No too worried after that, you expect teams to be more clinical by the 2nd game so I expected Belgium to score more than we did against Tunisia, realistically we should have had 4 or 5 ourselves even without accounting for the two pen's we should have had. Tunisia had some chances today themselves and scored twice from open play and couldn't create anything against us at all.
Day 10: Belgium vs Tunisia, South Korea vs Mexico and Germany vs Sweden
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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.
Crazy game. Well done Belgium! Great WC for Lukaku so far.
This Boyata guy doesn't seem like a good defender.
If Lukaku stays fit and on form Belgium could go far by simply scoring shitloads of goals, but their defence is worryingly bad.
Embarrassing commentary from Phil. "Never liked him at Sunderland?" - your job is to commentate on the game and offer insights ffs.
Lukaku has played like that multiple times for United, so what was said, is complete bull.
I we don't beat Panama by 6 goals tomorrow then in the final game vs Belgium, we have to beat them to win the group.
Likely that a draw vs Belgium will result in us finishing 2nd on GDm
Tunisia are a very poor side and had to substitue half of their back 4 in the first half...it really shows.
Belgium have been very good with Lukaku in top form, but apparently he limped off when he was replaced?
Don't expect Belgium to have this type of performance in the knockout rounds and they must shore up their central midfield because KDB is a midfield two with Witzel has been easily bypassed today many times. Boyata is a weak point in the Belgium defense as well.
Belgium could do with a narrow 4-3-2-1 or 4-2-3-1 with Witzel and Dembele occupying holding roles, but it always seems that Felliani gets the nod over Demeble for Belgium, which is a bit strange.
Belgium have been very good with Lukaku in top form, but apparently he limped off when he was replaced?
Don't expect Belgium to have this type of performance in the knockout rounds and they must shore up their central midfield because KDB is a midfield two with Witzel has been easily bypassed today many times. Boyata is a weak point in the Belgium defense as well.
Belgium could do with a narrow 4-3-2-1 or 4-2-3-1 with Witzel and Dembele occupying holding roles, but it always seems that Felliani gets the nod over Demeble for Belgium, which is a bit strange.
2.23 to 2.41 in just one game. France and Brazil, you're going down.
Khazri secured two shirts
Also Southgate is a much better and smarter manager than Martinez who is appalling so that gives me hope.
How he talked himself in to this job I don't know. Lucky man to be befitting from some world-class players who are making him look good.
How he talked himself in to this job I don't know. Lucky man to be befitting from some world-class players who are making him look good.
Due to injuries?
Twice now.
Touche
Hazard should be our #1 target
Belgium look very good, this is the best chance they've ever had to win it.
Tunisia were doing ok today until the 3rd goal. England could have been out of sight by half time if they were more clinical against Tunisia the other day. However from a creative point of view they are miles behind other teams so can see them running in to trouble very early.
Belgium should beat England comfortably
Tunisia is garbage and while Rom's finishes were top class today, he showed it with Everton and United. He was afforded way too much space.
At club level, United don't have Hazard and KDB providing him service with the space made available by a poor Tunisia side. PL sides pack the midfield and bracket Rom between two CBs. The defenses in the PL are much, much better and organized.
But yes, the media just have an agenda against Jose.
They may well win, but it won't be comfortable.
If I were english, I would rather finish second place and have the opportunity of facing either Mexico or Switzerland in QF than finish first and facing Brazil or Germany (always thinking that they will go through).
Their back line was poor to begin with and they lost so many balls in the midfield and made it easy for Belgium to counter with space. It wasn't really fair yet Tunisia played very open regardless...fair play to them I guess.
Vertonghen can play there or even just play Carrasco against weaker sides and have some semblance of a midfield when defending.
Nah, it will
How is Southgate better? Martinez managed a 6th position with Everton and he's at least always been an entertaining manager with his attacking style. Wigan and Swansea never parked the bus under him against big teams and actually played good passing football but were terrible at the back (this has been his Achilles heel). Southgate got Middlesbrough relegated and that's his only previous experience in management. Now how did he talk himself into the England job?
Is this a joke?
Second place will probably be better for England than first place
Martinez is perfect for Belgium. He’s a great cup manager who gets the best out of their attacking players. Better than that utterly defensive clown they had at previous tournaments.
They may get exposed defensively as Martinez is rubbish there. That’s why they need Kompany fit. He can organise the defence on his own when he plays.
Tunisia had twice as many attempts against Belgium and had an equal share of the possession, against England they only had 40%. They had to come out and play today though as their plan not to lose the first two and win the third game had gone out of the window.
England's group will be the last to play, so the picture will be clear come then.
Equally as possible would be Brazil finishing 2nd and Germany going out, making top spot preferable.
Would like to see what Mourinho's view about Belgium - Tunisia match, especially his view about Rom.
He’s the only weak link in that Belgian team. Whatever happened to Kompany & Vermalen....
Please point out where I said that.
Because vs England they had to defend a 1-1, which they succeded to until the last minute. Here they had to outscore Belgium if they wanted to progress. Two completely different games. Belgium could have scored 12 goals today, while England had a few chances only in the first half, especially before the equalizer by Tunisia, when Tunisia was playing more openly.
My point was that it was 2 different games with different psychologies going on.. England had 18 attempts and Belgium 23 today, not a big difference given that Tunisia were much more open. I doubt Belgium could have scored 12 either, has anyone ever scored near 12 in a World Cup match?
The Belgium was very entertaining. Tunisia didn't stop playing either.
All the top teams have underwhelmed while Belgium have looked ruthlessly clinical and are overwhelming dark horses. Jury's out on England, but they are worth a watch too.
I know most think Belgium won't get far due to Martinez, but I don't see his tactics hindering the team. Belgium have too much star quality to be stifled, they should go far.
I know most think Belgium won't get far due to Martinez, but I don't see his tactics hindering the team. Belgium have too much star quality to be stifled, they should go far.
Martin O Neill having a cheeky pop at G.Nev
Don't mean to bash Belgium, but Tunisia made even England look like an attacking powerhouse (with terrible finishing) and Panama isn't exactly impressive either.
Yet he would have been the first one to get blamed if he had played badly with such a group of players, which is kind of harsh. He just can't win.