TheBrownBottle

Eddie’s high press Mags put the shits right up him. Press like maniacs and hope that either Mbappe has an off-day or any plan to take care of him works

Nah, beat France and that’s a blinding result irrespective of injuries. It would be England’s best result in half a century

They’ve just went out for the second successive WC group stage for the first time since the ‘30s. I don’t know anyone who didn’t think England would beat them at Wembley. There is no ‘narrative change’

The ‘golden generation’ was a load of bollocks though, including at the time - though I get the distinct impression that some of the players bought it. That ‘golden generation’ did as well as this lot, mind - they beat who they should beat from 02-06, and lost to the sides they were more evenly matched with or inferior to in the knockouts (beat Denmark and Ecuador, lost to Brazil and Portugal x2) England have beat every side they should beat, and lost against both sides they were more evenly matched against. It isn’t brilliance on Southgate’s part - this is England performing to par. Beat the French and he’ll have done something England managers don’t do - win a knockout game against a heavyweight.

All the Liverpool / Manchester-based players seem to suffer this a lot. I’m constantly told by the press that the NW is preferable to the NE though

Beat the French and then we can start talking how well Southgate is doing. I’ll happily give the bloke full credit for that.

With the most technically gifted generation of England players possibly in history. England won the U-17 and U-20 WC and U-19 Euros in quick succession. This is a talented group of players. These are good footballers. There is no miracle in beating Senegal, Ukraine, Sweden, Denmark, Colombia (on pens), and the shittest German side post-war.

Surely would’ve been ruled out by VAR for the earlier handball?

Bellingham is a complete footballer like. Perfect midfielder - intelligence, vision, pace, strength, technique. I wish we were a year or two further down the road and we might have a chance of getting him

Game needs a Senegal goal

Senegal were always going to sit back That’s why it was vital England play two water carriers in midfield in Henderson and Rice

Glad some cunt is

Every time I watch England I think Son is a better footballer than I did before.

Difference between shit and shite

More strolling football. Nodding off here

The drums don’t help - they knack atmosphere generally

I don’t think he’s that type of manager mate

Not according to his contract he doesn’t

SBS in Oz also with ad break before kick off. But here in Oz they stick ads in during play in the rugby league. All matches should be on BBC - everywhere

It’s a good Senegal team this - I’m just hoping for a decent game.

The attendance figures are based upon issued tickets - but the club’s accounts tell the true story. They’re made available every year - a summary glance at their revenue from ticket sales compared to the rest of the division they’re in tells it’s own sorry tale. The below is from the excellent Swiss Ramble - it’s gate receipts from their last season in the old second division. Those massive ‘attendances’ don’t seem to make a dent …

Yep. Snide little cunt, shite manager to boot. Laughable the talent he was given by Belgium to achieve nothing - the SF in 2018 was a minimum outcome. Belgium’s history is meaningless (and Belgium has a pretty solid WC history in fairness); nothing is relative, this was an extraordinarily talented group who peaked together.

That’s true generally, but for me it is a case of him being an excellent winger in his prime, and Father Time has caught up

Pele IS football It comes to us all of course, but that doesn’t make it any less sad

I reckon they play The Iain Duncan Smiths’ ‘Three Lions ‘21’ before England games and sing along unironically https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QCkShFVsc4M