[Football] England vs Bulgaria

[Green Cross Code Man]

Although I went to a Wembley friendly in 1977 with my school, 92,000 (night capacity) against the brilliant Dutch team. Magical for me as a non cynical kid. Used to dream about Wembley and that match under lights years later.

But you’re correct ... older people could and did ‘moan for England’ about our national team then. The petty inter clubs hate thing had started already (possibly going in tandem with the hatred on club terraces?). People would hate ManU or Liverpool or Spurs players selected.

Remember going to some England matches in the 80's where the Spurs players were booed by large portions of the ground. I am not a big England fan, but if you are at the game, at least support the team.

 

[Pavilionaire]

I thought England were OK in the first half, Roy Keane wasn't impressed but they blew Bulgaria away in the second half and ran out comfortable winners. We still lack that dominant midfield presence - Mason Mount looks like the man most likely to me.

 

[B-right-on]

I thought England were OK in the first half, Roy Keane wasn't impressed .

Who gives a feck what that arrogant p*** thinks.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Who gives a feck what that arrogant p*** thinks.

ITV obviously think their viewers do. Yes he's arrogant but he's usually got a point.

 

[Saunders]

ITV obviously think their viewers do. Yes he's arrogant but he's usually got a point.

Not a point worth listening to.

 

[Sheebo]

Some people have some unrealistic expectations.

Enjoyed today - 6 of us went - wasn’t much of a game as was just 11 behind ball but Sterling and Kane showed their class - Barclay did well. Maguire solid as ever. Not lost a qualifier in 10 years - the record is ridiculous!

 

[Sheebo]

Bulgaria need a bit of this in their midfield:

View attachment 115029

The season he did with us, teaching Bridcutt how to be a defensive midfielder, dominating a twenty yard square in the centre of the pitch was one of my favourite things about Poyet's first season. His superiority was so notable, but watching such a talented player slumming it in Division One was fantastic.

I remember having low expectations of him due to his age. My word he was fantastic for us. Last season at any decent level and was so committed and classy!

 

[Sheebo]

In what way?

We will win all our games, probably qualify from our group in the main tournament and then lose to the first decent team we play. Same every tournament with the occasional feck up that sees us go out early

Are those unrealistic expectations?

Oh and I know you’re a Spurs fan but Kane is not World class either

That theory changed last WC when we didn’t lose to a decent Colombia side.

 

[Weststander]

That theory changed last WC when we didn’t lose to a decent Colombia side.

Who, when losing contests all over the pitch, to an England teams that could actually play, resorted to violence and cheating.

 

[jimhigham]

Not really no, are we going back 20 plus years here?

Just a tad under 12 years ago. 2007. Shteve. Umbrella.

 

[Beach Hut]

Enjoy watching England with Southgate as manager, totally transformed the team into something exciting with attacking play.

 

[Weststander]

Enjoy watching England with Southgate as manager, totally transformed the team into something exciting with attacking play.

The famous fear factor which affected England players when playing for their country, has largely disappeared. Rashford, Sterling, Henderson, Maguire, Pickford, Kane all look like they truly enjoy playing for England. Their first thought, getting the team moving forward.

 

[Beach Hut]

The famous fear factor which affected England players when playing for their country, has largely disappeared. Rashford, Sterling, Henderson, Maguire, Pickford, Kane all look like they truly enjoy playing for England. Their first thought, getting the team moving forward.

I do wonder how the FA works at times appointing Big Sam was totally stupid, I will forgive Southgate for playing for Palace but he really is an exceptional manager and also takes time to learn a lot about managing techniques.

I sincerely hope he succeeds and we win another major international competition.

 

[Weststander]

I do wonder how the FA works at times appointing Big Sam was totally stupid, I will forgive Southgate for playing for Palace but he really is an exceptional manager and also takes time to learn a lot about managing techniques.

I sincerely hope he succeeds and we win another major international competition.

The FA titted around for a couple of decades with no strategy, with variously; the tough Italian, the overrated Swede who liked his distractions, unbelievably McLaren, the dour football of Roy.

Finally a punt on someone who knew England age levels inside out and who is genuinely intelligent, plus he’s reaping the benefits of world class youth systems at several top clubs, and he has the guts to play those players.

Definitely rosey times. Unlike those are waiting to whinge if we don’t win a EC or WC (incredibly hard to do that when there are circa 10 highly talented squads elsewhere), I just enjoy watching them.

 

[Ⓩ-Ⓐ-Ⓜ-Ⓞ-Ⓡ-Ⓐ]

Was only able to watch the last 15 minutes but thought we were moving the ball really well even at that late stage in the game with the victory already sown up

 

[bhafc99]

Enjoyed today - 6 of us went - wasn’t much of a game as was just 11 behind ball but Sterling and Kane showed their class - Barclay did well. Maguire solid as ever. Not lost a qualifier in 10 years - the record is ridiculous!

Same here, three dads with 5 kids: £10 for the boys, £25 the adults - so actually pretty reasonable too.

And my first win at Wembley, after two draws and two defeats previously (3 Brighton, 1 England).




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[Sussex Nomad]

Interesting stats...

• No qualifying defeat in almost 10 years
• England are unbeaten in their 11 matches against Bulgaria (W7 D4 L0) - they've faced no nation more times without losing (11 - level with Finland and Turkey).
• England are unbeaten in their last 42 Euro/World Cup qualifying matches (W33 D9 L0), since losing 0-1 to Ukraine in October 2009.
• Harry Kane became the first player to score 25+ goals in his first 40 appearances for the England men's team since Gary Lineker (27 goals). It was his 13th hat-trick for club and country (11 for Spurs, two for England).
• Kane has scored eight penalties for England (excluding shoot-outs) - only Frank Lampard (nine) has netted more for the Three Lions.
• Raheem Sterling has been directly involved in nine goals in his last seven appearances for England (seven goals and two assists); as many goal involvements as he registered in his previous 33.
• Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid) became the first player representing a Spanish club to play for the England men's team since David Beckham (Real Madrid) in June 2007.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Maguire is currently the best available England CB, on both form and ability.

If he had come through our ranks he wouldn't be worth more than £5 million.

 

[Wozza]

England have it soooo easy in that group.

Stark contrast to the level of intensity in Germany v Holland...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAK6N_z_nQ4

 

[Eeyore]

Interesting stats...

• No qualifying defeat in almost 10 years
• England are unbeaten in their 11 matches against Bulgaria (W7 D4 L0) - they've faced no nation more times without losing (11 - level with Finland and Turkey).
• England are unbeaten in their last 42 Euro/World Cup qualifying matches (W33 D9 L0), since losing 0-1 to Ukraine in October 2009.
• Harry Kane became the first player to score 25+ goals in his first 40 appearances for the England men's team since Gary Lineker (27 goals). It was his 13th hat-trick for club and country (11 for Spurs, two for England).
• Kane has scored eight penalties for England (excluding shoot-outs) - only Frank Lampard (nine) has netted more for the Three Lions.
• Raheem Sterling has been directly involved in nine goals in his last seven appearances for England (seven goals and two assists); as many goal involvements as he registered in his previous 33.
• Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid) became the first player representing a Spanish club to play for the England men's team since David Beckham (Real Madrid) in June 2007.

May go some way to explaining it.... 2010-2018 in qualifying.

Montenegro x 2
Switzerland x 2
Wales
Bulgaria
Ukraine
Poland
Moldova
San Marino x 2
Slovenia x 2
Estonia
Lithuania x 2
Slovakia
Scotland
Malta

Some of the big nations must be wondering who is sleeping with who

You'd have expected a Group of Death by now.