Euro 2024 - Inc Southgate resignation

[Phall Throw]

"We seem to have an England v Bosnia thread but not an actual Euro 2024 thread so here it is So, do we realistically think England can win it? On paper we obviously have a very talented squad but I just don't see us going all the way. For me it's ""same old"" when it comes to England. Breeze the group, favourable draw in last 16 and win then up against far superior opposition in the QFs and out. At best I can see us at the SF stage before being beaten again. Winners for me: France, Portugal, Spain Dark horses: Germany - even though it's a home tournament they've been in a consolidation period, could go close Biggest flops: Scotland - no goals scored Top goalscorer: Mbappe I'm just hoping it's a decent tournament with plenty of decent games that's not ruined by VAR (are they using it?) consolidation period but could go close"

[Massive Attack]

"Like I said, our Jarrod's not the sharpest around. *shakes head*"

[Fauxstralian]

Really solid without the ball …. 74 goals conceded in 38 Premier league games

[Massive Attack]

Bowen’s thankfully a great player but he's not the sharpest tool in the box. Lopetegui's approach will help open his eyes to a whole new way of playing the game though.

[Side of Ham]

"Sydney, when you state things like ‘Belgium are a great team’ it means you even all the way down under know about them and know a good few of their players…..this means they are in the world spot light in football terms and therefore cannot be deemed to be in any sort of unknown darkness with a horse attached you fucking numpty…."

[Sydney_Iron]

"Belgium are ranked 3rd in the world but how many people/pundits/experts expect them to win Euro 24????? even the bookies, go look at the odds on any betting site, 7 teams ahead of them in the betting............ France England Germany Spain Portugal holland Italy Some of you really need to get a life rather than just cսnt people off in this aloof oh look at me i know football better than you do kind of a way. But crack on, its amusing in many ways. Belgium are a great team, bit sus at the back and that will be what sees them go out if they do? But got some great talent so no surprise they are ranked 3rd but do fall short at each attempt, so dark horse material in this comp as seen by the odds, 25/1 with most a few have them at 20/1 still long odds though!"

[bruuuno]

Better than wishing the tournament away manuel? Enjoy these group stages it’s all part of the experience

[mallard]

"Article copied from ‚Äòi‚Äù this morning‚Ķ When all is well at London Stadium, Mohammed Kudus is acrobatically scoring goals and Jarrod Bowen is flying past defenders, that part of the East End is a bubbly place. Positive vibes only. When things are not going so well, a cacophony of discontent can be heard across the capital, with few grounds ‚Äì at any level ‚Äì as toxic. A seismic mood shift has been evident among England supporters in Germany, too. The most exciting generation of talent for decades seemed well balanced, bursting with attacking talent, ready to take the European Championship by storm. As is often the case with England ‚Äì just like at West Ham ‚Äì what transpires offers something of a reality check, with the same questions rearing their ugly heads. In the end, a lack of willing to produce the swashbuckling attacking football the individual talent allowed for became David Moyes‚Äô downfall. Is Gareth Southgate about to encounter the same fate? Was Moyes in fact a victim of his own success, working within his means by being pragmatic rather than kamikaze? His former star forward Bowen certainly thinks so and urged England supporters to become acute aware of what approach breeds success on the international stage. ‚ÄúPeople are going to talk about the England game and I get it but both managers that I‚Äôve had have been really solid without the ball and I think that‚Äôs the best thing,‚Äù Bowen said. ‚ÄúIf you don‚Äôt concede the goals ‚Äì and I‚Äôm talking about West Ham and here as well ‚Äì with our attacking players, you know we can win the game. ‚ÄúWhen I used to hear it at West Ham, it was frustrating for me because they‚Äôre two great managers as well as people. I‚Äôve achieved so much at West Ham and done quite well with England as well. ‚ÄúMaybe frustrating is a bit too strong a word but if you keep the ball out of your goal, you will have many more chances with the quality we have got going forward to win those games. So I don‚Äôt think there‚Äôs any harm in that.‚Äù France, like England, are in a strong position to reach the knockout stages in Germany, but have netted only one goal ‚Äì an own goal at that ‚Äì in their opening two matches, despite possessing some of the best attacking players on the planet. So all is not lost for England at this stage, with the squad fully aware they must improve without losing their ability to keep the ball out down the other end. ‚ÄúAt West Ham it was always frustrating,‚Äù Bowen added. ‚ÄúDo you want to try to win the game 6-5? It might be good for spectators but for players it‚Äôs not as nice. ‚ÄúI said it when David Moyes was manager as well ‚Äì we were so good without the ball, with the goals that we scored and the games we used to win, playing that way. It worked. It‚Äôs very na?Øve to say both (managers) are negative.‚Äù Are England out of the tournament? No. Are they top of the group? Yes, with their destiny very much in their own hands. There are a myriad of concerns, in every position. Southgate‚Äôs conduct so far has also done little to suggest he will be the man to finally end 58 years of hurt. But, with the dust having settled after their unflattering display against Denmark, some are starting to let their blood pressure cool, with time as their healer. It could still go badly wrong from here, but crucially in the eyes of those staring up at the coalface, it hasn‚Äôt yet. Pragmatism, for now, is just about prevailing. But for how long? ‚ÄúI think the sign of a really good side is when you‚Äôre not playing as well as I know you can be you make sure you don‚Äôt lose the game,‚Äù Bowen said. ‚ÄúWe‚Äôre sat here with four points. There‚Äôs a lot of noise, a lot of uproar, as if we‚Äôre sat here with two defeats and bottom of the table. But the reality is we‚Äôre top of the table with lots of confidence going into the last group game where we know we need to win. ‚ÄúWe know we can get to so many better levels in terms of quality. Now we must show it.‚Äù"

[Manuel]

"The whole thing is up in the air now, at this point I wouldn't be surprised who he picks, his whole ''reputation'' is on the line now, I don't think at this point he'll be worried about upsetting anyone."

[Sir Alf]

"Wharton might be the missing link? Only seen him a couple of times but he’s quick, energetic, presses well and keeps it simple to support to the more creative players. Him and Rice got to be worth a try but can’t see Gareth Moyesgate trying it :-("

[Manuel]

Sydney seems to make a prat of himself every time he puts a post up.

[fraser]

Goose-ranked 2nd in competition and 3rd in.the World is definitely dark horse material..

[goose]

This thread should come with an explanation of what a dark horse is.

[Manuel]

"I'm feeling inpatient waiting for these group stages to end now, with only 8 from 24 going out and very unlikely any shock exits it almost feels like a waste of time before the real games get underway, will have a much clearer picture on what is what once into the knockout games. It's still difficult to predict who England play in the last 16, but all being even it looks like either Italy or Switzerland in the QF."

[Sydney_Iron]

"With all teams having now played 2 games, the Spanish and Zee Germans look the most impressive IMO, early days but France without Mbappe were lacking, Portugal look ok but i can't help but think that Ronaldo is a problem for them? looked stroppy at times yesterday and although been a great player, lets be honest he isn't anymore! But will Martinez have the balls to drop him to the bench? As far as England are concerned, real shame because the talent is there in abundance, just that mr nice guy Gareth is the gaffer and is dithering, not sure the players trust him either so not looking good, QF at best im sorry to say :-( See Belgium have woken up and beat Romania this morning, KDB getting the second, i have them as a dark horse, be interesting to see how far they do go? do seem to be hot or cold, but can't help but think on a good day they will beat anyone in this comp."

[Takashi Miike]

"I'm not his biggest fan but I think Lukaku's had two really good games, I wonder if the officials have had a collective bet to stop the poor fucker scoring ?üòÇ"

[El Scorchio]

"I hate the bloke too, but that is sort of his job, as a commentator."

[El Scorchio]

"I hate the bloke too, but that is sort of his job, as a commentator."

[Any Old Iron]

Does Clive fucking Tyldesley ever shut up. The cսnt is doing my head in. The prick must have hundreds of pages of notes to make sure he doesn‚Äôt have to draw breath.

[Fauxstralian]

Belgium looking much better just need that second goal Romanians revved up for the anthem but as said the Belgians not so much. Debruyne amongst those not singing. Great player but funny character. Bit autistic I suspect Number 3 ranking is a bit odd My FIFA rankings ‚Ķ. 1. Argentina ?üèÜ Everybody else ‚Ķ. NOWHERE

[RootsRadical]

"How the fuck are Belgium still 3rd in the FIFA rankings? Their players all looked unbothered even annoyed during their anthem, hope they are sent home tonight!"

[RootsRadical]

"How the fuck are Belgium still 3rd in the FIFA rankings? Their players all looked unbothered even annoyed during their anthem, hope they are sent home tonight!"

[Claret Badger]

GAMMON CHUMBYS VOTING FOR FARAGE

[Bungo]

"onsideman 7:05 Sat Jun 22 Cheers! At most of the gigs I go to, most of the crowd won't have heard it yet. :)"

[cholo]

My hatred of the Portuguese national team started with the Abel Xavier handball incident v France all those years ago. Hopefully they'll get knocked out in another particularly heart breaking manner.

[El Scorchio]

Fucking hate Portugal. Diving snidey cunts. Make the Italians look like angels in comparison. And the refs buy their shithousery time after time after time.