Correct me if I am wrong, but when I saw Roberto Carlos played he was considered to be one of the greatest LB in the game. So how in de phuck this guy gets the job as gaffer for England? This is the question everyone that supports the 3 Lions should be asking.

 

Trust me, we were, for 4 years.

Spain have only won 7 knockout games in the World cup in 50 years.

Shocking.

What are the stats if you count Euros? It's harder to win knockout games at the World Cup because it's harder to qualify for it in the first place. I'm surprised England has won more knockout games in the World Cup than at Euros.

What are the stats if you count Euros? It's harder to win knockout games at the World Cup because it's harder to qualify for it in the first place. I'm surprised England has won more knockout games in the World Cup than at Euros.

 

You have to remember it wasn't elongated to 16 teams till 1996. Previously there was only four teams uptil 1976 and eight starting 1980. It was much harder to qualify then as in the group qualifying games you were often paired with one very good team. Making the Euro finals far better quality than the World Cup which did at least allow a couple of 'smaller' countries footballwise to compete.We didnt qualify for the 76 finals, going out to eventual winners Czecheslovakia. In 1980 we got the finals but failed in the groups to the hosts Ita.ly and an excellent Belgium side. Can't for the life of remember why we failed to get to France in 84 and we lost all three in a group containg both finalists and Eire. '92 we were really useless, on a par with this shambles. The rest is more recent history.

The stat only winning 6 knockout matches is a bit misleading, there were far less matches to play years ago to get to a final.In 1970 we took an excellent Brazil side to the wire in 100 degree heat and played at high altitude, going out in the quarters to West Germany having dominated the match till we faded in the final quarter, The Cat got the blame, though the conditions did take effect on us. We didnt qualify in 74 , having only drawn a must win game with Poland , a travesty of a result, on another evening we would have won 5-1. Poland did go onto finish third. In 78 we failed to qualify on goal difference to Italy, having two minnows made it a straight shootout as to who went through. In 1982 the format was different but we were unbeaten in that tornament. 1986 the hand of god and the greatest world cup goal ever. 90 we grew into the competition and with a little luck might have won it. 94 Graham Taylor, say no more. We have had good players since but achieving the right balance in the team has always been a problem. Pity Venables didnt stay after 1996 as he was as near a perfect coach as we could have had.

It is noticable though that as the premier league has brought in increased wealth and a lot of foreign stars to our shore the quality of English player has reduced, Scotland too as they had a large contingent in the old first division. The European ban on our club sides in the eighties hurt us, as has the lack of top class managers to choose from who are English. Much is made of foreign teams but only Germany and Italy have consistantly been at the top internationally from Europe with Brazil and Argentina on the world scene. The age old question is now how do we get sufficient numbers of our young players playing at a high level consistantly? Without that we will always flatter to deceive when it comes to the tournaments.

Edited June 29, 201610 yr by charierre

Great post charierre. 

What are the stats if you count Euros? It's harder to win knockout games at the World Cup because it's harder to qualify for it in the first place. I'm surprised England has won more knockout games in the World Cup than at Euros.

 

I think charierre answered your question.

Thank you so much charierre, that's extremely informative!

When Capello was sacked, who did the public want for manager? Were people happy with the decision to appoint Hodgson?

When Capello was sacked, who did the public want for manager? Were people happy with the decision to appoint Hodgson?

 

I think the general clamour was for Redknapp. In light of that, and even regardless as I quite like Hodgson, I personally was very happy with the appointment.

Iceland getting the Ireland treatment in terms of ticket allocation for their game against France. Only 3500 tickets in a stadium of 34,500. Ireland got 4500 in a stadium of 58,000.

'I'm not sure what I'm doing here.'

 

-Roy Hodgson.

He's at it again.

Admittedly it's an improvement over the first one. Good for him, I guess.

Edited June 29, 201610 yr by offside

I think they can beat France, maybe 0-0 and pens. I  spoke to a mate today who is basically a pro gambler, he said he's been backing them because Iceland are fresh as daises because they have only just started their season last month, because of that he's backed Iceland to be leading at HT in every game so far, out of the four games Iceland led at HT in three of them. I asked him if he was going to do the same again against France, but he said he's betting on the draw after 90 mins. Heard it here first.

'I'm not sure what I'm doing here.'

 

-Roy Hodgson.

 

Better late than never.

Better late than never.

 

He could probably have chosen his words better there! Massively taken out of context though.

I think they can beat France, maybe 0-0 and pens. I spoke to a mate today who is basically a pro gambler, he said he's been backing them because Iceland are fresh as daises because they have only just started their season last month, because of that he's backed Iceland to be leading at HT in every game so far, out of the four games Iceland led at HT in three of them. I asked him if he was going to do the same again against France, but he said he's betting on the draw after 90 mins. Heard it here first.

Do you think the referees will try to help France?

Do you think the referees will try to help France?

 

That would never happen, 

Predictions for Wales v Chelsea tomorrow ?

Predictions for Wales v Chelsea tomorrow ?

As Clubber Lang would say...."Pain"

For Wales that is

When Capello was sacked, who did the public want for manager? Were people happy with the decision to appoint Hodgson?

 

Have to admit I would have preferred 'Arry over Woy.

 

Not that I'm a huge fan of old shifty but he does seem able to motivate players and have a way with them whereas Hodgson was a typical FA yes-man who just doesn' inspire you into thinking he will ever be able to produce a great deal.

 

As for now, honestly don't know if I would go with and Englishman or a foreign coach. English always preferable but wouldn't want Fat Sam, Bruce or Pardew and others just aren't experienced or qualified enough.

Im going

1-0 Portugal

2-1 Belgium

1-0 Germany

2-0 France

Jan Vertonghen has a 'serious' ankle injury. Flew with squad to Lille, but will undergo more exams. Possible ligament damage. #thfc #bel

Jan Vertonghen has a 'serious' ankle injury. Flew with squad to Lille, but will undergo more exams. Possible ligament damage. #thfc #bel

4 months out I read.

4 months out I read.

Jan Vertonghen out for remainder of Euros, will be out for 4 months [Dutch]

Jan Vertonghen has a 'serious' ankle injury. Flew with squad to Lille, but will undergo more exams. Possible ligament damage. #thfc #bel

Yikes. I hope it's not related to the Achilles tendon. Those injuries are even worse than ACL injuries.

Spurs are going to implode next season. They were humiliated in their final game last season (losing 5-1 to an already relegated team with 10 men WTF) and ended up below Arsenal. Their English players were total sh*t at Euros (their non-English ones have been fine to be fair). Now they're going to go without an important player.

After the thuggery they showed at the Bridge in May, and their fans praising them for it (and not just a small minority of fans), I have little sympathy for them.

I'm watching ITV and they are saying that part of the reason why England keep failing is because the younger players get too much too soon, i don't really believe this, i think it's an easy excuse. England have been failing since we won the world cup in 1966, it's only in recent years that they have been getting too much too soon. So what about all of the other years where we have failed, were they getting too much too soon in the 80's and 90's ? i don't think so.

 

England isn't the only country that rewards youngsters with too much too early these days, this is happening all over the world now.

Edited June 30, 201610 yr by Scott Harris