Day 15: Japan vs Poland, Senegal vs Colombia, England vs Belgium, Panama vs Tunisia

Lets be honest though, even Belgium vs England at full strength probably wouldn't be the most exciting of affairs. Of all the big teams matching up, that's probably one that seems like a very low scoring/low amount of chances tie. Haven't watched Belgium too much with Martinez so I could be wrong, but it never looked like a game that would be exciting. Especially when it's pretty meaningless.
 
For anyone that watched France vs Denmark (I missed it) which one was worse?
 
England want to move to this possesion style of football but their only chances are coming from counter attacks. There has to be better passing and movement in midfield and from the strikers to move it to the next level.
 
Croatia were guaranteed top spot.


This two are one win away from that. Massive difference.
Yeah but here both are guaranteed to go through and finishing 1st or 2nd doesn't really matter. Of course you'd like to win, but getting a rest in the middle of the world cup with it not changing anything is way more beneficial IMO.
 
Poor from England, Southgate talks the talk but it’s just defend then whack it for the fast 2 up front.

At least Belgium are willing to pass it.
 
An English player should step up, take one for the team and get a red card or something. :lol:

Preferably one with yellow card already. Straight red.

– yellow card: minus 1 point

– indirect red card: minus 3 points (as a result of a second yellow card)

– direct red card: minus 4 points

– yellow card and direct red card: minus 5 points

Belgium are well ahead on bookings now. They are going to finish second as it stands.
 
Yeah but here both are guaranteed to go through and finishing 1st or 2nd doesn't really matter. Of course you'd like to win, but getting a rest in the middle of the world cup with it not changing anything is way more beneficial IMO.
It obviously does in this case. Neither wants to be first.

I just hope Colombia are watching this and tonk whoever they play. Would wish the same with Japan but that's asking for too much.
 
Rather than carrying on with his useless "summaries" Glen Hoddle should do the decent thing, pop on a shirt, get subbed on and take out Fellaini at chest height to earn that vital red card.

With luck a 1 year ban from football will also follow and we will be saved from his dull platitudes!
 
Preferably one with yellow card already. Straight red.

– yellow card: minus 1 point

– indirect red card: minus 3 points (as a result of a second yellow card)

– direct red card: minus 4 points

– yellow card and direct red card: minus 5 points

Belgium are well ahead on bookings now. They are going to finish second as it stands.


Thing is . . . I think all cards are cancelled out and start afresh after the group stage . . . except red cards.

I could do with someone confirming that for me.
 
He’s been shocking. I’ve said it before, I have no idea why there was such a clamour for him to start. I didn’t even find him overly impressive at Palace.
I was exactly the same and have heard and read how impressive he’s supposedly been. All I’ve seen him do in every appearance is run with the ball a bit and then give it away.
 
I was exactly the same and have heard and read how impressive he’s supposedly been. All I’ve seen him do in every appearance is run with the ball a bit and then give it away.

I think the hype must stem from what he’s done at youth level because anything at senior level that I’ve seen hasn’t matched the hype.
 
Don't get why some people are wanting us to finish second. Do they realize Colombia ended up winning the other group? I'd much rather have the easier game vs Japan and each game after that a bonus. Colombia would arguably be favorites against us.
 
This is basically our B team, though.
Could still try vary it and play through midfield more though. Dier is poor and Loftus-Cheek just doesn’t do enough, most of the time you don’t even realise he’s on the pitch.
 
Belgium should pull out their ace in the hole. England wont have an answer to Mignolet and will be outshitted in no time.
 
Thing is . . . I think all cards are cancelled out and start afresh after the group stage . . . except red cards.

I could do with someone confirming that for me.
Nope, they get reset after the quarter finals. So you can miss the semi final but can't miss the final.
 
Shouldn't both teams be pretty motivated to finish first and avoid Colombia?

Colombia are no great team.

Managers are thinking beyond the next match to the QF to avoid Brazil.
Certainly Martinez is anyway.
 
Les Ferdinand is the pundit on the Norwegian coverage for some reason. Wonder what he's thinking about the job.
 
Colombia are no great team.

Managers are thinking beyond the next match to the QF to avoid Brazil.
Certainly Martinez is anyway.

Even if James wasn't injured I'd fancy Lukaku, Hazard, De Bruyne et al. against Colombia. Without him Colombia will have no chance against Belgium. After that its Sweden or Switzerland, both teams Belgium can beat. A few more yellow cards today and Belgium can reasonably expect going to the last four, minimum.
 
This game is shite. Added to that; My house is currently hotter than the sun and I have a fridge full of very cold beer that I promised my other half I wouldn’t drink as part of a dry weekday arrangement. F.M.L.