International Football thread

[The Professor]

Really hope the fans behave themselves against France

[budgetmeansbudget]

A reasonable performance by our boys against Spain so far, just wish they would believe in themselves a bit more.

I watched the highlights and was quite pleased with England in the first half. They defended well and made some good counterattacking moves. they didn't panic at the back and tried to play the ball intelligently even when under pressure. They created a couple of chances that matched anything that Spain came up with.

Sadly, in the second half they reverted to type. Gave the ball away cheaply.....Sterling waited until his left back had bombed past him before giving the ball away and completely opening up the right for Spain to score the first of their two goals...... dithered on the ball, because they didn't know what to do with it, passed back to the keeper so that he could hand possession straight back to Spain (leading to their second goal), lumped the ball away when clearing their lines. In the end the 2-0 scoreline flattered England... they could easily have lost that 3 or 4 nil... probably should have done, in truth.

Then again, that was miles away from being England's first choice XI. One hopeless centre back with a modest makeweight midfielder partnering him. Of the starting XI, probably only Hart, Carrick, and Sterling would be guaranteed a berth under normal circumstances. It is at least heartening that Roy is prepared to give a lot of younger players the chance to stake a claim for next year.... he may have had little choice, of course. It will be interesting to see what happens next week (assuming the match goes ahead)

My comment was made at half time, and as you say things went downhill second half. However, until their full back scored a wonder goal we were still well in the game, and prior to the goal Kane had come close.

Trouble is we lose the game, everyone once again slams it as a woeful performance, outplayed blah blah blah. I think we have got the players with sufficient ability to compete with the top teams but I don't think they believe they can, and that comes back to the manager. I don't think Woy has got it within him to instill that confidence, and get them playing with enough positivity, so its likely we won't get far in Euro 2016.

[Aidan11]

The Germany-Netherlands game has been called off due to security concerns.

This is of course the right thing as public safety is the most important thing, but this is exactly the sort of thing the terrorists want.

[Gingerfinch]

Good on Roy for playing a young side tonight, but why isn't Butland playing?

[Gingerfinch]

Take a bow son!

[budgetmeansbudget]

Great strike.

[Gingerfinch]

Pitch looks a bit bobbly......for Wembley.

[Alviro Patterson]

Pitch looks a bit bobbly......for Wembley.

Combination of dire weather and the Yanks playing Silly Boys Rugby.

[Gingerfinch]

Pitch looks a bit bobbly......for Wembley.

Combination of dire weather and the Yanks playing Silly Boys Rugby.

I did wonder if that would have an affect.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Pitch looks a bit bobbly......for Wembley.

Combination of dire weather and the Yanks playing Silly Boys Rugby.

I'd like to see you say that to an NFL linebacker!

[Gingerfinch]

You can't keep Scholsey off the TV these days.

[mikesiva]

Take a bow son!

Great goal by Delle Alli....

[budgetmeansbudget]

Take a bow son!

Great goal by Delle Alli....

It was until I saw it clipped off the defenders leg which took it up and over Lloris.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Good on Roy for playing a young side tonight, but why isn't Butland playing?

He is!

[Gingerfinch]

Good on Roy for playing a young side tonight, but why isn't Butland playing?

He is!

Did he come on at half time?