SLIPKNOT - NOOOOOOOOOO I saw those nasty clown people at the Carling festivel a few years back. The lead singer has got a good voice if he would just stop screaming half way through a song. Check out his solo effort 'Bother' (which was then adopted by his equally lamentable offshoot, Stonesour) on the first Spiderman soundtrack. A very nice tune it is.

I too bought the new Auf Der Maur album: brilliant is the only word I can think of. In addition I went to see Dilated Peoples a couple of weeks ago in the Belfast Empire. They were very very good.

Rich, it's simple. You're a West-Brit. I can almost hear that droning, Clongowes-educated accent? "I f***ing floored it Fintan:11 seconds..." I'm not the one who lives in the United Kingdom. I didn't go to Clongowes btw, although it is quite near my house, lovely big castle-type structure that it is and all. I went to Terenure College. Yes, I do live in the United Kingdom but it could be so much worse: I could live on the 'mainland' (whatever that is) Two of my cousins did go to Clongowes; friggin' awful place from the sound of it. My uncle moved on his own to the US, to pay for them to go there. At least that's what he claims, then you meet his wife...

Aye that's right, there's no quality there...

How ironic. And look, even more facts. We are all saturated with the knowledge of England's strengths and weaknesses, so why would an explanation in comparison to the other countries be necessary? The old argument of "well if they were better than England, then they would have qualified" could be used. We have though seen numerous examples in past tournaments where the top teams in the world don't go as far as their less fancied sides. Also, why is the idea of Germany rising to the big occasion such a 'gem'? Did you not see the World Cup where they were nearly as uninspiring? This is an age old debate though that should perhaps be put to bed. England fans caught up in the hysteria of a tournament are understandably hopeful. Clashes with more lucid neighbours are to be expected.

Rich, it's simple. You're a West-Brit. I can almost hear that droning, Clongowes-educated accent? "I f***ing floored it Fintan:11 seconds..."

Absolutely. Like Italy going out ! Who's next RoyRover - Holland or Germany ?? While it's hardly conducive to your little witch-hunt ("He believes not in England? Burneth him!") a quick peruse over another thread will underline the fact that my compatriate was simply countering a rather ludicrous and quite naive argument. One which debased every other capable team in the tournament. But hey, that's just the facts...

A bit premature?

Both are teams with weaknesses. Both are teams at a comparable level. Portugal's major problem is that they've been absolutely shocking so far. This game represents a fresh start for the hosts. England despite being a very limited side defensively, have obviously come into a purple patch up front. Portugal in their own back-yard are a very different proposition to the mighty Swiss and even mightier Croatians. Their defence has sorted itself out, the excellent Ricardo Carvallho has already steadied the boat. The contest will be Portuguese flair versus English functionality. If the hosts can get their noses in front, they should be okay. Otherwise, they'll be sunk.

A bit of both Bryan, a bit of both...

*Sigh* It's not the only 'analysis' on here that's 'hilarious.'

Eh?

....the mind boggles. It certainly does. The delusion is quite simply jaw-dropping. The Spanish's only real weakness is their massive inferiority complex. The actual personnel are far better as a whole than anything that the hugely dull England can offer: Casillas, Helguera, Marchena, Puyol, Baraja, Joaquin, Vicente, Morientes, Valeron, Etxeberria, Albelda, Torres, Raul! Reyes can't even get in the team. Please try and disregard away all the hype that BBC/ITV are feeding you, this is not a tournament ripe for England's picking. As for your list of 'deficiencies' relating to the other teams; are you sure? Typical sour Irishman No, just realistic.

....the mind boggles. It certainly does. The delusion is quite simply jaw-dropping. The Spanish's only real weakness is their massive inferiority complex. The actual personnel are far better as a whole than anything that the hugely dull England can offer: Casillas, Helguera, Marchena, Puyol, Baraja, Joaquin, Vicente, Morientes, Valeron, Etxeberria, Albelda, Torres, Raul! Reyes can't even get in the team. Please try and disregard all the hype that BBC/ITV are feeding you, this is not a tournament ripe for England's picking. As for your list of 'deficiencies' relating to the other teams; are you sure?

As a long time Francophile I was delighted to see Les Bleus win last night. Yet, the result was clearly very harsh on England. In spite of this I was unimpressed with both teams. England deserved to win on the strength of their defending, nothing more. The French were undeserving as they lacked the requisite guile to break down the English defence. When England scored they proceeded to play like Norway, deep defence with sporadic counter-attacks. The French, despite the hype around them, were utterly toothless for 90 mins. Only the dead-ball genius of Zidane saved them from a great deal of embarrasment after their pre-game boasts.

Ah, this old chestnut. I'll say it again, our diminished stature does not mean that we should not be expecting quality purchases.

I can't see them winning it. There are too many sides who are just, well...better.

So there's no happy medium between Zidane, Batistuta and Dickov? Signing players of Dickov's ability is all we can expect because we can't attract superstars? That's a slightly skewed argument. In the cold light of day though, Dickov could be a useful signing. At least he'll give a sh*t.

Yes, but Stead's good. (I'll keep going until he starts scoring )

Paul Dickov? Dear oh dear.

That's true, but the fact of the matter is that Smith could have commanded big wages anywhere. While a natural desire for success is tied up in the move, that argument falls apart when he insists that he would have stayed at Leeds (hardly frontrunners for silverware) had they stayed up.

I think this is the most pertinent one from Smithy's list:

Maniche-Portuguese international, Champions League winner. Zahovic-Sulky, supremely talented Slovenian. One of the break-out names at Euro 2000. Drulovic-See above, except he's Yugoslavian. Jardel-Prolific Brazilian at both Porto and Galatasaray. He was kicked out of Bolton for eating Davies's pies. Deco-The natural successor to Rui Costa in in the national side. Champions League final star and winner. That's who.

He's also a United player now. Someone phoned in to 909 on Monday to say that they had seen him at a Rugby League match on Saturday. After imploring him not to move to the Theatre of Merchandising, good old Smithy descended into a tirade of abuse. Nice. After his smug interview on MUTV today, I wonder will his naive ambition to return to Leeds at some point still be in the offing?

So he's actually gone and done it. True Leeds fan indeed...