Euro 2016 Discussion

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Duty281 wrote:Sterling and Rooney have been woeful thus far and need to be dropped (but 1 of them certainly won't be), but I would favour giving Kane one final chance. He's had an excellent couple of seasons, and England shouldn't jettison him at the first sign of difficulty.

Rooney woeful? I'm not his biggest fan but he's been pretty good so far, working well alongside Dier allowing Alli to push on further

Gerry Armstrong is top notch in his La Liga commentary. Must be hard getting a word in sat next to that bimbo today.

Harsh on NI, they were the better side today. But Bale produced the one moment of real quality in a really scrappy game.

Very poor last corner.

My pre-tournament pick Wales are only 3 games from glory. Hungary or Belgium next.

Please no more savage.
Even worse than Lawro and that is saying something.

westisbest wrote:Please no more savage.
Even worse than Lawro and that is saying something.

But no one is worse than Andy Townsend!

Townsends actually improved a lot since he first left itv to be fair to him.

Duty281 wrote:

westisbest wrote:Please no more savage.
Even worse than Lawro and that is saying something.

But no one is worse than Andy Townsend!

Savage is the worst I've heard.

Predo's for the next game then lads?

I'll go 2-1 Portugal.

3-0 Croatia. Portugal are ordinary

2-0 Croatia. Ronaldo sent off.

Think the game will suit Portugal. Sit back & counter, whereas the group they had to effectively break down teams themselves. Croatia aren't exactly a side you can put your house on to perform on every occasion. I'd go with a 1-1 , the extra time.

Game panning out nicely for Portugal, frustrating Croatia, who were never going to live up to the performance against Spain.

Obvious penalty not given when Croatian left back kicked Nani in the chest lol

Three awful games today

Renato Sanches is exciting

Who do we send bribes to at FIFA to create an app that lets people vote after 90 mins on whether or not to bother with extra time before the next world cup?

We should bring back golden goal for a shot on target in this game

People laugh when I say this but I'd prefer run ins from the halfway line (ala ice hockey) as opposed to penalties.

I wonder if Ronaldo stays as no.5 on the penalty list

Quaresmaaaaaaaaa!

Thank goodness

Exciting passage of football, that.

Portugal might be average, but they are a tournament side & find a way. Croatia have been pretty dire

How close! Great drama.

We don't even get penalties

What a god awful day of football

Croatia should have taken advantage of Portugal, they've been poor all tournament and Croatia have been much better. After beating Spain, no idea why they were so timid. Portugal were dire yet again. Can't believe Portugal or Poland are going to be in the semi-finals, both have been poor this tournament.

Both undefeated though.

Portugal shut down Modric and rakitic and Croatia hadn't a clue what to do.

Fairly turgid side but they've a clear run to the final now.

2/3 predos right for me today, Wales did me in.

Croatia have always lacked the know-how in these tournaments, that ruthless streak to be taken seriously. I think the manager should of been brave & kept the same side out that beat Spain, but just bring in Modric. It was typical Portugal, for me. Average performance, but resilient, strong at the back & suited to the counter & that's what gets you over the line in tight encounters. Wouldn't surprise me to see them reach the final, they will be a tough nut to crack & that's proven, seeing as they're still unbeaten.

You can look at Portugal two ways

Unbeaten stubborn tournament side

Or

Team that hasn't won in 90 mins despite being in a easy group

Sanches needs to be starting, every time he comes on he lifts that team.

Arguably been their best player. Adds drive and impetus. If Van Gaal really did, and I don't believe the story, veto that move then he's bonkers.

They apparently went to scout him 20 times during the past season. How they let him slip could easily come back to haunt them ala Pogba/Ronaldinho.

Well back to the boys in green today.
France will be tough.
Like I said before pressure on them.

We need to play like we did against Italy and first hour v Sweden.

We can certainly beat them.
I think it will be close.

Defiantly take another 1-0.

westisbest wrote:Well back to the boys in green today.
France will be tough.
Like I said before pressure on them.

We need to play like we did against Italy and first hour v Sweden.

We can certainly beat them.
I think it will be close.

Defiantly take another 1-0.

It was one of the strangest (in mood) weekends of my life, and perhaps many millions of people on these islands.... a roller coaster of big ups and downs.  After yesterday, I need a big lift.  No guarantees at all that I'll get it but here's to one more day of hope.

Looking forward to the Republic of Norwich vs France today

Can anyone explain why Daryl Murphy (21 caps, 0 goals) is starting for Ireland up front today?

Madness

Wow! Fantastic start.

wowowowowowowowowowowowowowowow

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Can anyone explain why Daryl Murphy (21 caps, 0 goals) is starting for Ireland up front today?

Madness

Don't change a winning team, old school.

A tackle so stupid I was surprised Evra didn't commit it.

Well at least there is already more shots than during the whole of Croatia Portugal

Payet goes down trying to buy a FK, doesn't get it, then leaves his foot in on a late tackle seconds later, lovely stuff.

Fancy Giroud to miss a sitter and Evra to get sent off if it stays like this

I think France have been quite disappointing so far this tournament, at no point have they looked comfortable in games. Not sure who the fault can fall with though, Deschamps seems most likely because he has one of the best squads in the tournament to work with.

Def Deschamps for me. Theres no clear direction in this team, are they a possession team or a counter attacking side, do they play with wingers or wide forwards, what formation do they play. Seems like Deschamps changes his answer to all of these on a game by game basis. Also that defense is just not good.

Can't blame Deschamp for the defense though. Having to settle for Rami instead of Varane is clearly a big drop in quality!
Trying to accommodate Pogba has been Deschamp downfall.

Deschamps is up there with Wilmots for worst coach at the tournament - as GSC says what is the French style? Hoping for a moment of magic from Payet/Griezmann?

Ref is keen to blow his whistle - think a red card is on the books here

When he dropped Pogba, France were still pretty awful. When he came back he was their best player vs Switzerland.

What I mean by accommodating Pogba is for instance putting Matuidi on the right side like now where he never ever plays so that Pogba can be on the left side as he's used to for Juventus. Never quite reach a balance.

He should put Matuidi on the bench to be honest.

Also Evra and Sagna are useless going forward. The opponents know that and make it easier to defend against. Can blame Deschamp for not trying Digne and Jallet before.