I was quite impressed by Poland last night, they're my dark horses. Apart from that one wild lunge by their sub right at the end they were very composed, and it will take a good team to beat them.
Seriously disappointed with Ireland's showing against the Belgian Bums. If you're going to lose to them at least kick the **** out of them.
Where do ITV find them? Louis SAha is an embarrassment- even the lady footballer talked a lot more sense.
Ireland were woeful. Belgium not much better though - just have that spark of quality that ROI don't.
Interesting listening to the pundits today and their views on enlarging the competition. They all said it had not worked, and that the quality had been affected as a result. Not sure Hungary v Austria or Northern Ireland v Ukraine etc have much to do with elite international football, which is what the Euros should be about. Letting teams who finish a poor 3rd in their group into the knock out is risible. The worst team I have seen so far has not been Albania, but Republic of Ireland.
I assumed they did it to try to guarantee the likes of Holland who have a bad time with the qualifiers, but those pesky small countries sneaked in and the Dutch and Danes are left watching on the telly.
It might not have worked football-wise, but it's all about money, and in that respect it has worked. All these teams bringing 30.000 paying customers?Of course it's worked. As far as the real competition is concerned, that starts at the quarters.
UEFA plans to extend the next finals in 2020 to include 46 teams. This has been done in order to give the Faroe Isles and Scotland every chance of qualifying.
Not sure 46 teams is enough for Scotland to qualify? Isreal and Australia would have a goods chance though
Don't mention Georgia. I've just about given up altogether with this Scotland team. Supporting them's as painful as supporting Charlton under Roland. As far as England's concerned the jury's out until they play a team which doesn't keep giving the ball away, and puts their defence under a bit of pressure. Probably the quarters.
Did you hear the interview on the BBC with Greg Dyke yesterday. FFS Are the FA really claiming that reaching the Quarters amounts to "success", and entitles Woy/Cautious Colin to another contract? He will be nearly 71 by the next WC . Imagine the Owl in Qatar in 2022...
To be fair the Dyke did say a decent showing in the QF's which is probably nothing more than a 4-0 defeat ... PLUS the current fav alternative England manager seems to be Pardew !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Greg Dyke- leading member of the Old Boys'Network. Just like Adam Crozier who after wreaking havoc in the FA, proceeded to do the same to Royal Mail. These appointments are made by stuffed shirts on the basis that he's "one of us, old boy".
Priceless You forgot to also mention that both Dyke & Crozier are huge supporters/donors to......the Labour Party Hence them both always landing on their feet.
The departed and revered Bobby Robsons side who lost to Germany on pens were crap until the German game in the semis. They struggled in an easy group got outplayed by Cameroon in ko stage ,yet as they reached semis it was a wonderful achievement. With a bit of luck England get to the semis ,the final or even win it. They are in a crap group which they look likely to win and quite possibly face the mighty Northern Ireland in last 16 then 2 games from the final . I wouldn't count this team out to be honest.
