The Official (And Quite Lonely For Those Who Contribute) England v Malta Thread...

[Green Cross Code Man]

Was that booing for Rooney when he launched that shit over the bar?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Was that booing for Rooney when he launched that shit over the bar?

It was.

And if it wasn't, it should've been.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Dull fare.

 

[Eeyore]

Even Scotland beat them by 4. Can't believe we've only scored 2 [emoji20]

They felt more confident against Scotland and actually left the final third. Then came sending offs.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Dull, plodding cr@p made so much worse by that bloody drum and trumpet. Why did I bother watching this.

 

[crookie]

Thought we were pretty good first half, their keeper was decent, pulled off a few save. Second half very disappointing, thought we'd really go for it, final ball/cross, too often to a defender or nowhere near one of ours. 7/10 first half, 4/10 second half for me

 

[hitony]

It was appalling, we passed the ball back and forth around the half way line, Why? to get good stats?? FFS it was shocking.......multi million pound waste of spaces v shop keepers!! I really am appalled by that!! ...YES...WE WON....very poor performance....

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Rooney slowing down play as normal.

 

[joeinbrighton]

Good 1st half. Final ball was lacking in the 2nd half. When you come up against a team defending in such numbers which is now quite commonplace in international qualifying tournaments because even the diddiest of teams know the basics of defending compared to 20 years ago, you need to have a bit more guile and imagination opening them up. England just seemed to get stuck in the same gear in the 2nd half.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Henderson's "creativity" earns him Man Of The Match. Jesus wept!

 

[Me and my Monkey]

That was absolutely dreadful. How can they justify that? Playing in front of 80000, at their home stadium, against MALTA! Oh, FFS, I'm so unspeakably CROSS! When the bloody hell will I learn to stop watching this crap?!

 

[BensGrandad]

The end result of a win was satisfactory but the scoreline was poor for us and the performance in the 2nd half didnt inspire confidence in Southgate as full tine boss.

 

[crookie]

Henderson's "creativity" earns him Man Of The Match. Jesus wept!

Agreed, what creativity ??!! Can't think of anyone who deserved a MOM today

 

[swindonseagull]

How was it? I fell asleep during the National Anthem and woke up with the wife watching Strictly.....

 

[joeinbrighton]

No point going overboard. Italy only managed 2 1-0 wins over Malta qualifying for the Euros. I don't suppose their supporters pelted the players with pizza though because really qualification tournaments are just a means to an end, qualifying.

That match didn't really raise anything that wasn't known already, namely that England need a decent #8 midfielder who can open up a resolute defence with a defence splitting pass and need more penetration and reliability from out wide, rather than relying on the running of the full backs.

They could also do with some more midfield runners in the box. In part this is down to there not being a whole lot of attack minded English midfielders out there at the moment, but I think a lack of confidence may also be a factor.

 

[GT49er]

Couldn't check to verify it because the cameras seemed to avoid showing a full length shot of Southgate again, but was our brand new sparkling manager really wearing a smart three piece suit, collar and tie......with TRAINERS? At least he wasn't carrying a brolly, I suppose.........................................

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

How was it? I fell asleep during the National Anthem and woke up with the wife watching Strictly.....

Daisy Lowe danced beautifully.

 

[Ernest]

X Factor is on at 8

 

[atfc village]

I don't think that Andrew Hogg will still be at Hibs by season's end...

No he'll move to Hamrun. He's done his time abroad.

 

[ewe2]

Early evening Saturday tely is not what it used to be !!