Well done England ...

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

Yellarbellyblade said:
Watched the game tonight in a bar in Birmingham- crowd were an almost equal mix of white, black, asian, Japanese and various others. All supporting England and mixing together happily. Not an ounce of xenophobia or bigotry on view. But then you don’t want to hear that do you as it doesn’t fit with your world view does it?
Maybe a look in the bigotry mirror is called for but I doubt you’ll acknowledge you might be wrong as I’m struggling to recall a time when you did.
Click to expand...

They're Coming Home. :)
 

Just make sure whatever you do, don't get excited or enjoy future tournaments. In particular, if your nation gets through to the semi-final, make sure you not only DON'T enjoy it yourself, but be sure to bring us many people down around you as you can. Bonus points awarded for detailed analysis from as many negatively biased viewpoints as possible.
 
derekacorah said:
On the Roy Keane issue, he's had to listen to Ian Wright and Lee Dixon talk England up for 4 weeks. Gary Neville is also rather biased towards England, though is a bit more level headed.

I actually thought that Keane brought balance on some of the pre-match jizz fest comments. He probably was smug after the game but only in the same way that I'd be smiling inside if the same happened to Scotland or Ireland and I'd had to listen to them bang on about how good they were for the last few weeks. He made the point before the game that to win a semi-final England would have to be good and perform well, they didn't and he was quite right in making this point at the end.

I switched to Bein at half time last night as Hoddle pisses me off and to be fair to them they had Paul Robinson, Souness and Freund in the studio, Souness was polite towards England but Freund called it as it was and very similarly to Roy Keane just stated that England had been outdone tactically by a more experienced team and that it perhaps might bring the fans and media back down from cloud cuckoo land about how good the England team actually are.
Click to expand...

The thing is - this falsified meme that its been this deluded love-fest 100% from start to finish isn't true though is it? Look at the comments on any BBC article England related and its been at least 60/40 negative. "Sterling is shit" "Beaten nothing but pub teams". Am I dreaming or has that been said from match one? Plus I honestly don't remember anyone saying we were world class at any point. Just getting swept up in the excitement of achieving our first semi-final in 28 years. Sorry about that, I mistakenly believed that was pointing of, y'know, watching sport?
 
A Storm of Blades said:
The thing is - this falsified meme that its been this deluded love-fest 100% from start to finish isn't true though is it? Look at the comments on any BBC article England related and its been at least 60/40 negative. "Sterling is shit" "Beaten nothing but pub teams". Am I dreaming or has that been said from match one? Plus I honestly don't remember anyone saying we were world class at any point. Just getting swept up in the excitement of achieving our first semi-final in 28 years. Sorry about that, I mistakenly believed that was pointing of, y'know, watching sport?
Click to expand...

Ian Wright and Lee Dixon and the whole pre-match build up last night was a bit cringeworthy. I agree, there have been fair comments from most of the pundits, Ian Wright and Lee Dixon not falling into this category.

On the whole it's been balanced but Roy Keane had to have it rammed down his throat last night so to call it as it was at the end shouldn't be seen as anything other than fair.

I understand how people get swept up with the excitement and I hope it's been enjoyed by those that have, just a shame that England have been found wanting when it counted, mainly due to the combination of lack of experience and the elusive English world class player.
 
Bashar Al Asaba said:
He was always a hero of mine. If I could've been any player from my youth then in all probability I would've picked him.
Click to expand...
Agreed he was I fine player but he was shocking as a manager how could anyone play for miserable fucker like him.
 
Great first half, completely out of ideas for the rest of the game. Created little. Fell asleep for their first goal and the rest is history.

At least I can go back to being Welsh now. I have that luxury.

:D
 
Bashar Al Asaba said:
Perhaps you should write to him and say so, as a matter of paramount importance.

Since you're usually desperate to give everybody else your unsolicited opinion.
Click to expand...

Maybe I will. I assume you know his contact details? You must have written to him several times before, with him being your hero and all that ;)
 
DronnieBlade said:
Right.

I’ve gone away.

Educated myself.

Or at least I think I have. Maybe you will put me straight ;).

Do you have an explanation as to why we simply could not retain possession of the ball for the vast majority of the 120 minutes ?

Do you have an explanation as to why Modric and Rakitic ran the show ?

Do you have an explanation why our tactic, appeared to be that of the counter puncher rather than having the front foot firmly forward (which by inference gave us only a punchers chance) ?

Do you have an explanation as to why we developed a “panic” mentality ?

Do you have an explanation as to why we had less possession ?

Less key passes ?

Less key moments ?

Less touches in the box ?

Less clear chances ?

Why we chased the Croats, rather than have them chase us ?

Why this led to tired legs, and inevitably tired minds ?

I could go on forever, but much like the actual game itself, it’s all about levels.

The one thing I can categorically state, without fear of contradiction, is that I understand mine ;)

UTB
Click to expand...

Again, you're expecting the changes that have happened to appear overnight. It's nonsensical.

You stated that nothing had changed. The game yesterday does not prove that this is the case. You don't seem to have looked into the matter very deeply but it's not the first time you've had such a strong opinion on something you appear to know nothing about. Read up about the changes that Southgate has implemented throughout the entire England set up.
 
Well done England. But I hope the FA and the vile Premier League don't use this as another excuse to ignore the grassroots of the game.

England, English Footballers and English Football should take number 1 priority over foreign owned clubs, managed by foreign coaches with squads of mainly foreign players
 
Gutted - We just didn't turn up when it mattered last night. I know we surpassed expectations but it's still disappointing to go out after a performance like that. Too many players went missing and we gave away two very soft goals. Credit to Croatia though, a good side who I predicted to do well.

It's been a great month though and I've enjoyed the ride. Bar the odd attention seeker or two, the nation has fallen back in love with the national side. We have a talented, young group of players, a good manager and some promising youngsters coming through. Roll on Euro 2020.
 

SteveBlade said:
Sweden's most creative player is Seb Larsson though to be fair...

I've enjoyed the tournament, but when I take a step back and take a look at it all for what it is, we've beaten a few poor teams, and we've been outplayed by a side who aren't that good.

Still, it's been better than I thought it'd be. Usually we lose to the poor teams.
Click to expand...

Just about every team that goes on to win the world cup does so by beating teams that are poorer than them.
 
Bashar Al Asaba said:
I might do so now I know that his existence hurts you so much.
Click to expand...

Wow that was quick. Have you been sat there all night waiting for my reply?

His existence hurts me so much? Obviously not as much as it hurts you when someone has a go at your hero.
 
LJBlade said:
Wow that was quick. Have you been sat there all night waiting for my reply?

His existence hurts me so much? Obviously not as much as it hurts you when someone has a go at your hero.
Click to expand...

I doubt anyone has ever been hurt by you. Everybody you know disappears as soon as you log off.
 
McGrath said:
I hope the FA and the vile Premier League don't use this as another excuse to ignore the grassroots of the game.
Click to expand...

The FA are belatedly doing their bit by trying to install 3G pitches around the country. We are still a very long way behind Iceland thoug, which just about says it all.

The Premier League haven't got a clue what you are talking about. Grass roots are important as the myriad foreign stars need something to prance about on. Lower league academies are vital too, so that the Premier League clubs can rape and pillage to their heart's content.

The most laughable thing about the Premier League is when they announce how much 'support' they give the lower leagues. On the face of it they put hundreds of millions into the smaller clubs........BUT........nearly all of that is parachute payments to their relegated clubs!
 
LJBlade said:
Again, you're expecting the changes that have happened to appear overnight. It's nonsensical.

You stated that nothing had changed. The game yesterday does not prove that this is the case. You don't seem to have looked into the matter very deeply but it's not the first time you've had such a strong opinion on something you appear to know nothing about. Read up about the changes that Southgate has implemented throughout the entire England set up.
Click to expand...
A rather better response than the, subtle as a brick through your window “go away and educate yourself” !!

I guess thanks for that.

If you look back, my point was never about what changes GS has made. They are well documented, out there in the public domain and discussed at length in the media. Absolutely no need for anyone, not least myself, to go away and educate.

The point (which you appear to have missed) was that England produces players of a technically inferior standard to our peers. It’s been happening for decades, and it’s roots are embedded in our junior football and academy systems. You are correct to state that things ARE changing here, but it’s a real slow burner.

It explains why the PL, one of the richest and most lucrative leagues in the world buys in its talent from abroad. The English lads, for the most part, not being up to it. In their own countries top league no less. Shameful.

It explains why the elite European teams, Barca, Real, Juve, Bayern, PSG, the ones with all the loot that can atttact virtually anyone they want DO NOT invest in English talent. Again, the evidence is there.

I have offered a reason (and an opinion) as to why this might be.

If this reason / opinion does not meet with your approval, and that you disagree that’s fine. It’s your prerogative.

But telling me I should “educate” myself on the matter .............

:)

All abart opinions ;)

UTB
 
Crackin' tournament! Been a pleasure to watch. Better of the chances first half and should've capitalized, but Croatia increasingly got a hold of the game and no complaints with result. Even enjoyed the chat with the two deliriously happy Aberdeen fans on the walk home who couldn't understand why none of the group I was with would kick off as they tried to take the piss.

Back to 100% looking forward to following United - unless of course we face a superior team in which case we will switch cheering on the opponents as they will deserve to win.... :)
 
DronnieBlade said:
A rather better response than the, subtle as a brick through your window “go away and educate yourself” !!

I guess thanks for that.

If you look back, my point was never about what changes GS has made. They are well documented, out there in the public domain and discussed at length in the media. Absolutely no need for anyone, not least myself, to go away and educate.

The point (which you appear to have missed) was that England produces players of a technically inferior standard to our peers. It’s been happening for decades, and it’s roots are embedded in our junior football and academy systems. You are correct to state that things ARE changing here, but it’s a real slow burner.

It explains why the PL, one of the richest and most lucrative leagues in the world buys in its talent from abroad. The English lads, for the most part, not being up to it. In their own countries top league no less. Shameful.

It explains why the elite European teams, Barca, Real, Juve, Bayern, PSG, the ones with all the loot that can atttact virtually anyone they want DO NOT invest in English talent. Again, the evidence is there.

I have offered a reason (and an opinion) as to why this might be.

If this reason / opinion does not meet with your approval, and that you disagree that’s fine. It’s your prerogative.

But telling me I should “educate” myself on the matter .............

:)

All abart opinions ;)

UTB
Click to expand...

Ahh so at least you admit that things are changing. That's different to what you were originally arguing.

How quick do you expect these changes to appear?

The success that the England youth team have had recently shows that some clubs, somewhere must be producing some players that are technically better than those from other nations. This takes time to come through

I always find that if I'm going to have a discussion with someone about something it helps if I know what I'm talking about, hence the 'educate' comment. :)
 
I should coco said:
The FA are belatedly doing their bit by trying to install 3G pitches around the country. We are still a very long way behind Iceland thoug, which just about says it all.

The Premier League haven't got a clue what you are talking about. Grass roots are important as the myriad foreign stars need something to prance about on. Lower league academies are vital too, so that the Premier League clubs can rape and pillage to their heart's content.

The most laughable thing about the Premier League is when they announce how much 'support' they give the lower leagues. On the face of it they put hundreds of millions into the smaller clubs........BUT........nearly all of that is parachute payments to their relegated clubs!
Click to expand...

It's depressing isn't it. All this TV money does is just inflate wages, transfer fees and agents bank balances more, it's ridiculous. The same players being passed around for increasingly more money. I pray for the day that foreign audiences decide they like something different instead and the whole Premier League goes pop. All that money and none of the club's are profitable.

4 of the England back five came through at clubs that weren't in the Premier League at the time, that says it all about Premier League academies, they can be the best in the world and probably are, but if the kids don't get the chance and are paid too much that they don't have the hunger, then they are pointless
 
Bashar Al Asaba said:
I doubt anyone has ever been hurt by you. Everybody you know disappears as soon as you log off.
Click to expand...

Oooh burn!

I'm not sure I'll ever get over the resident internet angry man saying I've got no friends.

Could be worse I suppose, I could have just admitted that Roy Keane is my hero ;)
 
LJBlade said:
Ahh so at least you admit that things are changing. That's different to what you were originally arguing.

How quick do you expect these changes to appear?

The success that the England youth team have had recently shows that some clubs, somewhere must be producing some players that are technically better than those from other nations. This takes time to come through

I always find that if I'm going to have a discussion with someone about something it helps if I know what I'm talking about, hence the 'educate' comment. :)
Click to expand...
1. No it wasn’t. Figment of your own imagination.

2. In all honesty a long long time. Couldnt possibly put a number on it. The problem being that other sides are not standing still and are also improving. Our progression HAS to be at a faster pace than our peers merely to catch up !

3. Agreed. It’s promising and a move in the right direction. But don’t kid yourself in that we have had youth success in the past that has not ultimately translated in to future success at senior level. It’s no guarantee or even probable !

4. I don’t engage with folks about rugger or cricket, for precisely the reasons you state. I am uneducated in these sports. If you want to play top trumps or who has the bigger cock, that’s your business. I’ll stick to my own level. Whatever you believe that to be !!

UTB
 
LJBlade said:
Oooh burn!

I'm not sure I'll ever get over the resident internet angry man saying I've got no friends.

Could be worse I suppose, I could have just admitted that Roy Keane is my hero ;)
Click to expand...

It's the reality of your life you need to get over, not anything I may have to say, Mr Desparate For Any Form Of Interaction.

You can run along now. I'm sure you'll pop up again to offer me another one of your unprompted, unsolicited opinions very soon :)
 
"We still fixate with big, fast, strong. Will we ever learn".

That was your original comment. The 'will we ever learn' bit implied there had been no changes but you've just admitted that changes have been made.

The 'we still fixate with big, fast, strong' shows how very little you know. It's an argument that was once correct, I'll give you that.
 

LJBlade said:
The 'we still fixate with big, fast, strong' shows how very little you know
Click to expand...

Well he wouldn't be alone.

Wasn't that Blackwell's mantra?

Jordan Stewart looked a fantastic athlete in the flesh, just a shame he was one of the worst players I've ever seen at the Lane.

Kick it high, kick it hard, kick it long!

FFS, I'm turning into Pinchy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Football World Champions.. you’ll never sing that
Replies
7
Views
1K
nopigfansintown
nopigfansintown
ThatJa
Chin up Blades
Replies
6
Views
762
Edgar Allan Poo
Edgar Allan Poo
Cheeky Blade
Well done Sunderland.
2
Replies
48
Views
4K
JPBrods
JPBrods
C
Hard done by or got what we deserved?
2
Replies
50
Views
4K
Chimpan-A
Chimpan-A
GreasyChipBeattie
And this is why I'm so f****d off with football
2
Replies
47
Views
4K
Jim Mcdonald
Jim Mcdonald

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

Back
Top Bottom