M4

Don't have a problem with high squad numbers, just strange when players don't strive to get the traditional number for their position. For example Gallas as mentioned above or Boulahrouz when he was at Chelsea had number 9, ugh.

In a similar vein,

Top 30 Newcastle Utd Premier League scorers:

http://www.sporcle.com/games/Gold26/nufc_scorers

103 woot!

Notable omissions: Dion Dublin, Berbatov, Ameobi (obviously) and Fabregas.

ITV.

Leagues / groups being decided by 'head to head' record if teams are level on points. There's nothing wrong with goal difference, what's the point?

Actually, I think it's fairer when it's only over the 3-6 games like group matches. That way it's more about which of either team was better than the other instead of which one managed to slip the most past the team finishing last.

Full 38 game schedules are different and more down to consistency.

One of our most important players.

That's what everyone keeps holding on to, but how exactly?

He's far from vital and has only seemed to be of real use in (part of) a handful of games. Rest of the time just a frustrating waste of time. He certainly isn't the reason we are top.

I'm finding it harder and harder to like him.

Starting to question whether the pros mentioned above still outweigh the cons... it's getting very close.

Jonas

Shame he can't lift the ball like that when he's trying to cross it...

Jonas.... too nifty for his own good

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!!!!

It was never good. Was funny for a while, now it's annoying and tedious. Hate it, sound goes straight off if I'm watching highlights and the guy starts doing it.

Worse when it's a relatively rubbish or insignificant goal.

Really can't help but like Darren Bent, also glad he's getting a decent chance at a club.

But then, yeah, it's Sunderland

Fuck off Gray you knob.

What did he say?

How's Barry looking?

With his eyes

... sorry

Non white footballs. Especially darker coloured ones, yellow is tolerable I guess.

Also dark coloured goal nets of course.

You have to admit that Henry has behaved impeccably int his issue.

It's a little easy after the fact, and after cheating to get the result he wanted.

Yes, Henry is a cheat, but now what has to happen is new ways to look at stopping incidents like this. That one incident has destroyed the hopes of a nation, surely now they have to look at using replays after key incidents.

 

I also see no reason why Henry shouldn't be slapped with a 3 game ban, which comes into effect at the start of the tournament.

Exactly what I was thinking last night too. Obviously not going to happen, but the "FIFA Fair Play" campaign will be on show and forced onto every player as always.

Cheating cunting cunts. Was so pissed off... hopefully this only means they won't get out of the group stages and Domenech gets a 20 year contract.

Gutted for Ireland

Really can't see France messing this up. No way. Whatever Ireland will have, France will be one up. I suspect it will be a repeat of the first leg. Ireland will have some chances but NOT do anything with them while France will make hard work of it or seem very nonchalant and score a crappy goal.

Hope I'm wrong though.

Players falling deliberately on the ball and grabbing it when they want a free kick. When it's marginal ref should call handball and a yellow for deliberate handball.

As a striker I'd take Shearer over Rooney any day. Rooney playing off Shearer, now that would have been sublime.

 

Has to be my dream pairing.

Yeap, thirded. Would have been the perfect mix.

Hargreaves vs Portugal was one the best one man performances I've ever seen. He's was everywhere and the only England player capable of scoring his penalty. Will always love the guy for that game, real shame that  he's hardly played since.

Nah, Shay's not one to jump ship.

Can't believe the jammyness of France's goal.

I'm liking this ref a lot. Not taking any bullshit. Ireland are playing in slow motion though, probably helps making the right decisions.