Football Focus

[SimonM]

Wonder what the odds are of Eduardo getting the first goal...?

[atila the gooner]

SimonM Wrote:

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> Wonder what the odds are of Eduardo getting the

> first goal...?

I think about 9/1. I don't know for sure.

[citizenED]

Before the Russia result (and then the Austrian one), we clocked up 5 3-0 victories. Being just this side of stupid, I'm boldly predicting England 3 - 0 Croatia

[Jah Lush]

I hope you're right Citizen. A result like that would certainly have me leaping around the living room with joy. Unfortunately I have to work late tonight and will only get home in time for the second half but I still feel that it is potentially the biggest banana skin for us so far in the competition. Basically it's shit or bust so I'll be watching with fingers crossed and buttocks clenched from behind the sofa.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I would have thought England will comfortably get a result tonight. Croatia won't be playing with the handbrake off and the sense of needing a result should mean England's players will be up for it (as opposed to SAYING they are up for it which is what they usually do)

[barrymarshall]

I entertained that for a while too SMG, but I don't think so. Although Croatia have nothing to play for (well the prestige of coming top of the group) no team goes onto the field without intending to win - except for England, obviously ...

[Keef]

I think England will get the result they need tonight.

Both teams do have something to play for. With the host countries (who are sh!T) being saved a spot with the top seeds, it is important to win your group to avoid being drawn in a "group of death".

[Ladygooner]

Not looking good at half time:(

[citizenED]

Just editing my previous post *ahem* "Before the Russia result (and then the Austrian one), we clocked up 5 3-0 victories. Being just this side of stupid, I'm boldly predicting England 3 - 0 Croatia" er, I meant Croatia 3 - 0 England

[East Dulwich Angst]

FAO Mr McClaren

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/Taxes_and_Returns_images/p45.gif

[Michael Palaeologus]

Oh well, only a game of footie. Nobody died.

[mockney piers]

Thank god this ain't columbia eh MP.

[SeanMacGabhann]

My favourite bit of commentary came about 10 mins from the end

Motson: "Mark... say something"

5 second pause

Lawrenson: "I.. can't"

Cue further silence

[Ladygooner]

Couldn't bring myself to watch a lot of it but MacLaren should definitely go now - whats the betting he doesn't though?

[Michael Palaeologus]

Indeed MP - or Iraq under Saddam.

[Annasfield]

Yes, but I'll bet the Child benefits bloke is quite chuffed with the result. Headlines will be focused elsewhere me thinks!

[Keef]

Having watched the first few minutes, I smoked a joint. Have never found a game of football so funny!

Ian Wright got it spot on after the match, England didn't deserve to go through on what they did throughout the campaign. We were handed a chance, that we didn't deserve, on a plate, and still couldn't muster a performance!

I was full of affection for Beckham last night, because his old legs were still trying, and like so many times before, he was one of the only ones that looked like he really really cared!

Thought Croutch could hold his head up too, he even looked okay in the first half, but got nothing from his team mates.

It pains me to say it, but Stevie G was a bit shit.

I refuse to lay the blame with Carson, if it wasn't for him, we would have lost by a landslide. Just hope he comes through this because he's a better keeper than Robinson.

[Ladygooner]

Even if we had scraped through we wouldn't have got past the first round next year in Switzerland

[atila the gooner]

Last nights performance epitomised everything thats wrong with our international football, which is why I care so little for it!!!!! Thank god the prem is back on Saturday!!

[SimonM]

>>Oh well, only a game of footie. Nobody died<<

Tsk! Go and wash your mouth out. :)) As the venerable and wise sage St William of Anfield famously decreed..."Football is not a matter of life and death - it is far more important than that".

I had high hopes of us winning the whole thing had we scraped through last night, on the ground that mediocre teams can win the Euro....see Greece last time out for example. Croatia played better than us in both games. The only bit of real class last night from England was Beckham's cross and Crouch's finish...

Anyway, spilt milk etc...

[Jah Lush]

I predicted this result...well 1-2 actually but wasn't far off was I. Most people when they're sacked get f**k all but McLaren walks away with two and a half million quid for failure. Nice work if you can get it.

I wasn't confident about this match before last night but when I saw the formation we were going to deploy I knew we were doomed.

We're playing home and we need a result and he plays one man up front on his own. Doesn't inspire confidence does it. Lampard & Gerrard can't play together, we've known that for ages. I thought it was Gerrard's worse performance in an England shirt but he wasn't the only one. We were rubbish throughout most of this tournament and got what we deserved. F**k all! Apart from McLaren that is, who has trousered a nice big fat cheque.

[atila the gooner]

What did the FA honestly expect from a manager who was their fourth choice, and was a rubbish club manager. Having said that only Crouch came away with a scrap of credit for the way he performed last night. The others looked less than average. As Jah said, it's a must win game and we play one up front, and that is a guy who, let's face it, would not get into many sides in the prem.

[Keef]

One up front, and you leave the only man with a hope of feeding him on the bench! I know Beckham needed to be fitter, but at least he could have put a cross on Croutches head!

I thought Darren Bent did very very well in making that chance for himself towards the end, I know he didn't score, but most people wouldn't have got a touch on the ball let alone a shot! I know spurs are struggling, but I really do like Bent, and think he may have a future...

[Ladygooner]

Thank God Allardyce has said he isn't interested in the job!

[atila the gooner]

Ladygooner Wrote:

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> Thank God Allardyce has said he isn't interested

> in the job!

No, he's far too busy turning Newcastle into a mid table non-descript side.>:D<