The first football tournament I remember was Mexico 86. I remember think at the time Shilton was a bit rubbish.
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Depends which parts.
Germany have clearly the better GK and midfield. Also dangerous players between the lines (England have that also). You could say that England have the better striker and perhaps a better defence, too, or defensive organization as a whole. I can see Germany taking more control of the game and England looking to be tough to beat mainly. Of course there are more factors. Germany are one of those rare sides that can struggle at first, but as long as they’re in the tournament, you can’t write them off in terms of going far. A lot more recent success than England, different kinds of pressures.
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I’ve never understood that English goalies thing. Banks, Shilton and Clemence were all great, and Seaman wasn’t shit. Even Kahn fucked up in a WC final.
There’s banter, and there’s bollocks, and this is the latter.
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And yeah, those international football rivalries shouldn’t be taken so serious. It’s difficult to precise, sometimes it’s not only related to football matters or past games/results, but maybe banter because of some off the pitch stuff. I’d say it’s mainly a combination of the two.
Even agreeing that something is bollocks is apparently seen as offensive.
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I think the key factor will be that Germany have an experienced and successful trainer and England have Southgate.
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Not sure if you have to be a tactical genius to figure out where Germany’s weaknesses are.
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I wish it had a better tune, that Daa daa daa stuff is really sad!
Some countries really do need to make more of an effort on this.
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They might but then they need to be between the lines for that to be true. I just haven’t seen that from England (I lie saw it once against Scotland and it was the only time they looked dangerous) for me that indicates a coaching problem or the players are just numpties.
Banks and Clemence were the best in the world in their positions. Shilton, for me, was massively overrated. Good shot stopper, quick, agile in his younger days but he had no business playing ahead of Clemence. Since then our keepers have mostly been shit. Seaman the best of a largely mediocre bunch and I’d say he was only marginally above average.
Anyone tried to do a combined Germany and England XI yet?
Neuer
Kimmich Stones Hummels Shaw
Henderson Gundogan
Sterling Havertz Sane
Kane
?
Hummels… nah, maybe only in a back 3.
Kroos has to be in there, even if it’s ahead of Gundogan.
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Kroos still got it? I felt bad about leaving Phillips out as he’s had such a good tournament so far. I also really want to put Grealish in there but Gareth doesn’t even start him for England! Sterling doesn’t feel like he deserves his place, and I’d probably prefer Saka but he’s only played about half a game! Henderson also not played much but I felt like I had to include him. Mount unlucky to miss out? Foden?
Yeah, Kroos is still for me one of the very best central midfielders around, no doubt.
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Are you considering these players in their ideal conditions (form, fitness)?
Henderson isn’t fit, Sterling isn’t in form etc. Hummels, while a great player, has clearly faded.
What about Goretzka? Rice? Gosens?
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No better than Varane from what I’ve seen.
Stones is a strange one as well he complicates things soo much there’s a catastrophic error always in the making. Reputation can take you I long way I suppose.
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I meant to use a word that means: the opinion that people in general have about someone or something, or how much respect or admiration someone or something receives, based on past behaviour or character
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Neuer
Kimmich Mings Hummels Shaw?
Henderson Kroos Gündogan
Müller Kane Sancho
Kimmich Mings Hummels Shaw?
Henderson Kroos Gündogan
Müller Kane Sancho
Been impressed with Mings.
Shaw makes it unfortunately 
At least I try! 
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For a country that prides itself on having a conveyor belt of talent, one of the themes of English football has been that our players develop outsized reputations that result in them being very difficult to dislodge from the side even after their form no longer justifies it. Shilton was undoubtedly a superb keeper, but he was 35 by the time Mexico 86 came around and had already been playing at the top level for 20 years. By the time we got to Italia 90 he was borderline geriatric and we could have faced 100 german penalties without him having a chance of saving one. But when you consider that Dave Beasant was our 3rd keeper for that tournament you also appreciate that there wasnt much competition for this place.
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Who had the most underwhelming campaign:
- Turkey
- Finland
- Russia
- Macedonia
- Scotland
- Slovakia
- Poland
- Hungary