Very true, but Brasil (other quarter possibility) are not guaranteed first place and even so, they have not been inspiring at all. Let alone Neymar may be out for the world cup. England need to play without fear regardless of their opponent. They are best in attack.Is this right … that it'll be better for England to come 2nd than to win the group? If so, then Belgium will have the same realisation and both teams will be doing their best to lose to the other in the final group game
England Discussion | Finish 4th
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
-
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.
A bit late to this thread but I was pretty happy with our overall performance. It was much better than recent tournament performances, granted against lesser opposition. In the past we have struggled to make chances, we've looked short of ideas, we've fallen apart with even the slightest set-back, but that wasn't the case against Tunisia. It wasn't brilliant for 90 minutes, but it was fairly positive for a young team in their first game against a bunch of time-wasters, dodgy officials and of course pressure. We got the job done and those 3 points are massive.
I'd be more worried if we didn't create chances, if we didn't look dangerous at set plays, if we didn't keep possession of the ball well, and if didn't remain calm and stick to our game plan.
There's obvious flaws and room for improvement, and things that could cost us against good opposition. We were far too wasteful, Walker looked uncomfortable at times, and Alli should have been taken off sooner. Sterling also needs to raise his game ASAP.
But Trippier and Maguire played really well, there were a few solid performances dotted around the team, and Kane was there when we needed him most. Did he dig us out of a hole? Yes. Isn't that what world class players are supposed to do?
There's always going to be people who bash England, but come on, it wasn't a horrific performance. It was very good in the first half, ok in the second, we deserved to win the game comfortably and thankfully we got there.
Also, screw the people who say we over-celebrated. There's nothing wrong with going mental and enjoying a last minute winner in a World Cup match. I'm sure if Brazil or Argentina scored a last minute winner in their matches, they'd be going mental too. It doesn't mean that we think we're going to lift the trophy - it's just enjoying sport and the moments it creates.
Really looking forward to the Panama game and think it's been a decent World Cup so far.
I'd be more worried if we didn't create chances, if we didn't look dangerous at set plays, if we didn't keep possession of the ball well, and if didn't remain calm and stick to our game plan.
There's obvious flaws and room for improvement, and things that could cost us against good opposition. We were far too wasteful, Walker looked uncomfortable at times, and Alli should have been taken off sooner. Sterling also needs to raise his game ASAP.
But Trippier and Maguire played really well, there were a few solid performances dotted around the team, and Kane was there when we needed him most. Did he dig us out of a hole? Yes. Isn't that what world class players are supposed to do?
There's always going to be people who bash England, but come on, it wasn't a horrific performance. It was very good in the first half, ok in the second, we deserved to win the game comfortably and thankfully we got there.
Also, screw the people who say we over-celebrated. There's nothing wrong with going mental and enjoying a last minute winner in a World Cup match. I'm sure if Brazil or Argentina scored a last minute winner in their matches, they'd be going mental too. It doesn't mean that we think we're going to lift the trophy - it's just enjoying sport and the moments it creates.
Really looking forward to the Panama game and think it's been a decent World Cup so far.
Slightly out of topic but have England fans travelled at all this time around? On television at least, I swore I saw more Tunisia fans and locals on a day out in the stands. I reckon they used to take truckloads of them to places much farther from Europe like Brazil and the Far East, where sometimes all you could see when England played were England fans and flags. Interesting.
They've travelled very little this time around for obvious reasons. The sour relations between Russian and the UK at the moment and the target on their backs that English fans have from Russian hooligan firms. I throroughly understand Englang fans for not travelling.
Having said that, it seems that the behavious of the Russian hosts so far has been nothing short of exemplary. As is the norm with these kinds of events, the local population are proud at hosting such an event and are at their best behaviour and I think the Russian security forces have the unruly elements under tight surveillance. So maybe if/when England make the knockout stages, more England fans will come.
There haven't been any mass brawls so I understand why you think they haven't travelled.
Other than the bright, fluid attacking display in the first half, the fact that heads didn't drop and rhythm wasn't lost after conceding was very good to see.
Poor finishing and the lull that occured for a large part of the second half are of course a worry, and not least the fact that we came within four minutes of dropping two points against a bang average team. I felt Vardy could have replaced the ineffectual Sterling on the 60 minute mark.
Yes, Tunisia are not a good team, but when you consider the way previous England sides have laboured against teams of equal or lesser ability in major tournaments before - and how several of the big hitters in this tournament have fared again rank average opposition - it's pleasing even if nothing to get excited about.
I feel more positive about things than I did before the game. Fingers crossed we don't get Colombia in the next round, I'd be very confident of beating anyone else in that group.
Poor finishing and the lull that occured for a large part of the second half are of course a worry, and not least the fact that we came within four minutes of dropping two points against a bang average team. I felt Vardy could have replaced the ineffectual Sterling on the 60 minute mark.
Yes, Tunisia are not a good team, but when you consider the way previous England sides have laboured against teams of equal or lesser ability in major tournaments before - and how several of the big hitters in this tournament have fared again rank average opposition - it's pleasing even if nothing to get excited about.
I feel more positive about things than I did before the game. Fingers crossed we don't get Colombia in the next round, I'd be very confident of beating anyone else in that group.
Last edited:
Imagine Loftus-Cheek will be the only change vs Panama. Hopefully he plays well as I think he should be playing regardless of Dele's fitness.
Looked lively when he came on against Tunisia so I'd be happy with that.
This was the one change I was waiting for. Sterling was substandard throughout.
You guys should do great. I’m sure the whole of the USA will rally behind you now.
A vast improvement on recent tournaments, Southgate should be praised for getting as much out of this England side as he has. However some things are still concerning: The fact we only managed two goals from open play and one being a big deflection, holes in the defence which Panama were able to behind a few times, Sterling being unable to score from a few yards out (yet has been banging them in for City for fun
). I fear for England against a big team.
). I fear for England against a big team.Most of the big teams have been terrible, though.A vast improvement on recent tournaments, Southgate should be praised for getting as much out of this England side as he has. However some things are still concerning: The fact we only managed two goals from open play and one being a big deflection, holes in the defence which Panama were able to behind a few times, Sterling being unable to score from a few yards out (yet has been banging them in for City for fun
Stop being mardy.
Only on the caf could you thrash a team 6-1 then see negativity. It may be Panama, but a better side on paper didn't beat them that much, and other better sides have done much worse so far.
It's clearly coming home.
Only on the caf could you thrash a team 6-1 then see negativity. It may be Panama, but a better side on paper didn't beat them that much, and other better sides have done much worse so far.
It's clearly coming home.
Yes I agree the team will be coming home soon!
The problem is they aren't always going to be, Germany for example did what they needed to do when they were on the cusp of being eliminated. France have barley gotten out of 2nd gear but won both of their matches, Brazil were always a threat against a valiant Costa Rica (same for Spain), Belgium have also scored 9 goals so far. I think we are seeing England at their best but there are many areas where they can be exploited, in a way they are like Liverpool except Liverpool are much better at scoring from open play.
A vast improvement on recent tournaments, Southgate should be praised for getting as much out of this England side as he has. However some things are still concerning: The fact we only managed two goals from open play and one being a big deflection, holes in the defence which Panama were able to behind a few times, Sterling being unable to score from a few yards out (yet has been banging them in for City for fun
I think how good we are at step plays is the biggest plus. It is invaluable in such tournaments where you often have cagey games with little in them.
My concerns are Pickford and the defence who all look shaky at times. That said, all sides have their moments in games, especially when playing out of the back. Walker's mistake in the first game and Young getting beat a few too many times worries me.
A vast improvement on recent tournaments, Southgate should be praised for getting as much out of this England side as he has. However some things are still concerning: The fact we only managed two goals from open play and one being a big deflection, holes in the defence which Panama were able to behind a few times, Sterling being unable to score from a few yards out (yet has been banging them in for City for fun
Yeah this. I'm happy we won 6-1 and all but what happens when we face a decent side who can defend set-pieces?
Belgium will be that test so if you fail it and adjustments are needed then at least you get a chance do do just that in the next round.
I'll be interested to see whether Southgate changes the set up for the Belgium game. As is I think ye'll be exposed but maybe he has something different in mind for stronger teams.
Darn tootin yes sir!
It’s coming home lads!
I'm confused- thought we played either Germany or Mexico next, but Metro saying it's either Poland, Colombia, Japan or Senegal?
Are people just getting ahead of themselves and thinking about the QFs?
Are people just getting ahead of themselves and thinking about the QFs?
This has been the most likeable English team in a long time. No big egos there, and the lack of real expectations has contributed to a good start by England.
It helps that there is no mass hysteria over a star player's fitness or the state of their metatarsals, no big focus on where the WAGS are staying or any such nonsense.
It helps that there is no mass hysteria over a star player's fitness or the state of their metatarsals, no big focus on where the WAGS are staying or any such nonsense.
Dele Alli and Vardy are cnuts. Walker looks scum, but seems a fairly decent bloke tbf.
So sad that Kane is at such a pointless club. Shearer all over again.
Yep, we would play someone from Group H depending on where we finish. Then if we finish 1st or 2nd, could play Germany/Tunisia or Switzerland/Mexico in 1/4 finals.
It’s good alright. Hopefully the English press will keep it that way.
Let's play someone decent first.
God knows how I had it in my head it was either Ger/Mex. I guess cos all the talk was about that. Don't want to get ahead of ourselves.
I mean it's worth thinking about what the easier route is to the final, but ultimately there's nothing England can do about it. Can hardly go out looking to lose to Belgium or draw but get a certain amount of yellows and finish 2nd, that would be ridiculous.
But yeah, I don't think we're necessarily going to beat any of those 4 at this rate anyway, certainly I wouldn't be hugely confident.
Agreed and Southgate doesn't seem the type to send the players out on a mission to rack up loads of yellows.
Ive always thought that after the initial group stage the teams in knock out rounds should go into a hat and be drawn as in the FA Cup, this would cut out the tactical matches we always see, ie where two teams "arrange" to draw match 3 of the group in order that they both go through, often eliminating a team they might have met in another round.
Southgate will want to win the game I think. I think there will be changes but not wholesale changes.
Depends on what Germany do in their group. If Germany fail to win their group then it's preferable for England to finish 2nd in the group.
The group winners would almost certainly meet Brazil or Germany in the QF and then Spain or Argentina in the SF. The group runner up would likely meet Mexico in the QF and Croatia in the SF.
Spain are possible SF opponents if we finish 2nd and they top their group (which I think they will).
How would a knock out round draw cut that out? Teams will still play for the draw where it works for them.
The Belgium game will give us an idea where we really stand.
I think our defense will get found out a bit, we have looked a little wobbly when attacked and Hazard/Lukaku/Mertens could show us up.
Saying that though England usually do better against a harder opposition, if the game gets stretched our pacey players will take advantage.
It's the right game at the right time for us really, if we lose it's a tough lesson learnt, if we win then confidence will be huge.
I think our defense will get found out a bit, we have looked a little wobbly when attacked and Hazard/Lukaku/Mertens could show us up.
Saying that though England usually do better against a harder opposition, if the game gets stretched our pacey players will take advantage.
It's the right game at the right time for us really, if we lose it's a tough lesson learnt, if we win then confidence will be huge.
The team’s plane? Well, obviously. Probably just after they
The thing for me is that...
1. Panama and Tunisia are like playing non-league sides - not that that's England's (or Belgium's) fault, you can only beat who's in front of you. But still, lots of people are talking like we battered a proper team.
2. I don't actually think we looked that good in the game (Southgate said the same)...
Of the 6 goals, the 2 pens were just daft from Panama, and the third of Kane's hat-trick was a ridiculous deflection that he wasn't even looking at (he was facing the other way). Yes, we'd still won 3-1, but I just think the scoreline flattered slightly.
1. Panama and Tunisia are like playing non-league sides - not that that's England's (or Belgium's) fault, you can only beat who's in front of you. But still, lots of people are talking like we battered a proper team.
2. I don't actually think we looked that good in the game (Southgate said the same)...
Of the 6 goals, the 2 pens were just daft from Panama, and the third of Kane's hat-trick was a ridiculous deflection that he wasn't even looking at (he was facing the other way). Yes, we'd still won 3-1, but I just think the scoreline flattered slightly.
Has to swap Rashford in for Sterling now.
Southgate will want to beat Belgium.
Southgate will want to beat Belgium.