The Football.....

[deptfordmarmoset]

Well, at half time, I can safely say that we can all still pick up 3 points....but Scotland are one up, so the 5 of us who predicted no goals for Scotland are out of the running for full points.

 

[gavgav]

Just the 9 goals for England under 21's tonight!!!! How do nations like San Marino actually get international status ?

Most one sided match I've ever been to. Best player on the park was Carl jenkinson of arsenal for me

 

[BigonaBianchi]

well i watched the england germany game tonight...are we really going to the world cup? Im no expert but ...erm...we lost again...so..erm...thats not good right

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Just the 9 goals for England under 21's tonight!!!! How do nations like San Marino actually get international status ?

Most one sided match I've ever been to. Best player on the park was Carl jenkinson of arsenal for me

And just zero for the grown ups.... Though England grown ups managed some good spells of promising play, I can somehow get caught up in the quaint idea that scoring goals are somehow part of what a home team should do.

 

[Archie_tect]

Isn't it time they pensioned the senior side off and let the 21s play instead... be cheaper too. It's not as if it's important...

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Isn't it time they pensioned the senior side off and let the 21s play instead... be cheaper too. It's not as if it's important...

Watching them is vaguely reminiscent of watching the England cricket team in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. There's always that wistful ''Maybe one day...'' thought in the back of my mind.

 

[Archie_tect]

How much would the Football League be damaged if they took the decision to only allow sides to have a maximum of 2 or 3 non-local academy trained players play for clubs? Make the Home Countries sides stronger and be more involved.... give the Premiership sides a run for their money and make local clubs affordable. Just need to write-off the zquillions of debt first!.

 

[Archie_tect]

Watching them is vaguely reminiscent of watching the England cricket team in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. There's always that wistful ''Maybe one day...'' thought in the back of my mind.

They thought it's all over.... it is now.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

They thought it's all over.... it is now.

Nay, more like ''They think it might happen once more...it won't now...''

 

[Archie_tect]

Wish they wouldn't call the German Youth team the Reservists....

 

[swee'pea99]

God that was dispiriting. Lots of huff and puff, signifying nothing.

What flair was on offer came entirely from England, but Germany showed how you actually win games: absorb, don't screw up, get the basics right, take your chances. England got a hatful of corners, but did even one look even vaguely threatening? *sigh*

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

God that was dispiriting. Lots of huff and puff, signifying nothing.

What flair was on offer came entirely from England, but Germany showed how you actually win games: absorb, don't screw up, get the basics right, take your chances. England got a hatful of corners, but did even one look even vaguely threatening? *sigh*

I didn't think it was all that bad and England was certainly far more joined up than they were against Chile. Townsend and Lalalalallala had their moments, too, and it's always good to see new ambitions at play. Germany, I thought, were quite lucky to come away with the win with that team.

 

[RedRider]

Just watched the second half which was nice and open the first ten minutes.
Sounds like some games in Sweden and France tho. Zlatan, Ronaldo and Sakho!

 

[Aperitif]

Maybe it is a Common Market malaise? The citoyens of France are not liking their equipe de foot either. Blame the French and Arsene Wenger for the downturn in English soccer. Bring on a new jersey design...more moody adverts for razors and deodorant! Come on England - where's your backbone? Get tweeting Rio!
Ronaldo got a hat-trick last night, which means the World Cup semi-finals will be contested between Brazil, Spain, Portugal and Germany. They will play in the biggest of the stadia left after the national one has been torched.

 

[MarkF]

I thought England were poo. There was a 15/20 second period of short passing in the first half, that was so crap I'd have bollocked my under 16's. It involved Gerrard, Cleverley & Smalling, there was less than 5 m between them yet they couldn't hit one correct pass, all the slightly wrong trajectory or with the wrong pace, it spoke volumes, I gave up and watched the Portugal Sweden game.