U21 EUROS

[Ted Hughes]

serious question...if you were to substitute the full england side for pearces squad would they look any better?...any more accomplished in the basics of the game that should be coached from 5 years old and onwards?..I for one dont think they would and i dont think theyd win it either...i think a lot of the england team have no bottle...add that to technical deficiencies which are becoming painful to watch i think 7/1 on england not getting to brazil is a good bet.

What has disturbed me even more than the obvious lack of ability at both full & U21 level, is the fact that Roy has recently been reverting to Taylor style football at times; pretty much admitting that England are so shit there is little point in trying to play modern football, so we'll just 'knock it'.

I recon that is really short sighted & totally out of order because although the current group of players at both levels are mostly fucking useless, at the younger age groups we are actually seeing English players who are comfortable on the ball & have a chance of playing real pass & move style football.

It would be so typical of England, if by the time these lads are old enough to bring their skills to the top level, the senior team is playing like Watford in 1985.

[Lev Bronstein]

One thing that strikes me about most England performances, given that we're dealing with some of the most egocentric individuals in the land, is that they always seem to look nervous and lacking in confidence.

[blues-clues]

Germany v Spain now. Scrappy so far. Isco involved a fair bit but nothing special really.

[Sideshow Bob]

Germany v Spain now. Scrappy so far. Isco involved a fair bit but nothing special really.

yeah neither team looks too arsed atm.

[blues-clues]

Spain lots of passes and possession but not much finished product. Germany getting stronger and creating some better chances now.

[Sideshow Bob]

dislike seeing isco gesture at his teammates when they don't play the ball he wants. he's played ok though.

[DoomMerchant]

dislike seeing isco gesture at his teammates when they don't play the ball he wants. he's played ok though.

I know what you mean. Realistically tho these players play together so infrequently that yr bound to see that frustration more often.

[Sideshow Bob]

dislike seeing isco gesture at his teammates when they don't play the ball he wants. he's played ok though.

I know what you mean. Realistically tho these players play together so infrequently that yr bound to see that frustration more often.

true. and it wouldn't bother me as much if he were actually open when yelling for the ball; more often, there's been no angle to get him the ball. bit like nasri making runs into the cul-de-sac.

[Alioune DVToure]

Isco's having a great game. Very comfortable on the ball, excellent movement off it and always showing up in the right areas.

Looks just like Samir on his thrice-a-season good days.

[zuricity]

Isco's having a great game. Very comfortable on the ball, excellent movement off it and always showing up in the right areas.

Looks just like Samir on his thrice-a-season good days.

Doesn't track back. He'll get nailed on this board , here next season.... or is that the other fella ?

[Lev Bronstein]

I was just going to post that, despite the fact that it's 0-0, both teams are head and shoulders above England in so many ways - then Spain score. I take it back both teams apart from the German goalie.

[Ted Hughes]

Isco was the best player on the pitch but we will have to consider him as more of a forward than a midfielder, & get him fitter.

Montoya was superb.

[twosips]

Montoya's class. Really, really rate him. He's looked better than Alves at times when i've seen him for Barca. He's gonna be at right back for Barca for ten years that lad.

Isco is great - so technically brilliant but yeah, he'd never defend.

[Lev Bronstein]

Israel 1 England 0.

Dear oh dear oh dear.

[Wonderwall]

Israel 1 England 0.

Dear oh dear oh dear.

Fully expected, I see Nir Biton hit the bar from 30 yds as well

[Lev Bronstein]

Israel 1 England 0.

Dear oh dear oh dear.

Fully expected, I see Nir Biton hit the bar from 30 yds as well

Lots to talk about but where on earth do you start?

Pearce well brassed off, basically blaming the players for not doing their jobs. Although if they aren't listening to him who's fault is that?

How much have the rags paid for Zaha? How much have others in that squad gone for?

How many decent players could have gone but didn't?

Why do they look surprised when they receive the ball?

And so on....

[Sideshow Bob]

watched nir biton against italy and he played very well...their best player by far (in an admittedly shit side).

[Goataldo]

Israel 1 England 0.

Dear oh dear oh dear.

Fully expected, I see Nir Biton hit the bar from 30 yds as well

Lots to talk about but where on earth do you start?

Pearce well brassed off, basically blaming the players for not doing their jobs. Although if they aren't listening to him who's fault is that?

How much have the rags paid for Zaha? How much have others in that squad gone for?

How many decent players could have gone but didn't?

Why do they look surprised when they receive the ball?

And so on....

Ahahahaa

[Ted Hughes]

The surprising thing is, that a side managed by Stuart Pearce only managed to score one goal (from the penalty spot) in 3 games.

Who would have thought it ?

[mr_nool]

The surprising thing is, that a side managed by Stuart Pearce only managed to score one goal (from the penalty spot) in 3 games.

Who would have thought it ?

Tell me about it - it's not like they were playing at home.