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It should be noted that the German media have also been scathing about the Colombian tactics and the referee's failure to deal with them.
And it may disappoint many to find that the old enemy seem to have switched their allegiances to England for the remainder of the tournament.
It should be noted that the German media have also been scathing about the Colombian tactics and the referee’s failure to deal with them.
Id imagine most from places not called Colombia are of that view point.
Yep, but it is easy to view these situations through the prism of support for our team, in this case independent viewers agree.
I daren't get my hair cut for at least 3 months though........ Pedro looked very scowly when i passed him this morning.
Can't wait for the meltdown when Croatia con the ref into sending off dele ali in the semi final.
Lets hope that Loftus-Cheek replaces him anyway, he has been our worst player so far and has done nothing to justify his continued selection.
I'd agree with that. I don't know if he is out of position, but Alli looks ineffective.
Thought Sterling was decent yesterday, ran into a couple of blind alleys as usual but at least was trying to make things happen every time he got the ball. While it was nice to see the defence (mostly) calm when clearing the ball, I do wish they would try to get our faster players away a bit quicker rather than take the extra slow pass sideways.
I don't know what Danny Rose has to do to get a start, Ashley Young seemed pretty ponderous for a wingback.
I agree with the Dele Alli comments ..certainly not fully recovered from injury and shouldn't start the next game.
I also think Rashford offers more of a threat than Sterling ( who continually tries to take on too many players ) ..
More energy from Loftus-Cheek instead of Ali should give Sterling/Rashford more opportunities, everyone is desperate to scapegoat Sterling but Rashford has offered less when given his chance, IMO our weakness is the central midfield area.
On a positive note Kane has really stepped up, works hard and is largely effective. He is the type of player who will probably never win the Ballon d'Or, but be far more effective than those who do win it. His workrate and tactical awareness are second to none (especially given the strength of the team as a whole) he just doesn't have the tricks and stepovers to make the crowd go wowsers! and nerves of steel dealing with the disruption tactics for the penalties.
Also (and I am surprised to be saying this) lets hope Henderson doesn't get injured, while he isn't a world beater, that is the position where alternatives are probably the weakest.
The Colombians had a game plan, which was to defend, defend, defend & wind up England. What I liked about this England team was they mostly didn't rise to the provocation showed street smarts (ie Henderson, going down & staying down)
The Swedes will have a similar plan, just without the dirty tactics.
What I’m looking forward to in the next game? It’s the Wayne’s world hashtags. #SWEENG
Regarding Sterling, I thought he was excellent last night, they were massively scared of him (it looked like he was being man marked?) & he held the ball up as did Kane.
Henderson I thought had another good game, & has anyone beaten Maguire to a header yet?!
Henderson has the fitness levels that are off the scale. His forward passing was very absent last night but his selection is based on still making forward runs and covering the whole area in front of the back four even in the 110th minute. I thought Harry Maguire was excellent
Amusing article on Google ..the Colombian manager is angry ..accusing England players of diving 😁
A good analogy on the radio this morning about last nights referee...
like a supply teacher
😀
The worry for me was the booking for Henderson, as much as I'm amazed they got out with so few it does mean he needs to be more careful against Sweden (they reset for the final) he is the unsung hero in the middle of the park for England.
like a supply teacher
He did OK, but I'm surprised that no-one got their second yellow or even a straight red for the extended period of haranguing and jostling after the penalty was awarded. Shameful stuff.
Jordan Henderson needs to calm down a bit, though - carded for being an arse, and IIRC, something that seemed suspiciously like a headbutt later on.
from twitter
Kane’s father was born in Ireland. Dier grew up in Portugal. Sterling was born in Jamaica. Lingard’s grandparents came from Saint Vincent. Alli’s father is from Nigeria. They represent England. UKIP don’t.
Indeed. So I am surprised you also posted a pic of racist Baddiel?
Indeed. So I am surprised you also posted a pic of racist Baddiel?
Because I'd accept that he made a mistake and has learned from it.
Yep, but it is easy to view these situations through the prism of support for our team, in this case independent viewers agree.
I am half German. Can confirm from the waist down I am supporting England.
Could Gareth just stop giving everybody reasons to think he’s a really good bloke.
https://twitter.com/jamesmelville/status/1014402308833148929?s=21
😆
^ is that the player who head butted the England guy?
Southgate ought to watch the uplift ... 🐓🎡
yeah, but he's whispering in his ear "you dirty cheating ****'s got just what you deserved out of that" 😉
I think he's been marvelous for this team - might have been different it it had been the past bunch of prima donnas mind - and we owe Big Sam a debt of gratitude for being such a **** that it was so easy to get of him. And those that thought Gareth was a stopgap, do you want ice cream or custard on your humble pie?
Grumbles about creativity and aggressiveness in the final third - 16 shots, 2 on target. Colombia were proper bossed in the first 60 minutes and England needed to make it happen by then. 1-0 against a bunch of scrappers is way too risky.
Meeja and public getting ahead of themselves, just slightly later than usual. I'm delighted England won at penalties for once but it's not a game winning strategy unless your name is Hans-Dieter.
Rashford for Raaahheeeeeeeeeeem.
Regarding Henderson's yellow card I thought they got reset now, hence why Colombia were happy to pick up yellow cards as it wouldn't affect them in later games.
Didn't Maguire get beat for the header that allowed Colombia to draw level, although I agree he has been good thus far and very calm passing out of defence.
Grumbles about creativity
Who's the creative player who can unlock things? Play that killer pass?
I genuinely can't think of anyone English.
And those that thought Gareth was a stopgap, do you want ice cream or custard on your humble pie?
beat a shit tunisa, beat a shit panama, lost nothing game against belgium. extra time and penalties against a shit colombia.
Doesn't take much to get you lot going! 😆
Centre mid is a bit of a state like - back 5, front 2 - very good [Kyle Walker maybe the exception but he's OK], but Henderson, Young, Alli, Lingard? That is a pedestrian collection at this level. Actually can't really criticise the likes of Henderson or Young because what can you expect from them? If they show up with their bootlaces tied and jersey on the right way around then you can't really ask for more. Alli, though, is aggravating to watch as he's stinking the place out on a regular basis - formation wrong for him, injured, flat-track bully in the prem? Dunno, but he needs binning.
It is what it is, though - ball playing midfielders who carry a threat from deep don't grow on trees, and England basically don't have one AFAIK. Players with potential to do that like Wilshere, Barkley etc have gone backwards in recent years.
You guys who watch football, you’ll know who plays for who no doubt.
My question is this, last night I heard xxx plays for Tottenham etc. And I wonder if some of the Colombian squad played in the U.K. Premiership or other U.K. leagues ?
Reason I ask is some of the antics they created and delivered, could they have been against other U.K. players or even team mates ??
beat a shit tunisa, beat a shit panama, lost nothing game against belgium. extra time and penalties against a shit colombia.
Doesn’t take much to get you lot going
Judging by your comments so far on this thread I can only assume you are one of my more bitter countrymen with a massive chip on their shoulder right?
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">As a Scotsman I can confirm that we practically go into meltdown when we beat the likes of Lithuania to keep our chances alive of a play off place at the euros, so it's not just the English that get a bit carried away.. </span>
Regarding Henderson’s yellow card I thought they got reset now, hence why Colombia were happy to pick up yellow cards as it wouldn’t affect them in later games.
Think it's at teh Semis as they were saying they would miss the next game
Semi was my understanding too
Who’s the creative player who can unlock things? Play that killer pass?
Jonjo Shelvey
beat a shit tunisa, beat a shit panama, lost nothing game against belgium. extra time and penalties against a shit colombia.
Doesn’t take much to get you lot going
Although in the end it's what counts, results are not the be-all and end-all for a young squad with a young manager at their first tournament together. As on previous pages if you can be bothered to read them, I'm hugely impressed with the attitude, demeanour, togetherness, etc. of this squad, in front of the media and on the field. No, we haven't played brilliantly (well in patches) and the lack of goals in open play could be seen as a deficiency* but as a grounding for future tournaments so far this is met and exceeded expectations, and there just might be more to come.
* in a glass half empty sort of way. It's not considered a negative for a side to try to get players like Messi, Ronaldo, etc. on the ball as much as possible. We don't have that sort of star talent, but we are powerful at set plays, so why not maximise our threat at them? I don't think the goals scored from set pieces count any less than those from flowing moves, do they?
To be honest, he just sounds a bit butthurt that his team didn’t qualify.
Jonjo Shelvey
Can you imagine Jonjo dealing with the provocation from Colombia last night, how many passes could he complete after being sent off in the first 5 mins? He did ok for Newcastle last season, but he is very very far from the creative midfield solution that England needs. I would have rather they included Phil Foden in the squad than Jonjo.
Jonjo Shelvey
I'm sure with his perfect temperament he wouldn't have got at all riled last night & got himself sent off...
I’m sure with his perfect temperament
When was his last booking?
To be honest, he just sounds a bit butthurt that his team didn’t qualify.
Celtic can't qualify for the world cup! 😆
I actually much prefer the world cup minus the "national hope and bullshit" of the home nations! 😆
Although in the end it’s what counts, results are not the be-all and end-all for a young squad with a young manager at their first tournament together. As on previous pages if you can be bothered to read them, I’m hugely impressed with the attitude, demeanour, togetherness, etc. of this squad, in front of the media and on the field. No, we haven’t played brilliantly (well in patches) and the lack of goals in open play could be seen as a deficiency* but as a grounding for future tournaments so far this is met and exceeded expectations, and there just might be more to come.
* in a glass half empty sort of way. It’s not considered a negative for a side to try to get players like Messi, Ronaldo, etc. on the ball as much as possible. We don’t have that sort of star talent, but we are powerful at set plays, so why not maximise our threat at them? I don’t think the goals scored from set pieces count any less than those from flowing moves, do they?
My honest opinion is youse look alright, think youse have had better players in the past, but look more of a unit these days. You've got potential, and tbh you might actually win the thing(Good luck and all the best on that quest.). The draw is very kind. I think france's pace upfront will be a shock to your system if you do meet them in the final.
Defensively not really been tested at all yet I reckon. Was interesting how columbia particularly in the first half of ET were able to push youse back.
think youse have had better players in the past, but look more of a unit these days.
Very much this. Especially given they are essentially a young unit as well, which is why i think Southgate has been an inspired choice (in hindsight maybe) - I'm not convinced he'd have got the same out of Rooney and Terry for example, getting them to team bond on days out at Lympstone and inflatable Unicorn racing.
As as to the Shelvey call - no, I'm not calling for him to play even though we do lack that killer ball and he has that capability. He has to fit into the system and that means temperamentally as well as capability. Part of a successful team is knowing your strengths and limitations and maximising / minimising their respective impacts.
A point from a different sport - cricket. Temperament. Duncan Fletcher for Ashes 2005 built a squad with Michael Vaughan as captain, of players who they felt could withstand the heat of an Ashes battle. Even if they weren't the best players, you need guys who will tough it out. Hence why players like Collingwood made the cut whereas Ramprakash didn't. As much as we would like to have someone 'like' Shelvey, we need someone who won't react, who you can rely on to do their job, and if that reduces effectiveness in a certain area, OK. You pick your team and your system together but once you have your backbone and your system then you pick players that fit it, not necessarily the best individuals.
When was his last booking?
He got 2 red cards last season, having a quick look at players he might be considered in competition with (only by Newcastle fans mind you) Loftus-Cheek, Chamberlin, Lalana, Henderson, Dier and even Ali (who himself is considered a bit of a hothead), didn't even get 1 red between them.
If you also look at what Jonjo is good at, it is the occasional long ball over the top for runners, he doesn't make many if any incisive passes on the ground in tight areas. He would be an ideal midfielder for a fat Sam England team, not so much for a team looking to play the ball.
Was interesting how columbia particularly in the first half of ET were able to push youse back.
Every team gets better periods of possession during a match – theirs came when they were on a bit of a high scoring the late goal and obviously our heads were down a bit and needed to get our heads back in the game plan. I don't see that as a particular weakness unique to the England team.
but I agree that this batch of players is very different, and Southgates attitude is refreshingly different to the monumentally overrated clowns who preceded him
This batch of players is different only in that they know they're not that good. Southgate also knows this and has spent the last two years employing every management theory trick in the book to lower expectations so that people now think a few distinctively average performances against middling opposition is something to celebrate. The ironic thing is that I can see them going to the final, but only by grinding out results through set pieces and penalties. There's a reason they've been practising penalty shootouts so much!
I really don't agree with that dazh - England may not be the best team in the world on paper, but I think we have played with more flair and have much more confidence passing the ball from the back than I have seen for a very long time from an England team.
for some people it won't matter what we do. This bloody team of kids could even win the thing playing to their strengths, and it'll still be worthless in some eyes because we don't have the flair players of teams like Portugal and Spain and......
well, sod you frankly. I love them that little bit more BECAUSE they aren't actually that good.
Totally agree with johndoh there - I've never seen England's defence have the confidence to play the way they have in this tournament. The only defender that was comfortable with the ball was Rio.
Southgate is very slowly building a team in the image of a Pep Guardiola side, to play possession football. Something as an England fan I have never seen.
Doesn’t take much to get you lot going!
If getting to the world cup QF doesn't get you going, check your pulse.
Agree that they're doing the right thing trying to play the ball out of defence and having confidence on the ball but that's not the problem. The problem is the almost non-existent goal threat in normal play. Not that I'm biased, being a geordie, but I really have no idea why Shelvey isn't there (other than the fact he plays for Newcastle of course 😉 ). They're pretty solid in defence, but are completely 1-dimensional going forward. It's a good base to build on but they're a long way from the likes of France, Belgium, Uruguay and others.
Southgate is very slowly building a team in the image of a Pep Guardiola side, to play possession football. Something as an England fan I have never seen.
looks more like a Chelsea Conte side to me, who did the assistant work for again 😉
but I really have no idea why Shelvey isn’t there (other than the fact he plays for Newcastle of course ).
He's ill-disciplined and inconsistent.
I like Jonjo Shelvey, think he should have had his chance in the qualifiers, but he wasn't the person I had in mind for the killer pass. No, only one person springs to mind, but even though I'm a Gooner, I was disappointed with his last dozen games for Arsenal this season.
Jack Wilshire is the only Englishman who, when playing at the top of his game, can play world class, defence splitting passes and its a shame that there wasn't room for him in the squad.
Good call - even if not fully fit, would be a good impact sub when players tire and start to make little errors and leave little gaps.
As a scot born in england I' love them to win it. Alway supported them if they aren't up against us and never understood the hatred from north of the border.
In reality
I think france’s pace upfront will be a shock to your system if you do meet them in the final.
I think this is the likely outcome. I worry for them against sweden as they will have 9 players behind the ball and England don't have a huge amount of creativity through the middle. They will be relying on a set piece or balls in from the wings.I think they will nick it however.
Croatia will be a tougher proposition but if both teams play to their potential I'd expect England to win.
Final, could be a rude awakening.Not seen anyone look unbeatable but I'm pretty sure it will be one of France or Belgium. Most likely france and I think they would rip Englands back four to shreds..
Take Kane out the picture and I just don't know where their goals are going to come from, One of their 2 most forward players can't hit the target if his life depended on it and its not exactly a mid field packed with goals either. And even though Kane has scored 6 goals, 3 were penalties and 1 he didn't know anything about. If Sweden don't play wwe in the box then England will struggle to score
I fear the same, but at the same time some of our moves have been half a touch away, and I have belief that that 'luck' could change.
France look much more like the finished article. They were awesome against Argentina. Engerland looks like what it is... a work in progress
a very very promising one, but not yet ...
When was his last booking?
He got 2 red cards last season, having a quick look at players he might be considered in competition with (only by Newcastle fans mind you) Loftus-Cheek, Chamberlin, Lalana, Henderson, Dier and even Ali (who himself is considered a bit of a hothead), didn’t even get 1 red between them.
If you also look at what Jonjo is good at, it is the occasional long ball over the top for runners, he doesn’t make many if any incisive passes on the ground in tight areas. He would be an ideal midfielder for a fat Sam England team, not so much for a team looking to play the ball.
It was at the start of the season since that only 2 yellows and he played 30 times this season.He has addressed it in his game and is a different player than he was having watched him a lot this season.
As for a long ball into runners it's exactly what England could have done with against a tiring Colombia last night in the final 20 mins to finish the game, something for Vardy and Rashford to get onto when other stuff didn't work. There comes a point where you need a plan B that isn't penalties. But he didn't travel which is a bonus for Newcastle as he hopefully will help with a good start to the season
I hope Sweden come to the game and play well as it will help England to play well and hopefully we won't need the long ball or killer pass that we are missing.
There are very few questions regarding England and the World Cup to which Jon Jo Shelvey is the answer.
Well I'll take Alan Shearer as an ally in this one.
France look much more like the finished article. They were awesome against Argentina. Engerland looks like what it is… a work in progress
For me,even if they further develop over the next 4 years, they are missing the last piece in the jigsaw that will prevent them winning in 2022, a truely gifted creative midfielder. If one pops up between now and then they could be world beaters. As it is I think they'll alwaysl struggle against good sides that are defensively minded, ie Sweden or as we saw last night Columbia. They just seem to lack the options to create enough chances.
Also wouldn't harm to have another striker who is guaranteed goals. Thought that might be rashford a few years ago but he looks decidedly ordinary at the moment.
Agree on France's peformance against the Argies..Mbappe looked frighteningly good
Well I’ll take Alan Shearer as an ally in this one.
Is he recommending a Newcastle player? Whatever next!
Also wouldn’t harm to have another striker who is guaranteed goals. Thought that might be rashford a few years ago but he looks decidedly ordinary at the moment.
Rashford needs to get out from under Mourinho to fulfil his potential.
There are also some promising players coming up through the England youth teams, Foden, Sancho, Sessegon and Brewster. I think we have some really good talent coming through who are going to be pushing for places in a few years.
The likes of Sterling, Ali, Loftus-Cheek and Linguard are still only 22-23 even though most of them seem to have been around for years, they haven't reached their peak yet.
Even Putin knows
The youth teams did very well last year. Some great, fluid, watchable play. That missing element doesn't necessarily need to come from the existing crop of 'stars'. I think one of the best things this current team can achieve is to buy Southgate some breathing time. Some stability would be nice
Juventus for Ronaldo then it seems,
Wait to see what China offer, Real need to cash in before he tails off too much, could be the way to keep Bale at the club if they get shot of the petulant kid
Shock result (to me at least:)
englands entry into Valhalla is pretty much assured.
maybe they'll play this in the changing rooms before they take on Sweden...
WORST KARAOKE EVER!!!
We need to clone Paul Scholes, basically
Vardy has been totally ineffective ..the one player who could bring him to life and play to his strengths is Jonjo ..how he didn't get into the squad ahead of Fabien Delph beggars belief ..
Most of you who have a negative opinion of Shelvey are talking out of your backsides ..he did clean up his act considerably last season and sought professional help to do so ..
The calls to include Wilshere ....nah.. a sicknote and a completely spent force .
A point from a different sport – cricket. Temperament. Duncan Fletcher for Ashes 2005 built a squad with Michael Vaughan as captain, of players who they felt could withstand the heat of an Ashes battle. Even if they weren’t the best players, you need guys who will tough it out. Hence why players like Collingwood made the cut whereas Ramprakash didn’t.
Tangential point of order. Colly only came in to the last match of that series as replacement for Jones I believe. In it he scored 17 runs in two innings and took one catch.
Wilshire is this generation's Joe Cole, has a touch of class about the way they play. But for some reason they don't seem to be able to capitalise on it and become a decent player.
Tangential point of order.
He'd already made their list of players as being the kind of tough buggers they wanted around them, which is the point. Picked on temperament rather than pure ability. He was in the squad from the start but didn't make the XI and went back to Durham for the cricket.
As for the game itself. Yes, he only got 17, but he did bat well over an hour for his second innings 10 when we were using up time, under withering mental and physical pressure. And went on to score lots of runs for England. You can't judge him on a single game average of 8.5 and if you do you miss the whole point.
Which, back to football and to answer another point, might be why Delph is in the squad and not Wilshere. Delph might be the kind of player identified as good around the squad, will keep the mood good, run through walls if asked, do the sorts of jobs and roles the 'better' players don't want to without grumbling.....maybe that's where his real value is over someone like Wilshere who strikes me as being a bit .....don't know exactly what to say but 'flakey'?
One things for sure, you “ ball sports” fans have incredible memories for trivia and facts.
Who played number 6 in the Italia90 ?
Go!
The calls to include Wilshere ….nah.. a sicknote and a completely spent force .
dont talk out of your backside Hogy....he’s hardly a spent force. His performances to force himself back into the first team last season, were at times, simply superb. He can hit passes that no other Player in the squad can even see.
Unfortunately, in the final dozen games of the season, he just seemed to lose his urgency, perhaps in a bid to avoid an injury before the WC. That, and his injury history, was his downfall, when Southgate made his selections.
Who played number 6 in the Italia90 ?
If if I had to guess, I’d say Terry Butcher?
Number 6?
Ooh look, some more er, what was it "Gibbering"? -
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/04/cloud-hanging-world-cup-fifa-england-colombia