Euro 2020 (21)

[Arthur Crabtree]

Even Bobby Robson :bow: got caught up in this with Capt Marvel. He went to the '86 WC protecting a dodgy shoulder, only to aggravate it in the first match and take no further part. At least 4 years later he made it to the second group game. On both occasions England played better without him in the side... without having to protect him in the side...... and Robson was a terrific player, but only when injury free.

I suppose Robson, Shearer, Beckham, Rooney each became a talisman for their managers. Perhaps they become like a comfort blanket :dunno

Go back to 82 whern Ron Greenwood took an injured Brooking and Keegan to Spain who didn't come on until a few minutes from the end of the last game of the second group stage. KK missed a sitter.

Famously England got knocked out without losing a game.

Robson was brilliant. And on 20 pints a day.

[Arthur Crabtree]

so... what's the cunning plan tonight?

Win your games.

[Gingerfinch]

I see that the unfit Maguire and the barely fit Henderson will feature tonight

I'm thinking 3 centre backs, to protect Maguire, and 2 defensive mids, with Phillips being told to drop back to protect Henderson

Then Grealish can get his chance to shine with 8 men back, 2 men up and only him in the middle to stop England getting over-run in midfield

Henderson and Rice will have been told that their match bonus depends on their only ever passing the ball backwards in little triangles in their own half

Lets hope England grab a goal before they come on, then we can have fun watching them doing nothing but defend for the rest of the game

A dead rubber is a good game to give the 'injured' players soem game time in fairness to Southgate.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Czechs could be level here. Taken control.

Bad news for plucky Scots.

[Gingerfinch]

Decent first half. Better than Friday at least

[Arthur Crabtree]

Don't get the impression we are watching the winners.

[sussexpob]

Think England have been good. Of course Czech have been threatening from set pieces, but soucek is probably the best aerial player in the world. Not much you can do if the ball is near him in the box.

Grealish has been excellent. Who would have guessed? Look forward to Southgate benching him for the next round

[Gingerfinch]

I am slightly worried that we will revert to type if and when we come up against a better team.

[yuppie]

Saka has played well so far as well. Almost seems like a better balanced side at present.

Maybe these Covid restrictions have helped England

[sussexpob]

Yep. Saka is close second for best player so far. Full of energy

[Arthur Crabtree]

Don't understand Harry Kane. I thought he was suppose to be a goal machine and England's best player. But he always looks isolated, links up poorly, his touch is average, he lacks pace and is slow on the turn, and he missed his chance.

[Gingerfinch]

Reckon this game will fizzle out with both teams happy.

[Gingerfinch]

Reckon this game will fizzle out with both teams happy.

Forget that, the Czech's are going for it.

[sussexpob]

Don't understand Harry Kane. I thought he was suppose to be a goal machine and England's best player. But he always looks isolated, links up poorly, his touch is average, he lacks pace and is slow on the turn, and he missed his chance.

He looks absolutely knackered. He's an immense player. Surprised he started him.

[sussexpob]

Reckon this game will fizzle out with both teams happy.

Forget that, the Czech's are going for it.

Both teams have thrown a few punches, but now it's definitely in fizzle stage. England have looked half arsed all this half