The problem for England in the knockouts is that other teams know a draw is enough
England Discussion | Finish 4th
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Kane v Sanchez will be great to watch. Both have had excellent World Cups and know each others' games inside out. I'd put England down as slight favourites for this, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it go to extra time.
England have a better overall squad, but no-one of James' skill to link the midfield and attack. If he misses out, England will be delighted.
England have a better overall squad, but no-one of James' skill to link the midfield and attack. If he misses out, England will be delighted.
It really is.
Because neither side took that game completely seriously, we still don't have a good idea of where England are. They've played two very poor teams and then a heavily rotated good team with the intensity of a pre season friendly.
The defence is a major concern, but the attack could threaten anyone. The Colombia game is impossible to predict. Colombia could tear that back 3 a new one, or Lingod could destroy them in his own. Who knows. Its a shame the Belgium game wasn't more decisive, so we could see us being tested in a game with greater intensity
The defence is a major concern, but the attack could threaten anyone. The Colombia game is impossible to predict. Colombia could tear that back 3 a new one, or Lingod could destroy them in his own. Who knows. Its a shame the Belgium game wasn't more decisive, so we could see us being tested in a game with greater intensity
You think they are better than Brazil?
I like how you've created a fictional person in your head for some sort of half-baked comic relief.
It's really working for you in this thread.
Sweden aren't better than Brazil, but in their own way they present us a massive problem. We've seen us fail so often against teams that defend well and force us to attack. We've frozen and made a mess of it in that situation so many times.
They have performed just as well as Brazil have imo so far. They have been one of the best sides in the tournament from what I have seen. Can Brazil get better? Sure but so far they haven't really been great.
Difference being there's not so much hype here or abroad and it's a relatively new thing. I'm not saying anyone should hate England, just saying it like it is.
It's been Portugal's approach the last few times they've met.
That’s Portugal’s approach whoever they meet whenever.
You'll get lots of flack. But there is truth and realistic insight in your post.
That's what annoys people deep down I guess.
I want England to do well. But yeah, the toxic political climate in the country is quietly tangible on the streets during England games already (depending on where you love, I guess). Saying 'it's good for the country', while normally true, is sadly not as simple as it should be during politically divisive times.
There are many England 'fans', who simply cannot handle any kind of success.
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Well then you're in the wrong thread...
Hoping the England national side basically throw the game to get a self perceived easier draw is arrogant though.
I'm now actively hoping Mexico beat Brazil just to see certain pundits shed a tear.
So you truthly prefer to play Brazil?
You'd have to be insane to prefer to face Brazil in the World Cup than face Sweden.
I didn't say that - I said Sweden have performed very well and are a very good team that also have a very good record against England.
Brexit talk in this thread. feck me.
I didn't say that.
That's quite literally the opposite of arrogance. If we were that arrogant we wouldn't care who we draw.
No. That would be arrogant, too.
I'm asking you the question directly. Unless the answer is "Yes, I'd prefer to play Brazil," then it doesn't really matter.
Amazing how some posters are mind readers.
They know what other posters are thinking, what Southgate is thinking, what Martinez is thinking, what Colombia are....
Maybe Southgate just thought I'll rest lots of players, give some squad players match time and just take whatever result comes?
They know what other posters are thinking, what Southgate is thinking, what Martinez is thinking, what Colombia are....
Maybe Southgate just thought I'll rest lots of players, give some squad players match time and just take whatever result comes?
Ah so wanting to play the more different team is arrogant, and wanting to play the weaker team is arrogant. Makes sense.
That England team v that Sweden team should be no contest.
Pretty much it. Give some players a run out, rest sore key players, and know that there are positive and negatives of both draws.
Tbf the last times they met Portugal had better players than it has today, but with Fernando Santos don't expect tiki taka that's for sure.
It's been Portugal's approach the last few times they've met.
If I was England I would honestly prefer to play Brazil if you are asking me directly. Why? Because it is a glory game in a world cup and the sort of game the players would raise their games and hope to be the game of their lives. Against Sweden I could see the players thinking they could win it - underestimating Sweden and getting soundly beaten. On the evidence on some of the posting in here I am 100% right.
You don't have to be confident of beating sides better than you to be considered arrogant.
A lot of Utd fans were cocky going into the Sevilla game, doesn't mean they thought we would out play the likes of Madrid.
As an Englishman I can assure you, that isn't the case. We want to go as far as possible, and the best route is by playing the weaker sides.
You just said you'd prefer Brazil to Sweden.
That mentality is very Spurs.
No English fan would prefer to face Brazil than Sweden, that's madness.
England are in a good position now. Two games against Colombia and Switzerland/Sweden away from a World Cup semi-final. Might be the best chance these players will ever get.
As for tonight, none of Dier, Rose, RLC, or Rashford did themselves any favours. I think they'll all miss out vs Colombia.
As for tonight, none of Dier, Rose, RLC, or Rashford did themselves any favours. I think they'll all miss out vs Colombia.
You said the same thing about Iran and Morocco vs Portugal and Spain.
It's not how football works, both Sweden and Switzerland have had very good results recently and that's been the case because they are good teams perfectly capable of having a 50-50 match with England or Belgium.
Very tricky game against Columbia, England may well look back and wish they'd of topped that group even if it would mean only progressing one round more
A weird situtation. Going out against Colombia wouldn't be big shock, not a failure for England, and I wouldn't call for Southgate's head. If England wins, though, then going out against Switzerland or Sweden would be much bigger of kick in the teeth. If you beat Colombia, then semis are an absolute must. Even if you lose the bronze match after that, you've done good.
It'd feel so England to see them knocked out against Columbia with good games from Falcao and Cuadrado who didn't have the best times in England.
Well the die is cast now so lets see.
The first thing Southgate needs to do is to erase tonights performance from the players memories. Chuck the VT away. Don't even analyse it.
The first thing Southgate needs to do is to erase tonights performance from the players memories. Chuck the VT away. Don't even analyse it.
"Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own abilities."
No one has said we will beat Columbia at a canter. All that is being suggested is IF we are to go deeper into the tournament this will be the easier (not easy) route.
Just another term thrown at England fans that's absolutely groundless. If you talk to England fans you'll know they haven't rated their chances for over a decade. Having an easier route through to the semi finals is something every fan would grab with hungry eyes.