World Cup 2018 Qualifiers

England 13

Slovakia 22
Slovenia 51
Scotland 58
Lithuania 99
Malta 190

How is that a tough group? The only player from Slovakia that could be considered a top player is Hamsik.

Since when are FIFA rankings an accurate measuring stick for the quality of a team? If I was to believe these rankings Switzerland is 4th favourite to win the World Cup, Peru is the 15th best team in the world, Northern Ireland is 23rd and Congo is 28th. This is a fairly balanced group that a young team with a new manager has to navigate first. England is at the beginning of a process. They have done well so far. They could easily have lost to Slovakia and dropped to 2nd. Instead they showed character under pressure and won the game. You are not supposed to lose sight of the big picture, but it seems you always search for the bad rather than the positives. A 19 year old making an error and instead of doing the "english national team thing", he stepped up and turned the game around.
 
Booed off the park :lol:. We are dreadful. Not a single shot on target in this first half.
Dude, inisgne just missed a sitter...

Was thinking about which midfielders we have, but the good ones are all injured. Dunno why he didn't call barella honestly...

I'd probably bring on Parolo at this point
 
Dude, inisgne just missed a sitter...

Was thinking about which midfielders we have, but the good ones are all injured. Dunno why he didn't call barella honestly...

I'd probably bring on Parolo at this point
Jorginho not being called up is criminal.
 
You want confidence and synergies to build between the starters. They barely play together at International level, unlike club games.
That´s true but you also need a decent atmosphere.Players like Monreal, Bartra, Suso or Kepa won´t play a minute if a big tournament and now they have been working for a week without participating(and it´s not the first or second time), it´s very difficult to be committed, unless you are Reina and you know that are there to get along with people.
 
We're finally playing with some energy now at least. Still not much football, but at least we've increased the pace
 
We're running now. Finally. Candreva just realised he's playing against Israel so he can beat his man pretty much any time he wants however he wants
 
Albania 1-0 up in Macedonia! Panucci starting well