[Football] Anyone else going to watch the England game ONLY if Moder is playing

[Mellotron]

Portugal are favourites for me, I’m amazed they’re not being talked about more. Just have a look at their starting 11 and strengh in depth, it’s frightening.

I think England are a long way behind them, France and Belgium.

Looking at comparative teams and squads, I’d say France and Belgium both look comfortably stronger than Portugal. I agree that France and Belgium are some way ahead, but I’d have Portugal, England and Italy in the next chasing pack.

All just opinions though, of course.

 

[Eeyore]

Looking at comparative teams and squads, I’d say France and Belgium both look comfortably stronger than Portugal. I agree that France and Belgium are some way ahead, but I’d have Portugal, England and Italy in the next chasing pack.

All just opinions though, of course.

Or Germany turning up telling everyone how rubbish they are at the moment. Always an ominous sign.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Looking at comparative teams and squads, I’d say France and Belgium both look comfortably stronger than Portugal. I agree that France and Belgium are some way ahead, but I’d have Portugal, England and Italy in the next chasing pack.

All just opinions though, of course.

Rui Patricio, Ruben Dias, Ricardo Pereira, Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, Diego Jota, Pedro Neto, Andre Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo - I would take that lot ahead of Belgium’s team all day long. And probably France’s now too. There’s certainly no way France and Belgium are ‘comfortably stronger’.

Portugal have got some of the most on form players in Europe in their side as well as a good and experienced manager. They are also the holders so know how to win recently. They’re favourites for me.

 

[Sheebo]

Germany just lost 2-1 to North Macedonia. France only beat Bosnia 1-0.

I never said anything about us being world class or anything - I don’t think we’re favourites or anything, probably about the 4th best European team atm, and certainly behind France and Belgium.

I’m not going to apologise for being excited about England having exciting, young, likeable players. It’s a shame you can’t simply enjoy that for what it is. Ignore the media.

The World Cup was absolutely ****ing brilliant, and the Euros is looking like a good competition again - however far England get. Enjoy it.

Good and ridiculously dominant first half tonight vs the biggest test we’ll have in the group - a team who’ve beaten plenty of the worlds best and are ranked 19th in the world. Poor second half but deserved the win overall.

Great to see such a likeable team still - as per Henry Winters’ comments in the Albion Unlimited pod recently. We really have been a breath of fresh air the last few years and play on the front foot. Def an England team to enjoy. And yes, given how all the other teams’ seem to get beaten in qualifying, our record is the best in Europe in these games. Even tonight shows that where we were off colour..!

Still don’t get why posters feel the need to open England threads if they’re not interested or expect the world but that’s NSC - there’s still a number who know what their birth certificate says

 

[Solid at the back]

Shame about the result, pleased for Moder.

 

[timbha]

Shame about the result, pleased for Moder.

For English football fans there is no shame in this result. I can understand Polish fans being disappointed.

I am also pleased for Moder.

 

[Insel affe]

I cheered when Moder scored, the wife looked at me and asked if I was feeling alright.

Yeah, I feel somewhat disconnected from the English team for some reason, I just don’t feel excited still.

Years of unfulfilled promise, and expectations being torn away from you, and Southgate getting the selection wrong in the Semis, when it was there for the taking have waned my enthusiasm.

I’m determined not to build my hopes up again, only to be foiled by an impetuous red card, or stupid VAR decision.

 

[Solid at the back]

For English football fans there is no shame in this result. I can understand Polish fans being disappointed.

I am also pleased for Moder.

I've no interest in the English football team and haven't since wally with the brolly was the coach. Even less so now that pathetic yes man is in charge. Club over country everytime for me. Disappointing result

 

[Stat Brother]

I cheered when Moder scored, the wife looked at me and asked if I was feeling alright.

Yeah, I feel somewhat disconnected from the English team for some reason, I just don’t feel excited still.

Years of unfulfilled promise, and expectations being torn away from you, and Southgate getting the selection wrong in the Semis, when it was there for the taking have waned my enthusiasm.

I’m determined not to build my hopes up again, only to be foiled by an impetuous red card, or stupid VAR decision.

I only have to look at Kane's unmentioned two footed lunge into their Keeper (nope not spelling that name) to know these people don't represent me.

If Moder had done that to Pope he'd be booed for ever more.

 

[DumLum]

I don't even know England have played until the results come in. That's how little I care about international football these days.

 

[Guinness Boy]

England are better now, under the present regime, than they have ever been.

Same with Brighton.

We'll see in the summer. As much fun as 2018 was (and it really was) we had a VERY easy run of games. The Euros will have a much tougher draw to negotiate. The Under 21s have just gone out of their version far earlier than they should have, given the quality.

Ditto with Brighton. We're on the cusp of something truly great but we're not there yet.

But you've answered a different point to the two I was addressing. Firstly there seem to be plenty of people around claiming to hate Southgate and only watching last night because Moder was playing without understanding that Southgate was appointed for very similar reasons to Potter and, indeed, that in my opinion one of the reasons we must have appointed Ashworth was because of his success with Southgate.

Secondly, as much as England may be "better now" we are hardly box office (perhaps why so many on here choose to bow out and criticise). Safe team selections, routine quotes and predictable formations. Team don't make a mistake England (unless you're John Stones).

 

[Perfidious Albion]

Delighted for Moder..... glad that we won in the end.

Everyone pilloried Stones and he was at fault, but the keeper sent him a terrible pass to play him into trouble. He also could only flap at Moder’s high shot. I have not been impressed with Pope these three matches . His clearances and distribution are poor.
Any young English keeper must fancy his chances now.

 

[Mellotron]

Portugal have got some of the most on form players in Europe in their side. They’re favourites for me.

Nearly half of them play for a Wolves side who have absolutely not been in form. If half of Belgium or France’s sides played for Southampton or Palace, wouldn’t see that as a massive positive.

They’re favourites for you, not for me. All good. Game of opinions.

 

[Swansman]

Nearly half of them play for a Wolves side who have absolutely not been in form. If half of Belgium or France’s sides played for Southampton or Palace, wouldn’t see that as a massive positive.

They’re favourites for you, not for me. All good. Game of opinions.

The only Wolves player likely to start for Portugal is Rui Patricio.

 

[Mellotron]

The only Wolves player likely to start for Portugal is Rui Patricio.

I’m referred to the list he put up.

Also while I’m here, if we’re talking about recent success, more recently France absolutely STROLLED the World Cup, battering Argentina and scoring 4 goals (again) in the final.

Portugal comparatively squeaked their Euros success after being lucky to get out their group.

 

[Swansman]

I’m referred to the list he put up.

Also while I’m here, if we’re talking about recent success, more recently France absolutely STROLLED the World Cup, battering Argentina and scoring 4 goals (again) in the final.

Portugal comparatively squeaked their Euros success after being lucky to get out their group.

I agree with you that France is the stronger side though not by a huge margin.

France, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Belgium are the most likely winners this summer, followed by England, Italy, Denmark and Turkey. Then Holland, Croatia and Czech Republic as dark horses. For Wales, Switzerland, Russia, Finland, Ukraine, Austria, Macedonia, Scotland, Poland, Sweden, Slovakia and Hungary just qualifying from the group stage should be considered a success.

 

[Whitechapel]

It’s interesting that almost all of the big European nations are struggling.

Only 4 teams have won 3 games in qualifying so far, and one of those are Armenia! Be interesting to see if this lack of form carries on to the EUROs this summer, might be worth sticking a few quid E/W on some of the dark horses. Denmark @ 40/1 in particular

 

[SeagullinExile]

So tedious watching England under Southgate. Litterally have no interest in them these days.

 

[crodonilson]

It was a very solid performance against a competent, well drilled Polish outfit. Were it not for a calamitous individual mistake we would have won with some comfort as Poland had offered absolutely nothing to that point. There is plenty to be positive about and teams don't always play well but the fact we managed to get a winner showed plenty for the character and mentality within the side. With the likes of Grealish and Maddison also available as squad players to add some attacking spark I think we're in a very good place, the defence remains a weakness but that is why GSouth sets up with two holding midfielders to offer maximum protection to our weakest area, good management.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

We'll see in the summer. As much fun as 2018 was (and it really was) we had a VERY easy run of games. The Euros will have a much tougher draw to negotiate. The Under 21s have just gone out of their version far earlier than they should have, given the quality.

Ditto with Brighton. We're on the cusp of something truly great but we're not there yet.

But you've answered a different point to the two I was addressing. Firstly there seem to be plenty of people around claiming to hate Southgate and only watching last night because Moder was playing without understanding that Southgate was appointed for very similar reasons to Potter and, indeed, that in my opinion one of the reasons we must have appointed Ashworth was because of his success with Southgate.

Secondly, as much as England may be "better now" we are hardly box office (perhaps why so many on here choose to bow out and criticise). Safe team selections, routine quotes and predictable formations. Team don't make a mistake England (unless you're John Stones).

Apologies if I misunderstood. Albeit your point must be rather nuanced because I still feel that England and Brighton are about as good as they could be, and I generally enjoy watching them, er.....that's it.

In the case of England, we have seen great appointments - of desperation, lots of money thrown at people who did the job without giving a toss. For Southgate it was last chance saloon. He's not as good a coach as Potter but his job is rather different. I think the job matters to Southgate and the only sort I can think of to replace him with would be another young manager such as Potter. All the old English managers are shit. And the foreigners don't give a shit.

As for Brighton, we don't have the money or cachet of England to make an Ancelotti-style appointment and we'd have to take a punt on a young swivel-eyed German like stains and narwich have done. A risk. I think the Potter appointment has been very good with, as you say, potential.

I'm happy with all that but I certainly agree that England have not won the Euros and Brighton have not won the premier league. I noticed that.