Euro 2012

[Lord Kangana]

Another disciplined performance in front of a baying, packed, parochial home crowd. First 20 mins they came out of the traps at us, and had nary a shot on target. That takes some steel.

Were there some f*ck me! moments? Yes, for sure. But Rome wasn't built in a day. The only blot on the copy book for me was leaving Rooney on for so long, whilst replacing Welbeck with Carroll and leaving Young on. IMVVVHO, he should have brought Oxtail Chowder and Walcott on a little sooner, and played them on the break. Sadly, Milner was blowing out of his arse when subbed, otherwise I'd have moved him inside with Parker and Gerard and gone 4-3-3. We'd have pissed 'em, I'm sure of it.

But anyhoo, topped the group and qualified for the knock outs. Doesn't happen that often at The Euros for us. Steady as she goes.

[CrazyHorse]

Would rather see Downing out there.

That's just crazy talk.

[ohjimmyjimmy]

I thought England did alright...but i'd had a few.

[TANGODANCER]

End justifies means. In fairness, I think we all tend to forget international football's come a long way and there are no really weak teams anymore. Massive game for the home boys and fans and we got lucky with a decision for a change. Papers full of "Rooney" which should really be "Gerard".

[Lord Kangana]

Rooney was terrible last night, way off match futness.

[Dr.Karl]

I've been surprised to the positive reaction from media and fans to England's tournament so far. I must be on crack because to my viewing England have been utter crap. I felt they were outplayed for much of last night and long spells in the Sweden game. Don't think they've defended resolutely either. They've stuck to a gameplan which has work out fairly fortuitously for them imv. If they win the whole thing it'll be a shock but not implausible. It's only three games after all but can't see them scoring against the Germans or Spanish. I suspect the Italy game will be another dour affair though and can see it going long into the night.....

[Raven]

When ever Germany start like this people say they always build up for the end games, didn't they struggle a few years back in one tournament but still got to the final. You are top of the group, unbeaten so why whine? Want to swap places with Russia or Holland?

[thebish]

have we been practicing penalties??

[Lord Kangana]

Should we have been?

[thebish]

Should we have been?

'tis often a question asked at the knockout stage of tournaments... they have proved a stumbling block before!

[thebish]

actually - our record appears to be worse than I remembered...

1990 WC finals - knocked out by West Germany 4-3 on pens (Pearce and Waddle)

1996 Euros - beat Spain 4-2 on pens
1996 Euros - knocked out by Germany 6-5 on pens (Southgate)

1998 King Hassan II International Cup in Morocco - knocked out by Belgium 4-3 on pens (Lee and Ferdinand)

1998 WC finals - knocked out by Argentina 4-3 on pens (Ince and Batty)

2004 Euros - knocked out by Portugal 6-5 on pens (Vassell)

2006 WC finals - knocked out by Portugal 3-1 on pens (Lampard, Gerrard, Carragher)

[Lord Kangana]

Clearly the answer is to learn to beat teams before it goes to penalties then.

Invoice is in the post btw.

[thebish]

Clearly the answer is to learn to beat teams before it goes to penalties then.

Invoice is in the post btw.

I think we might find that our record on that is much poorer!!

[Prufrock]

You missed Beckham from 2004.

We are proper shit at them. I think even Holland overtook us leaving us close to worst ever.

Not good given our current approach seems to be play for a draw hope to nick a win. You'd imagine even if it all goes swimmingly we'd need penalties at some point.

UHOH!

[Gooner Girl]

1996 Euros - beat Spain 4-2 on pens

Thanks to the legend that is David Seaman in goal.

Seems like only yesterday! How was it so long ago?

[thebish]

1996 Euros - beat Spain 4-2 on pens

Thanks to the legend that is David Seaman in goal.

Seems like only yesterday! How was it so long ago?

well - he saved one of them - Hierro hit the bar with the other with seaman going the wrong way

[Gooner Girl]

1996 Euros - beat Spain 4-2 on pens

Thanks to the legend that is David Seaman in goal.

Seems like only yesterday! How was it so long ago?

well - he saved one of them - Hierro hit the bar with the other with seaman going the wrong way

He was awesome throughout that tournament! Probably Englands best goalie in the last 20 years...

[Lord Kangana]

Not exactly stiff competition, is it?

[thebish]

1996 Euros - beat Spain 4-2 on pens

Thanks to the legend that is David Seaman in goal.

Seems like only yesterday! How was it so long ago?

well - he saved one of them - Hierro hit the bar with the other with seaman going the wrong way

He was awesome throughout that tournament! Probably Englands best goalie in the last 20 years...

you must be forgetting Rob Green!

[Bruce Rioja]

Probably Englands best goalie in the last 20 years...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExUX7MBk5UM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AND he looked like this bloke