The Football Thread.

cruxiform

The problem with England, and always has been, is the manager trying to instill the pride of playing for your country across the entire squad. For some reason, English club players who are rivals during the club season just cannot gel when it comes to international duty. We've come close to it a few times over the years but it's rare. Compare that to other international sides such as Germany, Spain, France and Brazil who play with national pride, regardless of the club badge.

I think a lot of the problem is the champions league, It's the highest honour to win for some players, I'd argue that it's more important than the World Cup to some of them as that's where their (and their clubs) financial priorities lie. 

Back to England though. Southgate is a poor coach. We need a risk taker, a maverick,somebody who plays in the modern way. Someone who inspires the players to win. Those players over the last two games look like they can't be arsed. 

In my 55 years of walking this planet, we've won absolutely fuck all and judging by the way we played last night, we don't deserve to get past the quarters. The media harking back to '66 doesn't help either, forget it boys it's just shy of 60 years ago.

Far too many times during this tournament I've watched other teams and thought 'I wish we played like them'. 

Pathetic. 

ronnyb

cruxiform said:

The problem with England, and always has been, is the manager trying to instill the pride of playing for your country across the entire squad. For some reason, English club players who are rivals during the club season just cannot gel when it comes to international duty. We've come close to it a few times over the years but it's rare. Compare that to other international sides such as Germany, Spain, France and Brazil who play with national pride, regardless of the club badge.

I think a lot of the problem is the champions league, It's the highest honour to win for some players, I'd argue that it's more important than the World Cup to some of them as that's where their (and their clubs) financial priorities lie. 

Back to England though. Southgate is a poor coach. We need a risk taker, a maverick,somebody who plays in the modern way. Someone who inspires the players to win. Those players over the last two games look like they can't be arsed. 

In my 55 years of walking this planet, we've won absolutely fuck all and judging by the way we played last night, we don't deserve to get past the quarters. The media harking back to '66 doesn't help either, forget it boys it's just shy of 60 years ago.

Far too many times during this tournament I've watched other teams and thought 'I wish we played like them'. 

Pathetic. 

The FA wont employ a maverick risk taker, its got be be a yes man. I've never forgiven them for not giving the job to Brian Clough.

BigBearKris

C'mon Poland!

Shrews

Well, thought this could be the tournament's first snore draw but it's turned out to be another excellent game. 

TTony

Shrews said:

Well, thought this could be the tournament's first snore draw

Where were you yesterday?

sev112

Sam allardyce, that’s wha5 we need 

guitars4you

Come on Holland

mgaw

Time for Mike Bassett and 4 4 fucking 2

guitars4you

Well so far NED v FRA is the 2nd worst game I’ve seen at this tournament 

so slow and boring 

Schnozz

guitars4you said:

Well so far NED v FRA is the 2nd worst game I’ve seen at this tournament 

so slow and boring 

Would have been better if Mbappe had worn his 'hero in a half-shell' mask.

EricTheWeary

Just listening to an explanation of how ITV and BBC choose which matches to show (it's complicated). Apparently Slovakia vs Ukraine was seen as the least desirable match to have to screen. Nobody on here seems to be commenting on it so they may well have been right. Well done Ukraine.

Lestratcaster

Actually one of the first games I've actually had time to sit down and watch from the beginning, and what a dull game! 

First 0-0 of the tournament.

UnclePsychosis

An absolutely shite game, with two teams full of diving wee shites, both happy with a 0-0, commented on by Jermaine f**king Jenas. 

Amazed I made it the full ninety minutes. 

thecolourbox

IMMER WIEDER ÖSTERREICH! Great result

JerkMoans

All that fuss about the disallowed goal.

Quite clearly past the Dutchie on the left hand side.

mgaw

JerkMoans said:

All that fuss about the disallowed goal.

Quite clearly past the Dutchie on the left hand side.

Very good @JerkMoans gave me my first chuckle of the day , wasted in the legal profession 

mgaw

Seems England players aren’t fit enough to play an intense match according to Mr Southgate, certainly go some way to explaining the performance but does beg the question why not play more of the excellent younger players?

guitars4you

mgaw said:

Seems England players aren’t fit enough to play an intense match according to Mr Southgate, certainly go some way to explaining the performance but does beg the question why not play more of the excellent younger players?

I noticed we didn't press much, but assumed that was part of the game plan - Some teams do play that way - Part of me thought the lack of pressing was also because the players don't have that 'play week in/week out' mentality, whereby they instantly know when to press and what triggers that movement - In a new team it might take more 'organising' to say 'GO' - Hence Gareth left it alone - Just my thought a few games ago 

scrumhalf

International manager: players come to me on international duty from their clubs and they are knackered before we start.

Club manager: I watch my fit players go away on international duty and they come back injured and out for weeks.*

Twas ever thus.

*Unless you are Ryan Giggs, who played almost no friendlies as Sir Alex habitually pulled him out because of amazingly- timed injuries.

Hootsmon

Peeps, can Scotland still qualify...mathematically