Yes, Italy are slow starters but always seem to grow into the tournament. We have to beat three more good teams to win it whoever they are...
Fair point mate I'm coming at England's chances kinda from the opposite way from some guys here. I think England have been really quite poor in the group stages despite topping the table. However, with confidence growing against Italy in particular, England could kick into gear and get a Semi-Final.
I thought France were better than that Watched the game of course and France looked in first gear ... I know they are a lot better than that and after all it's the first defeat in 23 games which included comprehensive wins over Germany ,Italy and Brazil Maybe we will beat Spain ... Don't bet against it ... We can step up and tonight was a off night . I would not say France are average at all in fact it a typical reaction for Snglo Saxon's already looking past Italy That will be a hard game and Italy must be saying phew they missed the French because we gave them a recent lesson on the game We are both still in and France had got through without a drama I haven't watched Englanf yet so no idea how well they did
I agree that when Sooper said they can win it I thought we was joking but I now think hes serious. Also North and others saying the Ukrainian "goal" was offside has me wondering do we really delude ourselves that much in football? I see it all season with Rangers so I suppose we do. Still, anything can happen in Football and I do genuinely think England have a chance against the Italians.
i wouldn't bother mate, nothing much to see apart from a rusty Rooney and blind officials. The results tell you England did better than France, end of!
It's ironic that we went into this tournament with apathy and the team have played three average at best games and won an awkward group easily. Italy are wily old dogs and will be difficult to beat, as we are. There are parallels between our sides and whoever wins that match play the winners of Germany v Greece who will have two extra days rest before the semi-final...
Obviously this tournament is funded from Frankfurt! I'm hoping Greece stick a f*kkin great dollop more of their beautiful yogurt, nuts and honey in that German machinery.
Are there any Hodgson-haters still out there? Another good, practical performance. Couldn't give a toss that we're not playing like Brazil, it's hardly 11 on the edge of the box either.
Very well put. I think its obvious at this stage that we (B. Isles) aren't and haven't for a long time, been producing technical players. Therefore the best we can do is organize and play to our strengths and to be fair, I think England have done that to great effect. Okay, they had the rub of the green and haven't played well in possession but have ground out results. The Italians have been doing it for years and Hodgson is doing the best he can with what hes got. I think so far hes doing a good job.
The Italians can't score and not having chellini will weaken their defence. They won't create many chances, unlike spain. I reckon england's style actually gives them a really good chance.
Spot on. I didn't like your disparaging remarks the other day about the Host Nations but you do talk sense on Football Matters.
England 3 matches 2 wins 5 goals made 3 goals received. Winners of the fairly good group, no injuries, no suspensions and a bit easier country(Italy) in quarterfinals than expected(Spain). Teams performance havent been as good as Portugals, Spains and maybe Germans but so what? Enjoy it now instead of moanin and as a bonus Italy have to play against England without their best defender Chiellini.
Exactly this. Play Rooney in the hole with The Ox, Walcott and Young or Wellbeck running off of Rooney and at the heart of the Italian defence. They won't be able to handle the pace. It's now time to play without fear.
watched a bit of England .. bloody hell I would say URK were by far the better side ... still funny old game.
