Up at 6 - couldn't sleep - pacing around the house for the last 2 hours.
How the f*ck can 22 men chasing around a field kicking a piece of leather do that to a reasonably intelligent grown man??
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead. In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility: But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger; Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage; Then lend the eye a terrible aspect; Let pry through the portage of the head Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it As fearfully as doth a galled rock O'erhang and jutty his confounded base, Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean. Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide, Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit To his full height. On, on, you noblest English. Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof! Fathers that, like so many Alexanders, Have in these parts from morn till even fought And sheathed their swords for lack of argument: Dishonour not your mothers; now attest That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you. Be copy now to men of grosser blood, And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman, Whose limbs were made in England, show us here The mettle of your pasture; let us swear That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not; For there is none of you so mean and base, That hath not noble lustre in your eyes. I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, Straining upon the start. The game's afoot: Follow your spirit, and upon this charge Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'
I trust Southgate - he has the tactics. It became apparent quite early that England have come into this world cup with a real plan for a change. Yes, they will need a bit of luck, but they have a real chance. I think it has helped that Southgate knows most of the squad from them being youth internationals. He can get them to play for the team, how he wants them to play with no trouble or dissent. That is massive.
Up at 6 - couldn't sleep - pacing around the house for the last 2 hours.
How the f*ck can 22 men chasing around a field kicking a piece of leather do that to a reasonably intelligent grown man??
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead. In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility: But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger; Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage; Then lend the eye a terrible aspect; Let pry through the portage of the head Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it As fearfully as doth a galled rock O'erhang and jutty his confounded base, Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean. Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide, Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit To his full height. On, on, you noblest English. Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof! Fathers that, like so many Alexanders, Have in these parts from morn till even fought And sheathed their swords for lack of argument: Dishonour not your mothers; now attest That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you. Be copy now to men of grosser blood, And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman, Whose limbs were made in England, show us here The mettle of your pasture; let us swear That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not; For there is none of you so mean and base, That hath not noble lustre in your eyes. I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, Straining upon the start. The game's afoot: Follow your spirit, and upon this charge Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'
Up at 6 - couldn't sleep - pacing around the house for the last 2 hours.
How the f*ck can 22 men chasing around a field kicking a piece of leather do that to a reasonably intelligent grown man??
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead. In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility: But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger; Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage; Then lend the eye a terrible aspect; Let pry through the portage of the head Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it As fearfully as doth a galled rock O'erhang and jutty his confounded base, Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean. Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide, Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit To his full height. On, on, you noblest English. Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof! Fathers that, like so many Alexanders, Have in these parts from morn till even fought And sheathed their swords for lack of argument: Dishonour not your mothers; now attest That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you. Be copy now to men of grosser blood, And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman, Whose limbs were made in England, show us here The mettle of your pasture; let us swear That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not; For there is none of you so mean and base, That hath not noble lustre in your eyes. I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, Straining upon the start. The game's afoot: Follow your spirit, and upon this charge Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'
COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!
Save this for when we play France in the final
I know - it isn't the French at Harfleur but some of the finest words ever to be written in the English language work for any challenge.
I've loved football all my life and will do so till the day I die. I'm English and moderately proud of that fact but find myself not really caring about the outcome certainly not as much as, say, a meaningless end of season match between Charlton and someone like Bradford or Plymouth.
I've loved football all my life and will do so till the day I die. I'm English and moderately proud of that fact but find myself not really caring about the outcome certainly not as much as, say, a meaningless end of season match between Charlton and someone like Bradford or Plymouth.
Agreed. Winning the World Cup Just isnt comparable to Charlton success Give me the Capital one cup any day
Interesting piece on how much England players receive for international matches, and that they give it all away to charity. Looks like they receive substantially less that the French, for example. They might be in for a £200,000 bonus if they win the comp. $38 million to the winners this year. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-44683574
extract; From the start of 2008 up to and including England's game against Colombia on Tuesday, there have been 122 matches. That suggests total payments to players per match have come to about £41,000 on average.
If a squad consists of 23 players - some contain fewer, some more - that equates to just under £2,000 per squad member per match. If the money is shared among only those who get on to the field, rather than just the bench, that amount would rise by a few hundred pounds.
I've loved football all my life and will do so till the day I die. I'm English and moderately proud of that fact but find myself not really caring about the outcome certainly not as much as, say, a meaningless end of season match between Charlton and someone like Bradford or Plymouth.
Each to their own but I haven’t found myself this nervous about a match since the 98 play offs.
A Charlton game has never lead me to have 3 shits before 10:30!
I mean winning the World Cup over beating feckin Bradford?!
Surprisingly not feeling nervous. Perhaps it's the fact we won a penalty shootout and appear to have broken the hoodoo. I'm confident these lads can rise to the occasion now and put Sweden away.
Embarrassed last night, watching live T.V. here in Sweden as a bloke and lady were previewing the England game in a Russian street a coupe of England supporters passing by thew a couple of expletives at the presenters. Here in Sweden most folk probably speak better English than the loud mouth tossers.
Never been more in the mood for a nerve calming cold beer or seven.
We need to keep mentally switched on - also need to not be afraid to take shots. If we try to dominate possession but struggle for chances I dread they'll take one of their only chances.
Stating the obvious but the best thing that can happen is an early goal for Sterling (or someone else), I'm sure everyone in the squad would want nothing more - I still rate Raheem very highly even though the he is fluffing his chances for the crucial last ball/shot, watching him closely his movement is pretty crucial for the team. Also, hope Dier doesn't start - no offence to the lad but he'd get shown up even vs. Sweden.
Last time we were in a World Cup semi final was of course 1990.
That means that anyone under the age of 28 has never seen us past a quarter final. Myself included.
What an opportunity we have today and I'm supremely confident that not a single player out there is going to choke. If Sweden beat us, it's going to be because they deserve it.
Last time we were in a World Cup semi final was of course 1990.
That means that anyone under the age of 28 has never seen us past a quarter final. Myself included.
What an opportunity we have today and I'm supremely confident that not a single player out there is going to choke. If Sweden beat us, it's going to be because they deserve it.
Older than that at 31 and was too young to be able to remember 1990. Buzzing for today.
Also, hope Dier doesn't start - no offence to the lad but he'd get shown up even vs. Sweden.
Ok, he's not had the best world cup so far even I admit that but to say he'd get shown up? He's yet to be shown up in either the PL or Champions League. Have you not watched Spurs since he signed in 2014? He has been one of our most consistent performers and one of the first names on the team sheet, at centre mid or centre back.
Back in England for the quarter finals and hopefully to see England progress all the way to the final. First time since probably 2002 I have felt so excited by the English team and our prospects. Feels so good to be back in the country for it - come on England!
Comments
How the f*ck can 22 men chasing around a field kicking a piece of leather do that to a reasonably intelligent grown man??
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled rock
O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean.
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.
Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof!
Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,
Have in these parts from morn till even fought
And sheathed their swords for lack of argument:
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you.
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman,
Whose limbs were made in England, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so mean and base,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'
COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!
Had one shit already and the consensus is they’ll be more to come before kick off.
Hoping for no delays to scheduled programme then quickly back home.
Come on England.
But it will be the Belgians we play in the final
Proper looking forward to today’s football
Give me the Capital one cup any day
Looks like they receive substantially less that the French, for example.
They might be in for a £200,000 bonus if they win the comp.
$38 million to the winners this year.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-44683574
extract;
From the start of 2008 up to and including England's game against Colombia on Tuesday, there have been 122 matches. That suggests total payments to players per match have come to about £41,000 on average.
If a squad consists of 23 players - some contain fewer, some more - that equates to just under £2,000 per squad member per match. If the money is shared among only those who get on to the field, rather than just the bench, that amount would rise by a few hundred pounds.
2-0 comfortable win today
Smashed through the playlist already - Three Lions, Jerusalem, World In Motion, Vindaloo etc. The whole block knows about it.
A Charlton game has never lead me to have 3 shits before 10:30!
I mean winning the World Cup over beating feckin Bradford?!
3 - 0 Sterling hattrick.
Krank this up!!
Come on England, let's do this.
Just building up to my first shit.
@Chris_from_Sidcup if you think that's bad try being a vegetarian with a high fiber diet.
Here in Sweden most folk probably speak better English than the loud mouth tossers.
Should be a good crowd of Brits out tonight.
It's coming home.
We need to keep mentally switched on - also need to not be afraid to take shots. If we try to dominate possession but struggle for chances I dread they'll take one of their only chances.
Stating the obvious but the best thing that can happen is an early goal for Sterling (or someone else), I'm sure everyone in the squad would want nothing more - I still rate Raheem very highly even though the he is fluffing his chances for the crucial last ball/shot, watching him closely his movement is pretty crucial for the team. Also, hope Dier doesn't start - no offence to the lad but he'd get shown up even vs. Sweden.
That means that anyone under the age of 28 has never seen us past a quarter final. Myself included.
What an opportunity we have today and I'm supremely confident that not a single player out there is going to choke. If Sweden beat us, it's going to be because they deserve it.
Get behind the lads FFS. Be positive, have some belief. Ok, he's not had the best world cup so far even I admit that but to say he'd get shown up? He's yet to be shown up in either the PL or Champions League. Have you not watched Spurs since he signed in 2014? He has been one of our most consistent performers and one of the first names on the team sheet, at centre mid or centre back.
Good piece in today's Grau:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/06/gareth-southgate-world-cup-england-best-opportunities-we-ever-have