World Cup Discussion Thread - Day 5 (18 June)

[Archibald&Crooks]

I don't like Henderson as a player at all. I think he (and Young) will be casualties as this team grows. Loftus Cheek will become an important player in this squad and we need someone a little more composed at the back. Stones attempt at goal in the first half was pub standard too. I think we've one or two too many 'streak' players who when they are hot, are hot (Sterling for example) and if we can stay in the comp until they hit a goalscoring streak, we could go on a run but if not, it'll cost us big time.

Still, a much better performance and result than we're used to in a major finals.

 

[sparx100]

I agree he has better passing range but I don’t agree he’s better defensively. It won’t get shown against teams like Tunisia but I don’t think he protects defenses better. Dier belongs at centre back I think and both are dispensable in favour of RLC possibly.

RLC is not mobile or tenacious enough to be a single pivot in midfield.

 

[Armstrong_11]

I am so glad England won. Hated the way Tunisia played. Yeah they wanted to get something out of the match..... But u made it to the World Cup, have a go at it.

A kickoff cannot occur until the referee blows the whistle. The referee won't blow the whistle until everyone is on their own half of the field.

As for the actual law:

Obviously even if all 11 were off the field celebrating in the corner, they're not in their own half of the field. I'm not doubting that Trippier was told to be standing there, but there's no actual reason he needs too.

I see 2 issues...
1. Is it possible u can interpret "all players must be in their own half" as if they are not on the pitch they are not "active" for example a player receiving treatment. and will need permission to enter the field.
2. Why can't a group of maybe 3 or 4 players juz "shepherd" the single remaining player back to his own half and get the ref to restart the game.

But I can see why the player remains. Safety first....someone to sound alarm if the other team grabs the ball for a quick kickoff. He can also juz delay the kick off by standing in the center circle.

 

[spursfan77]

They love him

 

[teok]

 

[Coyboy]

RLC is not mobile or tenacious enough to be a single pivot in midfield.

I think he’s better at it than Henderson and with someone next to him (Dier or maybe Delph actually) he can be against better teams.

None of them are great, I just think Henderson is poor.

 

[Phantom]

Sterling and Young should be replaced in the next game and maybe rest Alli if he is carrying a knock. I think Panama could be a good confidence boost for players like Jesse who should get opportunities and he has more chance of putting them away than Sterling at the moment.

I am seeing a lot of criticism of Alli in forums, there seems to be a lot of ignorance or perhaps bad memories! Alli started very brightly and was playing well in patches throughout the match, despite clearly carrying a knock.

I would also be tempted to start Cahill in the Belgium game.

 

[Riandor]

Lingard needs to sharpen up on his chance taking, he was found with clever balls, but it was his WC debut, so a few nerves are to be expected. Would Play him again vs Panama to see if he can get off the mark.

If Dele is fit I too would play him again because he was bright and made space for others.

Sterling was a total waste. He has good skills, but his head goes down and he dribbled up blind alleys or showed poor composure when he was played in. Doesn't pass enough and doesn't have enough end product (like Rashford) to justify inclusion.

Too few times the players tried to find/put Kane in a shooting position and in fact Kane became more of a lynchpin, more of a Sheringham than a Shearer, but that may have been a tactical decision to get through the packed defense.

 

[thelak]

Personally think Dier is a better CB than Maguire and Walker (!) but doesn’t seem in contention for a role there. Have to give Henderson some credit - has come on a lot over the last 12 months and plays forward balls a lot better than the sideways passing non entity he was. Klopp has improved him whilst Dier has unfortunately flat lined

I was watching the game in greece. Some chavvy brummie started waxing lyrical about how good Harry kane was when he scored. Felt quite weird non Spurs fans loving him up. Nearly broke into a “he’s one of our own”....:would like to see him get back to his ore injury form in open play but not sure if it’s the system tbh and not playing to his strengths

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

It is bad enough seeing Ashley Young in the starting X1, and fucking criminal to see him taking a free kick..

 

[teddy_sheringham_125]

Enjoyed the game (first time in a while), but feel that Southgate has better on the bench. I'd definitely bring in Rubens, Rashford and Rose for Lingard, Young and Sterling. I think against good teams we might actually need a centre back that can defend too, so would probably swap Stones/Maguire for Jones.

 

[rightwayup]

Sterling just seems to get in everyones way. He has no positional sense and when he has the ball he is too selfish. That is not so bad if you are a clinical finisher but he has zero composure. I think he has been made to look good by the players surrounding him at City.

Have to say, despite being a critic that Henderson played well last night and probably offers more going forward than Dier. Would like to see RLC get a chance next game though.

 

[sparx100]

I think he’s better at it than Henderson and with someone next to him (Dier or maybe Delph actually) he can be against better teams.

None of them are great, I just think Henderson is poor.

Different strokes for different folks i suppose and i am sure that RLC has a role to play but Henderson is our first choice central midfielder in the current squad.

 

[teok]

I thought the team went well, we could have 3 up in the first 10 mins. After the equaliser we started to panic a bit which is a recurring england problem of mentality.

I would keep the same starting line up (unless dele is injured). You have to remember a massive part of international football is team familiarity. Let them play together again.

I also I loved that pile on for kane's winner. That felt so good. Proper team spirit.

 

[PLTuck]

In the friendlies I defended Sterling but he was so frustrating yesterday.

Overall though I thought we played really well against 12 men. How on earth did we not get at least 1 of 3 stonewall penalties? Good performance though, and buzzing for Harry, who just kept plugging away even though at times he must have thought he'd got on the wrong plane and was at the Rugby World Cup.

HK the obvious MotM, but Trippier was brilliant down the right too. I just wish Keown would call him by his name in English rather than in French. It is Trippier, not Trippiay you blithering idiot.

 

[teok]

 

[spursfan77]

Kane and Vardy to start up top against Panama of me. Sterling and Rashford just never make the right decision at the right time. I'd probably start Vardy against Belgium as well, as they will play a high line and Martinez isn't smart enough not to fall for the ball over the top trap time and again.

 

[Coyboy]

Different strokes for different folks i suppose and i am sure that RLC has a role to play but Henderson is our first choice central midfielder in the current squad.

I know he is mate I just don't agree with it

 

[sparx100]

I know he is mate I just don't agree with it

To be honest there aren't many candidates! Controversially i would have taken Shelvey but we do lack CMs.

 

[spursfan77]

To be honest there aren't many candidates! Controversially i would have taken Shelvey but we do lack CMs.

Winks must be so pissed off being injured this season. He'd probably start most games.