***** Official England v France Thread *****

[Ninja Elephant]

wat is he doing taking the ox off

Not sure what you were watching pal.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Woy got it spot on...

Well done.

 

[W.C.]

Hardly amazing but solid. I'm still scarred by that Algeria game in 2010 when our players couldn't string 2 passes together and their first touch was non-existent. Thought we did ok.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Benzema is bloody awful.

And I don't know what you were watching either!

 

[BensGrandad]

Good result just need tonight's game to be the same and then us to win one of the remaining games

 

[Bold Seagull]

Dead chuffed with that, thought we did well especially against some seriously bias officiating. We've not got the best players, but we looked greater than the sum of our parts which is all you can ask for really.

 

[peterward]

Nicola Rizzoli is ****........ Is that the best Italy can produce post Collina?

Useless and totally bias imho

 

[Acker79]

I'm not overly enthused by that game. First half hour was good, we showed some intent, but after we got the goal we sat back, and from that moment on we struggled to be a real threat. France weren't particularly strong, so I don't think we can put much stock in managing to limit them to one goal. Hart seemed unusually nervy, too much last ditch tackling and diving in front of the shots, too niggly with our challenges.

It also seems to me (and I'm sure someone will bring out stats disproving this) that we usually of late struggle against Sweden, and if they are on their game, we will be fortunate to get a draw.

Of course, I might just be being a bit too negative.

 

[nwgull]

Can't complain about drawing your first game against what will probably be our toughest opponents, and a shit ref.

Some decent stuff from England, Rooney could make a difference.

 

[Wilko]

Are people really happy with that? I thought we were pretty awful to be honest. Could not keep the ball, just hoofed it out and posed very little threat. Will take a point but I thought we were very weak.

 

[Mellotron]

SO much better than anything in 2010. Play like that and we'll get through the group at least.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

Nicola Rizzoli is ****........ Is that the best Italy can produce post Collina?

Useless and totally bias imho

I didn't mind the ref at all, wasn't conned by the play-acting, let a lot of tough marginal decisions go, better than most games in the premier league, thats of no doubt. Sure he missed a couple of fouls, but which ref doesn't.

 

[Springal]

Are people really happy with that? I thought we were pretty awful to be honest. Could not keep the ball, just hoofed it out and posed very little threat. Will take a point but I thought we were very weak.

Biggest threats in the group.

30-something degrees at kick off, next 2 games are at the later kick off, so can open up a little bit more.

Still unbeaten after 3 games in charge for Roy.

Some alright football moving forwards.

Considering most people had France in their top 3/4 for this tournament. Most people would have taken a draw, and that is what we got.

 

[Mellotron]

I'm not overly enthused by that game. First half hour was good, we showed some intent, but after we got the goal we sat back, and from that moment on we struggled to be a real threat. France weren't particularly strong, so I don't think we can put much stock in managing to limit them to one goal. Hart seemed unusually nervy, too much last ditch tackling and diving in front of the shots, too niggly with our challenges.

It also seems to me (and I'm sure someone will bring out stats disproving this) that we usually of late struggle against Sweden, and if they are on their game, we will be fortunate to get a draw.

Of course, I might just be being a bit too negative.

Slightly too negative for me I think. Playing a side bang in form, and Joe Hart was superb.

 

[Muzzy]

Fair result.. Shit ref. I'll take that result... Played better than I expected. France a bit overrated if you ask me.

 

[BensGrandad]

I think that we will either get beat or possibly get a draw against Sweden and then it will all be set for Rooney to come on and win the game against Ukraine for us. What we don't want is Sweden winning tonight as another win against us will see them through. A win for Ukraine wouldn't be too bad but a draw is the best result for us.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

thought england looked very well organised, will be interesting to see how that style of football plays out against slightly weaker organisation in ukraine and sweden

 

[W.C.]

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain comes across very well. Did alright too I thought.

 

[Springal]

I think that we will either get beat or possibly get a draw against Sweden and then it will all be set for Rooney to come on and win the game against Ukraine for us. What we don't want is Sweden winning tonight as another win against us will see them through. A win for Ukraine wouldn't be too bad but a draw is the best result for us.

More worried about Ukraine, than Sweden

 

[Mellotron]

I think that we will either get beat or possibly get a draw against Sweden and then it will all be set for Rooney to come on and win the game against Ukraine for us. What we don't want is Sweden winning tonight as another win against us will see them through. A win for Ukraine wouldn't be too bad but a draw is the best result for us.

If we played like we did tonight against Sweden there is no way on earth we'll lose to Sweden.