simmo wrote:Please God, let them sack this chump

Gone.

chairman_hall wrote:

simmo wrote:Please God, let them sack this chump

Gone.

Phew.

simmo wrote: The pissing rain, the sodden, sorry-looking players, the atrocious pitch. Rarely has the pathetic fallacy been used so crudely and yet to such devastating effect. McClaren under his fucking umbrella. Everyone else getting soaked through and covered in shit, whilst he stays clean and dry and lifeless. How can anyone put their faith in a manager who, when his side are two goals down after fourteen minutes and about to crash out of the European Championships, doesn't come out from under the sanctuary of shelter and put his arse on the line? He should have been out there on the touchline, screaming instructions and encouragement to his players, motivating them.

Spot on. The umbrella thing made me furious, as did the fact that the pitch was still buggered by and marked up for the NFL game. Wembley cost millions and millions, the build was pathetically managed and laughably late, but hey, we get a decent national football stadium, which we then compromise by renting out to anyone with cash. Use it for whatever, make all the money you can out of it, but for fuck's sake, use a bit of that cash to ensure it is (in the phrase of the moment) "fit for purpose".

As for the team - remiscent of nothing so much as me and my fat broken late 30's mates, weezing round some municipal shitheap pitch with hangovers on a Sunday morning. (To use another phrase of the moment) more clueless hoofing than backstage at a Babyshambles gig. Sol Campbell: angry - good; immobile and lacking in authority and confidence - not so good. Wayne Bridge - a mare. Looked terrified, absolutely pants-full terrified, every time he touched the ball he miscued it. Lescott - occasionally seemed confused as to which direction he was heading - possibly linked to the fact that his rapidly receding hairline moved with more speed and determination than him. Lampard - I saw/heard mentioned by the commentators three times, once for the penalty, once for a bit of aggro. Midfield general? Yeah, right.

Sod 'em. And sod their "defeated heroes" routine at the end. Only about three players looked like they gave a shit in the first half, so spare us the moping at the end. I'd've hung my head in shame, got off the pitch as quickly as possible.

That's the worst I've ever seen Steven Gerrard, probably my favourite England player, ever play.

I can't believe how terribly England played. Or how much Slaven Bilic looks like Tony Bourdain. Or how atrocious the pitch was.

Bring back the Home Internationals. I'd love Scotland to play England right now.

Nico Adie wrote:Bring back the Home Internationals. I'd love Scotland to play England right now.

Almost guaranteed to happen. With neither side qualifying, they're both in need of a little earner, and something to keep the fan's interest (England fans only).

In fact, there's a lot of talk of a home nations mini-tournament.... With no qualifiers, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it happens.

Scotland will win, and then what of our lovely national stadium:

chairman_hall wrote:Scotland will win, and then what of our lovely national stadium:

My old next door neighbour used to have a spot of turf in his garden, taken on that very day.

There is a silver lining, Ian Wright won't have a job on the telly during next summer.

It was a poor performance by England last night, the worst I've seen them play for a while, altough I have to say Croatia were very good. The little guy in midfield, Mordic(?) was great. Their passing an movement was exceptional. The England midfield and defence was no match. Beckham did very little but he did give England some hope with a great ball for Crouch, what a finish.

I've got to agree with you guys about McLaren, all he learned from Erikson was diplomacy and mediocrity. That post need drive and determination and someone with a bit of passion, experience and skill.

tommydski wrote:Oh huh. I feel bad, the pitch is atrocious.

Well played Croatia! Two excellent goals so far.

Edit - I'm on Gabbly if anyone has a computer nearby.

Edit - Oh, that was never a penalty.

Ahhh shit, this is exactly what I was looking for yesterday evening - our (2:2 with Serbia after loosing both goals in one minute) game has ended about 15 or 20 minutes earlier. And I watching the game on a computer anyway.
I can't believe Poland has qualified (first time ever, btw) while England stays home, it just feels like it doesn't belong to this world. Not that I complain, though.

Fuck England.

I'm pleased they lost.