BOF

I haven't seen any clarification either, but I thought the active/passive thing was fairly well defined at this point, however subjective or prone to abuse it can be at crucial points in a game. What I will say is that if there is any interpretation of the rule that makes Jelavic onside in that scenario then it's an interpretation that shouldn't be used. He was off at the start and the move hadn't ended. Anyhoo, that's beside the point. The bigger decision was actually the non-award of the penalty at 2-1. One can only assume he didn't give it because he was conflicted about Mandzukic lying injured further up the field. I wonder how Mandzukic is this morning btw. He spent most of the 2nd half rolling around. I feared for his life as he was helped from the pitch; the poor soul.

Arf. Better Leighton never.

Not necessarily. It could be more to do with the academy. The reserves is just 'Finishing school'

What I'm saying is, Jelavic was only 'onside' until the point where he became active, because positionally he was offside when the initial shot was taken by his team-mate. Basically, until that ball was cleared, Jelavic should not have been able to touch it no matter how it got to him, because his own player took the shot that started the whole sequence of events.

Group A games were more entertaining yes, but group B games were of a much higher standard, so in that sense IMO Group B provided the 'better' football and the 'better' games.

Two teams with similar capability on paper. So in that sense it very much depends how much they fancy it on the day. France seem to be on the crest of a wave at the moment though (as much as I dislike that) so if I was betting it would be on France. You never know though. All the negativity surrounding England's preparations might have given the squad a steel that means they've something to prove. Italy play best under a cloud. Maybe England will too. Stranger things have happened.

When the initial shot (phase 1) was taken, he was offside (but not interfering at that point). At no point in the subsequent phase was he ever back onside. Therefore at the point where he became active, he was off.

Yillan, your friend needs to be told in no uncertain terms that if he ever does anything like that again he'll get the head punched off him. Has he mental issues? Who behaves like that?

Well it looks like "we could easily end up with zero points". We did deserve to lose, but it would've been nice to be given a fairer crack of the whip by our Dutch friend in black. Ho hum. I can't wait for these decisions to "even themselves out" because we seem to be like the Wigan Athletic of the international game these past few years when it comes to officiating. As for the game. Given for the first goal. Oh dear. Ward tried the whole night to be a 3rd centre back, giving his winger too much space and giving McGeady too much to do defensively. Whelan was rubbish and so was Doyle. The decision to bring Cox on to play on the wing instead of McClean was baffling. I was surprised at the ease in which we were outplayed. Croatia were very well organised and obviously we knew they were technically much superior. Even the failed-at-Spurs keeper looked decent for them. I can't see them getting much from the other 2 in the group and I'd expect Italy and Spain to saunter into the knockouts now. We certainly won't get anything from either of those 2 and they both looked a few levels above Croatia too. Because let's face it, if you call a spade a spade, as good as Croatia were and as poor as we were, they beat us with an offside goal and a denied penalty. So if I was Croatia I'd enjoy being top of the group for the next few days. We just need to be happy now that we got to the finals. Our next group games will be interesting to say the least. Will Trap let them off the leash just for shits 'n giggles or will he stick to the tried and trusted. I think it'll be the latter.

Fourth Official has him signing for Liverpool on July 1st.

If you read 2 posts up you'll actually get the answer !!

Well their nickname is now The Bruebirds.

I want to see the start of a plan being put in place. Something that shows we're heading in the right direction. I want to see a progression on the field. Let's face it, that won't be hard. Obviously I don't want to be worrying about relegation. But I honestly think Lambert will get us top half in his sleep. I'd be surprised if we finished lower than 10th. Though having said that, it's not all about the league position next season. As long as it's there or thereabouts then that's fine as long as the other stuff is being put in place. I just want to see more focus and evidence of more ability at the helm from everyone at the club. And I'm confident that will be the case. Oh and the FA Cup please if possible

The trouble is that anyone coming out of this group goes straight up against the group of death qualifiers in the next phase. /tournament

Ooh, the collar folds over a second separate piece. Noice. I do like a detailed collar :nod: S'looking very good.

Curbishley would likely steady that ship. So we don't want that. I say Peter Reid but Dowie is a good shout.

Chewing sleeves? Is that like licking windows?

Followed by a fellatio euphemism. He's on form today.

If your feel good factor comes and goes that easily then it's not worth having in the first place :? Why not just sit back and wait.

Aw, that's it First we're happy McLeish was fired, then we were happy Lambert was hired and now we're happy about the kit? I can't take it any more ! Too much happy !

Cool, thanks Matty.

Well we got through the PL & PF PC. Surely it's downhill from there.

Given confirmed as fit for the opener.

Like I did