Rousseau

To ensure no one cheats I'll close the thread before the first game kicks-off.

Yes. Yes, it would... New plan -- predict MD 1! Please edit you posts to account for edited fixtures!

Sorry, I know. I just thought it would be easier for everyone to access it.

No bother, just PM me please.

France 3 - 0 Romania Albania 0 - 1 Switzerland Wales 1 - 2 Slovakia Engand 2 - 1 Russia Turkey 0 - 2 Croatia Poland 2 - 0 Northern Ireland Germany 2 - 0 Ukraine Spain 2 - 0 Czech Rep Rep of Ireland 1 - 1 Sweden Belgium 1 - 1 Italy Austria 1 - 0 Hungary Portgual 2 - 0 Iceland

Post your predictions for EURO 2016 Match Day 1 France - Romania Albania - Switzerland Wales - Slovakia Engand - Russia Turkey - Croatia Poland - Northern Ireland Germany - Ukraine Spain - Czech Rep Rep of Ireland - Sweden Belgium - Italy Austria - Hungary Portgual - Iceland (Remember: There is no FGS, so just post who you think will win and the final score.) Please edit you posts to account for edited fixtures -- and my epic fail

I'll post a thread for our predictions. I'll try to get them out 24 hrs before each game.

You jest, but how effective can he be against a team 'parking the bus'? His main strength is pace on the break: how often are we able to 'break' on a team?

See, I agree with your premise(s) -- resources, level of competition etc. -- but I don't therefore think that it means we should expect to be finishing 2nd; football doesn't work like that. I certainly want to be finishing 2nd, or 1st, but don't expect it. Perhaps it's just a confidence thing: you seem to be fairly confident, whereas I am not. I believe Warburton is doing the right things, and believe he is the man for the job, but whether we are quite there yet, I don't know? I'm a little worried at what you're implying: what do you expect to happen if it is "abject failure" (3rd or lower)?

Thanks for this. I'll just keep it in-house -- it's no bother. It's easy for everyone to place a prediction in a post, rather than signing into a BBC account. Point system is very similar (10 points for correct result, and 40 points for correct score).

I agree. There are some commentators that go too far in the hype department, but I try not to let that sour my opinion of the team itself: I actually like most of the players, so I take my opinion from that. I agree the hype is excessive at times. I think it was Hurst that said it was the "most exciting" squad since '66, not the best. It's an opinion, and to be fair, I don't think he's wrong. It's certainly not the best though!

You're not wrong with regards to resources, but I really think this expectation that we'll be competing with Celtic, or finishing 2nd, is misplaced. I'd be extremely disappointed with "top 6"; I don't think that's acceptable. To be saying, or implying, Warburton should be sacked for finishing 3rd is unnecessary. I appreciate the expectation at Rangers, but we can all agree Warburton is doing positive things, laying down a foundation for the future of the club. Just because he maybe 'fails' -- whatever that may be -- doesn't mean we should be ripping up the philosophy/system and starting again. I think that outlook is the same that has caused us to fall so far behind European clubs -- in a purely football sense. I'd be content with competing with Hearts and Aberdeen next season (based on their placement last season). It's a new situation for the squad, and although it's not something we're used to or will accept for too long, it is acceptable next season, IMO.

Testament to how important this site is to many Bears, and to how well you've done.

I think it's a fairly open tournament this year, with no overwhelming favourites. France, England, Germany (despite losing a core of experienced players that won the WC), Spain, Belgium and even Italy could all go far; you can't rule out Portugal also. I like the look of Croatia as an underdog/dark-horse; with Rakitic, Kovacic and Modric, they have an outstanding midfield. I'll be supporting all the home nations, and I especially hope England do well as they have a young, talented squad. I have never really signed-up to the 'anyone but England' tripe. It's a sad indictment of our society that we'd want a team not to win it.

Maybe not one of the best, but I always thought he was a stand-out performer. My dates are wrong, though; probably 10 years ago now, around the time he got an England call-up.

What's the wind-up?

Great! Ach... it's just a wee bit of fun!

Agreed! But that takes courage and a bit of forethought -- not sure anyone in our game has those qualities.

Wee bump! 4 days until the start of Euro 2016! Please put your name down if you are interested in playing in a wee informal Euro 2016 prediction league.

No, you're correct. I think they were on BBC One and BBC Two.

It's strange being linked with these inconceivable transfers, and then they turn out to be accurate. Like Barton, I thought Taylor way above our ability. 5 years ago I thought he was one of the best CB's in England; to be linked with a player of his calibre is unbelievable. I'm still not sure he fits our ball-playing mould, but he is the physical player that we've been crying out for. His injury record is very worrying, but that's probably why we are in with a chance of completing the transfer. In Warbs we trust.

I don't think it was cynical and lazy per se, I think it was more about letting the players do what they want, or relying on an individual to produce something, rather than working on the team as a whole like Warburton; it just so happens that the players Ally had were shite. It probably works with better players, especially in Scotland, but should not be relied upon in the modern game. I think Walter did the same, but had good organisation and defensive structure to go alongside.

I don't think he's suited to Arsenal's game: they have to break down 10-behind-the-ball with little space, whereas Vardy needs space to run into which is perfectly suited to Leicester's counter-attacking game. Silly move IMO.

I've got 6 names down so far. Please let me know if you are interested. It's just a wee bit of fun to get us into the spirit of the Euros!

Do you know who organised that? I had no idea -- I wasn't around then! I'll keep it in-house for simplicity -- I've got the time anyway -- but it's good to know about these third party offerings.