The 20-21 season football thread

Could have been a WBMT post, but did not get the commentators last night telling us what a 'great game' Italy Spain was.

It had a few chances yes, I have seen far worse, but generally the chances were not clear, and it was just possession football.

Think (if we get through tonight) Spain would have been the easier game, but Italy are no better than we are,

I only switched it on just after Italy scored but I didn't see anything that made me think that England would struggle to beat either team. I think Denmark this evening will be tougher opponents.
 
I only switched it on just after Italy scored but I didn't see anything that made me think that England would struggle to beat either team. I think Denmark this evening will be tougher opponents.

We obviously see football in a very different way, both teams looked a cut above England to me.
Comfortable on the ball and passing it with intent rather than because they don't really know what to do next.
Italy have two exceptional central defenders, experience makes up for their lack of pace.
Verratti is the midfielder we would love to have, horrible niggly little git who keeps on going, reminds me a bit of Paul Ince.
Winning penalty was pure class, please god none of our lot try it.
 
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We obviously see football in a very different way, both teams looked a cut above England to me.
Comfortable on the ball and passing it with intent rather than because they don't really know what to do next.
Italy have two exceptional central defenders, experience makes up for their lack of pace.
Verratti is the midfielder we would love to have, horrible niggly little git who keeps on going, reminds me a bit of Paul Ince.
Winning penalty was pure class, please god none of our lot try it.

Each team was constantly giving the ball away.
 
Just think, if we were to win it, we left Europe, then come back and lift their trophy :LOL:
 
Why is that so funny?
About as amusing as the nasty s*** aimed at the little German girl who was crying in the crowd.

Wind your neck in, it's not anywhere near being "nasty", and I haven't a clue what you're going on about with a German girl crying. Kids do that, my son did it at Arsenal games, far too regularly......
 
Your captain is @ three to one, neat odds @ first goal with online gambling stores. He is lively & up from sleep @ 0700hrs BST & ready to meet other friends for easy win this evening.



Then Italia.
 
Wind your neck in, it's not anywhere near being "nasty", and I haven't a clue what you're going on about with a German girl crying. Kids do that, my son did it at Arsenal games, far too regularly......

You should be reported to NSPCC - making your son watch Arsenal games!
 
You should be reported to NSPCC - making your son watch Arsenal games!
He would of cried if I hadn't taken him, so lose - lose situation really :)

He's all grown up with kids of his own now...

Ok then, pathetic and childish might be a better description of your comment

You sound just like my wife.....
 
He would of cried if I hadn't taken him, so lose - lose situation really :)

He's all grown up with kids of his own now...



You sound just like my wife.....

You have to make allowances Jelster ? I think the guy has just come out of hospital after having his 'humerous' removed. :D
 
Why is that so funny?
About as amusing as the nasty s*** aimed at the little German girl who was crying in the crowd.

Yes..I saw that little girl too and I thought that had I been an England player and seen her crying I'd have gone to her and given her my shirt. So sad.
 
I'll be watching Vestergaad closely as Spurs are in talks toisign him from Southampton where he's a centre-back along with his Denmark team mate Joachim Anderson, also a centre-back who is with Lyon but was n loan to Fulham last season and doesn't want to return to Lyons. Spurs need to shore up their defence.
 
HT "and breathe”.
 
Never a penalty, harsh on the Danes but England have been the better side. I would liked to have seen [end game] peno's ... I just love peno's no matter who's playing though

Italy won't be sweating either way, it was much of a muchness for them
 
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I want them to win whatever. I certainly don't think we've had the best of this refs decisions. Theirs was never a free kick.

Agree, Maguire's yellow was not a yellow, Kanes foul could have been a pen, Sterlings was soft but you make contact and you run the risk.

Deserved the win,

That said - Southgate should know we can make more than 1 sub in 90 mins? And while Sterling was excellent, he should have gone off, save his legs.
 
I don’t care. I just wanted us to win!

And England are in the final:banana:
 
I want them to win whatever. I certainly don't think we've had the best of this refs decisions. Theirs was never a free kick.
Yup. They played for the 2nd free kick - you could see that from the chit chat beforehand. I think Denmark did slightly better from the Ref than us.

When we played clever football, they had no answer. We need to do that on Sunday.
 
Yup. They played for the 2nd free kick - you could see that from the chit chat beforehand. I think Denmark did slightly better from the Ref than us.

When we played clever football, they had no answer. We need to do that on Sunday.

Fitness was a big factor, they faded after 70m
 
England through to their first major men's final since 1966.

Just let that sink in for a moment!
 
How many times did Luke Shaw check back and pass backwards to Harry Macguire ? which would start a new phase of Macguire to Stones, Stones to Walker, repeat . . . repeat. Very frustrating and frankly boring to watch. This doesn't strike me as 'probing' possession football but guys who are not confident of making a forward pass without losing possession. Ben Chilwell's forte is 'bombing' on down the left touchline, corner flag or bust :) Harry Kane needs this service. Shaw has done OK and I have no doubt he is following instructions but (imo) Chilwell carries far more threat.
 
Yup. They played for the 2nd free kick - you could see that from the chit chat beforehand. I think Denmark did slightly better from the Ref than us.

When we played clever football, they had no answer. We need to do that on Sunday.

Is it a requirement that top referees have played the game at a decent level ?
Why are they constantly whistling for fouls when minimal body contact results in players theatrically throwing themselves to the ground, (cue: screaming as if shot by a sniper in the stands) Oh and Harry Kane needs more practice he is far below Jack Grealish's level. This 'diving' has totally spoiled the 'flow of the game and I find it embarrassing.
 
How many times did Luke Shaw check back and pass backwards to Harry Macguire ? which would start a new phase of Macguire to Stones, Stones to Walker, repeat . . . repeat. Very frustrating and frankly boring to watch. This doesn't strike me as 'probing' possession football but guys who are not confident of making a forward pass without losing possession. Ben Chilwell's forte is 'bombing' on down the left touchline, corner flag or bust :) Harry Kane needs this service. Shaw has done OK and I have no doubt he is following instructions but (imo) Chilwell carries far more threat.

After Sterling, Shaw has been out best player and huge threat, a number of involvements in goals and near misses.
 
I could stand no more from the lunatic commentator in the closing stages of last night's game.
Thought he was going to have to be taken away frothing at the mouth, just inane ranting.

Sunday should be an interesting match, hard one to call although I think Italy have the edge.
 
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After Sterling, Shaw has been out best player and huge threat, a number of involvements in goals and near misses.

I think Shaw was a threat and created chances against a poor Ukraine. Last night against a far superior Denmark he was ineffectual in an attacking sense. Constantly turning back, his 'out' ball was Harry Macguire. I shall watch his performance against Italy (if selected ;)) with interest.
 
I'm always amused when these pro footballers make great runs [example, Sterlings solo run through 3-4 defenders] only to fluff the final pass like a Sunday league bench warmer! SO many times this comp, and every other major tournie before it, we've seen excellent footwork, ball skills, speed, flair and then *HOOF*! a bog-toe shot over the bar or an attempt to pass that ends in the 2nd tier of the stands. The odd 'balls up' is acceptable but count how many times it happens in the final, from both sides. Take a shot every time and you'll be on the floor before half time

What are the predictions? anyone putting their money where their mouth is? As a neutral I see it being very tight, I think it'll be a bit of a bore fest first half but ramp up in the second - I think both teams will score but I see Italy just having that extra flair, being more solid in defence and taking it 2-1 [possible ET at 1-1]
 
I could stand no more from the lunatic commentator in the closing stages of last night's game.
Thought he was going to have to be taken away frothing at the mouth, just inane ranting.

Sunday should be an interesting match, hard one to call although I think Italy have the edge.
The ITV commentary was appalling.
 
I'm always amused when these pro footballers make great runs [example, Sterlings solo run through 3-4 defenders] only to fluff the final pass like a Sunday league bench warmer! SO many times this comp, and every other major tournie before it, we've seen excellent footwork, ball skills, speed, flair and then *HOOF*! a bog-toe shot over the bar or an attempt to pass that ends in the 2nd tier of the stands. The odd 'balls up' is acceptable but count how many times it happens in the final, from both sides. Take a shot every time and you'll be on the floor before half time

What are the predictions? anyone putting their money where their mouth is? As a neutral I see it being very tight, I think it'll be a bit of a bore fest first half but ramp up in the second - I think both teams will score but I see Italy just having that extra flair, being more solid in defence and taking it 2-1 [possible ET at 1-1]

I think a cagey first half with a goal coming from either a set piece or stroke of genius.

I didn't think Saka was that good last night - but maybe go 3 at the back for this one, possibly with him as a wing back.

Would prefer to see Foden/Grealish in for Mount and Henderson for Rice.

I think it will go to ET too.
 
Is it a requirement that top referees have played the game at a decent level ?
As far as know, it is not a requirement for a Referee to have played football at any level.

Last night's game was pretty even, but glad that England shaded it. I had the destiny thing in the back of my mind because what happened to Eriksen.

Pickford had me worried again with some of his clearances. I just hope one of those wayward kicks does not end up costing England dear, but if it does I hope it's after Sunday in a friendly down the line. He was lucky a couple of times last night.
 
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213560806_2063609047112179_6481539126878076213_n.jpg

Sterling's heat-map v Denmark.
 
Laser pen shone in Schmeicel's face when the penalty was being taken, not to mention 2 balls on the pitch in the build up to the 1st goal.....I think England had an easy ride from the ref.

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/fo...-face-harry-kane-england-penalty-b944690.html

https://www.givemesport.com/1718181...-stood-with-two-balls-on-the-pitch-vs-denmark
Always one idiot....

I think the ref was relatively balanced. Not as good as the red in the Ita/Spa game.

Who has the final has it been announced.
 
I'm always amused when these pro footballers make great runs [example, Sterlings solo run through 3-4 defenders] only to fluff the final pass like a Sunday league bench warmer! SO many times this comp, and every other major tournie before it, we've seen excellent footwork, ball skills, speed, flair and then *HOOF*! a bog-toe shot over the bar or an attempt to pass that ends in the 2nd tier of the stands. The odd 'balls up' is acceptable but count how many times it happens in the final, from both sides. Take a shot every time and you'll be on the floor before half time

This is an entirely natural result. As effort and consequently fatigue 'builds' the skill level both mental and physical wanes. The fitter football(er) or team are not just capable of running further/faster but their ball control skills take less of a hit from the effects of fatigue. As you would expect some are affected more than others.
 
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This is an entirely natural result. As effort and consequently fatigue 'builds' the skill level both mental and physical wanes. The fitter football(er) or team are not just capable of running further/faster but their ball control skills take less of a hit from the effects of fatigue. As you would expect some are affected more than others.

That would explain the hoofed passes or sky rocket goal attempts in the later stages but not early in the first half. Good point though, will be watching for how many passes to the opposition/into no man's land etc happen earlier in the game.
 
I could stand no more from the lunatic commentator in the closing stages of last night's game.
Thought he was going to have to be taken away frothing at the mouth, just inane ranting.

Sunday should be an interesting match, hard one to call although I think Italy have the edge.

That was Sam Matterface. They do my head in,too. Another one is BBC's Jonathon Pearce. He used to be commentating on 5 Live and my heart sank when I heard it was him. I was pleased he went to BBC TV commentating .Thy must have had a word with him as he wasn't as bad on TV. At least he admits he goes OTT. Also, John Murray...BBC. When 5 Live advertise football or motor racing..Formula One.. I lunge to the volume knob and rapidly turn it to off before I hear these crazy people. Sometimes they catch me out ,though..:(
 
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