LIVE! Match discussion 2014/15

[The Bear]

Same here. I can't even get it back by renewing my BT Broadband contract.

I might ring Sky see if they'll chuck it in for 12 months if I switch to their broadband. Can't hurt to ask.

 

[Nando]

I thought you kept the sport channel unless you opted out?

It's all got very confusing.

 

[The Bear]

Not any more. You got it free for 12 months with the broadband but now you have to have the BT TV package which is min £5 p/m to get it.

 

[Parkins left foot]

£5 is what it looked like, but their website is not the clearest so who knows.

Still not untypical for them - when I came off the initial fixed term contract they wouldn't let me take any of the current 'special' deals which they were offering for new customers only - relying on the fact that it is a pain to change elsewhere.

 

[Parkins left foot]

England U21s go behind from a Mario Eduardo tap in after Portugal hit the post and the English defence don't react

 

[Parkins left foot]

England U21s lose their first match 0 - 1 to Portugal. Sounded slightly naïve compared to the opposition who closed the game out well once ahead.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

19 shots though. Not a disgrace. However some of the comments on the BBC thread from so-called "fans" are appalling.

 

[Parkins left foot]

Sounded like Portugal had a bit more nous (& senior international experience) to draw on. Kane was isolated for much of the game which didn't help.

One of those games when one of our 'close' shots could have crept in, but didn't. Difficult to tell as only had radio commentary with Lawrenson on as part of the commentary team so could be a load of bollocks.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

Used to have this free as part of my BT broadband, but find they have removed that now & I have to pay if I want it back (but even then wont get it until 1st August - so no use for this game!)

Got commentary on BBC 5 Live at the moment

I think ours is still free with our broadband package, my mom was wittering on about having to pay for it from the start of next season if we wanted to keep it now that they've got the Champions League games, seems wortwhile if the price is right though, they have a lot of good games on there.

 

[Alan]

Sounded like Portugal had a bit more nous (& senior international experience) to draw on. Kane was isolated for much of the game which didn't help.

One of those games when one of our 'close' shots could have crept in, but didn't. Difficult to tell as only had radio commentary with Lawrenson on as part of the commentary team so could be a load of bollocks.

This is another adage that I really don't think is as important as it is made out to be.

Unlike the British focus on confidence, though, we get plenty of the rhetoric in the states (which the Golden State Warriors in the NBA just spit on, btw).

Not having a go at you personally, Parkin, just think that the whole "oh they had more experience" line is often papering over other issues.

 

[Parkins left foot]

This is another adage that I really don't think is as important as it is made out to be.

Unlike the British focus on confidence, though, we get plenty of the rhetoric in the states (which the Golden State Warriors in the NBA just spit on, btw).

Not having a go at you personally, Parkin, just think that the whole "oh they had more experience" line is often papering over other issues.

Get what you are saying - just felt that Portugal were able to dictate the pace of the game & accentuate England's failings which seemed to leave Kane isolated and no real consistent attacking intent until right near the end of the game.

Was relying on radio only so dependant on what the commentators give which never gives a full picture.

 

[Alan]

To me that says there were poor tactics by the manager... but I don't deny experience does play some part in things. Could just as easily be a combination of both, I suppose: poor management combined with an inability to adjust on the fly by the players.

 

[PuntsWolf]

I know you don't seem to understand it, but experience and confidence make a huge difference in any part of life and especially sport. See Jody Craddock for details

 

[MARKakaJIM]

Whilst useful it's not always that important, some players pick up a wealth of great experience through their careers without ever really showing much improvement and some players look wise well beyond their years right from the word go.

Just look how much more steady and reliable Flanagan looked above Glen Johnson when he got a spell in the Liverpool team.

 

[Alan]

Experience and confidence play their parts but I would never say that a team won or lost because of either variable.

 

[Johnny75]

The u20 World Cup final was very good. Brazil had some quality players in Danilo and Pereria (Braga and Man Utd) but the counter did for them and the Serbs won with a quality counter attacking goal. Mourinho would be proud.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

England U21 team vs Sweden:

Butland

Jenkinson
Moore
Gibson
Garbutt

Chalobah
Hughes
Carroll

Pritchard
Kane
Redmond

 

[Jolemai]

Should Afobe come on, would it be a straight swap for Kane? Kinda negates his game time somewhat.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

If we need to bring him on we'll likely be chasing the game and one of the central midfielders would come off. Ings would come on first anyway you'd imagine.

 

[Kenny]

Uefa regulations meant England U21's had to travel by bus from their hotel to the stadium - A massive 127 metres.