The General Football Thread

Very enjoyable. Top, and James will be buzzin.

 

Brilliant... well on our way to Gareth's date with destiny at Wembley next Summer.

 

No Lallana in the Nivea add. Just not important enough anymore. Never mind.

 

And after that a date with destiny at Buck House?....

 

He should advertise vanishing cream....

 

Tadic scores, then see's Ronaldo go off injured. Champions League dream well and truly alive!

 

Well done England. Just going to make an obesrvation, but it seems as if the top teams in Europe - France, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany have a healthy presence of players of Afro origin. Pleased that Sterling is putting the silencers on his critics. Hope Chelsea fans are "man" enough to give him a standing ovation next time he is at the Bridge.

 

Feel sorry for Luxemburg, having beaten Lithuania in Game 1 they were 1-1 with Ukraine until a 92nd minute own goal lost the game - they'd have been top of the group otherwise!

 

It still amazes me that Tadic is given priority to take penalties. I know he scored one last night, but he never looks convincing and doesn’t have a great record. I can only remember seeing him hit one Rickie pen.

 

More racism for England players in an away game... fine from UEFA incoming?

Fair play to Sterling

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47699030

Our Oriol played in a friendly for Catalonia last night!

Sent from my moto g(6) play using Tapatalk

 

https://www.instagram.com/oriolromeu/p/BvZ9QxglPEq

Hmm, Instagram links not working anymore?

Edit: try his Twitter post

 

Go back 50 years, or so, and you would expect England to beat the smaller countries by large scores, but then the smaller nations improved whilst we weakened.
Have we now turned the corner? Even a couple of years ago, we would have struggled to finish off Montenegro, in this fashion.
I know it’s just two games, but it’s looking good.
I love the way Southgate is prepared to put his faith in young players who will take defenders on. Exciting times.

 

Don't know for certain, but I suspect the 'smaller' countries now have players that ply their trade in higher leagues. That would explain some of the improvement.

Am also a fan of Southgate...he did well with the U21s and is a proponent of bringing youngsters through the age groups together. Not always possible...sometimes a player will burst on the scene and sometimes players peak in the youth sides, but a good foundation to build a national side.

And with the U21s playing a big tournament in the summer, some players will have to understand that there is nothing wrong with being in the senior side for some matches and yet be expected to go back to the U21s if required. I don't think there will be a problem there as none seem to be big 'I ams'....because of the engendering of team spirit.

 

The improvement under Southgate is very impressive. I think we'd need a perfect storm to win a big tournament though because I don't think we're good enough defensively, thats the back four and in DM. We don't have a world class GK either, though Pickford has generally been very good for England.

 

It's a lucky team that has an excellent keeper...England have had some in the past...Banks and Seaman just to name two. Pickford is a decent keeper, but not one of the best...however, beggars can't be choosers. I have hopes for Angus Gunn when he has more experience...he looks the part....only time will tell.

 

Indeed, it was only a sidenote about Pickford not being world class. GK hasn't been a problem area for us under Pickford. Our Defence and DM are our weakest areas imo and are where we will fall short against the better sides. We might outscore some, but the ones with tight defences and good attacks we'll struggle to beat. This isn't really a complaint, just an observation. It's nice to enjoy watching England again!

 

I would agree with this.
Against the Czech Republic we were all over the place, defensively, at the start of the second half, and there were occasions yesterday when we were floundering in a Saints like manner to clear our lines.
Defensive midfield needs to be better sorted, because despite not being great, Danny Rose on at least two occasions, was the only player reading a cross cut back to the area of the D, and coming across to clear it, with no midfielders in sight.

 

FairPlay

 

Absolutely the right thing to do. He deserves all the praise he is getting.

In the dim recesses of my memory, wasn’t there a case of a goal being awarded to ??Arsenal?? many years ago, and them letting the opposition score to even things up? Anyone remember?