What a surprise it comes just at a time when people are starting to feel positive about Roy Hodgson and the job he has done, plus the name on everyone's lips - Andros Townsend.
I despise the Football media in this country sometimes.
I think I can probably save the FA some money here whilst also meeting the demands of the prat in charge of Kick it Out, who has said ""All the FA has to do is examine the facts and make a statement."
Well, the facts are that Woy told a story involving a monkey in order to get a point across. The two people that the story was for the benefit of were black. Neither was offended by the comments as they were clearly not meant, or taken, in any racist context.
Job done. I reckon £100k should cover my costs for that.
Roy has apologised for any offence anyone would of had over this joke...
"Nasa decided they'd finally send a man up in a capsule after sending only monkeys in the earlier missions. They fire the man and the monkey into space. The intercom crackles: 'Monkey, fire the retros.' A little later: 'Monkey, check the solid fuel supply.' Later still: 'Monkey, check the life support systems for the man.' The astronaut takes umbrage and radios Nasa: 'When do I get to do something?' Nasa replies: 'In 15 minutes – feed the monkey.'"
I see we're back up to 10th in the FIFA world rankings, not quite enough to get ourselves seeded sadly.
The seeds will be Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Belgium, Switzerland and probably Uruguay although they have to win their play-off with Jordan. If not, the Netherlands will be seeded ahead of Italy and ourselves.
Anyone hoping we get drawn into Switzerland's group?
The last time we lost was against Sweden in Stockholm, 4-2 and Ibrahimovic scored four.
The last time we lost at home was against the Netherlands just before Euro 2012. Stuart Pearce was caretaker and we lost 3-2 with Robben scoring twice. Before that, we lost to France at Wembley shortly after the 2010 World Cup: 2-1.
The last time we lost a competitive game was against Germany at the last World Cup. 4-1 and we got humiliated. Before even that, we lost 1-0 in a friendly in Qatar against Brazil while Ukraine beat us 1-0 in WCQ in Ukraine in October 2009.
Spain beat us 2-0 in Sevilla in 2009 and France beat us 1-0 in Paris in 2008.
The last time we lost was against Sweden in Stockholm, 4-2 and Ibrahimovic scored four.
The last time we lost at home was against the Netherlands just before Euro 2012. Stuart Pearce was caretaker and we lost 3-2 with Robben scoring twice. Before that, we lost to France at Wembley shortly after the 2010 World Cup: 2-1.
The last time we lost a competitive game was against Germany at the last World Cup. 4-1 and we got humiliated. Before even that, we lost 1-0 in a friendly in Qatar against Brazil while Ukraine beat us 1-0 in WCQ in Ukraine in October 2009.
Spain beat us 2-0 in Sevilla in 2009 and France beat us 1-0 in Paris in 2008.
Our combined Capello/Pearce/Hodgson (post-Euro-2008-failure) is W41 D15 L8
England now have some pace and trickery in the side I feel, so I think we will be in much better shape than recent competitions, as long as we have a bit of luck this time around; and I'm not talking about penalties. I mean all our key players fit and no stings by our beloved press on the manager (ala The News of the World on Ericsson).
In fact if the press kept their noses out and just limited their reports to the scores, it would be better! I mean all the stuff The S(c)um has come out with in the past, bowing out the way we have before almost seems a comeuppance.
Come on England! I'm optimistic we will make the knock out stage as we currently are and further still if Roy improves our defence.
The last time we lost was against Sweden in Stockholm, 4-2 and Ibrahimovic scored four.
The last time we lost at home was against the Netherlands just before Euro 2012. Stuart Pearce was caretaker and we lost 3-2 with Robben scoring twice. Before that, we lost to France at Wembley shortly after the 2010 World Cup: 2-1.
The last time we lost a competitive game was against Germany at the last World Cup. 4-1 and we got humiliated. Before even that, we lost 1-0 in a friendly in Qatar against Brazil while Ukraine beat us 1-0 in WCQ in Ukraine in October 2009.
Spain beat us 2-0 in Sevilla in 2009 and France beat us 1-0 in Paris in 2008.
Our combined Capello/Pearce/Hodgson (post-Euro-2008-failure) is W41 D15 L8
Couple of friendlies announced for next month: Chile and Germany, both at Wembley. Would have loved the Argies or Aussies over the Chileans as the FA wanted but should still be good tests!
England are terrible and had to wait for the last game in a shockingly weak group to qualify. The football played is shocking compared to other Nations.........and I don't just mean Spain, Brazil et al, I mean The 'lower ranked' nations. Hodgson was being criticised by everyone until the last two games, all of a sudden he's a hero! Obviously depending on the draw, England will be lucky to get out of the Group stages. The football played will be boring. Rooney, Gerrard etc will have another poor tournament. It will be balmed on the number of foreigners in the Premier etc etc etc.......we all know the story already.
Any team can over achieve and that could happen to England. The thing is, we shouldn't expect to overachieve. We will need to be lucky with injuries and players on form to have any sort of chance of making an impact. Far more likely we will gert through our group stage then face a decent side and get knocked out.
Couple of friendlies announced for next month: Chile and Germany, both at Wembley. Would have loved the Argies or Aussies over the Chileans as the FA wanted but should still be good tests!
Not much point in playing the Aussies, they are abslute sh*te at the moment. Chile will be a good game, they play great football.
How far can England go? Could win it. I rather doubt it and won't bet on it, but I'm glad to be there.
How must it feel to be a sweaty and keep having to watch England on the big stage...? Oh, hang on, a bit like being Charlton and watching Nigels and Spanners playing at Wembley last season perhaps?
As an Addick I am glad to be involved in a cup competition for once and I am going to enjoy it, win lose or draw.
Absolutely. It hurts when we get knocked out but some of the best piss ups I've had have been down the pub watching England at major tournaments with mates.
Comments
I despise the Football media in this country sometimes.
Well, the facts are that Woy told a story involving a monkey in order to get a point across. The two people that the story was for the benefit of were black. Neither was offended by the comments as they were clearly not meant, or taken, in any racist context.
Job done. I reckon £100k should cover my costs for that.
"Nasa decided they'd finally send a man up in a capsule after sending only monkeys in the earlier missions. They fire the man and the monkey into space. The intercom crackles: 'Monkey, fire the retros.' A little later: 'Monkey, check the solid fuel supply.' Later still: 'Monkey, check the life support systems for the man.' The astronaut takes umbrage and radios Nasa: 'When do I get to do something?' Nasa replies: 'In 15 minutes – feed the monkey.'"
Pathetic... and I don't mean the joke...
I don't know what all this fuss is about. No offence was meant and none was taken! It's not even news worthy!
James Maw @JamesMawFFT 1h
SSN have had the phrase "it's not even newsworthy" on their yellow 'breaking news' ticker for half an hour.
Bet Sol is doing his beans this morning.
The seeds will be Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Belgium, Switzerland and probably Uruguay although they have to win their play-off with Jordan. If not, the Netherlands will be seeded ahead of Italy and ourselves.
Anyone hoping we get drawn into Switzerland's group?
The last time we lost at home was against the Netherlands just before Euro 2012. Stuart Pearce was caretaker and we lost 3-2 with Robben scoring twice. Before that, we lost to France at Wembley shortly after the 2010 World Cup: 2-1.
The last time we lost a competitive game was against Germany at the last World Cup. 4-1 and we got humiliated. Before even that, we lost 1-0 in a friendly in Qatar against Brazil while Ukraine beat us 1-0 in WCQ in Ukraine in October 2009.
Spain beat us 2-0 in Sevilla in 2009 and France beat us 1-0 in Paris in 2008.
In fact if the press kept their noses out and just limited their reports to the scores, it would be better! I mean all the stuff The S(c)um has come out with in the past, bowing out the way we have before almost seems a comeuppance.
Come on England! I'm optimistic we will make the knock out stage as we currently are and further still if Roy improves our defence.
Since 2006 Spain are W89 D8 L7
The only important issue now is who's gonna do our song?
rooney and barkley (2 peas from the same pod) to take our game to a new.level and jordan cousins to boss the.middle.
Not much point in playing the Aussies, they are abslute sh*te at the moment. Chile will be a good game, they play great football.
How must it feel to be a sweaty and keep having to watch England on the big stage...? Oh, hang on, a bit like being Charlton and watching Nigels and Spanners playing at Wembley last season perhaps?
As an Addick I am glad to be involved in a cup competition for once and I am going to enjoy it, win lose or draw.