I wouldn't call him a fool, just optimistic and there's nothing wrong with that. I am under no illusions about our chances over there. I expect 3 defeats. 80,000 Irish fans travelling over. Anything other than 3 defeats is a bonus. For the record, I hope and expect England will do quite well. It is time the 50 year wait was put to bed.
I think the allocations are just provisional subject to a draw. I have been provisionally allocated, you guessed it, Republic of Ireland.
Suddenly looking forward to the start of the competition. Think I'll give the opening ceremony - with all the dancers with footballs on their heads - a miss. I know when England take the field against Russia, all the years of watching on a small Bush colour tv and listening to David Coleman sound as if he's speaking down a long tunnel will flood back, with all the hope and disappointment. All part of the enjoyment
I haven't looked at the details of that, but heard that OM ultras were the instigators. Marseilles is a very dangerous place for drunk football supporters.
I may be being unfair, but I just have the impression that if they'd been Scots or Welsh or Irish fans, they and the locals would all be having a drink together! May be it's just a Celtic thing.
I think the locals may feel that the English are a glorious scalp, given our reputation. A mate of mine was there during the rugby World Cup. Lots of different nationalities were drinking in the piazzas, and the toilet facilities became overwhelmed, and people were wandering off to the alleys for a piss, where they were attacked and mugged. They ended up going en masse and beating up a few muggers.
Dangerous? I been there a couple of times and liked it a lot, it seemed a sunny and relaxed place. Never thought about it being any more dangerous than any big town or city, and had no reason to.
