England v Slovenia

[RonManager]

I am passed caring about England, battered into submission over the decades.

 

I have followed Argentina for quite a while now.

 

I'm bad.

[RonManager]

Anyone know of a stream for the game - cannot watch BBC/ITV due to proxy settings.

 

http://tvcatchup.com/

[Whitey Grandad]

I feel the same way about England as those west-country kids who support Exeter and a Premiership team. This year, I shall be supporting Spain.

[dellboypete]

In the Independent this morning - good build up including ...

 

 

 

Why supporters should be optimistic

 

The red kit

 

England will play in red shirts and shorts today, and have never lost playing in an all-red strip. They have worn red shirts and red shorts four times: in 1962, when they beat Peru 4-0 and drew 0-0 with Bulgaria, in 1963 when they beat Czechoslovakia 4-2, and in 1970 when they beat Belgium 3-1.

 

The game is on the BBC

 

Since 1982, when World Cup finals games were split between the UK's two main terrestrial channels for the first time, England have won 62 per cent of their games aired on BBC and just 30 per cent of those shown on ITV.

 

England also have a better goal difference for their games on BBC: 12 compared with just four on ITV.

 

It's a must-win final group match

 

* In Mexico '86, England had lost to Portugal and drawn with Morocco before they thrashed Poland 3-0.

 

* In Italia '90, after drawing with Ireland and the Netherlands, Bobby Robson's men dramatically beat Egypt 1-0 to reach the knockout stage.

 

* In France '98 after beating Tunisia, England lost to Romania and went into their final game against Colombia in 1998 needing to avoid defeat to make it into the next round. They won 2-0.

 

It's a Wednesday

 

Fabio Capello's first game in charge of England, in February 2008, was on a Wednesday, when his team beat Switzerland 2-1. Since then, England have played 14 matches on Wednesdays, winning 10 of them and losing twice. They have scored 40 goals in these 15 matches, conceding 14.

 

It's like 1966 all over again

 

* 1966 was also an election year.

 

* North Korea have only qualified for the finals twice – in 1966 and 2010.

 

* In 1966 Spain were the European champions. In 2010 the European Champions are... Spain.

 

* In 1966 France, Mexico and Uruguay were in a group with the hosts, England. This year France, Mexico and Uruguay are again in the same group as the hosts (South Africa).

 

The referee

 

Germany's Wolfgang Stark, 40, has been selected as referee. England have won all three of their games in which he has officiated.

 

The manager

 

Capello has won silverware with every team he has managed.

 

The group

 

Two of the last three World Cup winners have been in Group C.

[saints_is_the_south]

In the Independent this morning - good build up including ...

 

 

 

Why supporters should be optimistic

 

The red kit

 

England will play in red shirts and shorts today, and have never lost playing in an all-red strip. They have worn red shirts and red shorts four times: in 1962, when they beat Peru 4-0 and drew 0-0 with Bulgaria, in 1963 when they beat Czechoslovakia 4-2, and in 1970 when they beat Belgium 3-1.

 

The game is on the BBC

 

Since 1982, when World Cup finals games were split between the UK's two main terrestrial channels for the first time, England have won 62 per cent of their games aired on BBC and just 30 per cent of those shown on ITV.

 

England also have a better goal difference for their games on BBC: 12 compared with just four on ITV.

 

It's a must-win final group match

 

* In Mexico '86, England had lost to Portugal and drawn with Morocco before they thrashed Poland 3-0.

 

* In Italia '90, after drawing with Ireland and the Netherlands, Bobby Robson's men dramatically beat Egypt 1-0 to reach the knockout stage.

 

* In France '98 after beating Tunisia, England lost to Romania and went into their final game against Colombia in 1998 needing to avoid defeat to make it into the next round. They won 2-0.

 

It's a Wednesday

 

Fabio Capello's first game in charge of England, in February 2008, was on a Wednesday, when his team beat Switzerland 2-1. Since then, England have played 14 matches on Wednesdays, winning 10 of them and losing twice. They have scored 40 goals in these 15 matches, conceding 14.

 

It's like 1966 all over again

 

* 1966 was also an election year.

 

* North Korea have only qualified for the finals twice – in 1966 and 2010.

 

* In 1966 Spain were the European champions. In 2010 the European Champions are... Spain.

 

* In 1966 France, Mexico and Uruguay were in a group with the hosts, England. This year France, Mexico and Uruguay are again in the same group as the hosts (South Africa).

 

The referee

 

Germany's Wolfgang Stark, 40, has been selected as referee. England have won all three of their games in which he has officiated.

 

The manager

 

Capello has won silverware with every team he has managed.

 

The group

 

Two of the last three World Cup winners have been in Group C.

 

 

Just read that out to the guys at work, talk about clutching at straws! It's enough for me though!

[alpine_saint]

In the Independent this morning - good build up including ...

 

 

 

Why supporters should be optimistic

 

The red kit

 

England will play in red shirts and shorts today, and have never lost playing in an all-red strip. They have worn red shirts and red shorts four times: in 1962, when they beat Peru 4-0 and drew 0-0 with Bulgaria, in 1963 when they beat Czechoslovakia 4-2, and in 1970 when they beat Belgium 3-1.

 

The game is on the BBC

 

Since 1982, when World Cup finals games were split between the UK's two main terrestrial channels for the first time, England have won 62 per cent of their games aired on BBC and just 30 per cent of those shown on ITV.

 

England also have a better goal difference for their games on BBC: 12 compared with just four on ITV.

 

It's a must-win final group match

 

* In Mexico '86, England had lost to Portugal and drawn with Morocco before they thrashed Poland 3-0.

 

* In Italia '90, after drawing with Ireland and the Netherlands, Bobby Robson's men dramatically beat Egypt 1-0 to reach the knockout stage.

 

* In France '98 after beating Tunisia, England lost to Romania and went into their final game against Colombia in 1998 needing to avoid defeat to make it into the next round. They won 2-0.

 

It's a Wednesday

 

Fabio Capello's first game in charge of England, in February 2008, was on a Wednesday, when his team beat Switzerland 2-1. Since then, England have played 14 matches on Wednesdays, winning 10 of them and losing twice. They have scored 40 goals in these 15 matches, conceding 14.

 

It's like 1966 all over again

 

* 1966 was also an election year.

 

* North Korea have only qualified for the finals twice – in 1966 and 2010.

 

* In 1966 Spain were the European champions. In 2010 the European Champions are... Spain.

 

* In 1966 France, Mexico and Uruguay were in a group with the hosts, England. This year France, Mexico and Uruguay are again in the same group as the hosts (South Africa).

 

The referee

 

Germany's Wolfgang Stark, 40, has been selected as referee. England have won all three of their games in which he has officiated.

 

The manager

 

Capello has won silverware with every team he has managed.

 

The group

 

Two of the last three World Cup winners have been in Group C.

 

LOL. Superb.

[hutch]

Really worried about tonight.

 

Have to go out to a family celebration dinner and the restaurant does not have a tv.

 

Will I be able to make my excuses before the England Team and sneak away to a nearby pub to watch without offending someone.

 

Tougher decisions than Cappello faces that's for sure..

 

He gets his wrong he'll get sent back to Italy to grow Turnips while Rooney et al move into their caravans (how prophetic was THAT advert eh?)

 

I get mine wrong I feck up the whole secret moment surprise party when my daughter gets engaged....

Really worried about tonight.

 

Have to go out to a family celebration dinner and the restaurant does not have a tv.

 

So I reorganised it to start 30 minutes after the final whistle.

 

If Carlsberg could do family celebration dinners.

 

[it's Mrs. Hutch's 50th, and I've got to go to the airport at 4am tomorrow, so let's not go too mad this afternoon boys]

[thesaint sfc]

Its on at 3pm, thats a VERY early dinner.

 

Update, im a muppet ignore me. I didn't look at the user name

 

I'm glad I read you being a muppet as I was very nearly one myself!

[Percysaint]

No Joe Cole then

 

James; Johnson, Terry, Upson, A Cole; Barry; Milner, Lamp, Gerrard; Rooney, Defoe

[Whitey Grandad]

No Joe Cole then

 

James; Johnson, Terry, Upson, A Cole; Barry; Milner, Lamp, Gerrard; Rooney, Defoe

 

Oh dear. I don't think I'll bother watching. It's only a game....

[hutch]

No Joe Cole then

 

James; Johnson, Terry, Upson, A Cole; Barry; Milner, Lamp, Gerrard; Rooney, Defoe

Another "let's make sure we don't lose" selection. A bit late for that IMO.

[dubai_phil]

Really worried about tonight.

 

Have to go out to a family celebration dinner and the restaurant does not have a tv.

 

So I reorganised it to start 30 minutes after the final whistle.

 

If Carlsberg could do family celebration dinners.

 

[it's Mrs. Hutch's 50th, and I've got to go to the airport at 4am tomorrow, so let's not go too mad this afternoon boys]

 

Yep 99.999% of the times I'd agree....

 

Except this one is different, Daughter is being proposed to this evening and it is being done in a special place (On Top of the World) that could only do it at a certain time on a certain day.

 

And of course although they've been together 4 years she doesn't know this is coming.

 

We went through the cold stark choice moment when we discovered the time slot they could do the "special moment" It was an arrrgghhh but unfortunately.

 

Mind you, there WILL be words about making sure the Big Day is not eventually on a Cup Final of ANY sort day!

[dubai_phil]

Another "let's make sure we don't lose" selection. A bit late for that IMO.

 

Oh, and how comne you didn't buy my returned tickets from FIFA.Com? they've been on there for 3 weeks now!

[Jillyanne]

Yep 99.999% of the times I'd agree....

 

Except this one is different, Daughter is being proposed to this evening and it is being done in a special place (On Top of the World) that could only do it at a certain time on a certain day.

 

And of course although they've been together 4 years she doesn't know this is coming.

 

We went through the cold stark choice moment when we discovered the time slot they could do the "special moment" It was an arrrgghhh but unfortunately.

 

Mind you, there WILL be words about making sure the Big Day is not eventually on a Cup Final of ANY sort day!

 

Where is 'on top of the world'

[thesaint sfc]

Yep 99.999% of the times I'd agree....

 

Except this one is different, Daughter is being proposed to this evening and it is being done in a special place (On Top of the World) that could only do it at a certain time on a certain day.

 

And of course although they've been together 4 years she doesn't know this is coming.

 

We went through the cold stark choice moment when we discovered the time slot they could do the "special moment" It was an arrrgghhh but unfortunately.

 

Mind you, there WILL be words about making sure the Big Day is not eventually on a Cup Final of ANY sort day!

 

Rule one.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Time to deliver Lampard.

[Psycrow]

Time to deliver Lampard.

 

I have him in the back of the van. Where do you want him?

[Gingeletiss]

Not convinced, not at all!

[thesaint sfc]

yay

[Dimond Geezer]

Phew!!!!!!!!

[JackFrost]

looking like we're gonna play the Germans in the last 16 thanks to that last minute USA winner

 

I believe just beating Ghana will almost certainly win them the group, barring Serbia scoring 3 more goals than the germans whilst beating Australia

[saint_jas]

Wow, ghana next I hope, or beat the germans 5 -1...

[CB Saint]

So Germany then argentina then brazil in the semis....easy easy easy

[Lord Duckhunter]

looking like we're gonna play the Germans in the last 16 thanks to that last minute USA winner

 

I believe just beating Ghana will almost certainly win them the group, barring Serbia scoring 3 more goals than the germans whilst beating Australia

 

Then it'll be the Argies if we beat Germany. By not scoring another goal and not topping a poor group that's the run we get. USA will get Serbia/Ghana and then South Korea or Uraguay after that.

[Arizona]

I wouldn't rule out Ghana getting a draw against Germany. If they did and the Serbs beat the Aussies, the Krauts go out.

[Lord Duckhunter]

I wouldn't rule out Ghana getting a draw against Germany. If they did and the Serbs beat the Aussies, the Krauts go out.

 

Even then we'll get The Argies in the 1/4 finals, the other 1/4 final will be South Korea or Uraguay. We were in a poor group and should have won it.

[OttawaSaint]

Well done England, but that game was dismal, one of the worst I have ever seen...

[RonManager]

Cunning plan to take the Wembley pitch out there for them to play on, I thought.

 

Sir Rickie would have buried the Gerrard and Rooney efforts btw.

[Gorgiesaint]

Well done England, but that game was dismal, one of the worst I have ever seen...

 

You obviously didn't see the Algeria game then.....

[JackFrost]

I wouldn't rule out Ghana getting a draw against Germany. If they did and the Serbs beat the Aussies, the Krauts go out.

 

Can't see it.

 

The Germans are bound to capitalise on a defensive mix-up/goalkeeping gaffe

[jawillwill]

Well done England, but that game was dismal, one of the worst I have ever seen...

 

I actaully thought it was a pretty entertaining game on the whole. Yes, we should have scored a couple more goals but thats not really the end of the world.

[S-Clarke]

Well done England, but that game was dismal, one of the worst I have ever seen...

 

you missed the first 2 games then.

 

This was as well as we've played in a while, and the 1-0 scoreline flatters them in all honesty. They should have been out of sight.

[John B]

you missed the first 2 games then.

 

This was as well as we've played in a while, and the 1-0 scoreline flatters them in all honesty. They should have been out of sight.

 

I thought their Goalie was outstanding ours was quite good too

[Ponty]

By the end of the game I was no longer scared when the ball went through to James. I'm not sure of the exact moment I stopped expecting him to fumble it but he was solid today.

[S-Clarke]

I thought their Goalie was outstanding ours was quite good too

 

really good, plays for Udinese in Italy and is very highly rated. The save from rooney when he hit the post was fantastic, although he did scuff it slightly.

[John B]

really good, plays for Udinese in Italy and is very highly rated. The save from rooney when he hit the post was fantastic, although he did scuff it slightly.

 

I thought the one from Terry was quite good.

 

Good team selection from Fabio too

 

Dont think Joe Cole will get much of a look in in future matches as Milner played very well and can unlock defences

 

He is a much better footballer than Theo who just seems to have pace

Edited 23 June, 2010 by John B

[.comsaint]

Where is 'on top of the world'

 

I'm guessing it's here:

 

http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/language/en-us/the-tower.aspx

[RonManager]

Phew.

 

Avoided Australia.

[SNSUN]

Then it'll be the Argies if we beat Germany. By not scoring another goal and not topping a poor group that's the run we get. USA will get Serbia/Ghana and then South Korea or Uraguay after that.

 

Stupid though it sounds, I'd rather we got the big teams. Whilst the performance today was better, we still don't have enough firepower, and even teams like Serbia or Uruguay would tear us a new one. Play Germany, then perhaps Argentina, would give us a greater excuse if/and or when we go out.

[scotty]

I am passed caring about England, battered into submission over the decades.

 

I have followed Argentina for quite a while now.

 

I'm bad.

 

thats a brave thing to admit. Not a good thing but certainly a brave thing, I wouldnt mention that down the pub if I were you

[St Landrew]

I know the pundits were praising England's performance today, and there was a good improvement, but in all honesty, I still think they look ordinary. They were talking about the fast Premiership game being able to be played, because of the temperature and conditions in SA, but if that's the best they can do they are either going to get hammered at some point, or just outclassed in a low scoring game. Mind you, none of the teams really look that special, from what I have seen, compared to many sides of the past. Germany looked the business in their first game, but that's about it.

[Appy]

Much better today, as much as i don't like the skate connection, James did very well today. Upson's last minute tackle kept us in it. Roll on sunday! Couldn't care less who we get.

[SuperMikey]

God, talk about skin of teeth. England looked good after they scored, but when they came out for the second half they looked distinctly average. Milner was good on the right, best player was probably Upson imo. Glad to see that Capello's got the balls to sub Rooney, although Wayne looked pretty surprised when he saw he was coming off after a pretty poor game. Only thing I would've changed with the subs would be to put on Crouch instead of Heskey, because if Slovenia had got a late equaliser England would've been completely f*cked because Heskey has absolutely 0% threat on any goal.

 

Only thing, I expect England to struggle if they get Ghana in the next round.

[John B]

God, talk about skin of teeth. England looked good after they scored, but when they came out for the second half they looked distinctly average. Milner was good on the right, best player was probably Upson imo. Glad to see that Capello's got the balls to sub Rooney, although Wayne looked pretty surprised when he saw he was coming off after a pretty poor game. Only thing I would've changed with the subs would be to put on Crouch instead of Heskey, because if Slovenia had got a late equaliser England would've been completely f*cked because Heskey has absolutely 0% threat on any goal.

 

Only thing, I expect England to struggle if they get Ghana in the next round.

 

Heskey was a good substitution as we won still had Crouch Available as well

[SuperMikey]

Heskey was a good substitution as we won still had Crouch Available as well

 

Crouch is 5x the player of Heskey imo, odd that Capello can't see that. He holds up the ball much better, can actually play a killer ball and is a goal threat too. Also, he wins headers unlike Heskey!

[dubai_phil]

Wow Great results today.

 

The match - lot to do to be competitive in this WC but we had better shape and Milner was a huge improvement on Lennon on the right. At least we made it through, the work starts now.

 

The engagement went to plan - yes was on top of Burj Khalifa Jillyanne & .com thx - was in a blind rush earlier

 

Got them to the site on time Daughter still had no idea until the bended knee - lol and (thank fook) she said yes so now have an Insolvency Practioner in the family to help the Skate thread

 

I had a panic trying to find SOMEWHERE to watch the game, got stuck in road works, diversions and then the hotel wanted 5 quid an HOUR for parking, so had a brainwave for a plan B and made it to a pub in time for the kick off.

 

Then made it to the dinner venue and HOORAY they had a telly so we watched the second half before eating (could've scored 3 more but still squeaky bum time)

 

Trader Vic's - famous for Mai Tai & Tika puka puka's we had a blow out meal and ****tails and the (specially ordered) engagement cake arrived. GF cut into it and found a tiny piece of plastic arrgghh - so another result - a 400 quid dinner & drinks bill on the house!

 

Jeez hope I haven't used up ALL our luck in one day. Well done Milner & Defoe for the goal.

 

Wake up Rooney - it's getting there but it still ain't much above a mobile home

 

Gotta say it - well done James - would have been a wreck IF Green had been in goal thought he looked solid keep it up.

 

We can get better

 

We HAVE to get better, but we are still in it and the Frogs aren't.

 

Probably the BEST part of the day that last one

 

ouch

 

OK no sorry 2nd best part of the day Darling

 

 

Oh and yes, the kids got a Media.Com home karaoke kit as an engagement present and they were over the moon. They'll never be short of friends wanting to come around now!

[Ponty]

Well, watching this Ghana-Germany game, I'm not worried which one we get next. Neither can defend and Ghana can't seem to decide what they want to do when they get in Germany's box.

[alpine_saint]

Can anyone explain to me why Capello so obviously blunted us by removing Rooney (who was sharpening up) and Defoe for the last 20mins whilst only 1 goal ahead ? We looked like scoring again.

 

Bizarre....

[Ponty]

Rooney had a knock and Defoe had run so much that he was unable to get to the first ball and hold it up, calming things down, very effectively any more.

[alpine_saint]

Rooney had a knock and Defoe had run so much that he was unable to get to the first ball and hold it up, calming things down, very effectively any more.

 

But why didnt he put Crouch on ?