Match Day Thread General matchday thread.

The Georgians look like a Sunday league team ... 2 lads with socks rolled down and one in what looked like tracky bottoms ... but they play with a freedom of spirit that makes for cracking entertainment...

 

Generally there’s less jeopardy with that format. The bit I think is unfair is the later groups know what they have to do to qualify more than the early groups but I think it’s a trade-off worth having. If we have to have the Nations League nonsense then it’s at least vaguely competitive when it improves teams’ chances of qualifying for this.

 

Indeed.
Slovenia, for example, knew that all they needed was a draw against England to get through and so were quite content to sit back, because the other groups had finished their games and they knew how the 3rd placed teams in those groups had fared.

 

The snidey negative bastards ... you'd have thought a country with a population 2/3rds the size of Wales would have been up for going at a former World Cip winner and the pre-tournament favourites, all guns blazing ...

... or perhaps they'd have played it exactly the same even if it was their opening group fixture ...

 

If they had needed to win, they might have put forth the effort. Look at what Georgia did against Portugal last night because they knew they needed a win to secure qualification. Though admittedly, it might have also been complacency on Portugals part, knowing they were already through, but you wouldnt have known that from looking at Ronaldo during the game. Boy he really hates to lose doesnt he

 

George Best played with his socks rolled down. Some say Georgia was named after him.

Germany good
Brazil better
Georgia Best

 

And yet Ukraine realistically knew they had to win to go through against Belgium (and would have topped the group had they done so) but did the sensible thing of trying to stay in the game as long as possible before seeing if you can sneak it at the end. I think there's any realistic chance that Slovenia would have come at us in the first 70-80 minutes of that game even if they had needed the win. The last 20 mins might have been more interesting though.

 

Watched the highlights of Panama 2-1 USA. Two red cards, VAR controversy. Lovely.

 

Flights and hotel booked for Toon away

 

@pompeymeowth congrats on the signing of Jordan Archer. Another footballer who has chosen his agent brilliantly.

 

You won’t make the game when you wake up next to a single mum 30 miles outside of Newcastle with discarded Greggs wrappers everywhere and a hand stinking of sardines.

 

Wheres my invite?

 

You’d have to go with the intention of attending a football match so we didn’t include you. The rest of us are going. Duggie is driving the minibus.

 

Doubt I'll go out on the lash properly mate. Have a couple Friday afternoon then early-ish night so can make most of morning before game.

Glad to be flying this time compared to the 6 hour drive on previous 2 occasions.

 

You’ll be wrist-deep in Tina, divorced, 47 at 2am.

 

Next season is going to be an shambles, points deducted everywhere as the season goes on. The PL is a ****ing mess.

 

Could be Spurs’ year.

 

Next year is our year… as it always is.

 

It’s lucky for Spurs when the year ends in 5.

 

They’ll still find a way to go Spursy