England lose to Croatia

[as_i_say]

there are plenty of rich russians who will be travelling over and are less likely to throw a chair through a shop window in the rabid grip of stella artois fever at 2 in the afternoon.

[beautifulrock]

there are plenty of rich russians who will be travelling over and are less likely to throw a chair through a shop window in the rabid grip of stella artois fever at 2 in the afternoon.

Perhaps but not near the 60,000 and there are not that many rich Russians. A few very rich Russian alright though

[Stuttgart88]

Good point!

Seriously though, didn't Bilic do a good job with their U21s first?

[Closed Account 2]

I feel that Steven Staunton, with his tactical acumen, ability to inspire great players, knowledge of the world game, wealth of experience, candid thoughts on player performance, and unsurpassed achievments in European football, would be the ideal man to lead the English into the next campaign and beyond.

[Lim till i die]

Football was the real winner last night

British (And by extension Irish) football is lagging as far behind the continent as it ever was

Stevie Courageous once again shown up as a huff merchant
Frank Lampard shown up as a non entity again
English football shown up as tactically clueless kick and rush, despite the hype

Was genuinely delighted last night, it would have been a crime against football for that English team to qualify

[Green Tribe]

McClaren and Venables sacked

[Roadend]

It was interesting that when they really needed to lump it into the box, they couldn't.

[Lim till i die]

Venables sacked

Possibly the only thing funnier than John Motson last night is the fact that the FAI are probably going to give this charlatan a job

[anto1208]

McClaren and Venables sacked

Now watch the FAI give Venables the guy 2nd in charge of that fiasco a job FFS

[eirebhoy]

English football shown up as tactically clueless kick and rush

That's exactly what it was. How many English playmakers can you name? Scholes? That's incredible. Spain have 3 playmakers in their first team in Xavi, Fabregas and Alonso.

[Lim till i die]

That's exactly what it was. How many English playmakers can you name? Scholes? That's incredible. Spain have 3 playmakers in their first team in Xavi, Fabregas and Alonso.

And I wouldn't even consider Scholes a playmaker in the sort of continental sense.

He can still be far more hyper at times then the lads you mentioned above

[Dodge]

That's exactly what it was. How many English playmakers can you name? Scholes? That's incredible. Spain have 3 playmakers in their first team in Xavi, Fabregas and Alonso.

And Xavi is only the third choice midfielder for his club (behind 2 better playmakers in Deco and Iniesta)

It all boils down to midfielders for me. And England's is terrible at international level. Gerrard is a sham, and Lampard isn't much better (although his work rate is massive).

In saying that how many of the team that played last night would be considered world class?

Carson - not evn good in a premiership sense
Richards - potentially. Doesn't help playing centre half for club and right back for country
Bridge - only playing as he's one of about 3 english left fulls around
Campbell - 5 years ago maybe
Lescott - good honest premiership defender.
Gerrard - overrated wankbag
Lampard - huffer.
Barry - honest worker. Decent left foot. Slow as hell
Wright philips - Headless chicken
Cole - Decent player. Too inconsistent though
Crouch - Effective but limited

Of those missing, I'd say only Rooney could be considered world class. Owen on his day is a fine striker too. Beckham, despite being completely over rated is still England's only creative midfielder.

[Green Tribe]

I feel that Steven Staunton, with his tactical acumen, ability to inspire great players, knowledge of the world game, wealth of experience, candid thoughts on player performance, and unsurpassed achievments in European football, would be the ideal man to lead the English into the next campaign and beyond.

Steve Staunton should take the England job, at least he has some international experience under his belt now

[lopez]

Gutted this morning. Totally gutted!

Totally gutted that Steve McLaren was sacked. I was hoping for another 2 years out of him.

Mind you, look at the players.

A summer without England flags flying from my neighbour's house bringing down the price of my property. Happy f*cking days!

On the minus side, the FAI aren't seriously thinking of hiring Ronnie Knight, are they?

[anto1208]

Im glad to see there is no anti england sentiments on here today and no one is taking any joy in them getting knocked out

[London-Irish]

What do you reckon lads?

[Lim till i die]

Carson - not evn good in a premiership sense
Richards - potentially. Doesn't help playing centre half for club and right back for country
Bridge - only playing as he's one of about 3 english left fulls around
Campbell - 5 years ago maybe
Lescott - good honest premiership defender.
Gerrard - overrated wankbag
Lampard - huffer.
Barry - honest worker. Decent left foot. Slow as hell
Wright philips - Headless chicken
Cole - Decent player. Too inconsistent though
Crouch - Effective but limited

Almost Spot On Analysis

But I don't think you were harsh enough on Joe Cole

To think the vast majority of Liverpools fans I know think Gerrard is their/the worlds best midfielder

[shaneker]

Bar the English, all the big guns will be at the finals, Italy are WCW, while all semi-finalists in the last tournament were from Western Europe.

Greece's win was a fluke, when everything went their way. It won't happen again. The winner this time will be one from the usual suspects once again.

As for the English, I have a message for them. Your last EC campaign lasted 12 games, and this one also lasted 12 games. Welcome to the rejects list, and see how you cope with been an also ran for a change.

Poland qualified ahead of Portugal, Greece ran away with their group, Scotland ran the WC finalists bloody close, Czechs qualified ahead of Germany, NI beating Spain and Sweden, Romania ahead of Holland.

Greece winning last Euros, Turkey and Korea finishing 3rd and 4th at WC 2002, surely this suggests something is changing albeit slowly.

[geysir]

Motson is a world class commentator, isn't he?

[paul_oshea]

he is a world class gee-bag more like, a total flute.