No Henderson in the provisional squad 

8 minutes ago, Cheshire Youri said:

Ha. Nah, just a lot of shitty experiences.

Lived in 7 European countries in a 12-year period. I liked them all to varying degrees, except Germany.

When I lived in France, Denmark and Holland, and visited Germany, I thought it wasn't too bad. But then living there, was an eye-opener.

I had a German-Iraqi girlfriend and a best mate from Syria (upstanding bloke, worked for the UN). The way they were followed around shops because of the colour of their skin was a surprise. And the way they were talked about within earshot, because they didn't seem to realise a dark-skinned person could be fluent in German, was a shock.

I couldn't rent a car park spot in Koln, because I was a 'foreigner'. "I don't think any garages in Koln accept foreigners".

Police turned-up at my door, because a neighbour dobbed me in for having a UK-registered car outside my girlfriend's house for 6 months and 3 days. Apparently I needed to change to a German reg if there for more than 6 months, which is fine, but what sort of people tally how long a car has been parked in a certain place for and call the cops.

A whole list of experiences like that almost weekly. Okocha and Son weren't wrong.

When you mention the above to Germans, they don't seem surprised. They're all complicit. A group of Aussies, Kiwis and Candians I was part of, would joke that the secret police have never left.

I found they're at the happiest when they point out to someone that something they did wasn't perfect. They got off on pointing out flaws. Drive through an orange light, and every dick flashes their lights at you.

Just my experience. I'm clearly not over it. I appreciate we all have different experiences. I got the impression they genuinely feel they are the Aryan race (still). When we all know that is Luxembourg, or somewhere like that.  😄

Anyway, back to the football ... 'I would love it' if Germany crash out in the group stage.

Haha I’ve finally convinced my wife to even look at the possibility of moving to Germany and will not be showing her this😂 

1 hour ago, Cheshire Youri said:

Ha. Nah, just a lot of shitty experiences.

Lived in 7 European countries in a 12-year period. I liked them all to varying degrees, except Germany.

When I lived in France, Denmark and Holland, and visited Germany, I thought it wasn't too bad. But then living there, was an eye-opener.

I had a German-Iraqi girlfriend and a best mate from Syria (upstanding bloke, worked for the UN). The way they were followed around shops because of the colour of their skin was a surprise. And the way they were talked about within earshot, because they didn't seem to realise a dark-skinned person could be fluent in German, was a shock.

I couldn't rent a car park spot in Koln, because I was a 'foreigner'. "I don't think any garages in Koln accept foreigners".

Police turned-up at my door, because a neighbour dobbed me in for having a UK-registered car outside my girlfriend's house for 6 months and 3 days. Apparently I needed to change to a German reg if there for more than 6 months, which is fine, but what sort of people tally how long a car has been parked in a certain place for and call the cops.

A whole list of experiences like that almost weekly. Okocha and Son weren't wrong.

When you mention the above to Germans, they don't seem surprised. They're all complicit. A group of Aussies, Kiwis and Candians I was part of, would joke that the secret police have never left.

I found they're at the happiest when they point out to someone that something they did wasn't perfect. They got off on pointing out flaws. Drive through an orange light, and every dick flashes their lights at you.

Just my experience. I'm clearly not over it. I appreciate we all have different experiences. I got the impression they genuinely feel they are the Aryan race (still). When we all know that is Luxembourg, or somewhere like that.  😄

Anyway, back to the football ... 'I would love it' if Germany crash out in the group stage.

I think you've just explained why Bolty likes it so much.

1 hour ago, Cheshire Youri said:

Ha. Nah, just a lot of shitty experiences.

Lived in 7 European countries in a 12-year period. I liked them all to varying degrees, except Germany.

When I lived in France, Denmark and Holland, and visited Germany, I thought it wasn't too bad. But then living there, was an eye-opener.

I had a German-Iraqi girlfriend and a best mate from Syria (upstanding bloke, worked for the UN). The way they were followed around shops because of the colour of their skin was a surprise. And the way they were talked about within earshot, because they didn't seem to realise a dark-skinned person could be fluent in German, was a shock.

I couldn't rent a car park spot in Koln, because I was a 'foreigner'. "I don't think any garages in Koln accept foreigners".

Police turned-up at my door, because a neighbour dobbed me in for having a UK-registered car outside my girlfriend's house for 6 months and 3 days. Apparently I needed to change to a German reg if there for more than 6 months, which is fine, but what sort of people tally how long a car has been parked in a certain place for and call the cops.

A whole list of experiences like that almost weekly. Okocha and Son weren't wrong.

When you mention the above to Germans, they don't seem surprised. They're all complicit. A group of Aussies, Kiwis and Candians I was part of, would joke that the secret police have never left.

I found they're at the happiest when they point out to someone that something they did wasn't perfect. They got off on pointing out flaws. Drive through an orange light, and every dick flashes their lights at you.

Just my experience. I'm clearly not over it. I appreciate we all have different experiences. I got the impression they genuinely feel they are the Aryan race (still). When we all know that is Luxembourg, or somewhere like that.  😄

Anyway, back to the football ... 'I would love it' if Germany crash out in the group stage.

Seems you got the short straw there pal. There are a lot of box tickers there probably more than you get in the uk & some laws that seem antiquated to us such as no mowing your lawn on a Sunday (if you’ve got one) & closing down all the shopping centres on Sunday as well.

Conversley you can have a barbecue in a public park with copious alcohol & music and that’s perfectly legal (or was) . So meticulous box ticking & dobbing in on the one hand & virtual anarchy on the other. You could even drink bottles of lager on the underground without anyone stopping you.

I just found it mind bogglingly entertaining. Have to say I did have some dealings with the German police but they weren’t over bearing , having said that I did comply !!
 

The racist bit I can’t comment on , suspect it is real but the younger crowd aren’t interested in any of it.

1 hour ago, L/H White said:

obviously not over bellingham, but trents range of passing is the best in the squad, the one player who can unlock the door with a pin point pass 

That right foot is a wand mate. He's like a quarter back pinging them about.

There's some tough decisions for Gaz.

 

2 hours ago, Cheshire Youri said:

Ha. Nah, just a lot of shitty experiences.

Lived in 7 European countries in a 12-year period. I liked them all to varying degrees, except Germany.

When I lived in France, Denmark and Holland, and visited Germany, I thought it wasn't too bad. But then living there, was an eye-opener.

I had a German-Iraqi girlfriend and a best mate from Syria (upstanding bloke, worked for the UN). The way they were followed around shops because of the colour of their skin was a surprise. And the way they were talked about within earshot, because they didn't seem to realise a dark-skinned person could be fluent in German, was a shock.

I couldn't rent a car park spot in Koln, because I was a 'foreigner'. "I don't think any garages in Koln accept foreigners".

Police turned-up at my door, because a neighbour dobbed me in for having a UK-registered car outside my girlfriend's house for 6 months and 3 days. Apparently I needed to change to a German reg if there for more than 6 months, which is fine, but what sort of people tally how long a car has been parked in a certain place for and call the cops.

A whole list of experiences like that almost weekly. Okocha and Son weren't wrong.

When you mention the above to Germans, they don't seem surprised. They're all complicit. A group of Aussies, Kiwis and Candians I was part of, would joke that the secret police have never left.

I found they're at the happiest when they point out to someone that something they did wasn't perfect. They got off on pointing out flaws. Drive through an orange light, and every dick flashes their lights at you.

Just my experience. I'm clearly not over it. I appreciate we all have different experiences. I got the impression they genuinely feel they are the Aryan race (still). When we all know that is Luxembourg, or somewhere like that.  😄

Anyway, back to the football ... 'I would love it' if Germany crash out in the group stage.

what did Okocha and Son say?

25 minutes ago, Take Hunt Off said:

Seems you got the short straw there pal. There are a lot of box tickers there probably more than you get in the uk & some laws that seem antiquated to us such as no mowing your lawn on a Sunday (if you’ve got one) & closing down all the shopping centres on Sunday as well.

Conversley you can have a barbecue in a public park with copious alcohol & music and that’s perfectly legal (or was) . So meticulous box ticking & dobbing in on the one hand & virtual anarchy on the other. You could even drink bottles of lager on the underground without anyone stopping you.

I just found it mind bogglingly entertaining. Have to say I did have some dealings with the German police but they weren’t over bearing , having said that I did comply !!
 

The racist bit I can’t comment on , suspect it is real but the younger crowd aren’t interested in any of it.

They do that in our local park - got permanent concreate BBQs made up so that those disposable BBQs don't burn the grass {those are banned during dry spells} Loads use them to hold kids parties - good if you live in a flat - they use the swimming lake and than have a BBQ party, eveyone plays music at a reasonable level. There are two bars that serve Pizza and Beer as well, with DJs at the weekend during the day - so lots of parents having a couple of pints whilst their kids play. Stick up a gazebo and away you go. Its a really nice idea.

There weren’t many kids around in the koln park just pissed or stoned adults creating sometimes huge bonfires (which the fire dept did extinguish)

Quite an experience, but definitely not organised on a  council or authority level.

 

6 hours ago, Cheshire Youri said:

Ha. Nah, just a lot of shitty experiences.

Lived in 7 European countries in a 12-year period. I liked them all to varying degrees, except Germany.

When I lived in France, Denmark and Holland, and visited Germany, I thought it wasn't too bad. But then living there, was an eye-opener.

I had a German-Iraqi girlfriend and a best mate from Syria (upstanding bloke, worked for the UN). The way they were followed around shops because of the colour of their skin was a surprise. And the way they were talked about within earshot, because they didn't seem to realise a dark-skinned person could be fluent in German, was a shock.

I couldn't rent a car park spot in Koln, because I was a 'foreigner'. "I don't think any garages in Koln accept foreigners".

Police turned-up at my door, because a neighbour dobbed me in for having a UK-registered car outside my girlfriend's house for 6 months and 3 days. Apparently I needed to change to a German reg if there for more than 6 months, which is fine, but what sort of people tally how long a car has been parked in a certain place for and call the cops.

A whole list of experiences like that almost weekly. Okocha and Son weren't wrong.

When you mention the above to Germans, they don't seem surprised. They're all complicit. A group of Aussies, Kiwis and Candians I was part of, would joke that the secret police have never left.

I found they're at the happiest when they point out to someone that something they did wasn't perfect. They got off on pointing out flaws. Drive through an orange light, and every dick flashes their lights at you.

Just my experience. I'm clearly not over it. I appreciate we all have different experiences. I got the impression they genuinely feel they are the Aryan race (still). When we all know that is Luxembourg, or somewhere like that.  😄

Anyway, back to the football ... 'I would love it' if Germany crash out in the group stage.

Scotland will absolutely smash them won't they? 

On 01/06/2024 at 14:53, green genie said:

Eldest going over for first week.

what do you think price of tickets off touts will be?

E-tickets, can they sell the QR code a few times?   The fans fest looked brilliant in 2006, nearly gave my ticket to the game to attend with a few off here, don't worry about tickets for the game honestly

23 hours ago, tomski said:

Looks like a gooden from the bits I’ve seen.

I think he is very good but I think this tournament might have come a bit too soon. 

In terms of the midfield pecking order, Rice, Mainoo, Gallagher and Trent are all ahead of him and Bellingham could be used as an 8 next to rice so I don't see how Wharton or Curtis Jones realistically get any playing time.

I do like the fact that he's gone from Blackburn to the full England squad in less than 4 months and Blackburn took only 19 million for him when he's clearly worth a lot more.

I think these would be my 7 to miss out:

• GK: James Trafford (Burnley)
• DF: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)
• DF: Jarrel Quansah (Liverpool)
• MF: Curtis Jones (Liverpool)
• MF: Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
• FW: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)

Then 1 of these 3 depending on which area he wants bolstering. Think I’d go Konsa, the other spare defenders can do what he can, I’d prefer the option of Maddison and Toney

• DF: Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)/MF: James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur)/FW: Ivan Toney (Brentford)

Gordon has been excellent be unfair if he missed out personally

Just now, radcliffe white said:

Gordon has been excellent be unfair if he missed out personally

Would take him before Maddison

1 minute ago, radcliffe white said:

Gordon has been excellent be unfair if he missed out personally

I think Gordon is a necessity to take, don't have any other attackers that bring his pace and directness. 

He'd start on the left for me. 

10 minutes ago, desperado said:

I think these would be my 7 to miss out:

• GK: James Trafford (Burnley)
• DF: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)
• DF: Jarrel Quansah (Liverpool)
• MF: Curtis Jones (Liverpool)
• MF: Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
• FW: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)

Then 1 of these 3 depending on which area he wants bolstering. Think I’d go Konsa, the other spare defenders can do what he can, I’d prefer the option of Maddison and Toney

• DF: Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)/MF: James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur)/FW: Ivan Toney (Brentford)

I don't think Luke Shaw is making it.

I really like Gordon 

would play him before Grealish on current form

10 minutes ago, gonzo said:

I don't think Luke Shaw is making it.

You might be right.

But we really need him. I don’t like the idea of going out there without a left footed left back 

17 minutes ago, L/H White said:

I really like Gordon 

would play him before Grealish on current form

Golden balls is jack 

Yeah I like Gordon too. If opponents playing a high line he's very dangerous.  Murdered Spurs a couple of months back 

It's great we have so much and variation. So many different permutations and opposition we are fully loaded in midfield and attack for everyone.

Gordons sheer drive and pace could be the key with the early games against teams who will stick ten behind the ball. 

If we need to protect the ball and need a ball carrier we've got Grealish. 

Down the right is the same with Saka and Palmer. 

So much option it's great.

Still think he will go Foden Bellers and Saka in a 3 behind Kane though which I hope and pray he doesn't.

 

 

the team simply has to be built around foden 

if we don't do that we're fucked 

although our defence is very weak

Maddison has been awful for the second half of the season since the injury.

2 minutes ago, deeane Koontz said:

Maddison has been awful for the second half of the season since the injury.

He just won't play will he. I don't see a time where he comes off the bench and changes the game unless we have a flurry of injures.

Maddison and Ward-Prowse are two players who could have become regular internationals but didn't get the caps when they were at their peak, both now on a decline and have missed the boat IMO.

22 minutes ago, Traf said:

Maddison and Ward-Prowse are two players who could have become regular internationals but didn't get the caps when they were at their peak, both now on a decline and have missed the boat IMO.

Other than take free kicks does Ward-Prowse do much else? 

Maybe I don't watch enough prem football but when I do that's all he seems to do