I can't get massively excited about it, I think it would help if we eventually get a Saints player into the line-up. I got more excited watching NI play Portugal because Steve Davis was playing than I have done about England in recent years. It's not that they aren't doing particularly well, I just struggle to feel any connection to the team really, but I struggle with the whole national pride thing as a whole to be honest.
I certainly care!Gutted I can't make it over, go to most of the aways but can't make this with work. Hoping the English players share your lack of enthusiasm!
a bunch of prima donas that don't even want to be playing. No thanks. Every couple of years the tornament ends in dissapointment as we get knocked out by the first semi decent team we play against.
To answer your question, this is pretty much my view about the England game: please log in to view this image
I definitely care! Got a lot of pride in my country despite the problems it has. Altgough i agree with some of the comments here i think everyone would be singing a diffetent tune if we suddenly made the final... (unlikely i know)!
I would rather support Scotland. Every one knows they're crap, they don't pretend to be anything other than crap, everyone knows they'll be beaten and sure enough they get beaten every time so there is no high expectation and no soul crunching disappointment. With England we all have high expectations that for once they'll surprise us and do outstandingly well but we know they'll get beaten and we will all feel disappointed and sure enough in that regard they never let us down. I have enough disappointment to live with at club level so I do not need the extra disappointment which comes from supporting England.
I agree with Godders, we almost always qualify and do middling in the initial stages before going out in the next round. It means that we are in the top 10 or 12 in the world, but will never win a tournament in the life of anyone on here. Still better than being Wales or Scotland though.
I don't mind the fact that we're a bit rubbish, what I do mind is the fact that most of our players are douches, greedy, self-centred, mercenaries with huge egos and who generally don't give a damn.
Yes I will watch it and yes I do care.Yes the team selection is baffling at times and there are a lot of other things wrong with the way the team is run behind the scenes but I'm English so I will always support them.
100% this! If players were picked on form, and not their clubs, then I would be a bigger follower of England.
That's all pretty purist really. If Messi or Ronaldo were English, for example and going through a period for their clubs when they weren't at their best, would you leave then out of an England squad? I know I'm being far-fetched, I'm just trying to emphasise that England managers try to pick the best players/group of players and keep them together for continuity. This means that often choices are unpopular. My biggest gripe is that the style if play is all wrong and years behind other countries due to lack of development.
It isn't helped by the fact that England players no longer regard playing for their country as the pinnacle of their career. Lambert would, but he won't get picked. The England manager scarcely gets any time with the players as a group...he can't stamp his style on them because I bet they feel they are above being coached.
Not cynicism...experience. Too many people pulling out of friendlies...they can't all be injured. May have something to do with having foreign coaches at PL clubs and, yes, I do see the irony.
That applies equally to the Ireland squad. But their supporters would dearly love to see a win for their country, and football isn't even their national game.
