rooney against Portugal. We failed to qualify in 2008 cus we were just a bit shit. 2012 - lost on pens, it happens. And so on and so on. Some bad luck, some poor sides, and in recent years we've actually done pretty well. Lost on pens in a final that we should have probably won - again, poor management by Southgate imo, not cus England always bottle it.

I know humans have evolved to try to see patterns in everything, but sometimes you have to try to ignore the ape inside you, you get me.

---

I can see where you're coming from but our defeats over the years tend to boil down to doing just enough to lose (I mean, look at those you've listed for a kick off). Now I wouldn't go so far as to say we're bottlers, but there's been something missing time and time again that stops us being winners and it isn't just the players and managers. Look at the apologist nonsense that came out after the France defeat - "the boys did well", "we could have won". I've had enough of the could, or that we're among the favourites. If we're that good let's just fucking do it, as all of the other larger nations with great players in relatively recent history have done.

EDIT: It's not like we haven't had the opportunities either.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

Yeah the manager is toilet, and likely to be the main reason for us not winning this, but recent tournaments defeats have been squarely on him making crap decisions rather than the team being vaguely bollocks for some innate cultural reason like in 2004

---

I mean, the top scorer in our nation's history (and by some distance now I may add) missed a penalty. We'd have lost anyway, as it's what we do, but had he not completely fucked that it would have at least given Sir Gareth another opportunity to do something horrific from the sidelines.

And then, rather unbelievably, a narrative developed that it was somehow a bad decision (or even unfair on Kane) to expect him to take and score two penalties in the same game. It's proper loser talk.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

Was Sven actually that useless at game management or did he just have nothing on the bench? I know he single-handedly ruined England friendlies with his dogshit rotations, but when Rooney got injured in 2004 he brought Darius Vassell on, and when he got sent off in 2006 he brought Peter Crouch on for Joe Cole. Vassell on for Michael Owen in 2002 as well fucking hell.

---

When I think back to watching England as a kid, it feels like Darius Vassell was always playing.

Sven did have a thing for Darius. Pace was a relatively recent thing back then, so I'm guessing that was what was driving it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

Sven did have a thing for Darius. Pace was a relatively recent thing back then, so I'm guessing that was what was driving it.

---

Obviously played a lot of llm on FM.

I'd put Ollie Watson and Ivan Toney in the Vassell bracket. If Kane gets crocked, we are not blessed with a decent back up.

Who is Ollie Watson?

I know it's Albania and all, but Italy are playing some really good stuff offensively.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dquincy

I'd put Ollie Watson and Ivan Toney in the Vassell bracket. If Kane gets crocked, we are not blessed with a decent back up.

---

Are you racist as well as retarded, then? Interesting.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Who is Ollie Watson?

---

What's the fellas name them? The one for Villa.

We've got nobody who can compare to Kane. Toney and Watkins just haven't had the run in the national side to give me any kind of confidence.

Good to have a game on BBC purely for Micah Richards.

Ollie is such a cuntish name.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Are you racist as well as retarded, then? Interesting.

---

Huh? What's your problem shorty?

Jimmy in the mud.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dquincy

Huh? What's your problem shorty?

---

He's produced a pair recently. It's a refreshing change of pace.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Obviously played a lot of llm on FM.

---

He was shit hot on one of them. Which one was pace laughably over-powered on? Championship Manager 03/04 or FM 2005 I think.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Are you racist as well as retarded, then? Interesting.

---

https://i.imgur.com/ne6ZHr9.png

Obviously.

What sort of a skin is that?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

What sort of a skin is that?

---

Dugout retro.

Good to hear that Southgate doesn't reflect on defeats that were all his fault. Not like the same thing has happened three times or anything.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

but recent tournaments defeats have been squarely on him making crap decisions rather than the team being vaguely bollocks for some innate cultural reason like in 2004 or 2006

---

The 2018 side featured the banter midfield of Lingard and Dele Alli didn't it come the end? It may not have been an innate cultural reason, but that side wasn't that great.

This current side has some superb players, but many of the England teams over the years have. It also has some glaring inadequacies. Do either of the reserve goalkeepers even get a game for their club? Literally no left back. Sketchy at best in the middle of defence. Better players in attack, maybe, but let's not pretend that the likes of Foden and Saka are light years better than Gascoigne and McManaman. It all comes down to Bellingham, can he be Rooney 2004, without getting injured? That 2004 team was/should have been absolute mustard, although it does feel like we haven't had an actually good goalkeeper for decades, no offence to Pickford who has almost always stood up and been better than expected.

If Rooney stays fit we win 2004. I'm convinced of that to this day.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

https://i.imgur.com/ne6ZHr9.png

Obviously.

---

That's what I had in mind as very heavily supporting evidence.

I err ... think Pope is very good, thanks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

He was shit hot on one of them. Which one was pace laughably over-powered on? Championship Manager 03/04 or FM 2005 I think.

---

All of them, really

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shindig

I err ... think Pope is very good, thanks.

---

Celtic fan, aye

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shindig

I err ... think Pope is very good, thanks.

---

I was assuming it was Henderson and Ramsdale, the former having confused me with his presence in the pre-squad thing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

What sort of a skin is that?

---

The correct one.

Should have just brought Ben Foster and Scott Carson for the bantz and vibez.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

That's what I had in mind as very heavily supporting evidence.

---

That politics quiz and because I don’t know the name of a Villa striker. Fucking hell. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic

The correct one.

---

I was going to start a thread asking about this. Genuinely wonder if more people use the modern mobile version or the old school PC version on their phone.

I'm in the modern camp.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dquincy

That politics quiz and because I don’t know the name of a Villa striker. Fucking hell. :D

---

A politics quiz that said you are in line with actual facists on a significant majority of policy is a bit more of a red flag than if you'd done a BuzzFeed quiz that said you were like Chandler, you dumb cracker.

I mean I was being facetious, but I think perpetuating a forum-wide belief that you're an actual racist is quite funny.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

I was assuming it was Henderson and Ramsdale, the former having confused me with his presence in the pre-squad thing.

---

It's tricky because it seems our best keepers spend most of their time not at top clubs. Ramsdale gets passed over at club level in favour of a fancy Spaniard. Even then, it's not like we're historically known for giving 2nd/3rd choice keepers a run in the national side.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dquincy

I was going to start a thread asking about this. Genuinely wonder if more people use the modern mobile version or the old school PC version on their phone.

I'm in the modern camp.

---

The desktop the same colour as the mobile is the correct answer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

I mean I was being facetious, but I think perpetuating a forum-wide belief that you're an actual racist is quite funny.

---

That's what you lot do to be fair.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

I mean I was being facetious, but I think perpetuating a forum-wide belief that you're an actual racist is quite funny.

---

Cracking sense of humour. You're lucky you're white.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shindig

It's tricky because it seems our best keepers spend most of their time not at top clubs. Ramsdale gets passed over at club level in favour of a fancy Spaniard. Even then, it's not like we're historically known for giving 2nd/3rd choice keepers a run in the national side.

---

I think you'd be proper gutted if you were Ramsdale, probably assumed he was nailed on Arsenal starter for at least the medium-term, and in turn would have a decent shot with England at some point. I don't really know if he's any good though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dquincy

Cracking sense of humour. You're lucky you're white.

---

Why? Cus if not you'd lynch me?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Yeah the old school engerrrlund arrogance was always a bit much, but people acting like we're fucking Austria or something every tournament are retarded.

---

It would be. That's probably why nobody is saying anything remotely like that. grow up.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

It would be. That's probably why nobody is saying anything remotely like that. grow up.

---

Mate I don't care about that anymore, we're talking about Quincy doing hate crimes now

Definitely lost it a touch.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

If Rooney stays fit we win 2004. I'm convinced of that to this day.

---

Cannot wait for the documentary at 10:30.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Mate I don't care about that anymore, we're talking about Quincy doing hate crimes now

---

Apologies I've been eating a curry* so I'm a bit behind.

*No offence, Quince.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

The 2018 side featured the banter midfield of Lingard and Dele Alli didn't it come the end? It may not have been an innate cultural reason, but that side wasn't that great.

This current side has some superb players, but many of the England teams over the years have. It also has some glaring inadequacies. Do either of the reserve goalkeepers even get a game for their club? Literally no left back. Sketchy at best in the middle of defence. Better players in attack, maybe, but let's not pretend that the likes of Foden and Saka are light years better than Gascoigne and McManaman. It all comes down to Bellingham, can he be Rooney 2004, without getting injured? That 2004 team was/should have been absolute mustard, although it does feel like we haven't had an actually good goalkeeper for decades, no offence to Pickford who has almost always stood up and been better than expected.

---

Virtually all international teams have weak points though, that's just the nature of having a limited pool of players to choose from.

England has easily one of the best squads in the tournament and knowing Southgate is going to use it to play the worst brand of football known to man trying to grind out painful 1-0 wins or 0-0 draws is miserable.

It's a relief that everyone on here realises Southgate is a bit shit. Everyone on other places I frequent not only disagree, but act like being anti-Southgate is some kind of childish, idiotic take. A bit like how Jimmy regards any opinion Waff has about Chelsea.

dquincy just called me the n word in a private message

Also, congratulations on the racism quincy :thbup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

dquincy just called me the n word in a private message

---

Did he start his sentence with "I'm not racist, but..."?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

dquincy just called me the n word in a private message

---

Hope I spelt it right. I know that's important to you chaps.

Southgate has been a good international manager and was a very poor domestic one. Maybe he's good at creating good vibes in an international team.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kikó

Southgate has been a good international manager and was a very poor domestic one. Maybe he's good at creating good vibes in an international team.

---

This take is worse than racism.

He's tactically inept. And taking Lewis Dunk over slabhead was a mistake.

Maguire is injured, isn't he?

He's taken England to a semi final and a final. He's clearly been a good international coach.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

It's a relief that everyone on here realises Southgate is a bit shit. Everyone on other places I frequent not only disagree, but act like being anti-Southgate is some kind of childish, idiotic take. A bit like how Jimmy regards any opinion Waff has about Chelsea.

---

Putting his name to those boilerplate press releases about diversity or whatever they were was the best cover he could have ever given himself. If you call him a tosser you are immediately Nigel Farage.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kikó

He's taken England to a semi final and a final. He's clearly been a good international coach.

---

Had the best squads whilst other nations were going through transitions.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic

Had the best squads whilst other nations were going through transitions.

---

Exactly this. Italy were Leicester. Which makes us Spurs. :happycry:

Yeah it's all just luck and circumstance.

Kiko's just called me the N word on WhatsApp.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Maguire is injured, isn't he?

---

Ah, did not know that.

Back to your vindaloo please.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Kiko's just called me the N word on WhatsApp.

---

You are a numpty.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

Putting his name to those boilerplate press releases about diversity or whatever they were was the best cover he could have ever given himself. If you call him a tosser you are immediately Nigel Farage.

---

Someone on another place online said I didn't like Southgate because I think he's too woke.

It's perplexing. Southgate has done very well but I wouldn't trust him with whatever his next job is. He lacks those key decision-making moments. Honestly, it was weird to see the squad feature some big gambles.

Who is Folorunsho?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shindig

It's perplexing. Southgate has done very well but I wouldn't trust him with whatever his next job is. He lacks those key decision-making moments. Honestly, it was weird to see the squad feature some big gambles.

---

He's a fluffer, nothing more. Needs to step aside and let the alpha in.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Someone on another place online said I didn't like Southgate because I think he's too woke.

---

Probably some bender with random tattoos up their arms who refers to 'this England team' as 'likeable' to justify only caring now that we're threatening to win something and not wanting to be left out of the conversation with normal decent people.

Normal decent people like us and Nigel Farage.

I'd love a footie chat with Nigel Farage. We could agree that it was better in the 80s when proper tackles went in, and that referees seem to be getting younger these days.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic

He's a fluffer, nothing more. Needs to step aside and let the alpha in.

---

Who's that? I do think this is his last hurrah but who do the FA court after that? Howe? Potter? Moyes is Scotland bound so we can rule that out. :drool:

No way do the FA appoint someone with a personality so Potter is probably the ceiling.

It's probably Howe with Tindall and Jones joining up with him. I think the latter's already been part of the setup before. EDIT: He was Southgate's assistant briefly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

Probably some bender with random tattoos up their arms who refers to 'this England team' as 'likeable' to justify only caring now that we're threatening to win something and not wanting to be left out of the conversation with normal decent people.

---

One of my mates is literally this. He finally relented and got into football in his early mid-20s. When watching the women's world cup about ten years ago he said "the American women's team would beat the men's team" and I had to have a gentle word. I don't think he was being performatively woke though, he was genuinely shocked when i explained even Lincoln city would beat the USWNT.

I kind of respect it though, more than people who maintain that not- liking-football-as-personality-trait thing into middle age.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Baz

Cannot wait for the documentary at 10:30.

---

It is ASTONISHING how fat and old Rooney is nowadays.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I'd love a footie chat with Nigel Farage. We could agree that it was better in the 80s when proper tackles went in, and that referees seem to be getting younger these days.

---

I bet he refers to 'the football' when he's pretending to support Crystal Palace and doing that weird flappy hand thing he does during that shit song they have.

'And we - well, you know who we support - we support the Palace (*hands*), the Palace (*hands*), the PALACE (*hands*)...'

Obligatory mention of the Hamiltons' world cup song

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shindig

It's perplexing. Southgate has done very well but I wouldn't trust him with whatever his next job is. He lacks those key decision-making moments. Honestly, it was weird to see the squad feature some big gambles.

---

The reason nobody trusts him with their club is because he hasn't done very well and deep down people know that, but they struggle to reconcile it with him reaching a semi and a final. It's like the Lizzo being beautiful thing.

He's at best achieved par and the only thing he's done that we arguably shouldn't have done was knock Germany out of Euro 2020 (weight of history/an actual name in knockout football). Everything else has either been what we should have achieved given the players we have, or worse.

And the Saka substitution against France should have seen him executed on the spot for high treason.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

One of my mates is literally this. He finally relented and got into football in his early mid-20s. When watching the women's world cup about ten years ago he said "the American women's team would beat the men's team" and I had to have a gentle word. I don't think he was being performatively woke though, he was genuinely shocked when i explained even Lincoln city would beat the USWNT.

I kind of respect it though, more than people who maintain that not- liking-football-as-personality-trait thing into middle age.

---

The same nonce demographic trying to erase 'tragedy chanting' from our rich cultural fabric.

Completely forgot we missed a penalty against France in Euro 2004 as well. FFS.

Actually, fucking look at this shit. A proper bottle job.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

Completely forgot we missed a penalty against France in Euro 2004 as well. FFS.

Actually, fucking look at this shit. A proper bottle job.

---

Yeah watching that I was thinking "Christ maybe Yev was right after all" :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Yeah watching that I was thinking "Christ maybe Yev was right after all" :D

---

I've had 34 very vivid years of this shit in one guise or another. :D

That team was so much better than the current one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

That team was so much better than the current one.

---

It was, but relative to the quality of other teams around at the time vs. now, not so much.

The fucking state of Beckham on penalties. In hindsight I should have been much harder on the dickhead insisting on taking them and the manager indulging it.

It's mostly that, having less interest now I've perhaps let myself be swept up in the current mania that this England team is somehow uniquely brilliant, and then you go through the squad/team and realise that it's just about the same, if not a bit worse. And then there's the manager.

Looking at the 90s-00s international teams, my instict is that they're MUCH better, but that can't be right, can it? Is it? I can never really work it out.

I think this current lot competes better against the big sides. We've still been helped massively by draws opening up in our favour. The mentality might be better around the camp, too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Looking at the 90s-00s international teams, my instict is that they're MUCH better, but that can't be right, can it? Is it? I can never really work it out.

---

There was a lot more virtuosity and 'football' then, now it's just hard running and exploiting space, for the most part. The modern teams would win in a match, but the older ones were better footballers.

View Tweet

Parlour has had to apologise and delete the video :D

We're going to batter these Orange nonces.

Depay looks like a SoundCloud rapper . Dressing like that, should be banned unless your have Dinho pedigree.

Here. We. Go.

Keown's not been impressed by Virgil.

Why him FFS?

Are we actually 3/1 to win the tournament? That is utterly fucking mental.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yevrah

Are we actually 3/1 to win the tournament? That is utterly fucking mental.

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Joint 4/1 with the French

Yeah, that's a joke.

I'd assumed "one of the favourites" meant 6 or 7/1. Not 4/1 or 7/2. And level with France? Rofl, and while we're at it, copter.

Listening to Martin Keown tell strikers how they should have hit the ball really is quite annoying.

This match is balls and Poland are an absolute eyesore. Again.

Wout. :cool:

Big time player :cool:

:(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ian

Wout. :cool:

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:cool:

Commentator on the US feed said “that’s what he does” when he scored. As someone who watched a lot of him last season, it fucking isn’t.

He also did it against Argentina, and seeing as those are the only two games they've probably watched him play, it's what he does for them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Adramelch

He also did it against Argentina, and seeing as those are the only two games they've probably watched him play, it's what he does for them.

---

It was Ian Darke and Rob Lee so I would have expected better.

I have no idea who they are, but you should never expect anything from any football commentator.

My main two observations from the tournament so far:

- Loads of teams playing 3-at-the-back
- Loads of teams wearing a single colour kit

Eriksen :cool:

That’s a lovely goal after Sesko nearly scored that thundercunt

Ally McCoist :cool:

Every game has had an (at least one) early goal so far.

Is that not going to be a pen? He just booted him.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Adramelch

Every game has had an (at least one) early goal so far.

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Probably means nothing but I’ve noticed in most games that teams are shooting towards their own fans in the first half, whereas we normally see that in the second half.

Sesko can wallop the ball, shame he hit the post.

Set up nicely now though.

Sesko to score a worldie to win this

They haven’t half done a 180 with their added time this tournament. Was it the World Cup where they made a point to add 7+ every half?

Sesko looks an absolute beast.

At least Micah Richards isn't the England manager.

Quote:

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For the midfield line-up I would put Jude Bellingham deeper next to Declan Rice and have Phil Foden as the number 10.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

At least Micah Richards isn't the England manager.

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Better than trusting Alexander Arnold in midfield.

England should have more than enough to win today but the Serbs front two should be able to bully that left side of England’s defence in the air. Declan Rice is also going to have to play the most disciplined football of his life

England have a hell of a lot of good options for the roles in behind Kane. Also Anthony Gordon.

It will be the defence or the waistcoat that will stop them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

Better than trusting Alexander Arnold in midfield.

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This is true.

Maybe he's going for the renegade 4-1-4-1 with defensive wide men to free up Foden and Bellingham. Doubtful though.

TAA in midfield ffs

I think his logic was to simply give Bellingham more time on the ball. I can ... sort of see it but he's not that type of water carrier, is he? I dunno, I don't see him every week.

Quarterback! Quarterback! Quarterback! :sick:

Cheer up lads ffs

I quite like TAA as a cm in theory. Rather that than having Bellingham deeper, and it's better than the likes of Henderson and Phillips.

It's just a bit baffling that he'd send Maddison home, only to end up having to play a right back in Central midfield because of his passing range.

Id much rather Trent than an out of form j madz as a centre mid, honestly.

No left back and a right back in midfield. Just play Mainoo there FFS.

Not having a proper left back is more of a problem for me. I will say that I have more faith in Trent as a midfielder than I do in Joe Hart as a pundit, bloody hell.

Yeah, "media" is not your future, Joe.

All streams I can find are Fox Sports, and what a dire broadcast it is.

It's on BBC1 over here. If you can find a VPN that let's you pretend to be here you should be able to watch it on the BBC website / iPlayer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yevrah

No left back and a right back in midfield. Just play Mainoo there FFS.

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Mainoo isn't ready and is no more a holding midfielder than dear old 'Trent'.

At least this is theoretically attacking, although it would be better if he just played Alexander-Arnold at right back. He's the best one we have available and was much better when he went there in whatever warm-up game it was.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by igor_balis

Not having a proper left back is more of a problem for me. I will say that I have more faith in Trent as a midfielder than I do in Joe Hart as a pundit, bloody hell.

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Shaw will be back for the knockouts. It's coming home.

Can’t believe the negativity in here. We’ve got this, it’s our time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Mainoo isn't ready

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Why isn't he ready? What level are most of the players we're up against today operating at?

I've not heard three lions yet, what's going on? Or does that only usually manifest once the feel good factor is established?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spikey M

It's on BBC1 over here. If you can find a VPN that let's you pretend to be here you should be able to watch it on the BBC website / iPlayer.

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Cheers, much better.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bernanke

All streams I can find are Fox Sports, and what a dire broadcast it is.

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Latifi streams.

Someone shut those mascots up.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

Why isn't he ready? What level are most of the players we're up against today operating at?

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Wharton is your best option alongside Rice

Today, I am Serbian.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Today, I am Serbian.

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:face:

Serb-boo-a.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ben

Can’t believe the negativity in here. We’ve got this, it’s our time.

---

Bunch of middle aged accountants who've given up on joy, mate. Up the three lions.

SMS with the hipster moustache means he’s either gonna score or get sent off.

Spot the northerns. INGERLAND INGERLAND INGERLAND

10 seconds in and bullied off a long ball punt :eyemouth:

Serbia must have an average height of about 6' 7" and each and every one of them is a unit.

I'm good with Trent in the middle. It's the defence that worries me against this Yugoslav frontline.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

:face:

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Going to have to pretend I'm an England fan at the gym and my tennis lesson tomorrow as I'm too much of a coward to tell real people I hate the England side :(

Send him to Rwanda.

All this because some bloke said he doesn't see him as English 20 years ago. What a fanny.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dark Soldier

Bunch of middle aged accountants who've given up on joy, mate. Up the three lions.

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As opposed to deluded man-children who still have the unjustified optimism of youth?

Lol at tennis lessons.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yevrah

As opposed to deluded man-children who still have the unjustified optimism of youth?

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Back in ya wankshed and simmer

Is that some sort of polo with a zipper neck under his spotscoat? :harold:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pepe

Lol at tennis lessons.

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Group tennis lessons :cool:

I'm a bit surprised they've used one of their best couple of refs on this game. Maybe they think it's going to be a punch-up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Group tennis lessons :cool:

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:checkit:

View Tweet

:D

Lol.

Damn.

Lift off.

This guy is the fucking guy. So well-taken.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

View Tweet

:D

Lol.

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:D

Jude. :cool:

Bellingham is a monster. Fucking glorious football player.

This might be about 4 or 5 nil. Huge difference in quality all over

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

This guy is the fucking guy. So well-taken.

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He really is, isn't he.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yevrah

He really is, isn't he.

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It's been so long since an England player felt like this. Early Rooney.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yevrah

Why isn't he ready? What level are most of the players we're up against today operating at?

---

He’s ready. They really should have had him starting with Rice so they can get more time together before tougher opponents

As the kids say these days. Jude is HIM.

Weather’s finally turning next week, Tories are getting obliterated and Jude has us on his back already. Strap in men, great summer ahead.

Decent player. He's no McTominay, but he will function.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

It's been so long since an England player felt like this. Early Rooney.

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Nah he was explosive but a thick clown. Bellingham reminds me of Zidane.

Lol what the fuck was that.

Trent almost punished.

Serbia acting like Quincy when Saka is near them.

The fuck was that from Rice?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Magic

Nah he was explosive but a thick clown. Bellingham reminds me of Zidane.

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I've only watched him play for like ten minutes, but I am going to lol at that.

Jude :drool:

Shame the drugs Walker is on don't give him any decision-making ability.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pepe

I've only watched him play for like ten minutes, but I am going to lol at that.

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There's loads of clips of him on YouTube even though he's a 90s God.

He just doesn't really remind me of Zidane in terms of playstyle, so not sure where these comparisons came from.

That volleyed pass was pure Zidane as it happens. In general though he's more of a product of his own time.

Zidane was all about his pirouettes and taking the ball under control from the sky. Jude is not that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Adramelch

He just doesn't really remind me of Zidane in terms of playstyle, so not sure where these comparisons came from.

---

His touch, his vision, the way he moves even. Maybe it's just a visual thing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

As opposed to deluded man-children who still have the unjustified optimism of youth?

---

Oof. Loss of youthful optimism is basically death.

Serbia's manager looks like a Bob Mortimer character.

What is with Boden and Barry Bane? Miles behind.

Vlahovic has been absolutely dreadful so far this half

Saka is so much more fun to watch for England. Arteta has the ‘Pep’ gene of stopping his wingers playing like wingers

This is shit.

I'd put Eze on for Foden in the second half. They already can't deal with Saka.

Jude is taking the piss.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Magic

His touch, his vision, the way he moves even. Maybe it's just a visual thing.

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I would say he reminds me more of Kaka in his Milan days, although that comparison is still a bit of a stretch. I think in general he's his own thing really.

Terrible touch from Bellingham there tbf :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by -james-

Oof. Loss of youthful optimism is basically death.

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That sounds like some 'life bollocks' the Diary of the CEO would pump out. You should email him.

It's giving France energy. Concede random half chances but score randomly every now and then cos good players.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

That sounds like some 'life bollocks' the Diary of the CEO would pump out. You should email him.

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Yeah I was immediately embarrassed upon posting

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Adramelch

I would say he reminds me more of Kaka in his Milan days, although that comparison is still a bit of a stretch. I think in general he's his own thing really.

---

Yeah, that's fair. Although Jude is slower.

Peak Kaka might honestly be my favourite player in all my years of watching football.

England doing that thing they normally do against better opposition after taking a lead

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

England doing that thing they normally do against better opposition after taking a lead

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We've been abysmal. A proper rant is brewing.

Yeah and the Serbians might have played like shit, but they have a few players that can do some damage out of nowhere.

That corner kick lmao.

Yev you just fetishise the misery tbh

Quote:

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Originally Posted by -james-

Yev you just fetishise the misery tbh

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You're welcome to that take, I'd just like to enjoy watching an England team and if I don't enjoy it I'm going to say so - you'd have to be being noshed off by Rachel Riley to have enjoyed that first half. It was disjointed shit.

Did Lineker just say Kane isn't dropping deep? He spent most of the lat 15 minutes half way in our own half.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

It's been so long since an England player felt like this. Early Rooney.

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Yeah, hopefully his impetuosity isn't withered by age, or broken feet bones. Just sees the game on another level.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Shame the drugs Walker is on don't give him any decision-making ability.

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If he has a brain, it is in his [probably massive] dick and nowhere else.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

We've been abysmal. A proper rant is brewing.

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Simmer down.

I missed Kane's touch. Bit gutted he got one. Was reminding me of an old firm game many years ago where I was trying to observe whether Didier Agathe ever used his left foot. Think it was the 89th minute before he did, which made all the paying attention extra galling.

And it's not just me. You can tell the BBC panel feel the same, they just have a responsibility to paint things in a good light. Hence all this nonsense about 'dominance'.

The last 15 minutes were nonsense, first 30 pretty good.

We've not been great but it's hardly rant worthy. Oh Joe's back, awesome.

Harvey "confirmation bias" Yevrah.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by -james-

Yev you just fetishise the misery tbh

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Broom and Gloom.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Harvey "confirmation bias" Yevrah.

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If you're happy with that first half and you think it's in keeping with a performance the favourites for the tournament should be giving then you crack on.

Weirdly England look quite good in possession and poor without it. Normally the opposite with Southgate

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

If you're happy with that first half and you think it's in keeping with a performance the favourites for the tournament should be giving then you crack on.

---

It'll be individual performances that will carry them to the final where they'll bottle it. Inevitable.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Weirdly England look quite good in possession and poor without it. Normally the opposite with Southgate

---

We've always been pretty good at passing sideways during his tenure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

If you're happy with that first half and you think it's in keeping with a performance the favourites for the tournament should be giving then you crack on.

---

There's a fairly big grey area between being delighted by a fluid, swashbuckling domination with us 4-0 up at first half, and thinking we've been abysmal. Its somewhere between the two - as Jimmy said, we were pretty good for the first thirty minutes, we're pretty comfortable, and went a bit disjointed before half time.

If the second half continues like the first ended we can talk, but it's just a really bizarre reaction to the first half.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by igor_balis

If the second half continues like the first ended we can talk, but it's just a really bizarre reaction to the first half.

---

Looking a lot worse.

The second half is currently significantly worse than the last 15 of the first.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

If the second half continues like the first ended we can talk, but it's just a really bizarre reaction to the first half.

---

You can see how the land is laying with England, it's like the World's most unsubtle klaxon. And look how we've started this half.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

The second half is currently significantly worse than the last 15 of the first.

---

Like I said, rant brewing.

Get Eze on pronto. These high wingbacks are leaving them wide open.

It's the 55th minute and the Greek commentator thinks England will make substitutions soon. Clearly hasn't watched England for about 8 years.

The idea that Harry Kane has gone rogue and decided to drop deep completely ignores the last 8 years of Sir Gareth's tenure. He's clearly doing it because he's been told to.

Rice has been brilliant defensively doing the job for two people but can’t help but think a decent team will take advantage of it. Presume Southgate wouldn’t be doing this set up in a knock out match, mind

That said about Kane, I'm pretty sure Gareth didn't tell TAA to adopt the Gerrard long ball role. So no idea what's going on there.

Fuck me...

Yev I kneel

Tbf for all the moaning I do about yevrahs interpretation of years of different England teams, I will admit the combination of starting brightly then inexplicably getting really slow and sluggish, then whilst slowing the tempo to presumably ease a bit of pressure and get some control back, still giving the ball away with a totally pointless aimless long pass does feel like a very familiar story.

Honestly gents, when it comes to England don't doubt the Yev. We'll still probably win this, with one of our many talented forwards pulling something out of their arse/Serbia being wank, but yeah, we don't start brightly, fade massively and then somehow become a competent team later.

Sir Gareth will take Saka off in about 14 minutes as well.

Maybe I'm being yev-pilled after all

Hope he bring Gallagher on rather than palmer

Jovic is still gash.

Make a fucking substitute you waistcoat nonce.

Trent is a fucking liability. Gareth has spent far too much time listening to Klopp.

That touch by Jovic :D

Awww, fuck sake. Gallagher.

Foden anonymous again in an England shirt. Get Eze on.

Atleast he's an actual midfielder, I guess.

I like how GARETH is consistent with making the England squad weaker than the sum of its parts. Such a boring nonce.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Hope he bring Gallagher on rather than palmer

---

Good egg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 7om

Foden anonymous again in an England shirt. Get Eze on.

---

This might be the most disappointing thing of all about how Southgate uses players, in that he can't even get 50% of what Guardiola gets out of Foden.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 7om

Foden anonymous again in an England shirt. Get Eze on.

---

He'll eventually put Palmer on, despite Eze being absolutely electric last time he had an England shirt on.

That Gallager for TAA change might be the most proactive thing Southgate has ever done. Saw it wasn't working, despite deciding beforehand it would, and still changed it before the obligatory 75 minute mark.

The retreat into their mental shells has been a Southgate constant, can't think that he asks them to do it, maybe it's a lack of in-game renewal from the coaching team leaving them listless.

Think it's time for Darius Vassell

We'll score again.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

The retreat into their mental shells has been a Southgate constant, can't think that he asks them to do it, maybe it's a lack of in-game renewal from the coaching team leaving them listless.

---

Maybe, but make no mistake, Sir Gareth will be absolutely fucking delighted with three points here, irrespective of the performance.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

The retreat into their mental shells has been a Southgate constant, can't think that he asks them to do it, maybe it's a lack of in-game renewal from the coaching team leaving them listless.

---

It's like watching Scotland but your players aren't fucking shite.

Saka for Bowen ffs :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

Honestly gents, when it comes to England don't doubt the Yev. We'll still probably win this, with one of our many talented forwards pulling something out of their arse/Serbia being wank, but yeah, we don't start brightly, fade massively and then somehow become a competent team later.

Sir Gareth will take Saka off in about 14 minutes as well.

---

14 exactly, lol.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Think it's time for Darius Vassell

---

And here he comes!

Bowen over Palmer :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

Sir Gareth will take Saka off in about 14 minutes as well.

---

:cool:

Saka off but Foden is still on the pitch?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

Sir Gareth will take Saka off in about 14 minutes as well.

---

Could I have put money on this?

Fuck me. I’m with Yev, that’s a trash sub.

Kane doesn't miss that in a Bayern shirt.

To be fair, Saka's been pocketed this half.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Saka for Bowen ffs :D

---

immediate impact

Saka has been dreadful since half time but how he got hooked before Foden is baffling

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic

It's like watching Scotland but your players aren't fucking shite.

---

It is very much like that and it's really not ok.

Foden :D a

Get Foden off immediately

Trippier getting injured would be fucking hilarious with Southgate's squad selection, honestly

Boden.

Surely he trusts one of Eze, Palmer or Gordon to not be as useless as Foden for this last ten minutes? Lad has had a proper stinker.

If Shearer mentions taking the sting out of the game again I'll scream.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ben

Surely he trusts one of Eze, Palmer or Gordon to not be as useless as Foden for this last ten minutes? Lad has had a proper stinker.

---

He may do, but as has been established (Gallagher for TAA aside, which is a genuine outlier) he doesn't look at what's happening on the pitch when making his substitutions.

Celebrating defending a 1-0 lead over Serbia. We’re going to get royally bummed against anyone decent.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 7om

Celebrating defending a 1-0 lead over Serbia. We’re going to get royally bummed against anyone decent.

---

Not bummed, but we'll do just enough to lose.

Ye get Bellingham off nice one

Foden still on :harold:

Bellingham off? Fuck me. If you were 3-0 up maybe but jesus christ.

Zizou a bit quiet on the 2nd half.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Ye get Bellingham off nice one

---

That's like a 3-0 up get him a round of applause substitution. Mental under these circumstances.

Also that's all subs done right? 3 sub WINDOWS used.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boydy

Bellingham off? Fuck me. If you were 3-0 up maybe but jesus christ.

---

Lol.

I didn't have Bellingham off on the bingo card, still makes sense given he didn't do anything all season in the closing stages of games for Madrid. Saving him for the later rounds along with Saka no doubt.

We’ll be out in the quarters.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic

If Shearer mentions taking the sting out of the game again I'll scream.

---

Unlucky

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Unlucky

---

One more time before final whistle.

We seriously need to consider Watkins for Kane and Eze for Foden. We need more urgency and pace instead of this plodding shite.

Not really sure why Serbia haven’t just went direct as fuck at this point. They aren’t creative enough to just be having all the possession. Stick it in the mixer on top of trippier

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 7om

We seriously need to consider Watkins for Kane and Eze for Foden. We need more urgency and pace instead of this plodding shite.

---

No chance Sir Harold is getting dropped, but we definitely need Eze/Palmer in for the next game.

If we can hang on here (I say hang on, Serbia haven't exactly created much), it'll be a good result and take the pressure off us in the group.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Not really sure why Serbia haven’t just went direct as fuck at this point. They aren’t creative enough to just be having all the possession. Stick it in the mixer on top of trippier

---

3rd place qualifier strategies.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 7om

We seriously need to consider Watkins for Kane and Eze for Foden. We need more urgency and pace instead of this plodding shite.

---

Kane would be fine if he were actually playing as a striker, but (on all available evidence so far) this dovetailing thing with Jude just doesn't work, albeit that isn't immediately obvious as Bellingham is so fucking good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 7om

We seriously need to consider Watkins for Kane and Eze for Foden. We need more urgency and pace instead of this plodding shite.

---

Problem with starting Watkins is some poor random bloke on twitter called Ollie Watson getting racially abuse by dquincy when he misses a penalty or something

Lol that meme face guy in the crowd again.

How many fouls have Serbia committed here? :D

Referee has been so good in this game. Now a big favourite for the final I would think.

Referee has been far too whistle happy. Has blown for anything and everything

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

it'll be a good result and take the pressure off us in the group.

---

No question it's a good result, but I'd rather be entertained with a bad one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Referee has been so good in this game. Now a big favourite for the final I would think.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Referee has been far too whistle happy. Has blown for anything and everything

---

:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Referee has been far too whistle happy. Has blown for anything and everything

---

He's correctly blown for Serbia kicking England players throughout, because they are a bunch of steamheads with no self-discipline.

The Serbs were fucking horrendous which also helped. That last break where he couldn't even go past the first defender with his cross was quite telling.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

No question it's a good result, but I'd rather be entertained with a bad one.

---

A reasonable take, but not in major tournaments Shirley

Uninspiring as fuck, but a win is a win is a win is a win.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Adramelch

The Serbs were fucking horrendous which also helped. That last break where he couldn't even go past the first defender was quite telling.

---

I thought they got it horribly wrong with the selection, should have gone just Vlahovic up and Tadic behind. They're probably too cowardly to drop Mitrovic though.

One man team.

I’d be worried if Southgate realised Palmer is the way but thankfully he won’t. We move

Three points, clean sheet. Bosh.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

A reasonable take, but not in major tournaments Shirley

---

I'm middle aged now, won't have that many left to experience and I've pretty much given up on us ever winning one of these, so yeah, given the choice I'd rather have enjoyed this game and seen us lose than what actually happened.

It's not as if we haven't got two more games against middle of the road shite to make up for it either.

Cesc knows we're wank.

Southgate writes his substitutions down the day before and makes them regardless of what happens. Ole Gunnar Binman used to do the same.

How Foden stayed on the pitch there I don't know. He was bobbins throughout

That stat about not winning the opening game for the first 9 tournaments but then doing so for these last two is such a misleading one. The tournament had 8 teams in it when I started watching it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

Southgate writes his substitutions down the day before and makes them regardless of what happens. Ole Gunnar Binman used to do the same.

---

It's actually unbelievable that this is the case, but it really is, isn't it?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ben

Trent is a fucking liability. Gareth has spent far too much time listening to Klopp.

---

Did Klopp ever play him in midfield? The only reason to do so seems to be so he can maybe have a pop from range, which is fair enough, but maybe not something to build a strategy around. Although as if we have a strategy.

Our left side was so bad the whole game. Another classic Foden performance. Shame Trippier didn't get injured.

Gallagher and Bowen as the first subs for ENERGY is just everything that is wrong with modern football. Zero quality.

First 30 minutes decent, last hour not very good at all.

Sums up Southgate really in that he will get you par across a tournament but but as soon as you come up against anyone decent we will most likely lose, when you look at what came before him that’s not terrible but you do feel that the team is better than he is getting from it. Basically he’s an English Sven who had the team pretty much doing the same thing.

He brought Bowen on to defend, not to attack.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

This might be the most disappointing thing of all about how Southgate uses players, in that he can't even get 50% of what Guardiola gets out of Foden.

---

He’s actually not that good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

He brought Bowen on to defend, not to attack.

---

The issue being the attacking plan for the last 20 minutes was to hoof the ball up the field.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

I'm middle aged now, won't have that many left to experience and I've pretty much given up on us ever winning one of these, so yeah, given the choice I'd rather have enjoyed this game and seen us lose than what actually happened.

---

You're 40-odd, not 70.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

It's actually unbelievable that this is the case, but it really is, isn't it?

---

It's also why the bigger name always stays on. I don't think Ole Gunnar Binman subbed Rashford once.

View Tweet

:lol:

What tf are they saying?

Tottenham get battered everywhere they go.

After his Jew baiting, this is what Kiko was up to.

View Tweet

Conflicting reports on whether it's Serbs and Albanians or Serbs and the English, but I'm sure there's some Albanian in our boy somewhere so the charge STANDS.

There's clearly an English voice in there.

And a big England flag on the back of one of their shirts.

However, it could be English lads staying outside to just look hard whilst the Albanians were the ones to pile in.

Watched at the pub so only half-watched really but Guehi looked a bit of a don. Like it was his 40th England cap, not his *checks notes* 12th.

As ever, Bellingham the best player on the pitch. Nice of England to play with 10 men and not bother playing a striker too.

Shitloads of Belgians in town for later. Already making a racket.

Wimbledon doesn't start for a fortnight.

Balls.

I saw a Barney Ronay piece and wondered. "Weird, I haven't seen anything he's written in years." Only to find out he apparently blocked me about half a decade ago for saying cricket is shit.

Cracking finish

Yet another goal conceded by industrial shitmunchers trying to play it out from the back. Just hoof it up to the big man.

Lolnin.

Yeah, that might be it for him in the tournament.

As bad as Ukraine are, Romania look pretty good.

Kepa must be hilariously bad to be behind Lunin in the pecking order

Ukraine were fancied to do alright weren't they?

Zinchenko is infuriating. Every time he gets the ball he turns back and plays an easy 10yd pass to the centre back. Kills all momentum, kills every attack. Haven't seen his move forward with the ball once.

Have Ukraine not made their subs at 4 different times? I thought there was a limit of 3?

You've got to imagine that's the Ukrainians done.

Surely going to lose against the Belgians and they wont be able to overturn the negative GD they'll have against Slovakia.

I like the look of Romania. Like the Argentina of the Carpathians.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Yet another goal conceded by industrial shitmunchers trying to play it out from the back. Just hoof it up to the big man.

---

This has almost become a meme in the Swedish league this season, the amount of terrible teams that try to start play in their own box and then just royally fuck it up time and time again. The modern game is so dumb.

That Belgian defence makes England’s look like prime Italy.

Someone gotta be making a killing on early first half goals

Kante starting for France later :cool:

Lobotka is bossing this so far.

Slovakia looking nifty.

I don't know about half the players in that Belgian XI.

Lukaku still stealing a living

Time for Belgium to shit or get off the pot. They've been massaging their top seed status and doing fuck all for too long now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Adramelch

I don't know about half the players in that Belgian XI.

---

Also looking at the bench, it really feels like their generational moment is fully over at this point.

Surprising that VAR didn't waste upwards of 5 mins for what was a decently clear offside.

Lolkaku

That's almost comical at this point.

This goes back to Yev's point last night how he'd rather see a defeat from a team that tries. Belgium have always tried. They're a worse England.

Aye I'm sure their fans will be happy they gave it a go.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Serj

Lobotka is bossing this so far.

---

There’s something beautiful about watching the main man in a ‘lesser nation’ do his thing.

There’s been a lot of dons over the years who just seem to turn up in international football and do their thing

lol if this gets ruled out.

Using snicko to show him handling it :D

SloVARkia.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Danny

Using snicko to show him handling it :D

---

Amazing

Such a shit decision. I could understand if Lukaku handled it before scoring but it’s a different phase ffs

I thought those insanely incidental handballs had been done away with, or is that a divergence between the premier league and UEFA? I seem to recall the latter being much more mongy on the handball issue.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

I thought those insanely incidental handballs had been done away with, or is that a divergence between the premier league and UEFA? I seem to recall the latter being much more mongy on the handball issue.

---

Europe love an extremely questionable handball. If it touches your arm/hand for any reason & your arm wasn’t pinned to your body it’s a foul.

Injuries have caught up with De Bruyne. He looks ridiculously slow and lethargic these days

Saudi beckons with Lukaku

I don't think I'd have given it either, but I can see the argument that he gains an advantage from it.

And sometimes even when they are pinned to your side <insert picture of Baggio dinking the ball into some Chilean sap's hand in 1998>.

I'm with Sutton, that was a scandalous decision. I also don't for a minute believe there is some vibration detecting chip in the ball.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dan

Europe love an extremely questionable handball. If it touches your arm/hand for any reason & your arm wasn’t pinned to your body it’s a foul.

---

Yeah, I'm still sore about the one against Livramento in Paris.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Adramelch

I can see the argument that he gains an advantage from it.

---

Only if you are insane.

It must have scraped his fingernail, the difference it would have made to the path of the ball would be less than negligible. It would have been non-existent. As bad as the toenail offsides that we now have to tolerate.

It looked to me like the ball changed course. Not dramatically so, but still. :sorry:

So the rationale is that his arm is near [lol at the vaguery there] or above shoulder level?

It categorically wasn't above shoulder level.

Is that then going to be a penalty if it happens in your own penalty area? Batshit.

Raucous celebration in Antwerp right now as Belgium win the 'gave it a go' trophy. Scenes. Yev getting the flag tattooed on his arse.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shindig

This goes back to Yev's point last night how he'd rather see a defeat from a team that tries. Belgium have always tried. They're a worse England.

---

I didn't say tries, I said entertains me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dark Soldier

Raucous celebration in Antwerp right now as Belgium win the 'gave it a go' trophy. Scenes. Yev getting the flag tattooed on his arse.

---

I didn't say give it a go, I said entertains me.

Belgium were great entertainment tonight.

I got Slovakia in my classes sweepstakes and cheered the goal like an actual fan.

There does seem to be some heavy leaning into the sod the performance it's all about the win narrative, as if we haven't witnessed play shit and win/draw against lesser opponents before finally playing shit against anyone half decent and losing a millions times over already.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

There does seem to be some heavy leaning into the sod the performance it's all about the win narrative, as if we haven't witnessed play shit and win/draw against lesser opponents before finally playing shit against anyone half decent and losing a millions times over already.

---

Yep, completely this.

I've no aversion to shitty football if it's the best available option to maximise your chances of winning and you actually win, but if you don't when you have this attacking talent at your disposal then really, what's the point?

At an international tournament, I'd favour results. Friendlies and qualifiers are where I want the performance to be good. Usually the two operate in tandem, though. For as sketchy as we looked last night, we had a solid defence and took our chance. There was a performance in there, just not in the attack-minded sense.

And hanging on by the skin of your teeth can be entertaining. Like a horror movie.

And it's also a massive shifting of the goalposts. Coming into the tournament all the talk was about how we have these wonderful attacking players, it's coming home, yada yada yada. The attacking players mostly play well below par and the response is then "we won, what more do you want?"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shindig

At an international tournament, I'd favour results.

---

I did for decades and I still would, but given we still haven't won anything (and almost all of us know deep down we're not going to win this tournament), if the football is shit it basically becomes an exercise in wasting my time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

Yep, completely this.

I've no aversion to shitty football if it's the best available option to maximise your chances of winning and you actually win, but if you don't when you have this attacking talent at your disposal then really, what's the point?

---

I don't even think it's about the type of football, it's about doing it well, even if it's total Allardyce shite. That, for some reason, seems to be totally out of England's reach.

Anyway, we move onto Denmark, who don't look particularly good, so a good performance and a tidy win to see us more or less top the group after two games would make last night go away.

Shouldn't be that difficult to achieve, should it?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic

I don't even think it's about the type of football, it's about doing it well, even if it's total Allardyce shite. That, for some reason, seems to be totally out of England's reach.

---

Yeah, very fair point. Last night definitely wasn't horrible football executed well, it was just horrible football.

In more important news, prepare for possibly the biggest gulf in national anthem quality at the entire tournament.

Yev if we win it and we don't hit the heights of 1970s Brazil, please do a ten paragraph rant while the rest of us celebrate.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Serj

In more important news, prepare for possibly the biggest gulf in national anthem quality at the entire tournament.

---

Upamecano is still somehow starting over Konate so you might be getting an assist or two from him

Belgium :harold:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dark Soldier

Yev if we win it and we don't hit the heights of 1970s Brazil, please do a ten paragraph rant while the rest of us celebrate.

---

Sounds like youthful optimism to me. :sherlock:

Christ Maxi Wober, forgot all about him. Come on, you useless cunt.

Where's Pogba?

Banned for 3 years or something.

Banned for life

Banned how?

Just googled it. Doping? Really? He was the laziest player out there. What the fuck was he doping for?

Four years for doping.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic

Christ Maxi Wober, forgot all about him. Come on, you useless cunt.

---

:harold:

Dembele :harold:

Is there something about Ousmane Dembele that I’m missing? Worse than 1-in-4 at club level, and a tiny 5 in 44 at international level. I could understand if he was some kind of maverick dribbler or assister, but he seems more like a Walcott style player who’s never going to contribute meaningfully to a team’s success.

That was sublime by Sabitzer.

ffs, Baumgartner should have buried that.

Oh man what a glorious chance that was.

Austria better than what I thought they would be, but then the expectations were very low.

France same shite as usual. They'll still probably go quite far, if not win.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic

Christ Maxi Wober, forgot all about him. Come on, you useless cunt.

---

lol.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic

Christ Maxi Wober, forgot all about him. Come on, you useless cunt.

---

Lmao. Still shite I see.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CJay

Is there something about Ousmane Dembele that I’m missing? Worse than 1-in-4 at club level, and a tiny 5 in 44 at international level. I could understand if he was some kind of maverick dribbler or assister, but he seems more like a Walcott style player who’s never going to contribute meaningfully to a team’s success.

---

He was always the shining example of a brainless, unproductive dribbly boy when he was at Dortmund & Barca, but he does seem to have put it together a bit more at PSG, although that might just be due to the drop in the relative quality of opponents he’s facing. His main appeal is definitely mostly just pace, a bit of flair & being strong on both feet.

France seem to be at the in-between point with their wingers. They have guys like Olise & Barcola coming up but for now it’s still Dembele, Kingsley Coman & the like.

Every time I've seen Barcola he looks like he's allergic to the goal.

He’ll fit right in with all the other French wingers then.

Our players just seem too slow to deal with the attacks, wouldn't be surprised if someone gets a second yellow here. But mostly as expected so far, hope they keep the scoreline respectable and actually finish one of those counterattacks.

That is the appeal with him. 6 out of 10 with both feet.

This Austrian goalie loves to start rushing out before changing his mind & awkwardly putting it in reverse.

Mbappe :harold:

This france kit with the large Le Coq Sportif is hideous.

17 stepovers to lead to that shot.

The mealy mouthed FIFA stool pigeon trying to justify that as a booking. :happycry:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Adramelch

17 stepovers to lead to that shot.

---

For all the talk we just had about Ousmane Dembele that was about as peak ‘flashy but useless winger’ as it’s possible to get :D

View Tweet

Paging Lewis.

Nothing terribly impressive about France so far. About par with England, only with better individual defenders.

Kante :drool:

And attackers and midfielders.

It's a 4-week concussion protocol right?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CJay

Nothing terribly impressive about France so far. About par with England, only with better individual defenders.

---

They’ve created chances though and Austria are a better side than Serbia.

His nose is all over the place.

That’s a broken nose if I’ve ever seen one

Mbappe coming on just to fall over is lol.

How can you book someone for going down :D

Booked for re-entering the field of play without permission.

Sam Matterface is such an insufferable cunt.

Should have let France make subs when the ball went out then

All the kids gonna be wearing masks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

The mealy mouthed FIFA stool pigeon trying to justify that as a booking. :happycry:

---

It’s mental. What would’ve happened if it slid in? Would the goal have been disallowed?

Seeing as France are the best team in it, with the best players, them squeaking past a shit Austria team via an OG makes England's result look fine, in comparison

England's result was fine as it was.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Raoul Duke

Seeing as France are the best team in it, with the best players, them squeaking past a shit Austria team via an OG makes England's result look fine, in comparison

---

I'll have you know we've just beaten Serbia ourselves (but yeah, fair enough).

France were really trying to kill the game off. I can admire that.

Where the FUCK is my 2 o'clock game?

5pm kickoffs are the pits, first half on the radio driving home from work, and usually miss the second half doing life stuff.

4 or 6 would be much better.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Where the FUCK is my 2 o'clock game?

---

It’s the last group playing their first round games and only 1 game played on the opening day.

Both Tuesday’s for the group games don’t have 2pms which is great as it’s the only day I’m in the office :cool:

Mbappe out of the remaining group games. Pussy. Just wear a mask.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Where the FUCK is my 2 o'clock game?

---

Indeed.

https://i.imgflip.com/255acs.jpg?a477384

Didn’t get long to get used to them.

View Tweet

:harold:

Bit woke of him to issue a public apology.

Must be quite fun being Jeremy Vine's lawyers in that situation trying to cook up the most embarrassing things to get the court to order him to do.

The comments are sensational as well.

Easiest £75k Vine will ever make.

And obviously hilarious when these "seekers of truth and pioneers against the legacy media" get cuffed like this.

I was going to query the other day whilst not watching the first half of the Belgium game whether the chancer's chancer Bobby Martinez was still in charge of them, but I see he's now in charge of Portugal. Lordy.

Turkish midfield looks like a bunch of tramps.

I've only just clocked that the Copa America is being staged outside of South America again :face:

Are CONMEBOL more corrupt than FIFA?

That Turkish team looks much better from when they were the apparent ‘dark horses’ at the last euros. Certainly the midfield/wide players look legit.

That was hit so well. Beautiful technique.

Been a decent game thus far.

Offft, that’s stunning :drool:

Woof. Love me a good volley.

This team looks good.

I think he's off.

Offsido.

That's offside.

This is proper fun.

Georgia :cool:

Number 6 with a lovely bit of skill.

Game of the tournament so far

Hope it keeps up

Them types of offsides are bit sickening. Onside if he has hobbit feet

Fucking hell.

That was lovely, shame it was just wide.

Jesus Christ what a goal that would have been.

A Turk with braided hair just looks wrong

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?

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

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

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.

Holy fuck.

Some hit that.

Star boy :drool:

Some stunning goals already this tournament

This game. :drool:

This is what Pep stole etc

Lovely stuff.

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

Why is that man not shooting

"Starts the ball outside the post"

*replay shows ball swerving outwards away from the goalkeeper*

Jenas is just the worst.

Fuck that would have been glorious.

Got to score there.

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

Left back for Turkey looks a player

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

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

---

Which one

View Tweet

Barton to pay more :harold:

Amazing.

The costs will be eye watering.

Where did they find 6?

Damn, that should have been the equaliser.

Jesus fuck.

What a block.

:D

What a game.

Georgia :(

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

One of the best international games in recent memory this.

Mert :cool:

Georgia. :(

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

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.

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

"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?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic

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

---

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

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

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.

View Tweet

There was some tasty fan action early too.

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic

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

---

They literally finished 4th in Scotland’s group lol

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

They literally finished 4th in Scotland’s group lol

---

Sounds good hun.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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.

---

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

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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

---

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

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Left back for Turkey looks a player

---

Plur?

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Plur?

---

Or Oasis

https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/thumbs/1985A...dBFrjjs_J5DKHn

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Or Oasis

https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/thumbs/1985A...dBFrjjs_J5DKHn

---

That's Blur.

Though the correct answer can only ever be Oasis.

How's Pepe still starting for them?

Ronaldo injury please.

Ew Danny Murphy. Fuck sake.

Pepe looking really old now.

To be fair he looked really old at 18.

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

Feels like all teams play the same nowadays.

This is boring as fuck

It's been worse than the England match.

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.

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

Get fucked.

:drool:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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.

---

lol.

Yeah, this ball travels. :cool:

Top tier jinxing. 😎

We've been needing a Taz replacement.

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

Balls

Christ.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Serj

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

---

Can everyone stop the mega-Jinxing?

Shit goalkeeping.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Serj

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.

View Tweet

How does he have that English accent?

Ugh.

:harold:

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

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

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

Hahaha. Love that.

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

Fuck off.

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

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

Clear freekick up the other end too. Bollocks.

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

Shambolic defending

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.

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

France?

Did you watch them play?

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?

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by -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?

---

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.

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

View Tweet

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

You blind son?

Anyone seen this?

View Tweet

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.

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

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.

lol at Croatia.

Lovely cross in.

Albania first again. :cool: