The England World Cup Thread

[tobi]

Three opportunities for a through ball but they don't have the confidence to attempt the pass.

 

[Setzthree]

Tired of Sterling, too frustrating to watch

 

[mpickard2087]

On the evidence so far, neither team is taking it 100%. Both are not even bothering to really press or keep a disciplined shape, and there is so much time on the ball.

It will come down to who has got the most footballing ability and nous to take advantage of it, so almost certainly Belgium.....

 

[SdB]

Sterling is absolute pony.

Not quite sure why he has a machine gun tattooed on his leg when he runs like a girl

 

[spursfan77]

I still have no idea how Sterling get a start today - or any day really. He just does not work in a set-up with a natural #9.

Agree. He’s been woeful today. We’d be better off playing welbeck!

 

[Gbspurs]

August Kane has arrived a month early.

 

[dondo]

It’s not a nothing match, get smashed in this and England won’t have done the country ‘proud’. Failed to come out in 2nd half and extra time v Croatia and now at risk of getting stuffed here. Belgium are taking this seriously.

Southgate this Southgate that, he dropped a bollock against Croatia by playing no central midfield and now he’s playing 3 sideways passers and no creativity.

Obviously nobody want to get beat badly but the result is not that important.
Southgate can only pick from the pool of players we have.
Name me the cm Southgate should have picked vs Croatia

 

[SdB]

poor from Kane.

We are in trouble if his doesn't pick from what it's been since his injury.

 

[kaz Hirai]

I'm purely watching Eric dier really.

I think he looks really good when he's on the ball. Crisp passing, strong, surprising bit of agility

Without it however he's a bit of a statue. Regardless who has possession. Like to see him close play quicker, snap into tackles, be a real **** to play against. I'm sure he used to be that way

 

[Cornpattbuck]

Damn, would have put my mortgage on Harry to score there. Looked like he set up wrong and rolled his left ankle as he went to shoot.

 

[SdB]

Obviously nobody want to get beat badly but the result is not that important.
Southgate can only pick from the pool of players we have.
Name me the midfield we should have played vs Croatia

RLC alongside Henderson.
Lingard dropped

 

[ardiles]

Rose caught napping again

 

[werty]

RLC alongside Henderson.
Lingard dropped

As long as the kept the same shape England would've had the same problems no matter who was in there.

 

[Gbspurs]

poor from Kane.

We are in trouble if his doesn't pick from what it's been since his injury.

Difference is we have Eriksen and Son plus a correctly positioned Alli so we should be ok

 

[dondo]

RLC alongside Henderson.
Lingard dropped

Is RLC anymore creative?
He has played a fair amount in this World Cup and has created less than Lingard imo

 

[ajspurs]

I'm purely watching Eric dier really.

I think he looks really good when he's on the ball. Crisp passing, strong, surprising bit of agility

Without it however he's a bit of a statue. Regardless who has possession. Like to see him close play quicker, snap into tackles, be a real **** to play against. I'm sure he used to be that way

This is my only real annoyance with him, he can have a kind of laboured and casual way about him and it probably contributes to the slow build up and play Spurs can often have.

 

[SdB]

As long as the kept the same shape England would've had the same problems no matter who was in there.

An extra body in midfield was essential . Genius Southgate couldn't see it. I think everyone on here did.

I find it strange Southgate is being lauded as a great England manager when the truth is if he was a PL manager he'd be totally out of his depth.

 

[markiespurs]

Today could be an eye-opening reality - much of England's success in this tournament has papered over a rather drab performance. I read this, and makes you just shake your head:

In ten hours of game time at the World Cup, Southgate’s men had six shots on target from open play (one of which deflected off Harry Kane’s heel). Saudi Arabia managed the same amount in 180 minutes of football.

Highlights England’s biggest problem, the lack of a creative midfielder.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Obviously nobody want to get beat badly but the result is not that important.
Southgate can only pick from the pool of players we have.
Name me the cm Southgate should have picked vs Croatia

Henderson and any of Dier, Delph or RLC. All four are limited players but at least 2 of them v Modric, Rakitic and Brozovic would have made a huge difference. Instead it was 1 v 3 and it showed. We lacked balance and Southgate compounded it by not addressing it with a single one of his subs.

Until the likes of Barkley, Grealish? Maddison may be? Shelvey? Wilshire? step up to the plate and get a lookin, this England team is going to continue to play side ways and long ball football.

 

[SdB]

I'm purely watching Eric dier really.

I think he looks really good when he's on the ball. Crisp passing, strong, surprising bit of agility

Without it however he's a bit of a statue. Regardless who has possession. Like to see him close play quicker, snap into tackles, be a real **** to play against. I'm sure he used to be that way

Yeah, I don't know what has happened to him. I thought he was outstanding there a couple of years back.
I just don't trust him defensively playing as a DM..lol
Looks slow and lazy