Group D: England, Croatia, Czech Republic, Scotland

[CTBee]

Walker has given the ball away 3 times now.

Every time I watch England he’s the weak link, when we’re in possession it’s like playing with ten men with him on the pitch. I hope Southgate brings Shaw on for him and moves Trippier over to right back but it won’t happen.

Sterling has played well and Foden looks dangerous.

 

[TW1Bee]

That shadow is really annoying can't see a thing on this near side . You'd think in this day and age cameras could sort this out.

 

[mhead bee]

Started OK but then we got drawn into walking football, exactly the style which had seen us fail in almost every tournament.

No energy, no press, no running at them, dull as f***.
OK, it’s quite hot but it was quite hot in the other games too and they didn’t look knackered.

 

[Stofer]

Great 20 mins by us but Croatia have taken control of the midfield, lucky for us they look toothless up front.

 

[Silly Hat]

Brentford Flag right behind the goal.

 

[Mark H]

Expect a couple of subs to be made at halftime to freshen up the energy levels.

 

[HaylingBee74]

Expect a couple of subs to be made at halftime to freshen up the energy levels.

Grealish being one of them I hope

 

[Gazza Bee]

Great start but last 25 been back to normal England - pedestrian pace and allowing Croatia to get a foothold. I'd have Walker off for James at half-time and get us back on the front foot - Sterling and Foden are worrying them when they drive forward but the service towards the end of the half was non existent and Kane totally isolated.

 

[A Real Mysteron]

This team is a cut and shut.
The front end of a Ferrari welded onto the rear of an Austin Allegro.

 

[AB]

What's the point of booing the Croatian anthem? Apart from the fact it is shows a lack of class do you really think grizzly old campaigners like Modric and Perisic give a toss!

Always offensive and unnecessary. Though Croatia is a country which in its modern incarnation defines its national identity a lot through football - particularly as WC 98 was so soon after independence- so I’m not sure the old hands or the young ones will be meh about the disrespect.

 

[Mark H]

Phillips has really impressed me.
get in.
Raheem Sterling shows us your MBE!

 

[TorbayBee]

Jermaine Jenas is a complete waste of space. Inane nonsense just filling the airwaves with blah.

 

[Mark H]

Jermaine Jenas is a complete waste of space. Inane nonsense just filling the airwaves with blah.

I totally disagree. His analysis has been spot on. Phillips breaking up play at the right time. Foden coming in from his slot and getting involved just a few examples.

 

[Bristolian Bee]

Jermaine Jenas is a complete waste of space. Inane nonsense just filling the airwaves with blah.

Could you do better?

 

[TorbayBee]

Could you do better?

yes and thanks for asking.

 

[brooks]

Is this a new golden generation or a bronze one or maybe tinfoil?

 

[Mark H]

Kane looks absolutely knackered. Right to sub him.

 

[Mark H]

Is this a new golden generation or a bronze one or maybe tinfoil?

The golden generation never existed.

 

[A Real Mysteron]

The golden generation never existed.

Do you not remember Nobby dancing?

 

[Mark H]

The first time England have won their opening fixture in the Euros. Can’t argue with that.
Phillips, Sterling and Mings impressed me.
Mount did a good job keeping Modric quiet. He had to collect the ball from the CBs in the end.

Tournament football is about pacing yourself.

 

[jbee]

Good performance. Nice work Gareth. Kelvin Phillips was very good in midfield.

 

[Gazza Bee]

Good win and deserved in the end. Didn't really have any pressure to deal with and arguably should have had one more goal.

Will be a lot harder tests but should see us into the knockout stages. Phillips MoM for me

 

[Mark H]

Do you not remember Nobby dancing?

Not the so called golden generation. Beckham etc.
It was media rubbish.

 

[Mr Cynical]

Bit of a snooze fest that but decent result.

 

[TW3Bee]

Great crowd celebrations, for our goal.

 

[Ealing Bee]

Post-match interviewer to Sterling (didn't catch the name):

"Have you justified your selection?"

Wtf? I thought Sterlings reaction - or lack of - was admirable (he just smiled bemusedly).

Had it been me, I think it might have been:

1. I didn't select myself;
2. You might ask the person who did;
3. Of course I bloody did - now sod off, you fool.

 

[wibs]

I'd like it if she now asked Mings "Do you think Sterling justified his selection"

Would be hilarious! Twitter would go into meltdown.

 

[upnorthbee]

It's a results business knock out football, so job done. It's irritating that we're not playing beautiful football... but we're completely spoilt by Brentford to be honest. Playing that kinda way I think shows why there's no room for Grealish... we're not here to entertain quite obviously.

 

[Bristolian Bee]

It's a results business knock out football, so job done. It's irritating that we're not playing beautiful football... but we're completely spoilt by Brentford to be honest. Playing that kinda way I think shows why there's no room for Grealish... we're not here to entertain quite obviously.

Agree with Rio. Grealish might well be picked to find the gaps through a team that parks the bus instead of pace to run in behind a high press. Horses for courses. Nice to have so many attacking options in this squad.

 

[Stofer]

Delighted with the win, but we huffed & puffed against a team that offered absolutely nothing in attack. Phillips easily MOM.

 

[Aussie Bee]

Great start - bring on Germany in the 2nd round

 

[Cham]

Good solid win.. Now onto Scotland

 

[jbee]

It's a results business knock out football, so job done. It's irritating that we're not playing beautiful football... but we're completely spoilt by Brentford to be honest. Playing that kinda way I think shows why there's no room for Grealish... we're not here to entertain quite obviously.

I think you pick two from Grealish, Sterling, and Foden. Everyone can disagree over which two but whoever plays out of those three brings quality that we haven't seen in an England team for years.

 

[Hippobee]

Post-match interviewer to Sterling (didn't catch the name):

"Have you justified your selection?"

Wtf? I thought Sterlings reaction - or lack of - was admirable (he just smiled bemusedly).

Had it been me, I think it might have been:

1. I didn't select myself;
2. You might ask the person who did;
3. Of course I bloody did - now sod off, you fool.

Would have been better if he had said,

"I think so. But how on earth did you get selected to ask questions?"

 

[TW3Bee]

Phillips easily MOM.

Agreed, although Sterling got it from UEFA.

 

[Ruislip_Rich]

Anyone moaning now. Lol
We all have our options but trust the people who are in charge. England or Brentford. They know best.
I love my country.

 

[JPince]

Agreed, although Sterling got it from UEFA.

yes, **gets woken up, spills champagne, asks for score and scorer, names MOM**

 

[ianbees1]

Would have been better if he had said,

"I think so. But how on earth did you get selected to ask questions?"

Exactly what I was thinking. Just a ridiculous question.

 

[wibs]

Anyone moaning now. Lol
We all have our options but trust the people who are in charge. England or Brentford. They know best.
I love my country.

Still think it was a weird decision.

 

[hillrunner]

Snore fest, do you think that Southgate might realise that if you play the ball forward more we could score goals, as the only time they did today we scored, not going far in this tournament with this negative team selection, lack of pace at centre forward and very little creativity in midfield.

 

[Owlsmoor_Bee]

Snore fest, do you think that Southgate might realise that if you play the ball forward more we could score goals, as the only time they did today we scored, not going far in this tournament with this negative team selection, lack of pace at centre forward and very little creativity in midfield.

Thats an incredibly harsh, and not very accurate summary IMO.

 

[Ken Richardson]

Job done. Now onwards and upwards.

 

[RAF_Patto]

Snore fest, do you think that Southgate might realise that if you play the ball forward more we could score goals, as the only time they did today we scored, not going far in this tournament with this negative team selection, lack of pace at centre forward and very little creativity in midfield.

It's tournament football, you're meant to win your games, not entertain. I don't care if we win every game playing like that, no one will remember the games, they'll be too happy lifting the trophy and celebrating.

 

[gamidov]

We were much better at wembley

 

[hillrunner]

Thats an incredibly harsh, and not very accurate summary IMO.

Unfortunately i am not looking through brightly coloured specs, if you thought that was a good performance, it just shows how peoples expectations have been diluted over pervious hype at major tournaments

 

[liverbee]

I thought it was far more entertaining than most of the fare served up for the last four decades, or so. Croatia still good quality.

 

[Houghton Bee]

Applause heavily outweighing any booing during the knee taking, despite the nonsense posted on here this week

Borefest game but we got the result which was the main thing. Hopefully we give the Scots a proper footballing lesson on Friday, happy to revert back to safety first for the third game.

 

[Ruislip_Rich]

Still think it was a weird decision.

Yep so do I. It worked and that's all that matters. On to Scotland. I would bring back Terry Butcher. He will take care of that brave heart bloke they have up front. William something.
Come on England

 

[JPince]

Yep so do I. It worked and that's all that matters. On to Scotland. I would bring back Terry Butcher. He will take care of that brave heart bloke they have up front. William something.
Come on England

Terry Butcher the footballer...not the ID thief who masqueraded as a football manager.

 

[larrysigny]

It's tournament football, you're meant to win your games, not entertain. I don't care if we win every game playing like that, no one will remember the games, they'll be too happy lifting the trophy and celebrating.

Sorry - but I really hate this attitude. Football is still (despite the money) a sport and an entertainment - for the fans at least.

*and I usually agree with our posts!