World Cup 2018

[Orikoru]

Are you sure we knew that about our defence?
Southgate’s teams had only conceded 3 goals in qualifying matches from when he took over and 6 in friendlies (5 of those coming in 2 games)

Stones is more than just a decent passer of a ball, yes he’s young and still developing but his positional sense and his pace are also his strength, Maguire is the bonus on the back of a great season, 6 months ago he was not first choice.

Come on, the standard of teams we play in qualifying is not particularly high for the most part. Let's not pat ourselves on the back for not conceding against the likes of Malta and Lithuania, nor for a few friendlies where the intensity was not that high.

I wasn't knocking us anyway. I'm saying that there will be mistakes due to personnel but it looks as though our defence is getting better as a unit. Last night was a strong collective performance at the back.

 

[Orikoru]

At least it'll be in winter if it goes ahead.

Bilic made me laugh the other day in one of the rare moments I could understand him. They were talking about whether Messi or Ronaldo will still be around for another World Cup and he said "hey, don't forget it's not 4 years this time, it's 3 and a half!"

 

[pbrown7582]

Come on, the standard of teams we play in qualifying is not particularly high for the most part. Let's not pat ourselves on the back for not conceding against the likes of Malta and Lithuania, nor for a few friendlies where the intensity was not that high.

I wasn't knocking us anyway. I'm saying that there will be mistakes due to personnel but it looks as though our defence is getting better as a unit. Last night was a strong collective performance at the back.

and we also played Germany and Brazil in friendlies without conceeding with the 352 shape.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Come on, the standard of teams we play in qualifying is not particularly high for the most part. Let's not pat ourselves on the back for not conceding against the likes of Malta and Lithuania, nor for a few friendlies where the intensity was not that high.

I wasn't knocking us anyway. I'm saying that there will be mistakes due to personnel but it looks as though our defence is getting better as a unit. Last night was a strong collective performance at the back.

You basically said we expected to concede goals with our defence, plus Stones can only pass and Walker is only there for his pace.
No credit whatsoever for other parts of their game.
I don’t understand why we are so overly (imo) critical of our own players, as posted last night, relatively young inexperienced team already exceeding some expectations, no one is saying they are the finished product.
Don’t believe many England supporters can actually look st the squad or watch the match without seeing what Club side they play for.

 

[Orikoru]

and we also played Germany and Brazil in friendlies without conceeding with the 352 shape.

As I said, those games were not played with the highest intensity. No one wanted to risk injuries ahead of the World Cup.

Apparently Falcao has come out and said the referee favoured England! Haha! Who is he trying to kid?? If anything the ref massively lenient in not sending off any of their players.

 

[rudebhoy]

as always, the hype is out of controi. England have only played one decent side (Belgium), and that was in a dead rubber.

England did their usual last night, started off well, then rapidly ran out out ideas. There is no creative spark, the game plan seems to resolve around dead balls. They have only scored 2 goals from open play, and one of them hit Kane on the back of the heel and went in.

Saying that, Sweden do not look like much of a side either, and I wouldn't be surprised if England get past them. If Croatia don't bottle it against Russia, I'd make them favourites to beat England.

 

[MegaSteve]

as always, the hype is out of controi. England have only played one decent side (Belgium), and that was in a dead rubber.

England did their usual last night, started off well, then rapidly ran out out ideas. There is no creative spark, the game plan seems to resolve around dead balls. They have only scored 2 goals from open play, and one of them hit Kane on the back of the heel and went in.

Saying that, Sweden do not look like much of a side either, and I wouldn't be surprised if England get past them. If Croatia don't bottle it against Russia, I'd make them favourites to beat England.

Sadly, England don't have an on form truly creative midfielder at their disposal presently...
So, they just have to get on and do there best with what's to hand...
Some of the current squad have grown in stature [metaphorically] during this current WC...
Hopefully some of the others will follow suit...
And, we'll have some great times ahead...
Especially with some youth players already showing great potential fairly recently...

 

[Orikoru]

Sadly, England don't have an on form truly creative midfielder at their disposal presently...
So, they just have to get on and do there best with what's to hand...
Some of the current squad have grown in stature [metaphorically] during this current WC...
Hopefully some of the others will follow suit...
And, we'll have some great times ahead...
Especially with some youth players already showing great potential fairly recently...

Agree with all of that from Steve. We can only play with the talent pool we have to choose from. Sadly there is no Scholes, no Gascoigne, no Lampard, no Adams etc etc. We have one world class striker and bunch of eager young players to build around him with. To reach the quarter final is already a fantastic achievement.

If Croatia don't bottle it against Russia, I'd make them favourites to beat England.

Of course Croatia would be the favourites, they have a world class midfield.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

as always, the hype is out of controi. England have only played one decent side (Belgium), and that was in a dead rubber.

England did their usual last night, started off well, then rapidly ran out out ideas. There is no creative spark, the game plan seems to resolve around dead balls. They have only scored 2 goals from open play, and one of them hit Kane on the back of the heel and went in.

Saying that, Sweden do not look like much of a side either, and I wouldn't be surprised if England get past them. If Croatia don't bottle it against Russia, I'd make them favourites to beat England.

Sometimes a draw just opens up for you and you have to take advantage. The best teams left in this tournament are all going to knock each other out, last man standing, and they will play against one of the 4 weakest teams in the final. Not our fault Belgium made a howler and scored a goal against us . The excitement from England fans is not because we see a world class team, it is because our side of the draw has never been weaker or more inviting. The other 3 teams in our side of the draw will be thinking exactly the same.

I'd agree that Croatia look the best team but listening to Bilic he doesn't fancy them for the mental side of things.

 

[rudebhoy]

Of course Croatia would be the favourites, they have a world class midfield.
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Bookies will make England favourites for that match if it happens.

England are best priced 6/4 to reach the final, best price on Croatia is 2/1.

England best price to win the WC, 4/1. Croatia 13/2.

England and Croatia are similar prices to win their respective QFs (evens).

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Bookies will make England favourites for that match if it happens.

England are best priced 6/4 to reach the final, best price on Croatia is 2/1.

England best price to win the WC, 4/1. Croatia 13/2.

England and Croatia are similar prices to win their respective QFs (evens).

Is that not because the bookies you are looking at are in the UK and England fans will now be lumping on in a patriotic fervour? The bookies are shortening the odds to protect themselves.

 

[Orikoru]

Bookies will make England favourites for that match if it happens.

England are best priced 6/4 to reach the final, best price on Croatia is 2/1.

England best price to win the WC, 4/1. Croatia 13/2.

England and Croatia are similar prices to win their respective QFs (evens).

Obviously the UK bookies' prices are skewed by English people blindly betting on England, you must know that?? Before it began we were something like 6th or 7th bookies favourites to win it all, which is obviously nonsense in real terms.

I mean Croatia would obviously be favourites to beat us in terms of them having a better team on paper.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

as always, the hype is out of controi. England have only played one decent side (Belgium), and that was in a dead rubber.

England did their usual last night, started off well, then rapidly ran out out ideas. There is no creative spark, the game plan seems to resolve around dead balls. They have only scored 2 goals from open play, and one of them hit Kane on the back of the heel and went in.

Saying that, Sweden do not look like much of a side either, and I wouldn't be surprised if England get past them. If Croatia don't bottle it against Russia, I'd make them favourites to beat England.

With respect that is rubbish, England played some great football for about 20 minutes in the middle of their last second half.

 

[rudebhoy]

Obviously the UK bookies' prices are skewed by English people blindly betting on England, you must know that?? Before it began we were something like 6th or 7th bookies favourites to win it all, which is obviously nonsense in real terms.

I mean Croatia would obviously be favourites to beat us in terms of them having a better team on paper.

In the latest FIFA rankings, England are 12th and Croatia are 20th, the bookies odds reflect that. There will be some idiots who back England regardless, probably the same clowns who back a White Xmas every year, but in terms of the overall book, it won't be big enough bets to be a major factor.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

In the latest FIFA rankings, England are 12th and Croatia are 20th, the bookies odds reflect that. There will be some idiots who back England regardless, probably the same clowns who back a White Xmas every year, but in terms of the overall book, it won't be big enough bets to be a major factor.

FIFA rankings always have failed to reflect the true standard of teams.

Poland, Peru and Switzerland all higher ranked than England yet would anyone truly suggest they are better.

And Germany are number one despite not turning up at the World Cup

 

[rudebhoy]

FIFA rankings always have failed to reflect the true standard of teams.

Poland, Peru and Switzerland all higher ranked than England yet would anyone truly suggest they are better.

And Germany are number one despite not turning up at the World Cup

The latest rankings were published in June before the comp began. The bookies agreed that Germany were number 1 as they made them favourites after winning 10 out of 10 in their qualifying group, as well as last year's Confed Cup, and being holders.

As for the Poles and the Swiss, is there any evidence they are not as good as England? Their qualification record was was excellent and they have won the same number of trophies over the last 50 years😀

 

[Tashyboy]

It was worse than that! Phew!

Was listening to the commentary when they said that Walker does not usually play centre half, so that may be the reason why he screwed up. Nope it was just crap concentration. Like v Panama late on and they lost concentration.

 

[Blue in Munich]

He wasn't in the first match looked uncomfortable playing left side. He has played well since but is far from world Class!

Indeed. I’m no great fan of Cahill but he’s head and shoulders above Maguire.

 

[Golfmmad]

Indeed. I’m no great fan of Cahill but he’s head and shoulders above Maguire.

What? I can't believe you've said that Blue! You're 'avin a laugh aren't you? Maguire is far better.

 

[Blue in Munich]

What? I can't believe you've said that Blue! You're 'avin a laugh aren't you? Maguire is far better.

Not for me he’s not right now. Potentially yes he is, but on what I’ve seen of him and Cahill I’d take Cahill, as I would take Vardy over Sterling. And I say that as no great fan of Cahill.