No views on the penalty, but a grey day in Epsom has been greatly lightened by this crusty/cargo-shorted/expat poster's unbreakable conviction that he falls into lad-category. Looking forward to his take on the final, which he'll presumably watch with a dozen other ripped babe magnets.
Admit it Tamerlo you are just a miserable old git. Seriously, I'm a fully paid up member of the Beautiful Game isn't beautiful at all Group. In 1966 I was at Wembley the day England beat W Germany 1-0. Not the Cup Final but a 'friendly' from which i went home distraught as I felt England had been filthy: especiallly Ball. Since then I never wanted to celebrate any team that cheated, because fouling is cheating. When Stanley Matthews said in 1986 ' Yes Maradonna is a good footballer, but he's not much of a man' I couldn't agree more. I can't applaud cheats. Football, as played today, isn't the game I grew up playing and loving. It's a different game and I've come to accept that. So I hope England win on Sunday but it's more important to me they do it in style. In saying this I don't feel I'm making a deal with the devil. As for Wednesday, as much as I admire many of Southgate's qualities I do believe he inadvertently created this discussion. Denmark were out on their feet by the end of full-time. After the first 5 minutes they had dictated play through continually harrying England in possession. They deserved to be ahead at half time but they couldn't keep that level of effort up. England could have scored again if he'd kept attacking instead of replacing some players and going on the defensive. Denmark didn't have the energy to attack and he sat on a one goal lead. He should be made to watch England versus W Germany 1970 when Ramsay took men off late with a one goal lead. So I firmly believe England deserved to win, even if I don't like the way they won. I also think it's ridiculous to think England are somehow worse than any other team. If England use their abilities to play straightforward attacking football on Sunday we'll soon see how Italy respond. They were hardly angels on Tuesday or in their earlier games.. So accept it isn't the beautiful game much of the time and enjoy an English victory on Sunday: hopefully that we're proud of.
Obviously i'd love England to win but how are Italy over 2/1 for the final. Emotion and bias to one side that is a huge price
Ha ha! I was wondering if someone would get personal. Never imagined it would come from colonial quarters. Of course I’m a “miserable old git.” Yet I’ve got far more humour than misery. I suppose that, at heart, I can’t stand this modern hype and gladiatorial style of football, so loved by youngsters , whereby anything goes. When playing footie at school, I should have been expelled for repeating many of the fouls and cheats carried out today. You mentioned 1966. Prior to the final, England played Argentina and their centre half, Rattin, gave the best defensive performance I’ve ever seen. England had no chance of getting past him. Nobby Stiles spent the whole game fouling but when Rattin committed a foul, he was sent off. That convinced me of the bias towards World Cup hosts. It was repeated in 1978 when Argentina needed a better goal difference to qualify- and were allowed to kick off their match after their main opponent’s game had ended. Bustino, I make no apologies for my sense of fair play and hate of cheating overriding my patriotism for England’s team. Since playing football as a young kid on the cobbled back streets, my love of the game was imprinted on my soul. The ruling bodies have succeeded in butchering it into an ugly caricature. Best wishes. Keep smiling.
I'd make us slight favourites, so I think the bookies have just about got it right. Italy have been overhyped because they really were eye catching for the first two games. Then against Wales and Austria we seen them looking very average. They could have well been dumped out by Austria, they made hard work with that one. We seen against Spain how easy their defence can be opened up with quick passing and movement, the Spanish done it time after time and were the better team in that game. The Italians done a good job on Belgium, fair enough. It's a home game for England in familiar territory. That might just be the difference.
If England win we'll see Sterling crowned as player of the tournament. If Italy win we'll see Jorginho get the award. If Jordan Pickford keeps a clean sheet and makes 2 or 3 worldie saves, he has a definite outside chance of winning the award. He's currently 66/1, not bad for a player who has only conceded one goal and made many good saves...
I backed Pickford at 40/1 when Karlos put it up. Saw him as short as 18/1 after but he's been a bit shaky in the last couple of games (reverting to his Everton form) so it would take something pretty special for him to win it now.
Since when has Yorkshire been a colony? Though must admit I'm in France at the moment. I agree with 99% of what you wrote.
Sorry, I forgot you had left Hong Kong but, as a proud Lancastrian, your question did make me laugh! Still, I won’t reignite Bosworth Field!
Been up there 35 years , save some sojourns overseas in the old colonies. Originally a West-Londoner (and still very much so) I was lucky, as football became cynical, to be able to support a wonderful team called QPR. I have little doubt in the late '60s (Marsh era), mid '70s (G Francis, Bowles era), early '90s (Ferdinand, Sinclair era) that I watched some of the most sublime, uncynical football ever played. No wonder Guardiola quoted them as his footballing ideal. As regards the Premier League I can't remember the last time I watched a game, and feel no great desire to do so. Must say as I was supporting you that I'd hate to be against you.
During the tournament, I have had five ‘free’ bets from Bet365. The first four I put on things that had generous odds (like England 2 Ukraine 0) rather than just putting it straight on a team to win for peanuts. Bet365 have sent me a ‘free’ bet for the Final, so with a 0-4 record to date, it is going on Italy to win. They should be the favourites but the bookies prices reflect their client base – England are always a false price at any sport. Betting with my actual money, I have had three winning bets and one losing bet – I did Italy to win the semi-final in 90 minutes. Given that Italy are on something like a 33 match unbeaten run and this does not look like a high scorer, if I put my own money on this one I think the draw after 90 minutes looks the bet, with the winner coming in extra time from somebody off the bench with fresh legs.
I'm using my free bet for either btts and Italy win at 7/1 or Italy to win in extra time at 11/1. Haven't decided which yet
The Southgate line-up looks like he is going for the old "rope a dope" method. Eight defensively minded players in there, no doubt be keeping it tight until maybe Grealish, or Sancho or whoever he chooses to try stretch things out a little in the latter part of the second half if they are in search of a goal. Italy will likely come out fighting like they did with Belgium, generally it is best to use the opposite style of your opponent to defeat them, or am I stuck in my poker playing mode! May the best team win. We won't deny you the win given the years of "hurt" you have endured with fairly decent teams. Success for us here is measured on just qualifying for a tournament so appreciate the position your country is in and good luck.
