Football

[61653 HTAFC]

Dire game this afternoon with the Swedes edging out Switzerland 1-0.

Hope tonights action is a little more exciting.

Is it heretical to be critical of female panel members. I don't mind presenters like Gabby Logan or commentators (just about) like Jackie Oakley but really the female panel members are not from the same level of competition as the males and shouldn't be there.

Having female pundits has been a bit of a culture-shock to some. However the male pundits haven't set a particularly high bar, and I'd sooner listen to Eni Aluko than Mark Lawrenson or Glenn *insert expletive of choice* Hoddle!

With Sweden to come, then Russia or Croatia afterwards, tonight should be the toughest test (on paper) for England until the final... but if this World Cup has taught us anything it's that no team can count their chickens.

And if England's previous record in tournaments is anything to go by, we'll surely find some way to balls it up!

 

[AlterEgo]

Dire game this afternoon with the Swedes edging out Switzerland 1-0.

Hope tonights action is a little more exciting.

Is it heretical to be critical of female panel members. I don't mind presenters like Gabby Logan or commentators (just about) like Jackie Oakley but really the female panel members are not from the same level of competition as the males and shouldn't be there.

Agreed. They don’t belong there. Male footballers also don’t belong as pundits in the women’s game either. The games are so vastly different. You may as well have Roger Federer giving his opinion.

 

[Darandio]

So James Rodriguez doesn't start for Colombia, rumours he isn't even fit enough to be included in the matchday squad. Massive boost.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Agreed. They don’t belong there. Male footballers also don’t belong as pundits in the women’s game either. The games are so vastly different. You may as well have Roger Federer giving his opinion.

People used to say women "didn't belong" at the pulpit of a church, or in the cab of a train. The games aren't "vastly different" though I agree they aren't identical. Not much more different than say an English Premier League game and a Maltese Premier League game.

Ideally pundits would be chosen for the quality of their analysis and their ability to communicate that to the audience. If we assume they are chosen on that basis, then once again the male pundits haven't covered themselves in glory either. Mixing it up a bit just might be a good thing, whether with women or simply with different men. For example Jurgen Klinsmann impressed me the other day, certainly better than the charisma-vacuums of Shearer and Neville.

 

[The_Train]

Poor first half, England have enjoyed plenty of the ball but seem as though they are struggling to figure how to get behind the Colombia defence.

As for the VAR controversy, it should have been reviewed and the Colombian sent off for violent conduct. I think that is obvious to everyone

 

[Antman]

Columbia should clearly be down to ten men, that's the first time I've ever heard Mark Clattenburg talk!

It's clearly never going to be a classic.

 

[Butts]

Poor first half, England have enjoyed plenty of the ball but seem as though they are struggling to figure how to get behind the Colombia defence.

As for the VAR controversy, it should have been reviewed and the Colombian sent off for violent conduct. I think that is obvious to everyone

I'd be really suprised if their are 22 players on the pitch at the end of this match.

The adverts are nearly as annoying as the VAR

 

[Domh245]

That is some very brazen """"defending""""

Poor old Harry Kane will be going home from this world cup blue and purple with the amount of times he's been thrown to the ground.

edit: at this rate there's gonna be about 10 minutes of stoppage time!

 

[AlterEgo]

People used to say women "didn't belong" at the pulpit of a church, or in the cab of a train. The games aren't "vastly different" though I agree they aren't identical. Not much more different than say an English Premier League game and a Maltese Premier League game.

Ideally pundits would be chosen for the quality of their analysis and their ability to communicate that to the audience. If we assume they are chosen on that basis, then once again the male pundits haven't covered themselves in glory either. Mixing it up a bit just might be a good thing, whether with women or simply with different men. For example Jurgen Klinsmann impressed me the other day, certainly better than the charisma-vacuums of Shearer and Neville.

There’s nothing wrong with women being involved in *reporting* on football, but the female professionals won’t understand the men’s game. Likewise, the male professionals won’t understand the women’s game. The games really are substantially different from a playing perspective, not least in culture. The techniques employed in both games differ and there are some techniques women find easier than men and vice versa, thanks to different physicalities. Having someone like Aluko try to give the benefit of her playing experience in the men’s World Cup is a waste of time and nothing she says comes from a position of authority. It’s exactly the same when you get a male pro commenting on the women’s game.

 

[johntea]

What a great save!

Surely nothing can go wrong in a couple of minutes!!!

Oh...

 

[The_Train]

2nd half performance not much better than the 1st and now it's time to see how these young England players react to their first real test of the competition.

As for the goal, Trippier should be dealing with it a lot better. Didn't get off the ground until after he'd headed the ball. I rate him a lot and think he's had a good tournament up to tonight but he's had a poor one tonight and the goal just summed it up really

 

[Butts]

There’s nothing wrong with women being involved in *reporting* on football, but the female professionals won’t understand the men’s game. Likewise, the male professionals won’t understand the women’s game. The games really are substantially different from a playing perspective, not least in culture. The techniques employed in both games differ and there are some techniques women find easier than men and vice versa, thanks to different physicalities. Having someone like Aluko try to give the benefit of her playing experience in the men’s World Cup is a waste of time and nothing she says comes from a position of authority. It’s exactly the same when you get a male pro commenting on the women’s game.

The reason for their inclusion bearing all this in mind ?

 

[Butts]

2nd half performance not much better than the 1st and now it's time to see how these young England players react to their first real test of the competition.

As for the goal, Trippier should be dealing with it a lot better. Didn't get off the ground until after he'd headed the ball. I rate him a lot and think he's had a good tournament up to tonight but he's had a poor one tonight and the goal just summed it up really

At least no one has been sent off yet !!!

 

[The_Train]

At least no one has been sent off yet !!!

How Barrios has not been sent off is anyone's guess. Think I've counted 5 fouls since he was booked and I'm sure yellow cards get dished out regularly for an accumulation of minor fouls

 

[Cletus]

Sunday morning marking for their equaliser

 

[Domh245]

Time for penalties, England going home then...

 

[The_Train]

Penalties

 

[Antman]

Can't Kane take all five?

 

[Domh245]

Well that went down to the wire! Wow!

 

[Antman]

Who said we don't do penalty shootouts?

Thoroughly deserved it.

 

[The_Train]

Wow

We've got out of the group stage.

We've won a penalty shootout.

Is 2018 the year of the lion by any chance?

 

[AlterEgo]

The reason for their inclusion bearing all this in mind ?

To raise awareness that women play football too I guess.

 

[DarloRich]

These are the end of days - Germany out and England win on Penalties and on ITV - Repent your sins

 

[AlterEgo]

England deservedly through against a dirty and unimaginative side.

 

[507021]

Well done England.

 

[Cowley]

I’ve aged ten years in the last hour.

 

[Butts]

These are the end of days - Germany out and England win on Penalties and on ITV - Repent your sins

Even a Scottish Supporter exiled in Cymru congratulates you.

 

[Kite159]

There will be a boost in the birth rate in March/April next year

 

[Puffing Devil]

ABBA Penalties anyone?

 

[Kneedown]

Congratulations England from a Welshman. I'm a little confused as to why Vardy didn't take a penalty though. He doesn't miss many for Leicester.