Euro 2024 Thread

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Yes, Scotland just do not have the quality of players to succeed in international football.
No shame in that - just reality. Personally I don't think the manager should resign, as any other manager would more than likely do no better given what he has to work with.

I'm sure England will soon follow them out of the door. Interesting article on the BBC website over the weekend regarding the high press, and sums it all up really. Typical of Southgate that he's putting the blame on the players lack of fitness, when the article proves that to be rubbish. So a bad workman blames his tools - yes, England are playing like a bunch of tools, but Southgate is by far the biggest tool in the box.

[marko69]

Not sure about the high press, Rossi…… but certainly the trouser press ——>> kilts back in the wardrobe.
Also agree re a new boss if Clarke leaves. As the saying goes ——> you can only pee with the willie you've got.

That was actually a very different variety of painful for us Scots. We are usually either very close or getting thumped. 100th minute winners are alien. Very painful indeed.

But over the jam piece —->> not good enough. Historically, Scotland have had world class players wear the jersey, but they just never seem to click. The “mix” of class and hoofball muppet means they’ll never do it on the big stage. Yes, it was a bloody marvellous qualifying campaign ——>> but could be a while before things “click” like the again.

No idea who’ll win the thing now. The best witnessed so far (for me) have been Spain. The Italians were very lucky in that match-up. So probably Spain but Mbappe plays with the broken nose, then France.

Re Engerland……… probably get Slovenia out the way before really concentrating hard on making it deep in the tournament.
Agree 100% with Harry Kane……. If the seasoned ex player pundits “can it” slightly, maybe the support will raise a notch and the players will feed off that.
Having said that ——>> if tournaments were won by feeding off the fans, Scotland should’ve won 2 World Cups and 3 Euros by now.
That combination of beer & knowing we are shyte (Hibs helping the process) ——>> it is uplifting.

[Ricco]

That combination of beer & knowing we are shyte (Hibs helping the process) ——>> it is uplifting.

England would certainly be better with that support, that is what helped in 2018 and since then, although increasingly less. You can see how much the feel good factor around PR has helped and how the support has really buoyed the team and kept them going through more challenging periods of games and the season as a whole. Real shame to see Scotland not make it to the knockout stage.

I think what is different with England now however, is that it's the same bloody issues, I think the reason there has been a huge negative reaction after a win and a draw against solid, but not top teams, is the fact the pundits and fans have been supportive for a number of years. Now the squad is spilling over with talent, everyone is desperate for this generation to at least be allowed to give it a go.

It was forgiven when the tactics were too negative in 2018 when they lost to Croatia, it was a new set up and the team were not expecting to get that far. Again in 2020 when the negativity allowed Italy to control the whole game, accepted again, 2022, losing to the eventual runners up, generally accepted. The pundits bit their tongues. Come 2024 and you're parking the bus after 15 minutes against Serbia, in a group where essentially 3 out of 4 teams go through, that in my opinion is vehemently diabolical, not only that, but the same 11 started the next game in the same system and history repeated itself.

The coaching setup has been with the squad for 8 years, or something like that, with some of the best players in the world now at their disposal, the fact that they haven't learned from past issues and are already grasping for excuses is woeful. That is why there has been such a backlash and that is why fence sitting, mild mannered, politically worded pundits are universally criticising the approach. I can give you half a dozen major and basic errors that the England setup is continuing to perpetuate, and as a know-nothing armchair supporter, I shouldn't be able to do that and have 95% of pundits agree with me.

[Dubai Blue]

Yeah it's frustrating. But then again we have to remember that a tournament is a full event and I would fully expect tactics t o change once qualification is achieved. Lots of diversionary tactics and preserving strategies being used all round. The fun starts in the quarters and then we see the real teams IMO.

[marko69]

I think my issue with pundits (Scottish & English) is the air of knowing EXACTLY what the issue is. Rio Ferdinand is the worst. Don't think he's ever managed a club. But I would love it if that guy put his name forward. See how easy it would be to miraculously make the formula click. Then watch him get grey haired and look 93 in a few months!

Win the next World Cup......., cue, Duran Duran --->

"HIS NAME IS RIO, AND HE KNEW HOW TO MAKE IT CLICK.....
UNLIKE THE SOUTHGATE, WHO THE FANS CHRISTENED A PR!CK.....
ITS WORLD CUP TIME AND WE WILL FOLLOW YOU AND ROAM
OH RIO , RIO, WE JUST KNOW YOU'LL BRING IT HOME"

There is some pre-job pressure, Rio.

[Ricco]

Yeah it's frustrating. But then again we have to remember that a tournament is a full event and I would fully expect tactics t o change once qualification is achieved. Lots of diversionary tactics and preserving strategies being used all round. The fun starts in the quarters and then we see the real teams IMO.

You could well be right, but I have zero faith in that, and I think very few people do, it's being very optimistic. The way they are playing is very energy sapping, you could see that at the end of the games, so I don't think it's the plan, otherwise we'd see more rotation, resting, subs etc. Southgate sticks very staunchly to his tactics and selection, he is very safe, very conservative, and I don't think he has the ability to change enough in the short amount of time to do the squad justice. The squad doesn't have as long as a club side does to train and pre season together to get a good understanding, so the group games are crucial to get the chemistry going, defend and press as a team, create pass and move relationships throughout the team, there has been none of that. We'll talk again on the 6th of July, when we have or haven't been knocked out by Italy, if they get that far

[Ricco]

Rio Ferdinand is the worst.

He's a joke, but.... Gabby Agbonlahor, Michael Owen, those two for starters have to be worse? There are some very poor pundits out there for sure.

[ITFC2024]

It was forgiven when the tactics were too negative in 2018 when they lost to Croatia, it was a new set up and the team were not expecting to get that far. Again in 2020 when the negativity allowed Italy to control the whole game, accepted again, 2022, losing to the eventual runners up, generally accepted. The pundits bit their tongues. Come 2024 and you're parking the bus after 15 minutes against Serbia, in a group where essentially 3 out of 4 teams go through, that in my opinion is vehemently diabolical, not only that, but the same 11 started the next game in the same system and history repeated itself.

I've never accepted the defeat to Italy in 2020, and I blame Southgate for the loss. After scoring so early, we should have gone for the kill. You don't park the bus so early in a match unless you're Maidstone playing Ipswich in the FA Cup. It doesn't take a cocky pundit to know that.

It hasn't been all bad under Southgate he has brought organization to a degree, but after the way he managed that Euro final I completely lost faith in his ability to be competitive as far as WINNNING competitions go (which let's face it) we are long overdue.

I won't be surprised if Germany win the tournament, especially in front of their home fans. Also, Spain looks to be on a resurgence with its youthful squad.

[Charnwood]

How the f*ck did Italy do that. Extraordinary finish, just sheer madness but Croatia have only themselves to blame.

Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Italy all through to the knock out stages so far.

[AzzurroMark]

How the f*ck did Italy do that. Extraordinary finish, just sheer madness but Croatia have only themselves to blame.

Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Italy all through to the knock out stages so far.

So that's -
JohnnyB, Dazz67, Mach Polish Blue & Marko69
through so far.

[Charnwood]

How the f*ck did Italy do that. Extraordinary finish, just sheer madness but Croatia have only themselves to blame.

Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Italy all through to the knock out stages so far.

So that's -
JohnnyB, Dazz67, Mach Polish Blue & Marko69
through so far.

Lucky boy Marko, did anyone else see finish to that game. Croatia will be absolutely gutted but have only themselves to blame inc Luca Modric for his rare penalty miss.

[marko69]

How the f*ck did Italy do that. Extraordinary finish, just sheer madness but Croatia have only themselves to blame.

Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Italy all through to the knock out stages so far.

So that's -
JohnnyB, Dazz67, Mach Polish Blue & Marko69
through so far.

And yet, in real life, Poland & Scotland —->> OUT first.

[Shed on tour]

How the f*ck did Italy do that. Extraordinary finish, just sheer madness but Croatia have only themselves to blame.

Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Italy all through to the knock out stages so far.

So that's -
JohnnyB, Dazz67, Mach Polish Blue & Marko69
through so far.

And yet, in real life, Poland & Scotland —->> OUT first.

Been waiting all year to be first in a prediction league. Finally managed it in being the first team out.

[arana peligrosa]

Need nations like Italy in the later stages, would have been awkward or indeed less of a tournament if had been eliminated. It's all about self-preservation and the greater good.

There's too many things spoiling it though. VAR is a goddamn nuisance and creates more problems than it could hope to solve. Not only that there's always some airhead vacuous tart screaming in commentary whenever there's a chance near goal, women pundits or whatever they class themselves as should be outlawed from soccer commentary. These things alone have greatly reduced any enjoyment or taken tolerance to a certain breaking point.

Lot of nations seem inadequate in holding up to expectation. Netherlands were expecting to go a long way but they're losing at present time and just haven't really started. Thank f*ck for the Spanish who have held it together thus far and seem determined to win once again. That's where the glory is at, teams who remain consistent and the desire to win. They got it, most others haven't. That's got to be the redeeming factor by the end of it.

[AzzurroMark]

Frosty and AM (France & Austria) are through to the knockouts! Well my place is a big surprise with Austria topping their group ahead of the French!

Austria to do a Greece and win the tournament? Nah don't think so haha.

[AzzurroMark]

Watching England while in Budapest! We look so ineffective! Can't understand how a player like Stones can't trap a ball at times. How embarrassing!

[marko69]

Watching England while in Budapest! We look so ineffective! Can't understand how a player like Stones can't trap a ball at times. How embarrassing!

I put it off after 30mins. The sideways modern football is boring the man-paps off me

[Blue Wilf]

England have been awful yet again. Walking pace, missed passes and no creativity. We are lucky not to be behind! We know how hard it is to break down teams like this (as we did it for 4 years in Lge 1) but surely players of this calibre should have more ideas? Makes me more confident for us in the Prem actually.

[hallamblue]

I’m SO bored with it!

McKenna would shake this lot up with football played with INTENSITY!!

[ITFC2024]

[AzzurroMark]

Fair play, the second half we are looking better so far, not that the first half was anything of a benchmark!

[Blue Wilf]

Rice is so sh*t its untrue! Our 'hero' Bellingham is also sh*t along with walker and foden. Wish I hadn't bothered (again...). Palmer looks OK but too little too late

[hallamblue]

Well the Slovenia game plan of park the bus, worked to complete perfection. It doesn’t matter how good your players are, if the opposition parks the bus snd sits back for 90 mins it’s almost impossible to break it down. It was just like watching the league one shower of sh*t we had at PR, and it also reminded me of football under McCarthy. Boring as hell!

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

well after all the hype before the game - manager and players saying they know they need to find nother gear and it will all come good - mastermind Southgate makes ONE predictable change to personnel but none to approach.

He seems to be fixed on playing a negative 4-2-3-1 based around Bellend - it will not work.

Before you all jump on me - I'm not saying that 4-2-3-1 is necessarily negative (although it's the formation I like the least), but I am saying that the way Southgate implements it is negative.

[marko69]

Just hearing on news that litter was being thrown at Southgate last night by England fans at the stadium? Jeezo. That is infinitely more embarrassing than finishing rock bottom of the group. Get that "element" of the support rounded up and ......., well, I don't know. Banned? Being nice about it.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Just hearing on news that litter was being thrown at Southgate last night by England fans at the stadium? Jeezo. That is infinitely more embarrassing than finishing rock bottom of the group. Get that "element" of the support rounded up and ......., well, I don't know. Banned? Being nice about it.

But how else are they to express their views? Southgate has said repeatedly that he doesn't listen to criticism, so what else are they supposed to do?

[Ricco]

But how else are they to express their views? Southgate has said repeatedly that he doesn't listen to criticism, so what else are they supposed to do?

What else are they supposed to do?!! are you serious? You mean they have a right to essentially pick the team and tactics, and if the national team coach doesn't listen, they have the right to assault him? What planet do you live on Rossi?

Why should he listen to criticism? That's not his job. His job is to prepare and put out the team that he thinks is best suited to the game/tournament. Just because he is really really bad at that, doesn't mean he deserves abuse or things thrown at him.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

But how else are they to express their views? Southgate has said repeatedly that he doesn't listen to criticism, so what else are they supposed to do?

What else are they supposed to do?!! are you serious? You mean they have a right to essentially pick the team and tactics, and if the national team coach doesn't listen, they have the right to assault him? What planet do you live on Rossi?

Why should he listen to criticism? That's not his job. His job is to prepare and put out the team that he thinks is best suited to the game/tournament. Just because he is really really bad at that, doesn't mean he deserves abuse or things thrown at him.

Assault him? With an empty plastic glass? You miss my point entirely - they know that Southgate will not listen to criticism because he has said so himself, so they express their displeasure by other means in order to try to get their point across. If Southgate can't or won't listen to and/or accept criticism then he shouldn't be doing the job. It's only a few empty plastic glasses that were thrown not at him but in his direction - there are worse things that could have been thrown.

[Bluemike]

I think its the fans being assaulted after having that sh*te thrown at us last night
Worst team in the tournament

[marko69]

What else are they supposed to do?!! are you serious? You mean they have a right to essentially pick the team and tactics, and if the national team coach doesn't listen, they have the right to assault him? What planet do you live on Rossi?

Why should he listen to criticism? That's not his job. His job is to prepare and put out the team that he thinks is best suited to the game/tournament. Just because he is really really bad at that, doesn't mean he deserves abuse or things thrown at him.

Well done, nice reply.

Not often i’m speechless but i genuinely didn’t know how to respond.