USABlue

Begs the question, who got to the Judges.

Hughes obviously saw something in him that the "great" Alan Curbishley failed to pick up on. We did not just sign him on a recommendation, we gave him a trial did'nt we? You must have Hughes mixed up with Souness, our Graeme liked to splash the cash on a recommendation or a 10 min video. Arsenal would be a worry, what player worth his salt would not want a crack at that.

You forgot the gap closing powerhouse that is Burnley, surely with their new "world class" player (Alan Mahon) they will be in the mix

I can't believe anyone is actually surprised are they?

Some of his performances for us were not from it, had he had a full supporting staff I have no doubt he would it could likely have had his name uttered in those terms. Several of his finishes WERE World Class, IMHO

Anyone else getting the feeling that after all the "get tough" talk the Iti's will do what they are famous for, chicken out. Some time to soften the stance of the Judges, just a thought. What happens with all the contractual obligations with sponsors for clubs and players alike, surely that will be a mess and likely to deter too harsh of a punishment.

Not a penalty in my mind. Touched his leg or not, the French fella made a meal of it. The one that was waved off in the second half was more of a penalty. I thought the frogs deserved it, they were by far the better team.

My exact same thought when I read the news. Morons. But then again these are the same people that backed only giving a yellow for an intentional headbut. How much would one wager it would have only been two games had Rooney thrown a puch, or got a yellow for a headutt I have wanted that for sometime, many others too I am sure but I am afraid it will only happen when he gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

He's right and we all know it.

A lot of us did stupid things when we were young. If he could be kept fit I would not mind seeing back But Abster, most of the time he is disabled. Brilliantly put that is Colin

Very uninspiring final to me. May not even watch it. Italy may have a shot at slipping that ref a bung though HEh HEh

Yes, well, er, what the hell you on about. Me either, now Bellers and Amo have moved on we will need someone to keep the Physio company

I will cite the behaviour of Maniche. Contact made to his back, albeit minimal and the clown is rolling around on the ground clutching his face. All the while this is on the "sporting" Portugese show their concern for their player by guzzling drinks as fast as they can. Maniche's theatric made me nausious. Fitting middle finger for England from FIFA by giving the "Rooney" ref the final. I reviewed the incident on tape and he was not going to do anything until Rooney gave a little push then the Ref leaped into action. Rooney is to blame he should have known to just headbutt the guy cos that was shown to be worth only a yellow card in an earlier "sporting" Portugese game.

Bogus info

You did not specify inclusive or not

Still too depressed, Brazil losing made it worse cos I would have fancied us against the frogs. Bloody football it really is a love hate thing.

Amen brother. Glad to know it's still open, had a few tipples in there meself, not too far from where I used to live but the Crown was the closest, seldom drank there though as I recall the landlord at the time was a bit of a dork.

You can't have forgotten Ciccio already can you philip. Uninspired by this one but he is definately the style of player we need. A big strong lad with a bit of skill. I said we should have got him some time back but no one seemed to like him back then. We have needed this type of forward for some time. Still need a quality player to play off him. Is Pongolle no longer with us? I saw mention on here that indicated he may be gone. Anyone clear that up for me.

Not sure I'd have that done, if we play him with the wind at his back he'd take some catching. Not going to knock him but it hardly sets my pulse racing. Worth a gamble with the incentive based contract, who knows he may just work out.

A plonker of the highest order but so were much of the Portugese, the theatrics of Maniche rolling around cluthing his face after he had been touched on the back was disgraceful, as were many of the Portugese tactics. Hey but as long as that behaviour is constantly rewarded it is going to go on. I was surprised even the Germans are resorting to it.

As I had said before the tournament we would likely go out behind a dodgy decision. It always seems to happen. I think the sending off was harsh indeed but Rooney should know better, same ref that sent Beckham packing for a flick of his foot. He was just waiting for something. I thought originally he was sending him off for the push as I did not see the "stamping" on. If Figo gets away with a headbut which is later also OK'd by FIFA then Rooney should have stayed on. Anyway our fault our two Mega stars could not stick away the penalties. You could see the look of fear in Lampards face he was ###### himself. Same old outcome, I'd much rather go out of these competitions with a good old fashioned arse whooping than on the back of dubious refereeing and penalties. Gutted. Not sure I can remember going out with a fair beating in any major competition since the Hand of God goal. Oh yeah Brazil last time out. Adios Sven don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out. Sad thing is we get McClaren. I hope the damn Blatter is ran out of FIFA too. Oh, also, I was proud of the lads for the way we played with ten men, wasn't Hargreaves great again.

Not too bad first half I did not think, god I HATE these yankee commentators, I really appreciate the networks showing as much as they have but next time get some people that actually know the game. Any one have cell phone contact with someone at the game. We need the fans to do a cricket style rousing rendition of JERUSALEM, that will get our lads well fired up, make it happen someone I don't want our World Cup to be over. Ref is not too bad only thing I see is he is not calling and high feet, seems like anything over knee high has been called all tourney, not today apparently. Oh and do the Portugese have to fall down and feign injury all the time? Some one get "and did those feet" reverberating through the stands.

Just watched the game, I enjoyed it, not a classic but quite gripping. Biggest disappointment for me is, when did the Germans become flopmeisters, minimal or no contact thety were all doing the C Ronaldo tumble, what the ef is the game coming to. Should we try it against the Portugese (masters of the flop) I think we should it seems to be working for everyone else. You should go on stage mate, I laughed so hard the last five minutes I almost had a coronary. Germany may be there but England. Fine line between madness and patriotism. We are not good enough, individually or as a team.

I disagree but that's OK, it seems the same situation outside the box was cause enough for a whistle. Rooney shoulder charges, I noticed were illegal too. Still, I think that is done and we can move on heh? If my memory serves me correctly and if yours goes that far back, on more than one occasion Germany have bored their way to a World Cup Finals win on more than one occasion.

That is about the best thing you have ever written, totally spot on.