World Cup 2018

[Lord Tyrion]

I read somewhere it was the referees fault?

Said in jest presumably. Refs have had a wonderfully quiet tournament. They have got on with things, big decisions have been double checked by VAR. I don't know that any team can claim to have been knocked out by a dodgy ref. We certainly were not.

 

[Orikoru]

Curse this team and Southgate for making me believe again! I never believed we wouldn't win that last night until we'd gone 2-1 down with about 10 minutes to go, and the lads looked done in. I said before the tournament we would go out to a Stones mistake, and so it proved, but it feels wrong to hammer him now as he's had an excellent tournament before that. Sterling was incredible in the first half, and really showed his worth to the doubters I think. Running the channels tirelessly and winning free kicks all over the place. I can't believe Kane missed that chance (where VAR would have proved him to be onside). So unlike him but what can you say, he is human. Was so chuffed for Trippier scoring though, he deserved a goal for how he played this tournament, just like Maguire got his deserved goal against Sweden.

I don't buy the rubbish about our achievement being worthless because of the easy draw. In Euro 16 we got an easy draw against Iceland - and lost. In World Cup 10 we got the easy group draw - but only scraped 2nd so we had to face Germany instead of Ghana. You can only beat what's in front of you, and England have a history of not doing that, but this time we did it. We restored some national pride that was sorely lacking, and I've now seen my country in a World Cup semi-final - last time that happened I was 3 years old. In fact, the first tournament I ever watched was Euro 96, where we were class, and it's literally all been downhill since then. I've finally seen us perform well in a tournament, and I'm glad.

 

[clubchamp98]

Disappointed but overall quite happy with how far we got.
Personally I can’t help feeling we came unstuck by by not taking our chances, and wasting opportunities.
Sterling for me had a good game, but still has no end product. Kane was going too deep and slow, he’s a striker not midfield player.
Henderson appeared at times to be the only midfield player, and Ali didn’t seem fully at it.
However for all that, the squad have done us all proud and given many youngsters the belief that just because youre young, or not at one of the select top clubs, you can make the national team.

agree with this summary but would ask if we can see it why can’t the coaching staff.

I asked is Kane to big to sub ? As he was poor last night.

When we were 1-0 up and Croatia were pushing forward leaving massive gaps in defence that was the time to bring Vardy on not wait until its 2-1 and they had retreated with no spaces which dosnt suit Vardy

He took Sterling off but it should have been Kane!

 

[Orikoru]

Said in jest presumably. Refs have had a wonderfully quiet tournament. They have got on with things, big decisions have been double checked by VAR. I don't know that any team can claim to have been knocked out by a dodgy ref. We certainly were not.

The ref was poor last night but not in a way that really affected the result.

 

[Orikoru]

agree with this summary but would ask if we can see it why can’t the coaching staff.

I asked is Kane to big to sub ? As he was poor last night.

When we were 1-0 up and Croatia were pushing forward leaving massive gaps in defence that was the time to bring Vardy on not wait until its 2-1 and they had retreated with no spaces which dosnt suit Vardy

He took Sterling off but it should have been Kane!

Firstly, Kane is the captain, and one of the best strikers in the world. Even on an off day he can get a half chance and score. I don't think you ever take him off if you need a goal, that would be madness.

Secondly, Vardy missed the last game with an injury, so perhaps he wasn't fit enough to do more than 15-20 mins, he was just a last throw of the dice.

Thirdly, I do agree that Sterling shouldn't have come off, he was playing really well. I would have had Lingard off for Rashford as it wasn't his best game.

 

[Dan2501]

Would love to see Ryan Sessegnon given a go at LWB in place of Ashley Young. Other than that I don't think we need to make many changes to the personnel. Main change needs to be tactical when we get ahead in a game. It happened against Colombia, and it happened against last night. We get ahead, we have a good first half but come out in the 2nd super negative, go away from our natural game and our game that gave us success in the first half and invite pressure. Then, when the opposition ultimately score they have all the momentum and we struggle to get our game back, very frustrating to watch.

 

[Kellfire]

Kane is allegedly carrying an injury but that's no excuse for Southgate's poor tactics with Kane playing deep and Sterling playing high.

You also can't plan for Walker, Stones and Maguire all having a dodgy game at the back. Some of those back passes to Pickford, and amongst themselves, were asking for trouble. They looked anything but assured in that second half when they were pressed.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I hope Kane wasn't carrying an injury and still playing. Surely we have learnt over the years that players at 85-90% don't work at this level.

 

[ColchesterFC]

Does the 5-3-2 system work? Yes, it got us to a World Cup semi final but we didn't seem to create much from open play. Was that down to the formation or the players we had available. Think Young has probably played his last game for England, due to his age when the next Euros starts rather than his performances, so would bring in Rose for him. Not convinced by Walker at centre back and although he could improve into that role he's not going to get the chance to play there at Man City to get better at it. Which poses another problem as if he doesn't play centre back does he replace Trippier, who has been fantastic, at right back?

Would we be better going to a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1? Sterling going out wide where he plays best for Man City? Alli playing behind Kane as he does for Spurs? If Llalana is fully fit a playing regularly how do you get him in to the team, if at all?

All of this might seem a bit churlish given how far we got but we need to improve so it's a question of how we get better.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Firstly, Kane is the captain, and one of the best strikers in the world. Even on an off day he can get a half chance and score. I don't think you ever take him off if you need a goal, that would be madness.

Secondly, Vardy missed the last game with an injury, so perhaps he wasn't fit enough to do more than 15-20 mins, he was just a last throw of the dice.

Thirdly, I do agree that Sterling shouldn't have come off, he was playing really well. I would have had Lingard off for Rashford as it wasn't his best game.

Sorry but it’s nonsense to suggest just because someone is captain and one of the best players in the World you dont take them off ?

Firstly - it’s just an arm band , Kane as captain didn’t really seem to do much on the pitch as a captain , not very vocal - should have been Henderson - there is nothing to stop the arm band going to soneone else - it happens all the time in club football - it’s not permanently sown on

Secondly - he was getting half chances but was missing them and was clearly struggling, he was anonymous for England in the main and should have been replaced with fresh legs

I thought Southgate subs last night weren’t great

Sterling shouldn’t have gone off when he did , same with Henderson

Loftus Cheek should have come on for Lingard and Vardy for Kane for extra time

Then Wellbeck for Alli

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Colchester, not churlish, all fair and valid points. I think we have to give credit to Southgate in that he looked at the players he has and created the system that suited them and this type of football. It worked to a large extent as he managed to drill the set plays so well. Now he has two years of friendlies and Euro qualifiers to try to expand the range, perhaps bring in different players to see if we can compete at this level more often.

I don't see anyone having a pop this morning. We are appreciating what has happened and looking at how to move forward, constructively.

 

[Orikoru]

Does the 5-3-2 system work? Yes, it got us to a World Cup semi final but we didn't seem to create much from open play. Was that down to the formation or the players we had available. Think Young has probably played his last game for England, due to his age when the next Euros starts rather than his performances, so would bring in Rose for him. Not convinced by Walker at centre back and although he could improve into that role he's not going to get the chance to play there at Man City to get better at it. Which poses another problem as if he doesn't play centre back does he replace Trippier, who has been fantastic, at right back?

Would we be better going to a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1? Sterling going out wide where he plays best for Man City? Alli playing behind Kane as he does for Spurs? If Llalana is fully fit a playing regularly how do you get him in to the team, if at all?

All of this might seem a bit churlish given how far we got but we need to improve so it's a question of how we get better.

I think Gareth is a firm believer in using a back 3 so that will remain. I reckon if he was fit, Oxlade would have been starting in Alli's spot in this World Cup. I agree with you on Young, and Sessegnon should be the natural replacement if he does well in the Premier League. I would like to see Lascelles come into the squad rather than Cahill or Jones as he looks a real class act. I think the number 1 shirt is still potentially up for grabs if Nick Pope has another season like last season. The likes of Loftus-Cheek and Rashford need moves though, as they're just not going to get enough games at Chelsea or Man Utd respectively. They need moves and regular football to become the top players they can be.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Too early to analyse performances, 4-6 months ago some of those players wouldn’t of even been in the squad, let alone the first 11.

Hopefully we don’t start putting too much pressure on those that went to Russia, for some it’ll be their last World Cup.

Southgate said there were no issues with Kane.

Southgate did far better with the players he had than he expected and hopefully he’ll build on this great summer.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I think Gareth is a firm believer in using a back 3 so that will remain. I reckon if he was fit, Oxlade would have been starting in Alli's spot in this World Cup. I agree with you on Young, and Sessegnon should be the natural replacement if he does well in the Premier League. I would like to see Lascelles come into the squad rather than Cahill or Jones as he looks a real class act. I think the number 1 shirt is still potentially up for grabs if Nick Pope has another season like last season. The likes of Loftus-Cheek and Rashford need moves though, as they're just not going to get enough games at Chelsea or Man Utd respectively. They need moves and regular football to become the top players they can be.

Rashford made 52 appearances last season, 35 out of 38 in the PL, tell us again he’s not getting enough games.
He’s only 20, maybe he should continue to play for one of the biggest in the world with some of the best players in the biggest comps.

 

[IanM]

Just didnt happen forus last night, after the first 2o minutes....Young squad, will learn from this and plenty of scope for growth...

Good tournament.....no complaints, beaten by a team who were better on the night.

I suspect an English foot that high for the goal would have been ruled out!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Does the 5-3-2 system work? Yes, it got us to a World Cup semi final but we didn't seem to create much from open play. Was that down to the formation or the players we had available. Think Young has probably played his last game for England, due to his age when the next Euros starts rather than his performances, so would bring in Rose for him. Not convinced by Walker at centre back and although he could improve into that role he's not going to get the chance to play there at Man City to get better at it. Which poses another problem as if he doesn't play centre back does he replace Trippier, who has been fantastic, at right back?

Would we be better going to a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1? Sterling going out wide where he plays best for Man City? Alli playing behind Kane as he does for Spurs? If Llalana is fully fit a playing regularly how do you get him in to the team, if at all?

All of this might seem a bit churlish given how far we got but we need to improve so it's a question of how we get better.

I think you have it spot in regards the system

It is very limited and was exposed as soon as the team faced someone with real quality - the signs were there against Colombia

A 4-3-3 would be a good start with

Pickford/Pope

Trippier/Alexander Arnold
Maguire/Gomez
Stones /Lacelles
Rose/Sessegnon

Henderson/Dier
Alli/Ox
Lallana/Loftus Cheek

Sterling
Kane
Lingard/Rashford

You still need to find some other players and hopefully people like Brewster and Foden can come through plus Jadon ( at Dortmund) even players like Lookman - quick skilful wide player

England have a strong base to work with but think 3 at the back will harm them - the two losing semi finalists played 3 at the back

 

[clubchamp98]

I would have Henderson or Stones as captain, Kane is not a natural in that role. Let him score goals, nothing more.

The job going forward is to add creativity and goals from open play into the team. Alli, Lindgard and Sterling are not producing those as a three so the trio needs breaking up. Keep two out of the three, rotate them perhaps, but a different type of player is needed in midfield to take us forward. RLC, The Ox, both have a chance to grab that role, perhaps others that haven't come to mind yet this morning.

Only change at the back for me would be Rose for Young, the rest are worthy of their places.

I'd like to see Southgate be more pro-active with his substitutes but I accept that is easy to say from the comfort of a chair. Maybe he will be going forward, he must have felt huge pressure during this tournament so caution is understandable.

It's nice to wake up the morning after and still feel okay about going out. Plenty to be proud about, the team have had us smile again. That is an achievement in itself.

good summary .

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I think it’s very easy to overlook those young players who weren’t available through injury that would make our squad so much more stronger and competitive, Gomez and Oxlade C immediately come to mind for me.
I think it’s very probable we could have at least 2 good players for each position and all play the same game and format.

The biggest issue for me over the whole tournament was whilst we scored goals, very few were from open play and that ultimately cost us.

 

[Orikoru]

Rashford made 52 appearances last season, 35 out of 38 in the PL, tell us again he’s not getting enough games.
He’s only 20, maybe he should continue to play for one of the biggest in the world with some of the best players in the biggest comps.

More than half of his appearances were as a sub, and another huge percentage were playing as a left winger rather than a second striker role where he clearly thrives. I don't think being stuck on the bench or out of position in a Mourinho team is going to produce the best player. He needs to be starting games, in his favoured position.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Just laugh at the sad, sad little men, in their funny skirts, with their funny way of speaking

which is an interesting comment on Scots blokes...

Anyway - this Scot is disappointed to see England out. Was enjoying my friends and family getting very excited - and I was enjoying being able to be engaged.