World Cup 2018

[Benji]

Portugal v Hungary was a classic at th Euros, but this has been disappointing. I'm hoping for a Dzsudzsyak screamer, but I think they miss Kiraly.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

You'd think Belgium should be beating Greece. Also France winning 'only' 3-1 over Luxembourg (though they did have 17 shots at goal looking at the stats)

 

[The Mustard Tiger]

That Belgium draw was a proper coupon buster yesterday. Pretty poor result for them especially with how good that squad is. They're essentially the England "Golden Generation" dressed in a Poirot overcoat.

 

[Pagnell]

England are so fucking painfully uninspiring to watch.

 

[Benji]

Even in the context of ITV's regular programming, England are boring.

 

[blademan89]

I think it's more the fact the opposition we are playing what makes it so boring. We weren't boring to watch the other night especially 1st half.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Each time Lithuania come forward and we win it back in our third, that should be the time to spring into some action. One good ball out into midfield and we're away into at least a little space. Except all our back 4 look to do when they win it, is pass sideways and back for a few passes before eventually looking to midfield, by which time all the space is gone.

To Lithuania's credit they aren't totally refusing to come over halfway. But when they do we need more imagination to find the out ball.

 

[Leewilson]

This has been our problem for years though. We really struggle against teams who sit in. Inevitably we beat the likes of Lithuania in qualifying. The problem then comes when we play a better quality opposition who sit in and look to counter us. We struggle to break them down and then are vulnerable to conceding set pieces etc on the break. Hopefully over time, Southgate can solve this.

 

[Super_horns]

Usual qualifying fair - bog standard England win.

Nothing special but getting the job done.

 

[Renegade]

Even in the context of ITV's regular programming, England are boring.

On a positive note, the International football weekend is nearly over.

 

[Pagnell]

The funniest thing about matches like this is listening to the commentators struggle to find something vaguely interesting to talk about.

This man of the match thing is bullshit. Either Lallana or Sterling should have had it, yet Defoe walks away with it despite doing nothing bar score the first goal. And even that wasn't anything special.

 

[Blitzballer]

Lost all interested with International football at the moment. Just the same old dull / dour shite

 

[smat]

BREAKING: DANNY BLIND SACKED AS NETHERLANDS MANAGER

 

[Luke_1884]

Thought we were quite sloppy and the tempo wasn't quite what it should have been but 3 points and a clean sheet, that'll do.

Keane and Walker played well I thought. Good for Defoe to get on the scoresheet too but didn't quite get involved as much as he should have. We don't really play aimless balls in the box which is what he feeds on so he should have showed a bit more, for me anyway.

 

[Super_horns]

Blind sacked - who is left for the Dutch to try?

Shame for NI they will probably come 2nd in their group and have to rely on the luck of the play offs.

Scotland actually playing fairly well and look like winning which will help them..and us!

 

[Modernist]

Great win for Scotland, England couldn't beat Slovenia (although it was away from home). Scotland will be a real test for England away, atmosphere will be electric.

 

[blademan89]

Great win for Scotland, England couldn't beat Slovenia (although it was away from home). Scotland will be a real test for England away, atmosphere will be electric.

Will be a comfortable away win , scotland are truly awful at the moment.

 

[SALTIRE]

Beyond awful, more like horrific.

 

[blademan89]

Beyond awful, more like horrific.

I want you to come 2nd but I don't think it will happen. Great chance too as Slovakia and slovenia are pretty awful too but when you start drawing at home to the likes of Lithuania it's all but over. On another note northern Ireland are doing brilliantly again would be a great achievement should they get to Russia on top of earning there place at France after winning that group. Will be a tough playoff though you'd think so unfortunately I think it may just be England representing great Britain in Russia.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Much needed result for Scotland, keeps them alive in the group. Although England can possibly kill them off for yet another tournament in June. Was a shame they didn't / couldn't give Ryan Fraser a look, he's been doing so well this season for us, and I'm a bit annoyed they've sent him back injured!

Great win for Scotland, England couldn't beat Slovenia (although it was away from home). Scotland will be a real test for England away, atmosphere will be electric.

Of course they'll turn up for England.


N.Ireland looking good for a playoff spot at the moment.

 

[Pagnell]

International football holds little interest for me these days, so I've only just had a cursory check of the standings. I'm quite surprised that, after their Euro exploits last year, Wales look likely to be going out. And despite being unbeaten.

 

[OllieMorris]

England are in a current slump. Dissappointing.

 

[OllieMorris]

And I have to commend Belgium with Lukaku's late equaliser though.

 

[St. Juste]

Will be a comfortable away win , scotland are truly awful at the moment.

Beyond awful, more like horrific.

The worst team ever? Anywhere? Ever?

The negative hyperbole that surrounds Scottish football is truly astounding, and never fails to amaze. We were dreadfully unlucky to not qualify in the last campaign, can't legislate Ireland taking 4 points off Germany and a list minute Polish equaliser. In this campaign we have been poor - it happens, for European nations of our population qualifying for the WC is an incredible uphill battle.

We are underperforming but those thinking we have an awful team are sadly mistaken - this is a decent Scottish side with potential. We are certainly weak at the centre of defence and up front but beyond that we have an abundance of options in many areas, with a depth clearly superior to that of, say, Ireland or Wales.

I attended the match yesterday and it was an excellent first half performance, stuttered in the second when Griffiths went on but a fully deserved win. It was only a minority of idiots booing Martin but they got the criticism they deserved.

The England game will be difficult, but our first leg performance was actually, oddly, very good. Especially first half. Didn't England score 3 with 3 shots on target? Strange game. They will rightly be favourites, but we have some semblance of a chance.

I want you to come 2nd but I don't think it will happen. Great chance too as Slovakia and slovenia are pretty awful too but when you start drawing at home to the likes of Lithuania it's all but over. On another note northern Ireland are doing brilliantly again would be a great achievement should they get to Russia on top of earning there place at France after winning that group. Will be a tough playoff though you'd think so unfortunately I think it may just be England representing great Britain in Russia.

On yesterdays showing Slovenia are a complete gang, we absolutely must finish ahead of them.

Lovely country and people, however.

I don't expect any of the other 'home nations' (ourselves included) will qualify.

Much needed result for Scotland, keeps them alive in the group. Although England can possibly kill them off for yet another tournament in June. Was a shame they didn't / couldn't give Ryan Fraser a look, he's been doing so well this season for us, and I'm a bit annoyed they've sent him back injured!

Of course they'll turn up for England.

I hope Fraser, and Phillips, are significantly more involved in time to come.

International football holds little interest for me these days, so I've only just had a cursory check of the standings. I'm quite surprised that, after their Euro exploits last year, Wales look likely to be going out. And despite being unbeaten.

Wales were a bit like the Emperors new clothes - I never thought they were particularly good. Knocked out Belgium then swept aside by Portugal. Squad wise they are plenty of low cards in their hand, Bale and Ramsey (who, himself, isn't that good) don't elevate them to the extent people think they do.

 

[GodsGift]

The worst team ever? Anywhere? Ever?

The negative hyperbole that surrounds Scottish football is truly astounding, and never fails to amaze. We were dreadfully unlucky to not qualify in the last campaign, can't legislate Ireland taking 4 points off Germany and a list minute Polish equaliser. In this campaign we have been poor - it happens, for European nations of our population qualifying for the WC is an incredible uphill battle.

There you go JimJams!

 

[Carver]

Jermain Defoe has been too underrated over the years by England managers, he is a top class goal poacher and that's what England have missed since the likes of Michael Owen, thanks to managers like Sven Goran Erikson picking an unproven 17 year old Walcott ahead of him and Roy Hodgson always being a pussy yes man by having to accommodate Wayne Rooney.

So well done to Southgate for having faith in him!

 

[SF_]

Lost all interested with International football at the moment. Just the same old dull / dour shite

Same, avoided both England games this weekend, even the Scotland game in June doesn't appeal to me.

The Southgate appointment was so lazy and underwhelming that I can't really be assed giving him any sort of chance and i've already decided that I think he's a boring prick.

 

[blademan89]

Same, avoided both England games this weekend, even the Scotland game in June doesn't appeal to me.

The Southgate appointment was so lazy and underwhelming that I can't really be assed giving him any sort of chance and i've already decided that I think he's a boring prick.

You ain't the only one. I'd not missed an away qualifier for a good few years before France but haven't been yet since. I'm doing scotland and Malta though see if I can rebuild my interest. Around 2006 there was nearly 30k members in the shitty travel club the fa run, there is now only a max of 5k in it who can apply for away tickets. I personally would never join it along with a fair few others that go. Along with the team being shite the fa have achieved there goal by banning everyone from going other than the most boring human beings on earth. On another note Anyone having a pop at England fans for singing songs towards a country who killed hundreds and thousands of our own people and singing songs about a terrorist organisation who also killed hundreds of our own people need their fucking heads looking at.

 

[Super_horns]

But it's hardly a surprise our fans still get such a bad reputation/rap when they go abroad..

Mind you England fans are generally well behaved now compared to a lot of nations!

 

[blademan89]

But it's hardly a surprise our fans still get such a bad reputation/rap when they go abroad..

Mind you England fans are generally well behaved now compared to a lot of nations!

Very well behaved on the whole. A bit of drunken stupidity goes on but that's just brits on holiday in general. The media can't wait to jump on any little thing. I mean singing German bombers is not an offensive song at all it's all a bit of fun and who cares if it was anyway I didn't realise we should show them all the respect in the world. I'm sure our grandfather's and great grandfather's would really appreciate that wouldn't they.