The rolling Football Thread (including EURO 2016!).

[BelfastBloke]

In the spirit of previous rolling Football threads, would posters sign in with:

1. What country/countries you support
2. What country teams you particularly dislike (Euro or world)?
3. What things your family are doing to get your kids excited about the Euro 2016 tournament?
4. A comment about a player or two, or an issue or two.

Ireland squad for Euro 2016

Goalkeepers: Randolph, Given, Westwood.

Defenders: Coleman, O’Shea, Duffy, Ward, Christie, Keogh, Clark, Brady.

Midfielders: McGeady, Whelan, McCarthy, McClean, Hendrick, Quinn, Meyler, Hoolahan.

Strikers: Walters, Keane, Long, Murphy.

Captain Robbie Keane included despite his calf injury. He's unlikely to be ready for the first group game.

Captain Robbie Keane included despite his calf injury. He's unlikely to be ready for the first group game.

I was about to make some smart arse remark about Robbie Keane's age and whether any of the group fixtures clashed with his afternoon nap or if sanatogen was classed as a performance enhancing drug, but a quick Google reveals he's only 35! Old for a footballer, but he's been around since Adam was a lad and I was convinced he was knocking on 40.

Yeah I was just thinking - I remember him starting out - shows how old I am, to encompass a player's whole career.

But that hold true for many players of course. Beckham scoring that goal from the halfway line for example.

I remember him starting out too , would have said O'Shea was much younger but he is the same age .

I'd've said playing a really long career would be easier for a stringy bloke like Sheringham than a clunker like Keane. Fair play to him.

All through 1998 Arsenal fans had their own version of the Spurs Sheringham song:
'Oh, Teddy Teddy,
Ya went to Man Utd and you won fuck all."

At the 1999 Charity Shield at Wemberley, he was being booed by the Arsenal fans. He just laughed and mimed lifting the Champions' League trophy. Again and again and again. Arsenal fans then sang,
"Oh, Teddy Teddy,
You may have won the treble but you're still a cunt."

All in good humour, and he laughed a lot. A good time was had by all.

Yep Belfast I remember Robbie Keane him making his debut for Wolves - I assumed he must have been 20-odd but he's the same age as me, so he must have broken through at 16/17. I can also remember seeing Phil Neville making his début for England under 17s.

I'd've said playing a really long career would be easier for a stringy bloke like Sheringham than a clunker like Keane. Fair play to him.

Teddy never had any pace to loose in the first place, but he was such a clever player as the old cliché goes, the first five yards were in his head. But it seems that strikers, especially those who break through young and are reliant on explosive pace tend to peak far earlier than players in other positions. Owen, Torres and Rooney were pretty much spent by the time they were 30. But then Keane has got a bit more to his game than Owen.

Dirty Portugal tonight! And no ronaldo.

Woy booked this friendly hoping to prepare for Wales Bale by playing against Ronaldo.

Should England really be experimenting with such a change in formation so late in the day? Vardy, Rooney and Kane playing together for the first time ever (at least in this configuration)?

Poor loosers.

You dirty bastard! Good red card.

Fair play to Kane for jumping straight up.

Told you they was dirty, before the game kicked off.

I have found my people

Imagine if Kane had done that to any of the Portugal players...they'd still be rolling around now.

Really looking forward to the Euros. Currently studying/working from home & on the same timezone as France, so planning to watch every single game.

You missed of course that previous foul where the ball was already miles away and the English player clearly went straight for the legs. No red, but definitely dirty.

The red was for dangerous play, but he did go to the ball.
England has been doing very well against a 10 side and with no Ronaldo. Not. :)

I have Portugal in the office sweep. Assuming we keep 11 players on the pitch, hope we will be able to play Eng-er-land in every game.

The sweep also has a £6 prize for the person who drew the worst team in the tournament. Who do we think this might be? Iceland? Albania? England?

Not a particularly inspiring performance, I have to say.

Shame it went down to ten men, totally changed the dynamic of the game for me and perhaps its usefulness.

I think it was good practice to play with and against 10 men because it could well happen in the tournament.

But I usually don't care much for friendlies. They're mostly to test new players, get them used to each other and test some tactics. And the drive is rarely there.

Ryan Giggs leaving ManUre. How do you think he will do in management, Pan?

It's tricky isn't it? Highly unusual prof. development working under SAF, Moyes and LvG but not having much of an impact in his own right? The players wanted him to get the job because he is 'one of the lads'. He just seems a bit..well..not up to it in his head. Even in the celebrations after the semi- and the final he was wandering round like a little boy lost.
Doesn't look good, does it.

Though the main news is that we have another monster ego about to land at OT.

And Arses are picking up Steptoe I see?

We need a few more arseholes in Arsenal. Fewer nice lads like Theo. And if Leicester want to swap, I won't be sorry about that.

I will

Although I think last season was a unique one for Leicester and won't be replicated...it would be a shame not to try.

Having said that, it might be better for the club long term.

I like Steptoe tag!

Why do people call Vardy a pikey?

Yeah....that's a tough one, isn't it?

What's going on with Vardy anyway?

I thought we'd have a yay or nay by now...

Does this seem to imply that he's going to stay at Leicester, do you think?

Maybe he is hoping for better offers, many clubs will be watching during the Euro's

If Vardy has any sense he'll stay where he is