World Cup 2018

[Beezerk]

I'd say they will start with 9/10 of the starting eleven, and then take key players off at HT or mid way through second half. Wholesale changes aren't right for me - momentum killer.

That's just it mate I don't agree with the whole momentum thing, I think it breeds over confidence which England have been guilty of many a time. Use yer head son

 

[Beezerk]

The logic is wrong though. There's a fair chance Colombia win tomorrow and top their group I would say, and then potentially Japan will come in 2nd. I would much, much rather play Japan personally, so in that respect finishing 1st in our group betters our chance of going one round further, with an easier last 16 tie.

Trying to fix it so we come 2nd implies that we can comfortably beat anyone from Group H, but that grossly underrates Colombia in my opinion.

Not really, I'm sheeiiite scared of Colombia, they're a cracking team. I'm sort of hoping they finish 2nd

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Continue with the same team unless someone is injured. Keep it going and rest players in the second half if needed

 

[Orikoru]

Not really, I'm sheeiiite scared of Colombia, they're a cracking team. I'm sort of hoping they finish 2nd

Well, you can't bank on other results going your way, so if we phone in a dismal performance in order to finish 2nd, then end up with Colombia then that will have backfired won't it? As I say, all you can do is focus on your own performance and take each game as it comes. For my money, Colombia are still favourites to top their group tomorrow.

 

[Orikoru]

Question, is there a card amnesty after the groups? i.e. anyone with one card after the group stage gets it wiped off? But anyone with 2 misses the last 16?

 

[Beezerk]

Well, you can't bank on other results going your way, so if we phone in a dismal performance in order to finish 2nd, then end up with Colombia then that will have backfired won't it? As I say, all you can do is focus on your own performance and take each game as it comes. For my money, Colombia are still favourites to top their group tomorrow.

Don't Colombia play before us so we'll know where they finish? I'd rather play them than Brazil fwiw.

 

[Orikoru]

Don't Colombia play before us so we'll know where they finish? I'd rather play them than Brazil fwiw.

That's true actually, we are the last group to finish. But I do think they're likely to win their group which means we'll be wanting to win ours.

I still think it's a false logic to try and plan your route through. Whoever you face is going to be a decent side to have got there. Before the tournament you'd have said you'd rather face Croatia than Argentina - but the fact Croatia destroyed Argentina and topped the group surely shows they are the better side anyway? Similarly, we could face Mexico instead of the expected Germany in the quarters - but Mexico outclassed Germany in their game anyway.

 

[Beezerk]

That's true actually, we are the last group to finish. But I do think they're likely to win their group which means we'll be wanting to win ours.

I still think it's a false logic to try and plan your route through. Whoever you face is going to be a decent side to have got there. Before the tournament you'd have said you'd rather face Croatia than Argentina - but the fact Croatia destroyed Argentina and topped the group surely shows they are the better side anyway? Similarly, we could face Mexico instead of the expected Germany in the quarters - but Mexico outclassed Germany in their game anyway.

Germany will come good and go all the way IMO, they can't stay rubbish for that long.

 

[GB72]

Don't Colombia play before us so we'll know where they finish? I'd rather play them than Brazil fwiw.

True but you have to think that we have been planning and training for this game since the last one finished. Not sure that you can change the team at a few hours notice and expect a performance.

 

[Orikoru]

Germany will come good and go all the way IMO, they can't stay rubbish for that long.

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised. I'm just saying it's cup football, anyone you face in the quarters will have won games to get there, and have momentum and a decent run of form most likely.

 

[USER1999]

I would expect to see heavy rotation. It is a squad, not a team. Kane might be on the bench though, just in case he is needed with 20 to go.

Can he claim a goal from sat on the bench, or does he have to be on the pitch?

 

[Kellfire]

Germany will come good and go all the way IMO, they can't stay rubbish for that long.

Their form going back to last winter is awful. Their only wins were two scraped results against the Swedes and Saudi Arabia, both in the last few weeks.

 

[Kellfire]

I would expect to see heavy rotation. It is a squad, not a team. Kane might be on the bench though, just in case he is needed with 20 to go.

Every player is on the bench. You don't name a match day squad in the World Cup, it's the entire squad.

 

[Orikoru]

Their form going back to last winter is awful. Their only wins were two scraped results against the Swedes and Saudi Arabia, both in the last few weeks.

Coming good at the right time then?

In truth I think he will rest a couple of players to keep them sharp. I think we could see Vardy starting for Kane. Walker is on a yellow and could use a rest, so I suspect he will be given the day off as well. The other yellow is Loftus-Cheek, but I think he'll stay in with the goal of Alli coming back in for the last 16 match anyway. Dier may play in Henderson's place for added security against the better side, as well as resting Henderson. I don't think you want to fall into the trap of changing the entire team though, so the others may remain. Remember Trippier and Lingard were subbed off early against Panama, so in effect they've had a bit of a rest, possibly means Gareth was planning to keep them in the starting XI.

 

[Kellfire]

Coming good at the right time then?

In truth I think he will rest a couple of players to keep them sharp. I think we could see Vardy starting for Kane. Walker is on a yellow and could use a rest, so I suspect he will be given the day off as well. The other yellow is Loftus-Cheek, but I think he'll stay in with the goal of Alli coming back in for the last 16 match anyway. Dier may play in Henderson's place for added security against the better side, as well as resting Henderson. I don't think you want to fall into the trap of changing the entire team though, so the others may remain. Remember Trippier and Lingard were subbed off early against Panama, so in effect they've had a bit of a rest, possibly means Gareth was planning to keep them in the starting XI.

Trippier came off because he was injured though, so TAA may be drafted in.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Yeah I get that but who is going to remember a top quality group win at a World Cup? It's all about when you go home, if you can help with that slightly (and rest some players as Kellfire suggested) it's a better option for me.
I'm expecting some players rested tomorrow although Kane is a funny one with him being in the run for the golden boot.

You keep playing your best available 11, great to give squad players a chance in dead rubbers, but to me your past that, every game treated as a cup final, starting with tomorrow, if we win let the opposition in the next round worry about us for a change.

 

[AmandaJR]

Didn't understand a word of either anthem, but the contrast between the rousing Mexican and depressing Swedish one was noticable!!

 

[pbrown7582]

So should England go for the potentially easier route with 2nd spot or try and win the group?
For me I think they should play it smart and go for the easier route, all I've heard on the radio from the ex pros is "keep on winning" etc, it just seems a bit of bravado and not very smart. Almost over confident if you will.

Belguim have implied they would prefer second too......

 

[Orikoru]

Loads going on in these two games. zzzzzzzzz

 

[Beezerk]

if we win let the opposition in the next round worry about us for a change.

That’s the over confidence I’m talking about.
We aren’t good enough to make that statement hence we have to play smarter.