England v. Lithuania Live!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 10:30 AM
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
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271 Comments:
England come into this one top of Group F qualifying with 10 points from four matches, having won three and drew their last one. Lithuania, in contrast are fourth on 5 points from four.
The main threats in the group, if there are any, are Slovenia in second on 8 points and Slovakia in third on 6.
In yesterday's qualifying, France maintained their lead at the top of Group A with a 3-1 win, while the Netherlands crashed out again, losing 2-0 to Bulgaria in their first match under their new manager.
The teams now gathering in the tunnel at Wembley:
England (possible 4-2-3-1) Hart; Walker, Keane, Stones, Bertrand; Dier, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Sterling, Alli, Lallana; Defoe.
Lithuania (possible 4-2-3-1) Šetkus; Vaitkūnas, Kijanskas, Klimavičius, Slavickas; Kuklys, Žulpa; Novikovas, Slivka, Černych; Valskis.
It's an all-out attacking side from Southgate and I thoroughly approve. Alli and Lallana combined really well in Dortmund on Wednesday. They're joined by The Ox, Sterling and Jermain Defoe, the top English goalscorer in the Premiership behind injured Harry Kane.
Hey Bob and Dave...when he arrives
I am back nice and early from my draft day and are ready for the match.
Not sure if I like the Ox getting in... Defoe up top... I am ok with that I guess as long as he passes the ball!!
What about Rashford? Is he going to get a chance?
England have yet to concede a goal in their opening four matches. They're it's back to the traditional back four after that experiment with a back three in Dortmund. It's Keane and Stones in the center with Kyle Walter and Ryan Bertrand on the flanks. Eric Dier is the sole defensive middle in front of them.
Morning, UWS - great to have you on board for this one. I've been looking forward to it all weekend. It's a bit odd not to have the usual Saturday Premiership routine.
I don't like the radio guys are saying two holding middies...why?
As for the group, England on top but they aren't that far ahead. A win today and a Jocks win this afternoon would be brilliant
Bloody Fox has put this on FS2 which is not HD...crappy picture! I am so spoiled.... Of course Fox will be on commercials right to kick off
I've been watching a lot of youtube as of late
Love being able to watching England matches of my youth. Of course, United too!
I am watch Manc derby from Dec 70
Nice one - what's been your favorite match so far?
Struth lost 1-4 at OT
Teams gathering in the tunnel now. Come on, boys!!
So many to watch... I love it
Big Match, Match of the Day
Teams coming out of the tunnel... not like the old days of a mile walk out!
Good morning chaps. The teams are headed out of the the tunnel.
Morning MUR
Anthems now - England fans respecting the Lithuanian one - nice job.
Morning, MUR - great to have you on board for this one.
Cheers, UWS. I remember the long walks . Fans show more respect for the national anthems than in the past. Maybe not.
Cheers, Bob. I guess they do show more respect. I remember the days when we watched in the standing section, body odor and all.
Fox there for everything so far... of course... still with the bloke in a studio 6000 miles away!!
COME ON ENGURLUND!!!!!
Azebaijan vs Germany is on the deuce in case you all prefer that match.
If they can get half the goals the yanks did on Friday then we will be pleased.
A moment of silence now for the victims of the Westminster Bridge attack on Wednesday.
A moment's silence for the Westminster attack that occurred on Wednesday.
Three lions on the shirt
Jules Rimet still gleaming
51 years of hurt
Never stop me dreaming
Tribute for the terrorist victims midweek
I agree, UWS - it's shocking that Rupert Murdoch can't afford to have a commentary crew there at Wembley. Why not just send the Sky team?
impecable minutes silence
Well done every one
Great scenes at Wembley now. Football just seems glitzier now than it was in our youth.
Impeccably observed.
Please go to a commentator...not this bloke
At least they are going to commercials
Yes... they do have the guys in the stadium
Come on, lads - nice, easy professional win today. I'll take 2-0.
We are off
They're off from Wemberley!
COME ON YOU THREE LIONS!
England already playing in 1st gear
Peter Drury and Andy Hinchcliffe on the microphones. In the stadium?
I know it is 90 seconds but far too slow
Lithuania already dropping deep; they haven't had a touch yet. Patient build up from England.
Why is Ox playing a sitting role in midfield
England don't need to be patient.... attack them and make them make a mistake in a dangerous area
The Yanks defeated Honduras half a dozen to nil Friday evening. heard that Dionne Warwick's "Do You Know the Way to San Jose", has been banned in Honduras, LOL!
Lovely diagonal ball from Dier to Walker, but Walker was penalized for a push as he went by him.
Agreed. They would have done well to have taken a leaf out of the Yanks playbook.
LOL! Nice one, mate - that was a well-needed ego boost for the US National team.
Peter Dreary and Andy Hinchcliffe on the mics.
It's nice to have a qualifier to watch on a Sunday afternoon for a change. I'm really tired of this Friday/Tuesday schedule. Some of us have to work!
Cheers, Bob. I'm sure they won't be listening to that song any time soon. I'm sure they will want to forget.
England starting to try to stretch Lithuania with some longer balls.
Ball goes out to Dele Alli...but he just runs inwards and doesn't get the ball in the box
Take a man on and cross it
Agreed. Great to watch on a Sunday.
First free kick opportunity for England, then, as Alli is upended.
Good refereeing there... tried to play on but then stopped
GET THE BALL IN THE BOX
Delli Alli sandwiched just outside the box as he wins a free kick.
Bloody useless
GET IT IN THE BOX
Presumably this will be lofted into the area. No - it's a silly training pitch routine that never looks like coming off. Sad.
Pathetic short free kick routine gone horribly wrong.
Walker breaks fast then a pisspoor pass
Kyle Walker bursts out of the back with pace but can't find Defoe with his through ball. Shame.
England are trying to make too cute of passes... just get it in the box
I guess the Lithuanians wear the same colors as the Aussies.
Lithuania look hopeless - we'll turn this lot over eventually.
Remember the Croatia game where England didn't qualify Bob?
I got it on PPV and you were on Skype watching my tv
How times have changed!
Nice sunny weather during this Sunday afternoon teatime kickoff.
They don't look good...all the more reason to attack them at every opportunilty
Has Defoe touched the ball yet?
England’s play has been a bit narrow, which suits the compact Lithuania defence. It might be an idea to play with a little more width. Bertrand and especially Walker should be encouraged to overlap.
And there we go - Bertrand finally got around the back and jangled some Lithuanian nerves for once.
The two other Group F matches kick off at 245. They are Malta vs the Slovaks and the Jocks vs the Slovenes.
Sterling central too... get it wide and get it over
Bertrand with a poor cross..typical modern day footballer
Oh - Lallana dinked over a really inviting cross. Shame that Kane wasn't there to meet it.
First decent cross
Why has the wide game disappeared?
It has always been the most dangerous way to attack
The cross from Lallana as headed out , but the Lithuanians seem to panic. Why not go more direct?
The Jocks could do us a favor with the Slovenes.
Almost 15 minutes in a their keeper hasn't been put to work at all... that's what is wrong
A win north of the border would be great
Sadly, I think it's because of Opta analysis. The wide ball into the box is now thought of as a low percentage play that gives up possession too easily. That's why you often see wide players tuck back in and play it back to the supporting player.
This isn't good enough... This is boring!!
It doesn't look as if England have any players who can take on defenders and beat them.
HATE IT DAHLGREN
Great stuff from Walker there controlling a bad and volleying over a great cross. Again - it's hard to play a wide game with Defoe as the sole target man.
The next qualifier for the Three Lions is none other than against the Auld Enemy in Glasgow on Saturday June 10th in Glasgow at this time of the day.
I do too, mate. I do too.
This is the most defensive Norwich City team I've witnessed in years.
I hate all the talk about it being a great style of play... IT ISN'T!
Atrocious corner... at least it got over the first man's head BUT it went over EVERYONE'S HEAD
Poor corner from Ryan Bertrand is well overcooked.
Watching Youtube with SAF, he said how he wanted players to take risks going forward
Sterling is penalized for merely holding his position. Ridiculous!
Good morning, Gooner. I was thinking more Aussies than Canaries, LOL!
LOL! Nice on, Gooner - welcome!
Dominated possession but created NOWT
I don't know why I still care... they don't care about entertaining
Despite having loads of the ball, England haven’t really got going yet. They are still spending too much time trying to find an eye in the Lithuanian needle. The width of Walker has been the biggest threat.
Goals in Group C as Germany have taken the lead in Azerbaijan and the Czechs are two up in San Marino. Some real shockers there,
Oh - first half chance for Defoe. Well defended.
Hi Steve
Finally the keeper needs to be on the field
YES!!!!!
Defoe!!!
GOAL!!!
Defoe! Wouldn't you just believe it!
GOAL !!! DAFOE SCORES ON HIS RETURN TO THE THREE LIONS LINEUP.
Morning lads. No trees being uprooted yet. Our lions more Simba than Mussafa.
Finally use pace out wide and cross
The cross was a bit crappy but lucky
Southgate's loves it.
Wrong decisions there by Dele Alli and Sterling
1-0, Defoe. I do want a win, but it's the wrong lesson when the old man is the scorer.
Finally , some of the style of play we were advocating. A cross from Lallana was poorly cleared. Bertrand played through Sterling and his pass was dispatched by Dafoe in the upper 90.
Dele Alli with a chance here but another wrong decision
Sterling having a rest
The Czechs are now three up in San Marino.
Germany ahead in Azers
Czech Rep 4-0 up inside 30 min at San Marino
The Czechs are now four up in San Marino.
Germany once hit them for a baker's dozen.
Scunthorpe was 1-0 up and 1-2 down before beating Bradford in a 3 v 4 battle in League 1
Top Donny lost at home 1-0 to second place Plymouth as well
Hopefully Donny, Plymouth and Pompey going up automatically
England would pass pass pass pass and win 2-0
I don't mind Defoe as a stop-gap while Harry Kane is injured. Most sides don't play strikers up front any more, so Defoe is one of the only consistent English goalscorers in the Premiership. If it's not him, you're talking about the likes of Troy Deeney.
Antonin Barak with a brace for the Czechs. Obama will be pleased.
I'll take a 2-0 win today. That would be 13 points from 5 qualifiers and virtually secured qualification.
Donny have 78, Plymouth 75 then Pompey on 68
6 point gap to fourth
Top three go up automatically
Defoe pulls the trigger from about 14 yards. Wide of the mark. Shame.
England haven't lost a qualifier since losing to Ukraine in 2009
Congratulations on Pompey's win vs Newport County yesterday. Now six points ahead of Stevenage in the third automatic spot.
By the way, that's Defoe's 20th goal for England in 56 matches. Not a bad strike rate.
That was Donny's first home defeat of the season. Is that related to the failure to repeal the ACA on Friday? I heard that Ryan missed a penalty for Donny .
They haven't lost at home since the old Wembley's last game... to Germany
They have lost only 6 times this CENTURY and none since, since as I said, 2009
Agreed. That's a decent return in the modern game.
Fairly impressive record and yet England fans always have the sinking feeling that England will fail at the big tournaments.
Wasn't that Kevin Keegan's last match in charge of the Three Lions?
It was
Azerbaijan tie it up vs Germany. That's a surprise.
Right there... Bertrand had a chance to take someone on or pass to the overlapped... but passes it straight to a covered man and possession is lost
The Germans regain the lead a minute later. Now 1-2.
Just listen to the ground...they are bored
Who's scoring for the Germans?
It was more a comment on the paucity of options at that position for the national team. I'm not at all a fan of casting the net low enough that it catches Deeny. Or Rooney at this point in his career.
That could be deceptive - Fox has a habit of turning down the crowd volume.
Peter Dreary just mentioned all the mediocre leagues that Lithuania's star player has played. He calls it being well traveled. I guess that's a nice way of putting it.
Tommy Miller and Schurrle Temple with the German goals.
I could see England at some point being forced to mimic some of the Premiership sides in playing with a false #9 at some point, because of that lack of quality. Sad.
Some derisive whistles going up around the ground now.
I hate all this organized and disciplined crap.... attack them and they would make mistakes
It's easy to be disciplined when the ball just keeps going sideways
Cheers, mate.
Agreed. I guess it's a sign of the times. I guess Delle Alli would be that player. Once Harry Kane regains fitness that problem should be solved.
With Azer's goal vs Germany, England are the only team in Europe not to have conceded in qualifying
3-1 germany
The Czechs go five up in San Marino.
Players are just walking around
Useless by Sterling!!
England put the ball out so that Dele Alli can get some treatment.
So many seats already empty cuz their bored and going to get some tea
Blimey - Stones has to clear the ball off the line!
Lithuania almost in!!
OH!!! John Stones clears off the line as Joe Hart was beaten.
Half time
BLOODY USELESS
Not satisfactory!!
Half-time comes - "relatively gentle, relatively satisfactory," says Peter Drury. Not terribly exciting but it will do.
England survive that late scare and are one up at the half in a somewhat dreadful display. They really need a second goal.
From Terry Butcher in the 5Live box
We're half-asleep here in the commentary box - not much has been happening.
Stick with it Terry.
Get it out wide! Dele Alli tries to plough down the middle, but that's too easy for the away defence who clear.
The word is that it was satisfactory but I'd suggest light-weight.
It's so uncommitted at the moment. Why can't these players realize that these Balts are offering nothing but a Watford set-up. Why isn't leaving Dyer back to cover their one-guy counterattack enough? Because the Ox and Lalala and Sterling are not able to hold possession for more than an instant, and Alli won't either. I get that the full backs find that midget in the middle hard to pick out, but why not try more than once. The one time they did, he scored.
I can't get behind this England XI because they bore me with their lack of application and frustrate me with their tedium. They are all capable of so much more.
Leeds play at Reading in the late game next Saturday.
BEIN will be showing it surely
Here we go for the second half... PLEASE be better
We're underway in the second half.
The stadium seat are half empty right now... get back to the game people!!
Back for the second half.
Sterling with a chance cross but doesn't
Then the ball in to him at the back post... USELESS
Look what happens when you get the ball across the box!
What a miss! Sterling, WTF?
Agreed with the above statements. The U.S. shows what happens when you attack and play to your strengths.
That must piss you off USW. You'd have had that every time. Sub Sterling out now for someone that won't decline an absolute sitter.
Great point MUR... US... three goals inside five second half minutes..after they were already three up
Ball goes out to left... ball doesn't go across the box again
England with too many bloody short, useless passes around the box, but can't get a cross or shot off.
He is pathetic
Now it's Dele Alli with a missed header at the back post. England a bit profligate at the beginning of this half.
Defoe gets the ball and has no one to pass it to
Dafoe crosses straight to the keeper.
what is wrong with scoring FIVE?
The through ball from Delle Sandwich had too much mustard on the pass for Dafoe , who beat the offside trap.
What's wrong with attacking
Lithuania get a shot off.. saved
One nil is not good enough
Hart makes a comfortable save from a deflected shot from Sitka. His first save of the match.
Ball goes out wide to Alli... doesn't take people on...just go back again
Oh - nice curling effort by The Ox, well saved by the Lith keeper.
Stkus was well set as he did well to save a long range effort from the Ox.
Lithuania make their first substitution.
Terry Butcher
I want to see a lot more of that and see better crosses from the wider positions and Bertrand and Walker getting beyond their players.
Preach ,Terry!
Lithuania showed in first half stoppage time why a one goal lead is so precarious.
Agreed, Terry. England should Butcher their makeweight opponents.
There are complaints of there being a packed defense... England just got the ball with a chance to attack with Norwich players behind the ball... they go backwards and let everyone pack it in
O, to have Andy Carroll warming up to change the character of this tedium.
Still 0-0 between Armenia and the land of Borat in case anyone is curious.
Defoe, having scored the goal, is being replaced by Vardy
Rashford coming on too for Sterling
GOOD
Cometh the hour....
Goalscorer Defoe and Sterling who assisted him trot off to be replaced by Rash and Vardy.
Bob's beloved Jamie Yardy on for Dafoe and Rash for Sterling. Hopefully they can add pace to this pedestrian performance.
I hope Vardy was telling Lalala that he'd chew his nuts off the next time he gave away possession so cheaply.
Agreed Steve
MODERN DAY FOOTBALL IS PATHETIC
Since the assist it's been anything but a Sterling performance.
I can't defend to people any more
Vardy looks as if he's been in a pub brawl.
England are one paced....change of pace is deadly
If it inspires the Three Lions to a much improved performance then why not.
Zulpa blazes one well over.
I don't want to hear anyone talk about this performance being good
It has been poor
Gooner - Is Lallana the most irritating contemporary England player for you? He'd be on my list too.
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