Right i'm going to bsut a myth that seems to be all the fashion currently.

Nick 0208 Ldn

Not it bloody well isn't a nice change that England aren't at the Euros, i don't want o sit back all relaxed with not a worry in the world and no tension in the air, simply "enjoying the football".

Who the hell do those in the media and memebrs of the public who are adopting this philosphy think they are kidding?

Crawl on back to your Islington chattering classes dinner party Mark Saggers [one such follower].

Quit your denial!

That is all.

mosesfromtala

I and a few people I know are coping ... we can get over watching the heartbreak of the painful quarter final exit we have grown to love by casting our minds back a few months to wembly, where a team, none of whom would get into the england team according to the perpetually smug comentators, gave the inventors of the game a lesson on their own turf.

In fact I am going to release a DVD called a lesson on their own turf ... a compilation of England teams being shown what Wembly was actually built for. Holland in the late 80's will have extended highlights as will the Colombia game and of course that wonderful show by the Croats.


As an aside , Jack Charlton was in the bbc studio for the Holland - England game and the panel were drooling over a 22 pass move ending in a shot or goal but big Jack's take was 'why take 22 passes to do it when you can do it in 3?' what a cunt.

Don't worry Nick ye'll be back soon enough , raising hopes and breaking hearts !

The Hairdryer

Why is busting myths a current fashion. Have I missed something?

Nick 0208 Ldn

That title really hasnt' come out right at all, must've been caught in two minds.

The myth is that it is a nice change that we are not there, not myth busting itself.

Saying that, we did replace McClaren with Capello, that is a plus.

rednev

I for one, am very glad that England are not there.

Not having to put up with the media assuming that everyone in the UK is English, or that every person wants England to do well, or listen to pundits referring to England as 'we' makes a very nice fecking change.

Hopefully I'll have the pleasure of an Ingurland-free World Cup in 2010 as well, with a bit of luck.

Nick 0208 Ldn

I don't really think you are part of the demographic that they are referring to somehow.

Anyway, i'm not getting in this argument again, kindly take that kind of sentiment elsewhere.

IBleedRed

probably get the idea from the discovery channel tv show "Mythbusters"

reddevilcanada

what else do you expect the media to say? they've spent huge loads buying the rights to broadcast the Euros thinking England will definitely be there...it's called damage limitation

rednev

Not part of the demographic they are referring to? I bloody well should be. It's not only people in England who pay the license fee, you know. And last I heard, ITV was a British channel.

Nick 0208 Ldn

Oh i reckon some actually do believe it, not merely a ploy to maintain what limited neutral interest that there is in England. They are naturally puling out all the stops as far as that goes.

They say our absence will cost the country a fair few billion if i remember right.

Nick 0208 Ldn

I meant people who would have been on the edge of their seats and cherring on the England side on, feeling every twist and turn had we been there. Had a spring in their step at work in the build up or as we hopefully progressed through the Euros in that way that we do.

I take it you wouldnt' include yourself amongst such Britons, eh?

reddevilcanada

they're not running a charity, it's a business, of course they're gonna pull out all the stops to get more people watching.

Nick 0208 Ldn

I think my use of the word "naturally" was acknowledgement of that fact, maybe you missed it. No need to be told.

rednev

Certainly not. The spring in my step comes after England have been knocked out in such hilarious fashions that they have been over the last decade. On second thought, maybe it is a shame England aren't involved...

Tumbling-Dice

He's got to have something to feel good about, even if it is the misfortune of others. When was the last time Wales were in a major tournament ? 1958 World Cup ?

The problem with Welsh football is you only produce one good player per decade, John Charles, John Toshack, Mark Hughes, Ryan Giggs.

I'd rather go out painfully, often unfortunately than not be in it at all.

Gazza

I was saying the other day, they have some good prospects coming through at the moment... Gunter, Bale, Ramsey... maybe mature into a Euro 2012 team?

Tumbling-Dice

I was thinking that as I posted, that could be the best chance they've had since Sparky was in charge.

rednev

Well to be fair, Wales has a population of only 3 million (many of whom only care about rugby) compared to England's 50 million. For an area so small to produce the likes of John Charles, Ryan Giggs, Sparky, Ian Rush and Michael Owen is not half bad.

Not that I follow the Welsh national side, or particularly care about it.

rednev

I can't see it, myself. When it comes to important football matches, Wales are even bigger bottlers than England.

Spammy

Beans on toast with sausages, yeah?

Tumbling-Dice

Welsh rarebit

TheRedFlag

The only thing I'll miss is not going down to the pub and having an all day session with mates watching the football and looking at their faces when they get excited.