So who'll win the Euro's

[KRBFC]

you sound like you've been lucky enough to have only watched England in 3 tournaments, the rest of us have been left traumatized over the decades !!!

Which makes your anti Southgate nonsense even more remarkable, first manager since Alf to reach back to back semi finals, looks pretty good to me compared to as you say, decades of trauma with clowns like Mclaren Roy Capello Sven etc

[tiger76]

Jesus, you couldn't be more wrong if you tried. The only team in history to keep 5 consecutive clean sheets in the Euros.

Including the 2 pre-tournament friendlies it's 7 games without conceding for England now, and there's been some decent tests in those 7 games, Austria who pushed Italy all the way, Croatia who pushed Spain all the way, and the Czech Republic who have also impressed in this tournament, so it's hardly makeweights we've been beating and keeping clean sheets against is it.

If people still can't see the progress England have made under GS at this tournament then they clearly will never support him whatever he achieves with this England squad, back-to-back semi-finals for the 1st time in our history I believe, and a convincing sweeping aside of a decent Ukraine side yesterday, surely whatever happens in the next week he's earned the right to continue mentoring this young group, and crucially he appears to be learning lessons from his past mistakes, notably the WC semi-final in 2018, England now are maturity into a solid outfit, who can win games in a variety of manners, and that's a lethal combination in tournament football.

[KRBFC]

Including the 2 pre-tournament friendlies it's 7 games without conceding for England now, and there's been some decent tests in those 7 games, Austria who pushed Italy all the way, Croatia who pushed Spain all the way, and the Czech Republic who have also impressed in this tournament, so it's hardly makeweights we've been beating and keeping clean sheets against is it.

If people still can't see the progress England have made under GS at this tournament then they clearly will never support him whatever he achieves with this England squad, back-to-back semi-finals for the 1st time in our history I believe, and a convincing sweeping aside of a decent Ukraine side yesterday, surely whatever happens in the next week he's earned the right to continue mentoring this young group, and crucially he appears to be learning lessons from his past mistakes, notably the WC semi-final in 2018, England now are maturity into a solid outfit, who can win games in a variety of manners, and that's a lethal combination in tournament football.

England haven't had results as good since I've been born

[tiger76]

England haven't had results as good since I've been born

Ditto.

[Vegas Claret]

Which makes your anti Southgate nonsense even more remarkable, first manager since Alf to reach back to back semi finals, looks pretty good to me compared to as you say, decades of trauma with clowns like Mclaren Roy Capello Sven etc

I say Southgate is too negative in certain games, Scotland as an example, and you say I'm anti-southgate. First half last night was poor in terms of forward play as attested by Raheem Sterling laying into Shaw for going backwards all the time - GS clearly gave them a rollocking at half-time, miles better second half - i've already posted on other threads that that alone won me over last night as most managers would have said, winning 1-0 carry on the same lads.

You've spent every waking moment of the last (5-8 years at a guess) slagging off Dyche, his style of play, the board, the club and everything Burnley and you've been called out for it countless times by loads of people on here. The irony you display is off the scale, truly astounding levels of hypocrisy.

[Winstonswhite]

England haven't had results as good since I've been born

Out of interest which has been your favourite result/best performance under Southgate?

[boatshed bill]

5 games played - nil conceded (though goodness knows how) Always a mistake in them but they have covered each other well.

Strangely our worse two moments have come via opponents' hopeful punts down the middle.

[KRBFC]

I say Southgate is too negative in certain games, Scotland as an example, and you say I'm anti-southgate. First half last night was poor in terms of forward play as attested by Raheem Sterling laying into Shaw for going backwards all the time - GS clearly gave them a rollocking at half-time, miles better second half - i've already posted on other threads that that alone won me over last night as most managers would have said, winning 1-0 carry on the same lads.

You've spent every waking moment of the last (5-8 years at a guess) slagging off Dyche, his style of play, the board, the club and everything Burnley and you've been called out for it countless times by loads of people on here. The irony you display is off the scale, truly astounding levels of hypocrisy.

I haven't slagged off Dyche in years, I've never slagged off the results just style of play at times.
I have slagged off the previous board for lack of investment.
I have done quite the opposite of slag off the club, I am very much against the view we're a small tinpot club.

[KRBFC]

Out of interest which has been your favourite result/best performance under Southgate?

Last night, breaking records along the way, calm assured and professional.

[Winstonswhite]

Last night, breaking records along the way, calm assured and professional.

A very poor Ukraine side though you must admit?

[Vegas Claret]

I haven't slagged off Dyche in years, I've never slagged off the results just style of play at times.
I have slagged off the previous board for lack of investment.
I have done quite the opposite of slag off the club, I am very much against the view we're a small tinpot club.

"I've never slagged off the results just style of play at times."

like I said, hypocrisy off the charts

With that I'm done, day to get on with

[Jakubs Tash]

Wow, you must feel like a complete moron now! Humiliated!!

What? It was an opinion. And for what’s it’s worth, England still look very dodgy at the back but haven’t really played anybody of any great quality.

I’m not sure there was much call for your post….but I’m not surprised looking at some of your other posts.

[claretburns]

Spain runners up Denmark
Vyds to score at Wembley after running Englands cb pair ragged

The Vydra prediction wrong, but Spain to beat Denmark in final very possible, good shout!

[KRBFC]

"I've never slagged off the results just style of play at times."

like I said, hypocrisy off the charts

With that I'm done, day to get on with

Very different Burnley to England, I don't think England play bad football at all and knockout football is about winning and grinding through the rounds, one thing I've remained consistent on is Dyche certainly knows how to win games of football, i'm certainly not anti Dyche. I had a brief spell a few years ago of hating the Dyche football during spells, now I see it as kind of necessary to remain in the PL with the handcuffs tied firmly behind his back for the last couple of seasons. Also I watch Burnley every week, England isn't on weekly otherwise I might hold the same belief as you if I thought the football was boring and negative. I have also recently said, I now want to see England win by any means necessary, I'm so sick of years and years of England failure, my attitude on the style of play has changed over the last few years, Dyche is a reason for that.

[Elizabeth]

We all want to see England win now I hope. Do you think they will win?

[Winstonswhite]

It’s good to see you’ve come round to most supporters opinions on Dyche~ At one point you were adamant the only way we’d survive in the Premier League was sacking him and replacing with David Wagner. Hats off to admitting you were talking b#ll#cks

[JohnMac]

Relax everyone, I backed both Italy and Denmark each way pre tournament.

That guarantees a Spain v England final.

[JarrowClaret]

I think England will be too strong for Denmark, but would not begrudge them the win after what has happened. Let’s hope the eventual winners do come from our semi although I do think Italy have been the best side up to now.

[Steve1956]

With everything that has gone on around Denmark I actually think there name is on this trophy a bit like it was the last time they won it
Be throughly deserved if they do.

[martin_p]

A very poor Ukraine side though you must admit?

A Ukrainian team that was in the quarter finals of the Euros! We made them look poor, the first goal coming so early was key to knocking any confidence they had.

[RVclaret]

We could win the entire thing and it will be down to each opponent being poor for some on here.

England were at it from minute 1 against Ukraine, identified their weaknesses by pressing high (something we haven’t done all tournament btw) and exploiting their right hand channel where they have conceded most of their goals. We can’t press high and fast for 90 minutes every game like some fans think but what that allowed for on Saturday was the extra energy to do so.

Like martin_p says above the early goal knocked the wind out of their sails and after that we controlled the game.

[Silkyskills1]

A Ukrainian team that was in the quarter finals of the Euros! We made them look poor, the first goal coming so early was key to knocking any confidence they had.

And to reach the quarter-finals was an achievement beyond their expectations. Other teams have over-achieved, notably Switzerland and Denmark but overall I think this competition has involved 'tired' players not overly fussed about leaving the tournament early. England(playing at home)have managed to exploit this and ought to reach the final comfortably but I'm not convinced that this re-arranged competition coming on the back of a 'hurried' season has seen the best of what is available.

[Steve1956]

And to reach the quarter-finals was an achievement beyond their expectations. Other teams have over-achieved, notably Switzerland and Denmark but overall I think this competition has involved 'tired' players not overly fussed about leaving the tournament early. England(playing at home)have managed to exploit this and ought to reach the final comfortably but I'm not convinced that this re-arranged competition coming on the back of a 'hurried' season has seen the best of what is available.

I think the fayre on offer has been really poor Silky,with no exceptional player or team standing out...roll on the Brighton game...proper football.

[Tribesmen]

How do you feel now??

Have you any rope

[Silkyskills1]

Take away the obligatory role of both TV channels to champion the home nation and its current standing in the competition and I suspect many people would have found alternative sources of entertainment.

[RVclaret]

Take away the obligatory role of both TV channels to champion the home nation and its current standing in the competition and I suspect many people would have found alternative sources of entertainment.

Erm, no. I’ve really enjoyed this tournament. Some genuinely exciting games, great goals and ‘shock’ big name exits. The tournament has far more goals than the last Euros, for one. I was at the game in Rome on Saturday, the atmosphere was incredible both inside and outside the stadium and luckily every fan I bumped into wasn’t a negative Nigel like yourself and others on here.

[Winstonswhite]

A Ukrainian team that was in the quarter finals of the Euros! We made them look poor, the first goal coming so early was key to knocking any confidence they had.

That’s a fair point but I still think we should be beating a team of Ukraine’s standard. I don’t think that’s too much to ask?

Don’t get me wrong I think England have done everything right at this competition- I was one of the only voices on here who thought it was a good result vs Scotland- but I don’t think we’ve played a good side yet. Denmark definitely are firing and will be a much stiffer test but again, with home advantage we should beat them and make it to the final. It’ll be a failure if we don’t.

[bobinho]

So to the OP, going off what iv'e seen so far.

The winner will be whoever beats England. This team finally looks like they have a bit of `Burnley` about 'em.

I have believed for the last couple of years that the only limiting factor to what these players can achieve would be the tactics employed, and so far this tournament, GS has got it spot on.

I had real belief when he took over, but for some reason he decided to do the polar opposite of what he said he was going to do and i fell by the wayside. Only one thing remained of his original promise - his trust in youth. But i think even his knockers (me included) can see that he's made a squad as opposed to a team, but the players on the pitch are now playing as a team in a formation they understand well.

This lot look like a proper unit. They look gelled and together and as a claret i can see the value in that.

[RVclaret]

That’s a fair point but I still think we should be beating a team of Ukraine’s standard. I don’t think that’s too much to ask?

Don’t get me wrong I think England have done everything right at this competition- I was one of the only voices on here who thought it was a good result vs Scotland- but I don’t think we’ve played a good side yet. Denmark definitely are firing and will be a much stiffer test but again, with home advantage we should beat them and make it to the final. It’ll be a failure if we don’t.

So Germany, who just smashed a good Portugal side 4-2 and ran France close aren’t a good side? Okay, they clearly aren’t what they have been but they’ve got some world class title winning players in their combined with some good youth. Yes we ‘should’ be beating Ukraine on paper but this is exactly where England have failed time and time again for far too long now. People have short memories if they don’t remember going out to Iceland last time out. What a shambles that was.

This England team just dominated a quarter final, regardless of opposition, and haven’t conceded a goal yet. That isn’t a familiar feeling for us. Denmark will be a much tougher test but they should be far more worried about us than us about them. Let’s get behind the team and manager.

[Silkyskills1]

Erm, no. I’ve really enjoyed this tournament. Some genuinely exciting games, great goals and ‘shock’ big name exits. The tournament has far more goals than the last Euros, for one. I was at the game in Rome on Saturday, the atmosphere was incredible both inside and outside the stadium and luckily every fan I bumped into wasn’t a negative Nigel like yourself and others on here.

Good for you. An experience never to be forgotten. Hopefully, you'll enjoy the next game(or two) just as much.

[CrosspoolClarets]

I went for Italy before the tournament and stick with that, but England now have a great chance. The big question will be not about manager tactics but about whether everyone can rise to the opportunity to become legends in the biggest game (if we get there) any of them will probably ever play.

e.g. It could go from being the guy (Kane) who missed the big chance against Croatia in 2018 to Sir Harry. It could go from the guy with the Pizza Hut bag on his head to Sir Gareth. That opportunity will make some players crumble and others rise.

[BabylonClaret]

That’s a fair point but I still think we should be beating a team of Ukraine’s standard. I don’t think that’s too much to ask?

Don’t get me wrong I think England have done everything right at this competition- I was one of the only voices on here who thought it was a good result vs Scotland- but I don’t think we’ve played a good side yet. Denmark definitely are firing and will be a much stiffer test but again, with home advantage we should beat them and make it to the final. It’ll be a failure if we don’t.

As opposed to Denmark who have been knocking out giants at every stage???

I think their route has been even easier than ours (although they were knocked back by the first game). They're on a roll but wins against sides we would also beat doesn't make them football colossus

[Winstonswhite]

As opposed to Denmark who have been knocking out giants at every stage???

I think their route has been even easier than ours (although they were knocked back by the first game). They're on a roll but wins against sides we would also beat doesn't make them football colossus

No? Denmark haven’t played anyone decent either- but they look good and will be better than anything we’ve played so far. Is that too hard to understand or something?

[arise_sir_charge]

Surprised that some think this has been a poor tournament, I think it’s been excellent!

[BabylonClaret]

No? Denmark haven’t played anyone decent either- but they look good and will be better than anything we’ve played so far. Is that too hard to understand or something?

You think they are better than Germany? Croatia? How can you say that when they have (as per your words) not beaten anyone good yet?

There's noone in the semis who has beaten anyone "good" yet except Italy. Arguably England if you count Germany who we beat with an assured performance (albeit they missed a sitter)