Swango1980
Well-known member
One of those subjective ones. Had the referee given a penalty, the refs association would have also been able to justify why it was given.
PaulMdj
Well-known member
4LEX
Well-known member
Google Talksport clips of the week with Stuart Pearce. You won't be disappointed!
I see England remain the bookmakers’ favourites to win this tournament. I suppose I get it in part, given how the draw has fallen in their lap. But have the bookies not watched any games?
4LEX
Well-known member
The difference is the quality of player available has gone up.
After the so called 'golden generation' we had a huge dip in quality which saw some very average England teams from 2010-2016. The results reflected that. Now the quality in midfield and attack is without doubt the best in the world. Our second choice midfield and attack would still be up there with the best.
The failure to make it through to Euro 2008 was pretty much down to Steve McLaren and a few silly individual mistakes, like Rooney giving away a penalty in Russia and Carson's gaffe against Croatia.
The main issue is a lot of the so called top nations are at a low ebb, so the next few years are a period we have to take advantage. We've failed in the past due to one man - Southgate. He's shown nothing to indicate he's learnt from those mistakes or improved.
By the way don't knock Big Sam, he has a 100% win ratio
Swango1980
Well-known member
I suspect it is simply the UK bookmakers, and odds are set based on the how their customers are betting?
Do Spanish bookmakers have Spain as favourites? German bookmakers Germany as favourites? French bookmakers France as favourites?
Apparently it’s not. It’s Europe wide.
harpo_72
Journeyman Pro
Sam A usually gets parachuted into bad situations with poor or low levels of confidence.
The Bolton side was special but JJ O was a magician .. players like that are generational
The Bolton side was special but JJ O was a magician .. players like that are generational
4LEX
Well-known member
Swango1980
Well-known member
Maybe it's because the rest of Europe never watched Middlesbrough, and appreciate just how awful Southgate is?
They see Bellingham, Kane and Foden basically being the best players in 3 of the top leagues in the world, so assume England must be awesome.
Surely no man, even an unqualified football hating member of the public, could manage this side to be so poor? Or so they think
Or, could it be that us Brits gamble the most, thus the entire European markets odds trend towards our behaviour?
Pin-seeker
Well-known member
France 2nd Favourites & they’ve been equally as
.Bookies alter their odds with how the punters are betting.
They’d be worried about putting England at a bigger imo.
Pin-seeker
Well-known member
I laughed at my mate for backing Spain to win it.
Think he got 14/1.
They’re now 4/1
Think he got 14/1.
They’re now 4/1
4LEX
Well-known member
I laughed at my mate for backing Spain to win it.
Think he got 14/1.
They’re now 4/1
Apart from their real golden generation, Spain have bottled it more than England. As good as they've been, I can see them doing the same against a team who sits back. Two very young wingers, Morata a striker that's crap and a so so defence.
What they have is a fearless coach and play on the front foot. If we can sneak our way to the final I'd rather face them than Germany or Portugal.
harpo_72
Journeyman Pro
Portugal? They looked toothless .. beware of Austria and the Swiss they looked far more dangerous.
Spain make more chances and keep trying to make them .. I like that.
France .. looked a bit toothless without Mbappe but Kante is amazing can he keep it going?
Germany the Scots rolled over and made them look good .. they are a bit ordinary.
Italians have been lucky but every ref loves them and turns a blind eye to their filthy play
Belgium.. god only knows why they don’t perform despite good players and good management.
England.. well they could win it if they weren’t a bunch of static back pass billies
Swango1980
Well-known member
Portugal looked really decent the first 2 games, from what I remember.
Maybe not the 3rd game, when they rested the majority of their players
harpo_72
Journeyman Pro
Yes , but that’s their first 11 , that performance suggests that they don’t have much depth .. so their journey deeper into the tournament depends on fatigue and yellow cards
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
Some seriously dodgy transfers going on between clubs to avoid financial penalties.
£20m for a lad who has played 6 senior game and over £30m for some unknown going the other way.
Both clubs very happy..........Del Boy stuff going on.
£20m for a lad who has played 6 senior game and over £30m for some unknown going the other way.
Both clubs very happy..........Del Boy stuff going on.
nickjdavis
Head Pro
mmm...part of me wants Newcastle to stay out of it all and take a few points deduction (assuming we are potentially in breach of PSR as the press are speculating), rather than let any of our better players and emerging young talent go.
PaulMdj
Well-known member
Weird if there’s any truth LPool were offered Gordon as part of a deal for Quansah, definitely doesn’t send out the right message.
Swango1980
Well-known member
If they need to 2 or 3 changes as the tournament goes on, I'm sure they'll be fine. It's when you make mass changes, you often see teams lose their core and can't really get any momentum going.
