World Cup General Discussion Thread - 2030 The Jokes On You

When the dust has settled and all the emotional smoke has cleared, you’ll realise that England were rubbish last night. Just like they were when they were ****ed 4-0 at home by Hungary and relegated from the Nations League before this tournament.

You list an impressive group of managers. Give Sir Bobby this group of players, they’d have won last night. Handsomely.

 

We created enough chances to win or draw, and much higher quality chances than France (2.4-0.9 xG), and that includes the xG from France’s goal that should have been disallowed.

We should have also created more chances if the referee didn’t allow them to foul with impunity in and around the box.

It was a controlled performance against the World Champions, where we had them on the ropes several times.

But we missed great opportunities (especially Kane), had the ref actively working against us and conceded a soft goal (and one that VAR should have disallowed).

 

I'm not an England fan so have no emotion to get rid of. I thought England played pretty well last night against a good team. You can give any International manager a good set of their players in any tournament but if you don't get some rub of the green along the way, it isn't possible to win one. Whoever wins from Croatia, Morocco, France, Argentina will look back and recall a decisive/important moment or two that went their way.

 

You ruin any argument by complaining about the referee and VAR in a game where they provided two penalties where England didn’t score from open play. Or remotely look like doing it. If there was an active referee against us, he doesn’t have to give them or overrule them.

I’m at a loss on your other point regarding the French goal being disallowed. Although I’m pretty sure a ref is to blame for every England defeat ever.

 

France and Croatia seem to make their own ‘run of the green’. Funny that. It’s just another excuse for not winning. Like the ref. It stares you in the face sometimes, but as I know you are very much the forum contrarian, you probably agree with me anyway.

 

I’m in the same position as you, in not being an English supporter, so can look at things objectively. I thought England were the better team, and whilst the first goal of the game was a stunning strike, Saka was clearly fouled in the build up. Luck wasn’t on England’s side and, in my view, they would have had a clear path to the final, had they won last night. Hard to understand Kane’s 2nd penalty. Occasion just got to him I suppose. If I was an England supporter I would be gutted at losing, but pleased with the effort. This group of players will win a tournament, but a change of manager might be needed, to provide a fresh impetus, and not necessarily because of Southgate’s ability to manage.

 

Just because we got two penalties it doesn’t also mean the ref wasn’t bad. He didn’t even want to give the second one despite it being glaringly obvious. The two things don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

 

I wouldn't be so bold as to say 'will'. lol

 

The referee was not to blame for the defeat . Those days are long gone. If a referee does not see a blatant foul . Then we have back up in a studio somewhere. As far as I can tell the Stockley Park Crew were having a coffee break when Saka was fouled before France scored and were on a fag break when Kane was fouled during the 1st half. It's the logical conclusion.

 

The bad news is that Football isn’t coming home. Ever. The good news..Kyle Walker is adopting a cat called Dave

 

My view on the second penalty is that Kane wanted to go to his favoured side again, which had been successful first time, but he knew Lloris would probably guess that so he thought he needed to go for the top corner. A player of his skill should be able to do that, but for whatever reason (adrenalin, nerves) he overdid it.

 

https://twitter.com/francis_scarr/status/1602323518305325056

 

Ah, that explains everything.

 

Tut, tut, tut. Now this is really depressing. They add the apostrophe correctly to imply that it is a party of girls plural, many girls naturally, but they blot their copybooks with some very sloppy grammar, "who cheers for the game with you!". Tsk, tsk, tsk. You would think from this that the world has descended into chaos.

 

Where is this being held? Asking for a friend.

 

Don’t care now, lost all limited interest I had in it. I guess Germany will win it now.

 

Pratterface lists Croatia’s tournament achievements, stating that they were 2018 WC semi-finalists.

Which is true, but…

 

Really not a fan of Matterface. He really grates.

 

I also have to put up with him “commenting” on Dancing on Ice, which Mrs Keighley watches. I try to switch off.

 

This is not going well

 

I think what it is that he a radio commentator. Talks a lot, but adds unneeded comments if you are watching. Probably okay if you are listening in the car but hasn't adapted.

 

He's unbearably dreadful.
I would happily insert a large garden gnome into any part of his anatomy that is suggested.
Buffoon!

 

Yes.

 

I can't think of a single commentator at this world oup that doesn't grate on me. Of the pundits I quite like John hartson but that's about it

 

JH reminds me of Yollo from Spring/Winter Watch,to listen to at least.

 

There's nothing I like more than a feisty Sally Jockstrap style analysis of the game. Fair play that they have women in doing the commentary and analysis now. More power to them! I'm happy to see it.

However, if I can be absolutely frank, it does seem a bit overdone sometimes. It is men's football after all.

The post England exit analysis I saw was done by three fillies standing around with microphones on the pitch. I have no idea who they were. Then yesterday, again, there were just two of the gentler sex having a chat about Argentina and Croatia.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind in the least, it just seems to me that if it was just men going on after a women's match, that wouldn't be right either. Also, again being very frank for a moment, sometimes the high pitched feminine squeals of excited commentary when the ball enters the penalty area, can get the weeniest bit grating sometimes.

 

Yeah I don't really care about women doing the analysis, as the male pundits (Mark Chapman aside) are also abysmal. I very rarely pay any attention anyway.

But the commentary is really hard to listen to. I'd rather no commentary at all.

 

Iolo.