Italy v England

[Sheebo]

Perhaps that's because we then have to play good teams, who are peaking at just the right time. It feels as though sides like Italy rarely peak in qualifying: they seem to do the minimum needed to get themselves to the finals and save their best form for when it really matters.

England on the other hand have tended to get excited about a qualifying campaign in which they beat someone like Luxembourg and Georgia, and then generally flop against the first decent opponents they play in the finals. Unless it's Holland.

True although we have had some 'fairly' difficult looking qualifying games. Croatia springs to mind and Switzeland away last year looked extremely tough. People were raving about the Swiss at the World Cup - we go to their place and convincingly beat them and it seems forgotten... Portugal are another who are traditionally extremely poor in qualifying but do better than us at the majors. And France...

 

[Sheebo]

Italy are pretty poor, this is a good chance to get a big scalp

We should never have lost to them at the WC. We were the better side hat night!

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Perhaps that's because we then have to play good teams, who are peaking at just the right time. It feels as though sides like Italy rarely peak in qualifying: they seem to do the minimum needed to get themselves to the finals and save their best form for when it really matters.

England on the other hand have tended to get excited about a qualifying campaign in which they beat someone like Luxembourg and Georgia, and then generally flop against the first decent opponents they play in the finals. Unless it's Holland.

True. Neither supporters nor players seem to have much interest in qualifying games over here.

 

[Vegas Seagull]

Italy are pretty poor, this is a good chance to get a big scalp

10 changes, the country in the World least bothered by friendlies...done us to score earlyish & better performance & them to not score many and later....with a 0-0 saver

 

[Vegas Seagull]

Shameful build up by ITV, 15 mins with monster ad breaks, they really should be ashamed

 

[vegster]

Shameful build up by ITV, 15 mins with monster ad breaks, they really should be ashamed

Treating the fixture with the contempt it deserves... anyway, we are overdue a long term injury "concern ", my money is on Walcott or Clyne.

 

[brakespear]

the italian job? clive tyldesley is such a dick.

 

[Icy Gull]

Both teams looking very poor so far, I'll give this shite another 10 and then get on with my life

 

[stripeyshark]

Good support tonight from the England fans.

 

[maltaseagull]

Was having pasta tonight. But I put my footdown We had French so wee veal vin

Sorry! My fault if we lose. We had spag bol ! (It was great though)

 

[maltaseagull]

Balls! Good goal though but he never looks like scoring for Saints

 

[brakespear]

nice header that.

 

[Bladders]

Jones beaten by a 50 year old left back.

 

[gregbrighton]

Behind already. Yawn.

 

[maltaseagull]

I do wonder why Jones is considered good enough to play for England in defence and midfield. Never been that impressed with him. Surely we have better options in midfield than this?

 

[HantsSeagull]

I do wonder why Jones is considered good enough to play for England in defence and midfield. Never been that impressed with him. Surely we have better options in midfield than this?

i would normally agree, but apparently we don't. Delph is playing......

 

[Bladders]

I do wonder why Jones is considered good enough to play for England in defence and midfield. Never been that impressed with him. Surely we have better options in midfield than this?

Going to be the best Utd player ever according to SAF

He's woeful , plays poorly at centre half for Utd so why the **** is in England's midfield?

Baffling selection

 

[Bladders]

Usual England, can't string two passes together.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

"Wayne Rooney says other nations will be 'frightened' by England"

I'm not watching the game but do Italy look frightened?

 

[maltaseagull]

Going to be the best Utd player ever according to SAF

He's woeful , plays poorly at centre half for Utd so why the **** is in England's midfield?

Baffling selection

It's funny that Utd bought Jones the same year that Liverpool bought Henderson.

For the 1st season it did look like Utd got the better deal but definitely not now. Different class.