England v Russia, 11th June, 8pm

[SALTIRE]

I'm just thankful we're not at Scotland levels of shitness, that would be horrible.

With the players, money and infrastructure, you should be doing a lot better than you are though.

 

[Nilsson]

With the players, money and infrastructure, you should be doing a lot better than you are though.

You've got me believing, maybe we're a sleeping giant. Whereas Scotland are a shit as they should be and have no hope whatsoever.

 

[SALTIRE]

You've got me believing, maybe we're a sleeping giant. Whereas Scotland are a shit as they should be and have no hope whatsoever.

Oh there is always hope, but its the hope that kills! We were close in the last qualification, but it wasn't meant to be. England isn't so much a sleeping giant, more like one that is permanently comatosed!

 

[HarvSFC]

The thing about these home nation sides is that they're built up with Englishmen not good enough for the England national team. I mean Wales were captained by one with London born Robson-Kanu scoring the winner.

They're never thankful for it either.

 

[Nilsson]

Oh there is always hope, but its the hope that kills! We were close in the last qualification, but it wasn't meant to be.

No trust me, there is no hope when it comes to Scotland.

"Without hope life is meaningless. Scotland is meaningless. Without hope life is meaning less and less. Scotland is meaning less and less." - Jimmy Krankie

England isn't so much a sleeping giant, more like one that is permanently comatosed!

But you said we've got the "players, money and infrastructure" capable of doing "a lot" better. Oooh.

 

[Nilsson]

The thing about these home nation sides is that they're built up with Englishmen not good enough for the England national team. I mean Wales were captained by one with London born Robson-Kanu scoring the winner.

They're never thankful for it either.

Apparently Matt Ritchie had never even heard of Scotland before he got called up.

 

[SALTIRE]

You bunch of bullies are trying to make me cry aren't you! Its not going to happen though as I'm devouring a nice peaty whisky and I'm going to be merry till tomorrow so there!!

 

[SALTIRE]

England are the Chelsea of national teams; the team no one likes, who managed to fluke the big one once but are as far away from doing it again as ever

 

[CEngelbrecht]

England are the Chelsea of national teams; the team no one likes, who managed to fluke the big one once but are as far away from doing it again as ever

This is like England always losing on penalties: It's only becomes true, if you believe it.
But now they're gonna take your beer away from the game area. See what happens, when you kids can't play nice? Then the adults have to take your toys.

 

[Kopper]

England are the Chelsea of national teams; the team no one likes, who managed to fluke the big one once but are as far away from doing it again as ever

I think England are closer now to winning a tournament than at any time since 1990.
Many look purely at the result and dismiss the team based on that. But you'll notice since Roy took over and fazed out the old guard, the standard of football has been good.
If the football is good the results will follow.

 

[Pagnell]

I'm a little baffled at the grief Lallana appears to be getting in this thread. I read one post that saying he was terrible. That's frankly fucking ludicrous. He was one of our best players, and all the reports and player ratings I've subsequently read agree with that. The bad mouthing seems to be based on him being wasteful with his chances on goal (which was obviously annoying) rather than his overall contribution.

 

[Veggie Legs]

I'm a little baffled at the grief Lallana appears to be getting in this thread. I read one post that saying he was terrible. That's frankly fucking ludicrous. He was one of our best players, and all the reports and player ratings I've subsequently read agree with that. The bad mouthing seems to be based on him being wasteful with his chances on goal (which was obviously annoying) rather than his overall contribution.

I'd put it down to confirmation bias (and you could probably say that about people's views of player performance in every match). There are plenty of people who don't rate Lallana in general, so they weight the missed chances more heavily than his other good play.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Among our attacking players I thought Sterling was the big minus. His decision-making is appalling and he seemed to lack confidence in what he was doing too.

 

[rudebwoyben]

I'd put it down to confirmation bias (and you could probably say that about people's views of player performance in every match). There are plenty of people who don't rate Lallana in general, so they weight the missed chances more heavily than his other good play.

I thought Lailana did fine but I think he tends to do better for England when coming on as a sub rather than starting.

 

[Jockney]

I agree with much of your post but what are you basing this on?

And as for Euro 96, I watched the BBC documentary on that the other week and it seemed that the general consensus in the country leading up to the tournament was that the England squad was full of unprofessional drunks after the whole Dentist Chair in Hong Kong incident. There was even a question mark on Shearer as he hadn't scored for England for 2 years prior to the tournament. But then they won the country over by playing well and beating Scotland and Holland.

Vardy, Lallana, Alli, Clyne, Hart and Smalling have worked their way up from the lower leagues to become established regulars at successful Premier Legue clubs. Walker, Kane and Rose have all had to work hard to prove doubters wrong and show their quality at a club that has relied on them to be leaders. Doubts hang over Sturridge, Rooney, Sterling and Wilshere but only two will be heavily involved this tournament an you at least can't doubt their quality. And you're right, that Euro squad did show a lot of character but I think having the most naturally gifted forward line in our history was a bigger help.

 

[smat]

I'm a little baffled at the grief Lallana appears to be getting in this thread. I read one post that saying he was terrible. That's frankly fucking ludicrous. He was one of our best players, and all the reports and player ratings I've subsequently read agree with that. The bad mouthing seems to be based on him being wasteful with his chances on goal (which was obviously annoying) rather than his overall contribution.

I read a description of him in one match report as 'decorative rather than dominant' or something, which sums it up quite nicely I think. Kane should be supportive by other players capable of scoring or creating goals. Lallana's got a lovely, silken touch but he's too much of a passenger imo. He was better than Sterling, though.

 

[MJA]

I'm a little baffled at the grief Lallana appears to be getting in this thread. I read one post that saying he was terrible. That's frankly fucking ludicrous. He was one of our best players, and all the reports and player ratings I've subsequently read agree with that. The bad mouthing seems to be based on him being wasteful with his chances on goal (which was obviously annoying) rather than his overall contribution.

I actually thought Lallana was one of our better players to be honest. Offered a good link between midfield and attack in the formation that we played, looked decent in possession and worked hard to close when we were defending high up

 

[Pagnell]

I read a description of him in one match report as 'decorative rather than dominant' or something, which sums it up quite nicely I think. Kane should be supportive by other players capable of scoring or creating goals. Lallana's got a lovely, silken touch but he's too much of a passenger imo. He was better than Sterling, though.

I read two match reports and he got an 7 and 8 out of 10, and a decent write up considering the team as a whole was ineffectual in front of goal. He did provide a couple of decent chances if I recall, but they weren't finished.

One aspect of the game I was surprised about was how well Rooney played in a deeper role. He shouldn't have been subbed.

 

[JimJams]

He ain't got the stamina to go box to box like that for 90 minutes.