England Discussion | Finish 4th

You'd definitely say England are the most impressive on paper (probably for having a striker like Kane alone). Think Croatia have been the most impressive team out of all those though.

Yes, agreed. I think Modric & co have a massive opportunity here - certainly they have the midfield to dominate any side in the bottom half of the draw.
 
Put it this way, England's potential path to the final will be similar to Liverpool's CL run, pretty much beatable opponents until the final with possible banana skins in Croatia and Colombia if their concentration slips.

True but Liverpool did knock out City on the way too, England haven't beaten a national equivalent of a City.
 
True but Liverpool did knock out City on the way too, England haven't beaten a national equivalent of a City.

Croatia are a City equivalent, would say. Good team but not among the elite in the tournament. Though tbf, two teams we considered elite are knocked out now.
 
Croatia are a City equivalent, would say. Good team but not among the elite in the tournament. Though tbf, two teams we considered elite are knocked out now.

I think you're overrating Croatia a bit, City were a team who broke the record for longest winning streak in the Premier League and won the league with 100 points. I hate to say it but a City equivalent is probably Brazil, France or Belgium.
 
Russia' first quarter final since 1966. Hmmm :lol:
 
True but Liverpool did knock out City on the way too, England haven't beaten a national equivalent of a City.

City absolutely were in the elite of the tournament last season though. To the point where Liverpool's dismantling of them was surprising. Although still some very tricky opponents for England if they do get through, albeit a good run for them.
 
I think you're overrating Croatia a bit, City were a team who broke the record for longest winning streak in the Premier League and won the league with 100 points. I hate to say it but a City equivalent is probably Brazil, France or Belgium.
They have done feck all in Europe though, which is the main competition. Maybe Belgium is a good comparison, Brazil or France definitely not.
 
Not being a Wum but the foundations for the “Dutch” total football was actually made by an Ajax Manager called Jack Reynolds, who managed them on 3 occasions and is recognised as one of the greatest managers they’ve had, oh and he was English. So even the Dutch arrogance has an English root..
 
Despite how tumescent the football's been in the two matches today, England are completely untested against actual good teams in this world cup so it remains to be seen how they'll perform under pressure.
 
Not being a Wum but the foundations for the “Dutch” total football was actually made by an Ajax Manager called Jack Reynolds, who managed them on 3 occasions and is recognised as one of the greatest managers they’ve had, oh and he was English. So even the Dutch arrogance has an English root..

Yes but Anglo-Saxons came in part from North Holland so English arrogance has a Dutch root!
 
Despite how tumescent the football's been in the two matches today, England are completely untested against actual good teams in this world cup so it remains to be seen how they'll perform under pressure.

That's the negative/realistic approach.

The optimistic approach is looking at that path to the final!! No Germany, no Spain.

We're certainly no worse than any of the teams we'd meet before then, so let's see how we go!
 
We get past Columbia, we have a good path to the Final.

Can see an England Belgium final.

France, Brazil, Belgium to have a fight to the death and ruin themselves, while we gently build our momentum up and reach the final in peak mode.
 
Not being a Wum but the foundations for the “Dutch” total football was actually made by an Ajax Manager called Jack Reynolds, who managed them on 3 occasions and is recognised as one of the greatest managers they’ve had, oh and he was English. So even the Dutch arrogance has an English root..

What is it with all these accusations of arrogance? In the past 2 days I've read on this forum that the English are arrogant, the Germans, the French and now the Dutch?

I think there's a misconception re the definition of arrogance and it's an accusation getting unfairly levelled in certain quarters. Confidence and/or optimism are not the same.
 
What is it with all these accusations of arrogance? In the past 2 days I've read on this forum that the English are arrogant, the Germans, the French and now the Dutch?

I think there's a misconception re the definition of arrogance and it's an accusation getting unfairly levelled in certain quarters. Confidence and/or optimism are not the same.
Oh, Ze Germans when it comes to football are extremely arrogant and bullish, more arrogant than any other nation. Just that they usually actually do well in tournaments, so when you win a tournament, all arrogance is forgotten. That was a reason why I enjoyed them crashing this early this time, eggs on their faces.
 
As a Scotsman I’m genuinely worried that this England team have a decent chance of winning the whole thing. A lot of upsets so far and some big teams out... hold me...

We should put together a gofundme page to fly you down to London to watch the final in a Yates if that happens.
 
Oh, Ze Germans when it comes to football are extremely arrogant and bullish, more arrogant than any other nation. Just that they usually actually do well in tournaments, so when you win a tournament, all arrogance is forgotten. That was a reason why I enjoyed them crashing this early this time, eggs on their faces.

Well this is my point really. The Germans have always been rightly confident and that confidence has played its part in their success. They rarely underestimate opponents (a sure sign of arrogance) and as a result usually put them away. Arrogance is over confidence and conceitedness and I'm not sure they've actually been that.
 
Well this is my point really. The Germans have always been rightly confident and that confidence has played its part in their success. They rarely underestimate opponents (a sure sign of arrogance) and as a result usually put them away. Arrogance is over confidence and conceitedness and I'm not sure they've actually been that.
Yeah, but Ze Germans can be arrogant, or Spanish at the end of last decade, beginning of this one, or Brazilians in the past.

It is more funny from countries who have a history of being shit on tournaments though. But I enjoyed Germans crashing this time as much as I did Spain 4 years ago.
 
Hmm. Too bad he couldn't pass that on to English players, or maybe he was too forward thinking and had to take his ideas to a foreign country :D. That's good to know.
Typically of the time, a lot of English managers went abroad and played football that was completely different that was being played back here. More emphasis on passing instead of running with ball and battering opponents with strength rather than guile. It’s a shame that the English FA was so insular at that time and considered other countries football to be inferior regardless of the nationality of the manager that managed them.
 
Typically of the time, a lot of English managers went abroad and played football that was completely different that was being played back here. More emphasis on passing instead of running with ball and battering opponents with strength rather than guile. It’s a shame that the English FA was so insular at that time and considered other countries football to be inferior regardless of the nationality of the manager that managed them.

That attitude definitely held them back, now here we are. That was very informative, thank you for sharing that piece of history!
 
As a Scotsman I’m genuinely worried that this England team have a decent chance of winning the whole thing. A lot of upsets so far and some big teams out... hold me...
Would you accept an England world cup win if it meant United win the treble next year? Or if it means Scotland win Euro 2020?
 
As a Scotsman I’m genuinely worried that this England team have a decent chance of winning the whole thing. A lot of upsets so far and some big teams out... hold me...

I’m also a Scotsman as well and am also worried that they could win it. Everything is just falling nicely into place for them.

Hopefully Colombia will do it but without James Rodriguez, they are nothing special for England to worry about.
 
We should put together a gofundme page to fly you down to London to watch the final in a Yates if that happens.
I'd like to suggest a Weatherspoons in Mansfield as a viable alternative.
just shoot me already.

Would you accept an England world cup win if it meant United win the treble next year? Or if it means Scotland win Euro 2020?
I’ve got a counter offer - United Treble, Scotland Euro winners, England go out on penalties in the semi finals and half price pakora at the best Bangladeshi takeaway in Edinburgh for a year?

I’m also a Scotsman as well and am also worried that they could win it. Everything is just falling nicely into place for them.

Hopefully Colombia will do it but without James Rodriguez, they are nothing special for England to worry about.
Don’t worry mate it’s fine, I’ve submitted a counter offer. Fingers crossed!
 
Anyone else got the feeling we are going to be left more gutted than ever by the 3 lions.

The draw has opened up and genuinely I don't think anyone left is better than us...only one possible outcome....

Complete and total failure!
 
Let’s wait until after the Columbia result. I’m starting to feel like we can do something. Croatia were average tonight.
Columbia however, are unpredictable and we (England) haven’t had a proper game yet.

My gut feeling is we will beat Columbia, if that happens I might start dreaming.
 
Anyone else got the feeling we are going to be left more gutted than ever by the 3 lions.

The draw has opened up and genuinely I don't think anyone left is better than us...only one possible outcome....

Complete and total failure!

That's the charm of the cup though. Heartbreak at some stage for 31 of the teams. You've just got to enjoy the ride while it lasts.
 
Anyone else got the feeling we are going to be left more gutted than ever by the 3 lions.

The draw has opened up and genuinely I don't think anyone left is better than us...only one possible outcome....

Complete and total failure!

I think the pressure is starting to build on this England team now. There was not really any expectations from fans or media but now that some biggies have been knocked out, all of a sudden the yellow brick road has opened up for Gareth and the boys.

I just don't want the media to down play Columbia and think its an automatic that we are going to get into the 1/4s.

That mentality left us embarrassed against Iceland.

I am optimistic off course but I just don't hope it all gets to the players heads.
 
We were average tonight but we had a huge mental block imo. Don't count us out yet.

Don't be giddy just yet. :D

I already see posts like 'easy path to the final'. One game doesn't make the spring. We still have quality to give you a proper good game if you come to the semis. And if we come there of course. :)
 
Last edited: