The Scots would have really helped the Irish out in their bid for automatic qualification if they hadn't conceded that late goal. Very tight between the top three in that group.
England v Estonia tonight, does anyone give a f*ck? I know I don't. After watching Northern Ireland, a team that on paper should be also-rans, playing their collective socks off throughout this campaign. A team that is clearly, as a unit, greater than the sum of it's parts giving every drop on the pitch you can only marvel at their performances. It's such a refreshing change to see perennial losers like NI and Wales not only qualify but look likely to win their respective groups and playing good football to achieve it. Hopefully the Republic will get through on Sunday but at least they are assured a play-off whatever happens. As an England supporter it's so hard to work any level of such excitement into our matches, we are expected to win against all but the very best and the workmanlike way Woy has his teams playing is becoming a turn-off despite a 100% record. When will we ever have an international atmosphere like that in Windsor Park last night? Am I being unrealistically harsh on England or have the national team become an irrelevance?...
Just seen Vargas scored the first for Chile in a 2-0 win over Brazil in the World Cup qualifier, Isla in the team as well. Aguero injured in a shock 2-0 home defeat for Argentina against Ecuador, the big guns faltering at the first hurdle...
In years to come Soop, Harry's failure to get those two firing at QPR will be seen as big a regret as us going down I feel. Both quality players but twitchy just couldn't build a team around them.
Missed yesterday's action, but watching ahead of Thanksgiving long weekend here. Would actually like to see Estonia get the first goal to see what England are made of. Agree with you regarding the two Irish teams and Wales.
A very 'functional' England performance, Estonia largely outclassed and will probably be happy to keep it below 3-0...
Think you are being harsh - what is so wrong with being workmanlike and having not lost a game in the quallies. Why would that be a turn off? You're a hard man to please!
Too true. How Twitchy managed to make them so poor is one of the wonders of the world. I wish we had them now.
England moving really well They look slick Just the finishing missing Like this team Looking forward to French Euros England have a great chance to win this Itv is depressing however
That was my view before kick off and I've not seen anything to change my mind. People are paying eye-watering prices to see what is akin to a training match. We should be spanking such poor opposition but have hardly got out of second gear. Everything about this match is pedestrian including the bored crowd...
Complete nonsense souper. Hodgson has made big improvements imo. England now play a fluid formation and could do well against the better teams as they are tailor made to hit teams with a fast counter attack. Tonight they are on a hiding to nothing. Dead fixture. Packed opposition defence. Weakened team. Sterling and kane look very off form. England just need to move the ball quicker. Unfortunately Barklay and Milner slow most of the attacks down. Neither would be in the first choice 11 imo.
The Germans lost to a pony team yesterday and it wasn't their first defeat of the campaign. Like or loathe Hodgson, it's a commendable effort.
I see both Milner and Clyne have gone from being ignored while playing for City and Saints to being the first on the team sheet now they are at Liverpool. Roy would play Joey Deacon at number 10 if he was told he was a regular at Liverpool.
Good point. It's a shame they don't have the ability to step it up in tournaments though. When you think back to the squad of 2006/8 ... Neville, Cole, Terry, Ferdinand, Carragher, Beckham, Gerrard, Scholes, Lampard, Rooney and Owen etc how did they not achieve anything? How did that side not qualify for the 2008 Euro finals? Bizarre.
