mjazzg

So it's now OK to headbutt your opponent in the chest and only accidentally move your head up from that chest to happen upon their chin? Funny as most people's chins overhang their chest I find and any upward movement from the chest will find their face I've stated elsewhere on this thread a number of times that England are a limited side and haven't produced chances or goals from open play. It will be their downfall as soon as they face a more creative team. I think the sad aspect of yesterday's game is that Colombia could have been that opponent if they'd concentrated on playing England rather than kicking them.

too true, he should have sent off the Colombian for the headbutt on Henderson. He then allowed Colombian players to spend 4 minutes (!) protesting against his penalty decision before allowing the penalty to be taken. Other than that I thought he ref'd in a manner that responded well to the Colombian tactic of physical intimidation, once again, I'd cite the completely unnecessary barge on Sterling by a member of the coaching staff as he lift the pitch at half-time as indicative that this was a predetermined tactic sanctioned by the coach and his staff. Yes, the ref missed a couple of retaliations but these were a direct result of intimidation so the fact they were missed was poetic justice of some sort I also think the issue of the ref not speaking Spanish is a red herring. How many of the games up to now have been ref'd by someone bilingual in the languages of the competitors do you think? Indeed if he had spoken Spanish he may have een able to explain to the Colombians that their intimidatory tactics were not acceptable. Conversely if he understood Spanish we may have seen a couple more Colombian cardsfor what was being said to him in their petulant displays of protest - maybe it was better for them he didn't fully understand

Hope so. My recent purchase of it is in the post

How do you know the ref wasn't a Spanish speaker, just sayin' Also, the ref didn't ask the Colombians to take the overly-physical approach that they chose. that card ratio fairly reflects the level of foul play chosen by each side, I'd say This may be true about England's reliance on Kane but using his current goal tally as an indicator isn't really an accurate analysis as four of his six have been penalties which may well have been scored by another taker in his absence. Also, until England play their preferred XI sans Kane we'll not know whether Rashford or Vardy are sufficient replacements. They may well be but I'm happy not to find out just yet England are limited. Any team that shuts down the wide supply and avoids giving away free kicks close to the box will seriously reduce the threat. England's big failing so far isn't over reliance on Kane it's having only created a handful of chances, and one goal, from open play. Having said that Sweden's approach may well suit us. We're in the QF, other better teams aren't, and no-one can take that way

I still think Croatia are the best team in our side of the draw and will give a good account of themselves against any of the teams in other side.

Hoodoo buried!

Now I am worried

Without being biased I think it's largely the Colombians that are out of hand. Behaviour of their technical staff at half time indicative of that. England have retaliated a couple of times which is silly

Bet it's a Colombian who bought him

What part of the rules says you can hold onto an opponent's torso to inhibit their movement? It's a soft penalty but it was a foul and would have been anywhere else on the pitchso is therefore a penalty when in the box the English view, of course

Ice cold Harry dead cert pen too, you can't grab an attacker in the box and not expect to be called for it

A half that exposes the creative deficit in midfield in this England side, no chances created of any note because no-one's passing forward. We should be able to beat this team

Here we go. England's first real test. Sweden in a World Cup QF has to be a major motivation if another were needed

£8 seems to be the standard handling fee I get hit with on occasion. Maybe it costs more to handle a Mosaic set, kid gloves perhaps? Or is handling more precise and skilful north of the border? Mind you, you did get a letter, I only ever get a postcard

David Murray, Fred Hopkins, Stanley Crouch - Live At The Peace Church [Danola Records]

One man's soufflé is another man's T-bone or at the very least a reheated quiche...

I'd agree with you. Whilst the solo drum track is interesting the vocal tracks are "interesting". Still glad to have the album though, it's Chico of this period

David Murray Chamber Jazz Quartet - The People's Choice [Cecma] Plugged this Murray gap recently. An interesting date with Abdul Wadud onboard which is always a bonus. Atypical of Murray's sessions at the time perhaps

And I'd agree with them (if I could speak Flemish). I'd say Croatia, Uruguay and Brazil have looked better than Belgium who apart from tonight have only beaten Tunisia, Panama and England in the battle of second XIs. They have potential and they'll need realise it to get beyond Brazil

great match. Well played Belgium. Tough on Japan and good substitutions from Martinez

showing their height, more like

It's still a mystery how Martinez ever got the job

Beginning to be pleased that England didn't win the group now Japan are impressive

John Coltrane - Olé Coltrane [Atlantic, mono reissue]

I guess we're talking about this album being on the Fresh Sound https://www.discogs.com/Chico-Hamilton-Quintet-With-Strings-Attached/release/1352090 in which case, I really enjoy it for the arranging and everyone's playing, not least Dolphy's. I'm now intrigued as to what else might be on the FS compilation so heading back to Discogs @Guy Berger, I know what you mean but I've really warmed to this album as a bit of an outlier in the catalogue as it has a mix of strings and non-strings tracks where that quintet sound comes to the fore again.