Darlo Uncovered

On a slightly different tack, the fact Northern Ireland can reach the knockout stages with one win and two defeats is barmy.

The group stage could have been a lot better without the ludicrous tournament format which encourages negative football.

I would have said four groups of six, with the top 2 reaching the quarter finals would be much better.

It would actually encourage sides to win matches for a start.

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Darlogramps wrote:On a slightly different tack, the fact Northern Ireland can reach the knockout stages with one win and two defeats is barmy.

The group stage could have been a lot better without the ludicrous tournament format which encourages negative football.

I would have said four groups of six, with the top 2 reaching the quarter finals would be much better.

It would actually encourage sides to win matches for a start.

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4 groups of 6 would be a lot of games to get played wouldn't it? My maths might be wrong but that's 15 matches to be played per group compared to the current 6. 60 group games overall compared to 36 +8 at the moment.

The way it is does mean less is required to reach the last 16, but ultimately in doing so a team isn't actually getting any further than they would have by just qualifying for the competition in the first place when it was 16 teams in total.

For me, all the increase has done is make the group stage a little bit meaningless.

I was enjoying the extended size format to begin with, kicked up a couple of 'shock' results with the little teams battling bravely. However once that first round of games was completed and teams could see where they stood it has hugely increased teams intention of simply not losing and playing for a 0-0. I was watching every game I could (outside of work) until this weekend and now I have pretty much not bothered with any of the final group games as you can almost predict what's going to happen.

I enjoy a feel good story but people are going over the top with the success of teams qualifying out of their group. Norn Ireland made it through simply because they managed to win one game v the Ukraine. These teams being lauded for getting through as some sort of significant achievement is an overreaction they have done it because it’s almost impossible to go out. Could you say the Czechoslovakia,made the semi-final in 1960 when there were just 4 teams competing.

Have you seen the venues for Euro 2020? From Baku in Azerbaijan to Glasgow. An absolute nightmare for anybody wanting to follow the competition, at least you'll rack up a few air miles!!

Spyman wrote:

Darlogramps wrote:On a slightly different tack, the fact Northern Ireland can reach the knockout stages with one win and two defeats is barmy.

The group stage could have been a lot better without the ludicrous tournament format which encourages negative football.

I would have said four groups of six, with the top 2 reaching the quarter finals would be much better.

It would actually encourage sides to win matches for a start.

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4 groups of 6 would be a lot of games to get played wouldn't it? My maths might be wrong but that's 15 matches to be played per group compared to the current 6. 60 group games overall compared to 36 +8 at the moment.

It would but then of course you wouldn't have the last 16, which is a layer of fixtures reduced. It would still be an increase in fixtures, but for me it would be worth it as there wouldn't be as many defensive matches. In a major tournament, no side should be turning to do what Slovakia did against England on Monday.

24 teams is always going to be problematic from a numbers point of view (16 or 32 fits more naturally).

For me they should have kept it at 16 teams, but we are where we are.

At the moment it looks like we'll be playing the might of Iceland.

Darlogramps wrote:

Spyman wrote:

Darlogramps wrote:On a slightly different tack, the fact Northern Ireland can reach the knockout stages with one win and two defeats is barmy.

The group stage could have been a lot better without the ludicrous tournament format which encourages negative football.

I would have said four groups of six, with the top 2 reaching the quarter finals would be much better.

It would actually encourage sides to win matches for a start.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

4 groups of 6 would be a lot of games to get played wouldn't it? My maths might be wrong but that's 15 matches to be played per group compared to the current 6. 60 group games overall compared to 36 +8 at the moment.

It would but then of course you wouldn't have the last 16, which is a layer of fixtures reduced. It would still be an increase in fixtures, but for me it would be worth it as there wouldn't be as many defensive matches. In a major tournament, no side should be turning to do what Slovakia did against England on Monday.

24 teams is always going to be problematic from a numbers point of view (16 or 32 fits more naturally).

For me they should have kept it at 16 teams, but we are where we are.

Yep, I've included the extra games above. You're looking to fit in 16 extra fixtures, that's going to give you plenty of days with 4 games, rest periods to be accommodated etc.

As you say, we are where we are. It's been done for money and it's made the tournament poorer.

Iceland on Monday night though, I'll take that. Of course they'll set out to defend and Nick a goal. Let's just hope we can get an early goal this time.

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Darlo_Pete wrote:At the moment it looks like we'll be playing the might of Iceland.

Yet another correct prediction.

Darlo_Pete wrote:

Darlo_Pete wrote:At the moment it looks like we'll be playing the might of Iceland.

Yet another correct prediction.

That's not a prediction, Pete. It's a statement of fact.

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Spyman wrote:

Darlo_Pete wrote:

Darlo_Pete wrote:At the moment it looks like we'll be playing the might of Iceland.

Yet another correct prediction.

That's not a prediction, Pete. It's a statement of fact.

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Don't rain on my parade! If Iceland hadn't come second in the group, then people would have blamed me.

Darlo_Pete wrote:

Spyman wrote:

Darlo_Pete wrote:

Darlo_Pete wrote:At the moment it looks like we'll be playing the might of Iceland.

Yet another correct prediction.

That's not a prediction, Pete. It's a statement of fact.

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Don't rain on my parade! If Iceland hadn't come second in the group, then people would have blamed me.

Would they have complained if Hungary had come second?

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Spyman wrote:

Darlo_Pete wrote:

Spyman wrote:

Darlo_Pete wrote:

Darlo_Pete wrote:At the moment it looks like we'll be playing the might of Iceland.

Yet another correct prediction.

That's not a prediction, Pete. It's a statement of fact.

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Don't rain on my parade! If Iceland hadn't come second in the group, then people would have blamed me.

Would they have complained if Hungary had come second?

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Iceland are the better option for England. We just have to break them down, if we can score, then Iceland will have to come forward, which should in theory open up the game for us.

With the KO draw now Pete what does your crystal ball tell you who is going to win it .

Darlo_Pete wrote:

Spyman wrote:

Darlo_Pete wrote:

Spyman wrote:

Darlo_Pete wrote: Yet another correct prediction.

That's not a prediction, Pete. It's a statement of fact.

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Don't rain on my parade! If Iceland hadn't come second in the group, then people would have blamed me.

Would they have complained if Hungary had come second?

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Iceland are the better option for England. We just have to break them down, if we can score, then Iceland will have to come forward, which should in theory open up the game for us.

Easier said than done, as in all three of our games so far we've failed to break down defensive teams.

If we can get an early goal, it should in theory be plain sailing, as like you say, they'll have to attack us and we can exploit the gaps they leave. Much like Wales did on Monday against Russia.

If we don't get that early break through, I expect more of the same.

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When you look at Wales' side of the draw it is so frustrating we didn't top the group. There is only Belgium and Croatia who I would fancy over them to get to the final.

Am I right thinking that if we beat Iceland we play the winner if Spain v Italy in the quarter final?

I don't think so. Took a bit to find a graphic but it seems to suggest France / Ireland in the QF.

http://u.goal.com/3367600/3367602.jpg

Yeah definitely France/Rep. Ireland in the last eight, then most likely Germany, Italy or Spain in the semis (no disrespect to Slovakia intended).

Nice easy run.

But we have to get past an unbeaten Iceland first.

lo36789 wrote:When you look at Wales' side of the draw it is so frustrating we didn't top the group. There is only Belgium and Croatia who I would fancy over them to get to the final.

No if we beat Iceland then we will play the winners of the France v Rep Of Ireland game in the quarter finals.

Darlo_Pete wrote:

lo36789 wrote:When you look at Wales' side of the draw it is so frustrating we didn't top the group. There is only Belgium and Croatia who I would fancy over them to get to the final.

No if we beat Iceland then we will play the winners of the France v Rep Of Ireland game in the quarter finals.

Darlo_Pete wrote:

lo36789 wrote:When you look at Wales' side of the draw it is so frustrating we didn't top the group. There is only Belgium and Croatia who I would fancy over them to get to the final.

No if we beat Iceland then we will play the winners of the France v Rep Of Ireland game in the quarter finals.

Wat.

If I get a second go on this planet, I'm going to come back as a Republic fan.

They are magnificent. Win, lose or draw, they have the most fantastic time and never stop singing.

Credit to them - they are what following your country at a big tournament is all about.

As someone who's had tickets to the quarter final at Stade de France for almost a year, the groups couldn't have gone much better!!


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Well we're in a bit of a pickle aren't we. If Iceland defeat us, then it will be a new low for the England international team.

Hodgson has 45 minutes to save his England career and save our blushes.

Wales Wales Wales

HA HA HA HEE HEE HEE

Well they did better than in the World Cup, they got out of the group.

FUCK THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
WE ARE DARLINGTON F.C.

THE PRINCE OF WALES wrote:Wales Wales Wales

Bugger off.

What a total embarrassment we are. At least Hodgson will get the sack at long last. The people I am sorry for is our fans, great support, far better than England deserved.

I didn't like that result. Can we play the game again?

Bye bye Hodgson.