RoystonFoote'snephew

I was 9 runs out. I don't know if the holders have ever finished bottom of the competition and failed to qualify for the next world cup but it's looking likely. At present I wouldn't back them to beat a team of, 15 year olds.

Bloody Ridiculous! I'm both gutted and fuming at this. I see a, relegation battle looming. 

Absolutely appalling shots, particularly from Stokes. I'll be amazed if England get past 120.

16 hours ago, steviestevieneville said:

What is a room of optimism ?

room for optimism perhaps . Pedantic but I found it funny 

A room of you male nerds always picked last in a games lesson plus one supermodel. 

I always thought a poster was something you stuck on to or hung on a wall. 

4 hours ago, marmite said:

I understand possession football but can someone explain why, when we have a free kick in our own half near half-way, we invariably play it back to Max who lumps it up field to be contested by the half-way line. Surely the free kick should be hit into the opponents penalty area to be contested. I'm well aware that other teams do this as well but I find it so negative.

I find this frustrating. Often we do play the first pass forward but we're in such a rush that when the player (Pring say) looks up the rest of the team are not ready and the ball inevitably ends up back where it started. 

Barclay James Harvest's Everyone is Everybody Else, the best prog concept album of all time. 8 songs about futility and despair finally lifted (via a searing guitar riff) by one of hope. 

If Nige is still here next season (and I hope that he is) will Mehmeti? He doesn't seem to fit the profile of our playing style right now and is not just behind Bell but also Yeboah. Like Adelukan and Szmodics before him this might be one we write off. 

This is the way the world (cup) ends. 

Not with a bang but a whimper. 

That was frustratingly close, especially the Cornick effort that so nearly crept over the line. Ipswich were better 1st half, although Conway should have given us the lead when he headed straight at the keeper from 8 yards, but City were better than the mob in the blue Arsenal kit 2nd half. Ipswich are certainly good going forward but their defence does give up chances. Let's see how we fare against the Welsh scum on saturday, another team starting to score goals for fun. 

As I thought this would go. Ipswich are a major threat going forward but if we can tighten up a bit their back line will give you chances. Conway had to do better than head straight at the keeper from a central position early doors, and we've had a number of half chances in and around their box. We could yet get absolutely battered or with luck we get a draw and save our battering for the Welsh scum on saturday. 

In general play City were totally outclassed by Arsenal but the team spirit was immense in their defensive effort. They hold shape well but they are too passive in their shape. They need to address this as too many secondary balls are picked up by the opposition leading to incessant pressure and consequentially many conceded corners and goals. 

In order that he could sign for South Park did they have to kill Kenny. 

Great effort but opportunities missed on a couple of attacking lineouts and the Boks dominated the late scrums. 

11 minutes ago, redkev said:

Yet another World Cup winner gone and probably the best 

an absolute gentleman 

No probably about it. Put simply he's the greatest footballer this country has ever produced. Between 1962 and 1970 he was widely regarded by players, managers and others involved in football as the best central midfielder in the world. Other contemporary greats of the game such as Pele and Beckenbauer waxed lyrical about him, not just for his footballing ability but also his on field and off field behaviour. He won the Ballon D'Or in 1966 and was runner up in both 1967 and 68. There should be a national day of mourning for his passing. Rest in Peace Sir Bobby, simply the best. Sincere condolences to his family, friends and the football community world wide. 

On 19/10/2023 at 12:08, Super said:

England team

15 Freddie Steward, 14 Jonny May, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 Owen Farrell (c); 9 Alex Mitchell, 1 Joe Marler, 2 Jamie George, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl.

Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Danny Care, 22 George Ford, 23 Ollie Lawrence.

Interesting. I can understand the forward changes but fear the perseverance with Mitchell us a mistake. I can see Reinach with his electric pace putting his box kicking under tremendous pleasure and would have gone for the experienced Care. Steward is the correct call having been inexplicably left out of the squad for the QF, a position that Marcus Smith now finds himself in. 

This really should be titled Millwall fans will never change (I hesitate to call them supporters). Millwall have tried hard to change their image and I don't really know what more they can do as a club, other than move from south London. 

As a City player I always remember him as an emerging talent and exciting wide player that got a shock move to Liverpool. I remember him playing for Luton but lost sight of him after that. 

Great friend of Denis Law and one of my favourites back in the day. Rest in Peace Crunch! Sincere condolences at all family and friends. 

4 minutes ago, Super said:

Shame as the only very small chance I would give us would have been against France. 

I feel currently we could beat the Boks. I didn't fancy us at all against France in a noisy vehement Stade Francais. 

1 minute ago, Full nelson said:

South Africa could play their 2nd XV and still beat us.

No they couldn't. I admit I was one of those who doubted we'd get out  of the group but England have surprised me. They are flying the flag for the northern hemisphere and can beat the Boks. 

Wow! What a game! I expected France would win but the holders are resurgent. Should be hell of a semi final but will the stadium be full now? 

1 minute ago, Northern Red said:

I've been watching this sport for the best part of 30 years and I'm not sure I've ever seen somebody take a mark and then opt for a scrum.

I'm not sure anyone has. But aren't they soft on marks these days. Back in my youth you had to catch the ball while the heel of your foot was fully planted on the ground, now they just seem to catch the ball and wave an arm in the air. 

Any concerns that the 4th QF wouldn't match the excitement of the first 3 are well and truly dispelled. At half time it's the best of the lot. Superb rugby from both sides 

8 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

I'd be bringing Steward back as well. Smith did okay but whoever we play in the semi will be kicking a lot more.

I'd go along with that. Smith is a 10 not a fullback where I feel he takes too many risks. Steward is superb under the high ball of which there is likely to be a lot from our semi final opponents.