England Discussion | Finish 4th

They'd rather do the talking on the pitch than in the media, something completely opposite to what England have done historically.

You're from India aren't you? Exact same thing can be applied to the Indian media in relation to cricket.
 
You're from India aren't you? Exact same thing can be applied to the Indian media in relation to cricket.
Indian fans and media are just as despicable, hence you won't see me bemused when outsiders are repulsed at the thought of us winning anything. The whole 'we are a reasonable and not a smug or arrogant despite never winning anything fan base at all guys' act puts the cherry on top of the cake. It's literally what we rip into the scousers for.
 
England's best hope is going to be playing the ball over the top to someone like Sterling. If they try and play football, they'll be fecked.
 
I really have no idea here. Croatia's players seem more experienced when you look at Subasic, Mandzukic, Modric, Rakitic. England however looked very comfortable against Sweden and are likely to be less fatigued.
 
Very nervous for tonight. England's will have to play much better than we have at any point so far. But I think the team have that kind of performance in them.

The game is at 4 am here, hoping I can get some sleep before it starts!
 
Very nervous for tonight. England's will have to play much better than we have at any point so far. But I think the team have that kind of performance in them.

The game is at 4 am here, hoping I can get some sleep before it starts!

Where abouts in Oz? Melbourne myself. Will be watching it in a CBD sports bar, breakfast and orange juice in hand!
 
Hello everyone. I have been absent because I made the mistake of drinking after the game, driving, and almost killing both myself and the girl I was taking home.

You beat us fair and square. Pickford was awesome. Sadly Uribe bottled his penalty kick, but Bacca’s one was Pickford merit.

We played as Uruguay or Mourinho’s Inter because we didn’t have our main creative force in James. Mina’s goal was incredible.

Well guys. You defeated us, so I hope you win this damn thing! Croatia is good, but England is also good! They have a better midfield, but you have better attack. Just block Modric and Rakitic, mark Perisic and Madzukic and you will be good. A run from Sterling or Lingard with a killer pass to Kane could kill it.

I want a team with United players to win the WC, with Colombia being out. So it’s either England (Rashford, Young, Lingard, Jones) or France (Pogba). I actually prefer England to win it so we can say we were out against the champion on PK, but of France win it I’ll be happy for Pogba.

PS. With Chelsea being out of CL, can’t we throw them a hundred bucks to buy Kante? His partnership with Pogba is deadly!
 
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Belgium aside England haven't faced a top side in getting to the semi final or a World Cup. Remarkable. I wouldn't regard Croatia as a top side. But they are certainly decent and could cause England problems. I just think they lack a fox in the box to really hurt England. The one area of concern for England maybe the midfield which is Croatia's best area in terms of quality. If England play as they have they should nick a goal from a set piece etc and as long as they remain defensively solid. I expect England to progress. Pickford has been a revelation. Pleased for Southgate. He's done a fine job so far.
 
Indian fans and media are just as despicable, hence you won't see me bemused when outsiders are repulsed at the thought of us winning anything. The whole 'we are a reasonable and not a smug or arrogant despite never winning anything fan base at all guys' act puts the cherry on top of the cake. It's literally what we rip into the scousers for.
Day 28, people still don't get Irony. People are just enjoying seeing their NT doing well and both teams have a genuine chance at this stage of the competition.
 
Day 28, people still don't get Irony. People are just enjoying seeing their NT doing well and both teams have a genuine chance at this stage of the competition.

Exactly, don't see why there are issues when fans are optimistic about world cup when for the first time they are playing as a team and won few knock out rounds. If you can't enjoy these moments, then not sure what you can. Probably royal weddings.
 
1990 was a year before I was born so 1998 is the first real memory. I still remember crying when we lost the penalty shootout and I hope tonight makes better memories. We have to win, we have got this far. It's already working in our favour with France being in the final as they are more likely to bottle it than Belgium (2 years ago against Portugal). The final won't be in Paris this time either, do Croatia and it's won.
 
How do you work out that France are more likely to 'bottle it' than Belgium? I smell BS. If anything them losing 2 years ago is likely to harden their resolve.
 
How fitting that we get a rematch between England reserves and Belgium reserves.
 
Don't think we've done anything more than is par for the course given the run to the semis. Never really looked enough of a threat in open play.

They'll never get that run again to a major final.
 
Really proud of the team. We just lack that quality in a couple of areas which cost us. Never really thought players like Alli and Sterling reached their potential. Hopefully we can learn and come back stronger next time.
 
52 years of hurt.

Who will be the scapegoat this time?

Kane this time. Media have been building him up & he's just back off an injury (probably rushed). All points to a very poor tournament then the knives will be out.

Let's see if he takes the brunt or whether it falls to Sterling or Alli.

To be fair we did a lot better than many of us expected, but it does sting to lose this game in the manner we did. We should have had it wrapped up in the first half but we just couldn't finish our chances.

Priority had to be find a quality 10 to replace Sterling and get Kane in front of goal as much as possible. His Rooney impression in the last two games complete limits him and he looks a different player.
 
Think this could be a good platform for England to build for the future.

In terms of young stars coming through below this level and underage groups the future looks really bright.

Not sure Southgate is the right manager though. And Now he will stay for sure. But then with talent even Deschamps is gonna win the world cup it seems.
 
It's clear there's a severe lack of talent in midfield. But we did so well to get this far, feels great to finally be proud of an England team after a knockout tournament.
 
Lack of quality in midfield our downfall.

Proud of them though. We lived to rue those misses in the first half.
 
Really proud of the team. We just lack that quality in a couple of areas which cost us. Never really thought players like Alli and Sterling reached their potential. Hopefully we can learn and come back stronger next time.

Are those areas...

Defence
Midfield
Attack

?
 
We did really well considering the limitations of the side.
Still got the third place match to play, not too bothered about that though.
 
Kane, Alli, Dier, Trippier ... did you really expect something else from Spurs players? They are probably quite happy with fourth place.
 
Overachieved. Without a midfield, a young side, did brilliantly.

Looked like a few were carrying injuries, especially Kane, who looked frankly off for the entire game.

We can be proud. Just hope we can match this or go better before I die :lol: