I checked and the swap started in 1967 but I remember being converted in 1970 when I (a mere sprig of a lad) was living in Essex.
I dont remember the world Cup final. My first TV football memory comes from 1967 when I saw a West Ham player punch the ball into the net in a European final at Wembley. The 3rd of the 3 big Wembley finals that West Ham won.
Yes. I'm old.
Jim Baker
And where was the last place in the UK to be converted to Natural Gas?
Thad, I think the extra body in midfield conundrum could be why Saka is playing instead of Sancho/Foden. Saka's ability to playe as a full back means he is much more able to help out the midfield (defensively) than the other two.
My issue with this side is their habit of wanting to play keep ball among the defenders. Italy will punish us for that because we aint very good at it. Funnily enough. When we play keep ball among the midfielders and attackers we are one of the best at doing it in the tournament.
The modern parlance is playing vertically. I'm old and just say pass it forwards unless you can't. Then sidewards, then back. Then scream at the midfield and forwards for not showing for the ball.
I'm English, I have no faith in us to win but I will be so happy if we do.
Jim Baker
I see what you’re saying Jim and that is an interesting point re Saka and that would make sense why Saka played against Denmark and Sancho played against Ukraine where we were able to dominate the midfield much better. I still think we need to have an extra body in the middle to win the ball and to play through the lines as against Denmark at times they outnumbered us in the middle in the first half and not just in that game we have struggled to progress the ball from defence to attack and have resorted to going down the wings or playing it long. Italy will most likely dominate the midfield as they have some exceptional players in midfield, we need to counter their pressing game and either play it over the top or play it through the lines.
I get your point Alex, how about the starting lineup v Germany which was pretty solid & effective...? The right hand side had Walker, Trippier & Saka.
Interestingly - despite Mount being unavailable - Southgate chose not to begin with Henderson, which may possibly be for fitness reasons. He was always keen to make sure he was in the squad & it is hard to argue against any of his decisions.
My mate made a profound comment over a beer earlier: "In my wildest dreams, I just cannot ever imagine any of this happening with Big Sam as England Manager...!"
I can't see Southgate diverting from 2 holding midfielders. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57765722 (pick your team to start Sunday) I selected Pickford, Walker, Maguire, Stones, Shaw, Henderson, Grealish, Sterling, Mount, Kane, Foden
If we need to rough Italy up I would take Grealish off and bring Philips on
If we need pace I may be tempted to bring on Rashford (I'm not a great fan of him, though stupidly I think Southgate picked too many midfielder in the squad)
For me the key players are: the entire back line that are World Class. Walker and Shaw have played out of this world and no player compares to them. Henderson for me has experience we need. Grealish is exciting can make things happen but I could easily start Philips being more defence minded then bring Grealish on later if required. That's the only undecided position for me. Sterling is performing so well I Would stay with him unless he completely fades or is of course injured or misses 3 open goals or something like that. His twists turns, pace somehow he has performed far better than I ever thought was possible. Completely underrated at international level and yet makes it happen up front.
I was 12 when we won the World Cup, on holiday at Pontins Christchurch at the time. Their was a small tv in one of the chalets I do not remember the whole match, just popping into the chalet every few minutes to check the score. I did not appreciate fully the victory until I watched the film Goal at the cinema. What really attracted my attention at the time was Pickles. (Let’s see who else remembers)
I have spoken today with clients in Portugal, Italy and Germany. Know one believes that it has been 54 years since we have appeared in a major championship final.
Pickles - was that the name of the dog who found the stolen World Cup trophy?
I checked and the swap started in 1967 but I remember being converted in 1970 when I (a mere sprig of a lad) was living in Essex.
I dont remember the world Cup final. My first TV football memory comes from 1967 when I saw a West Ham player punch the ball into the net in a European final at Wembley. The 3rd of the 3 big Wembley finals that West Ham won.
Yes. I'm old.
Jim Baker
That was 1965 Jim - West Ham conquered England in 1964 by winning the FA Cup, conquered Europe in 1965 by winning the European Cup Winners Cup, then conquered the World in 1966 by winning the World Cup on behalf of the nation. History to repeat itself tomorrow with Declan Rice to score the only goal/goals of the game in an England win? 🧐
I was 12 when we won the World Cup, on holiday at Pontins Christchurch at the time. Their was a small tv in one of the chalets I do not remember the whole match, just popping into the chalet every few minutes to check the score. I did not appreciate fully the victory until I watched the film Goal at the cinema. What really attracted my attention at the time was Pickles. (Let’s see who else remembers)
I have spoken today with clients in Portugal, Italy and Germany. Know one believes that it has been 54 years since we have appeared in a major championship final.
Pickles - was that the name of the dog who found the stolen World Cup trophy?
Pickles found the World Cup wrapped in newspaper in Beaulah hill upper Norwood. If that had been me I would have taken the cup home and displayed it overnight on the mantelpiece before handling it back.
My mate made a profound comment over a beer earlier: "In my wildest dreams, I just cannot ever imagine any of this happening with Big Sam as England Manager...!"
If Big Sam was manager it would have been like Hodgson all over again. We’d have struggled to get out of the group stage. Let’s hope it will be Sir Gareth Southgate after Sunday’s game!
I checked and the swap started in 1967 but I remember being converted in 1970 when I (a mere sprig of a lad) was living in Essex.
I dont remember the world Cup final. My first TV football memory comes from 1967 when I saw a West Ham player punch the ball into the net in a European final at Wembley. The 3rd of the 3 big Wembley finals that West Ham won.
Yes. I'm old.
Jim Baker
That was 1965 Jim - West Ham conquered England in 1964 by winning the FA Cup, conquered Europe in 1965 by winning the European Cup Winners Cup, then conquered the World in 1966 by winning the World Cup on behalf of the nation. History to repeat itself tomorrow with Declan Rice to score the only goal/goals of the game in an England win? 🧐
Point proven about being old I suppose. This year , that year. It all blurs into one in the end.
Jim Baker
Ps. Was that Harry Rednapp who punched the ball into the net?
I was 12 when we won the World Cup, on holiday at Pontins Christchurch at the time. Their was a small tv in one of the chalets I do not remember the whole match, just popping into the chalet every few minutes to check the score. I did not appreciate fully the victory until I watched the film Goal at the cinema. What really attracted my attention at the time was Pickles. (Let’s see who else remembers)
I have spoken today with clients in Portugal, Italy and Germany. Know one believes that it has been 54 years since we have appeared in a major championship final.
Pickles - was that the name of the dog who found the stolen World Cup trophy?