M4

Defoe onside again!

Any excuse to post...

Hargreaves against Portugal ... just wow, what a hero.

In 2006 Beckham scored the winning goal in the second round with a trademark free kick. However it papered over the wider problem that he had become a complete liability already since Euro 2004.

All said and done, the team didn't perform that brilliantly at the tournament. Draw in the first game, in danger against Scotland when the penalty was given, labouring past Spain then playing well against Germany but ultimately losing. However the set up was glorious. The tournament was in England of course, the footballing landscape in England was being revolutionised and Italia 90 was the last time the national team showed anything of interest. The team was also full of leaders, captains, players in their prime. Seaman, Adams, Pearce, Ince, Gazza, Platt, Shearer, Sheringham... and I'm probably forgetting others, all leaders in their own way. Add to that the folklore of the atmosphere, some memorable goals, the thrashing of Holland... and finally the fact that we really did come an inch away from beating the old enemy and possibly winning the whole thing. Again, Baddiel and Skinner speak really well about that time as whole. They did so in the doc tonight, but have done previously over the years in their podcasts or shows.

Baddiel and Skinner paint the perfect picture of what was going on that summer on and off the pitch. Great to hear them talk about it.

Where was Uri Geller for that semi then? ... Tosser.

And jumping into lakes. Hanging around Gazza for a month... The team had their abs workout sorted. You must be in fits of laughter every ten minutes.

In those Umbro boots.

So painful to watch. Really was a question of inches. It would have been such a moment for the guy too.

Nobody ever knows. Bit extreme in the way he describes French people, maybe for effect but there is certainly some truth there. Also Paris certainly is not the whole country. I'd say the issues with Arab communities and the undercurrent of attitudes towards them are very spot on though.

Been really looking forward to that... Obviously. That Gaza chance against Germany man... Still haunting.

Isn't he normally the taker? I remember reading he gave a penalty to a youngster who made his debut a couple weeks ago. Plus, this will have been his last minute of football for the club.

He was constantly trying to get the other guy sent off. Couple of times in particular rolling around and convulsing on the floor holding his face. Exactly, especially after he clearly acknowledged what was going on.

Aye, Clattenburg was excellent last night but should have gave Pepe a second yellow last night. Absolutely embarrassing what he did, never mind to do it a second time. It's frustrating because UEFA are obviously not going to do anything to him now... So as always there's no incentive for the guy to stop doing what he does.

Ronaldo just lying on the ground doing nothing... A fitting summary of his game.

That's almost art, imo. Haha, Rafa been managing Real all along whispering in Zidane's ear.

Pretty fun game to watch this.

Should have booked Pepe.

Players hurling their bodies all over the place

Can't really decide... just hope for a class game to watch without too much bullshit. But given the teams involved there will most likely be loads.

Hmm, this one is a bit weird. Might look good once worn by the players. But it looks like three very decent looking kits crammed into one and screaming to get out.

Because they're playing in a new stadium next year, didn't you know. They need to make that clear.

Last two seasons have followed the same pattern for me: go to a couple games early on and not return all season. Hull game last season and the Norwich one this time around. The younger me would have loved the idea of one day having a season ticket. But now I'm in a position where I could get one, I don't even want it. Will certainly be going to a few more games though. Although the footballing aspect will probably be nice, the match going experience will still need some changes to be completely enjoyable. Stadium needs a wash and just overall needs classing up and of course the SD signs need to go... But those things won't happen.

By all accounts, contract talks aside, it seems like he's just been getting on with the job.