Heard that Flemish football journalist on BBC4 earlier he reckons both sides really do want to finish second as not only is the route easier but the team gets to stay at their established bases and travel less.
Day 15: Japan vs Poland, Senegal vs Colombia, England vs Belgium, Panama vs Tunisia
- Thread starter whatwha
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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.
I do believe Southgate when he says we'll go for it.... I also think Martinez will tell his team to lose (and he'll think he's really smart for doing so)
Which will make it quite funny when Colombia dump them out.
Which will make it quite funny when Colombia dump them out.
FIFA with the banhammer after shenanigans, Panama and Tunisia to progress.
I think second place will get Japan in the next round. If Colombia ends up second, I want us to win the group.
Euro 2016 with Iceland was only two years ago after all.
I think Colombia will be too much for Senegal, and Poland and Japan (who really aren't very good) will draw.
So second place will play Colombia... which Belgium should win to be fair, but I can't help but think Martinez will drag them down at some point in this tournament.
From what Southgate has been saying I think we we will play for the win.
“We’ve not won a knockout game since 2006,” he said. “So, why we are starting to plot which would be a better venue for our semi-final is beyond me really.”
“We’ve not won a knockout game since 2006,” he said. “So, why we are starting to plot which would be a better venue for our semi-final is beyond me really.”
Belgium will finish top, reach the semi finals, then bottle it against Spain or Croatia.
Colombia are the better team in that group. Colombia's final position today will determine if this match will be competitive or not.
Colombia winning the group means England and Belgium will try to win the group?
I'm assuming they will still try to finish second.
Expected line up for Belgium. Please England, don't hurt us too much 
Hope Belgium absolutely BATTER England! Stop all this over reacting over beating minnows nonsense 
3-0 Belgium. Bats, KDB, Mertens.
Only thing coming home is a bad taste of defeat... hopefully
3-0 Belgium. Bats, KDB, Mertens.
Only thing coming home is a bad taste of defeat... hopefully
Hasn't Twitter expanded the word limit to loads? If so, wtf is this guy typing like a 2005 12-year old girl on MSN? Prick.
We're on the other side of the brackets if we finish top.
Japan 2 - 1 Poland
Colombia 2 - 1 Senegal
Panama 1 - 2 Tunisia
Belgium 1 - 1 England
Colombia 2 - 1 Senegal
Panama 1 - 2 Tunisia
Belgium 1 - 1 England
Belgium could easily smack them as well if they are up for it. Not sure where your confidence is coming from that Colombia will dump them.
Oops yeah, I meant second. Reckon they’ll change most of the team tonight and treat it like a friendly, whereas England will try to win.
Poland - Japan 2-0
Colombia - Senegal 2-1
Colombia and Senegal through.
England - Belgium 2-1
Tunisia - Panama 1-0
Colombia - Senegal 2-1
Colombia and Senegal through.
England - Belgium 2-1
Tunisia - Panama 1-0
I keep laughing at the fans who suggest finishing second means an easy draw for the quarters.
Conveniently forgetting the round of 16 game could be tricky. Anyone of those sidess is a potential banana skin for England.
I don’t care if we get first or second. I’m just glad I have seen 11 players produce some kind of performance, even if it’s against weaker opponents. Last minute winner, hat trick hero, two great penalties, a fluke goal. It’s coming home!
Conveniently forgetting the round of 16 game could be tricky. Anyone of those sidess is a potential banana skin for England.
I don’t care if we get first or second. I’m just glad I have seen 11 players produce some kind of performance, even if it’s against weaker opponents. Last minute winner, hat trick hero, two great penalties, a fluke goal. It’s coming home!
Martinez messing shit up.
That looks like rcoobc's porno stash.
Not a surprise that Martinez is going with that lineup. KDB, Meunier and Vertonghen will be banned for the next match if they get a yellow card whereas Hazard and Big Rom picked up knocks. In addition to the fact that finishing second will likely open up an easier route(on paper) to the Semi Finals, Martinez would be a moron to start his full strength XI.
Christ
as if anyone would give a shit about that if England do indeed go for the weaker team, finish second and win the world cup.
England - Belgium will be fun, both teams looking for a defeat.
Colombia was very impressive against Poland, tbh. Senegal is too open at the back.
Christ
as if anyone would give a shit about that if England do indeed go for the weaker team, finish second and win the world cup.
She's toxic waste to the ears, and her opinions written down are just as bad. One of the most awful English journos around.
Anyone else in here rooting for Senegal?
Senegal and Colombia probably going to be the game of the day. If not for quality, than at least for intrigue. Belgium and England one is a nothing game. Both probably be fighting for second.
CMON Samurais!!!!
She is the main reason I stopped listening to The Game podcast a few years ago.
I think England are a team right now that has momentum behind them. I'd be inclined if I were them to keep it going. Finishing 2nd is probably the smarter move but I think continuing to win games will serve them well.
Colombia looked pretty good and have a few top players. I'd expect them to play well again but who knows in this world cup.
I'm not getting carried away with England and all this playing with freedom talk until we play a better team. We even have Matadona chipping in with positives. Colombia would be a good early test in the next round.
Tonight's game might not be a good chance to see if we're playing well depending on the results this afternoon.
I'm not getting carried away with England and all this playing with freedom talk until we play a better team. We even have Matadona chipping in with positives. Colombia would be a good early test in the next round.
Tonight's game might not be a good chance to see if we're playing well depending on the results this afternoon.
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Those actively wanting England to come second in the group are absolutely delusional. Columbia, Japan and Senegal are all capable of beating England in a one off game. It's almost as if Iceland 2 years ago didn't happen.
England winning the group also means they will play one of those 3 teams. It's the games after that, it's very simple to. Shouldn't take more than few seconds to understand why both of these clubs wants to finish second.
That's a bit harsh, don't you think?
Second place gets put on a side of the tree that on paper is considerably less stacked than the other. Nothing delusional about it. It's not as if "anyone can beat anyone" stops being true if England win their group.
You're surely not going to win the tournament without any sort of competitiveness. At least these are a bit easier than the other path.
A lot can change in 2 years, this team has done more in 2 games than the whole of the Hodgson reign.
Germany won the whole thing 4 years ago and couldn't even get out the group.
Yes Columbia / Senegal could be tricky, but definitely beatable. Japan won't be difficult IMO.
Would I rather play 1 of those 3, and then Sweden or Switzerland? or France / Argentina / Brazil... not difficult.
If England goes for 2nd and manage to get to through the last 16 then they will lose to Sweden or Swiss anyway so they could just as well go for 1st