Football

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Corrected that for you. However, I don't think Robson or Venables had their reputations ruined as a result of managing the England team.

Maybe the media muck-raking did not turn up anything in those two cases, but it would not be for the want of trying...

 

[SuspectUsual]

Maybe the media muck-raking did not turn up anything in those two cases, but it would not be for the want of trying...

Venables had lots of "interesting" stuff in his previous, but he played the media well and kept them onside with a few juicy quotes (no Video Assistant Reporter back then ) so nothing much came out whilst he was in charge. Whether that would happen nowadays is another matter; the media has changed enormously in the last 25 years of course

 

[Purple Train]

Southgate has achieved as much as them (and more than most) but putting that aside who should be England manager?

Indeed. I think short memories is the problem rather than Southgate, and, after the Euros final, I'd say he was perfectly entitled to another couple of tournaments. The World Cup was perfectly respectable, and the side has come on leaps and bounds since Euro 2016. One poor tournament - if it turns out that way - shouldn't detract from that. I do think, however, that it is time for a change after this tournament, whether Southgate bows out on a high or a low.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Indeed. I think short memories is the problem rather than Southgate, and, after the Euros final, I'd say he was perfectly entitled to another couple of tournaments. The World Cup was perfectly respectable, and the side has come on leaps and bounds since Euro 2016. One poor tournament - if it turns out that way - shouldn't detract from that. I do think, however, that it is time for a change after this tournament, whether Southgate bows out on a high or a low.

Eight years have elapsed since that Euro 2016 tournament and matters have moved on since then. All that can be judged is what happens in this Euro 2024 tournament.

 

[Purple Train]

Eight years have elapsed since that Euro 2016 tournament and matters have moved on since then.

Indeed, but Southgate's reign does need to be placed in the context of the situation he inherited. I don't believe that, on paper, we are substantially better than in 2016 (though better to some extent).

 

[SuspectUsual]

Scotland have had their first shot. 53 minutes.

 

[Darandio]

Scotland have had their first shot. 53 minutes.

They showed such a lack of urgency in the first half. Much better in the second but no quality up front, they'll get hit on the break and it will be lauded as a plucky 1-0 defeat.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

McTominay must have sensed something, receiving his second yellow card of the tournament early in the second half, so will not be able to play in the next game should Scotland progress today.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

...should Scotland progress today.

Best that they (Scotland) or indeed opponents Hungary can do is finish third. Which four teams qualify from the six groups of four in third place won't be decided today.

 

[JamesT]

Best that they (or Hungary) can do is finish third. Which four teams qualify from the six groups in third place won't be decided today.

Unless there is a sudden German resurgence in the next 10 minutes resulting in wins for both Germany and Scotland with an overall 6 goal margin. Then Scotland would finish second ahead of the Swiss.

 

[DarloRich]

Scotland - out in the first round. Again.

 

[JamesT]

Scotland - out in the first round. Again.

Utterly useless. Going into a must win match playing 5 at the back and a striker that’s only scored 1 in 13 internationals.

 

[DarloRich]

Utterly useless. Going into a must win match playing 5 at the back and a striker that’s only scored 1 in 13 internationals.

they didn't look like scoring and only really went for it in the last 10 minutes of injury time.

 

[Class15]

they didn't look like scoring and only really went for it in the last 10 minutes of injury time.

They arguably should have had a penalty?

 

[Jamesrob637]

Kind of cruel really, a 99th minute goal. Hungary were a dirty side, but we pray Varga recovers soon.

 

[SuspectUsual]

The two worst teams in the tournament.

Scotland’s tactics utterly baffling considering it was a game they had to win

 

[Harvester]

they didn't look like scoring and only really went for it in the last 10 minutes of injury time.

And then got sucker punched in the last minute! There was no lack of effort from Scotland, but there is a lack of quality in the team/squad, and it’s no surprise they have failed to progress.

 

[Edsmith]

First and foremost Barnabas Varga is reportedly in a stable condition.

Scotland got want they deserved and Steve Clarke's future must be in some doubt, he's also made some controversial comments about the Argentinian referee who I thought got that penalty decision spot on, Armstrong had hold of the defenders shirt and was clearly looking for a penalty.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

They showed such a lack of urgency in the first half. Much better in the second but no quality up front, they'll get hit on the break and it will be lauded as a plucky 1-0 defeat.

You did forecast the correct score, but not the manner in which Scotland played for most of the game. Nowt plucky from what I saw.

 

[1D54]

Never a penno, he instigated contact and should have been booked for his trouble.

Far and away the worst game of the tournament so far, this is what happens when events like these are expanded, you end up with participating teams that should be no where near such finals.

 

[AlterEgo]

Never a penno, he instigated contact and should have been booked for his trouble.

Far and away the worst game of the tournament so far, this is what happens when events like these are expanded, you end up with participating teams that should be no where near such finals.

Fully agreed. Scotland were awful. Hope everyone had a nice week away though!

 

[Falcon1200]

For a must-win game Scotland's lack of ambition was desperately poor, and I am not convinced by the penalty shout, it looked like both players just fell down together. Even had the penalty been given it would probably have been missed given Scotland's shooting record in the tournament.....

Didn't hear Clarke's comments on the ref, was he effectively implying that an Argentinian referee would be less competent than a European?

 

[1D54]

Didn't hear Clarke's comments on the ref, was he effectively implying that an Argentinian referee would be less competent than a European?

Clarke was asked if he spoke to the referee after and he replied ' why would i, he is from Argentina, and probably doesn't speak the language' he then said they should have been a European ref in charge of the game.

 

[Spamcan81]

Scotland - out in the first round. Again.

Oh dear, what a shame, never mind.

 

[sannox]

Fully embarrassing performance this tournament. Steve Clarke played too cautiously and kept too many favourites in when it was clear they weren't performing. Deserved to go out - Hungary knew they could give us all the ball and we had no idea what to do bar pass it back and keep it tight.

I get we don't have superstar players, and key players to the system out with injury, but it was too negative. I think it might end up costing him his job, seems to be a groundswell of support for a change to freshen it up.

Far and away the worst game of the tournament so far, this is what happens when events like these are expanded, you end up with participating teams that should be no where near such finals.

I actually think the expanded tournament is fine. Been pretty decent games all round - teams playing a cagey last game when they know a defeat is home, is to be expected.

Worth pointing out that Scotland qualified quite comfortably with only 1 defeat away to Spain and indeed more so than many teams who have played well in the tournament. We've also managed to be promoted into Nations League A, but will be out of that sharpish based on the performance in the the last 9 months and in the tournament which have been thoroughly disappointing.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

What I don't like about the expanded Euros (and didn't like about the 24-team iteration of the World Cup or the future iteration of it), is the ability to qualify from third place in the group. This means it's possible to get through the group without winning a game, which doesn't seem right to me. When UEFA decided to expand from 16 teams and add an extra knockout round, it should have expanded to 32 teams so that only the top two teams in each group progress. Yes, this would mean an easier ride for the bigger teams- but it also means no "let off" for the bigger teams who don't show up for the group games, a la Portugal in 2016.

 

[sannox]

What I don't like about the expanded Euros (and didn't like about the 24-team iteration of the World Cup or the future iteration of it), is the ability to qualify from third place in the group. This means it's possible to get through the group without winning a game, which doesn't seem right to me. When UEFA decided to expand from 16 teams and add an extra knockout round, it should have expanded to 32 teams so that only the top two teams in each group progress. Yes, this would mean an easier ride for the bigger teams- but it also means no "let off" for the bigger teams who don't show up for the group games, a la Portugal in 2016.

I think one of the proposals was groups of 3 but then you have the issue with teams 'knowing what to do' on the final day and playing out silly results.

 

[JamesT]

What I don't like about the expanded Euros (and didn't like about the 24-team iteration of the World Cup or the future iteration of it), is the ability to qualify from third place in the group. This means it's possible to get through the group without winning a game, which doesn't seem right to me. When UEFA decided to expand from 16 teams and add an extra knockout round, it should have expanded to 32 teams so that only the top two teams in each group progress. Yes, this would mean an easier ride for the bigger teams- but it also means no "let off" for the bigger teams who don't show up for the group games, a la Portugal in 2016.

32 teams feels too big for a Euro finals, given UEFA only has 55 members. Some of the third places getting through does mean the final round of group games will be meaningful, whereas if the two top seeds are scheduled to play each other last the other two could already be out with nothing to play for.

 

[dangie]

Maybe England would play better if they wore proper black boots instead of pink carpet slippers

 

[DarloRich]

Maybe England would play better if they wore proper black boots instead of pink carpet slippers

agreed - that and a sensible haircut, decent blazer and some proper shoes. Also manly handshake on scoring a good goal. Rarely: a pat on back after a "worldie". Jig if world cup secured.