S-Clarke

Well he's only going for the dosh and the lifestyle over there, not to be competitive. Bit of a shame.

The fact of the matter is that we've never had it so good, so think before you jump up and down and criticize how things are done. There's nothing not to like about that video, it's positive and the majority of things in that video are actually happening - so it's not just PR spin.

He was often a sub for Wigan though iirc. He's also got a condition called SADS, which means he can collapse and his heart could fail at any point.

Well he's playing us to our strengths, this is as good as we can be with the players we have, we're limited. So in that sense he's doing well to get the max out of them. Scousers are bitter morons though.

Where has that come from?

Yep, good news. I think the Beeb always had 1st pick of the QF's.

Only because he was off the pace, and built up by the media to high heaven.

plastic

This was never going to be an easy game, and it wasn't what so ever. Ukraine were always going to go for it and attack us, and they do have a couple of very nifty wide players who will cause most teams a problem. We set ourselves up incredibly well though, tactically it looks obvious in terms of getting men behind the ball, marking the space etc - but you've got to know your position, and exactly where your team mates are and it seems we do. We're very well drilled, incredibly organized and a very tough nut to crack. Everyone has their job and the discipline has been installed into them. Even though Ukraine had a lot of the play, you never really felt that we were hanging on the fringes because we rarely let them in behind or allowed them to operate in real space to cause a problem. In the occasions they did break through we were saved by a dodgy decision - but if Hart didn't get a hand on that, it was going straight in and there wouldn't have been a debate - so a good touch from him. Oh and the player was offside. The game did open up much more in the 2nd half though, Gerrard got more space in the middle and in my opinion he's been our best player without a question. 3 or 4 assists already I think. He's always been a player that's had the label of not doing it at international tournaments, but he's turned up for this one, and you have to ask yourself why...........in my opinion it's because he's playing in his natural position alongside a player who compliments him perfectly. Lampard and Gerrard are too similar, and you can be too clever at getting one to sit, one to go, then to swap etc...what you need is a player who does the dirty work, and a midfielder who is dynamic and can switch the player. We have that and it's something we haven't had at international level for a long time. We're a tough watch if we're honest, but we get the job done. Special mentions to Lescott and Terry too, they've been immense. Onto Italy then who I think are very beatable, the ROI made them look very ordinary.

That's why I think someone with real pace could be a game changer for us, as you said Ukraine can't go through the middle of us because we're very solid with 2 banks of 4 - so they have to open up and spread the play, that leaves gaps on the flanks in our favor but we just don't have the players to take advantage of that. Wellbeck has been seriously isolated as well, all this talk about ''Rooney'' linking the play isn't happening.

Possibly, but I reckon whoever we sign is someone that's been on our radar for 12 months or so. It still seems like our criteria where possible is young and British.

We won't slaughter anyone on the break with Milner on the right side, because as soon as he gets the ball he stops. Looks sideways, backwards, and passes back. Excellent. That's not a wingers job. He's so painfully predicable that you can predict exactly what foot he'll use to control the ball before it's there. He must be a full backs dream to play against.

He's always been a very handy player, been around for years. I also like Srna of Croatia, but I think he's priced out of our league.

I'm sure Jay Rodriguez would have to! Lots of pressure on Rooneys shoulders and boy does it show.

What the jesus does Milner do? Seriously? I don't get it, why is he there? Yarmalanko (Sp) demonstrates exactly what we lack. Someone with pace, ability and skill to beat a player. Unfortunately we've opted for work rate and predictability against someone like Chambo who has those attributes.

English mentality, lots of strong tackles, harrying, hoofing and running around like an idiot whilst not actually achieving much. Sod being able to control the ball and beat a player with pace and skill.

What would happen if we lost 3-2, and France lost 2-0? Would we still go through on 4pts on Fifa Rankings? I assume that's how they'll work it. You'd then have... Ukraine - 6 England 4 France 4 Sweden -3

Bit of a boost, Shevchenko hasn't made it. He's out.

Or we lose and France lose, but France lose by lots of goals. We then come 2nd to Ukraine. (I think).

urrrgh Milner. Was it any coincidence that we looked more threatening once he was subbed and replaced by Theo? Nope. He's a hard worker, but a clogger. Doesn't do much and is never a wide player, way too slow and predicable to do that.

Exactly this.

I just don't think the guys that run this club are the sort to tease us with crap. We barely get any bits like this out of the club, so when it does pop out you can be assured that there is serious intent to make it happen in the long-term future, and therefore financial backing. Similar was said about the training ground when the pictures first came out, but you could tell the intent was there and after a bit of a wait it finally started and that won't be cheap either.

Would imagine it's years away, as you said, but we may see little things being added as we go along - maybe those pictures are what they want the final outcome to be after 10 or so years? They're pictures, but they've come officially out of the club and it's the first time we've seen them comment on stadium improvements, so at least it shows these are being considered. Forgot about the industrial freehold though, and the front outside the stadium - that wouldn't be done overnight.

True. I think next year is key though, going straight back down will put us back I reckon. Everything is going to plan so far... We need to stay up next year and then I think we'll push on even more, next year should be all about consolidation and finishing between 12-15th. I think most would take that!

What is sarcastic about that?