The England World Cup Thread

[spursfan77]

You're right. Englands defense was quite well-organised.

I think it’s a massive plus. I thought we’d really struggle in defence but I think Southgate did well to decide on a settled team as he then could work with it in the few weeks together they had before the tournament started. I’m sure the players were together longer than they usually are before a summer tournament. Maybe that’s part of the answer.

Despite southgate’s obvious tactical limitations there’s no doubt he’s a good people manager. He’s shown up the last lot we’ve had because he’s actually put planning in place and carried it through.

 

[nailsy]

We vastly underestimated Croatia. One of the best teams in the world with a fantastic midfield; the press and fans basically went on as if they were a Denmark. A decent team with one world class player, however they are excellent. Modric even said that they were fuelled by the British media and fans underestimating them. Rakitic and Modric piss over Lingard and Henderson. We'll need to improve so much to get to this stage again.

I don't really think there was a lot of arrogance. Most people thought they were beatable, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they expected us to win. I'm sure the Croatian fans and media felt exactly the same way about us.

Ever since he was appointed I've been saying that I like what Southgate does off the pitch, but I'm not convinced about him tactically. I'm still not convinced about that side of things as we should be playing to the strengths of our best player, but he's developed a style of play and put in the foundations of what could be a very good side. Add one or two players like Lallana, Winks or the Ox and we could be looking at another decent tournament in the Euros in two years time.

 

[nailsy]

By the way our League of Nations group looks even harder now... Spain and Croatia.

 

[Yid121]

This team has to start today, give some youth some WC experience but keep it strong and fresh:

Butland
Alexander-Arnold Stones Maguire Rose
Lingard Loftus-Cheek Dier Rashford
Alli
Vardy

 

[dontcallme]

This team has to start today, give some youth some WC experience but keep it strong and fresh:

Butland
Alexander-Arnold Stones Maguire Rose
Lingard Loftus-Cheek Dier Rashford
Alli
Vardy

Don’t mind the principal but hope we stay with a back three.

 

[Amo]

Hah. Belgium are full strength and we're not.

 

[hughy]

Hah. Belgium are full strength and we're not.

If Kane drops deep like he did against Sweden and Croatia I just can't see us scoring. No goals in that team unless we play for corners...

 

[hughy]

By the way our League of Nations group looks even harder now... Spain and Croatia.

Good. I fucking hate those games against Lithuania, Slovenia etc. Who we seem to play every qualifying campaign. Bores the shit out of me.

We need games to test the new look England. Presumably this Nation's League counts towards qualifying for the Euros?

 

[Yid-ol]

Today England look to emulate Scotland's qualifying standing by finishing 3rd.. a position that doesn't really mean much in the end!

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

The thing that I don't like about the League of Nations is that it starts in September, and the World Cup players will have barely started their season before they are called away for the first two matches. It would have been nice to give those players a rest.

 

[spursfan77]

2 quite strong teams. Might actually be worth watching.

 

[spursfan77]

No injuries for our players is all I ask.

 

[noggen]

Well played Hazard. The only player in the Belgium team not singing the national anthem. And you're the captain..

 

[hughy]

Both teams wearing away strips. Minor issue I know, but does my fucking head in.

 

[hughy]

Well played Hazard. The only player in the Belgium team not singing the national anthem. And you're the captain..

He's not the captain. He's the guy that needs an ego boost to perform.

Kompany's the true captain.

 

[wirE]

COME ON ENGLAND!

 

[SdB]

Delph and Dier midfield dear or dear. Reserve judgement on RLC at the moment.

 

[wirE]

He's not the captain. He's the guy that needs an ego boost to perform.

Kompany's the true captain.

That took me by suprise that Martinez chose Hazard and not i.e. Vertonghen or Kompany, who is the obvious choice..

 

[SdB]

never understand passing negatively ending up going backwards and the back pass to the keeper to lump it. Pointless

 

[Johnny J]

I don't really think there was a lot of arrogance. Most people thought they were beatable, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they expected us to win. I'm sure the Croatian fans and media felt exactly the same way about us.

Ever since he was appointed I've been saying that I like what Southgate does off the pitch, but I'm not convinced about him tactically. I'm still not convinced about that side of things as we should be playing to the strengths of our best player, but he's developed a style of play and put in the foundations of what could be a very good side. Add one or two players like Lallana, Winks or the Ox and we could be looking at another decent tournament in the Euros in two years time.

I'm still not sure what our style of play is, other than strong set pieces. Our build up is awful and as soon as we came under pressure against Croatia, we sat deeper and deeper until the inevitable happened.