The lights were off for ages as well as they waited for an assistant ref. Never seen anything like it at a footy game, stuff like that belongs at the MEN.

Got to laugh at the Chelsea players, everytime they miss or make a mistake they run to the ref.

Do you laugh at Paul Wellens too?

Not at all, it's the first time I've ever genuinely believed we are capable of more than the last 16. But with the route to the final we will probably have we really should be in with a strong shout. Should it be them, if we can get over the Germany hoodoo in the quarters we're a better side than they are IMO, and the semi-final opponents will more than likely be whoever emerges top from the most difficult group - in which case we may be in better shape at that stage of the tournament - or the Dutch who will be about due to go mental, decide they all hate each other, and crash out with their worst performance as per usual. I personally think this may be one of Italy's poorer world cups.

I'm not for one minute saying we should march to the final easily, but we are definitely capable of getting there.

Why have Chelsea barely played Zhirkov?

He's been injured most of the time. Had problems with his knee, some of which he put down the stress of joining a new club in a new country. He played the full game on Wednesday and reports said he looked strong in attack but fairly weak in defence.

hull city season over

good and proper now

Such a shame we don't have Kris Boyd up front, we might actually have a chance if he was in the side.

Have you signed him as a left back?

Very unlucky for Bullard, hope the injury isn't as serious as it sounds.

Hull will probably come in for Nolan in January now. They can have him if they take Nicky Butt too.

I'd hope not, because it's a hell of a lot of money to spend on a second choice left back.

I agree. He can play there, but he's much better as a winger. Not sure how he'd fit into this diamond system lark.

Congratulations on already winning your group and the second round game already. TBH, I don't even think you should turn up till the quarters start it is that clear cut.

Kris Boyd is gash. I never claimed otherwise. Still, with the resources England have at their disposal you would think that they would have a second striker capable of performing at the top level and a goalie that is worth his salt.

I know.

Serbia or Germany have the last 16 tie against England in the bag.

belting result for city last night. The big diffrence has been the pressure put on all across the pitch not letting the other team get the ball down too play even Adebayor did he's work. Wish Shay Given was Englisdh he is the best keeper in the world for me

And if that wasn't enough, Defoe joined in with the bottling important penalties.

Cracking match that. Really entertaining.

[url=http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/a699c22a3db0456eb6563a567f12d3dbsomeone is on the naughty list[/url

So much has been said about Lennon, Defoe and Crouch for England recently, but IMO they were all pretty terrible today.

Defoe is supposidly the best finisher in the Premier League according to Harry. He is getting about 5 or 6 chances per game and today he took one from about 6 very easy chances and his penalty was terrible. Crouch too, set up the penalty with a decent knock down but his finishing is absolutely horrendous, wasting about 4 clear cut chances. They also went on and on about Lennon's crossing. He put one decent ball in all game for Defoe's tap in, the rest of them were horrendous bouncing once and ending up in the Bullens Road stand.

Despite how poor they all were they seemed to create a wealth of chances. Their pace throughout the side is impressive and the passing from Kranjcar, Huddlestone and Palacios was a large cause of it. If they had finished better you could have seen another 9-0 today. With no centre backs Everton simply never got out quick enough, inviting pressure onto themselves.

Everton were dire, but spirited. It was such an entertaining game because of it. I thought they were being harshly treated by the referee, Rodwell and Fellaini's bookings were ridiculous, Fellaini seeming to get booked for walking over to Essou Ecotto after he'd scraped his studs down Cahill's head. Ecotto then pushed three Everton players in the face and only got a yellow as well. I lost count of the amount of times Fellaini was elbowed and forearmed today yet as soon as he came out with any physicality himself he was punished. It just seems like it's mandatory in the Premier League to book him for a nothing incident.

And then there is the penalty. I've got no problems with the decision, but what was embarassing was Palacios' dive, roll and 'I'm dying' act. Half the players and the referee told him to get up and he kept insisting he was terribly hurt. He apparantly went to hospital begging for oxygen.

Where did all the men go?

The Germany game would be the 2nd round, I mistakenly typed quarter final, and it would require one of us to finish runners-up. And we SHOULD (key word) win that group. There's no arrogance in stating that. There's no suggestion it's an easy task, just the acknowledgement that it is one England are capable of.

You seem very determined to imply I think we'll cruise through the tournament, when all I've actually pointed out is that there should/can be no excuses if we don't push for a final place this time. We have at least as good a pool of players as most, more resources than most, and we now have a smart man in charge.

The Germany game would be the 2nd round, I mistakenly typed quarter final, and it would require one of us to finish runners-up. And we SHOULD (key word) win that group. There's no arrogance in stating that. There's no suggestion it's an easy task, just the acknowledgement that it is one England are capable of.

You seem very determined to imply I think we'll cruise through the tournament, when all I've actually pointed out is that there should/can be no excuses if we don't push for a final place this time. We have at least as good a pool of players as most, more resources than most, and we now have a smart man in charge.

He's worse than Dean Marney.

Jermaine Defoe is the new Andy Cole.

The problem is the following.....

You have a crap goalkeeper(s).
Your main striker does not score enough against the top sides and your second striker is unknown at the moment. It may be Crouch, Defoe, Carlton Cole etc but none of them are good enough.
Despite all the hoo-ha the last time Engerlund played in a tournament, you STILL do not have a left sided player that is good enough to win the world cup.
And this year, ditto the right hand side. Beckham is not gonna play 90 minutes and Lennon and the likes are not good enough.
Lampard and Gerrard never perform in big tournaments.
Rio is getting past it.
Glen Johnson is over-rated big time.
A lot of hope is being put on Walcott who is not even a regular starter for his club.

Barring that, you are ok.

Ok, lets not bother turning up eh