Day 3: England vs Croatia | Austria vs North Macedonia | Netherlands vs Ukraine

[Droid_Repairs]

Jermaine Jenas is the personification of a Sun headline.

He seems to be a strange combination of tabloid sensationalism mixed with occasionally insightful input. I can't decide if he is actually intelligent but not very articulate, or if he just keeps spouting cliches ad nauseam until something clever comes out.

He'll say something reasonable like "England's lack of width allows their opponents to exploit the flanks"

But then follow it up with the back page of the Daily Express:

"England need to give 110%. The boys know the nation is expecting"

At least it's not Michael Owen, he was the absolute worst for pub style insight. His robotic, monotonous delivery combined with mindless platitudes are soul destroying.

 

[RonaldoVII]

That's twice Sterling has overhit it playing Rashford in

 

[El Zoido]

Why on earth is Grealish not on the pitch

England managers always have their favourites. This same team will start every game now.

 

[MU655]

And Croatia have done even less.

Yep, but I can't clearly say we deserve a win. The game has been dire.

 

[Dobba]

Is Philipps actually available?

It'd probably be cheaper just to buy Leeds entirely.

 

[mitchmouse]

just remembered I can filter out jenas by switching to 5live commentary

 

[mitchmouse]

croatia aren't anywhere near as good as I thought

 

[Andycoleno9]

Southgate parked the bus. Game over this

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

If England are going to play like this all tournament, I actually hope they go out. It is so negative and boring to watch.

don’t watch then. Bye.

 

[diarm]

If nothing else, you bring Grealish on now because he will keep the ball up the other end of the field and win free kicks. England have given the ball away as soon as they've got a hold of it every time in the last 10 minutes.

 

[FrankDrebin]

Pardon, Jenas ?

 

[Pexbo]

Oh god Jenas is saying it’s Sterling’s best game this season which is probably right but aside from his goal he’s stunk the place out.

 

[MU655]

don’t watch then. Bye.

Childish response. You don't agree that football should be entertaining?

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Ouch!

 

[FrankDrebin]

Southgate is going to ruin this side.

 

[marktan]

I mean Croatia have had more of the ball since the 10th or 15th minute and some dangerous positions, but anyway...

And done nothing with it. Aside from Modric they have had no quality.

 

[mitchmouse]

... only to find myself saddled with what sounds like (t)waddle

 

[Josep Dowling]

What a crap game. I’m surprised how poor Croatia have been. Though with the weather and two CDM we have stopped their midfield. I hope we get a bit more adventurous against Scotland.

 

[Judas]

If England are going to play like this all tournament, I actually hope they go out. It is so negative and boring to watch.

To be fair saying this is even more negative. I'd take this football if it meant we actually won the tournament all day long.

 

[PoTMS]

Bellingham is not 17. Phenomenon.

 

[UweBein]

croatia aren't anywhere near as good as I thought

they play like san marino.

 

[InspiRED]

1 nil up and looking in control of the game, let's take off the players who can keep the ball. Good thinking Gareth, let's get some pressure on us in the final minutes.

 

[The Firestarter]

Yep, but I can't clearly say we deserve a win. The game has been dire.

It's international games. Unless you're watching Brasil circa '00 , it's going to be like that.

 

[Dr. StrangeHate]

There are so many similarities between United and England.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Bellingham is not 17.

He is for a few more days.

 

[Random Task]

Not a fan of Jermaine Jenas.

 

[el3mel]

It'll be a deserved win for England. I think they actually played a very good game, but the defense needs sorting a little bit. Croatia are pretty poor and did nothing worthy of note.

 

[FrankDrebin]

Croatia wont score.
jinx

 

[bosnian_red]

What a crap game. I’m surprised how poor Croatia have been. Though with the weather and two CDM we have stopped their midfield. I hope we get a bit more adventurous against Scotland.

Yeah they've had no cutting edge. Some good play in midfield but their front 3 was non existent. And the left back hasn't helped them.

 

[Andycoleno9]

they play like san marino.

Sure we are

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Childish response. You don't agree that football should be entertaining?

tournament football is about winning. That’s what matters.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Absolutely no attacking threat from our full backs in this game... More through instruction then anything else I think.

Hopefully that changes in games to come

 

[Nogbadthebad]

Pickford has utterly rubbish distribution

 

[MU655]

To be fair saying this is even more negative. I'd take this football if it meant we actually won the tournament all day long.

You would be happy to watch another five games of this? It makes the team very hard to support, for me. I can't see 100% effort being put into the game.

 

[Crimson King]

Man this has been boring, hope it picks up in the next game.

 

[Zen86]

England managers always have their favourites. This same team will start every game now.

Indeed, and that’s why we always fail.

 

[MayosNoun]

What a boring game of football.

 

[DWelbz19]

Bellingham is very physically developed for a 17 year old! Looks a man there next to Southgate.

 

[Dobba]

Who took that freekick?

 

[Balljy]

We've brought out our quick players so we can counter-attack with balls through the midfield. It's not rocket science and actually a good way to play out the game as they need to be watchful still. Grealish would only come on to replace Phillips now as Sterling has the pace to do that.