Euro 2012

[Undisputedtruth]

I thought the Spain game was fascinating and I could watch them for hours on end. Spain weren't playing grandmaster chess, they were playing effective simple football, ball to feet, team mates giving options to receive a pass and not afraid to pass the ball back.

[Mick Mac]

I can't really think of a basis for this England team beating Italy. I hope I'm wrong but using the Ukraine game as a barometer I think this England team is ok but not as good as Italy. Sincerely hope I'm wrong. It's a very exciting prospect none the less and I hope England get the luck that they don't normally get at this stage of competitions.

[Alan Medic]

I don't think the game will be decided on what you decide to wear Foxy. But ditch the t-shirt.

[maxxi]

If nerves/growing expectations don't make England the usual neurotic panicky mess then we have a chance.

[Mick Mac]

I think if England win they might have a big performance from Joe Hart to thank for it. For me he is the best England keeper since Shilton and that can make a huge difference to the outcome of a game.

[Undisputedtruth]

I think Hart has already surpassed Shilton in ability. Especially as he is an England regular at an young age while Shilton was not an automatic choice for England in the early eighties. But I may need to check with Wikipedia just in case I get my facts wrong. ;-)

[Mick Mac]

If you knew how Shilton performed as Forest won league championships and European cups you would know Hart has a bit to go. Goalkeepers gain their status over 20 years not 2 years.

[Jah Lush]

Undisputedtruth Wrote:

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> I thought the Spain game was fascinating and I

> could watch them for hours on end. Spain weren't

> playing grandmaster chess, they were playing

> effective simple football, ball to feet, team

> mates giving options to receive a pass and not

> afraid to pass the ball back.

That's been Spurs' footballing philosophy since the push and run side of the 50s. It's a simple game really. Pass and move.

@Mac. Although my confidence maybe uncertain I'm really thinking Italy are there for the taking tonight. May well go to extra-time though.

[Jah Lush]

As good as he is it's far too early to compare Hart to Shilton. If it wasn't for Ray Clemence he would have had 200 caps. An amazing keeper. I remember one performance at White Hart Lane where he made some incredible saves including saving two penalties although I think we finally nicked it one-nil at the end if my memory serves me correctly. A goalkeeping legend.

[El Pibe]

A touch of the commentator's curse for UDT gards Hart there.

Still, what a game so far!

[maxxi]

Haven't watched an England game with so little cause to scoff disgustedly in quite a while. Need more of a cutting edge though. Carroll for Wellbeck now then Ox & Walcott later on.

And someone keep tabs on old man Terry in case he has a coronary (offside trap my arse).

[Salsaboy]

Come on Ingerlanddddd

[Mick Mac]

For the last 60 or so minutes I have been watching Steven Gerrard and he has been a complete passenger. Shocking.

[Jah Lush]

Yep! And if Rooney is world class I'm a Dutchman. Pirlo is the best player on the pitch tonight by quite some distance.

[Mick Mac]

England to win on penalies due to Hart being better prepared?

[maxxi]

1st half not bad... 2nd half? What happened?! Sudden onset senility? Nap-time? I suspect another call for a midwinter break coming because the poor little darlings were tired. Shocking.

[maxxi]

Well deserved.

Pirlo, absolute class.

No point in saying Cole fluffed it or that if Hart had concentrated instead of making faces he might have saved one because the Italians deserved it.

[woodrot]

a better conclusiuon for Hodgson than expected - time to kick out the shite and start afresh for Brazil - still, being done ny nthe Italians on pens after 120 mins is no shame

[Jah Lush]

Indeed. The best team won. I just knew Young would miss. He didn't look confident and was looking at the floor before his run up. I never fancied Cole scoring either. Justice prevailed though because Italy were by far the better side on the night. A world class performance from Pirlo tonight.

[woodrot]

sorry, forgot to say

HODGSON OUT!

[Mick Mac]

Shame.

[*Bob*]

Undisputedtruth Wrote:

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> I can see England beating the Italians.

* * *

*Bob* Wrote:

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Quarters and out

And there you have it. Footballing Brain 0, Bleeding Obvious 1.

[????]

Far less gutted than normal as to have gone throughwould have been an embarrassment and Germany would have retired at half time.

Thoughts

Gerrard and Parker absolutely knackered after 1st 20 minutes

Rooney a joke

Er, why was Young still on the pitch?

Hodgson hardly exposed as a tactical genius as I'm sure many Liverpool fans knew already

Plus points

I thought Carroll was good

I thought Hart was good

I thought Lescott was good

grudgingly the racist was good

The Fans were maginficent

[Ladygooner]

Anyone called Ashley should be banned from taking penalties

[Jah Lush]

I hope you're joking woodrot because if you're not you're talking absolute rot, stuff and bloody nonsense. Hodgson has done well and better than most people thought he would especially given the time he has had to work with the players since his appointment. He's a very good manager and the best qualified English manager to take us forward. Time to get rid of some of the old guard though.