Shak

Should probably be forced to take this. Craziest shootout ever!!!

NOOOOO!!!!

Holland FTW!!

Where's Michael Gray?

Longest shootout eva!!

A few very good penalties in this shootout. High and in the corners, unsavable.

Piss off complaining about the Dutch keeper commentators, Carson is coming off his line as well. All keepers do it.

Totally agree. The inability to keep possession or string a couple of passes together is extremely worrying. It will be a travesty if we go through in all honesty. You've been basically playing with nine and a half men the last half hour, think it's harsh to rip into them.

Agree, been a brilliant effort by England.

At least Babel has dropped far too deep for some reason, and has become much less of a threat to you.

Some people will complain about anything, he wants to play on through the pain to help his team in a crucial game knowing there's nobody who can come on to replace him. And he's a 'silly boy' for it? I'd want my players to have that attitude, personally.

And apart from anything, it's f****** tempting fate. Exactly. Reminds me of the WC last year, the Germany-Argentina game. Argies did the same thing, bringing on defensive players for attackers with a one goal lead and using all 3 subs. Then Germany get an equaliser from nowhere and Argentina go into ET with Messi and Riquelme confined to the sidelines. A brilliantly lost WC, as only a complete nightmare like that looked like it could stop them with the way they'd been playing.

It's always a really stupid idea to throw on a defender for a striker late in the game when one goal could take it to extra time, particularly if it's the last sub you have. Now you go into extra time with the team severely unbalanced and unlikely to be able to create much going forward. In a league match it's understandable, cos you're just hanging on and if they score it's over and it's a draw, fair enough. But in a game like this where it goes on then I really don't see the sense in it.

Great overhead kick tbh. Taylor unlucky there, after such a great clearance. Regretting taking Lita off now I'm sure.

Carson PWNED!!

Check the PM I sent you yesterday about writing in capitals, please. I fear being told off by Dave, he's so ruthless.

Yeh, looks quality in general I must say.

Can't say I've seen enough of Babel to know what his regular position, but looking at this Under-21 game I'll be shocked if he doesn't end up as a center forward target man type. Looks as though in a couple of years he'll be a pretty big fella and he looks quite good at showing for the ball with his back to goal and bringing others into play. Imagine he's been used as a winger type because he's still young so he's may not be ready to lead the line, yet. As he's pretty pacey he can contribute on the wing, but ultimatey I reckon he'll have to end up as central player where I reckon he could be a very good player.

Depends how much. Can't see Ajax giving him away. True, anyone have any idea what sort of price is being mooted for him? If Sam has some decent money to spend though I'd expect we'll see us looking at a center forward. It's possible he'll be expected to wheel and deal this summer while Ashley reviews things, in which case Shola will suffice while we aqcuire defenders and maybe another midfielder. But Shola, while decent IMO, is never going to be top class and capable of regularly starting in a team aiming to be in the Top 4, while Viduka is only gonna be around a couple of years. So we're going to be on the lookout for a top center forward, and if there's money to be spent I'd like to see some spent there, and Babel would be a nice candidate. Nice goal that, fair play to ye. Reckon Krul is better than this chancer in goals for The Dutch.

Unlucky with that offside, pretty cautious stuff from both sides so far. Be very happy if we're after Babel, still only 20 years old and already looks to be a very strong, tall player. In a couple of years he'll fill out and be a real physical presence. Couple that with the fact that he's quite pacey and seems to have a good touch and he's a tremendous prospect. Still not there yet, has some flaws of course but at his age he's well worth the punt.

Be good competition for Viduka, who we definitely can't expect to play every game next year. Give the lad a season or two to adjust to the Premiership and improve as a player without having the burden of being the main man as we know we can turn to Viduka. Then in a couple fo years when Viduka is done Babel will hopefully be ready to be our leading man up front. Admittedly not seen much more than a few games with him, the little bit I have seen though he looks a player with potential. Never heard of the other two but we do need a left-back and preferrably one who can really get forward as well as being solid defensively, so I may watch the game later and see if he looks like a good 'un.

The "Mad Bright Away Jerseys FTW' theory seems to be looking good, bit of tastefully spread black over the rest with the jersey being predominantly that blue colour and it should be nice.

Fuckin madness that, happy he's OK. Had a gun pulled on me and some friends once, some drunk old French guy in a public park in Montpellier. Having a few beers, he kept trying to scab bottles off us, gave him one but eventually told him to get lost. Walked away ten steps, pulled out his gun and looked at it, then looked back at us. Few of us saw it and said to get moving, shitting a brick as we walked very fastly away. Luckily he didn't fire though, I'd imagine the sound of bullets all around you as you hide in a car is terryfying.

Be very nice if the two shades of white were the same, I'd have it.