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Post by stayingupfor GermanStokie on May 10, 2016 20:30:27 GMT
I'm glad that Hummels has signed for us (Bayern)... Now he can concentrate on the Euros and not about his future! Hopefully Löw will grip them now it is serious time. The game against Slovakia should tie down the team... Now we have Gundogen is out now! How do you think you will do? I had a good idea but never fully appreciated to this extent how much we miss Lahm. Right back is a serious issue and we seem unbalanced at the back. I had no issues after the Engkand game as we didn't seem to be at 100% and a number of injuries but was a typical pre tournament performance. I'm probably 50/50 at the moment... Semi final at least... I want to say we'll win but I'm not confident...
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Post by JoeinOz on May 10, 2016 20:31:49 GMT
How do you think you will do? I had a good idea but never fully appreciated to this extent how much we miss Lahm. Right back is a serious issue and we seem unbalanced at the back. I had no issues after the Engkand game as we didn't seem to be at 100% and a number of injuries but was a typical pre tournament performance. I'm probably 50/50 at the moment... Semi final at least... I want to say we'll win but I'm not confident... Is Lahm the best right back ever??
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Post by FullerMagic on May 10, 2016 20:34:35 GMT
europredictor.uefa.com/bracket/newpredictionI've got us getting past a 3rd place finisher (Romania), nudging past Italy in the Q-Fs, and losing to Spain in the semis. In case you're wondering, France win the final 2-1 over Spain.
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Post by stayingupfor GermanStokie on May 10, 2016 20:34:58 GMT
I had a good idea but never fully appreciated to this extent how much we miss Lahm. Right back is a serious issue and we seem unbalanced at the back. I had no issues after the Engkand game as we didn't seem to be at 100% and a number of injuries but was a typical pre tournament performance. I'm probably 50/50 at the moment... Semi final at least... I want to say we'll win but I'm not confident... Is Lahm the best right back ever?? I would say yes... Even when trying to take out my bias as a Bayern and DFB fan.. His footballing brain is unbelievable and we know that Pep regards him as the best footballer he worked with. He's never had pace, even for a right back... But he just know what to do with the ball to unlock the opposition...
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Post by JoeinOz on May 10, 2016 20:37:29 GMT
Is Lahm the best right back ever?? I would say yes... Even when trying to take out my bias as a Bayern and DFB fan.. His footballing brain is unbelievable and we know that Pep regards him as the best footballer he worked with. He's never had pace, even for a right back... But he just know what to do with the ball to unlock the opposition... Pep put him in midfield didn't he?
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Post by stayingupfor GermanStokie on May 10, 2016 21:10:56 GMT
I would say yes... Even when trying to take out my bias as a Bayern and DFB fan.. His footballing brain is unbelievable and we know that Pep regards him as the best footballer he worked with. He's never had pace, even for a right back... But he just know what to do with the ball to unlock the opposition... Pep put him in midfield didn't he? Yes he did... It didn't quite work out as well as he thought it would. I think he thought of using Lahm as a Pirlo style player. The big issue was that the team set up did not suit it (even Pirlo would have struggled) and while Lahm did not put a foot wrong.. He was immediately more effective for the team when we stopped having a player in that position and revert to the original set up... With Lahm at RB. I still feel he retired from DFB too early. He should have had his swan song at these Euros and could have matched Der Kaiser himself!
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Post by trentvale68 on May 10, 2016 21:24:59 GMT
Be all the same media frenzy as usual with the inevitable poor showing from the national side
Very much doubt I'll even watch a game; may have been different if jack & Ryan involved
All the usual twats & scumbags reappear as well in the pubs; the Liam Gallagher wannabes etc. Its like fuckin new year but for a month
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Post by JoeinOz on May 10, 2016 21:41:16 GMT
Be all the same media frenzy as usual with the inevitable poor showing from the national side Very much doubt I'll even watch a game; may have been different if jack & Ryan involved All the usual twats & scumbags reappear as well in the pubs; the Liam Gallagher wannabes etc. Its like fuckin new year but for a month If you aren't interested why post on the thread?
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 22:35:11 GMT
Looking forward to watching to see how Shaq and Arnie do
and of course the ROI lads
As for England
there is no excitement - no expectation - not even any slight arousal
they'll simply fuck up and implode in a blaze of incompetence like they always do
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Post by JoeinOz on May 10, 2016 22:37:30 GMT
Looking forward to watching to see how Shaq and Arnie do and of course the ROI lads As for England there is no excitement - no expectation - not even any slight arousal they'll simply fuck up and implode in a blaze of incompetence like they always do Zzzzzzzzz
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 22:38:31 GMT
thought it was daylight in Australia when its dark here
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Post by JoeinOz on May 10, 2016 22:40:42 GMT
thought it was daylight in Australia when its dark here Eh??
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 22:46:25 GMT
well - you are in Australia aren't you ?
you should not be sleeping
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Post by JoeinOz on May 10, 2016 22:50:03 GMT
well - you are in Australia aren't you ? you should not be sleeping Well if I feel the need to sleep I will put tales of the topographic oceans on. In the meantime I was considering your ongoing misplaced droning from a bygone era....like tales of the topographic snoredoms ironically enough! !☺
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Post by Olgrligm on May 10, 2016 22:52:28 GMT
As has become the tradition with these major international tournaments, I've gone for some strangely left of field predictions that will turn out to be strangely prophetic.
France will go out in the group stage. I've no idea how this weird third place qualifiers thing works, but they're gone. The same goes for the Belgium, the favourite of hipsters everywhere. Wales, Croatia, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland will sneak through to the knockout rounds instead. That will be hilarious for everybody in Britain who isn't Scottish.
There will then be some salivating knockout ties: Romania-Poland, Turkey-RoI, England-Croatia, Portugal-Sweden, Germany-Wales, Italy-Spain, Switzerland-Northern Ireland and Russia-Iceland. Poland, Ireland, England, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Russia will go through.
The ultimate result of this will be a slightly weird and un-glamorous set of semi-finals, as England will play Poland and Germany will play Russia. Obviously, Germany will then trounce England in the final.
I wasn't even being optimistic, apart from in expecting England to beat B-ales.
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Post by JoeinOz on May 10, 2016 22:55:04 GMT
As has become the tradition with these major international tournaments, I've gone for some strangely left of field predictions that will turn out to be strangely prophetic. France will go out in the group stage. I've no idea how this weird third place qualifiers thing works, but they're gone. The same goes for the Belgium, the favourite of hipsters everywhere. Wales, Croatia, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland will sneak through to the knockout rounds instead. That will be hilarious for everybody in Britain who isn't Scottish. There will then be some salivating knockout ties: Romania-Poland, Turkey-RoI, England-Croatia, Portugal-Sweden, Germany-Wales, Italy-Spain, Switzerland-Northern Ireland and Russia-Iceland. Poland, Ireland, England, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Russia will go through. The ultimate result of this will be a slightly weird and un-glamorous set of semi-finals, as England will play Poland and Germany will play Russia. Obviously, Germany will then trounce England in the final. I wasn't even being optimistic, apart from in expecting England to beat B-ales. We'll reach the final. I'll remember where I saw it first! !
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Post by pearo on May 11, 2016 0:35:37 GMT
How can I get the subject of Robert Huth into this thread? ANYWAY have Wales got a chance of getting through the group? I don't see why not really. But if Bale gets hurt that's it. Due to the fact that out of the six groups the four best 3rd placed teams qualify for the knock out stages I think Wales have a fair chance of going through. In fact there is a scenario where you could get one point and progress to the knock out phase. For example if in three of the groups each team wins one game, draws one game and loses one game all four teams finish with 4 points. If in the other 3 groups Team A wins all 3 games, Team B wins it's other 2 games and then Team C draws against Team D these three groups would then have Team A 9 points, Team B 6 points, and both Teams C and D with a point each. Therefore the four best third placed teams would be the 3 of the teams with 4 points and one of the six teams with a point,meaning 3 teams with 4 points get eliminated but a team with one point progress. How UEFA would sort that out without any backhanders is beyond me, but however unlikely it seems, it could actually happen.
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Post by burberrybassist on May 11, 2016 4:48:36 GMT
I'm having a cheeky tenner on Austria this year, think they will be the dark horses of the tournament.
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Post by stantheman on May 11, 2016 7:05:57 GMT
I'd 100% take Defoe. 18 goals this season the guy is a goal scoring machine. Perfect if we need a late one. When the ball drops to him in a good area he tends to find the onion bag. Anyone going over there by the way? 12 of us going to the Russia game then up to Paris for a couple of days. Look out for my England/Stoke flag! Are you going Marseille to Paris by train? I'm taking my kids to see Arnie when Austria play Iceland in Paris on 22nd June. Paid for the tickets on the Official Euro 2016 website, but not seen them yet. Has anyone else had theirs yet?
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2016 7:10:58 GMT
Could someone clarify which Stoke players are likely to be going? Is it Arnie, Shaq, Walters, Whelan, Wilson and Given? Or are there any others?
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Post by okeydokeystokie2 on May 11, 2016 10:36:52 GMT
England have some promising young players, and in Dier we may, for once, actually have a decent defensive midfield player.
We look so vulnerable at the back though. None of the CBs are good enough at this level. Cahill will be exposed yet again and Stones looks desperately short on confidence. I think our full backs lack tactical discipline too. For all Hart's excellence, I spend the game wondering when his mistake is going to happen.
I think Roy may as well get as many behind the ball as possible and hoof it long to Vardy when we get the chance. He is confident and finishing really well.
I just think we'll concede too many daft goals to do well at Euro 2016.
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Post by stayingupfor GermanStokie on May 11, 2016 11:38:17 GMT
To be fair, I don't think any of the "top" nations have a strong defence anymore. We were reknowned for having a strong spine from the back but we've lost it. Even Neuer is having a shocking season and has no confidence in the defence (however that might just be at Bayern - Hummels will shore that up) and this fragile confidence is now showing when he represents DFB. I cannot remember a goalkeeper being so unsure of themselves in my lifetime (Schmuacher, Kopke, Kahn etc etc... All 'arrogantly' confidence and knew they were good). If Holger Badstuber was available i'd have more confidence as Hummels cannot keep doing it himself! I think England will surprise a few team and get to the Semi's at least! You have pace and no little skill when running with the ball that will make up the shortfall at the back. Saying that, Smalling and Cahill to an extent have been solid this year... If you play Stones I will be chuckling to myself
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Post by vahl on May 11, 2016 11:46:15 GMT
To be fair, I don't think any of the "top" nations have a strong defence anymore. We were reknowned for having a strong spine from the back but we've lost it. Even Neuer is having a shocking season and has no confidence in the defence (however that might just be at Bayern - Hummels will shore that up) and this fragile confidence is now showing when he represents DFB. I cannot remember a goalkeeper being so unsure of themselves in my lifetime (Schmuacher, Kopke, Kahn etc etc... All 'arrogantly' confidence and knew they were good). If Holger Badstuber was available i'd have more confidence as Hummels cannot keep doing it himself! I think England will surprise a few team and get to the Semi's at least! You have pace and no little skill when running with the ball that will make up the shortfall at the back. Saying that, Smalling and Cahill to an extent have been solid this year... If you play Stones I will be chuckling to myself I think it will be an attacking free for all in the later stages of the tournament. Most of the teams hoping to progress beyond the group stages will play in an attacking way and as you say, a lot of the top sides seem to be suffering defensively. England genuinely excite me this time but we've all been here. France to win it.
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Post by JoeinOz on May 11, 2016 12:44:15 GMT
Are you going Marseille to Paris by train? I'm taking my kids to see Arnie when Austria play Iceland in Paris on 22nd June. Paid for the tickets on the Official Euro 2016 website, but not seen them yet. Has anyone else had theirs yet? They should be sent by courier and be delivered by the end of the month.
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Post by jezzascfc on May 11, 2016 13:08:10 GMT
Nice to talk nogger without discussing Stoke's woeful late season form and injury nightmare.
You feel for poor Welbeck, who looked fresh and fit, and probably would have started on the left of the attacking three. He may start Vardy there now, Sturridge right of Kane, or go predictably safe and shoehorn Rooney in, even in the mediocre form of this season. I'd take Townsend ahead of Walcott to replace Welbeck in the squad - he just looks more threatening more often and is in better form right now.
I may be in a minority, but Wilshere's pre-injury England form requires that, if he is fit, he goes to the Euros. He is an obnoxious little runt, but he is international class.
For me:
Hart, Forster, Ruddy
Clyne, Walker, Smalling, Stones, Cahill, Rose, Bertrand
Dier, Milner, Wilshere, Drinkwater, Lallana, Barkley, Alli, Townsend, Sterling
Rooney, Vardy, Kane, Sturridge
To start:
Hart
Walker Smalling Cahill Rose
Dier Wilshere
Alli
Sturridge Kane Vardy
We are better going for it and attacking teams than trying to sit back and play possession football. Other teams are far better at that than us, but this team is young, fit and pacey and should take the game to the opposition.
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Post by JoeinOz on May 11, 2016 13:11:57 GMT
Nice to talk nogger without discussing Stoke's woeful late season form and injury nightmare. You feel for poor Welbeck, who looked fresh and fit, and probably would have started on the left of the attacking three. He may start Vardy there now, Sturridge right of Kane, or go predictably safe and shoehorn Rooney in, even in the mediocre form of this season. I'd take Townsend ahead of Walcott to replace Welbeck in the squad - he just looks more threatening more often and is in better form right now. I may be in a minority, but Wilshere's pre-injury England form requires that, if he is fit, he goes to the Euros. He is an obnoxious little runt, but he is international class. For me: Hart, Forster, Ruddy Clyne, Walker, Smalling, Stones, Cahill, Rose, Bertrand Dier, Milner, Wilshere, Drinkwater, Lallana, Barkley, Alli, Townsend, Sterling Rooney, Vardy, Kane, Sturridge To start: Hart Walker Smalling Cahill Rose Dier Wilshere Alli Sturridge Kane Vardy We are better going for it and attacking teams than trying to sit back and play possession football. Other teams are far better at that than us, but this team is young, fit and pacey and should take the game to the opposition. Remember though, at international tournaments underdogs that do well are cautious and guarded.
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Post by ukcstokie on May 11, 2016 13:14:35 GMT
How anyone can think that Stones is worthy of a place in the England squad is beyond me. To play for England you have to have a clue, a merest hint of a fucking clue, how to play the role you're potentially selected for.
He's an absolute liability.
If Martínez drops you being shit at defending then that says it all.
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Post by GeneralFaye on May 11, 2016 13:21:16 GMT
The team I would pick out of the likely squad would be..
Hart Walker Smalling Cahill Bertrand Dier Henderson Wilshere Alli Kane Sturridge
For me Smalling is extremely clumsy and Cahill isn't great but they are obviously better than John fucking Stones.
Walker or Clyne could play, either way it doesn't bother me.
Bertrand is better LB than Rose imo, defensively sound and a very good crosser of the ball.
Wilshere is a, you know what, but I'd play him in front of Milner and Drinkwater to give us an extra edge offensively.
Alli over Rooney, Barkley and Sterling any day, his form and link up play with Kane is essential.
Finally, Kane needs no explanation and I feel with Sturridge being in form and fit he has to start as he is the best finisher we have imo. Also leaves us with a potential super sub in Vardy.
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Post by chiefdelilah on May 11, 2016 13:43:49 GMT
I'm quietly optimistic about us having a decent tournament, but a bigger worry than the centre halves is Hodgson's determination to squeeze Rooney in there somewhere.
He looks a completely spent force and there's at least two better options in every position he might play.
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Post by JoeinOz on May 11, 2016 13:46:22 GMT
I'm quietly optimistic about us having a decent tournament, but a bigger worry than the centre halves is Hodgson's determination to squeeze Rooney in there somewhere. He looks a completely spent force and there's at least two better options in every position he might play. I disagree he's a spent force. But he does have something to offer. Not a starter but overall he'd be a good chap to have around.
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