Don't buy into the "easy route" myth either. Denmark, for instance, are ranked 10th in the world. If you take out us and the few non European teams they are the 6th best team we could face in the semis. When France got to the final last time they faced Iceland, Ireland (ranked 34 and 35 in the world at the time) and Germany. Portugal, the other finalists, also had an easier run than we have this time. Just worth baring in mind as i don't recall much being made of their "easy run" and I'm pretty sure their fans didn't care.
To be fair we’re only like the 6th best squad in this tournament so we’ve over achieved now…….. Orrrr our players are being underestimated compared to their foreign counterparts. This squad of players is going to be a big golden generation, so much depth unlike the 00s
Germany can never be classed as an easy run for us imo. That was a huge monkey we needed to get off our back and something we'd not done at a tournament for decades. Denmark will certainly be tough too, don't get to a semi if you're not a good side ultimately. Hoping the home crowd will see us through though. Another clean sheet would be unbelievable.
I know rankings are onlya vague guide but we are 4th in the world and now the highest ranked team left in the competition. If we make the final it'll be too close to call but we won't be the underdogs. Belgium and France were the only teams where i wouldn't have given us a chance. We've already done better than Belgiums "golden generation", which is simply astounding.
Nah, hope we win it, always have. Starting to look possible now as well. Which it didn't when we played for a nil nil drawn with Scotland! Two tough games left, Southgate will show what he's made of over the next week. Italy in the final would be a hard slog, we'd be better off playing Spain I reckon. If we get there of course. Good Times.
I've had a tenner on Italy to win from the start. I still think they're best suited to win but if it's and England Italy final I'll cash in.
Well what a result that was! I felt confident but wasn't expected 4! Actually thought Ukraine played well but we just kept going and did them on quality. Think that's the best I've seen us play - when it counts anyway. Barring Walker and Pickford who were a bit wobbly I thought the lads played really well - specially Shaw, Kane, Phillips and Sterling. In fact Maguire as well! So nice to see us actually play well and not wilting.
I was very cautious going into the game, and will still remain so for the Danes. I think a lot of my caution is about not chancing fate, nowt to do with confidence in Southgate. I've said before, I won't comment on Southgate, I've no idea of the ability of his coaching skills, apart from what I've seen now, nor am I qualified to pass such judgement. For me Southgate did everything right, he played the tempo of the game to suit the conditions, it being VERY hot and in a style that kept the Ukraine from rarely gaining possession, albeit I've not looked at any stats to confirm that was the case. A game is for 90 mins+ and playing high tempo, would have played straight into the Ukraines hands. We also made the substitutes at the right time, only leaving Maguire to finish the game professionally, to protect any potential selection for the Semi's and we go through it without any injuries. What did shock me was the four goals, when I saw @Tel prediction I thought the guy was off his trolley - clearly weighs up the odds better than me, or is just a raving lunatic. Happy to be in the semi-final and I will take my usual cautious approach to it. I want to jokingly say drop Kane, but I have to admit when I'm defeated. I've checked the temp for Wembley on Wednesday and it's forecast to be a pleasant 20 degrees, so the weather will be completely different to Rome and suit both sides to play at whatever pace they want. No prediction yet, I need time to think about it.
Morning lads. ****ing hell I’m hanging. Kane, Sterling, Maguire and Shaw, bloody love you guys though! Quality performances. Makes the hanging worthwhile to be fair.
We've only beaten Denmark once out of 6 attempts in a tournament, I'll be surprised if we don't make that twice.
