03 Jul 2021 21:18:02
Need to work on those set-pieces, Shaw 🙄Delighted for him. Some road back. Didn't even think he'd start a game for England at this tourney ahead of Chilwell, and now it looks like it's his place for keeps.

{Ed014's Note - he’s doing really well Nou, I’ve even been impressed with him.

1.) 03 Jul 2021
03 Jul 2021 21:45:47
Well knock me over with a feather duster Ed014 😁.

{Ed014's Note - credit where it’s due mate he’s been on it!

2.) 03 Jul 2021
03 Jul 2021 21:53:54
He certainly is performing for our next manager.

3.) 04 Jul 2021
04 Jul 2021 04:16:44
We have not faced a really good team yet so let's not get too carried away. Denmark will be no pushovers and if we get past them it is likely to be against a really good Italy.

4.) 04 Jul 2021
04 Jul 2021 07:54:02
If that is your train of thought, then Italy haven't faced a really good opponent either.

5.) 04 Jul 2021
04 Jul 2021 08:32:59
Salford, I'd argue that Germany the 4th favourites for the tournament were a really good side.

Trololo, Italy beat Belgium the world No.1 ranked team and second favourites for this tournament. They also easily dispatched the Swiss team, in the group stage, that knocked out France. They'll also be playing Spain before any possible final.

Italy have looked a top side and probably played the best of any side since day one of the tournament. The question is whether they can sustain that level of form all the way to winning it.

England on the other hand started slowly, probably due to half the squad being late to meeting up with the England squad due to participation in the club European cup finals. Either way they started slowly, didn't really start playing well until the knockout stages with a great win over Germany, followed with a very strong and complete performance against the Ukraine last night.

I think it's a little disrespectful though to start assuming it will be a Italy Vs England final. Spain are a strong side with recent winning pedigree and the players who can keep the ball and make it difficult for Italy to play. While Denmark are riding a wave of emotion after what happened with Eriksen. We have seen previously with Denmark that they can pull of a suprise win at the Euro's. They will have a lot of belief in themselves and will fight for Eriksen. They will be a tough opponent.

6.) 04 Jul 2021
04 Jul 2021 09:31:02
Shappy, you also forgot to mention England had Croatia, the runner up of WC, in their group.

My point exactly was that, if you say England didn't have a great opponent, then you could argue Italy hasn't face any top side either.

Croatia 2nd, Belgium 3rd in the WC. That said, Belgium never won anything, people always expect a lot from them and they never deliver. Hazard was injured and de Bruyne played injured as well.

England faced Germany, which I would argue is a stronger side than Switzerland.

Its just disrespectful writing nonsense like that.

7.) 04 Jul 2021
04 Jul 2021 10:33:46
At the end of the day everything from before the start of the tournament doesn't count for anything. Reputation, what that nation has previously won etc etc is all pointless.

It's the form and how you play at that tournament that counts.

France were heavy favourites, current world champions, probably the strongest pool of players to draw from of any nation in the world. Players like Laporte has had to switch national sides to get a cap because he can't get near the French team. A player who was arguably one of the best 5 CB's in what is considered to be the toughest league in the world can't get a cap for the country he was born in.

Yet none of that means anything as France played fairly poorly throughout and went out to Switzerland.

Germany had iffy form heading into the tournament, yet changed formation and found form during the tournament. But went out to an England side that on the night played better than them.

Belgium are the No.1 ranked side in the world, but don't seem to have the mental strength needed to make the most of their extremely talented side.

Whoever gets to the final will deserve to get there, they will have beaten every side they came up against. The winner will be the best side at that moment in time. In a years time maybe other sides will be better, but that doesn't matter you need to be the best side during a tournament to win it. Whoever that is will have earned it.

8.) 04 Jul 2021
04 Jul 2021 13:25:02
3 of last night's goals were simple headers from set pieces. That's what we do best. Asisde from the first goal for the first half we just passed sideways without any creativity or penetration through the middle at all. Not knocking it but our strengths are the speed on the flanks, set pieces and our depth which I have to say is the strongest in the competition. We have options in all areas whereas you'd have to say any change the Danes make weakens their first XI. Kjaer and Vestergard are in for a busy night, and the fullbacks I imagine will be run ragged. Still, they are extremely well-drilled, super fit and the midfield works very hard. They'll know exactly what they're doing. Having said all that, I'd be disappointed to have beaten Germany and put in the Ukraine performance only to fizzle out now without reaching the final, even if Denmark have been a few pundit's dark horses to do well. The fact they are still in the tournament is a miracle after those opening two games.

9.) 04 Jul 2021
04 Jul 2021 14:09:24
Spenno, I actually think England's strength in depth in the attacking areas are part of the issue.

We have Kane, Rashford, Sterling, Grealish, Sancho, DCL, Saka, Foden, and Mount all at the Euro's. With players like Watkins, Greenwood, Lingard, Maddison, Alli, Abraham, and Harvey Barnes who didn't make it either through injury or selection.

That's 16 players with very different styles of play that could in theory be first choice for England in any of the front 4 positions (ST, wide or No.10).

It makes it very hard for our forwards to form a cohesive attacking unit when there is so much chopping and changing. Players having to get use to a different player who plays in a different way.

10.) 04 Jul 2021
04 Jul 2021 18:51:23
Come on Denmark.

11.) 04 Jul 2021
04 Jul 2021 22:35:35
Denmark are not just playing for Eriksson, they have played very well and play with a nice progressive and direct style that looks like creating chances regularly.

England seem to be defending by hypnotizing teams to sleep by passing side to side in front of them endlessly. There is very little chance creation threat, but at international football you don't need so many chances. There is a lot of time in the game and safely playing no risk passes takes large amounts of time away from the other team.

In this style, I'm not sure what mount offers. I'd actually prefer to see sterling play a free 10 role and get another wide player on the pitch. (I do like Mount, just seemed lost in the game against Ukrain)

12.) 05 Jul 2021
05 Jul 2021 00:04:02
I don't think Rice has got enough love for his performances thus far. He has been asked to do a job and has done it exceptionally well.

To be fair every England player has executed the orders they have been set thus far and that's one thing that's been impressive, every member of that squad has put the team first.

13.) 05 Jul 2021
05 Jul 2021 10:18:01
Dodgy, I think Mount is a fantastic player but I do agree he needs players in and around to play quick give and go passes.

Personally I'd drop him for Grealish. His individual style and ability to just pick up the ball and create something, even if it's just winning a free kick, could be the spark to get us those vital goals.

Against the Ukraine we have shown that we can create good chances from dead ball situations. We have players who can deliver the ball into dangerous areas and players who can attack that ball.

Switching Mount for Grealish in my opinion makes England a more dangerous side going forward. Even if I think that Mount is the better player.

14.) 05 Jul 2021
05 Jul 2021 21:00:06
Love it WRD 😁.

{Ed014's Note - note everyone but the Irish guy just ignored his comment! 🤣🤣

15.) 05 Jul 2021
05 Jul 2021 22:20:11
Fund raiser needed for wrd he will need to buy his fifth different football shirt on Wednesday.

16.) 05 Jul 2021
05 Jul 2021 23:32:03
Ed014, I was throwing him a bone 😁 To be fair to Welsh, I've been there too, as I suspect a lot of Celts have been over the years where England are concerned. This particular manager and group of players jusr aren't annoying me as much as previous groups 😁.

17.) 06 Jul 2021
06 Jul 2021 00:01:37
I'm glad we are not as loathsome as we normally are nou, we are trying our best to win in a way that duznt annoy celts
I'm sure if we win on Wednesday if we issue a national apology things will be okay .
Just joking lads love it cheer for whoever you want.

18.) 06 Jul 2021
06 Jul 2021 18:09:39
I'm cheering you on, Slate! It may be through gritted teeth, and the media can make it flippin difficult sometimes, but I honestly am 😁.