Euro 2024

[gingerjon]

9 minutes ago, Maximus Decimus said:

David Moyes putting himself forward for the future England job with insightful analysis.

'England have got to get back to playing better.'

I had it on mute but I believe he also called a player Vladimir Putin and referred to the country as 'Czechoslovakia'?

[OriginalMrC]

1 hour ago, JohnM said:

The most successful England manager ever?

Sam Allardyce with a 100% yes, 100% record.

He can also down a pint of gravy in 3 seconds. A man of many talents 

[Spidey]

10 minutes ago, OriginalMrC said:

He can also down a pint of gravy in 3 seconds. A man of many talents 

Pints of wine, gravy, anything apparently 

[Maximus Decimus]

God, wouldn't you love to see England play like this?

[JohnM]

Yes, but Belgiums previous game.....

[Tommygilf]

17 hours ago, gingerjon said:

I had it on mute but I believe he also called a player Vladimir Putin and referred to the country as 'Czechoslovakia'?

He did say Czechoslovakia yes

[Tommygilf]

20 hours ago, JohnM said:

Someone posted earlier,"Watched every game so far, all enjoyable, except two games. Yep, the England ones, that says something. Genuinely loved it all except England games, slow and boring.,"

Can anyone list any games when England were NOT rated "Slow and boring"?

I wonder if there is something in the psyche of England fans that makes them them feel this way 

I think it's a perfectly fair criticism because when England are good they are far from slow and boring. They have impetus, take the game to the opposition, look to challenge in every area of the pitch.

Why the "slow and boring" point comes out most heavily is when we see that play out in the same game we have seen a brief spell of what England can actually do and the higher levels they can perform at. 

Serbia was half an hour or so of England going at it followed by an hour of dirge.

[The Masked Poster]

Having watched a few games of this tournament, I think the reason for England being poor is being overthought. They are simply not playing as a team, not even close. Who was captain on Thursday? (I do know but...) Did they even have one? They just looked like 11 guys on a pitch doing their own thing. Keep this up and they'll be going home soon.
It's easy to blame the manager but I can't imagine a team playing so lackadaisical under a manager like Clough or Jack Charlton. 
 

Finally, come on Hungary . (Not because I hate Scotland, I just love Hungary)

[Maximus Decimus]

1 hour ago, The Masked Poster said:

Having watched a few games of this tournament, I think the reason for England being poor is being overthought. They are simply not playing as a team, not even close. Who was captain on Thursday? (I do know but...) Did they even have one? They just looked like 11 guys on a pitch doing their own thing. Keep this up and they'll be going home soon.
It's easy to blame the manager but I can't imagine a team playing so lackadaisical under a manager like Clough or Jack Charlton. 
 

Finally, come on Hungary . (Not because I hate Scotland, I just love Hungary)

I'm in a quandary, as I genuinely want Scotland to qualify but I don't think they will so I want to bet on Hungary. If I bet on them, I'll end up wanting them to win.

On a slightly different point, if Scotland do qualify I'm fully expecting to hear the plaudits about how they're the first team in 70 years to qualify through the groups and what a great achievement it is etc 

Whilst this would be true to an extent, it'll also be because it is much easier than ever to do so. I somehow suspect this will barely get a mention. 

[gingerjon]

25 minutes ago, Maximus Decimus said:

On a slightly different point, if Scotland do qualify I'm fully expecting to hear the plaudits about how they're the first team in 70 years to qualify through the groups and what a great achievement it is etc 

Whilst this would be true to an extent, it'll also be because it is much easier than ever to do so. I somehow suspect this will barely get a mention. 

Scotland have played in tournaments where best third place qualified and they failed to do so.

[bobbruce]

The only thing that can rescue the tournament for England now is the freedom that they have effectively already qualified gives them. Instead of trying to fit the best players into the system the last match gives him the chance to pick the best players for the system. Then a large win in that game could mean he stumbles across his best team to go on with. I’d like to see a genuine holding player in there to free up Rice a bit I’d drop Foden and use him later on in games and I’d give Watson or Toney a chance up front as Kane looks tired. 

[Maximus Decimus]

4 hours ago, gingerjon said:

Scotland have played in tournaments where best third place qualified and they failed to do so.

They have but they've also been in competitions that were harder to qualify for, with a presumably higher standard of teams.

In 1990, there were 13 qualifying spots for European teams, in a 24 team tournament, compared to 23 spots in 2020 and 2024.

I'm not trying to denigrate it, and I'll be made up for them, but I suspect much of press will be presuming it's the same achievement and they've finally done it.

Tbh, I'm not sure why I felt the need to make the point . 

[Maximus Decimus]

One for the purists...

Hungary look rubbish, they feel like a team that have had issues off the pitch. The Liverpool player who begins with S (Szobosli...) looks disinterested and almost bored.

The question is can Scotland get a goal. Over 2 and a half games, I'm not sure they've created anything you'd call a clear goalscoring chance.

[Gerrumonside ref]

1 minute ago, Maximus Decimus said:

One for the purists...

Hungary look rubbish, they feel like a team that have had issues off the pitch. The Liverpool player who begins with S (Szobosli...) looks disinterested and almost bored.

The question is can Scotland get a goal. Over 2 and a half games, I'm not sure they've created anything you'd call a clear goalscoring chance.

Personally I thought Hungary started to get a grip on the game towards the end of the half and missed a glorious chance to score off a Szoboszlai free kick floated to the far post.

As for Scotland, they’ve been cagey and tentative in possession.

So much at stake and yet a draw looks most likely now.

[17 stone giant]

2 minutes ago, Maximus Decimus said:

Hungary look rubbish

They started slowly but I feel that the last 20 minutes of the half they began to pose a threat. A couple of wayward shots that should have been better, and the close range header over the bar, for example.

Scotland have had a lot of possession, but they've hardly created anything. Just a couple of crosses from the right really.

All to play for though, so I don't think either side will be too disappointed. Hopefully there will be more goal mouth action in the second half.

 

[gingerjon]

8 minutes ago, Maximus Decimus said:

The question is can Scotland get a goal. 

They'd have to break into a run first.

This is a dire game.

[Maximus Decimus]

At this stage, it's hard to argue either deserve to go through. 

[Gerrumonside ref]

Just now, Maximus Decimus said:

At this stage, it's hard to argue either deserve to go through. 

Yes, there’s going to be much chaff alongside the wheat in the knockouts.

[Maximus Decimus]

2 minutes ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

Yes, there’s going to be much chaff alongside the wheat in the knockouts.

England?

[Gerrumonside ref]

2 minutes ago, Maximus Decimus said:

England?

A classic case so far of being less than the sum of your parts.

[The Hallucinating Goose]

My God that looks like a horrible injury, let's just hope and pray it isn't as bad as it looks.  

[gingerjon]

Just now, The Hallucinating Goose said:

My God that looks like a horrible injury, let's just hope and pray it isn't as bad as it looks.  

Ignore any social media accounts claiming they know until we actually get an official statement.

[The Hallucinating Goose]

YEEESSSSSSS!!!! CMON HUNGARY!!!!!! 

What a finish to the game! Hard luck Scotland!!

[Maximus Decimus]

If only all football was like that last 15 minutes.

They had the chances just lacked the serious quality.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Scotland KO’d in true Scotland fashion.