As the third wave sets in, thank God we’ve at least got the Euros to help keep us all indoors.
And for me it’s been good so far and getting better as the pressure starts rising in the tournament.
After the first set of games, I mentioned how the different the officiating is as opposed to what we’re served up in the Premier League every week. I hope we’ll see some of the same next season?
But it’s not just the officials who are allowing the game to flow much better, VAR actually seems fairly acceptable!
OK, the whole offside by lines, with a toe on the wrong side needs to change, but during the Euros it hardly comes into play.
When it has, the decisions are super fast and so far pretty accurate. Even more noticeable is the attitude of the players. I can only imagine that FA’s, coaches and captains were pre-briefed by Uefa to say diving and feigning injury won’t be accepted. It’s been so much better to watch.
Well, that’s of course if you’re not an England fan. The madness is of course that they could go on and win it, but wow, it really is the same old k@k.
Now I’ve played football all my life, albeit at a low amateur level, but got so gassed up before a match. Gave every game 110 percent and loved every minute of it. What was I playing for? A local cup and a good time with my mates.
So how is it that this group of England players look like they’re knocking a ball about in a pre-season friendly? It’s the most important international football competition in the world next to the World Cup.
You’ve come through 100s of 1000s of hopefuls to stick a national jersey on and you play like that?
Scotland’s population isn’t much more than the Western Cape. Did you see how those boys played? Most of them wouldn’t make the bench at Burnley, yet with passion, pride, determination and love of their country, they manage to be the better side and could easily have won it.
Did you see their fans at Wembley, back in Scotland and around the globe? Looked like they’d just won the final, while that sad bunch multi-frikkin-millionaire w@nkers walked slowly off the pitch, heads down, fans booing them off. Good!
That’s the players… then there’s the English FA and Gareth Southgate. When are they going to change the pattern? Slow, patient build-up, looking for an opening against sides that usually set up two defensive lines of four. What a bore and to make matters worse, the side is full of brilliant young players who do their sh!t week-in-week-out in the Premier League.
I mean how the f*** do you take Phil Foden off? And why the hell is Jadon Sancho warming the bench when a goal is so desperately needed? And why are progressive, skilful players – like Mason Mount – not being progressive?
As I’ve always maintained, England need an Arsene Wenger type. Proper tactician, believer in good to watch football, someone who has the personality to light up a squad.
Think of the difference Thomas Tuchel made when he took over at Chelsea.
Players like Antonio Rudiger, N’Golo Kante, Kai Havertz etc, they absolutely came to life – and won the bombaclaat Champions League.
As I said, cliches aside, you never know in football, the “Three Lions” might pick it up and go on and win it.
But to be honest, firstly I don’t think they’ve got a hope in hell and secondly, even if they do, it will be k@k to watch. Given what we’ve seen so far, my money’s still on France.
Great squad, playing some lovely football. One day… one day I tell you, I’ll say that about England and that’ll be the year the bastards win a trophy.
Stay safe people, this virus is really close again, quite a few people I know – more than the previous “waves” have contracted it. Chat next week.
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Caption: STILL FAVOURITES: Kylian Mbappe and France