Definitely play the best team tomorrow. Possibly play those who have a claim to win a spot in the side (I.e. Rashford) but no more than that.
England Discussion | Finish 4th
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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'm enjoying this world cup especially having just watched Germany being knocked out. A lot of the 'lesser' teams are doing well and have enjoyed watching England play so far. Will not get excited until we play against better teams but I like a lot of the newer players , like Mcguire,Alexander-Arnold, trippier and of course Jesse.
I'm not bothered if we win or not against Belgium and the important thing is too keep free of injuries.
For future games I think Sterling and Alli shouldn't be in the team at the start. sterling because he doesnt cut the mustard playing for England
and Delli is not on form. By all means bring on Alli as a sub because he can create and score goals.
I suppose most people are awaiting our 'crashing out' moment but we can celebrate getting this far, with hopefully a touch further to go.
I do like the improvement in Speed, passing and strength of this team but the manager should not deter too much from his core team.
ps The football we are seeing is far better than what we had to witness last year in the league but I suppose the world cup means more to the players and they get more rest betweens games.
I'm not bothered if we win or not against Belgium and the important thing is too keep free of injuries.
For future games I think Sterling and Alli shouldn't be in the team at the start. sterling because he doesnt cut the mustard playing for England
and Delli is not on form. By all means bring on Alli as a sub because he can create and score goals.
I suppose most people are awaiting our 'crashing out' moment but we can celebrate getting this far, with hopefully a touch further to go.
I do like the improvement in Speed, passing and strength of this team but the manager should not deter too much from his core team.
ps The football we are seeing is far better than what we had to witness last year in the league but I suppose the world cup means more to the players and they get more rest betweens games.
First time since 1966 we've gone further than Germany.
niceHave a look at the brackets here: https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/wo...germany-eliminated-sweden-and-mexico-advance/
If we win our group tomorrow and the Brazil result remains as it is, we'll be on the same side of the bracket as Brazil (in the QF), and one of France/Argentina/Uruguay/Portugal in the semi. Really doubt we'd make it very far against all of that.
If we lose tomorrow our QF would be against winner of Sweden/Switzerland, and most likely Spain/Croatia in the semi.
Getting to the semis would be a great result and would be more likely imo if we lose tomorrow. Wouldn't complain about all the heavy matches against Brazil etc entertainment wise though if we beat Belgium tomorrow and get past the R16.
If we win our group tomorrow and the Brazil result remains as it is, we'll be on the same side of the bracket as Brazil (in the QF), and one of France/Argentina/Uruguay/Portugal in the semi. Really doubt we'd make it very far against all of that.
If we lose tomorrow our QF would be against winner of Sweden/Switzerland, and most likely Spain/Croatia in the semi.
Getting to the semis would be a great result and would be more likely imo if we lose tomorrow. Wouldn't complain about all the heavy matches against Brazil etc entertainment wise though if we beat Belgium tomorrow and get past the R16.
It's better keeping momentum and win the group. Brazil are not that good.
Potential route to the final for group winners: Colombia, Brazil, France
Potential route for runners-up: Japan, Switzerland, Spain
Potential route for runners-up: Japan, Switzerland, Spain
How many own goals do you expect to see tomorrow? The team that finishes second in the group has to have the best route through to the Semis.
Potential Swiss/Sweden QF if England get there. Never get a better chance to reach a World Cup semi final.
I'm intrigued to see how they do the lot-drawing process if it's a draw tomorrow with one more England booking on the night.
So bizarre to be going into a WC match hoping to lose, but when you look at how the rest of the tournament is likely to play out, it just makes sense.
Swiss/Sweden as a possible QF? We probably couldn't have even dreamt of that before the tournament started.
Swiss/Sweden as a possible QF? We probably couldn't have even dreamt of that before the tournament started.
By tomorrow evening we'll also know about the last-16 side of that equation. Entirely feasible that Japan win Group H and Colombia finish second, meaning that the winners of our group would play Colombia.
Thing is if we lose to a second-string Belgium why worry about winning anyway?
I'd make a few changes but nothing major. The key is to keep winning matches and build momentum. I would definitely play Kane.
Thing is a loss could kill momentum which will render the argument moot anyways as we'll have still gone out.
It's a tough one.
It's a tough one.
The England vs Belgium match has somewhat turned into an anti-climax for myself. Whilst both have qualified I genuinely would like to see 2 - as close as, full strength teams playing to win the group.
ITV just stated that Martinez is going to make several changes(quoted 10 but that seems too ludicrous) and Gareth Southgate is going make a few changes which is understandable (if its 2-3) but from me it seems like Belgium are going for 2nd place.
All the talk of an easier route I'm just not buying it.
Both teams have played a poor Tunisia and Panama, this is the perfect opportunity for a team to play it's tactics as if it was an actual k.o game and keep momentum going without risking anything.
ITV just stated that Martinez is going to make several changes(quoted 10 but that seems too ludicrous) and Gareth Southgate is going make a few changes which is understandable (if its 2-3) but from me it seems like Belgium are going for 2nd place.
All the talk of an easier route I'm just not buying it.
Both teams have played a poor Tunisia and Panama, this is the perfect opportunity for a team to play it's tactics as if it was an actual k.o game and keep momentum going without risking anything.
I can’t believe Belgium are going for second place. If they are they won’t win the competition. Weak mentality.
We play for the win and let the chips fall where they may.
We play for the win and let the chips fall where they may.
How can you not talk about an easier route when there's potential of playing the swiss or Sweden in the QF in the world cup?
Sweden topped their group against a very good Mexico side and the previous WC champions. There's nothing easy about playing them.
Sweden are a very strong side and Switzerland are no mugs. There will be no easy routes to the later rounds.
I totally agree. Play to win every damned game.
They did, but I'd be a lot more confident playing them than Brazil.
Only if you look at the semis, I'd rather play France than Spain. I was very much in go for the win camp who cares about later, but it's tough to ignore it. Added to the fact, I think Colombia would have a very good chance of beating us too, whereas I think we'd beat Japan.
Who said they're going for second place?
Not so sure finishing first does ensure a harder draw. For sure it gives us a harder quarter final but then if we made it past that I'd give us a fair chance of beating any of Argentina/Portugal/Uruguay, France perhaps less so but there's a very good chance one of those three takes them out beforehand anyway.
If we went on the other side of the draw we'd almost definitely have to face a well-rested Spain in the semi finals due to their easy route, then in the final we'd have to face Brazil anyway who get an extra day's rest over us - the earlier we get them the easier it is to put them out.
Of course this is all fanciful, I'd say it's 50/50 we'd even beat Colombia.
If we went on the other side of the draw we'd almost definitely have to face a well-rested Spain in the semi finals due to their easy route, then in the final we'd have to face Brazil anyway who get an extra day's rest over us - the earlier we get them the easier it is to put them out.
Of course this is all fanciful, I'd say it's 50/50 we'd even beat Colombia.
To be fair Rom has a knock and KDB, Meunier, Vertonghen have yellows so there’s no point to risk losing them for the next match.
Kompany and Vermaelen need a check to see if they can they are fit.
For Belgium to have a shot at winning they need they need to know who is available and who is up for the fight.
I'm fully in one game at a time mode. I've been watching England for too long to get my hopes up and think - if this or that, to fall flat on my face when we get knocked out.
We have played excellent football at times but I think the media and a small pocket of fans are forgetting we played Tunisia and Panama.
I want us to win.
Agreed actually.
Finish top and a tougher round of 16 and QF but an easier SF or final.
To win the thing, would be a dream, but I'd rather have a better chance of going deep in the first place. I'm a bit torn and also worry, if we go beat Belgium tomorrow, great, but will we peak to early and get dumped out swiftly after?
My main concern is Colombia really. If Senegal beat them, I won't care too much. Senegal and Japan will be dangerous, but Colombia, I just don't fancy our chances and can see James and Falcao turning it on.
Don't think you can peak too early over 7 games. Nobody peaked in the Premier League within 7 games.
My fear is we e wasted too many clever set pieces on weak opposition and that another side will look at those set pieces and use one against us.
Yeah it's true, I'm probably overthinking it. I just don't recall many previous winners having such a smooth ride of things from start to finish.
I mean we got knocked out to Iceland in the euros, so feck it go for the win tomorrow and what will be will be.
Same but it's sort of an irrational fear based on them walking through Poland, James is good but we can deny him space with our set-up and Falcao shouldn't have the pace to get in behind us. They also have no central midfield and players in their squad who play league football in Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Brighton...
Plus I think they'll win Group H, Poland are better than Japan and will get beaten up by their fans if they finish on 0 points.
Depends on Group H.
If Colombia win the group then it becomes:
Potential route to the final for group winners - Japan/Senegal, Brazil, France
Potential route for runners-up - Colombia, Switzerland, Spain
I don’t think it’s hugely different in that scenario.
Yeah that scenario is a coin toss. Would probably rather win the group in that case.
Looking at the first three games, I’m not sure Brazil are much better than the Swiss/Swedish.
This. I'd love to beat Brazil. And I think we have a shot.
If our defence was a little bit better, I'd not be as fearful of Brazil. I think we've got the tools going forward to give them all sorts of problems.