The 2020-2021 Football Thread

[Apple fanboy]

It's one of those tight calls that is endlessly debatable and essentially left to the ref's discretion. If the shoe had been on the other foot England fans would, I suspect, not be agreeing with the call. Be careful in defending it because the Italians might pull the exact same stunt on your lot in a few days.

I don’t agree with it and I’m an England fan.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I don’t agree with it and I’m an England fan.

Luck can swing both ways in tournaments, most England fans recognize it was a very debatable call. England played well and, on balance, deserved to win. But of course the Danes are perfectly justified in feeling that they got the short end of the stick.

At least the VAR check didn't go on forever...

 

[Apple fanboy]

Luck can swing both ways in tournaments, most England fans recognize it was a very debatable call. England played well and, on balance, deserved to win. But of course the Danes are perfectly justified in feeling that they got the short end of the stick.

At least the VAR check didn't go on forever...

That’s true. VAR has been a lot better at this tournament than it is in the PL. I do hope they have learned from that.

 

[danny842003]

It's one of those tight calls that is endlessly debatable and essentially left to the ref's discretion. If the shoe had been on the other foot England fans would, I suspect, not be agreeing with the call. Be careful in defending it because the Italians might pull the exact same stunt on your lot in a few days.

Totally but I would argue the Danes had already pulled it with that free kick. On the Aussie commentary Mark Schwartzer was claiming there was no contact I had come off night shift and got well stuck in to a bottle of whiskey so I was agreeing with him. Now I’ve sobered up there clearly was contact. I do agree it looks soft.

 

[danny842003]

There was contact. But it was still pretty soft. You’d be livid if it was how you’d been knocked out.

Situation normal for a big tournament as an England fan then 😂
As I said in the above comment the commentary here has been there was no contact, clearly there was. They had two goes at him and you’re always running the risk.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Situation normal for a big tournament as an England fan then 😂
As I said in the above comment the commentary here has been there was no contact, clearly there was. They had two goes at him and you’re always running the risk.

Agreed it was nice for the luck to go our way for a change. We were the better team on the night. I do think Italy will be a different prospect though.

 

[edvj]

Danish spectators reported on Thursday about "aggressive atmosphere" at Wembley, misogynistic shouts of women and xenophobia and generally bad behavior from English fans. A Dane's spouse was beaten in the stomach, while another saw English fans spit on a small, Danish boy.…There were some English fans spitting on a little boy. His mother tried to protect him, but she could do nothing.
English fans booed during the national anthem, vilified and threatened Danish fans at Wembley

 

[danny842003]

Danish spectators reported on Thursday about "aggressive atmosphere" at Wembley, misogynistic shouts of women and xenophobia and generally bad behavior from English fans. A Dane's spouse was beaten in the stomach, while another saw English fans spit on a small, Danish boy.…There were some English fans spitting on a little boy. His mother tried to protect him, but she could do nothing.
English fans booed during the national anthem, vilified and threatened Danish fans at Wembley

This spitting story seems a little unbelievable, the story seems to make out grown men are just standing around spitting on a kid under 10. I just don’t believe that happened in the manor that is suggested here. I can believe football fans are guilty of a lot of things but this story as it’s presented just doesn’t make any sense which to me casts doubt on the entire article.

I’m not trying to excuse actions but this article just reads as pure sensationalism and I don’t believe you couldn’t write this story about fans in most European countries.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Totally but I would argue the Danes had already pulled it with that free kick. On the Aussie commentary Mark Schwartzer was claiming there was no contact I had come off night shift and got well stuck in to a bottle of whiskey so I was agreeing with him. Now I’ve sobered up there clearly was contact. I do agree it looks soft.

Indeed the penalty was soft but I agree the free kick was awarded based off something that wasn’t even a foul. Both teams benefitted from a fortunate decision. The right team won though and that’s all that matters.

My mates keep saying ‘have you seen this’, ‘have you seen that’ as the tabloid rags are all over England trying to discredit their performance. I’m so glad I’ve avoided all that as it makes the experience so much better.

 

[edvj]

This spitting story seems a little unbelievable, the story seems to make out grown men are just standing around spitting on a kid under 10. I just don’t believe that happened in the manor that is suggested here. I can believe football fans are guilty of a lot of things but this story as it’s presented just doesn’t make any sense which to me casts doubt on the entire article.

I’m not trying to excuse actions but this article just reads as pure sensationalism and I don’t believe you couldn’t write this story about fans in most European countries.

The article was written in the very well respected danish newspaper Berlingske ( a danish The Times..)
I guess you don’t believe the story about the young german girl,then?

Disgust after crying young German fan attacked online

The young fan was in tears as Thomas Muller was subsituted off the pitch

www.independent.co.uk

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Indeed the penalty was soft but I agree the free kick was awarded based off something that wasn’t even a foul. Both teams benefitted from a fortunate decision. The right team won though and that’s all that matters.

My mates keep saying ‘have you seen this’, ‘have you seen that’ as the tabloid rags are all over England trying to discredit their performance. I’m so glad I’ve avoided all that as it makes the experience so much better.

There needs to be a hard distinction between the team and fans, they have nothing to do with each other. With the team it's all positivity: Southgate and the squad have exceeded expectations and behaved impeccably. Whatever muck the tabloids are raking about around about them is pure nonsense.

But a large minority of England fans have behaved like obnoxious morons, and pretty much all the negative stories surrounding this tournament with regards to England circle around back to them eventually. We needn't overblow it, most fans have been decent human beings, but the miscreants should be called out.

 

[Expos of 1969]

There needs to be a hard distinction between the team and fans, they have nothing to do with each other. With the team it's all positivity: Southgate and the squad have exceeded expectations and behaved impeccably. Whatever muck the tabloids are raking about around about them is pure nonsense.

But a large minority of England fans have behaved like obnoxious morons, and pretty much all the negative stories surrounding this tournament with regards to England circle around back to them eventually. We needn't overblow it, most fans have been decent human beings, but the miscreants should be called out.

Has Maguire cleaned up his act since the 2020 Greek holiday activities?

 

[Apple fanboy]

Look lets not pretend the England players are whiter than white. But during this tournament at least all I've heard about is the football. No WAG stories or hotel bar stories. Thats one of the reasons I think they have performed so well. And I will assume (as I have no way to tell), that's down to Southgate. Or as it will be on Monday, Sir Southgate!

 

[Expos of 1969]

Look lets not pretend the England players are whiter than white. But during this tournament at least all I've heard about is the football. No WAG stories or hotel bar stories. Thats one of the reasons I think they have performed so well. And I will assume (as I have no way to tell), that's down to Southgate. Or as it will be on Monday, Sir Southgate!

Don't get ahead of yourself or are you privy to information that the penalty fix has already been arranged as it was last game?

 

[Apple fanboy]

Don't get ahead of yourself or are you privy to information that the penalty fix has already been arranged as it was last game?

I don’t think it was a fix. I don’t even think it was an incorrect decision. Just a soft penalty. The free kick that led to their goal was similar. But can we just focus on the next game?
I think Italy are favourites. Yes we have home advantage, but they have been playing significantly better than we have. I just hope we can get it done in 90 minutes. My nerves wouldn’t take the rest.

 

[Expos of 1969]

I don’t think it was a fix. I don’t even think it was an incorrect decision. Just a soft penalty. The free kick that led to their goal was similar. But can we just focus on the next game?
I think Italy are favourites. Yes we have home advantage, but they have been playing significantly better than we have. I just hope we can get it done in 90 minutes. My nerves wouldn’t take the rest.

Unfortunately should England lose, I am quite sure that things will get very ugly in the streets. It will get out of hand if they win but a loss will head things in a dark direction.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

The only reason this is simmering is that we have no football to talk about today, unless you watch MLS.

Speaking of, Columbus travel down to Cincinnati for the Hell is Real Derby tonight. With no fit strikers. If you're lacking footy, go root for the Crew!

 

[Silencio]

Look lets not pretend the England players are whiter than white. But during this tournament at least all I've heard about is the football. No WAG stories or hotel bar stories. Thats one of the reasons I think they have performed so well. And I will assume (as I have no way to tell), that's down to Southgate. Or as it will be on Monday, Sir Southgate!

This is all down to Southgate. He's largely done a good job with the media, fostered excellent camaraderie within the squad, and laid down a marker by very firmly dealing with Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood for their Icelandic misadventures. Bringing players like Luke Shaw and John Stones back into the fold after their club performances justified it will surely earn him the goodwill and respect from his squad, as well: they know if they bring the goods, they will be considered.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Has Maguire cleaned up his act since the 2020 Greek holiday activities?

I’d like to think any human being who cares for his family would act the same way, I know I would. I’d defend a family member with my life.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

This is all down to Southgate. He's largely done a good job with the media, fostered excellent camaraderie within the squad, and laid down a marker by very firmly dealing with Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood for their Icelandic misadventures. Bringing players like Luke Shaw and John Stones back into the fold after their club performances justified it will surely earn him the goodwill and respect from his squad, as well: they know if they bring the goods, they will be considered.

He has the courage to rotate the squad and choose starting lineups based on the needs of each match and condition of the players, rather than based on star power, media / fan pressure, or to rigidly fit a a singly style of play. He's made mistakes and he his his preferences but overall his approach has been vindicated.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I’ve avoided all the negative stories about England and England fans so far as I’ve not read any tabloid articles. I’ve just relied on the sports articles and it’s a much more pleasant experience.

Going into Sunday with an open mind. Obviously I want England to win so much, but immensely proud of their performance up until now. I think that’s the key to enjoying tournaments like this

 

[Lord Blackadder]

It will be interesting to see if Italy play less aggressively against England - relying more on their historical qualities of toughness and solidity, keeping things close, and making the game ugly. They have more than enough talent to go for a more free-flowing approach but they want to win. And even at Wembley I'm not betting against Italy if it goes to pens (though if any England team are going to win a shootout, there's no better candidate than this one).

I’ve avoided all the negative stories about England and England fans so far as I’ve not read any tabloid articles. I’ve just relied on the sports articles and it’s a much more pleasant experience.

Going into Sunday with an open mind. Obviously I want England to win so much, but immensely proud of their performance up until now. I think that’s the key to enjoying tournaments like this

I'm a neutral, but from my perspective England fans should be satisfied with this tournament whatever comes of the final. They have a good, young squad, a manager who is doing all the big things right, and they are in a final. It hasn't been this good for England fans in over half a century.

 

[SteveManila1960]

I tend to agree I think Italy will keep the ball and play guarded possession football. If they score first it will get even tougher they will sit back and play England on the break and with their talent they can be devastating. Key to the game may be an England goal first, draw them out and exploit the spaces.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I tend to agree I think Italy will keep the ball and play guarded possession football. If they score first it will get even tougher they will sit back and play England on the break and with their talent they can be devastating. Key to the game may be an England goal first, draw them out and exploit the spaces.

Sounds about right to me.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Italy are extremely hard to break down when protecting a lead, and they have a dangerous attack even when keeping things tight at the back. I expect both teams to play cautiously, seeking to control the game and keep it tight. I am not expecting a goal-fest.

Italy have lost their best winger so we may see more play going through the middle of the park. I doubt Southgate will set up as he did against Ukraine and Denmark, with a back four and trying to run at his opponent on the wings. More likely we will see a back three I think, with plenty of bodies available in the midfield and defense. Kane might be a bit isolated at times, but he does drop back to pick up the ball. Sterling and Saka will bear a heavy burden trying to make and pull Italy's elderly center. backs out of shape.

I expect it to start slowly and be cagey unless an early mistake / goal forces one team to raise the tempo.