England v Croatia

[Termite Man]

and they have over 6 months to get over any injuries . I don't think that will be a concern !

 

[fractionMan]

10-0 to us.

obv.

 

[rekil]

Unless they want to top the group and get a better seeding for the group stage of the actual finals maybe ?

Austria and Switzerland are top seeds, weaker sides that Croatia might not mind being in a group with.

My prediction. Early goal for Croatia, England spend the rest of the game hoofing long balls up and get a late equaliser.

 

[Pie 1]

Another vote for dull as fuck whatever the score

 

[pagan]

I'm looking forward to the game. Normally my support for England depends on how many Arsenal players are playing for/against England but in this case England will have my unwavering support as I think Auswitz needs the English panto to liven it up.

However, despite my opening prediction of a 1-1, I popped into the bookies at lunchtime to have a look at the odds and got 75/1 on Eduardo scoring in a 1-0 victory for Croatia. I'm unlikely to win of course, but 75/1 is stupid odds for the top scorer to score and the better team to win. I popped a tenner on

Having said that, if England lose we'll all be compensated by a hilarious media circus unlike anything experienced even in the days of Turnip Taylor or Errikson. And, as a result of defeat, England might actually get a decent manager who has actually won something in his managerial career. I mean, McLeish is not universally supported in Scotland, despite winning 2 championships and 5 cups as a manager and domestic and European trophies as a player. McClaren is a grade A loser. A good assistant to Ol' Rednose, but a loser on his own.

However I would be very worried were I English. I've detected a huge complacency, I mean you guys seem to be booking tickets already but you have to beat a very strong side with, what looks to me on paper, as a second string defence and forward line with Liverpools reserve goalie and 3 rd choice striker as well Lescott (not int. class) and Sol (God bless him) who is very short of pace.

Having said that, we all know how jammy England are and Croatia may not want to bust a gut to help out Serbia's no.1 fans Russia so you guys in your weak group with all your superstar players may just squeeze through. A summer in an even year without England in a tournament..just wouldnt be right. No wall charts. No sticker books. No flags flying from white vans belonging to plumbers. No broken fourth matatarsals in warm-up friendlies. No debate over whether Limpard and Gerrard can play together or who should partner Owen. No Ian Wright saying 'fuckwit' on live TV. Very dull

Good Luck Engerlund!

 

[William of Walworth]

1-0 to England.

Fairly dull game is an easy prediction.

 

[pagan]

In that case William, we should drag our tellies out into the garden in the rain, trample around to create some mud, drop some acid, crack open a few cans of warm Stella, invite some strangers round and pretend we are watching it on the big screen at the Pyramid Stage a la Portugal 04. That would liven it up for me

 

[gnoriac]

10-0 to us.

obv.

Didn't know you were a Croat.

 

[stupid kid]

I vote 3-0. England have been a different team at home in the last few campaigns. Even though on paper this looks like the worst England team I've seen in some time, I think they'll dominate the Croats.


ETA: Just as long as we don't score in the first 20 minutes and then ponce around like we know how to play defensive football.

 

[Paul Russell]

I'll go for an optimistic 3-1 to England.

Apart from falling apart in the last game (an England specialty), they've been playing OK in the previous games.

 

[Paul Russell]

ETA: Just as long as we don't score in the first 20 minutes and then ponce around like we know how to play defensive football.

Yeah. I'd rather Croatia score after 20 mins rather than Engerland and then having to watch that 10 men behind the ball shit and the inevitable two Croatia goals in the last 10 minutes...

 

[Sunray]

That NFL game has fucked the pitch up and its all going to be bobbly so with the long ball game installed, its going to be a very comfortable 0-0 unless someone sneaks in a bit of brilliance.

 

[Maggot]

predicted 0-0 before the israel game and I'm predicting that now. Will be dull as fuck.

Same here. England always seem to qualify with a 0-0.

 

[Firky]

What time is the kick off, I am supposed to be going out to watch it (in reality my mates will watch it whilst I get drunk and play pool)?

 

[Firky]

wrong thread!

 

[marksims68]

Its pissing it down at Wembley and the pitch is awful, so I'm going for a boring as hell goalless draw with Crouch on his arse most of the time.

(Bet I'm wrong and we're 2-0 up at half time).

 

[TrippyLondoner]

Im getting drunk as we speak while watching this, beer should help me get through this. Im too nervous to predict.

 

[marksims68]

OH FUCK!!!!!!

Scott Carson does a David James.......

NOW its squeaky bum time.......

 

[xenon]

Had a small bet on Croatia. Always back the opposition in big games.

 

[TrippyLondoner]

I wish i did that,but am not a betting person.

 

[editor]

Oh dear. 0-2!

 

[big eejit]

I smell a lynchin'

 

[Epico]

Ouch.

 

[manifold]

Oh bloody hell. Get 'im off. Even if the first was a mistake, you can't retain confidence after two in a row.

 

[TrippyLondoner]

Its over. We can't defend to save our lives.

 

[JTG]

oh dear

Still 0-0 in Andorra (or wherever they're playing it)

 

[ChrisFilter]

Oh dear... there goes next summer's disappointment

 

[Dan U]

is it wrong to laugh and cry

 

[marksims68]

OH FFS!!!!!!

2-0 down after twelve minutes!!!!

 

[TrippyLondoner]

Whenever were tested were shit because mcclaren is a boring fuckign arseholeto have manage your team. Oh and look whose in midfield, gerrard and lampard. HOW ABOUTYOU DROP ONE YOU DUMBASS!