Sparkling Switzerland, Efficient Germany & England Preview | EURO 2024

[@Chris10riginal]

No joke, other than a handful of games, the frequent pods are what I've enjoyed the most from this year's Euros 😂

[@robstatonfootball]

💯

[@heighleybaily8037]

Me too 😂

[@jamesfreeman648]

Absolutely

[@feralgrandad4429]

True story........👍

[@ArjunGhag-ix7te]

Do yo ☆Prayers 3 🦁 boys & fans. That's how India won T20 world cup from 95% certain defeat. The 3 Sikh boys were amazing (Jasprit Singh Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh & Virat Singh Kohli). The Hindu boy made an amazing agile spider-man catch leaping into mid air at full speed (Suraya). Defence wins cups with clinical finishing & defence splitting, fortress unlocking passing from Trent at right wing back ( ala Pirlo to Totti & Del Piero in 2006 when Italy defeated unstoppable big odds on betting favourites France led by Zidane & Thiery). Pray & Meditate & make good luck karma 3 🦁 boys. Also Copy Klopp & Messi Monster Mentality, "energetic starters will sweat buckets for 1 hr, & then 3 impact subs will come on w fresh legs to win well." "To make the press even more intense, & be like 👻 monster mentality roaring 🦁 Lions hunting prey." "Make slick quick passes & 1-2s faster & make energetic smart runs behind rivals CBs to receive Trents lovely defence splitters from right wing back like Pirlo to Del Piero & Totti in 2006 (or Hoddle to Lineker & Ian Wright). Also, listen to Ben Foster about Pickfords stupid long balls to rivals CBs, which is a huge worry. That's not Gareths fault if the GK does stupid long balls. Gareth must drop JP if he fails to improve (I want Ben Foster back as GK, or similar). Watch Capello's chat to Kaveh Solekah of Sky. Don Fabio mostly blamed JP for all 3 defeats in the last 3 cups. Especially Euro Final at Wembley. Also, Didi Haman ripped apart JPs lack of clam smart distribution. Gareth must wait until last min to select KO Ro16 team as he won't know until Sunday 09.30am (0r 15.30pm) how fit the front 4 stars really are ! Eliminate any fatigue causing bug/virus in thier hotel? Pray & meditate & on Sunday so our 3 lions 🦁 pride can rise & be victorious in KO stages battles, growing game by game. Just like 1966. Enjoy getting to the KO stage cuz its time for 3 🦁 to hunt. Its a time to pray & and meditate, & to keep the bodies fully fit & energised, & the minds fully focussed. 3 🦁 pride will rise to do battle like 1966 boys. Gareth will have a good plan sorted on Sunday as he has changed & is channellingthe spirit of Sir Alf. Don't bash em. Just pray and meditate to make lots of good luck karma. U TRIED EVERYTHING ELSE & FAILED SO C'MON, COPY JASPRIT & ARSHDEEP & KOHLI

[@JackCatling-zo1fk]

Switzerland played brilliantly, and their flag is a big plus

[@dtrjones]

The flag can't kick a ball or defend a goal, what are you getting at! 😆

[@Edgisco]

​@@dtrjonesyou missed the joke mate 😂😂

[@rubenpapa100]

Boom Boom! :)

[@kevoreilly6557]

I don’t know, it doesn’t add up

[@VideoHero]

its a big plus + get it?

[@masilomoshesh1475]

The Italians had no business making the last 16 and it showed.

[@richierich7229]

Poor Croatia.

[@jayb8298]

Croatia would've done better.

[@space1734]

​@@jayb8298 No

[@clintonnewell4305]

Not even 15 seconds into the video and I'm on the floor!😂😂😂 Absolutely love the banter around here 😂

[@Bears84]

England? 😂

[@ChromeTeck]

As a german. Offside was offside. The penalty... no way in hell that should count as a handball. Where is he supposed to put his hand? Didn't like that decision at all.

[@fensterputzernuernberg]

Hand ball should be because of a deliberate handball. .- The point is whether it touched his hand or not it most probably would have not resulted in a goal but a penalty yes.

[@jimijames6449]

Yeah it doesn’t really make any sense. The rule as it stands means you can just smash it at somebody arm in the box and it’s a penalty. That used to never be the case. That’s a completely unfair rule

[@dab88]

@@jimijames6449 yeah but only if their arm is up so defenders are gonna be running about with arms behind their back looking like idiots and compromising their balance. Brilliant.

[@formulaic78]

Technically both were fouls according to the present day rules. But I would argue both shouldn't be. The offside because not enough of the body was offside (he would have been adjudged level before VAR) the penalty because it wasn't deliberate handball.

[@chakitoooo]

Come on. The ball literally changed his trajectory. I'm not agreeing with the offside though. It was an absurd decision, even if it wasn't the referees fault.

[@tobiwan001]

The stadium in Dortmund had no leaks. The roof was just overflowing. You can see the water came over to the roof not through it. So it’s not old Trafford.

[@cpw182]

Someone’s a Dortmund batty boy

[@user-zy9yg2eu5t]

So it wasn't designed properly? German engineering lol

[@ninodino444]

@@user-zy9yg2eu5t when it is raining like that every stadion with an open roof will get that... wht are you even talking about

[@joevictor53]

vorsprung durch technik

[@user-zy9yg2eu5t]

@@ninodino444 have you heard about guttering?

[@sharptothepoint]

Still not sure why they stopped the Germany Denmark game...the weather was similar to a sunny day in Stoke!

[@Lee-qw9xv]

Lighting storm. The Danish especially were nervous, as a Danish player was once hit by lighting and lost his leg.

[@theonlyjoe_]

As someone who’s studying in stoke, this is a huge understatement. Stoke is like 1980’s Bulgaria

[@ulliulli]

when the lightning hits the pitch, the chances are high, that you end up with a lot of injured (or even dead) players.

[@dtrjones]

I hope this was a joke, that wasn't weather you could be safe in and they were right to go off the pitch. Put it this way, if you had your own kids in a field and that weather started, you would want them indoors as soon as possible.

[@hutch5799]

@@dtrjones Don't be such a drama queen. Nobody ever used to run for their lives when there were storms when I was a kid. The chances of getting struck are infinitesimal. It's not like the players are running round holding 20ft long metal rods. People are so soft now.

[@footyball66]

Lineker and co - Why don't you push for an accidental handball rule where an accidental handball within the penalty box results in an indirect free kick. The problem with the handball rule is that a penalty is too harsh a punishment unless it's deliberate...

[@ergocaustic3473]

I like that.

[@dapperchicken]

great idea that

[@aaronstewart1372]

Great idea. Why don't we add more confusion about an already confusing game.

[@Dumbo8234]

Who decides if it's accidental or not?

[@henrydoxuan5409]

@@aaronstewart1372it just makes wins off of unlucky handballs feel cheap and absolutely devastating for the other team. Penalties are 95% of the time taken after actions that would not have resulted in a goal and Var offside cancels amazing goals because of a toenail there must be a way to balance this out to me…

[@kevinjenkins6657]

Honestly, this is the perfect pod to hype yourself up and keep up with the tournament.

[@conors4430]

It would not surprise me if the England Slovakia match was the first one that goes to extra time/penalties.

[@geraldbutler5484]

They’ve already bored the bollocks off me, what.’s next?

[@jimijames6449]

Please for the love of god start Mainoo in midfield next to rice. And make early subs. Have some bollocks about us and attack

[@stoffelinho79kah6]

Only if England get very lucky

[@JamesCM86]

That would be clowns to let the game go to pens. They will never win a shootout

[@radissimo1]

@@jimijames6449 please leave stuff as is, Best regards, slovakian fan

[@HeadphoneHangover]

There is one factor in football that actually determines entertainment more than anything else; it doesn't matter whether you are a high possession team, counter attacking team, high pressing team, or a man marking structured team. What determines whether a team or game is entertaining to watch is how MANY chances you can create to score goals. We have seen boring possession teams, and exciting possession, generally high pressing teams also create many more chances, but we have seen the best counter attacking teams also create a lot of great chances and can be very entertaining throughout history, it's just they often do end up regressing and sitting deeper after going up.

[@haggiesm]

Alan, you can‘t call the law shit. It might call you out in a press conference.

[@JSDFreak]

switzerland has so much potential and i'm happy that ppl can see it

[@yosephtesfaye2266]

You guys make podcasts so fun and enjoyable. I watched all three of you playing the game and you make me love you more even now

[@tobiwan001]

Maybe people have to apologize to Scotland. Germany, Switzerland and Hungary were a lot harder than many other groups.

[@jamesmilligan2797]

& Scotland were robbed of progressing by the Argentinian ref. Maybe his relatives were chinned by Scottish paras in Falklands.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@The-Bengal-Boys]

Scotland have no quality. They wouldn't get out any group. Shit.

[@ohmnesia]

It‘s crazy that Scotland looked more competitive against Switzerland than Italy.

[@jimmybloxham3434]

England wouldn’t have got through that group

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

Getting your daily pod on has been a welcome surprise! Never a pen.

[@kaliban2747]

Loved that collect from Havertz, such a shame he missed it, could have been one of the goals of the tournament there

[@vkkoorchester666]

yes that was insane actually

[@MarkusWitthaut]

Nice video: On the handball rule. How can you objectively decide if an action was by accident or deliberately? You can change the rule (e.g., revert it) but still people would discuss handball decisions.

[@rocknroll4642]

I like this experts round, it adds in the spice I miss on the German side. The fact, that a weather proof English referee interrupted the game was funny, but it was the absolutely right decision. I’m happy with his ruling, not because I’m a German, but he stuck to the rules, which are to be honest over the top. An unintended hand in close up distance, that doesn’t deflect the ball and doesn’t change the direction of the ball should not be penalized, so is a knee or nose tip no offside. The excessive use of technology makes it visible, but does it make the game better? Anyway, Germany was the better team, but the expected Spanish Squad will be a very tough cookie. Keep up the good work!

[@Form1214]

AS A BLK MAN FROM 🇬🇧, I CAN SAY MICAH IS A BLESSING. COMPLETELY SHATTERED THE BLK MAN STEREOTYPE OF THE “ANGRY BLK MAN”. HIS LAUGH, HIS BANTER US REFRESHING. BIG UP MICAH!

[@ebilo6]

Only one drinking wine too. Dude seems to know how to be happy

[@abylay9288]

That's why Pep wins so much, cause he's bold.

[@footyball66]

bald?

[@arranmelaugh5606]

@@footyball66no it says Bold

[@jimmybloxham3434]

Protected by refs

[@ryanergo754]

@@jimmybloxham3434 LoL. Liverpool or Madrid?

[@hunsler1006]

People pretend like the handball rule was fine. It was just as big a mess with the "deliberate" nonsense. As harsh as it may sound, if it hits the hand, bad luck, it's handball is far more fair. And if it leads to more penalties so be it. At least it will be consistent. Which is the best we can ask for. And we do see defenders with their hands behind their back trying to block a shot all the time, it's not impossible. Don't know where that idea has come from.

[@georgemeacham8591]

Germany kept attacking right to the end, its so obviously a great way to play, the result never looked in doubt

[@seanhegarty7603]

Germany won because of two controversial var decisions. Germany got out of jail🤪

[@Harry-tb8yo]

It is a great way to play if your defense is stable. If you lead and attack while your defense is not stable you are just asking to concede.

[@Harry-tb8yo]

@@seanhegarty7603 The decisions were tight but according to the rules. They are only controversial if you refuse to understand the rules.

[@JohnWD40]

Great show really enjoying the analysis and how well Gary Alan and Micah entertain with honesty what they have seen

[@tobiwan001]

Granit Xhaka played a great season at Leverkusen. You can see that. England will beat Slovakia who weren’t great so far and then Switzerland will run circles around that shaky English defense.

[@pietiebeyers5237]

Love/respect you all. Thanks for this. Haha, Micah is SUCH A JOY

[@scsutton1]

Shocker: English referee involved in VAR controversy.

[@Vipa567]

Any referee would've made the same decision.

[@kirkn]

5:21 Handball Law summarized by Alan Shearer in one word 💩

[@footyball66]

Why doesn't Shearer come up with a new concept for the handball rule...... An INDIRECT FREE KICK, instead of a penalty for accidental handball. A penalty is too harsh for 99.9% of handballs and that's the main issue with it!

[@GlennJ1881]

​​@@footyball66a Penalty for something you can't do anything about is ridiculous

[@matt94alexander32]

The basketball level of physical contact, snickometer and VAR are ruining football.

[@jefflinton]

Football died since intention and simulation replaced diving

[@justinaudiovision]

As a German, of course I am happy when VAR decisions go our way. However, I firmly believe that football was a better game when all decisions were judged in real time. The human error of the linesman is not as consistent, despite that the linesman can consistently see if there is a clear offside advantage, and let marginal/same-height situations run, when the advantage is minuscule. In other situations like fouls or handballs, I think the VAR replay should at least to some extent be reviewed in full context of the play and in real-time (not slow-motion). Since the ref judges fouls in real-time when they happen out on the field, VAR should just aid as a way for the ref to get a second chance to see situations which he may have missed, under the same conditions. A good referee should be able to judge if this was intentional or unintentional and if it impacted the course of play. From what I remember watching football as a kid, it was just part of the game that referees will sometimes get calls wrong, but in the end the referee is always right and his call is final. As long as the referee and his team have a consistent threshold at which he judges both teams, the game was still fair even if not quite as accurate. Of course i see the value of having 100% accuracy in "objective" decisions, however at the very least the approach taken to VAR needs to be improved.

[@brettonsmith8534]

With the s as mount of cameras in the modern game and big screens… the ref can’t be the only person in the stadium who can’t use replays.

[@makenvaega]

Offside is offside. There have been many other narrow calls actually, but because it's often big nations whose goals are disallowed, complaints are limited and laughed off. Now that it went against the underdog, everyone's up in arms that it feels bad. Handball... Was a very soft penalty... That was the sad one

[@HarrySKeith]

Love these three Gents, their collective experience spans decades of Football, I'm listening.

[@kc8563]

This podcast has made the euros for me. Brilliant. Love the banta.

[@Lee-qw9xv]

These boys are half cut! Love to see it

[@1sparkyj]

Swiss manager is seriously stylish, best specs in football (other than big Meeks). Love you guys!

[@thefazefanboy2719]

Love the show love the content laughed the whole way through thanks

[@Stephenphillips29UK]

Love this format ❤

[@extremereactionxbox5457]

I remember when Greece won the tournament never looked great or blew anybody away but did enough to get over the line

[@jonathancrowe8210]

Having listened to the pod casts and comments on the BBC, I wandered if you had considered if playing Joe Gomez at left back could create balance for the rest of the team. He could allow John Stones to step into midfield with Declan Rice. This would enable Gordon to be picked on the left and both Foden and Bellingham to play with freedom in the middle. I think it would create the flexibility that we see from the top teams in the premiership, where you are able to change depending on the opposition. I would go with Gomez primarily because he uis really quick and could cover like Walker on the left if opposition break a high press. I would also bring on Bowen, Eza, Palmer and Watkins after 60 or 70 mins to keep up the intensity. They are all quality players and with fresh legs could torment any defence.

[@cregyn]

There's been several games in this tournament where VAR has worked fine and shown why it was introduced There's been 2 games There's been a controversy about it Both of those games had English officials Yet still the tech gets blamed and excuses are made for the refs

[@jefflinton]

Was the ball over the line? No.

[@jaybe2908]

The Simons one was tricky as well, I guess you are saying that they shouldn't apply the rules then?

[@joee8278]

VAR's not the problem. The rules surrounding VAR are the problem, and these were interpreted correctly by the English refs

[@cregyn]

@joee8278 agree that VAR isn't the issue. Looking at the officiating week in week out by English refs, their performances are definitely a cause for concern. So many ludicrously bad decisions every week Problem is they aren't held accountable aside from getting the occasional following weekend off Do think the rules, particularly for handball, need looking at and changing though

[@joee8278]

​@@cregyn officiating in PL is shocking I agree, partly due to rules but also inconsistent interpretation. Yesterday the officials made the correct decisions based on the rules so I think it's unfair to blame them and not the rules themselves.

[@ulfanfinneriksen4643]

Havertz should have had a hattrick yesterday.

[@tonylawlor8833]

BTW hand ball, how do know if it’s deliberate, that would be worse.

[@yahooprana2742]

I love the chemistry between you 3. Good guys

[@JasonClark-e3f]

They are bell ends

[@GlennJ1881]

​@@JasonClark-e3fAlan Shearer is an England and Newcastle goalscoring legend, respect.

[@maximusg88]

The problem with accidental handballs is that this is also up to the ref to make a decision and there will be plenty of false decisions as the result of it

[@haggiesm]

Honestly think that English match officials don‘t know how to apply VAR. It‘s worked well in this tournament, but with them it‘s so disruptive. Re the hand ball law, just rewrite to penalise cases where the offending player gains an advantage (intentionally or not). That‘s much less subjective than a ref trying to interpret intent or what constitutes “natural position”.

[@bigjonS4]

I don’t think this is true. Regardless of the officials, the guidance is so rigid that VAR is effectively re-refereeing the game post factum. The referee had no choice with either of the controversial decisions as they are not given any leeway in the name of consistency.

[@halkthe3th]

They just felt asleep bc of englands horrible performances

[@joevictor53]

​@@bigjonS4this right here. It's the fact that the referee can't use common sense to be like your hand is in a natural position so you didn't mean to hit it. There's contact so it's an automatic penalty. That's BS

[@haggiesm]

@@bigjonS4 I know, the decisions just took much longer than in others games

[@ZacharyShahan]

Yeah, there’s something wrong with how English refs approach VAR

[@MrNeilg71]

Thinking about LB, even Joe Gomez could play there, and he can certainly get up and down the flank, and deliver a good cross too. Palmer and Gordon on either wing would be awesome. We did see a tantalising glimpse in teh last game, but why doe Southgate not see it? He acknowledges the impact they had in interviews, but why does he not learn and act upon these things?! AI Southgate wearing a safety helmet whilst riding an exercise bike in his living room sums him up perfectly. It is time to really go for it - COME ON ENGLAND!

[@deejinlondon7285]

Agreed, I can't understand why Southgate doesn't see it and make the changes. Something in his brain or character is an impediment to him making the right team selection. Is he worried he will lose face or something?

[@martinwinter615]

About the offside rule - yes it looks stupid but if you change this it would impact the game in a worse way. Because if it is in advantage for the attacker teams would start to play more defensively. So as soon a part of the body that can score a goal is in front it is offside.

[@deejinlondon7285]

Does that include arms? For me the arms sould not be included.

[@martinwinter615]

@@deejinlondon7285 no arms are as I know not included only the shoulder

[@phillsmith9255]

I want to know how the new snicko meter feature on the hand ball works, it can't be by soundwaves as the ball isn't miked up, like the stumps are in cricket.

[@2010-b8w]

This is my favourite podcast I don't miss any, but it seems like the is abit on tension between Gary and micah

[@nikademus4203]

Who are England playing in the final Gary? Superb. It never changes and neither will the outcome :)

[@Puffdamgcdragon]

Was watching the Swiss game last night wondering How on Earth does England get through that?? Got my kids' college funds on England and getting panic attacks now!

[@dan18oz]

Doubt England get through today to be honest

[@saqib7965]

That Italian team is terrible bar 3/4 players it's so mediocre

[@deathovdishonor]

@@dan18oz we'll get through, but it will be an awful watch.

[@karmaascendant3936]

@@deathovdishonorbased on what? England haven’t even got someone as consistently progressive on the ball as Xhaka. The consistency of quality of play throughout the Italy game was levels above anything England has produced against a top team since probably the France game in the last WC.

[@randomdaveUK]

​@@karmaascendant3936because it can't get any worse 🤷 Tbf we're not confident or cocky this time around. Slovakia are no joke

[@lorenzovonmatta8278]

Yes as fans you want to see great football but even that can become boring if everyone plays the same. Contrast is the key. Contrast can create excitement. Disagree with "football's moved on", there will always be a place for defensively minded teams. Plus, many would love to play "expansive" football but results can quickly change this thought process. Look how many cycles West Ham have gone through to play expansive football and then reverted to any type of football to keep them up. Speaking of West Ham, I find it ironic that many pundits are complaining about England's performances with such good players. They're the same pundits who said West Ham fans should stop complaining about the type of football under Moyes. West Ham also have players that were not being utilised to the maximum. Fans saw the talent, but not the performances. Yet the pundits just said they should be happy because of their position and results. Well in that case, pundits should be happy with England's results and position.

[@theblues8840]

I’d love to see their reply to this, it’s pure hypocrisy

[@Matt-Hurin]

That hand ball law is absolute bollocks, I was furious like we all were, got to change it it now

[@mikelarge425]

May I ask a question? - when did they stop the rule about players pausing mid penalty take. I thought it had been a law saying the player had to make a continuous run up to the ball.

[@slwcnts]

Big Meeks you make our day long may you be on this podcast👊

[@Mardy1801]

I think the same about offside, what they're saying bout the handball. What is the point of offside? It is to stop the offensive line having an advantage by being beyond the last defender. When someone's shoulder is offside, that is not an advantage, that is the offensive player's reaction time and their upper body moving faster than the defender. That is their skill level and they're being penalised for having a higher level of skill. I think you should need to be a full boot offside for it to be an unfair advantage and what they should have the rule as.

[@ChristofEightyEight]

We were promised a "thicker line" when they manually drew lines and with this automated system now, half a toenail seems to trigger it. Lukaku's disallowed goal against Romania was also invisible to the naked eye. I think maybe we should give the striker an inch or two advantage so we don't strike off perfectly good goals. It's bad for the game. I've always thought we should only look at the feet, then the striker who is leaning towards the goal won't be offside.

[@halkthe3th]

​@ChristofEightyEight but there will always be decisions by inches wether it is 1 inch further or not doesn't matter... You have to draw a line and with that there will be close desicions.

[@johnharvey1786]

I agree only because no system with current technology is likely to be as accurate as they are saying so it needs a wider margin of error. The difference between when the ball is kicked and the position of the receiving player must be exactly the same for the small margins they are showing now. How do they actually determine when the ball is kicked is this absolutely identical to when they show the forward player, if this is out by only 1/30 second for a player running at normal speed it’s approx 300mm of difference, the length of a football boot. Obviously this system is likely to be more accurate than the assistant referee as it’s physically impossible for them to see the passer and receiver at the same time so there will always be that slight delay as they turn their head to look at the receiver, but nevertheless I feel a margin of error is needed with the VAR offside system so it’s very clearly offside, unless they can categorically prove their VAR offside system is totally 100% accurate, error free and always accurately calibrated, which is very unlikely in any current technology. Adding fancy new graphics doesn’t make the system any more accurate just makes it look like it is.

[@jddrummy37]

Shine off Alan’s head nearly blinded me

[@chakitoooo]

4:08 Alan got me there , lol

[@michaelhansen2309]

I never thought we had much of a chance, and Germany was the better team, but the way this went down just doesn't feel right, something is off about the rules if this can happen in such an important game and it ruined what little chance we had. But at least it's not just us who think so.

[@deejinlondon7285]

I agreed with the offside decision, there has to be a cut off point or line somewhere, where one side is onside and the other is offside. The handball decision was terrible as is the current handball law. However, what a lot of people either forget or neglect to mention is the debate and disatisfaction with how laws were previously hence why the laws wre changed. Having said that, the current handball law needs changing asap.

[@steveallen3434]

So if that is the handball law why did he go to the screen? and why not have a big screen and show the fans like in rugby. I agree with Alan. maybe also if it hits the hand stops a clear goal or goal-scoring chance. With the offside take away the lines and have Var call it clear advantage like at least approximately 50% of the body in front by the naked eye

[@josephmauricek7836]

I would like to hear if they would maintain this same opinion of the handball being crap if it happens against England and England is knocked out because they are not awarded a penalty for something similar !

[@jameswarner5809]

Never mind the handball rule, what about playing the ball full on in a tackle, following through and catching the opponent and getting booked for it, except when your a goalkeeper when apparently thats OK. If you're going to have dumb rules, at least be consistent in enforcing them.

[@asmodon]

How do you know if a handball is deliberate?

[@Ryancrw]

Congratulations to Germany they managed the game very well and played well when they needed too, so unfortunate for Denmark though the handball law is a mess, even as kids the handball rule was clear and simple (we played if the ball touched your hand its a foul intentional or not)

[@tombartram7384]

Gary and co showed balls to call out Crapgate. Then they got told off and now they're trying defend him, even when we crash out v Switzerland.

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

You think we will even get to play Switzerland?🤷‍♂️

[@tombartram7384]

@@Jabber-ig3iw lose tonight and twatgate's gone immediately so every cloud ...

[@ufoc700]

These changes in law need to be enacted at lower league levels first, tested refined and reviewed ands if they meet a higher standard then introduced at the highest level

[@kitlow2970]

I think those types of handballs like the one given against Denmark should only count for if it is affecting a shot on goal.

[@Edgisco]

Heavy night last night for Meeks I reckon but fair play for soldiering though this

[@Stuffthatsfunny1]

How was Andersen offside, the ball hit 4 players before reaching him?

[@ianpulham3624]

I have a theory that the FA and Garath Southgate have reacted to the intense statistical video analysis used by some teams [the German FA have a very close relationship with Cologne university for instance]. So they have deliberately played this tournament so far with the handbrake on to confuse opponents' plans....

[@tillwesenberg1178]

The handball penalty was harsh. So was not allowing Germany's first goal after 4 minutes. So everything's fine by me. English referies performed about as well as the team so far, didn't they?

[@anonymousinternetuser7519]

What did Alan say that was censored at 4:20...................................

[@mtssman]

VAR has turned into UK style Health & Safety regulations, it has become excessive and been abused. The original idea was to use video playback to "assist" referee when there is "obvious controversy". What happened is VAR has thrown common sense out of the window and use slow motion to inject subjective/twisted interpretation. It's like someone punches you for "looking at him" then shows you a super slow-mo footage that you indeed looked at him for 0.5 second while trying to locate the bartender. Toenail offside is a hard one to accept but still acceptable, the handball is just nit-picking using nanotechnology.

[@henrydoxuan5409]

As they said in the podcast its an entertaining business and the way VAR this game feels like hyper nitpicking and the applying the rules without the context of the match (reminds me of that swimmer being disqualified for celebrating with his teammate because he disturbed his race… even tho both had finished 💀)

[@JoejoeEng]

I think if you believed the original VAR was to assist a ref during an obvious controversy, and truly though that’s all it would be - you’re part of the problem as to why it is in existence.

[@PoliticallyAffiliated]

Schlotterbecks goal at 3 mins should have counted

[@TonyHavenMusic]

Should have a rule that if a VAR decision takes more than 20 seconds then it can’t be classed as clear and obvious and reverts back to the referees original decision

[@deejinlondon7285]

Yes agreed. the reasoning for introducing VAr was to eradicate the clear and obvious refereeing mistakes. Therefore, it is clear and obvious it should take no more than 30 seconds to sort out.

[@GunnzaEIR]

There should be one game view angle of the replay. Replay the situation a good few seconds before for full context. Give the referee one chance to see it again with full context of the situation. This should be a standard across all VAR decisions because editing can make thing look worse

[@wezspicer8197]

As an Englishman I can say that my team have been on the receiving end of probably the most famous handball of all time and despite that I’d still rather have the jeopardy of an instant human decision rather than technology overkill that still leaves us in limbo.

[@andygb1969]

Where exactly is this podcast recorded? Looks cosy

[@wenlong82]

what kind of talented squad for England where coach bring only 1 left back to the competition that is basically a passenger thus far and unable to be considered for selection?

[@LMaNdRe83]

I am German and when I compare the great analysis of the games with some "German TV experts" and former players, then I need to say this is much more interesting to see and hear here.

[@a.l.375]

Quite a few bottles of Muga and Marques de Riscal behind Mr. Shearer

[@tonypoole9493]

Alan sitting in front of the wine best seat in the house 😂

[@ToneFuentes]

Come on. We have to admit that there is something thrilling about a small team that is defensive but explosive on the counter. A David vs Goliath. For example, Italy 2006 or any team under Mourinho. They defended low but countered in a flash - it was a roller-coaster of emotions to watch them. Southgates "problem" is that England have one of the slowest buildups of history. Zero exitment.

[@davidr63]

didn't Lineker say a few years ago, why not have the handball rule if it hits your hand its a pen , daft then even dafter now

[@monrush]

With the rules/law changes why dont players just flick the ball at the arm/hand all the time. 20 pens a game

[@jinsimpfor2878]

Bro people saying where was he supposed to put his hands arevery annoying. Bro he stopped a cross with hand thats ilegal play rather he met it or not. Its crazy that we do this with handballs but we dont with fouls if someone accidentally fouls we still count them like normal but with handballs we try to bend the rules for sympathy reasons

[@marshac1479]

Come on Michah, Granit's discipline has been amazing after Mikel convinced him to stay. He was a completely differently player.

[@gavinwade7331]

Absolute clear handball no debate

[@benhodgetts5554]

Lineker saying you’ve got to adapt to who you’ve got and then saying england should play more attacking is insane, Kane can’t press, we don’t have a midfield orchestrator and we don’t have a left back to give us width. I can only pray shaw plays tonight

[@ceminci7275]

You wanna be an English pundit here is an example , Premiere League “ that is never a penalty contact is too soft “ any other competition in Europe “ it’s definitely a penalty Scotland’s hard done by the referee “

[@alessandropinto_xsan]

Thank you Michael Richards. At least I can still follow your channel guys.

The ref should be able to make an interpretation along with the VAR team.

[@drew-km6pu]

In my opinion, you shouldnt be able to stop a cross with your hands, deliberate or accidental doesn't matter. The defender clearly gained an advantage therefore it was handball and i don't really understand the controversy.

[@pj1471]

PGA Golf looks like an exciting finish on Sunday night if not.

[@GeekD0CTR]

why not trent LB why Trippier? Someone explain

[@callmeshen9754]

When this will happens in favor of England, On the next episode “Hand ball rules are absolutely a thing of beauty” 😂😅

[@garethreid327]

Always have these on in background while playing football manager 😂

[@MrSheduur]

Micah, it is not unfair to the ref because you guys proove it by talking about the VAR rather than the ref, who btw, made the correct decisions given the information he had and how the rules are. The talk after this game was almost entirely about hating the VAR and rules, only a smaller part of the typical "refs are shyte" section was of course letting off steam about the ref for no reason at all :)

[@jimjogger306]

A deliberate handball is still subjective, You can disguise a handball to make it look not deliberate so easily, Deception is a huge part in the modern game, Which is the exact reason they changed the law in the first place.

[@thesmanbrowne4561]

What’s that one clap thing about ? What have I missed?

[@richardrozz]

Guys, an important question is which wines are you drinking there and why.? No-one mentioned it but why did England not try things in the last group game as they knew they would go through? Enjoying the podcast, sometimes from our bomb shelter in Ukraine,