i had to laugh...

[lazaroonie]

I thought the english lads did themselves really proud yesterday (one obvious exception) with a typical british "backs to the wall" performance, fought for every ball, and generally giving 110% effort. I felt quite sorry for their inability to take penalties ...but then, normal service was resumed on match of the day later in the evening.

When Gary Linekar started talking about how England have a great chance of lifting the world cup - IN TWO THOUSAND AND TEN !!!!! For pete's sake, heaven preserve us !

[Jim-D]

 

[henrik777]

They have a better chance in 2010.

Sandy

[Colchester Kev]

2010 is in S.Africa isnt it ??   history says it wont be a european team, and thats why this was realistically the last chance for this group of players to win the world cup.

[henrik777]

It is South Africa in 2010.

Who won the last time in SA then Kev ? 

Sandy

[Colchester Kev]

never been played in SA before has it ... but history suggests European teams dont win it outside europe.

[henrik777]

History says England only win in England but it didn't calm down the hype this time or any other time i've been alive. (i was alive in 78 when we said we'd win but being only 4 i don't remember).

Sandy

[Colchester Kev]

I have to agree with the fact that we all get carried away with Englands chances whenever a major championship comes around, but surely that is just supporting your country ... Just like supporting your club team, you truly believe they will win every game they start .... its just that with England its national and everyone gets swept up in the optimism and hype.

The hardest part of the game for me on Saturday was seeing my 14 year old son so upset at the end, By half time I was resigned to the fact that we werent going to score and that our only hope was not conceding and taking a shot at penalties ... but try explaining that to a 14 year old lad who kicked and headed every ball as we watched the game ... as i consoled him at the end of the game , I told him that England had caused me to shed many tears over the years, and that he should be consoling me !! afterall I have had 40 years of hurt  ( I was only 1 year old when england won in 66 so i cant count that lol ) and he has had only 14 years.

when the game finished, I was proud of the players to be honest, that performance with 10 men for most of the 2nd half and extra time was gritty and heroic, I was also glad to see the emotion and despair of the players too ...It showed that they care.

Dissapointed   ?  ..Yes,     Suprised   ?  .. No (if im honest) ,  willing to put myself through it next time round  ?  YOU BET I AM !!

[Lee]

It was typical England, put their backs to the wall and they will come out playing like you've never seen before. I was also proud, but also disgusted that it takes a sending off to congeal the team and show the "Dunkirk" as its called (i think).

England will always compete in any game, the better the opponent, the better they will play. Harsh truth is that they are a long way from having that sixth sense, class or sophistication that differntiates the worlds best and therefore usually takes them through against England.

[Rooky9]

never been played in SA before has it ... but history suggests European teams dont win it outside europe.

South Africa is about as close a climate to central europe as you can get without being there.... of course they also have some great big whacking hills... Equador each way bet!