The Football.....

[MarkF]

How many years of hurt is it now, I've lost count...

Not enough.

 

[Smokin Joe]

So, it's Costa Rica through and a do or die match between Italy and Uruguay.

And England in the dead rubber

 

[RedRider]

You're assuming they'll qualify! Have you seen their group?

England
Switzerland
Slovenia
Estonia
Lithuania
San Marino

On paper, not a bad group but with Roy in charge it could be a struggle. I'm going to revise my optimism. perhaps they'll be ready to challenge by Euro 20.

 

[Crackle]

Are Costa Rica the surprise of the tournament?

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Are Costa Rica the surprise of the tournament?

I'd say England were.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

<snigger>

 

[Crackle]

I'd say England were.

Sadly, no real surprise. It makes me laugh when I see disappointed England fans on telly. The one highlight is knowing Suarez's knee surgery went well.

 

[Andrew_P]

Was Hansen rushed over to replace Phil Neville?

 

[Danny]

[QUOTE 3140123, member: 30090"]Gerrard was not at fault for those two goals - the Centre Half's were. He's boss, end of.[/QUOTE]
Which is why Hodgson made a massive blunder in not bringing John Terry back into defence. I doubt Terry would have let Suarez score either of his goals.

For that matter, I'd also have brought back Ashley Cole as well. Terry, Cole, and Cahill were arguably part of the best defence in the Premiership last season, and while you have got to bring on young talent, you still need your experienced players in defence for big games.

 

[Yellow Fang]

I wonder who Roy is going to play in the last game. Is he going to give the squad players who haven't had a go a game? Italy and Uruguay have to play for the other spot, but either of them could still top the group so the England Costa Rica game still matters, a tiny little bit.

 

[Yellow Fang]

Which is why Hodgson made a massive blunder in not bringing John Terry back into defence. I doubt Terry would have let Suarez score either of his goals.

For that matter, I'd also have brought back Ashley Cole as well. Terry, Cole, and Cahill were arguably part of the best defence in the Premiership last season, and while you have got to bring on young talent, you still need your experienced players in defence for big games.

Maybe, but I remember the England defence including Terry and Cole were run ragged by Germany in the last world cup. One of their goals was even worse than the goal kick that Gerrard headed back for Suarez to score. The German goalie hoofed it up field, it bounced once before a German player put it away.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Which is why Hodgson made a massive blunder in not bringing John Terry back into defence. I doubt Terry would have let Suarez score either of his goals.

.

I'm quite happy he left the racist shoot at home, though I expect most of the England team were phoning their wives each night - just to check.

 

[2bluegp]

WTF! Has Thierry Henry got some beard-growing factory? I'm fairly sure he was on the TV a couple of night ago and was clean-shaven and tonight he has a full-on beard!

View: http://youtu.be/Qs2TfsW_Nc4?t=20s

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

On a different note, Didier Deshamps has done a good job turning around the French side after Domenech's attempts to destroy the team.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Which is why Hodgson made a massive blunder in not bringing John Terry back into defence. I doubt Terry would have let Suarez score either of his goals.

For that matter, I'd also have brought back Ashley Cole as well. Terry, Cole, and Cahill were arguably part of the best defence in the Premiership last season, and while you have got to bring on young talent, you still need your experienced players in defence for big games.

And therein lies the problem. Being English and the best of/at anything in the Premiership demonstrably counts for diddly squat at this level. The Premiership is not the yardstick the fans of Premiership clubs think it is.