It'll be France or Brazil in the final I think. Reckon we should at least make it to the semis now. Hope for an off day from Croatia's midfield and we can have one of the biggest ever piss ups on the Sunday.
England Discussion | Finish 4th
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It'll be France or Brazil in the final I think. Reckon we should at least make it to the semis now. Hope for an off day from Croatia's midfield and we can have one of the biggest ever piss ups on the Sunday.
I'm not giddy, I think Colombia are about our level and we'd do well to beat them. I love to dream like everybody else, but my inner pessimist says we're going home on Tuesday night.
Croatia may be tougher again. Although they didn't show much tonight, they smashed Argentina in the first stage, and with Modric in goalscoring form I can see him pulling a 2007 Niko Kranjcar and stunning Pickford with his long distance work.
Weirdly I'd feel more confident about these than Colombia or Croatia. I don't know why.
France would probably beat us after extra time. Uruguay aren't the team they were four years ago, but Cavani and Suarez are one of the best forward lines in world football. Both teams are beatable, but, again, I wouldn't fancy our chances.
Croatia may be tougher again. Although they didn't show much tonight, they smashed Argentina in the first stage, and with Modric in goalscoring form I can see him pulling a 2007 Niko Kranjcar and stunning Pickford with his long distance work.
Weirdly I'd feel more confident about these than Colombia or Croatia. I don't know why.
France would probably beat us after extra time. Uruguay aren't the team they were four years ago, but Cavani and Suarez are one of the best forward lines in world football. Both teams are beatable, but, again, I wouldn't fancy our chances.
Don't forget Brazil!
This England side is really exciting despite any results that may happen. For the first time I see England without stupid tactical situations of forcing players into positions who aren't familial with, or forcing declining players for the sake of their name only. This side this time is full of pace and youth surrounding a clinical finisher up front. Southgate is a good manager and did well so far with most of his decisions being correct.
I don't support England but this current side is likable. Hopefully they don't get crashed against Colombia after these nice words though.
I don't support England but this current side is likable. Hopefully they don't get crashed against Colombia after these nice words though.
BBC commentators, I read, concluded England has nothing to fear from Croatia.
England shouldn’t be playing with fear. They start overthinking they’ll lose to weaker teams than Croatia. We have players just as good as you guys.
How suprising, if I was them I would beat Colombia first, they are a bit better than Panama.
Serious note if I was a England fan I would be more confident to face Colombia today than 4 years ago. There is just too much prediction regarding knockout stages, so far there wasn't any game won by more than a single goal margin.
Over here in Australia, in which the Aussies have a strong dislike of English sports teams, England are clear favourites with all the major bookies. I've looked at 2 or 3 other non-English bookies and the odds are very similar.
I think most people, deep down, know that England are the better team with better players.
It's also completely normal to feel slightly pessimistic based on previous history, the unpredictability of this World Cup, the fact that Colombia are still dangerous and the nerves that come with a knockout match. I'd rather have our team than theirs though.
Hopefully the players and management team are feeling confident because they have a cracking chance.
I think most people, deep down, know that England are the better team with better players.
It's also completely normal to feel slightly pessimistic based on previous history, the unpredictability of this World Cup, the fact that Colombia are still dangerous and the nerves that come with a knockout match. I'd rather have our team than theirs though.
Hopefully the players and management team are feeling confident because they have a cracking chance.
Haha yes I remember this from my time in Australia. When I was there it was 2006 and we'd just won the ashes off them for the first time in ages. The banter with the Aussies always seemed light hearted and quite friendly though, it's not like with the Scottish where some of them genuinely hate us.
Either way, you're right in that my pessimism is based on past experience of England; general overhyping and defeat to so called 'inferior' teams. Iceland perhaps being the pinnacle.
Agreed! I have lots of Scottish family and I can tell you that there is no group of people in the world that want us to fail as much as the Scots. With the Aussies, at least there's a touch of humour.
By the way, although I'm feeling optimistic (but still nervous) I watched the Iceland highlights yesterday and for about 2 hours I was feeling really depressed
Hopefully players involved such as Kane, Alli, Walker and Sterling have removed this from their memories and the ghosts of the past won't affect them. That's my main worry. Talent wise, we're ok.I watched the Scotland England draw in Tenerife last year in a Scottish bar. It was a great laugh to be honest, only met a couple of Scots that genuinely hate us, most just enjoy the friendly rivalry that it is.
That's actually good to know. The majority of them don't hate us but there's definitely hostility there from a few. As you say, sit down with a group of people from pretty much anywhere and it's not hard to find common ground and have a laugh.
I'm not bothered by the hate from the Scots. I mean, they are never going to be better than us at anything. They might win a friendly here and there but they are minnows.
Why should they be afraid? It’s the first step to losing and Croatia look fallible like all the side in the competition. Now if they had said they shouldn’t respect Croatia and will beat them easily I’d be worried.
So far we've beaten the equivalent of a Championship team and a pub team. the Colombia game will show us what level we're truly at.
This England side is really exciting despite any results that may happen. For the first time I see England without stupid tactical situations of forcing players into positions who aren't familial with, or forcing declining players for the sake of their name only. This side this time is full of pace and youth surrounding a clinical finisher up front. Southgate is a good manager and did well so far with most of his decisions being correct.
I don't support England but this current side is likable. Hopefully they don't get crashed against Colombia after these nice words though.
England are never likable because of their mind numbing fans and the EPL. If I weren't so exposed to the EPL I may actually support them because their players are, as you said, likable (except Lingard's stupid celebrations
)So far before this tournament they weren't so bad because the expectations were down, but now they are back at full arrogant force, especially saying that losing to Belgium was good because it gives them an easy path to the semi-final, downplaying the opposition they have to face. You would think they'd have learnt a lesson regarding underestimating opponents after losing to Iceland at Euro '16.
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The worst thing about the draw opening up is the level of pressure has really ramped up and there's a clearly a bit of expectation now.
If we'd been in the other half, every game would have been treated like a cup final, and we'd have been expected to lose each one of them, with maybe the exception being the round of 16 tie. Now it's so different to that.
Bit worried the supposed "easiness" will undo us like it has time and time again.
The feeling of deflation if we lose on Tuesday will be unlike any I've experienced with England I think, and this is after everyone seemingly went into the tournament expecting very little.
If we'd been in the other half, every game would have been treated like a cup final, and we'd have been expected to lose each one of them, with maybe the exception being the round of 16 tie. Now it's so different to that.
Bit worried the supposed "easiness" will undo us like it has time and time again.
The feeling of deflation if we lose on Tuesday will be unlike any I've experienced with England I think, and this is after everyone seemingly went into the tournament expecting very little.
Not for me. I don't believe for one second we will get to the final. Losing to Colombia would be perfectly England.
I'm prepared for it.
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England are normally awful under pressure. See Iceland. Playing world cup knockout games is about as tough mentally as it gets.
Haven't won a knockout game for 12 years!
Colombia favourites for me.
If Southgate and our media have any sense they will play down our chances as much as possible. Maybe already too late though.
Haven't won a knockout game for 12 years!
Colombia favourites for me.
If Southgate and our media have any sense they will play down our chances as much as possible. Maybe already too late though.
True but we can only play whats in front of us, and we delivered for the 1st time in ages at the group stage
I think Tunisia were a "respectable" test tbh and we won! great stuff
Yes its a team we expect to beat, we are clearly a better team than Tunisia, but World Cup pressure can make them games against your Tunisia's more unpredictable
Panama....yes ok we should expect to not just beat them, but thrash them......and we did, we did our job impeccably
Not alot to read into the Belgium game in all honesty, we made 8 changes, they made similar amount of changes, both teams had qualified, not need to go hell for leather, it was a meh game through and through and we shouldn't have expected anything less
Columbia are our 1st proper test agreed, but I see no reason to not go into it fully confident
Yes of course, but as soon as we show a little confidence we're accused of being arrogant!
Tennis? Football managers? Better women?
England are never likable because of their mind numbing fans and the EPL. If I weren't so exposed to the EPL I may actually support them because their players are, as you said, likable (except Lingard's stupid celebrations
So far before this tournament they weren't so bad because the expectations were down, but now they are back at full arrogant force, especially saying that losing to Belgium was good because it gives them an easy path to the semi-final, downplaying the opposition they have to face. You would think they'd have learnt a lesson regarding underestimating opponents after losing to Iceland at Euro '16.
What's mind numbing is this fallacy constantly being peddled. This is not arrogance...... it's a team that has serially underperformed and frankly bottled it whenever under pressure. Rightly believing you can win and being confident of going further is exactly what every team should be thinking.
See above. It's hilarious.
I know mate, Always happens doesn't it
As England Fans we aren't allowed to believe we can win matches
Anyone can win tomorrow (I know, stating the obvious) as imo Columbia aren't that too dissimilar to England quality wise theres not much between us, but what I like is that we are very realistically "capable" of winning against Columbia, capable is that all important word, many times in previous world cups there have been teams that I fear should we face them at some point......I've felt would be on a totally different level to us and would be clear favourites, to the point where we "hope" to beat said team but probably won't
Columbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Croatia, Russia - none imo are clearly too good for us, we don't need hope against these teams, we are capable of beating them if we don't bottle it, we are amongst the strongest team amongst that list of teams on route to the Final
One game at a time though
Agreed. We’re playing Colombia, not 1970’s Brazil, and it’s perfectly reasonable to believe we go into that match as favourites.
Some people though respond with “arrogant”, “deluded”, “typical English”, “you’ll be on the next plane home” etc.
These are the type of people who struggle to keep their wife happy and are generally quite miserable with their lives.
How many goals are we going to score in the final?
I think you will get beat 3 2. Falcao double. Your defence is awful
Our defence hasn't faced anyone good yet. We gave away a soft penalty and conceded when the game was already won. Hard to really know what any of our team is truly capable of.
Depends on the opposition really. It will be difficult to score more than two vs Uruguay and their Atletico inspired defence. France or Brazil though are there for the taking and Kane/Sterling will have a field day vs them.
England is yet to play and he's speaking about England fearing us or not..
They're watching a possible future opponent and you don't think they are going to reflect on how we would match up? Honestly I find that idea ridiculous.
Assuming your run to the semi-final because the other teams are supposedly weak is arrogance. You take it one match at a time.
And how the media is acting is exactly the opposite of how they should given England's history, from EASY in 2010 to Iceland in 2016.
I found it a bit arrogant, maybe I'm seeing things.
A quick users' guide:
Colombia:
(District of) Columbia:
Colombia:
The arrogance narrative from looking at the overall draw is absolutely hilarious. Genuinely love how much its got to people. Maybe the tournament tree should be hidden from now on to stop arrogant people with their wall charts predicting who will make the final. Sickening stuff.
Who's assuming? Nobody pal.
Ah I see the problem here. Germany. Now you're out just relax and enjoy the World Cup........as spectators
Fans of the other nations will be doing the exact same for crying out loud.
In fact they are, i've seen it on other forums and I don't blame them. This is the biggest chance one of us has at reaching a world cup final.
It's not arrogance at all. Every England fan is well aware that Colombia could absolutely tank us tomorrow.
But if they don't, it's coming home.
I found it a bit arrogant, maybe I'm seeing things.
Maybe there is a little hubris in there Ban but they are ex high level professionals, you don't make it to where they did in competitive sport without having a very healthy (possibly arrogant) opinion of your own abilities.
The meltdown here tomorrow will be just .
.