Andycoleno9
matchday malcontent
Yes, they are.
Yes, they are.
With optimism like that, you could certainly be an England fan. #ItsComingHomeBrozovic-Kovacic-Modric is THE best midfield on this Euro. Modric has no legs anymore?? Did you watched him? He still runs the show.
Sorry, not on board with that one. Decent midfield? Sure. "THE best", as you put it? No chance.Yes, they are.
Nah, everything else is averageWith optimism like that, you could certainly be an England fan. #ItsComingHome
Kante Pogba Rabiot for me. No questionYes, they are.
I think it's because it's currently very difficult to tell whether England played at a comfortable 80%, breezed the group and are ready to step it up and grow into the tournament now they're in the knock outs, or whether England are actually just a bit lacklustre and likely to get found out by a better side.I'm surprised at how many assume we're going out in the next round regardless of the opponents. This England side reminds me of United in several ways - despite the struggle to score goals, they're difficult to beat. Plus, you feel they're capable of so much more.
We'll surprise people in the next game I fancy.
If you say soNah, everything else is average
With all due respect to Scotland, Croatia and the Czechs. Our group was among the weakest.Such an odd thread. When have England ever comfortably topped a group in most people's living memory?
They've barely exerted themselves, not conceded and have multiple players they can turn to if needed.
Has it been pretty, not at all, but how often is it that the pace-setters of international tournaments end up winners?
Not saying England are favourites or anything, but this far, they've done the job comfortably.
You can say "among the weakest", but are Croatia, Czech Republic and Scotland really any weaker than the following?With all due respect to Scotland, Croatia and the Czechs. Our group was among the weakest.
We also struggled big time, and arguably could have lost against Scotland.
Italy with Jorginho Verratti Locatelli/Barella looks mighty fine too. Belgium with Tielemans, Dendocker/Witsel and De Bruyne has great balance to it as well.Kante Pogba Rabiot for me. No question
Agree. The media fuels most of it.No surprise that England's best performance was the 2018 World Cup where the team made the semi-final, when there is no pressure and expectations at all. I know they got a piss easy draw but you saw that collectiveness, team spirit and passion you never see from past teams. A lot of people outside of England hates the English because they think the English is cocky and this is all down to the arrogant media.
That's why I said 'among' as having 6 groups has lessened the quality a little bit. England was expected to finish top and they have. It's the absolute bare minimum they should have achieved from this tournament. Anything else after that point is a bonus.You can say "among the weakest", but are Croatia, Czech Republic and Scotland really any weaker than the following?
Wales, Switzerland, Turkey
Denmark, Finland, Russia
Austria, Ukraine, North Macedonia
Sweden, Slovakia, Poland
Pretty much all of the groups aren't that great, and even the one group full of quality (on paper at least), isn't even a real group of death because all three teams can get out of it.
I think this is a good point. If England have a big performance next game, it’ll definitely change the optics of things. At the moment it’s hard to gauge where England are at, they have a really talented squad but haven’t really had to step out of second gear.I think it's because it's currently very difficult to tell whether England played at a comfortable 80%, breezed the group and are ready to step it up and grow into the tournament now they're in the knock outs, or whether England are actually just a bit lacklustre and likely to get found out by a better side.
I'm not even sure it's strictly arrogance, most of the time. The biggest problem with English football media is that they're largely extremely poor pundits who clearly don't watch much/any football outside of England, and don't do any research either. They basically operate on "I know about this team so they're good, and I don't know about this team so they're bad". They're ignorant, not arrogant.Agree. The media fuels most of it.
I get it, but "among the weakest" when 5 of the 6 groups are pretty much equally as weak seems a bit redundant. It's not really among the weakest when the majority of the groups are of a similar quality.That's why I said 'among' as having 6 groups has lessened the quality a little bit. England was expected to finish top and they have. It's the absolute bare minimum they should have achieved from this tournament. Anything else after that point is a bonus.
As far as the rankings go Czech and Scotland are two of the lowest-ranked teams in the tournament.I get it, but "among the weakest" when 5 of the 6 groups are pretty much equally as weak seems a bit redundant. It's not really among the weakest when the majority of the groups are of a similar quality.
Very likely. The press that cover England likely know nothing about players who ply their trade in other leagues. The PL is the be all and end all as far as they are concerned. You are better listening to the journalist who specialise in the foreign leagues. As soon as Talksport had a documentary about Euro 96 and us beating the Scots I knew we were in trouble and one about the Three Lions song. Even though the song is really about the disappointment of being and England fan, the England fans have turned it into the opposite. You only have to listen to the likes of Jamie O'Hara on Talksport (who has no idea where anywhere is outside the Greater London area) and they are asking his opinion on international football.I'm not even sure it's strictly arrogance, most of the time. The biggest problem with English football media is that they're largely extremely poor pundits who clearly don't watch much/any football outside of England, and don't do any research either. They basically operate on "I know about this team so they're good, and I don't know about this team so they're bad". They're ignorant, not arrogant.
It's probably Verratti / Jorginho / Barella.Kante Pogba Rabiot for me. No question
You cant just turn form on and off like a switch.I think this is a good point. If England have a big performance next game, it’ll definitely change the optics of things. At the moment it’s hard to gauge where England are at, they have a really talented squad but haven’t really had to step out of second gear.
I am not even sure I would trust Kane taking a penalty at the moment. There is something seriously wrong there.You cant just turn form on and off like a switch.
I think his injuries might just be catching up with him. I agree, think he looks a broken man.I am not even sure I would trust Kane taking a penalty at the moment. There is something seriously wrong there.
Could be the strain of wanting to leave Spurs and the realisation he handcuffed himself to the club.I think his injuries might just be catching up with him. I agree, think he looks a broken man.
That tooCould be the strain of wanting to leave Spurs and the realisation he handcuffed himself to the club.
Italy & France for me. You do have a good midfield though.Yes, they are.
I agree with that, but a lot can depend on who you’re facing, the situation within the game and the tactics being employed.You cant just turn form on and off like a switch.
I see what you mean there, but I think the rankings are a bit misleading at times (Belgium being ranked 1st for ages a prime example). The draw was made in 2019, and the seedings decided on qualification performance, so it's all out of date. I think really they should re-drawn and looked at something a bit more recent performance-wise to determine seedings, even if it mean defaulting to fifa rankings.As far as the rankings go Czech and Scotland are two of the lowest-ranked teams in the tournament.
I don't believe goals and points will even tell you half the truth after only 3 games. Watching them play will however. England haven't been anything special but they are far from the worst team. I have watched every game so far, like I'm sure many other have as well and England does not play the worst football, period. Are they the biggest underachievers? Maybe. Did we expect more? Yes. He claimed England was the worst team which simply isn't true. As an example, there is no way way you can have watched Sweden play and then make that statement.He has a point, to be fair. Every team that has finished third and above has scored more than us apart from Finland. Somehow, England and Finland have the same number of goals scored (2). That is embarrassing.
Edit: My mistake. Finland have only scored 1, but the rest of what I said is true. England are the fourth lowest goal scorers of the 16 teams from the finished groups.
I wouldn't say it's drastically lower in quality compared to most groups in the tournament.With all due respect to Scotland, Croatia and the Czechs. Our group was among the weakest.
We also struggled big time, and arguably could have lost against Scotland.
I think he’s 3rd choice behind Sterling & Foden. He just isn’t fit. No way does Southgate prefer Sancho, Grealish & Saka over him. He clearly doesn’t fancy Grealish & SanchoRashford is probably 4/5 choice on the wings now.
During one of the earlier group games (might have even been England/Croatia), whoever was main commentator asked Jermaine Jenas to talk about what it's like as a young player stepping out for the first game in your first major tournament. Jermaine Jenas that played in zero major tournaments. Jermaine Jenas with only 21 caps (actually more than I thought he'd have) and one international goal. He of course, went on to answer as if he had a wealth of experience.Very likely. The press that cover England likely know nothing about players who ply their trade in other leagues. The PL is the be all and end all as far as they are concerned. You are better listening to the journalist who specialise in the foreign leagues. As soon as Talksport had a documentary about Euro 96 and us beating the Scots I knew we were in trouble and one about the Three Lions song. Even though the song is really about the disappointment of being and England fan, the England fans have turned it into the opposite. You only have to listen to the likes of Jamie O'Hara on Talksport (who has no idea where anywhere is outside the Greater London area) and they are asking his opinion on international football.
I don't think England are playing badly, they're not playing brilliantly either and have been pretty dull to watch to be honest. But they're difficult to beat which will see them compete against anyone and they have some real match winners.You cant just turn form on and off like a switch.
It also doesn't help that Kane, one of the most prolific strikers in world football, is been appalling so far. The majority of our problems come from a lack of goals which could be soon remedied if Kane suddenly finds his form. But that isn't likely to happen.I think it's because it's currently very difficult to tell whether England played at a comfortable 80%, breezed the group and are ready to step it up and grow into the tournament now they're in the knock outs, or whether England are actually just a bit lacklustre and likely to get found out by a better side.
I think he's second choice behind Sterling on the left, Second choice behind Kane through the middle and possibly 4/5th choice on the right (Foden, Move Sterling to the right, Saka, Sancho).I think he’s 3rd choice behind Sterling & Foden. He just isn’t fit. No way does Southgate prefer Sancho, Grealish & Saka over him. He clearly doesn’t fancy Grealish & Sancho
They seem to insist on what they think are young trendy pundits. I prefer listening to Stuart Pearce and Talksport. At least he has been there and nearly did it.During one of the earlier group games (might have even been England/Croatia), whoever was main commentator asked Jermaine Jenas to talk about what it's like as a young player stepping out for the first game in your first major tournament. Jermaine Jenas that played in zero major tournaments. Jermaine Jenas with only 21 caps (actually more than I thought he'd have) and one international goal. He of course, went on to answer as if he had a wealth of experience.
I'll have a couple of what you are on mate!Brozovic-Kovacic-Modric is THE best midfield on this Euro. Modric has no legs anymore?? Did you watched him? He still runs the show.
I was amazed that DCL didn't come on last night. 1-0 up at half-time, guaranteed to get through even if we fecked it, at least give him a go in the second half.It also doesn't help that Kane, one of the most prolific strikers in world football, is been appalling so far. The majority of our problems come from a lack of goals which could be soon remedied if Kane suddenly finds his form. But that isn't likely to happen.
I wouldn't be opposed to dropping him for one of DCL, Rashford or even Bamford. Anyone is an upgrade on Kane right now.
I don't mind Jenas as a presenter and think he's actually quite good in that role, but he isn't at all suited to a position that requires any insight, because he's simply incapable of providing any. He's basically Jamie Redknapp MK II as a pundit.They seem to insist on what they think are young trendy pundits. I prefer listening to Stuart Pearce and Talksport. At least he has been there and nearly did it.