I agree Fran and as fans we see things from a distance and mostly at a World Cup, through a TV screen with pictures from on high. It still amazes me that nobody (that I know) has someone high in the stands where you can follow the patterns of a game and often see things better.
Oh **** was that the allegation? Awful. I had a word with one of my mates down the pub on Wednesday, because as it was going tits up in extra time, he shouted something at one of the Spuds players using the word Yid. He’s a Gooner. I told him that he’s better than that and no need to do it, despite the heat of the moment we were in. He took it and apologised, but it’s harder to do that to strangers.
One of the many texts I got from my Swedish friends. What do you call an Englishman holding the World Cup? The Engraver.
Some people deny that there is a core element of English "football" fans that are politically motivated with far right views and are organised, these chants make a mockery of that belief.
Be nice to finish on a high for the players' sake. Beating Belgium would put to bed the idea that we only progressed because we got the easier draw. Not the end of the world to lose (we did in 1990), but better for morale to win.
For anyone who thinks this game is meaningless....Southgate says it is very important as there is the chance of the bronze medal...the first WC medal for England since 1966. Means they won't return empty handed. Disappointing we would think, but how long is it since we would have considered 3rd (or even 4th) an achievement. Definitely hope for a win.
He's absolutely right though. This tournament was always about developing the team for the future; but then the draw fell nicely, a gap opened up on the rails, we had the momentum...but were undone, as much as anything else, by naivety. Our best chance of winning anything with this team remains the Euros in 2 years time. Absolutely. We were nearly 20/1 on Betfair before this WC btw. We won't be that price in the Euros.
I can still remember when they had one in the FA Cup. That was **** too, but I'm still going to watch today's game.
I’ll watch it unless the family do something else. I just think it’s a non-event. Oh and I never knew that about the FA Cup. Are you 110 years old Archers?
I think the last one was 1970. Man Utd vs Watford, which Utd won. I had a wallchart and dutifully filled in every single result from the 3rd round to the final. Utd knocked out Saints in the 4th round I think, but I was 9 years old, didn't move to Southampton for another 2 years, and nominally supported Chelsea that season (Arsenal the next. It was all going so well).
It will be nice to win but if given the choice I'm sure the players would rather go home after losing the semi. Also, it doesn't really mean anything, even we win I won't remember it as the WC where we finished third it will be the WC where we got to the semis.
I can't even remember if I watched the Italia 90 version. But I do remember thinking how much worse the Italian fans must have felt, in their own country; and how brilliant an England v Italy final in Rome would have been.
I never minded them as always saw it as an extra game but now we're in one and I've thought about it I completely agree and think its a bit silly.
