After the excitement and thrills of the group stages these knockouts have been dull so far. All 4 won by the favourite. None of whom ever looked like losing.
I very much doubt that will continue through all eight R16 matches.
Supporting the last remaining UK team, as all good Unionists should do, I would certainly be supporting Wales if they were through not England now.
Only Nationalists get by on hating England more than even supporting their own team to win
That's nonsense. And you know it. You are positively getting by on your fantasies.
I assume then you will be cheering England on against France?
Of course not. Couldn't give a monkey's either way. Not interested.
The one case I remember of a Scottish crowd really cheering on a non-English side against England was at Murrayfield where the Japanese were playing in the world cup - maybe 10-20 years ago. But that is perhaps the sportiong crowd least likely to fit the 'nationalist' demographic in any neat way - as if you weren't one yourself, in any case.
After the excitement and thrills of the group stages these knockouts have been dull so far. All 4 won by the favourite. None of whom ever looked like losing.
Yup, somewhat of snoozefest-ish, but there's Brazil tomorrow. Their playing is so cultured that even their easy wins are easier on the eye.
After the excitement and thrills of the group stages these knockouts have been dull so far. All 4 won by the favourite. None of whom ever looked like losing.
Dull???
Lord, if England winning a knockout round, at the World Cup, 3-0, is "dull", then please give me more dullness. Dullness forever
Big Gord not having his favourite ever football moment surpassed by the look of this pic.
But he's also part of what makes that photo blooming impressive.
Every family has a grumpy old relative who really doesn't want to be there, and Gordo is filling that role perfectly.
Even if it's a cynical photo op, it's a damn good one. Could the Conservatives pull off something similar, even if they wanted to?
It's subjective, but I could believe most of that photo might genuinely like each other enough to sit down and watch something together. With the Tories in their current state I don't think they could get through five minutes without backstabbing one another somehow.
Heck, Javid and Sunak seemed to be among the few happy in each others' company, and Sunak left him out in the wilderness no problem.
After the excitement and thrills of the group stages these knockouts have been dull so far. All 4 won by the favourite. None of whom ever looked like losing.
There's a sense of that was for show but this is now for dough.
The winter of discontent of the late 1970s dealt a death blow to the credibility of James Callaghan’s government. In his memoirs, the Labour prime minister lamented that he was overwhelmed by an uncontrollable “contagion” that doomed him to defeat at the subsequent election. History does not repeat itself, but it can rhyme. There are some obvious parallels between the tsunami of industrial action that engulfed the Callaghan government and the waves of strikes surging towards Rishi Sunak.
Precisely because the Tories have crimped union power and significant strikes have been so rare in recent decades, Conservative anti-union tropes have much less potency. Union leaders sound credible when they say the walkouts this winter are not a macho flexing of their muscle but a last resort and “a cry for help” by their desperate members.
Ministers are clutching to the hope that public sympathy for strikers will drain away. “The moment people start suffering, I think opinion will tip against the unions,” says one senior Tory. That’s a big gamble about who voters will blame for a bitter and attritional struggle.
Some cynics on the Tory side seem to be calculating that the disruption to the health service will be to their political advantage because they can blame strikes for what was anyway going to be a nightmarish winter for the NHS. That rests on the surely false assumption that the public haven’t noticed that the health service was in a critical condition before anyone was talking about walkouts.
Some ministers privately admit that intransigence will eventually have to turn into compromise because this crisis won’t be resolved without the government making some concessions.
There is a prevalent view already that the legacy of a dozen years of Conservative rule is a country in which essential services on which people depend no longer work. These strikes will harden that feeling. The sense that Britain was broken on his watch was fatal for Jim Callaghan. Because that’s a mood no government can expect to survive.
After the excitement and thrills of the group stages these knockouts have been dull so far. All 4 won by the favourite. None of whom ever looked like losing.
Dull???
Lord, if England winning a knockout round, at the World Cup, 3-0, is "dull", then please give me more dullness. Dullness forever
You know what I mean. There hasn't been any jeopardy. We could have the best last eight ever, though. With the best 8 teams in it.
Supporting the last remaining UK team, as all good Unionists should do, I would certainly be supporting Wales if they were through not England now.
Only Nationalists get by on hating England more than even supporting their own team to win
That's nonsense. And you know it. You are positively getting by on your fantasies.
I assume then you will be cheering England on against France?
Of course not. Couldn't give a monkey's either way. Not interested.
The one case I remember of a Scottish crowd really cheering on a non-English side against England was at Murrayfield where the Japanese were playing in the world cup - maybe 10-20 years ago. But that is perhaps the sportiong crowd least likely to fit the 'nationalist' demographic in any neat way - as if you weren't one yourself, in any case.
Supporting the last remaining UK team, as all good Unionists should do, I would certainly be supporting Wales if they were through not England now.
Only Nationalists get by on hating England more than even supporting their own team to win
That's nonsense. And you know it. You are positively getting by on your fantasies.
I assume then you will be cheering England on against France?
Of course not. Couldn't give a monkey's either way. Not interested.
The one case I remember of a Scottish crowd really cheering on a non-English side against England was at Murrayfield where the Japanese were playing in the world cup - maybe 10-20 years ago. But that is perhaps the sportiong crowd least likely to fit the 'nationalist' demographic in any neat way - as if you weren't one yourself, in any case.
Yet in pubs across Scotland it will be Scottish nationalist football fans supporting whoever plays England, Scottish rugby fans tend to prioritise supporting their own team over opposing England despite you scraping the barrel for one match decades ago, plus they support the British Lions too
After the excitement and thrills of the group stages these knockouts have been dull so far. All 4 won by the favourite. None of whom ever looked like losing.
Dull???
Lord, if England winning a knockout round, at the World Cup, 3-0, is "dull", then please give me more dullness. Dullness forever
Indeed. Our second goal was the most lovely counter attacking team goal born of audacious enterprise in the midfield by Bellingham.
Big Gord not having his favourite ever football moment surpassed by the look of this pic.
But he's also part of what makes that photo blooming impressive.
Every family has a grumpy old relative who really doesn't want to be there, and Gordo is filling that role perfectly.
Even if it's a cynical photo op, it's a damn good one. Could the Conservatives pull off something similar, even if they wanted to?
It's subjective, but I could believe most of that photo might genuinely like each other enough to sit down and watch something together. With the Tories in their current state I don't think they could get through five minutes without backstabbing one another somehow.
Heck, Javid and Sunak seemed to be among the few happy in each others' company, and Sunak left him out in the wilderness no problem.
It's still a bit weird to watch the game with work colleagues on a Sunday, though, isn't it?
Big Gord not having his favourite ever football moment surpassed by the look of this pic.
But he's also part of what makes that photo blooming impressive.
Every family has a grumpy old relative who really doesn't want to be there, and Gordo is filling that role perfectly.
Even if it's a cynical photo op, it's a damn good one. Could the Conservatives pull off something similar, even if they wanted to?
It's subjective, but I could believe most of that photo might genuinely like each other enough to sit down and watch something together. With the Tories in their current state I don't think they could get through five minutes without backstabbing one another somehow.
Heck, Javid and Sunak seemed to be among the few happy in each others' company, and Sunak left him out in the wilderness no problem.
It's still a bit weird to watch the game with work colleagues on a Sunday, though, isn't it?
Well yes, but politics makes for weird people, and perhaps they work Sundays anyway to prepare for the week ahead.
Supporting the last remaining UK team, as all good Unionists should do, I would certainly be supporting Wales if they were through not England now.
Only Nationalists get by on hating England more than even supporting their own team to win
That's nonsense. And you know it. You are positively getting by on your fantasies.
I assume then you will be cheering England on against France?
Of course not. Couldn't give a monkey's either way. Not interested.
The one case I remember of a Scottish crowd really cheering on a non-English side against England was at Murrayfield where the Japanese were playing in the world cup - maybe 10-20 years ago. But that is perhaps the sportiong crowd least likely to fit the 'nationalist' demographic in any neat way - as if you weren't one yourself, in any case.
Supporting the last remaining UK team, as all good Unionists should do, I would certainly be supporting Wales if they were through not England now.
Only Nationalists get by on hating England more than even supporting their own team to win
That's nonsense. And you know it. You are positively getting by on your fantasies.
I assume then you will be cheering England on against France?
Of course not. Couldn't give a monkey's either way. Not interested.
The one case I remember of a Scottish crowd really cheering on a non-English side against England was at Murrayfield where the Japanese were playing in the world cup - maybe 10-20 years ago. But that is perhaps the sportiong crowd least likely to fit the 'nationalist' demographic in any neat way - as if you weren't one yourself, in any case.
Yet in pubs across Scotland it will be Scottish nationalist football fans supporting whoever plays England, Scottish rugby fans tend to prioritise supporting their own team over opposing England despite you scraping the barrel for one match decades ago, plus they support the British Lions too
I remember that because it was so universal - polite support for guests with hardly any fans with them.
As for your other stuff - how much time do you spend in pubs in Scotland? You might not realise that the situation is a lot more complex than you imagine.
After the excitement and thrills of the group stages these knockouts have been dull so far. All 4 won by the favourite. None of whom ever looked like losing.
Dull???
Lord, if England winning a knockout round, at the World Cup, 3-0, is "dull", then please give me more dullness. Dullness forever
You know what I mean. There hasn't been any jeopardy. We could have the best last eight ever, though. With the best 8 teams in it.
Yes, there are probably at least six really excellent vibrant attacking teams going in to the last 8
England, France. Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Holland
Any one of them would be a worthy winner, and they are all elegantly fast, when they want
Big Gord not having his favourite ever football moment surpassed by the look of this pic.
But he's also part of what makes that photo blooming impressive.
Every family has a grumpy old relative who really doesn't want to be there, and Gordo is filling that role perfectly.
Even if it's a cynical photo op, it's a damn good one. Could the Conservatives pull off something similar, even if they wanted to?
It's subjective, but I could believe most of that photo might genuinely like each other enough to sit down and watch something together. With the Tories in their current state I don't think they could get through five minutes without backstabbing one another somehow.
Heck, Javid and Sunak seemed to be among the few happy in each others' company, and Sunak left him out in the wilderness no problem.
It's still a bit weird to watch the game with work colleagues on a Sunday, though, isn't it?
Only one more sleep till Gordon promises the most powerful devolved parliament in the world, again. They'll have been slaving over their new constitutional offer and tweaking it into non-commital meaninglessness all day.
"The Chinese digital Stasi With 540 million camreras, AI that identifies you by your walk and knows how you're feeling, and a system to rate a citizen's loyalty, President Xi has built a 21st-century state to crush dissent"
Big Gord not having his favourite ever football moment surpassed by the look of this pic.
But he's also part of what makes that photo blooming impressive.
Every family has a grumpy old relative who really doesn't want to be there, and Gordo is filling that role perfectly.
Even if it's a cynical photo op, it's a damn good one. Could the Conservatives pull off something similar, even if they wanted to?
It's subjective, but I could believe most of that photo might genuinely like each other enough to sit down and watch something together. With the Tories in their current state I don't think they could get through five minutes without backstabbing one another somehow.
Heck, Javid and Sunak seemed to be among the few happy in each others' company, and Sunak left him out in the wilderness no problem.
It's still a bit weird to watch the game with work colleagues on a Sunday, though, isn't it?
Only one more sleep till Gordon promises the most powerful devolved parliament in the world, again. They'll have been slaving ove their new constitutional offer and tweaking it into non-commital meaninglessness all day.
Just seems like a weird direction to go in anyway to be honest. People supported the UK when it was less powerful, so why would making as powerful as possible, short of independence, be the key?
There is nothing in this life so watery as the smile of a Scotsman trying to pretend he is pleased England have won a football match at the World Cup
It’s only Lisa Nandy and the blonde lady next to her who really care though. Rest are “polite applause” and Reeves is “wtf did I just was 2 hours for?”
Although Mbappe is a clear danger and could damage England, I thought Griezmann was superb in their match today; he was omnipresent and ran much of the game. One for England to watch.
Big Gord not having his favourite ever football moment surpassed by the look of this pic.
But he's also part of what makes that photo blooming impressive.
Every family has a grumpy old relative who really doesn't want to be there, and Gordo is filling that role perfectly.
Even if it's a cynical photo op, it's a damn good one. Could the Conservatives pull off something similar, even if they wanted to?
It's subjective, but I could believe most of that photo might genuinely like each other enough to sit down and watch something together. With the Tories in their current state I don't think they could get through five minutes without backstabbing one another somehow.
Heck, Javid and Sunak seemed to be among the few happy in each others' company, and Sunak left him out in the wilderness no problem.
It's still a bit weird to watch the game with work colleagues on a Sunday, though, isn't it?
Only one more sleep till Gordon promises the most powerful devolved parliament in the world, again. They'll have been slaving ove their new constitutional offer and tweaking it into non-commital meaninglessness all day.
Just seems like a weird direction to go in anyway to be honest. People supported the UK when it was less powerful, so why would making as powerful as possible, short of independence, be the key?
It was what kept Quebec in Canada in its second independence referendum in 1995, just
There is nothing in this life so watery as the smile of a Scotsman trying to pretend he is pleased England have won a football match at the World Cup
It’s only Lisa Nandy and the blonde lady next to her who really care though. Rest are “polite applause” and Reeves is “wtf did I just was 2 hours for?”
No, I disagree. It is really hard to fake a good smile (look at Brown) and Starmer's is authentic. He's a proper footie fan isn't he? A gooner?
A man like that will have watched England all his life, and he will mean it
I'm not a fan of Sir Kir Royale, but this is an unfair accusation
Agree Reeves looks a bit meh. An unlikely fan: bluestocking banker
There is nothing in this life so watery as the smile of a Scotsman trying to pretend he is pleased England have won a football match at the World Cup
It's coldly calculating work.
Gordon is front and centre, a reminder that under Labour Scotland is at the heart of the union. He's only clapping politely, acknowledging that an English triumph is not the be all and end all of the UK's priorities.
Starmer is carefully position at the very left of the image, leading the rest of his colleagues towards it and opening his arms, as if to embrace that wing of the party. He is literally blue collared, harkening back to the party's roots.
There is a plant pushed to the opposite side, almost out of shot, behind a light source - a signal that Labour do care about green credentials, but they have closer priorities around energy production, supply and cost.
Nandy is wearing a top saying Great Britain directly over Brown's head, signifying the fundamental incorporation of Scotland within that element, but her triumphant posture and position over him is a nod to those who want a tougher stance against the nationalists.
She and her partner in attire (who is wearing bright red shoes, behind Brown, to show Labour is booting its way back in Scotland) are dressed casually, they're down with the young people, but Reeves is more formally dressed, dignified in her celebration, comforting to the conservative minded biddies of elderly rural England.
There is nothing in this life so watery as the smile of a Scotsman trying to pretend he is pleased England have won a football match at the World Cup
It’s only Lisa Nandy and the blonde lady next to her who really care though. Rest are “polite applause” and Reeves is “wtf did I just was 2 hours for?”
No, I disagree. It is really hard to fake a good smile (look at Brown) and Starmer's is authentic. He's a proper footie fan isn't he? A gooner?
A man like that will have watched England all his life, and he will mean it
I'm not a fan of Sir Kir Royale, but this is an unfair accusation
Agree Reeves looks a bit meh. An unlikely fan: bluestocking banker
Yes, Starmer has had an Arsenal season ticket for donkeys' years. Reeves is probably like my other half - not interested in football but watching the game as it's an occasion. Nowt wrong with that, as us northerners say.
Armed group break-in at Raheem Sterling's house while his kids were there.
That's terrible
I used to live next door to a Premier League footballer. He was forever getting broken into. Proper professional outfits, nasty buggers. Got full time security on the house in the end. I got to know the security guy a bit - he had slightly fruity some stories to tell. He moved away in the end (not least because he got transferred to another city) and I can't say I blame him. A shame. It was moderately exciting to think that my comfortable but unremarkable suburb could be home to the nowadays-exalted tier of society of top level footballers. But it appears that it can't and they need to live in compounds. I - touch wood - have never been the target of burglars. That's what comes, I think, from having a rather battered people carrier and a 14 year old focus on the drive - people assume you have nothing worth stealing. Rightly, in my case. Certainly compared to next door's.
There is nothing in this life so watery as the smile of a Scotsman trying to pretend he is pleased England have won a football match at the World Cup
It's coldly calculating work.
Gordon is front and centre, a reminder that under Labour Scotland is at the heart of the union. He's only clapping politely, acknowledging that an English triumph is not the be all and end off of the UK's priorities.
Starmer is carefully position at the very left of the image, leading the rest of his colleagues towards it and opening his arms, as if to embrace that wing of the party. He is literally blue collared, harkening back to the party's roots.
There is a plant pushed to the opposite side, almost out of shot, behind a light source - a signal that Labour do care about green credentials, but they have closer priorities around energy production, supply and cost.
Nandy is wearing a top saying Great Britain directly over Brown's head, signifying the fundamental incorporation of Scotland within that element, but her triumphant posture and position over him is a nod to those who want a tougher stance against the nationalists.
She and her partner in attire (who is wearing bright red shoes, behind Brown, to show Labour is booting its way back in Scotland) are dressed casually, they're down with the young people, but Reeves is more formally dressed, dignified in her celebration, comforting to the conservative minded biddies of elderly rural England.
Anyway, quite pleased for ITV that they have televised not only a win, but apparently a decent performance. Nice for them. It must be depressing constantly broadcasting disappointments.
There is nothing in this life so watery as the smile of a Scotsman trying to pretend he is pleased England have won a football match at the World Cup
It's coldly calculating work.
Gordon is front and centre, a reminder that under Labour Scotland is at the heart of the union. He's only clapping politely, acknowledging that an English triumph is not the be all and end off of the UK's priorities.
Starmer is carefully position at the very left of the image, leading the rest of his colleagues towards it and opening his arms, as if to embrace that wing of the party. He is literally blue collared, harkening back to the party's roots.
There is a plant pushed to the opposite side, almost out of shot, behind a light source - a signal that Labour do care about green credentials, but they have closer priorities around energy production, supply and cost.
Nandy is wearing a top saying Great Britain directly over Brown's head, signifying the fundamental incorporation of Scotland within that element, but her triumphant posture and position over him is a nod to those who want a tougher stance against the nationalists.
She and her partner in attire (who is wearing bright red shoes, behind Brown, to show Labour is booting its way back in Scotland) are dressed casually, they're down with the young people, but Reeves is more formally dressed, dignified in her celebration, comforting to the conservative minded biddies of elderly rural England.
Excellent, but you forgot to mention Tracy Brabin's leather trousers and orange shoes. Designed to appeal to a different, perhaps kinkier, part of the electorate.
There is nothing in this life so watery as the smile of a Scotsman trying to pretend he is pleased England have won a football match at the World Cup
It’s only Lisa Nandy and the blonde lady next to her who really care though. Rest are “polite applause” and Reeves is “wtf did I just was 2 hours for?”
No, I disagree. It is really hard to fake a good smile (look at Brown) and Starmer's is authentic. He's a proper footie fan isn't he? A gooner?
A man like that will have watched England all his life, and he will mean it
I'm not a fan of Sir Kir Royale, but this is an unfair accusation
Agree Reeves looks a bit meh. An unlikely fan: bluestocking banker
A fair analysis. Royale is a lifelong football fan as you say. No idea who Lisa’s blonde mate is. In any case, who cares whether they all like football (my wife’s reaction would be like Rachel’s at best - I reckon that’s fairly normal?)
There is nothing in this life so watery as the smile of a Scotsman trying to pretend he is pleased England have won a football match at the World Cup
This is a great political photo for one reason and one reason only. There are no fecking flags shoehorned into the background. For that reason and that reason alone Labour have won my vote at the next GE.
Anyway, quite pleased for ITV that they have televised not only a win, but apparently a decent performance. Nice for them. It must be depressing constantly broadcasting disappointments.
In the end it was an impressive win against a skilful and somewhat menacing team. By the end Senegal were crushed
Oh God. I'm starting to believe
At least we have a whole week to BELIEVE until Mbappe flays our defence
That's a more cheerful week in December, and for that much gratitude, England
There is nothing in this life so watery as the smile of a Scotsman trying to pretend he is pleased England have won a football match at the World Cup
It's coldly calculating work.
Gordon is front and centre, a reminder that under Labour Scotland is at the heart of the union. He's only clapping politely, acknowledging that an English triumph is not the be all and end off of the UK's priorities.
Starmer is carefully position at the very left of the image, leading the rest of his colleagues towards it and opening his arms, as if to embrace that wing of the party. He is literally blue collared, harkening back to the party's roots.
There is a plant pushed to the opposite side, almost out of shot, behind a light source - a signal that Labour do care about green credentials, but they have closer priorities around energy production, supply and cost.
Nandy is wearing a top saying Great Britain directly over Brown's head, signifying the fundamental incorporation of Scotland within that element, but her triumphant posture and position over him is a nod to those who want a tougher stance against the nationalists.
She and her partner in attire (who is wearing bright red shoes, behind Brown, to show Labour is booting its way back in Scotland) are dressed casually, they're down with the young people, but Reeves is more formally dressed, dignified in her celebration, comforting to the conservative minded biddies of elderly rural England.
Excellent, but you forgot to mention Tracy Brabin's leather trousers and orange shoes. Designed to appeal to a different, perhaps kinkier, part of the electorate.
I confess I had no idea who she was so ran out of steam before even getting in to the two other dudes I also didn't know.
There is nothing in this life so watery as the smile of a Scotsman trying to pretend he is pleased England have won a football match at the World Cup
It’s only Lisa Nandy and the blonde lady next to her who really care though. Rest are “polite applause” and Reeves is “wtf did I just was 2 hours for?”
No, I disagree. It is really hard to fake a good smile (look at Brown) and Starmer's is authentic. He's a proper footie fan isn't he? A gooner?
A man like that will have watched England all his life, and he will mean it
I'm not a fan of Sir Kir Royale, but this is an unfair accusation
Agree Reeves looks a bit meh. An unlikely fan: bluestocking banker
Yes, Starmer has had an Arsenal season ticket for donkeys' years. Reeves is probably like my other half - not interested in football but watching the game as it's an occasion. Nowt wrong with that, as us northerners say.
Most women don’t like football. I wish more did. But most don’t and that’s the unfortunate reality. I like Reeves’ polite applause
Anyway, quite pleased for ITV that they have televised not only a win, but apparently a decent performance. Nice for them. It must be depressing constantly broadcasting disappointments.
In the end it was an impressive win against a skilful and somewhat menacing team. By the end Senegal were crushed
Oh God. I'm starting to believe
At least we have a whole week to BELIEVE until Mbappe flays our defence
That's a more cheerful week in December, and for that much gratitude, England
I was pretty convinced France were going to beat England until you predicted otherwise. Feel a bit more optimistic now.
Also, why should Gordo support England? Fair play to him if he wanted us to lose
I think Brown is very genuine in his Unionism and therefore his support of England in this instance. He's not leaping about because it's not his style.
Anyway, quite pleased for ITV that they have televised not only a win, but apparently a decent performance. Nice for them. It must be depressing constantly broadcasting disappointments.
In the end it was an impressive win against a skilful and somewhat menacing team. By the end Senegal were crushed
Oh God. I'm starting to believe
At least we have a whole week to BELIEVE until Mbappe flays our defence
That's a more cheerful week in December, and for that much gratitude, England
I was pretty convinced France were going to beat England until you predicted otherwise. Feel a bit more optimistic now.
Yeah. We rested Leondamus for tonight, so he'd be at peak fitness to predict the quarter final. Hurrah!
Solid performance by England tonight - four down, three to go. Rather like the spider crawling out the bowl, each step is steeper than the last. It won't be easy against France - you wouldn't expect a World Cup QF t o be easy but it is winnable.
@HYUFD mentions the Conservatives still leading among the 65+ age group and he's quite right - Savanta ComRes has the Conservatives leading 41-34 among over 65s. The problem is that's a 20% swing from Conservative to Labour - once again, a 20% swing - so it's possible to argue the Conservatives are doing disproportionately worse among their core support groups which may have implications in terms of seat forecasts.
I also agree it would be hugely appropriate were anyone in the Government to try to spin a football triumph for political advantage - not that I'm sure any of them would.
Just as I'm also sure the RMT's rejection of the Rail Advisory Group's wage offer of 8% OVER TWO YEARS won't be turned into an anti-Union diatribe or, worse, suggesting trade unionists are somehow supporters of Putin and Russia. How any politician with a functioning brain cell could even suggest that is beyond me.
Big Gord not having his favourite ever football moment surpassed by the look of this pic.
But he's also part of what makes that photo blooming impressive.
Every family has a grumpy old relative who really doesn't want to be there, and Gordo is filling that role perfectly.
Even if it's a cynical photo op, it's a damn good one. Could the Conservatives pull off something similar, even if they wanted to?
It's subjective, but I could believe most of that photo might genuinely like each other enough to sit down and watch something together. With the Tories in their current state I don't think they could get through five minutes without backstabbing one another somehow.
Heck, Javid and Sunak seemed to be among the few happy in each others' company, and Sunak left him out in the wilderness no problem.
It's still a bit weird to watch the game with work colleagues on a Sunday, though, isn't it?
I'm fascinated by Gordon Brown's suit. I guess he's not comfortable in public in anything else, even watching football on a Sunday afternoon.
It’s rough luck to be playing France in the quarters. But put yourself in their shoes. They won’t be thrilled they’re playing the team that’s scored 12 goals, got three consecutive clean sheets and boasts the tournament’s breakout star. England need to go into this game believing they’ve got the edge over France, and with a fair rub they can beat them.
Sad for Sterling. I thought he looked sharp earlier in the tourny but hard to see him coming back now.
Solid performance by England tonight - four down, three to go. Rather like the spider crawling out the bowl, each step is steeper than the last. It won't be easy against France - you wouldn't expect a World Cup QF t o be easy but it is winnable.
@HYUFD mentions the Conservatives still leading among the 65+ age group and he's quite right - Savanta ComRes has the Conservatives leading 41-34 among over 65s. The problem is that's a 20% swing from Conservative to Labour - once again, a 20% swing - so it's possible to argue the Conservatives are doing disproportionately worse among their core support groups which may have implications in terms of seat forecasts.
I also agree it would be hugely appropriate were anyone in the Government to try to spin a football triumph for political advantage - not that I'm sure any of them would.
Just as I'm also sure the RMT's rejection of the Rail Advisory Group's wage offer of 8% OVER TWO YEARS won't be turned into an anti-Union diatribe or, worse, suggesting trade unionists are somehow supporters of Putin and Russia. How any politician with a functioning brain cell could even suggest that is beyond me.
There is something in what Zahawi says, inflation is rising mainly because of sanctions on Russia and reduced energy and food supplies from there and Ukraine. Unions demanding wage rises at or above inflation will just weaken our economies further, add to an inflationary wage spiral and make it more likely our leaders have to appease Putin and abandon sanctions
Big Gord not having his favourite ever football moment surpassed by the look of this pic.
But he's also part of what makes that photo blooming impressive.
Every family has a grumpy old relative who really doesn't want to be there, and Gordo is filling that role perfectly.
Even if it's a cynical photo op, it's a damn good one. Could the Conservatives pull off something similar, even if they wanted to?
It's subjective, but I could believe most of that photo might genuinely like each other enough to sit down and watch something together. With the Tories in their current state I don't think they could get through five minutes without backstabbing one another somehow.
Heck, Javid and Sunak seemed to be among the few happy in each others' company, and Sunak left him out in the wilderness no problem.
It's still a bit weird to watch the game with work colleagues on a Sunday, though, isn't it?
I'm fascinated by Gordon Brown's suit. I guess he's not comfortable in public in anything else, even watching football on a Sunday afternoon.
It does rather look like a hotel or conference centre bar. Some kind of Labour meeting, with a break for the match?
There is nothing in this life so watery as the smile of a Scotsman trying to pretend he is pleased England have won a football match at the World Cup
This is a great political photo for one reason and one reason only. There are no fecking flags shoehorned into the background. For that reason and that reason alone Labour have won my vote at the next GE.
Lol
I assume your post is somewhat tongue-in-cheek… if not, it has to be a contender for the award for the silliest reason to vote for a political party.
Maybe PBers have come across other even sillier justifications, on the doorsteps?
Solid performance by England tonight - four down, three to go. Rather like the spider crawling out the bowl, each step is steeper than the last. It won't be easy against France - you wouldn't expect a World Cup QF t o be easy but it is winnable.
@HYUFD mentions the Conservatives still leading among the 65+ age group and he's quite right - Savanta ComRes has the Conservatives leading 41-34 among over 65s. The problem is that's a 20% swing from Conservative to Labour - once again, a 20% swing - so it's possible to argue the Conservatives are doing disproportionately worse among their core support groups which may have implications in terms of seat forecasts.
I also agree it would be hugely appropriate were anyone in the Government to try to spin a football triumph for political advantage - not that I'm sure any of them would.
Just as I'm also sure the RMT's rejection of the Rail Advisory Group's wage offer of 8% OVER TWO YEARS won't be turned into an anti-Union diatribe or, worse, suggesting trade unionists are somehow supporters of Putin and Russia. How any politician with a functioning brain cell could even suggest that is beyond me.
There is something in what Zahawi says, inflation is rising mainly because of sanctions on Russia and reduced energy and food supplies from there and Ukraine. Unions demanding wage rises at or above inflation will just weaken our economies further, add to an inflationary wage spiral and make it more likely our leaders have to appease Putin and abandon sanctions
Don’t you think it’s got ANYTHING to do with how severely we’ve debased our currency through QE fuelled deficits and ultra low rates?
Also, why should Gordo support England? Fair play to him if he wanted us to lose
As he is a Unionist not SNP
Do Scots who are neither Unionist or SNP have permission not to support England, or will you send the granny bashers round?
Personally as I said earlier I would rather we just had one Team GB and NI as we had at the Olympics in the World Cup, we would also be more likely to win it.
Solid performance by England tonight - four down, three to go. Rather like the spider crawling out the bowl, each step is steeper than the last. It won't be easy against France - you wouldn't expect a World Cup QF t o be easy but it is winnable.
@HYUFD mentions the Conservatives still leading among the 65+ age group and he's quite right - Savanta ComRes has the Conservatives leading 41-34 among over 65s. The problem is that's a 20% swing from Conservative to Labour - once again, a 20% swing - so it's possible to argue the Conservatives are doing disproportionately worse among their core support groups which may have implications in terms of seat forecasts.
I also agree it would be hugely appropriate were anyone in the Government to try to spin a football triumph for political advantage - not that I'm sure any of them would.
Just as I'm also sure the RMT's rejection of the Rail Advisory Group's wage offer of 8% OVER TWO YEARS won't be turned into an anti-Union diatribe or, worse, suggesting trade unionists are somehow supporters of Putin and Russia. How any politician with a functioning brain cell could even suggest that is beyond me.
There is something in what Zahawi says, inflation is rising mainly because of sanctions on Russia and reduced energy and food supplies from there and Ukraine. Unions demanding wage rises at or above inflation will just weaken our economies further, add to an inflationary wage spiral and make it more likely our leaders have to appease Putin and abandon sanctions
Don’t you think it’s got ANYTHING to do with how severely we’ve debased our currency through QE fuelled deficits and ultra low rates?
The ending of lockdown and added demand on reduced supply added to it but it is only the Ukraine war that has taken inflation to almost 10%
Solid performance by England tonight - four down, three to go. Rather like the spider crawling out the bowl, each step is steeper than the last. It won't be easy against France - you wouldn't expect a World Cup QF t o be easy but it is winnable.
@HYUFD mentions the Conservatives still leading among the 65+ age group and he's quite right - Savanta ComRes has the Conservatives leading 41-34 among over 65s. The problem is that's a 20% swing from Conservative to Labour - once again, a 20% swing - so it's possible to argue the Conservatives are doing disproportionately worse among their core support groups which may have implications in terms of seat forecasts.
I also agree it would be hugely appropriate were anyone in the Government to try to spin a football triumph for political advantage - not that I'm sure any of them would.
Just as I'm also sure the RMT's rejection of the Rail Advisory Group's wage offer of 8% OVER TWO YEARS won't be turned into an anti-Union diatribe or, worse, suggesting trade unionists are somehow supporters of Putin and Russia. How any politician with a functioning brain cell could even suggest that is beyond me.
There is something in what Zahawi says, inflation is rising mainly because of sanctions on Russia and reduced energy and food supplies from there and Ukraine. Unions demanding wage rises at or above inflation will just weaken our economies further, add to an inflationary wage spiral and make it more likely our leaders have to appease Putin and abandon sanctions
Don’t you think it’s got ANYTHING to do with how severely we’ve debased our currency through QE fuelled deficits and ultra low rates?
Unlikely, because if that were true QE would have caused hyperinflation, instead of low inflation followed by unusually high inflation upon the outbreak of a war between two major exporters.
Anyway, quite pleased for ITV that they have televised not only a win, but apparently a decent performance. Nice for them. It must be depressing constantly broadcasting disappointments.
In the end it was an impressive win against a skilful and somewhat menacing team. By the end Senegal were crushed
Oh God. I'm starting to believe
At least we have a whole week to BELIEVE until Mbappe flays our defence
That's a more cheerful week in December, and for that much gratitude, England
I was pretty convinced France were going to beat England until you predicted otherwise. Feel a bit more optimistic now.
Yeah. We rested Leondamus for tonight, so he'd be at peak fitness to predict the quarter final. Hurrah!
I'm not gonna make any more predictions until next Saturday, to conserve my mystic Qi
The thing is, the CURSE OF THE MIGHTY LEONDAMUS only works - I've realised - if I REALLY believe my prediction, at that moment
Note that today, I heartily, sincerely and for all time condemned Southgate's coaching about 90 seconds before England scored. A lot of you missed it, but there I was, hard at work
Anyway, quite pleased for ITV that they have televised not only a win, but apparently a decent performance. Nice for them. It must be depressing constantly broadcasting disappointments.
It was bullshit as you were told yesterday. England won a semifinal on ITV as recently as July 2021.
Armed group break-in at Raheem Sterling's house while his kids were there.
That's terrible
I used to live next door to a Premier League footballer. He was forever getting broken into. Proper professional outfits, nasty buggers. Got full time security on the house in the end. I got to know the security guy a bit - he had slightly fruity some stories to tell. He moved away in the end (not least because he got transferred to another city) and I can't say I blame him. A shame. It was moderately exciting to think that my comfortable but unremarkable suburb could be home to the nowadays-exalted tier of society of top level footballers. But it appears that it can't and they need to live in compounds. I - touch wood - have never been the target of burglars. That's what comes, I think, from having a rather battered people carrier and a 14 year old focus on the drive - people assume you have nothing worth stealing. Rightly, in my case. Certainly compared to next door's.
Agreed re: your last sentence. When we hear on the local Facebook groups that 'kids' are doing the rounds, I just laugh. My wife asked me if I was worried. I just said, "We've got an 09 plate Berlingo on the drive, with a massive dent in the door, our garden hasn't been weeded properly for six months and the front of the house hasn't been painted in a decade..... no, I'm not worried."
Enjoyed the England game in our local - they were blasting out Three Lions after the game although the publican said if it was up to him they'd be playing IRA songs. That's the beauty of an Irish pub in London I suppose. A great game setting up what promises to be a cracking quarter final match with France. I think the French have the edge but only just. England could still go all the way, although I almost hope they don't as we've stupidly scheduled a long haul flight during the final. This is turning into a really good World Cup.
Anyway, quite pleased for ITV that they have televised not only a win, but apparently a decent performance. Nice for them. It must be depressing constantly broadcasting disappointments.
In the end it was an impressive win against a skilful and somewhat menacing team. By the end Senegal were crushed
Oh God. I'm starting to believe
At least we have a whole week to BELIEVE until Mbappe flays our defence
That's a more cheerful week in December, and for that much gratitude, England
I was pretty convinced France were going to beat England until you predicted otherwise. Feel a bit more optimistic now.
Yeah. We rested Leondamus for tonight, so he'd be at peak fitness to predict the quarter final. Hurrah!
I'm not gonna make any more predictions until next Saturday, to conserve my mystic Qi
The thing is, the CURSE OF THE MIGHTY LEONDAMUS only works - I've realised - if I REALLY believe my prediction, at that moment
Note that today, I heartily, sincerely and for all time condemned Southgate's coaching about 90 seconds before England scored. A lot of you missed it, but there I was, hard at work
Also, why should Gordo support England? Fair play to him if he wanted us to lose
As he is a Unionist not SNP
Do Scots who are neither Unionist or SNP have permission not to support England, or will you send the granny bashers round?
Personally as I said earlier I would rather we just had one Team GB and NI as we had at the Olympics in the World Cup, we would also be more likely to win it.
Well that’s just silly. We play as separate nations in pretty much all the major team sports and that’s an important part of the home nations’ identity
Enjoyed the England game in our local - they were blasting out Three Lions after the game although the publican said if it was up to him they'd be playing IRA songs. That's the beauty of an Irish pub in London I suppose. A great game setting up what promises to be a cracking quarter final match with France. I think the French have the edge but only just. England could still go all the way, although I almost hope they don't as we've stupidly scheduled a long haul flight during the final. This is turning into a really good World Cup.
Could be worse we are off to Vienna for a weekend away before Christmas.
We leave during the Semi-final and return during the final. Think I get at most the first 10 minutes of both matches.
Comments
The one case I remember of a Scottish crowd really cheering on a non-English side against England was at Murrayfield where the Japanese were playing in the world cup - maybe 10-20 years ago. But that is perhaps the sportiong crowd least likely to fit the 'nationalist' demographic in any neat way - as if you weren't one yourself, in any case.
Every family has a grumpy old relative who really doesn't want to be there, and Gordo is filling that role perfectly.
Even if it's a cynical photo op, it's a damn good one. Could the Conservatives pull off something similar, even if they wanted to?
Lord, if England winning a knockout round, at the World Cup, 3-0, is "dull", then please give me more dullness. Dullness forever
Heck, Javid and Sunak seemed to be among the few happy in each others' company, and Sunak left him out in the wilderness no problem.
The winter of discontent of the late 1970s dealt a death blow to the credibility of James Callaghan’s government. In his memoirs, the Labour prime minister lamented that he was overwhelmed by an uncontrollable “contagion” that doomed him to defeat at the subsequent election. History does not repeat itself, but it can rhyme. There are some obvious parallels between the tsunami of industrial action that engulfed the Callaghan government and the waves of strikes surging towards Rishi Sunak.
Precisely because the Tories have crimped union power and significant strikes have been so rare in recent decades, Conservative anti-union tropes have much less potency. Union leaders sound credible when they say the walkouts this winter are not a macho flexing of their muscle but a last resort and “a cry for help” by their desperate members.
Ministers are clutching to the hope that public sympathy for strikers will drain away. “The moment people start suffering, I think opinion will tip against the unions,” says one senior Tory. That’s a big gamble about who voters will blame for a bitter and attritional struggle.
Some cynics on the Tory side seem to be calculating that the disruption to the health service will be to their political advantage because they can blame strikes for what was anyway going to be a nightmarish winter for the NHS. That rests on the surely false assumption that the public haven’t noticed that the health service was in a critical condition before anyone was talking about walkouts.
Some ministers privately admit that intransigence will eventually have to turn into compromise because this crisis won’t be resolved without the government making some concessions.
There is a prevalent view already that the legacy of a dozen years of Conservative rule is a country in which essential services on which people depend no longer work. These strikes will harden that feeling. The sense that Britain was broken on his watch was fatal for Jim Callaghan. Because that’s a mood no government can expect to survive.
There hasn't been any jeopardy.
We could have the best last eight ever, though. With the best 8 teams in it.
Bring on the mundanity until Christmas.
As for your other stuff - how much time do you spend in pubs in Scotland? You might not realise that the situation is a lot more complex than you imagine.
England, France. Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Holland
Any one of them would be a worthy winner, and they are all elegantly fast, when they want
Presumably maximum allowed, is less than the average shoe size!
A man like that will have watched England all his life, and he will mean it
I'm not a fan of Sir Kir Royale, but this is an unfair accusation
Agree Reeves looks a bit meh. An unlikely fan: bluestocking banker
Gordon is front and centre, a reminder that under Labour Scotland is at the heart of the union. He's only clapping politely, acknowledging that an English triumph is not the be all and end all of the UK's priorities.
Starmer is carefully position at the very left of the image, leading the rest of his colleagues towards it and opening his arms, as if to embrace that wing of the party. He is literally blue collared, harkening back to the party's roots.
There is a plant pushed to the opposite side, almost out of shot, behind a light source - a signal that Labour do care about green credentials, but they have closer priorities around energy production, supply and cost.
Nandy is wearing a top saying Great Britain directly over Brown's head, signifying the fundamental incorporation of Scotland within that element, but her triumphant posture and position over him is a nod to those who want a tougher stance against the nationalists.
She and her partner in attire (who is wearing bright red shoes, behind Brown, to show Labour is booting its way back in Scotland) are dressed casually, they're down with the young people, but Reeves is more formally dressed, dignified in her celebration, comforting to the conservative minded biddies of elderly rural England.
Apart from that, the whole image is a group of normalish people who enjoy each others' company. Which is hard to imagine for the government.
And who can the Conservatives convincingly field in the Gordo role? Not Truss. Not Boris. TMay? Dave? John Major? Really?
It's a damn clever photo.
He moved away in the end (not least because he got transferred to another city) and I can't say I blame him. A shame. It was moderately exciting to think that my comfortable but unremarkable suburb could be home to the nowadays-exalted tier of society of top level footballers. But it appears that it can't and they need to live in compounds.
I - touch wood - have never been the target of burglars. That's what comes, I think, from having a rather battered people carrier and a 14 year old focus on the drive - people assume you have nothing worth stealing. Rightly, in my case. Certainly compared to next door's.
Well I never
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63854197
Oh God. I'm starting to believe
At least we have a whole week to BELIEVE until Mbappe flays our defence
That's a more cheerful week in December, and for that much gratitude, England
'Hats off to Qatar for hosting an incredible World Cup so far.
The group stages will be remembered as one of the all-time greats.
Come on
@England
keep the dream alive'
https://twitter.com/RishiSunak/status/1599466271719841792?s=20&t=b0w2Eyn0xyzXjJnO43z7gw
Dan Neidle is all over him too
Hurrah!
Solid performance by England tonight - four down, three to go. Rather like the spider crawling out the bowl, each step is steeper than the last. It won't be easy against France - you wouldn't expect a World Cup QF t o be easy but it is winnable.
@HYUFD mentions the Conservatives still leading among the 65+ age group and he's quite right - Savanta ComRes has the Conservatives leading 41-34 among over 65s. The problem is that's a 20% swing from Conservative to Labour - once again, a 20% swing - so it's possible to argue the Conservatives are doing disproportionately worse among their core support groups which may have implications in terms of seat forecasts.
I also agree it would be hugely appropriate were anyone in the Government to try to spin a football triumph for political advantage - not that I'm sure any of them would.
Just as I'm also sure the RMT's rejection of the Rail Advisory Group's wage offer of 8% OVER TWO YEARS won't be turned into an anti-Union diatribe or, worse, suggesting trade unionists are somehow supporters of Putin and Russia. How any politician with a functioning brain cell could even suggest that is beyond me.
Sad for Sterling. I thought he looked sharp earlier in the tourny but hard to see him coming back now.
I assume your post is somewhat tongue-in-cheek… if not, it has to be a contender for the award for the silliest reason to vote for a political party.
Maybe PBers have come across other even sillier justifications, on the doorsteps?
Come on PB. Let’s have yer anecdotes….
I'm not gonna make any more predictions until next Saturday, to conserve my mystic Qi
The thing is, the CURSE OF THE MIGHTY LEONDAMUS only works - I've realised - if I REALLY believe my prediction, at that moment
Note that today, I heartily, sincerely and for all time condemned Southgate's coaching about 90 seconds before England scored. A lot of you missed it, but there I was, hard at work
You can thank me later
When we hear on the local Facebook groups that 'kids' are doing the rounds, I just laugh.
My wife asked me if I was worried. I just said, "We've got an 09 plate Berlingo on the drive, with a massive dent in the door, our garden hasn't been weeded properly for six months and the front of the house hasn't been painted in a decade..... no, I'm not worried."
I still want the Mackems and Smoggies to lose every Saturday.
Well that’s just silly. We play as separate nations in pretty much all the major team sports and that’s an important part of the home nations’ identity
We leave during the Semi-final and return during the final. Think I get at most the first 10 minutes of both matches.