Can't look! Scotland! Wow!

[Pervert]

Neither Smith nor McLeish would have been my choice for manager, and I'm happy to admit I'm wrong (not for the first time) and owe them both apologies for doubting them. We're in the top 20 in the Fifa rankings just now----and just how likely did that look when Berti was boss---and that is without having a world-class player in the squad (though McFadden is heading that way).

End the game now, please.

[crofter]

We are the cheeky boys ... we are the cheeky boys

lol well done lads, I just hope this aint all gonna go pear shaped, though I'm more worried about Georgia away than Italy at home.

[Sam Slater]

Well done to the Scots. The bandwagon just keeps rolling on.

Another win for England will see us through, while you Scots may need a win and a draw. You've played well, and I think that because you got the group of death, nothing much was expected letting you play with freedom (A bit like team who are already relegated start playing well.)

To quote another Scot -Fergie- the next two games is 'squeezy bum time'. So the question to you lot is, can you handle these games now the pressure's really on?

[Pervert]

Should that not be "squeaky bum time"?

Our worst performance and result so far was travelling to easten Europe, so if we can lift our game in Georgia and geta result that will be brilliant.

England have found the secret. Second half wasn't worth writing home about, but the Alf Ramsay mentality is finally seeping into the England management team: you don't necessarily play your best players, just those that will do well together. Ergo, Gerrard or Lampard, instead of Gerrard and Lampard.

Picking Barry keeping him there was inspired. He's an honest player and works hard, allowing Gerrard to concentrate on his own game rather than worry about Lampard playing in his position.

[Sam Slater]

[quote]Should that not be "squeaky bum time"?[/quote]

Oh yeah.......I was probably thinking of Lolly Badcock !happy!

As for England - I agree. The comentators were talking about putting Barry at left back in Russia -now it looks like A Cole is injured- which means Lampard is back in alongside Garrard. That's just fucking with the formation and balance just to fit one player in, and stupidity. I say keep Barry in the middle and just replace Ashley Cole with Phil Neville or Shorey/Lescott.

Back on to Scotland though - can you do it? I'd LOVE Italy to be knocked out.

[Pervert]

It's down to two out of three teams to qualify now. France were humping the Faroes and will; be two points behind us, and Italy are playing tonight. The French have the easiest run-in. If we beat Georgia on Wednesday, that means a winner-takes-all match at Hampden against Italy----and Italy don't miss the finals of major tournaments.

Fingers crossed.

[Deuce Bigolo]

Just watched the game and had one thought in mind
Scotland are riding their luck a little bit too much

Just like the 2 french games,Scotland were literally played off the park for all but the first 10 & the last ten minutes but took their opportunities in front of goal

They should thank their lucky stars the referee was in a no penalty mood
otherwise they would have been down to 10 men after the 25th minute

Italy will be a real test

[bristolian]

I guess Deuce you are a glass half empty kind of man..Yes, they should have had a pen, but so should we. The one class player on the park was Faddy, he has a left foot as sweet as anyone's in the business. We'll see off Georgia and France will slip up, you'll see.

[jj]

As an Englishman, I give my heartiest congratulations on the performance
so far, and hope fervently that you qualify, with the credit you have so far
richly deserved.....


.....so we can beat you 10-0 in the final :- )