Well, seeing as how the other place won't let me in it would appear to be as much use as tits on a prize bull.

So, I'm starting me own match thread so I can talk to myself about tomorrows big match.

It seems to me that Argentina have more top players than us, and are a better team. So a point may be our best hope, leaving us needing to beat Nigeria to go through - not impossible.

On this basis, the team that SGE is expected to put out may be the best possible combination, with both Butt and Hargreaves in central m/f. viz:

Seaman
Mills....Ferdinand....Campbell....Cole
Beckham....Hargreaves....Butt.....Scholes
YMO....Heskey

Personally I'm still have several concerns. I'm conerned about the lack of balance on the left, and also worry that Scholes will wander and not stay on the left, leaving Ashley Cole exposed to Zanetti's powerful attacking on that flank. I also worry about Campbell in general, and specifically about him being out-thought by Batistuta.

I actually expect us to play much better than against an under-rated Sweden team. A victory would be very sweet, but a draw is a more realistic objective.

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2002

Answers

Clarky, I just feel sick with anticipation! I have the `third time lucky` teeshirt pressed and ready for the morning, will be drawing the curtains, leaving the phone off the hook, and will be glued to the television from the moment I get up. (Apart from the odd sortie to the computer). I really, really, really want to beat Argentina....but it is a tall order. As you so rightly say, a draw would be more realistic.

I think Owen could make more impact in this game - he seems to do better under this sort of pressure.

Uggghhhhhhh I feel really nervous. (:o{

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2002

Oh.......and I just couldn`t stand the Argentinians cheating and getting away with it again!!!!!

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2002

One half of me agrees that a draw is the best we can hope for. The other half hopes we defy all expectations and stuff 'em.

Can you imagine the reaction "back home" if we won? It might even spark the NOTBBC BBS back into life.

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2002

I know what the reaction will be here.........total mayhem!!!(:o)

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2002

I've got to get up at 4am, squeeze in a run, then off to downtown chicago to be in a bar full of England supporters. I can't wait, it's gonna be one hell of a game.

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2002

Ooh-err......I really am getting excited! Going to have trouble sleeping tonight. (:o!

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2002

Would that be a squeeze until the juice runs down yer leg, Syme? More like a communication breakdown if you ask me.

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2002

PS. We're ganna win!!

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2002

Hi folks. Glad the lifeboat's still afloat.

It would be nice if we'd tried some of these interesting formations before we went to the world cup wouldn't it?

I've often thought Scholes on the left rather than Dyer might be a better option - given that he's at least left footed, but we really should have tried it out (not necessarily with Dyer of course). I've got a feeling we'll need the subs to win this one, but win it we will. There! How's that for positive thinking.

Mind I'm still not happy with Cole at FB. I still need convincing he can actually defend.

Hopefully Sven will have read our thread on NOTBBC and now knows exactly what to do. :o))

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2002

Thank goodness Dyer looks like being benched, at least until we're two or three down.

And my fears of a blood bath had better be as well founded as most of my other judgements.

Anybody know who the ref is ? He could end up making all the difference.

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2002

Haway Lads We stand aboot as much chance of beating Argentina as we did of gannin to Munich and stuffin the Gormans 5 - 1.

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2002

Ref is Collina no less. :o))

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2002

Collina eh ? Let's hope he lives up to his reputation.

Mind, even without the reputation, his poppy, stary eyes should scare the kak out of even the argies. :-{E}

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

I am getting more despondent as time goes on this morning. I just cannot see how we will win against Argentina. Still, at least I could be in for a wonderful surprise even if we get a draw, whereas all those who are sure of an England win can only be disappointed with anything less.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Arrghhhh!!!! Butterflies!!!!! (:oO

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Friday mornings ain't no time to be playing bleedin' World Cup matches mutter mutter would never have happened when I was a kid grumble grumble mutter mutter bloody FIFA grumble couldn't enjoy me sausage bacon fried eggs beans mushrooms black pudding and toast (with marg cos of me diet) through the worry mutter mutter need a pint and can't due to Big Meeting this aft bugger bugger ah'm not noorvus like yer knaa, really ah'm not. Now who's got some o that soft bog roll cos the stuff in wor netties leaves yer arse like a well sandpapered bit of teak

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Hoping, of course, for revenge today but...bearing in mind Sweden's result today, what are the various permutations for England?

Don't like the prospect of our fate poss being in Argentina's hands if we lose today. IE They would have to beat Sweden in their last game (with Argentina already qualified). Assuming goal difference is the first decider, any winning score v Nigeria would do for us if the Swedes lose? Or is my maths incorrect?

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Bring it on! Quietly confident - though I can afford to be, since it's not the Toon playing and I don't get the same manic superstitions I do with them.

BTW - I prefer this board too!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

It`s when they start showing clips from our previous encounters that I begin to lose it!!! It really gets my stomach tied in knots, and I feel queasy. What a sad case I am!

Still feels odd without Shearer in the team. I know I said I was pleased he wasn`t going, but they just don`t have anyone big enough to fill the space he has left in the team.

Arrghhhhh.......not long now! {{:o[

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

I'm happy that Shearer isn't in the team...I can quite happily see them lose now....

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Here we go, here we go, here we go.................

...........and I'm off to the fridge. Won't be posting (much) on here during the game.

Howay me Bonnie Lads!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Gulp!!! Not long now!!!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

The best the US could hope for was a draw against Portugal.

Let's hope Sven and the team were watching that game!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Think Batistuta is prepared to get sent off. He'd miss the next match, but that wouldn't matter if Argentina win this one.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Cole lucky not to get carded there. At least he made it look like he was going for the ball. Kind of. ;-)

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Get the keeper off!!

Errr....Sinclair instead of Dyer?

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Toon shirt spotted in crowd?

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH off the post!!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Hello!!!!!! somebody needs to get up there and suupport owen!!!! You can't all stand around and watch!!!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

According to the commentators over here, Ladbrokes will be making a huge payout if England win 2-1. It was the most popular bet.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

I'd give that Argie dive in the box a 4.2, major deductions for lack of style. ;-)

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Observant commentator here: "I'm no doctor, but from my vantage point, it looks like Kily Gonzalez' nose is bleeding"

Thanks, I was wondering what all that red stuff pouring out was.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

PENALTY!!!!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Can't bear it....yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

How freakin sweet is that?!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Now concentrate!!!!!!!! Don't give up a thing!!!!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH0OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Nice to see Simeone congratulate Beckham

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

fuck that's my bet shagged....I had 60-1 for argentina 3-1 with batistuta as first scorer....

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Told you we would win this..

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

3-1 is pretty short odds Gav, especially for a 60-1 win. I'd change your bookie if I was you.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Great performance so far. Major concern over Cole. If the Argies attack on the right flank we could be stuffed. Cole will have ot be careful. Time for a Task Force? Worth swapping him with Bridge to protect us from a second yellow?

Butt is playing his, er well, butt off. MotM so far. Mond, plenty of others who are pushing him hard.

Howay me Bonnie Lads!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Great work by Michael Owen - it was him who clattered into Hargreaves to get Sinclair on ;-)

Howay me Bonnie Lads!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Third time lucky for Owen? We need a second...at least!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Heskey off, Sherry on. England deserve at least 1 more goal. COME ONNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

ARGH!!! Cavallero saves!!!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

This is as nerve shredding as the US 2nd half a few days ago.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Great strike by Sheringham...he's got a burning desire for revenge. If there's any justice he'll get a goal.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Sheringham's had more shots in the last 2min, than Heskey had the whole match.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Owen looks exhausted.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

This is torture.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Anyone breathing?

Didn't think so. :-O

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Get the ball back get to the argie end and waste time!~!!!! arrrrrgghhhhh

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

returning Geordie's favorur....

BLOW THE WHISTLE!! BLOW THE WHISTLE!! BLOW THE WHISTLE!! BLOW THE WHISTLE!! BLOW THE WHISTLE!! BLOW THE WHISTLE!! BLOW THE WHISTLE!! BLOW THE WHISTLE!! BLOW THE WHISTLE!! BLOW THE WHISTLE!! BLOW THE WHISTLE!! BLOW THE WHISTLE!! BLOW THE WHISTLE!! BLOW THE WHISTLE!!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Phew...really pleased for them all - especially Beckham.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

YYYYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

now I've got to breathe, stop shaking, and go to work where I can't let on that I've seen this. eeeee.

Enjoy the party folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

YEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! GOT THE BASTARDS!!!!!!!1

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

The look of relief on Beckham's face is great! :-D

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Thank You, God!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

So what happened to the long ball? Back on Wednesday?? Hope not.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Great result for Team Engerlund but not a great performance...a more incisive team would've had 4 or 5 in the last 25 mins when england couldn't get the ball...

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Gav - haddaway and p1$$ on somebody else's bonfire. It was a great performance. Not every performance ends with 4 or 5 goals. Sometimes you have to dig in and scrap - especially against the favourites for the bliddy trophy. You can have good defensive performances as well as attacking ones.l FFS - the Argies aren't a bunch of bliddy clowns.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Was I the only one cursing England in the last 20 minutes? I constantly screamed at them to push the defense out and close up the man on the ball, but they kept laying off, laying off, letting the Argies come onto them.

It was relief more than joy when the whistle went. Me bonny lads did us well in the end

And what's the chances of us winning the group and STILL playing the bloody French!!???

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Brilliant defensive performance.. supposedly our weakness!

(Note the our in the above... I've started supporting England ... hey you should give it a try Gav!)

thing is... I can't watch any sport without taking sides. As Geordieland hasn't joined UEFA yet we're stuck with Inerlund

Anyho... we should have won by more.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Nick.... they didn't let us close them down/push out/control the ball/ etc...

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

A magnificent performance against the favourites , Butt + Scholes bossed midfield. That Batistuta, Veron + Gonzales all got subbed speaks volumes. Absolutely fantastic...hic

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Nick - While I was feeling just the same, I think it was more fatigue than tactical choice. Anyway, it worked!

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2002

Wahey, best 24 hours of my life. Will write more later

-- Anonymous, June 08, 2002

Get on with it kegsy!

Did you see / meet up with ADK and, did his mate (from Oz) manage to get a ticket?

-- Anonymous, June 08, 2002