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Good for the team.
They’ve done away with the strutting (and totally misplaced) confidence/arrogance of the likes of Cole, Rooney and Terry and actually seem to be giving it a go with realistic expectations and a bit of character.
They played ok and got a result.
here you go
you might find them useful
Only really saw the first half. Thought England's defensive players weren't that great on the ball and the attacking players should have been better in front of goal. But they've got the three points and you don't win the world cup in the group stages, hopefully they'll get better as the tournament progresses.
Context is everything. In comparison to previous England group performances that was positively positive.
here you go
Your comedy material is almost as good as your analysis of the match. Is there something you're better at?
soft
deli having a scan
would have been nice to have at least one “non partisan” pundit on tonights panel
And as a tv pundit ..boring as shit !
we need more slaven bilic, make me proper laugh out loud yesterday 😀
Whatever way you look at it we were the better team over 90 minutes and won 2-1, I really don't care how we play, at this level a win is a win and 3 points is 3 points, we made plenty of chances and restricted them to 1 and that was the penalty.
Come on England
LOL 606 gammon says FIFA conspiracy against England
They’ve done away with the strutting (and totally misplaced) confidence/arrogance of the likes of Cole, Rooney and Terry
Eh?
England could have done with some strutting confidence in previous competitions. Being strangled by pressure and the occasion has been the issue not the opposite.
Strange comment.
Tunisia and Saudi Arabia are the two worst teams i have seen so far in the competion so England would be better by default
Did you see Panama, or Nigeria? Tunisia were far from the worst so far although we dominated the game. Not perfect, not useless, we are where most people think we are and a quarter final exit would be a decent result.
Did you see Panama
they held the mighty belgium for 47 mins and looked completely untroubled till a cracking goal from Mertens. They also had many more attacks than Tunisia though they never really looked like scoring
they held belgium til belgium woke up, they were horribly pedestrian in the first half.
I thought it was a competent performance against a limited opponent. We play better against sides that want to play against us, we don't have the magician who can unlock a 9 man defence. Penalty decisions for and against were harsh, we created enough to have won far more comfortably but in the end created enough to win anyway and that kind of 91st minute winner can actually be better than a routine 3-0 win
Encouraging without being overly optimistic.
I'll guess we'll see who's worst when they hopefully play off for 3rd place in the group. Panama did manage twice as many shots on target than Tunisia
Panama did manage twice as many shots on target as Tunisia
And how many did they score? Tunisia look to be a far better organized side, which is why they're so much higher in the rankings.
And how many did they score?
yeah the 1 shot on target the tunisians had was a penalty.
yeah the 1 shot on target the tunisians had was a penalty.
Panama didn't even manage to win a penalty.
plenty of time when they play england with kyle walker as our center back enforcer
plenty of time when they play england with kyle walker as our center back enforcer
If they do, I take my hat off to them.
plenty of time when they play england with kyle walker as our center back enforcer
True, but hard on a player out of position.
Even more harshly it should be Tripper that's dropped as Walker is a better wing back. Let's have a back 3 of 3 actual centre backs. L-r, Cahill Stones, Maguire.
True, but hard on a player out of position.
I guess so, clotheslining the opposition isn't frowned upon out on the wings and doesn't give away a penalty
Nah, we'll play a similar system even if the personnel aren't the same (injuries, etc) against Panama, we'll need to be the aggressor to win that and secure the qualification.
Then against Belgium and onward in KO stages, we'll play the 3 cb system to shore up defence and play a more counter attacking style, which I think will suit us better.
Also, depending on Germany, it might be a weird race for 2nd against Belgium to avoid them...
Maybe we should let the next manager do it from home via texts.
Let's face it, on average this is unlikely to result in a worse overall performance
Being positive -Bravo Harry Kane & I liked the look of Stones & Mcquire (despite the latter's couple of errant passes) .Lingard was very promising (someone buy him a barn door to practice with) ,Trippier was excellent & hopefully GS will see sense and pick Rashford over Sterling(how many times did he give the ball away?). If Ali is fit, I'd stick with him. Loftus-Cheek to come on earlier.
Someone earlier said "that ref for the final"....ha ...sounds about right for fifa.
btw,Terry butcher is on fire on five live &Chris Sutton is Alan Partridge.. 🙂
Did someone say drop Tripper !!
He was the best player on the pitch last night.... Walker maybe faster but you'll not get an excellent cross out of him every time... and Southgate knows that... when has Walker ever taken a corner in an England shirt?
That been said, free kicks 25 yards out, where the shot is on and everyone knows it, should not be taken by Tripper or Young.... Hand the ball Kane.
Good game between 2 evenly matched sides. The slightly better team managed to scrape through with a late late goal. Englands captain was the difference between the teams. Some questionable referring decisions.
Kane getting in amoungst the goals is a positive. Great to have him scoring as he is our talisman and him being on form is pretty vital to our hopes of going a decent distance in the tournament.
However the concern remains that no one else is scoring. not converting those chances is a recurring theme for England. all were guilty really, lindegard, Sterling, even Stones missed a sitter.
I disagree with Binners on alot of what he says about Sterling, he clearly is a very very talented player, but Rashford may well deserve a chance to take the burden off Kane for scoring.
I thought Henderson had a good game, Trippier was grand too. it frustrated me immensely that Ali was clearly struggling at Southgate didnt take him off.
Put R5 on this morning and it's all chat about poor refereeing.. again...
So dull.
Gurland won, thats all thats required innit?
Some comedy comments on here from some who clearly have absolutely no idea of what they are talking about!
if anyone expected an easy opening game , then they are living in fantasy land. Anyway, we got over the line and are still in the game, so let’s hope for better in the next match. Cmon England!🏴
Good game between 2 evenly matched sides. The slightly better team managed to scrape through with a late late goal.
No, one team came to frustrate and foul, England had the quality and the stats showed it. They were guilty of missing chances, and yes the ref was shocking in letting a lot go, ignored blatant time wasting that would have seen more bookings, I can imagine tunisia vs Panama will be decimated by suspensions
on the panama side perhaps no bookings for tunisia last night!
No, one team came to frustrate and foul
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">Agreed, Walker should have kept his arms down and played the ball.</span>
hopefully GS will see sense and pick Rashford over Sterling(how many times did he give the ball away?
With Ali injured, there was little movement up front for England, Sterling had little choice but to run into bodies or continually pass backwards which he would have also been slated for, Rashfords impact only came after Ali was replaced by Loftus-Cheek. IMO it was a big mistake leaving Ali on the pitch for so long, it created a lack of mobility in a vital area which made it difficult for the rest of the team to compensate for.
The basic problem with last nights performance was the lack of effort off the ball in creating options for the player on the ball. But we should remember, this is a work in progress, no one should expect brilliance from this team, we just want to see improvement and effort.
Anyway, three more games tonight and perhaps Mo Salah will make a start against Russia in the big game of the day?
Soft penalty, but then that's not the first time Walker's done that, I think Southgate was probably right to feel aggrieved at the refs decisions and rugby tackles
Liked the attacking style, sometimes more England players than Tunisian at the back which was encouraging, some poor finishing, shall we blame that on being distracted by midges 😀
Outplayed them even if we didn't outscore them until the death. Bring on Panama beat them, qualify and who cares about Belgium
But we should remember, this is a work in progress, no one should expect brilliance from this team, we just want to see improvement and effort
All of which was 100% in there... they played well... i don't get what bit people are missing. This isn't Brazil in the 1970s.
Agree with MSP, too big a gap between Henderson when he picks the ball up from our defensive line and the forwards with nothing in between, hence why they have to play so many sideways passes across the back. Need someone to play in front of Henderson to be the link man between him and the forwards, looking to take the ball and play forward. This is not Deli Ali's strength and thought Loftus-Cheek looked promising when he came on. Sterling needs to be dropped for sure.
Ali should've been taken off at half time as he was pretty ineffective once he got injured, we Loftus-Cheek (?) came on I thought he did well.
Lingard was unlucky that his little dink hit the outside of the post, Rashford needs a bit more time to do anything really.
All in all it wasn't bad, considering England are ranked 12th in the World and Tunisia 21st (one place above Iceland), it's a fair outcome.
Panama should be another 3 points, current ranking of 55th makes them 13 places worse than Scotland!!! and as said above, it's all about who comes out of the Belgium game on the better side of the draw; Germany don't look that good and their pre-tournament form hasn't exactly been sparkling, but they are Germany after-all.
I personally think we'd be better meeting Brazil, they look good, but once you rattle Neymar he looses the plot a bit and is liable to throw the toys out of the pram a bit, he also isn't Ronaldo
Mixed feelings about Sterling, fo'shure his international record is bloody awful, but I can't help feeling that if somehow he unlocks it...
Agree with others though, Rashford Lingard starting, was also impressed with Loftus Cheek, moves well for a big unit and was very effective.
but I can’t help feeling that if somehow he unlocks it…
Well either Kevin needs an English grandmother or he needs to move to Belgium 😉
Was a good opening performance, something to build on. The only time they looked like scoring was when they had the penalty.
The ref seemed to let a lot go.
There seems to be a real togetherness about the team & they seem to have a gameplan that they all now about. Actually looking forward to the 0-0 draw with Panama & the edge of the seat 1-0 win over Belgium.
Probably a moot point looking that far ahead but there's a good chance of Mexico topping the group and Germany meeting Brazil so second in the Group might be a very good result. Would make the Belgium game 'interesting' if both teams want to finish second 🙂it’s all about who comes out of the Belgium game on the better side of the draw; Germany don’t look that good and their pre-tournament form hasn’t exactly been sparkling, but they are Germany after-all.
Did someone say drop Tripper !!
Yes, Trippier was excellent yesterday, but Walker has proved time and time again that he's the better RWB.
Just made the mistake of reading the BBC comments section... jeez - I thought Youtube comments were bad!
Like the way some people are presuming England are a shoe in for a quarter final against Germany / Brazil and completely forgetting we're going to have to get past Poland / Columbia first - teams ranked fairly closely either side of us so definitely not a guaranteed win.
Of course its all speculation and experience shows a likely crash and burn BUT with those two teams pretty close then arguably finishing first or second doesn't matter and then IF England get through its the potentially the difference between meeting the winner of Germany/Brazil or Mexico/Switzerland. Now neither is a shoe in (as is even getting there) by any means but one of those is somewhat more desirable and you get the 'easier' path by finishing second. Just makes the group dynamic interesting.we’re going to have to get past Poland / Columbia first – teams ranked fairly closely either side of us so definitely not a guaranteed win.
I don't believe in the easier route stuff after the groups. In knock out tournaments you've got to meet and beat the best teams.
I'd rather face the likes of Germany in a quarter final after their slow start than later having had to grind out results against lower ranked sides.
Guarantee the squad won't be thinking anything but topping the group is the aim. If for nothing other than confidence.
well that was stupid, 1-0 japan, colombia 10 men!
Interesting start... Red card felt harsh tho?
Eh?
England could have done with some strutting confidence in previous competitions. Being strangled by pressure and the occasion has been the issue not the opposite.
Strange comment.
That would be strutting confidence <span style="text-decoration: underline;">on</span> the field you are referring to. No issue with that. My issue with the likes of Cole, Terry and Rooney was how much they talked the talk and acted like they were world-beaters then crumbled into panicked ineptitude the second anyone came near them on the field. Then, after the event, it would all be someone else's fault.....
For example:
"Home fans booing you" (even though they were in South Africa, so clearly not 'home' fans and had paid thousands of pounds to watch a bunch of players, who could have funded a fan's trip in five minutes at their hourly rate, play like drains).
None of the established players helped Rob Green out after his blunder. Their treatment of Upson was also pretty awful.
Interesting start… Red card felt harsh tho?
The balls going goal bound, so stopping a goal scoring opportunity/
1-1 10 men columbia looking good!
The balls going goal bound, so stopping a goal scoring opportunity/
I thought they'd changed the rule tho, as the penalty was harsh enough? Or was that on more regular fouls in the area?
dunno, be lying if I said I knew the letter of the law.
<p class="sp-story-body__introduction">Players who commit a foul to deny a goalscoring opportunity will no longer automatically be sent off, football's rule-making body has confirmed.</p>
The previous 'triple-punishment' rule required a red card - and therefore a suspension - as well as the award of a penalty under those circumstances.However, players committing accidental fouls that deny a goalscoring chance will now be cautioned instead.
But deliberate fouls will still incur a red card.
Those include holding, pulling or pushing, not playing the ball, serious foul play, violent conduct or deliberate handball in order to deny a goalscoring opportunity.
From the BBC - so yes a red card...
Red card felt harsh tho?
Tactically Tunisia did well with what they've got. There's some big lads on the team with presence and that stopped England's diminutive players from breaking through. Tunisia also played to the ref and needled the England team with physical presence. Southgate could have asked England to start play-acting too but I think he's too proud to resort to underhand tactics.
All the play in the second half was in the Tunisia half of the pitch, England just couldn't break though, there was practically no running off the ball (until Rashford / Cheeks came on) - I don't think they were knackered so maybe it was the humidity / midgies? They've been doing a lot of drills, set pieces and chilling out for the past 3 weeks and hopefully just need to get back into it.
JPN 2-1Columbia.
I had it on in the background and was rooting for JPN 🤪
Next up Poland - Senegal... any predictions?
I'm going for 2-2 based on complete guess work
4-3 thriller, end to end stuff is my prediction
in the 2nd half mibbe, fairly timid affair so far.
Thankfully the cricket ODI is keeping my interest going right now.
On current form Senegal will win it 💪 2-0 at 60mins ...
Oh dear! That’s the goalkeeping howler of the tournament then? And the defence were all up in the other half watching it
Poland are absolutely awful!
Like the way some people are presuming England are a shoe in for a quarter final against Germany / Brazil and completely forgetting we’re going to have to get past Poland / Columbia first
🙂 🙂 🙂 Yep looking like one of those two
stv/itv player is a bugger, canny rewind back to see the goal(s) I missed while travelling home! grrr!
Ha!
Awesome, 2-1 Senegal
That score line flatters Poland too. They were absolutely dismal! Played off the park by Senegal
So first round of game done. Who's yer winner?
I'm gonny plump for a lethargic looking German team, think they'll have the bit between their teeth now and will kick on.
Mexico !
I think Spain looked the best, even though they only got a draw, IMO they have the tools to unlock the different challenges they will face, whether they face a team like Iceland who will defend deep and hope they can get something on the break, or a team like Brazil who will play more open and come on to them.
I would like to know if the referees get together and review the first round of games, so they know which players to look out for, some teams may have used the "black arts" too soon and hopefully the refs will stamp it out as the tournament progresses.
So first round of game done. Who’s yer winner?
no idea tbh.....but if you offered me odds, I might go for Russia. 😮
Well I reckon Klopp will be hoping Egypt go out as Salah is certainly not fit
BTW, did anyone else wonder why the Tunisia GK pulled his arm back when Kane scored the winner? Looked very odd.
Klopp must be going mental watching this. Salah is clearly nowhere near match fit.
Blimey! Highest scorers of the tournament? Russia?
Walk (out) like an Egyptian.
Farewell pharaohs
They sphinx its all over
Cheeriopatra
I'll get my coat
so, Mo Salah was single handedly going to pull apart the poor Russian defence and expose them for the lumbering fools they are, after all the opening match was a fluke...
ermmm....
Well I hope Mo can get a hatrick agaist the Saudi's, it's been tough watching such an awesome player going at 80% with not enough quality around him