Football Focus

[Mick Mac]

The old Home Internationals were not much more than friedlies where teams tried out their squad players - but when it came to Scotland England it was different. First teams and pride at stake.

Not that I care much as a neutral, but I'd like to see Scotland give a good account of themselves.

[Otta]

I remember seeing footage of the Rangers squad in 96 on their way to the training pitch, and Gazza telling Hendry he was going to chip him at Wembley.

To make a cheeky threat like that then be able to carry it out.

Poor old Gazza, real shame about his demons.

[Mick Mac]

I have just heard Ray Clemence is in goal tonight.

see his expertise at 6.10 on the attached video:

[maxxi]

I'm a bit meh about it too - only the Scots really care if they win. Even back in '96 the defeat of Scotland wasn't as satisfying as the thrashing of Holland.

[Parkdrive]

maxxi Wrote:

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> I'm a bit meh about it too - only the Scots really

> care if they win. Even back in '96 the defeat of

> Scotland wasn't as satisfying as the thrashing of

> Holland.

Indeed.

[MrBen]

???? Wrote:

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> Guess how many foooks I give about this friendly?

Sounds like fear to me.

[????]

My only fear is that Stewart Downing gets crocked by some aggressive jock who warms the bench at Oldham Atheletic

[Mick Mac]

Beware Broonie, Quids.

[Ladygooner]

An Arsenal... sorry, England goal!

[Mick Mac]

Comfortable for England and I can only hear England songs now.

[Mick Mac]

Whoops. Timed that badly, Scotland have scored.

Whoops again, England have scored again.

[????]

Pretty straightforward, sorry lads.

[Otta]

Yeah, Scotland scored a really good goal but it was never really close.

[maxxi]

of course i did watch it (after I had seen what they were going to do with all that lamb on Masterchef - Boning and rolling that shoulder!... it was NEVER going to cook on time) and was pleasantly surprised. Loved the hustle and the confidence - always hassling the Scots and seeming to have lost that nervousness that has typified England. They wanted it more than the opposition.

This could be the starting line up for any game - regardless - dawn of a new era etc. no players with the old Billy-big-bollox attitude (even Wellbeck and Rooney seem to be playing with the team rather than for themselves) and some great young potential.

Shame the opposition wasn't up to much.

[Jah Lush]

Cracking game. Thought Clyne was excellent at right back. Very solid in his first two games for England and Lallana when he came on for the otherwise ineffective Downing was another great performer on the night. A very good England performance. Well pleased.

[????]

Downing got in some decent space and didn't get the ball much in my unbias opinion

[Jah Lush]

Hardly saw him. He's never done it in an England shirt and probably never will.

[red devil]

Not getting tooooo carried away with England's good performance as the Scots were probably hungover from their exertions against Ireland.

Standouts for me were Clyne and Shaw looking very good at FB, and Wellbeck and Rooney who ran the Scottish defence ragged. Wilshere almost Scholesque with some of his passing (he pinged some good balls in the Slovenia game too).

Only low point was picking Downing and playing him out wide where he lost his effectiveness years ago...

[bobcol]

who was man of the match ?

[Parkdrive]

I could have sworn I heard the England fans chantimg "are you Tottenham in disguise" at one point during last nights game.

[Jeremy]

Lots of bitter Scots coming out with the "just coz you beat us doesn't mean you're any good" line...

[red devil]

Parkdrive Wrote:

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> I could have sworn I heard the England fans

> chantimg "are you Tottenham in disguise" at one

> point during last nights game.

They were singing ''Are you Scotland in disguise''...quite funny for England away fans

[Otta]

Bugger, more problems for Sturridge

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30109077

We're not having much joy with strikers this season!

[Parkdrive]

Jeremy Wrote:

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> Lots of bitter Scots coming out with the "just coz

> you beat us doesn't mean you're any good" line...

The thing with that is if England aren't any good, doesn't say much for the Scots, not that I'm fussed either way.

[red devil]

Otta Wrote:

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> Bugger, more problems for Sturridge

>

> http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30109077

>

> We're not having much joy with strikers this

> season!

Is Mario out with a hamstring? If so, that just leaves Borini and Lambert, you never know, they might work...