England v Wales, 16th June, 2pm

[Jockney]

We're going to need Sterling and Kane in the KOs. We shouldn't be so quick to write off our own players, especially when we're still in the tournament.

 

[Bobbin']

In terms of ability, Garath Bale was the best player on the pitch.

Not sure if we were watching the same match mate.

He wasn't.

Apart from his extremely fortunate free-kick, Bale was almost anonymous.

 

[Pagnell]

In terms of ability, Garath Bale was the best player on the pitch.

Not sure if we were watching the same match mate.

And I'm not sure if you're seriously judging Bale's ability purely on today's game. Have you ever watched him before?

 

[Skinner]

Thought Wales were terrible to be honest. A lot of pressing but fuck all else.

We need to learn how to play in the final third.

 

[Skinner]

Oh and Bale touched the ball like 5 times

 

[tinpot]

Pagnell. I have no doubt whatsoever with GB's ability. He is a great player. Within a team that sucks, he's a no-mark.
+/- 20 yards outside the box, on a free-kick, he's a machine.
But, you will not win a tournament based on that criteria alone.

 

[Pagnell]

He wasn't.

Apart from his extremely fortunate free-kick, Bale was almost anonymous.

Read. The key word was ability. I never said Bale was the best player on the pitch today in terms of what was on display. But he is the best player out of both squads. There isn't a manager or team in the world that wouldn't choose him before every other player.

 

[Bobbin']

Read. The key word was ability. I never said Bale was the best player on the pitch today in terms of what was on display. But he is the best player out of both squads. There isn't a manager or team in the world that wouldn't choose him before every other player.

Apologies.

I only read the guy's reply and quoted that.

 

[Kopper]

Despite his fucking shocking showing at Valencia would anyone be averse to him taking over from Bodgson?

And here was me thinking you might have liked the job, Hodgson is doing.

Neville needs a managerial cv before applying for the national job.
Surely we expect more from the man in charge?

 

[Pagnell]

Pagnell. I have no doubt whatsoever with GB's ability. He is a great player. Within a team that sucks, he's a no-mark.
+/- 20 yards outside the box, on a free-kick, he's a machine.
But, you will not win a tournament based on that criteria alone.

Right. So I assume the same applies to Ronaldo given what happened against Iceland ? He was just as anonymous, playing with a team that is better than Wales. Or should we accept we shouldn't really judge a player on one game?

 

[tinpot]

The best player on both sides. Are you having a laugh? He was absent for 90% of the game.
If I am wrong, can someone please direct me to the contrary.

 

[Pagnell]

Did you even read what I wrote?

 

[G.B]

reading is hard

 

[Nilsson]

Rooney was well and truly scholesing that game, never thought I'd say that. It was only Wales though so we'll have to see if he can do it against a better side. But it's great to see him fully fit and in decent form at a tournament.

Wales defended well in numbers but I was surprised at how shit they were on the ball. Ramsey and Bale were running around like headless chickens, expected more after they'd been bigging themselves up all week. Stick your passion and pride up your arse.

Beat Slovakia and we finish top, can't complain at that. I can't see Kane or Sterling starting that game, wouldn't be against resting Alli and giving Wilshere a go either.

 

[Stevencc]

Read. The key word was ability. I never said Bale was the best player on the pitch today in terms of what was on display. But he is the best player out of both squads. There isn't a manager or team in the world that wouldn't choose him before every other player.

Saltire reckons Walcott is better than Bale.

 

[Leewilson]

Kane looks very leggy to me. Could well be that the U21 Euros last summer is catching up with him as he's pretty much played two full years with a very small break. I don't recall him getting injured much so it could be that unfortunately he needs a rest and will have to be bit part for most of this tournament. Sturridge has barely played in the last 2 years, he'll be fresh as anything so really he should start now with Vardy who is still riding the wave.

 

[Pagnell]

He is. Had Walcott been on the pitch I wouldn't have made the claim.

 

[tinpot]

Pagnell. Yes, I did read what you wrote. Don't be condescending.
Other than the free-kick Bale wasn't in it.

 

[Pagnell]

Pagnell. Yes, I did read what you wrote. Don't be condescending.
Other than the free-kick Bale wasn't in it.

I want being condescending, it was a genuine question. And reading your reply here still makes me think you haven't, or at least understood what I was saying.

 

[tinpot]

Ok. Maybe I'm being a bit thick.
Are you saying that GB was the best player on the pitch this afternoon?
If that is correct. I fail to see the logic.
Please enlighten me.

 

[Pagnell]

No, I'm saying that out of all the players in the England and Wales squads, Garath Bale is the best. Nothing to do with the game today.

Read my earlier post.

Read. The key word was ability. I never said Bale was the best player on the pitch today in terms of what was on display. But he is the best player out of both squads. There isn't a manager or team in the world that wouldn't choose him before every other player.

 

[SamScfc]

I thought we played well for 45 minutes and really well for the other 45.

The problem is we can't play how we did in the second half for 90 minutes, it just won't work as it was so unbalanced. I think the 4-4-2 diamond is the way to go but would like to see Kane involved and give him more support.

 

[JJH]

Bale the best player on the pitch? Erm

Quelle surprise, Roy fucks off the 4-3-3, plays with two strikers and we look decent in the second half.

The first half was fucking dreadful, a handful of chances notably Sterling's (how the fuck did he miss the target?) and then Hart's howler on that free kick. Shockingly bad, he got two hands to it, absolutely no excuse for letting that one go beyond him.

Walker and Rose were effectively playing as wingers in the second half, I appreciate we can't do that against the better sides should we progress but I very much like the use of the wing backs - Walker has been fanastic in both games. Absolute madness when the goal went in, I got fucking drenched.

As for the next game: you have to go with Vardy and Sturridge up top - Wilshere in the middle ahead of Alli as well. I'm shocked Alli's been so poor in the first two games given how he was in the second half of the season for Spurs, same with Kane, but they aren't doing it - so get others into the starting lineup.

Roy's a very, very lucky man - need to beat Slovenia still to top the group; we will if he starts the match how how he started the second half.

 

[Jockney]

I thought we played well for 45 minutes and really well for the other 45.

The problem is we can't play how we did in the second half for 90 minutes, it just won't work as it was so unbalanced. I think the 4-4-2 diamond is the way to go but would like to see Kane involved and give him more support.

Encouraging to see that other people also thought the performance was solid. Four points isn't a bad haul against two sides who had absolutely no intention of trying to win the game. But for better luck, we'd be talking about six points and two commanding performances.

 

[spireite]

I thought we played well for 45 minutes and really well for the other 45.

The problem is we can't play how we did in the second half for 90 minutes, it just won't work as it was so unbalanced. I think the 4-4-2 diamond is the way to go but would like to see Kane involved and give him more support.

I think a lot of how we played 2nd half had to do with Wales to be honest. They were happy to invite us on and commit 8 guys very deep, often more. We knew they weren't going to impose themselves on us so we just commited guys forward. I don't think the more well established sides will look for the draw so much, so we'll have to be a bit more cautious.

I don't think the better sides will allow our wing backs so much freedom either, and will exploit the gaps in behind, I'm worried about that

 

[DarkSithLord]

Bale the best player on the pitch? Erm

Quelle surprise, Roy fucks off the 4-3-3, plays with two strikers and we look decent in the second half.

The first half was fucking dreadful, a handful of chances notably Sterling's (how the fuck did he miss the target?) and then Hart's howler on that free kick. Shockingly bad, he got two hands to it, absolutely no excuse for letting that one go beyond him.

Walker and Rose were effectively playing as wingers in the second half, I appreciate we can't do that against the better sides should we progress but I very much like the use of the wing backs - Walker has been fanastic in both games. Absolute madness when the goal went in, I got fucking drenched.

As for the next game: you have to go with Vardy and Sturridge up top - Wilshere in the middle ahead of Alli as well. I'm shocked Alli's been so poor in the first two games given how he was in the second half of the season for Spurs, same with Kane, but they aren't doing it - so get others into the starting lineup.

Roy's a very, very lucky man - need to beat Slovenia still to top the group; we will if he starts the match how how he started the second half.

Haha. You mean Slovakia?

 

[Jockney]

Bale the best player on the pitch? Erm

Quelle surprise, Roy fucks off the 4-3-3, plays with two strikers and we look decent in the second half.

The first half was fucking dreadful, a handful of chances notably Sterling's (how the fuck did he miss the target?) and then Hart's howler on that free kick. Shockingly bad, he got two hands to it, absolutely no excuse for letting that one go beyond him.

Walker and Rose were effectively playing as wingers in the second half, I appreciate we can't do that against the better sides should we progress but I very much like the use of the wing backs - Walker has been fanastic in both games. Absolute madness when the goal went in, I got fucking drenched.

As for the next game: you have to go with Vardy and Sturridge up top - Wilshere in the middle ahead of Alli as well. I'm shocked Alli's been so poor in the first two games given how he was in the second half of the season for Spurs, same with Kane, but they aren't doing it - so get others into the starting lineup.

Roy's a very, very lucky man - need to beat Slovenia still to top the group; we will if he starts the match how how he started the second half.

Do you see Vardy and Sturridge as the way to go for the rest of the tournament? Because I personally think we're fucking deluded if we think that partnership is going to work in anything but the most extraordinary circumstances. They did not work together all that well despite their goals.

 

[SALTIRE]

Who from Scotland and Wales would make it in the squad if it was based purely on ability? Bale? Ramsey? I don't think anyone from Scotland would. Still, it could be worth it just for Bale I guess.

Gordon is a better keeper than Hart especially after his shambolic performance today anyway!

 

[Pagnell]

Bale the best player on the pitch? Erm [emoji38]

In terms of today's performance? No, he wasn't, and no one has said he was. In terms of overall ability and quality? Yes, he is.

I'm not sure where the confusion is coming from.

 

[JJH]

Haha. You mean Slovakia?

Haha, I do!

Do you see Vardy and Sturridge as the way to go for the rest of the tournament? Because I personally think we're fucking deluded if we think that partnership is going to work in anything but the most extraordinary circumstances. They did not work together all that well despite their goals.

I see no other solution. Kane's been tripe, Rashford's similar to Sturridge who scored one and set one up today - it has to be worth a go.

How do we know they're not going to work well together? We've seen 45 minutes of them today, admittedly they weren't like Sturridge and Suarez were but they've both bagged themselves a goal. Why not?