We really need Sterling and Alli to affect the game more. I keep hoping Sterling will find a way but it's the same old blocked runs and blocked shots. Perhaps he needs a different player to work off.
England Discussion | Finish 4th
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I do think we need to make a change up top for the next game. It's just not working, we're not creating nearly enough.
If it comes down to set pieces, which isn't unlikely, hope we have a few more tricks up our sleeves.
If it comes down to set pieces, which isn't unlikely, hope we have a few more tricks up our sleeves.
Harry Kane was the best player on the pitch by a mile. The problem is that Vardy, his supposedly backup is not an international striker by any means. England lost any threat they have when Kane move to midfield (wtf) and Vardy went upfront. It's such a pointless substitution. I thought he'll be taking a penalty later on, but he's not even in the first 5. Trippier was ahead of him 
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Basically, England's hope of any success is resting solely on Kane. If he got injured or suspended, then it's game over
.Basically, England's hope of any success is resting solely on Kane. If he got injured or suspended, then it's game over
Harry Kane was the best player on the pitch by a mile. The problem is that Vardy, his supposedly backup is not an international striker by any means. England lost any threat they have when Kane move to midfield (wtf) and Vardy went upfront. It's such a pointless substitution. I thought he'll be taking a penalty later on, but he's not even in the first 5. Trippier was ahead of him
Basically, England's hope of any success is resting solely on Kane. If he got injured or suspended, then it's game over
I don't think the sub was pointless. They had to attack us when he came on and Vardy is one of the best counter attacking strikers in the game.
He had 2 touches in 20mins. To his credit he at least worried their defense in the final 15mins but he did very little.
I'm talking about the thinking behind it, not in retrospect. It was a logical change given the context of the game.
Everybody tells me Vardy was poor when he came on. I actually thought he was lively, tried making good runs. It just didn't come off at times. Useful player.
Fair play to England last night. That's the sort of game they would've lost in other tournaments, but they were dogged and really dug in, and showed a lot of spirit. Kane, Pickford, Maguire, and Trippier have been brilliant so far.
Think Sweden will be another very tough game for you and that could go to penalties too. I reckon you'll go through to the semi's though, which would be a great result for you with that squad.
Think Sweden will be another very tough game for you and that could go to penalties too. I reckon you'll go through to the semi's though, which would be a great result for you with that squad.
Agreed. The actual execution was crap, Vardy barely touched the ball, it forced Kane deeper (which he can do, just you'd maybe have wanted him on the end of some of those balls) and he didn't take a penalty. In fairness, he wasn't helped by our performance in the first half of ET, when collective heads clearly dropped after the last minute equaliser.
But the idea behind it was reasonable and you could understand exactly why Southgate did it.
I was firmly against playing Sterling but his performance last night was pretty good. He harassed and buzzed around the Colombian defenders and created space for others to run into.
For me the problem was that only Lingard seemed to be able to make those runs. Alli was totally flat and a passenger for much of the game. indeed I think Lingard sacrificed a lot of opportunities last night to protect the team from Alli's shortcomings. Loftus Cheek seems to have more impact coming on as a sub, so unsure who to replace Alli with.
For me the pivotal moment though was bringing on Dier. All of a sudden we reverted to type and started lumping the ball long rather than retaining possession. Colombia got hold of the ball, exerted some pressure and got a goal.
To their credit England got over the "wobble" and in the second half of extra time started to try and play again, in fact nearly scoring. I think England need to find an option to come on in Midfield who will be able to keep things calm, put their foot on the ball and keep possession, even when the pressure is on / we need a goal / we need to hold out a slender lead.
I don't think we have a midfielder that can do that job alongside Henderson, so maybe bring on a defender and get Stones or Maguire to take on that role, as they seem to be better at it than Dier was.
For me the problem was that only Lingard seemed to be able to make those runs. Alli was totally flat and a passenger for much of the game. indeed I think Lingard sacrificed a lot of opportunities last night to protect the team from Alli's shortcomings. Loftus Cheek seems to have more impact coming on as a sub, so unsure who to replace Alli with.
For me the pivotal moment though was bringing on Dier. All of a sudden we reverted to type and started lumping the ball long rather than retaining possession. Colombia got hold of the ball, exerted some pressure and got a goal.
To their credit England got over the "wobble" and in the second half of extra time started to try and play again, in fact nearly scoring. I think England need to find an option to come on in Midfield who will be able to keep things calm, put their foot on the ball and keep possession, even when the pressure is on / we need a goal / we need to hold out a slender lead.
I don't think we have a midfielder that can do that job alongside Henderson, so maybe bring on a defender and get Stones or Maguire to take on that role, as they seem to be better at it than Dier was.
Oh, in that case I agree. It was a logical change, the odd thing though is that he didn't take a penalty and it was Rashford who was our last sub that took one. Fresher legs perhaps... but given Vardy had only been on the pitch for 30mins I was surprised he didn't take one. He's scored 11 and missed 2 in his career.
Maybe because he had been in the game so little he didn't feel confident. I have no problem with him ducking. Better that than trying to be the brave lion when inside he's terrified.
Still, strikes me as strange that the inexperienced kid will take a penalty (and score) but Vardy the experienced pro won't. Who knows, maybe he was carrying a slight knock. Gotta hand it to Rashford, Dier and Trippier, balls of steel all 3 of them.
I said in other threads about Rashford. He desperately wants to be involved. I'm sure he would have taken a pen no matter who else was. Mourinho says he has an incredible mentality, compared it to his own, we saw that last night.
This Swedish squad is one of our best ever, considering the organization, team spirit and our great coach Janne Andersson who are smart, doesn't take shit from anyone and makes all players feel comfortable. It's the complete opposite to our Euro 2016 team when the coach was a coward and Zlatan had WAY too much influence on the team. However, individually we are still very poor. England are superior player by player. The only one who could take a place in England is Emil Forsberg, currently doing well in Leipzig.
Nowadays this Swedish team know their strengths and weaknesses. Janne has told in Swedish TV interviews that the first day on the job he said to the players: "If we want success, we play like this. It will be extremely physical and well organized football. Some may call it boring. We could play another type of football, where we may score more goals, but we won't reach the World Cup. So are you in or out?". It's great to see that all players support his game plan to 100% and that it has given success, even though it's quite "boring". But that's our only chance.
In the WC Qualification we knocked Netherlands out and won a crucial game against France. Only one unlucky loss to Bulgaria from winning the group. In the play-off we knocked out Italy with 1-0 + 0-0 and now Germany and Switzerland is out too. This World Cup we have clean sheets in 3/4 games. We are not a team that loose 3-0. It will be a tough, tight game on Saturday. England are huge favorites, and that suites us perfect. All pressure on you guys
Nowadays this Swedish team know their strengths and weaknesses. Janne has told in Swedish TV interviews that the first day on the job he said to the players: "If we want success, we play like this. It will be extremely physical and well organized football. Some may call it boring. We could play another type of football, where we may score more goals, but we won't reach the World Cup. So are you in or out?". It's great to see that all players support his game plan to 100% and that it has given success, even though it's quite "boring". But that's our only chance.
In the WC Qualification we knocked Netherlands out and won a crucial game against France. Only one unlucky loss to Bulgaria from winning the group. In the play-off we knocked out Italy with 1-0 + 0-0 and now Germany and Switzerland is out too. This World Cup we have clean sheets in 3/4 games. We are not a team that loose 3-0. It will be a tough, tight game on Saturday. England are huge favorites, and that suites us perfect. All pressure on you guys
Oh totally, and I'm glad England are through, but other than the fact Colombia were less sportsmanlike, it's hard to see where England deserve it. They were totally ineffective against a really poor Colombia side. Without the various penalties England have gotten (rightly - but not from what I'd call goal preventing fouls), they'd be out the world cup.
England are playing tidy football, but the chances aren't coming.
many times the champion or the surprise team has a game where they falter and that many times is definitive to change the negative tone or the obsession. Where their own fears are overcome.
The one of Spain was the penalties against Italy in quarterfinals of 2008, with the final goal of Cesc. We managed to overcome the quarters and the fear of playing Italy.
Maybe the England one was yesterday, a K.O victory after so much time ,and reaching it with penalties.
As they said yesterday on TV Rashford has a lot of merit , with 20,21 years?and shooting such an important penalty with level and security.You could see so much confidence when Southgate asked the shooters.
Trippier (who I did not know) also seemed to have enormous confidence and tranquility, both in the penalties and during the match.
The defense looks quite solid, and there is a good goalkeeper compared to what England had in the past.
Kane is incredible. At present,only an exhibition of Mbappé can overcome the feeling of danger every time he touches the ball in the area.
In the following games it would be nice if Sterling finally had a convincing game and more minutes for Rashford.
I still think that Alli is a crack, and that in the middle, associating with Kane and 100% physically is fundamental for your options
The one of Spain was the penalties against Italy in quarterfinals of 2008, with the final goal of Cesc. We managed to overcome the quarters and the fear of playing Italy.
Maybe the England one was yesterday, a K.O victory after so much time ,and reaching it with penalties.
As they said yesterday on TV Rashford has a lot of merit , with 20,21 years?and shooting such an important penalty with level and security.You could see so much confidence when Southgate asked the shooters.
Trippier (who I did not know) also seemed to have enormous confidence and tranquility, both in the penalties and during the match.
The defense looks quite solid, and there is a good goalkeeper compared to what England had in the past.
Kane is incredible. At present,only an exhibition of Mbappé can overcome the feeling of danger every time he touches the ball in the area.
In the following games it would be nice if Sterling finally had a convincing game and more minutes for Rashford.
I still think that Alli is a crack, and that in the middle, associating with Kane and 100% physically is fundamental for your options
I'd drop Ali for Loftus Cheek or Delph. Hes just not fit enough yet.
For me personally, I would drop at least one of Sterling and Alli. No doubt the latter is a starter when he’s on it, but he just seems hampered by the injury and is thus not playing well.
Rashford and Loftus-Cheek for me in place of them.
Rashford and Loftus-Cheek for me in place of them.
Delph was awful in midfield against Belgium. I'd go with Loftus Cheek if Alli genuinely isn't fit enough.
Definitely.
This Swedish squad is one of our best ever, considering the organization, team spirit and our great coach Janne Andersson who are smart, doesn't take shit from anyone and makes all players feel comfortable. It's the complete opposite to our Euro 2016 team when the coach was a coward and Zlatan had WAY too much influence on the team. However, individually we are still very poor. England are superior player by player. The only one who could take a place in England is Emil Forsberg, currently doing well in Leipzig.
Nowadays this Swedish team know their strengths and weaknesses. Janne has told in Swedish TV interviews that the first day on the job he said to the players: "If we want success, we play like this. It will be extremely physical and well organized football. Some may call it boring. We could play another type of football, where we may score more goals, but we won't reach the World Cup. So are you in or out?". It's great to see that all players support his game plan to 100% and that it has given success, even though it's quite "boring". But that's our only chance.
In the WC Qualification we knocked Netherlands out and won a crucial game against France. Only one unlucky loss to Bulgaria from winning the group. In the play-off we knocked out Italy with 1-0 + 0-0 and now Germany and Switzerland is out too. This World Cup we have clean sheets in 3/4 games. We are not a team that loose 3-0. It will be a tough, tight game on Saturday. England are huge favorites, and that suites us perfect. All pressure on you guys
Excellent analysis but the trouble for Sweden is essentially that it's coming home.
I would make one change to this team and that's Rashford for Sterling. I've been saying it for ages now, Sterling is useless up front. Talented player and would be in the team if we were playing with wingers but he doesn't suit this team at all in my eyes.
This is gonna be great, we have a whole UK department at work and I'm the only Swede there. Should be fun! England go in as favourites IMO but this Sweden team is no joke. Should be a good match.
This Swedish squad is one of our best ever, considering the organization, team spirit and our great coach Janne Andersson who are smart, doesn't take shit from anyone and makes all players feel comfortable. It's the complete opposite to our Euro 2016 team when the coach was a coward and Zlatan had WAY too much influence on the team. However, individually we are still very poor. England are superior player by player. The only one who could take a place in England is Emil Forsberg, currently doing well in Leipzig.
Nowadays this Swedish team know their strengths and weaknesses. Janne has told in Swedish TV interviews that the first day on the job he said to the players: "If we want success, we play like this. It will be extremely physical and well organized football. Some may call it boring. We could play another type of football, where we may score more goals, but we won't reach the World Cup. So are you in or out?". It's great to see that all players support his game plan to 100% and that it has given success, even though it's quite "boring". But that's our only chance.
In the WC Qualification we knocked Netherlands out and won a crucial game against France. Only one unlucky loss to Bulgaria from winning the group. In the play-off we knocked out Italy with 1-0 + 0-0 and now Germany and Switzerland is out too. This World Cup we have clean sheets in 3/4 games. We are not a team that loose 3-0. It will be a tough, tight game on Saturday. England are huge favorites, and that suites us perfect. All pressure on you guys
Sweden are a fantastic unit no question. For me, England, if they are favourites, they are only marginally so. Sweden won the u21 Euros with some players from this group in 2015 too. Weirdly England beat them in the group stage with Lingard scoring but then we finished bottom of the group and Sweden went on to win it!
He's generally a good player though. Think that Belgium game isn't a measuring stick of general performance for anyone, for a lot of reasons.
Been playing left back all year, can't remember his last good performance in central midfield.
Vardy has had the same problem in a number of recent England appearances now, where he basically is not involved with the ball. It's not the first time his low number of touches has been noted. It will be analysis that work out whether he or his teammates are more culpable for that.
This squad is already doing its best, I fear. Beating Colombia in the last 16 - in a penalty shootout no less. We’re no better than that. It’s just that we now find ourselves with Sweden, Croatia and Russia standing in the way of a final.
Sure, we could expect better from individuals, but it’s going to be more of the same until someone puts us to the sword.
Sure, we could expect better from individuals, but it’s going to be more of the same until someone puts us to the sword.
Walker hasn't exactly played centre back in his entire club career and yet he performs competently barring one positional error yesterday.
Delph is of more use than Delli Ali on one leg in midfield. That much is a cert.
Playing the 3rd centre back role is a bit different than a regular centre half plus Walker is a really good player. His main purpose is to utilise his pace at the back.
I disagree that Delph is a better player than Dele Alli in midfield, let alone with just one leg. I mean like I said, I can't remember his last good performance in centre mid, especially in a 2 man one that England operate.
Its definitely a 50/50 who will win this game. Sweden has had the best defensive line in the world cup alongside with Uruguay so far. Teams like Switzerland and Mexico haven't been even close to scoring against Sweden. We also have the best goalkeeper and defender of those who is still in the tournament, Granqvist and Olsen. What Sweden lack is obviously offensive quality. But some chances will always be created, if Sweden just gets one goal, England is in trouble, because its very hard scoring against Swedens defensive line.
Yeah it is going to be an extremely tight game - one goal will likely win it.
It is a strange feeling to win a penalty shootout. Not only that, but all the penalties were well-taken, even Henderson's, so does this mean that we might actually be good at penalties now!? Bizarre.
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That's not what I said. I said that Kane's drive, focus and dedication to improvement is on a par with Ronaldo.
They all seem thick as shit. I love them.
I think both teams were shocking last night. The fact that England got through on peno says it all about England really.
Your post makes sense but the players you are pointing out aren’t the ones who affect the game for their club. They don’t dictate play at all they get on the end of things in the box also just like lingard.
At their clubs they are not main creators they rely on eriksen at spurs and Silva De Bruyne etc at city to control tempo and create something.
At England they are basically all relying on henderson. England don’t have a player who will create and that was quite evident again last night.
I actually think if James was fit Colombia would have knocked England out last night.
All that said you need a bit of luck in tournaments and with Sweden in next round you really have a great chance to progress but I wouldn’t be overly confident in you beating them either.
Best central-defenders in the WC of the teams who is left: (According to whoscored)
1. Gimenez, Uruguay
2. Granqvist, Sweden
3. Thiago Silva, Brazil
4. Godin, Uruguay
Left-backs:
1. Laxalt, Urugay
2. Marcelo, Brazil
3. Strinic, Croatia
4. Augustinsson, Sweden
Right-backs:
1. Trippier, England
2. Fernandes, Russia
3. Menuier, Belgium
4. Lustig, Sweden (suspended the next game)
Goalkeepers:
1. Olsen, Sweden
2. Muslera, Uruguay
3. Akinfeev, Russia
4. Subasic, Croatia
Wingers:
1. Neymar, Brazil
2. Mbappe, France
3. Claesson, Sweden
4. Rebic, Croatia
In the other positions, neither Sweden or England has anyone in the top-4. Except one of course, striker, where Kane is the highest ranked striker of all. I think these list in a good way of showing that Sweden actually have had better players than England in a lot of positions so far in the WC, and Granqvist, Olsen, Claesson has been great so far. Olsen has been better than all other goalkeepers who is still in the WC. Sweden have had one of the best defensive-lines in the WC. You do have Harry Kane though. But beforehand, if you look statistically, the game is wide open.
1. Gimenez, Uruguay
2. Granqvist, Sweden
3. Thiago Silva, Brazil
4. Godin, Uruguay
Left-backs:
1. Laxalt, Urugay
2. Marcelo, Brazil
3. Strinic, Croatia
4. Augustinsson, Sweden
Right-backs:
1. Trippier, England
2. Fernandes, Russia
3. Menuier, Belgium
4. Lustig, Sweden (suspended the next game)
Goalkeepers:
1. Olsen, Sweden
2. Muslera, Uruguay
3. Akinfeev, Russia
4. Subasic, Croatia
Wingers:
1. Neymar, Brazil
2. Mbappe, France
3. Claesson, Sweden
4. Rebic, Croatia
In the other positions, neither Sweden or England has anyone in the top-4. Except one of course, striker, where Kane is the highest ranked striker of all. I think these list in a good way of showing that Sweden actually have had better players than England in a lot of positions so far in the WC, and Granqvist, Olsen, Claesson has been great so far. Olsen has been better than all other goalkeepers who is still in the WC. Sweden have had one of the best defensive-lines in the WC. You do have Harry Kane though. But beforehand, if you look statistically, the game is wide open.
Of course Delph is a good player. He hasn't put in a bad performance apart from this Belgium game you refer to (which I didn't actually watch so can't comment on).
Ali was contributing nothing. He was at 50%. Delph at 100% is better than Ali at 50%. This much is blatantly obvious. He's also a natural midfielder moreso than a full back.
Betting that Hamez Milner is regretting hanging up his boots to focus on his club career after seeing this world cup being fairly open. England could have done with him too, offers more than Hendo.