BlufPurdi

Don't mistake my post as an attack on optimism, cause I'm more than optimistic. It'll be a genuinely good game, with plenty of history. I was merely attacking the (typical) expectations based on literally thin air.

Optimism. It's nowt to do with that, man. You basically spent a week dismantling the England team prior to the Slovenia game, suddenly you think we're going to win? I'm not saying we can't win, it's just those that are claiming some how we should be winning this. That the German team are somehow s***. It's balls. I know we're shite man! I don't actually think we're going to win, but we've got a chance ffs - especially the way this tournament has panned out. Same wave-length here then.

I thought we created a shedload of chances and only poor finishing and some terrific goalkeeping stopped us winning the group. The Germans won't do what the other three sides have and put men behind the ball and that will suit us down to the ground. They also had three good chances that they should have scored, which would have, obviously, turned the slender 1-0 lead on its head. Everywhere I've read, or people I've spoken with, reckons England were pretty average yesterday. Just a hell of a lot better than the first 2 games. We made chances, but there-in lies our problem. We couldn't finish them.

Optimism. It's nowt to do with that, man. You basically spent a week dismantling the England team prior to the Slovenia game, suddenly you think we're going to win? I'm not saying we can't win, it's just those that are claiming some how we should be winning this. That the German team are somehow shit. It's balls.

Erm, eeeh? Why exactly is it we are so confident again? Germany coasted the qualifications, and managed to carry some semblance of that through to the WC itself. They've got a young exciting team, if only lacking in experience. Their defence is their biggest weakness, but by no means a shambles. But essentially a team, united, and wanting to stamp their names in German history. Us on the other hand... We coasted the qualifiers also, but then self-destructed come the WC. We also have a team of eternal let-downs in an England shirt, coupled with disharmony in the camp. Never mind not one good performance in the tournament thus far. The fucking bitter bastard Scots up here at work today were right today, we fucking are (as England fans) a bunch of deluded tossers. One average performance and we think we're going to beat, more or less, the World Cup masters. Never underestimate the Germans. Never. Just a shame we never learn this. I was excited and confident, because I just assumed the fans, media et all had the wind knocked out them. Expectations well and truly lowered, fighting the Germs as the underdogs. Pressure off, and that. But no, one pitiful 1-0 victory over a rather average side and our over-inflated collective confidence comes rushing back. Set to fall flat on our arses, yet again. I'm genuinely shocked, by the way, that anyone can be overly confident we're winning this one.

Uch, shut up man. Do you ever just, get the wee subtle points? I was hardly being deadly serious, you plank.

Am I the only one that thinks that was the height of stupidity? Looks terribly heroic, but fuck, if that had gone in and you've got him leaping like a salmon, I'd have shot the cunt.

Ach, he's a cracking player so I'm chuffed he's put his ego behind him but I just hope he's learnt from his little experiment with the press. Shut up, and do your talking on the field.

You do realise we couldn't possibly do well without Joe Cole, yeah?

WHERE'S JOE COLE?

Aye, as much as it really was though, still think it would have been harsh. There wasn't much intent.

A draw puts them out, no?

In general I like Germany to do well, but would happily see them out, tonight.

I.. don't.. disagree..?

Couldn't agree more, to be honest. Found the Cole obsession rather bizarre. Although I do agree with Kid Icarus that he was a highlight in the last world cup, but that was 4 years ago. Hardly a reason to be given the benefit of the doubt this time round. And he wasn't actually that good, to be fair. all well and good, and i'd agree if capello had found something different to do but he didn't - it's all well and good being smart enough to see that jcole isn't your answer...the point is being able to see what IS your answer Well, we won, didn't we? Today was just about getting a win, it did not have to be pretty. none of those quotes were "today" specific agree today was about the win, but wins like that HAVE to be the watershed in events - capello HAS to realise where he went wrong and what is required to go right immediately or it's over before it's begun Don't see where our points are different here like. Just merely saying everyone seemed to make out we could only win with Cole. In fact, there were plenty that seemed more than appalled, prior to the game, that Milner was set to be in ahead of Cole.

Exactly. Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't Cole played, like, a handful of games this year? He's a good player, but he's hardly one of those players you take a gamble on even if he is only 75% fit. Delighted with the win, and knowing we'll probably play Germany will, or should, more than focus the players minds.

Couldn't agree more, to be honest. Found the Cole obsession rather bizarre. Although I do agree with Kid Icarus that he was a highlight in the last world cup, but that was 4 years ago. Hardly a reason to be given the benefit of the doubt this time round. And he wasn't actually that good, to be fair. all well and good, and i'd agree if capello had found something different to do but he didn't - it's all well and good being smart enough to see that jcole isn't your answer...the point is being able to see what IS your answer Well, we won, didn't we? Today was just about getting a win, it did not have to be pretty.

Couldn't agree more, to be honest. Found the Cole obsession rather bizarre. Although I do agree with Kid Icarus that he was a highlight in the last world cup, but that was 4 years ago. Hardly a reason to be given the benefit of the doubt this time round. And he wasn't actually that good, to be fair.

Haha, stupid twats up here trying to slag us for time wasting. Honestly, this lot will clutch at anything.

Come on! I want to gloat to these cunts!

How long left? I'm ayt my joyous work.

Can't believe I'm working through this.

Blud.

Yes, let's. Otherwise work is going to be even more tedious...

Hilarious innit? I know he was only a patch on Lampard's performances though. It is, Hargreaves was praised to high heaven after that tournament. Fair enough, I suppose. Got the wrong end of your stick.