• Dear Guest, Please note that adult content is not permitted on this forum. We have had our Google ads disabled at times due to some posts that were found from some time ago. Please do not post adult content and if you see any already on the forum, please report the post so that we can deal with it. Adult content is allowed in the glory hole - you will have to request permission to access it. Thanks, scara

World Cup 2026: Mexico, USA and Canada

Jurgen the German said:
I have to say, I almost always prefer the BBC's coverage to ITV's, but ITV have left them in the dust at this tournament. They've got a fantastic setup, some genuinely world-class former players as pundits, and an incredible backdrop overlooking the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Meanwhile, the Beeb haven't even left Salford. They're broadcasting from a studio with a dodgy flickering screen and, in my opinion, a fairly underwhelming pundit lineup. Don't the BBC usually travel to the host nation for major tournaments? It feels a bit strange that they haven't this time.
Click to expand...
Thought the flickering screen was just my eyes :) seems to do that more often than it should.

Would have been cool if the bbc were based in Canada or Mexico (wondered if they were worried about problems from Trump).

Either way, wherever they were, Danny Murphy wins my award for worst commentator. Always so downbeat, even when he’s being positive.
 
3-0. The potwntial (probable) France-Spain semi final could be interesting. Spain look pretty rock solid defensively, but France's attack is next level.
 
Muttley said:
But you see the pattern right. Someone goads me to comment on Kane and I put up some fair and balanced discussion points. I talk about the grey space and I give some latitude for Kane's age and disposition. I was mostly complimentary but I still get called "binary" because people only want to pick out the single lines in my arguments. I see things like (sigh) in their narratives as they take cheap shots. This is from people that have their own clear biases as well.

So thanks for having the conversation. I'm happy to talk about any player to be fair. For me, where England is at right now is like we were in the Tour de France all those years ago. It's about tuning every little nut and bolt and all the fine tuning it takes to make us winners. No player or manager is above that process. I would just love to see manager and player figure out how we get Kane on the ball more. That's all.
Click to expand...

Trust me, I know exactly what you mean. I had similar debates about Erik Lamela, who seemed to be a board favourite for reasons I'm still not entirely sure of. Eric Dier was pretty much untouchable with some posters as well.

Back to Kane, though—he's undoubtedly world class, but that doesn't mean he's beyond criticism. He can, and should, do more in knockout games, yesterday aside. Both things can be true at the same time.
 
Jurgen the German said:
I have to say, I almost always prefer the BBC's coverage to ITV's, but ITV have left them in the dust at this tournament. They've got a fantastic setup, some genuinely world-class former players as pundits, and an incredible backdrop overlooking the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Meanwhile, the Beeb haven't even left Salford. They're broadcasting from a studio with a dodgy flickering screen and, in my opinion, a fairly underwhelming pundit lineup. Don't the BBC usually travel to the host nation for major tournaments? It feels a bit strange that they haven't this time.
Click to expand...
I have no problem with them not travelling there if they are claiming they are cutting costs. My issue is that ITV have battered them in the punditry battle.
 
Muttley said:
But you see the pattern right. Someone goads me to comment on Kane and I put up some fair and balanced discussion points. I talk about the grey space and I give some latitude for Kane's age and disposition. I was mostly complimentary but I still get called "binary" because people only want to pick out the single lines in my arguments. I see things like (sigh) in their narratives as they take cheap shots. This is from people that have their own clear biases as well.

So thanks for having the conversation. I'm happy to talk about any player to be fair. For me, where England is at right now is like we were in the Tour de France all those years ago. It's about tuning every little nut and bolt and all the fine tuning it takes to make us winners. No player or manager is above that process. I would just love to see manager and player figure out how we get Kane on the ball more. That's all.
Click to expand...

Just own your biases.
I will happily own mine, and if accurately called out, admit to others.
BTW, if you want to address me directly, please do so. I think what you've done above is a 'cheap shot' in all honesty.

Anyway, onwards and however he does it, I hope Kane can conjure some magic...I'll take it from any England player TBH.
 
Muttley said:
But you see the pattern right. Someone goads me to comment on Kane and I put up some fair and balanced discussion points. I talk about the grey space and I give some latitude for Kane's age and disposition. I was mostly complimentary but I still get called "binary" because people only want to pick out the single lines in my arguments. I see things like (sigh) in their narratives as they take cheap shots. This is from people that have their own clear biases as well.

So thanks for having the conversation. I'm happy to talk about any player to be fair. For me, where England is at right now is like we were in the Tour de France all those years ago. It's about tuning every little nut and bolt and all the fine tuning it takes to make us winners. No player or manager is above that process. I would just love to see manager and player figure out how we get Kane on the ball more. That's all.
Click to expand...
You weren't goaded, it was a joke (sigh)
 
DubSpur said:
I knew you wouldn't let me down.

Maybe look at those around him and the supply. The crossing was brutal, even Rices delivery at set pieces was below par.
If he drops deep and plays more creatively he gets slaughtered by some for not being in the box. If he doesn't get involved in the build up play but still pops up with a couple of goals he's accused of not being involved in the play.

I think Tuchel will be happy with Kanes relevance in any game that he gets two goals in.
Click to expand...

In fairness to Kane, he dropped deep when he had the space to as well...I think the time in Germany has allowed him to regenerate physically a little bit as it is physically not as fast/hard as the Prem. I think England are seeing the benefit. I feel sorry for Rice TBH, he is being flogged to death. It augers well for us as I think several of the goons will be off-it when they return to the Prem...it's why I think we will make a charge for unlikely glory (nurse? NURSE!)...
 
Jurgen the German said:
Trust me, I know exactly what you mean. I had similar debates about Erik Lamela, who seemed to be a board favourite for reasons I'm still not entirely sure of. Eric Dier was pretty much untouchable with some posters as well.

Back to Kane, though—he's undoubtedly world class, but that doesn't mean he's beyond criticism. He can, and should, do more in knockout games, yesterday aside. Both things can be true at the same time.
Click to expand...

Me! Me! I was (and still am) absurdly biased in favour of one of our greatest ever defenders/DMs, a green-fingered, organic librero! I will wager I am the only person on this forum to have bought a player issued shirt some years ago with his name and number!!!! I LOVE ERIC DIIIIIIER...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back