Who will qualify?

[Big Boy]

Not meant to be in direct competition with Jockey's poll, but in true Scottish (or Welsh/Irish) style, he has omitted to recognise that the fate of 2 of the home nations is a stake tonight.

Scotland need to beat Italy to qualify, and England need Israel to get a result against Russia to qualify.

I'd be interested to know the forum's view on which of the home nations will qualify.

Personally, I think both teams are as good as out already, but would love to be wrong.

[Big Boy]

I hope that was an omen! It took 3 attempts for the poll to accept the option of Neither.

[Jockey]

When Scotland were drawn in a section containing the World champions, world cup runners up and world cup quarter finalists, no one would have thought qualification would be in their own hands going in to the last game. When England were drawn into their section as seeded number 1, most people felt it was an easy group to qualify from. Now its out of England's hands. However, Scotland having to beat the world champions to qualify is a mountain to climb. I think the book makers would rate England's chances of qualification better than the Scot's, but I have a feeling Scotland might produce one of the biggest football shocks of our time and Gus Hiddink's Russia will do the business.

(I know I should know better!)

[Big Boy]

What you say Jockey is very true. Who (apart from a Scotsman) would have thought that Scotland could have stood up with France and Italy? Their achievement, regardless of today's result has been outstanding.

As for England, it was no more than I predicted when they signed up a manager whose sole achievement was losing in the final of the losers cup - we've got what we deserve.

[redzonerocker]

from the head; i don't think either will qualify
scotland v italy draw, russia will sneak a win in israel & even if they do draw, england will f*"k it up at home to croatia
from the heart; both sides to go through by whatever results necessary

[john bell]

anyone know if the game is shown live in aus? if so where and what time?????

[Don East Stand]

I really do not understand all the pessmism of the English fans. There is a lot of pressure on the Russians to beat Israel, as anything less that that would take qualification out of their own control.

Russia are very poor travellers, if their performance at Wembley is anything to go by, and England couldn't beat Israel over there (if I remember correctly) so why does everyone think it's a foregone conclusion that Russia will win easily in Israel?

If you also bear in mind that Crotia will probably have qualified by the time they play England on Wednesday, and obviously will still be hung over, then England are sure to win their last game.

As for Scotland, it's very straightforwad. We draw with the Italians today, and then on Wednesday nigh the Faroe Islands score a last minute winner in Italy and we're through

I think I'll just pop down the bookies, I should get very good odds on the above, either that or put in a straight-jacket!

Get stuck intae them Scotland

[JimmyGreaves]

What you say Jockey is very true. Who (apart from a Scotsman) would have thought that Scotland could have stood up with France and Italy? Their achievement, regardless of today's result has been outstanding.

As for England, it was no more than I predicted when they signed up a manager whose sole achievement was losing in the final of the losers cup - we've got what we deserve.

Don't think it's the manager/s, it's the prima donna players that are the disgrace!

[Big Boy]

Can't agree with you there Jimmy. These players play brilliantly week in, week out for their clubs, and their club management. I don't what McLaren does to them, but it certainly doesn't bring out the best in them.

[redzonerocker]

Can't agree with you there Jimmy. These players play brilliantly week in, week out for their clubs, and their club management. I don't what McLaren does to them, but it certainly doesn't bring out the best in them.

totally agree with you bb

[Big Boy]

Israel 2 - 1 Russia

Although a great result for the English, I'm not sure that its a great result for English football. Had Russia won, we'd have almost certainly seen the back of McLaren. Now, assuming England take the lifeline handed to them by Israel, we're probably stuck with McLaren until the finals.

It would have been well worth sacrificing one championship finals, to get somebody decent in charge and build for the 2010 finals.

As for Scotland - they battled to the death. Unlucky - its always hard to lose to a last minute goal.

[JimmyGreaves]

Can't agree with you there Jimmy. These players play brilliantly week in, week out for their clubs, and their club management. I don't what McLaren does to them, but it certainly doesn't bring out the best in them.

Hi Big Boy

England have had great players for many a year now and they consistantly under perform no matter who the manager is. I remember years ago there was talk about playing the whole liverpool team (Most where english then) because the players couldn't play well as a team. Look at the Irish/Scottish sides not the calibre of players the english have got but play for the shirt more passionately. In my opinion the english 'team' have for a very long time been a team of individuals. Individuals who are too big for their boots!

Should have gave it to Cloughie years ago, he would soon have got rid of the prima donnas and played a team full of triers and you would have seen more than one star on the shirt.

[caller]

I thought the game against whoever it was on Friday was frightening. Great, not good, players suddenly play like aliens. Its the Mcfactor and what he dealt with t'up north. Elsewhere, the same players look like footballers and can keep possesion and pass the ball around well. That seems to stop when it gets to an England camp and unlike L'pool we have to be more than a one player team.

[dtaai-maai]

Israel 2 - 1 Russia

Although a great result for the English, I'm not sure that its a great result for English football. Had Russia won, we'd have almost certainly seen the back of McLaren. Now, assuming England take the lifeline handed to them by Israel, we're probably stuck with McLaren until the finals.

It would have been well worth sacrificing one championship finals, to get somebody decent in charge and build for the 2010 finals.

As for Scotland - they battled to the death. Unlucky - its always hard to lose to a last minute goal.

Yup, it's all back in England's hands now. All we need is a draw at home against Croatia.

Oh dear.

[Big Boy]

Can't agree with you there Jimmy. These players play brilliantly week in, week out for their clubs, and their club management. I don't what McLaren does to them, but it certainly doesn't bring out the best in them.

Hi Big Boy

England have had great players for many a year now and they consistantly under perform no matter who the manager is. I remember years ago there was talk about playing the whole liverpool team (Most where english then) because the players couldn't play well as a team. Look at the Irish/Scottish sides not the calibre of players the english have got but play for the shirt more passionately. In my opinion the english 'team' have for a very long time been a team of individuals. Individuals who are too big for their boots!

Should have gave it to Cloughie years ago, he would soon have got rid of the prima donnas and played a team full of triers and you would have seen more than one star on the shirt.

Couldn't agree more about Cloughie - he certainly could motivate a team.

As for the regularly underperforming issue, England have had quite a few respectable placings. We have to remember that there are a few other teams who are just as good as England - there's only one winner for each tournament.