Round of 16: England v Germany (in London, UK)

[sledger]

Haha as I recall it even the more educated opinion was that Germany were better tactically rather than individually. Ozil and Muller especially are excellent in such subtle ways, so it would have felt quite radical to conclude that Germany had better players based on those three games. But they really, really did.

Haha true, but the inverse is also true. How anyone could have watched England's group games and concluded anything other than "this team is utter garbage" is beyond me. They were incredibly painful to watch.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

England had Gareth Barry though.

 

[sledger]

England had Gareth Barry though.

"Painful to watch" - QED

 

[Lillian Thomson]

We were so desperate for defenders that we took Ledley King on one leg and begged Jamie Carragher to come out of retirement. King lasted half the first game and Carragher got booked in the first two and missed the third group game.

 

[sledger]

Carragher was also deployed as a wing/full back if I recall. A self-evidently disastrous idea.

 

[Uppercut]

Hahaha that first goal. Neuer with the goal kick assist. Terry tries to head it clear and flat-out misses the ball in the air, Upson somehow gets monstered physically by Miroslav Klose, then David James doesn't get to a ball that his opposite number would have collected with ease after taking a smoke break.

 

[Uppercut]

I'm remembering now that the narrative around Mertesacker at the time was that he was absolutely hopeless, a complete liability, and I can't remember why. He was a perfectly good defender.

 

[Uppercut]

Germany's second goal is an absolute beauty tbf. Not that Mark Lawrenson is giving it any credit.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

I'm remembering now that the narrative around Mertesacker at the time was that he was absolutely hopeless, a complete liability, and I can't remember why. He was a perfectly good defender.

Are you sure you're not confusing this with the narrative that emerged around his time at Arsenal?

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Podolski and gosens are look alike

 

[Uppercut]

Are you sure you're not confusing this with the narrative that emerged around his time at Arsenal?

Yeah it was definitely stronger then, but Lawrenson is tearing into him on the commentary, so it seems like the roots of it were already there.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

good old podolski was fun to watch, now plays for some team in turkey. Also fun to follow him on fb, seems like a genuine nice guy

 

[honestbharani]

England had Gareth Barry though.

If he is anything like his namesake Batty, you should sub him in at a critical moment, have your coach smile from the balcony and watch the opposition captain lose it and implode.

 

[Furball]

Germany's second goal is an absolute beauty tbf. Not that Mark Lawrenson is giving it any credit.

Mark Lawrenson was an absolute misery guts. Managed to make being sent to Brazil to commentate on the World Cup such a chore.

Danny Murphy is just a **** tribute act.

 

[sledger]

Podolski such a gun. Always really liked him, even if he was pretty limited.

Just read an article on the pundits' reaction to this game, and Hansen is still saying Germany were "average" even after the total humiliation they just inflicted.

BBC Sport - Football - BBC pundits on England

news.bbc.co.uk

 

[Uppercut]

An hour in and most of the narratives hold up, but believe it or not Lampard is having an absolute stormer . Thumped a 35-yard free kick off the crossbar, which I had completely forgotten.

 

[Uppercut]

England had Gareth Barry though.

No one has ever looked like less of a footballer than Gareth Barry does for the 4th Germany goal. Ozil isn't even fast ffs.

 

[Jarquis]

Mertesacker was ****ing great

 

[Burgey]

We will win, and win well.

3-1 Germany. Absolute lay down certainties. England's mediocrity is in their DNA. Incapable of winning.

 

[StephenZA]

I just miss the vuvuzelas, now.