General World Cup Thread

Yeah I wasn't disagreeing, just augmenting.

 

...and to add insult to injury I've just swiched on a "Lewis" I haven't seen & guess what country was mentioned within the first 3 mins?

 

I know. Just trying to keep spirits up

 

Alli and Kane never looked fit. Kane scoring penalties and ricochets he knew nothing about created a mythos, but the best thing Harry did was win free kicks and bury pens. In open play he was largely gash

 

Agreed. Just like after 1990 and 1996, this semi final defeat will inevitably lead to glory in the coming years. For the lads.

 

Djibouti?

 

“Lewis” is ****. “Endeavour” is much better.

 

Southgate has changed our opinion of following England, I hope he is the manager for many years to come, the players played for him, it wasn't to be but the future looks good!

 

To be fair, there's some justification for optimism as we seem to have a pipeline of talent to improve a young side which has just reached the last 4.

That wasn't true of either of the 90s sides, both of which had a few pros in their final or penultimate tourney

 

Why was he playing in midfield tonight? Made as much sense as him taking corners.

 

I like all of Captain Cook's boats

 

Midfield? He was never behind the ball. He was hiding most of the game

 

I'd agree if the likes of Trevor Brooking hadn't made a ludicrous comment on 5Live today that the PL teams outside the top 4 should take on all the young English players from them on loan.

I'd say that sounds more like a lack of confidence in their ability to break through.

 

“Given the choice between the experience of pain and nothing, I would choose pain.”

Well done Croatia. Amazing achievement for such a small country. Think France will tear them a new one though. As they would have to us.

 

I'd no idea Trevor brooking was still alive

 

A typically facetious comment. Ultimately they will as the nation is behind our manager for the first time in many years.

We've set out to put right the issues with our game, and I think we will start winning tournaments

 

Absolutely gutted. Nothing more to add.

 

Well that's me convinced, a compelling argument. You've got it sussed and should get in touch with Gareth to help the lads.

 

It changed the way we played and we couldn't get the ball forward along the floor as Rashford was too far up the pitch. They were pressing us anyway but Rashford was dreadful, losing the ball, heavy touches and never in an area to hurt Croatia.

 

Going to Croatia on holiday next month. Do they make cheese in Croatia?

 

He wasn’t great but I’m not convinced it made much difference. Croatia already had the initiative.

 

The fact that we were only behind in the whole tournament for the last 20 minutes of it tells a positive story.

That second half was the only time it felt like I was watching England in the whole tournament.

We just needed to get a second while we were on top and it would’ve been different.

I’d be more upset but due to the fact that I’m on a stag do that has the flight home booked slap bang in the middle of the WC final, I can now stop looking at skycanner every five seconds and it’s saved me at least £300.

 

They do and it's great. Better than English cheese all across the board.

However, the English cheese is young and learning quickly and will be back.

 

Look, whatever has happened tonight, I think this is a time to reflect and think about the people who are really suffering tonight.

Waistcoat salesmen everywhere have seen their dreams crushed tonight. They've fought against the odds, battled to the front and given everything. But in the end the two piece pragmatists from the Balkans have won through. There's going to be years of two piece pragmatism ahead.

 

Go on, name one.

I call BS.

Mind you, I’ve just eaten some Edam. Those ****s didn’t even make the World Cup.

 

Goudacic.

 

As a France backer I may as well start counting my money. Probably.

 

The Mandzukic. Stinks for most of the time, and needs a good battering, but has a decisive kick.

 

Chad?

 

Good game.

Kazakhstan?

 

Can we have a bet about when it starts to kick off in Hyde Park/Trafalgar Sqaure/or some random small Northern town?

 

About now, I would guess.

My mate and I used to play this game. Which New Years Eve trouble would get the most coverage on Ceefax.

(Old git alert).

 

Yeah they did, just felt that Rashford for Sterling exarcebated it.

Still, there is a huge opportunity for a Will Hughes type of player (not necessarily him as I'm not sure he's quite good enough). Someone that always moves towards the ball, happy to have it into feet even when marked, keeps things ticking over and a creative passer. We don't have that type of player in the current squad.

 

Will (hopefully) be good to see Chalobah become part of this England team as his game continues its upward trajectory. England could have really used his energy and strength in the latter stages tonight.

With Oxlade-Chamberlain to come back, plus another two years experience for the younger players, we could have a very good side in two years time.

Unlike 90 & 96, most of the squad will remain and we won't be changing head coach.

To use a corny soundbite - tonight wasn't the beginning of the end, but the end of the beginning (of a period of decent competitiveness at the top level).

 

Why bother convincing you?

I like what Southgate has done, as I'm sure most people will in the cold light of day. The fact is that we have better quality players coming through that will evolve this side into what we hope it can be.

Germany semi finalist in 2010, winners in 2014.