Euro 2012 - Knockout Stages

[Hoop Blah]

Am I the only one to notice that Ashley Young seems a lot slower than normal? Is he carrying an injury? Normally he'd have the defenders beat for pace easily.

He was touch and go for the game because of, I think, a shin/calf injury.

He was poor in the first 3 games but was worse tonight unfortunately, but with little else to choose from, and subs needed elsewhere I guess Hodgson had to take the gamble.

[cmonurz]

Am I the only one to notice that Ashley Young seems a lot slower than normal? Is he carrying an injury? Normally he'd have the defenders beat for pace easily.

He was touch and go for the game because of, I think, a shin/calf injury.

He was poor in the first 3 games but was worse tonight unfortunately, but with little else to choose from, and subs needed elsewhere I guess Hodgson had to take the gamble.

Tbh, even given his limitations, I'm disappointed we didn't see Downing at all, given Young's struggles.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

One day, just one day, I want to see a keeper stand stock still on a penalty like Pirlo's.

Isnt there one of those floating around on youtube? Famous Italian player taking it? I've had a mindblank as to the name

[Big Ern]

We are 15 years behind the best teams and unless the new ST George's center starts a conveyor belt of players who can keep the ball, then that gap will only get larger.

Best team won and deserved to go through tonight, although it is always disappointing to see your national team go out, but we exceeded our expectations.

At least Lawro's prediction about us winning on Pens didn't com true. He said we would win because we had hart in goal...well Buffon is really shit isn't he Lawro???

[Royal Rother]

One day, just one day, I want to see a keeper stand stock still on a penalty like Pirlo's.

My thoughts entirely. Obviously a 'keeper couldn't do it every time he faced a penalty but in a shoot out I'd love to see one decide to stand still and just trust their reactions. They'd often save a couple that come down the middle or near...

[cmonurz]

We may have lost on pens, but I fully support Hart's use of 'scary Maori face' before each kick.

[Simon's Church]

Didn't think it was that bad a performance

Well what is a BAD performance then? We hardly touched the ball for 100 minutes. We couldn't string more than two passes together. It would have been outrageous if we'd won on penalties. The authorities would had to have changed the rules.

It's about expectations, I know England are shit and thought Italy would walk all over us, winning 2 or 3 nil. Instead, we were on top for 20-25mins, should have scored a couple and limited them to only a few decent chances so overall not a bad performance.

[Hoop Blah]

One day, just one day, I want to see a keeper stand stock still on a penalty like Pirlo's.

Isnt there one of those floating around on youtube? Famous Italian player taking it? I've had a mindblank as to the name

I think it happened to Jermaine Jenas for Newcastle in a shoot out.

[Ups and Downs]

Let's be honest though, if it had to be someone, aren't you glad it was that little cunny?

he's played well the last few games but going out doesn't feel so bad. If he gets his phone up his arse quick enough he can really enjoy those comisseration texts from his mum.

[Royal Rother]

FWIW Italy had 31 shots, 18 on target, England had 8 shots, 4 on target.

[SpaceCruiser]

FWIW Italy had 31 shots, 18 on target, England had 8 shots, 4 on target.

Delight in it, why don't you. Just oxf*rd off.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Didn't think it was that bad a performance

Well what is a BAD performance then? We hardly touched the ball for 100 minutes. We couldn't string more than two passes together. It would have been outrageous if we'd won on penalties. The authorities would had to have changed the rules.

It's about expectations, I know England are shit and thought Italy would walk all over us, winning 2 or 3 nil. Instead, we were on top for 20-25mins, should have scored a couple and limited them to only a few decent chances so overall not a bad performance.

I thought we looked very tidy initially too. IMO we were passing the ball around the best we'd done all tournament. Then it all went to sh1t & didn't really recover.

I really like the look of Carroll. Time to ditch Rooney. Yes he is class for Man U but at international level he just can't produce. I honestly think it's because he wants it so much which is a shame but he definitely needs to be dropped.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

FWIW Italy had 31 shots, 18 on target, England had 8 shots, 4 on target.

Meaningless stat as I can only recall hart have to really make a decent save about twice. three tops.

Almost all those stats for shots/on target are for blocked shots from outside the box.


I think we restricted them pretty well tbf

[Royal Rother]

FWIW Italy had 31 shots, 18 on target, England had 8 shots, 4 on target.

Delight in it, why don't you. Just oxf*rd off.

Class. As always. Once an inadequate, always an inadequate.

[Hoop Blah]

Spot on JMW, the majority of those shots were no threat.

Obviously Italy created a lot than us, and it got worse as the game went on (our aging midfield were over-stretched and ran out of steam), but the first half was pretty even on good scoring opportunities but we failed to get shots off more than them.

[Royal Rother]

FWIW Italy had 31 shots, 18 on target, England had 8 shots, 4 on target.

Meaningless stat as I can only recall hart have to really make a decent save about twice. three tops.

Almost all those stats for shots/on target are for blocked shots from outside the box.


I think we restricted them pretty well tbf

Wouldn't argue with that particularly, which is probably why (without thinking about it) I prefaced it with FWIW.

[leon]

FWIW Italy had 31 shots, 18 on target, England had 8 shots, 4 on target.

Delight in it, why don't you. Just oxf*rd off.

Typical thick football fan. Your team got a footballing lesson tonight. England spent the entire game chasing the Italians. Have the grace and maturity to accept it.

[Hoop Blah]

Oh right, you think he was better the other night? I'm not having that. He was equally poor in both games.

As for the different side of me - despite wanting us to win for national pride, I don't support England, I find them boring and frustrating to watch and have done for decades so I guess I tend to be pretty blunt about the weaknesses and harsh on the supposed superstars.

I should be flattered that you obviously hang on my every word.

Rooney made quite a number of positive contributions against Ukraine in his 80 odd minutes and scored a goal.

Tonight he had much less of a positive impact in 125 minutes and probably had more chances to. I think that means he was worse tonight yes.

[paultheroyal]

Spacecruiser - Grace no. Maturity no.

It just ain't gonna happen.

[Royal Rother]

Oh right, you think he was better the other night? I'm not having that. He was equally poor in both games.

As for the different side of me - despite wanting us to win for national pride, I don't support England, I find them boring and frustrating to watch and have done for decades so I guess I tend to be pretty blunt about the weaknesses and harsh on the supposed superstars.

I should be flattered that you obviously hang on my every word.

Rooney made quite a number of positive contributions against Ukraine in his 80 odd minutes and scored a goal.

Tonight he had much less of a positive impact in 125 minutes and probably had more chances to. I think that means he was worse tonight yes.

We've already established that we agree to disagree about the other night.

We're not going to revisit it now are we?

Anyway, I think he proved tonight that I was far more right than you....