The Let us Laugh at England thread

[gunner4eva]

Nothing delusional about that, just an indication of how favourable the draw was for England and how much of a squandered opportunity their WC campaign turned out to be.

Yeah, this pretty much. If we won the group things would have been a lot different.

[GillsMan]

Agree with robbert. I actually don't think it would have been delusional to suggest that Scotland could have beaten Algeria and Slovenia, drawn with USA and beaten Ghana and drawn with Uruguay to go through on penalties to get into the quarters tbf. It's not Spain, Argentina, Brazil we're talking here, we're actually talking about very beatable sides. Obviously it's less likely with Scotland or Wales than with England (though not on recent performances), but it's not delusional to suggest England could have gotten to the semis.

[HD]

Agree with robbert. I actually don't think it would have been delusional to suggest that Scotland could have beaten Algeria and Slovenia, drawn with USA and beaten Ghana and drawn with Uruguay to go through on penalties to get into the quarters tbf. It's not Spain, Argentina, Brazil we're talking here, we're actually talking about very beatable sides. Obviously it's less likely with Scotland or Wales than with England (though not on recent performances), but it's not delusional to suggest England could have gotten to the semis.

Scotland would then have beaten Paraguay in the semis and Argentina in the final. Inevitably.

[blurps11]

Serbia, Australia and the US thought Ghana to be easy pickings too, look where it got them. Remember how you guys choked against Algeria ? Well, the Black Stars are even more organized and have a substantially better squad. Additionally they play a somewhat similar system to Germany, just the finishers are worse.

First or second after the group stage, a quarter final exit for England would have been the most likely outcome either way.

[football_master_94]

Serbia, Australia and the US thought Ghana to be easy pickings too, look where it got them. Remember how you guys choked against Algeria ? Well, the Black Stars are even more organized and have a substantially better squad. Additionally they play a somewhat similar system to Germany, just the finishers are worse.

First or second after the group stage, a quarter final exit for England would have been the most likely outcome either way.

Hang on. Ghana never looked like a threat vs Australia and Serbia, I mean sure they had plenty of shots but very rarely did they threaten. They got points in those game due to 2 stupid penalties

[Kill Rock Stars]

yeah it would be dumb to say that england would walk all over ghana, but in a match between the two teams england would be seen as the favourites, and not just by english fans

[Razzler]

Scotland would then have beaten Paraguay in the semis and Argentina in the final. Inevitably.

I think Paraguay are on the other side of the draw so it would have had to be Holland/Brazil in the Semi

[Razzler]

we're actually talking about very beatable sides. Obviously it's less likely with Scotland or Wales than with England (though not on recent performances), but it's not delusional to suggest England could have gotten to the semis.

Not recent performances now but leading into the World Cup following qualifications we'd be expecting

[HD]

I think Paraguay are on the other side of the draw so it would have had to be Holland/Brazil in the Semi

Scotland's presence would have inspired Italy to win their group.

[bermybhoy]

Actually, surely if Scotland were there they'd just have replicated Switzerland's results - beat the champions, lose, then draw with the diddy team when you need a win.

[Lermon]

its actually pretty depressing how few outsiders there are left in the world cup- you look you got big guns Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Holland, Germany. So teams that don't have the quality like them, or seriously under-par are pretty unlikely to get to the quarters.

The Euro Tournament however, and theres maybe a bit more chance of a European minnow doing well. (well especially seeing Greece)

[aggressive minor]

I know I'm stating the obvious, but its because there are always a lot of strong European teams that don't qualify for major championships, look at Russia and Croatia, even Rep of Ireland.

And people think we have too much of a WC allocation!

[Müller1469564937]

It's not always possible. ITV smugly praising the English officials last night for getting routine decisions correct was embarrassingly desperate.

Haha, really? That really is pathetic on another level.

[football_master_94]

Haha, really? That really is pathetic on another level.

Yep, they even said something like if the continue to officiate well, then England may well be in the final :o

[skybluedave]

Yep, they even said something like if the continue to officiate well, then England may well be in the final :o

Come on. I remember that, clearly a joke at the national sides expense.

[dragosani]

Actually, surely if Scotland were there they'd just have replicated Switzerland's results - beat the champions, lose, then draw with the diddy team when you need a win.

Thats very true of scotland!! if theres one thing we are good at its shooting ourselves in the foot!! Yeah, proud to be pish!!

[Razzler]

Well, getting routine decisions correct has proved to be something of a problem for plenty of officials tbh

[Divinity]

Serbia, Australia and the US thought Ghana to be easy pickings too.

Really don't get which orifice you're plucking that one out from. Ghana match prior to the tournament was regarded as being the most crucial match over here.