England Discussion | Finish 4th

[Relfy]

Amazed we have got so far, but now we're here we have a great chance to reach the final. Croatia will be a big test but watching last night I feel England might just do it. Croatia have had two consecutive games go all the way to pens and they're not the youngest squad, so it will surely take some toll on them. They had a few players also take some knocks so they may have to make some changes which should work to our advantage.

On the Sterling in/out debate, he should stay in the team. I didn't think he was up to much against Colombia, but he added a lot to our game yesterday and makes good space for players behind him. No question he should stay and test their defenders with his pace. Alli wasn't great yesterday but he scored the goal and that sort of glosses over the performance somewhat. Think Southgate will stick with the same 11 and can't really complain with that as he trusts that 11 to get the result.

Whatever happens it has been a great tournament for England and the country should be proud of this squad. It's very nice (and weird) to be enjoying watching England again.

 

[Rozay]

Losing to Belgium is the best thing that could have happened to England in this World Cup. They have literally taken the back route to the World Cup final. Beaten Tunisia, Panama, Colombia and Sweden and all of a sudden you’re in a semi. Only top team they have played they have lost (Belgium) and only other decent team, they won on pens.

That said, you can only beat what’s put in front of you and basically, whatever happens now they will return home with credit.

 

[FootballHQ]

Losing to Belgium is the best thing that could have happened to England in this World Cup. They have literally taken the back route to the World Cup final. Beaten Tunisia, Panama, Colombia and Sweden and all of a sudden you’re in a semi. Only top team they have played they have lost (Belgium) and only other decent team, they won on pens.

That said, you can only beat what’s put in front of you and basically, whatever happens now they will return home with credit.

Not sure how many posters on here don't live in England but for those that don't Southgate was generally getting panned on TV and in the press for wanting to finish second which apparently would "destroy momentum."

For me at the time it was totally the right call and last 10 days proved it.

 

[Full Member]

Can only speak for myself but getting fed up with anti-England vitriol dressed up as objective analysis. Anyone we beat is automatically shit, yet before the game they will apparently be our undoing.

We're boring to watch, got no talent, useless English players with no technical ability like Lingard etc etc etc. "It's coming home" = disgusting arrogance from Brexiter little Englanders. The national anthem.

At best it's complete revisionism and at worst just comes across as nothing more than a bit of petty racism. It's definitely not 'objective neutral analysis'.

A lot of us fans have witnessed the most heinous of international tournament campaigns, we have stunk out tournaments with dire football and negativity.

This campaign is clearly different. The team has been impressive and is in the semi-finals now, on the back of some very good performances, albeit with a favourable draw. If it was Germany, no i wouldn't want them to win, but credit where it's due I'm not gonna start going on their domestic club's fan forums and start trolling them, basically insinuating that they're shit after they keep winning.

If someone does that, then in my opinion, they're basically a complete and utter cnut.

Some very good points here.

 

[Rozay]

Not sure how many posters on here don't live in England but for those that don't Southgate was generally getting panned on TV and in the press for wanting to finish second which apparently would "destroy momentum."

For me at the time it was totally the right call and last 10 days proved it.

I heard the criticism (I live in London), and agree. Best thing that’s happened, but it also leaves an unanswered question as to their level, which the Belgians themselves answered already against Brazil.

Croatia are their first proper test, and even then, it could have been tougher had they been playing France.

 

[99withaflake]

I heard the criticism (I live in London), and agree. Best thing that’s happened, but it also leaves an unanswered question as to their level, which the Belgians themselves answered already against Brazil.

Croatia are their first proper test, and even then, it could have been tougher had they been playing France.

I’d rather find out what our level is as late in the competition as possible.

 

[simmee]

Can only speak for myself but getting fed up with anti-England vitriol dressed up as objective analysis. Anyone we beat is automatically shit, yet before the game they will apparently be our undoing.

We're boring to watch, got no talent, useless English players with no technical ability like Lingard etc etc etc. "It's coming home" = disgusting arrogance from Brexiter little Englanders. The national anthem.

At best it's complete revisionism and at worst just comes across as nothing more than a bit of petty racism. It's definitely not 'objective neutral analysis'.

A lot of us fans have witnessed the most heinous of international tournament campaigns, we have stunk out tournaments with dire football and negativity.

This campaign is clearly different. The team has been impressive and is in the semi-finals now, on the back of some very good performances, albeit with a favourable draw. If it was Germany, no i wouldn't want them to win, but credit where it's due I'm not gonna start going on their domestic club's fan forums and start trolling them, basically insinuating that they're shit after they keep winning.

If someone does that, then in my opinion, they're basically a complete and utter cnut.

Half of the posts on the previous page are you complaining about people hating England and now it's racism as well. Why don't you just enjoy being in the semis?

 

[InspiRED]

Half of the posts on the previous page are you complaining about people hating England and now it's racism as well. Why don't you just enjoy being in the semis?

tbf when people start mentioning Brexit, Little Englanders, The national anthem, 'sunburnt cnuts'. Does seem to go beyond football and looks like nothing more than a bit of petty racism. Call a spade a spade etc. Would it not be if i started calling the Irish alcoholics, stupid etc?

I was enjoying being in the semi finals v much thanks all the same til i started reading that shit!

 

[simmee]

tbf when people start mentioning Brexit, Little Englanders, The national anthem, 'sunburnt cnuts'. Does seem to go beyond football and looks like nothing more than a bit of petty racism. Call a spade a spade etc. Would it not be if i started calling the Irish alcoholics, stupid etc?

I was enjoying being in the semi finals v much thanks all the same til i started reading that shit!

Haha fair enough, have probably missed those posts then. (I would reckon they are a bit tongue in cheek if they are from here though?) Read it like it was racism to mention a kind draw and lack of technical ability.

 

[InspiRED]

Haha fair enough, have probably missed those posts then. (I would reckon they are a bit tounge in cheek if they are from here though?) Read it like it was racism to mention a kind draw and lack of technical ability.

Probably best to give benefit of the doubt in any case.

It has been a decent draw though the way some people are going on tho is cheapening the competition and the performances of the teams who have knocked out bigger named nations. It's still a world cup, it's hard to get to the semi finals and you salty feckers should give some credit where it's due

 

[Rozay]

I’d rather find out what our level is as late in the competition as possible.

Indeed.

 

[simmee]

Probably best to give benefit of the doubt in any case.

It has been a decent draw though the way some people are going on tho is cheapening the competition and the performances of the teams who have knocked out bigger named nations. It's still a world cup, it's hard to get to the semi finals and you salty feckers should give some credit where it's due

Haha I've lived a few years in England so you're my second team, even though you beat us in the last round. Hoping for a Lingard screamer in the final!

 

[Bilbo]

Aside from our treble win in 99, this past 3 weeks has been the best time I've ever had as a football fan.

So whether we are actually any good (we are) or whether he have had an easy route (we have) is completely irrelevant to me. I've fallen back in love with football again.

It's been a brilliant World Cup. Wide open from the start and any of the teams left could win this. Personally I think we will reach the final and get beaten there, but what a ride it's been so far.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

Aside from our treble win in 99, this past 3 weeks has been the best time I've ever had as a football fan.

So whether we are actually any good (we are) or whether he have had an easy route (we have) is completely irrelevant to me. I've fallen back in love with football again.

It's been a brilliant World Cup. Wide open from the start and any of the teams left could win this. Personally I think we will reach the final and get beaten there, but what a ride it's been so far.

I think I might agree with you.

I love how it's affected the country as a whole, everyone just seems in a good mood. The weather being like it is probably helps too.

 

[SalfordRed18]

Aside from our treble win in 99, this past 3 weeks has been the best time I've ever had as a football fan.

So whether we are actually any good (we are) or whether he have had an easy route (we have) is completely irrelevant to me. I've fallen back in love with football again.

It's been a brilliant World Cup. Wide open from the start and any of the teams left could win this. Personally I think we will reach the final and get beaten there, but what a ride it's been so far.

England's penalty shoot out win against Columbia is the first time since 2008 I've felt like that tbh. First time for England, that's for sure.

 

[GeorgieBoy]

England's penalty shoot out win against Columbia is the first time since 2008 I've felt like that tbh. First time for England, that's for sure.

Yeah. I was too young for '99 but for me this is the second best few weeks of football I've experienced in my life behind '08.
Winning it would be great but I don't think anything can ever top '08 for me.

 

[Kag]

Aside from our treble win in 99, this past 3 weeks has been the best time I've ever had as a football fan.

So whether we are actually any good (we are) or whether he have had an easy route (we have) is completely irrelevant to me. I've fallen back in love with football again.

It's been a brilliant World Cup. Wide open from the start and any of the teams left could win this. Personally I think we will reach the final and get beaten there, but what a ride it's been so far.

Likewise. I've generally lost interest but this has really made me excited to watch football matches again.

It's cost me a fecking fortune on days/nights out, mind you.

 

[SteveJ]

This must be the only international break which nobody wants domestic football to replace it.

 

[togg]

I think I might agree with you.

I love how it's affected the country as a whole, everyone just seems in a good mood. The weather being like it is probably helps too.

I had to work when we played Columbia and started my journey home in London passing all the pubs. They were packed, with people standing outside peering in the windows to get a glimpse. I stopped to look in through the open door to see Harry Kane putting away that 57th minute penalty. The place went mental and you could hear all the other pubs along the street with echoing cheers, whoops. Even the tourists on the streets were smiling, one saying....'yep...England definitely just scored'. It was a really uplifting journey home, a feeling of real togetherness, which is recent times ain't been so great!

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

I had to work when we played Columbia and started my journey home in London passing all the pubs. They were packed, with people standing outside peering in the windows to get a glimpse. I stopped to look in through the open door to see Harry Kane putting away that 57th minute penalty. The place went mental and you could hear all the other pubs along the street with echoing cheers, whoops. Even the tourists on the streets were smiling, one saying....'yep...England definitely just scored'. It was a really uplifting journey home, a feeling of real togetherness, which is recent times ain't been so great!

Yep.

It's been really something special. I don't want to imagine how the country would be if we actually won it. It would be insane.

 

[SteveJ]

It's been really something special. I don't want to imagine how the country would be if we actually won it. It would be insane.

Don't worry - May's government will sell the Cup to the Saudis before the team collect it.

 

[Reddy Rederson]

Not sure how many posters on here don't live in England but for those that don't Southgate was generally getting panned on TV and in the press for wanting to finish second which apparently would "destroy momentum."

For me at the time it was totally the right call and last 10 days proved it.

We must be watching different channels. All I saw and heard was the exact opposite of that. With Southgate being quoted as saying “we must go for the win”.

In saying that I see different things all over the place from people. I can only assume the media is all over the place in its opinion as usual.

In my opinion, I don’t think there was a good or bad route. All the big footballing nations have been shit. In fact I think it would have been better for England if they had met their boogie man teams and knocked them out. Beating a crap Argentina, Brazil or Germany would have been enough to keep the smiles beaming until the next World Cup held in Russia. Great individuals all over the place, but terrible teams. I didn’t rate England before and I still think they’ve yet to be properly tested, but there’s no denying they’ve come together as a squad very well.

 

[Zoo]

England are going to setpiece their way to the final.

 

[Oo0AahCantona]

Croatia have the far better midfield, which is a big issue, but every other position on the pitch England has depth and quality of a higher grade than croatia for me.

Whats interesting is any other tournament its normally been a narrative of who wins the midfield battle tends to go on and win, IE spain, germany etc for the past decade. But i dont believe this tournament is being won from the midfield, its the teams who have had a balance and coherency through every position on the pitch, and having an edge in set pieces.

All things being equal, i think its Englands to lose, but Croatia are more than capable of putting England to the sword if their key guys turn up.

 

[Backrow Singer]

The England team is impressivley balanced. Arguably the most balanced and cohesive unit in the whole tournament.

Whilst France/Belgium/Croatia have better individuals, England have the ability to play to a high level in numerous different styles. And they always play as a team, which is an underrated quality at World Cups.

Southgate has had England playing possession football so far, but I think we'd be equally dangerous playing on the counter. Probably, more so.

I think the games have suited England so far, I don’t think it’s a case of playing possession football, you’d expect it against the teams that we’ve played. Sweden, Panama, Costa Rica, Columbia aren’t dominating possession against anyone.

Both teams have a goal in them but both teams have a mistake in them as well. Both teams will fancy themselves against the other. I think playing England’s suits Croatia and England will have to play very well to win.

 

[Cheesy]

Croatia have the far better midfield, which is a big issue, but every other position on the pitch England has depth and quality of a higher grade than croatia for me.

Whats interesting is any other tournament its normally been a narrative of who wins the midfield battle tends to go on and win, IE spain, germany etc for the past decade. But i dont believe this tournament is being won from the midfield, its the teams who have had a balance and coherency through every position on the pitch, and having an edge in set pieces.

All things being equal, i think its Englands to lose, but Croatia are more than capable of putting England to the sword if their key guys turn up.

Yeah, feels like defensive errors (leading to penalties) and moments of occasional individual brilliance have largely been key in this tournament, which has made it a weird one in many respects. I feel like Croatia have more than enough to beat you - as you say they should ideally win the midfield battle and control the game, but dunno, they've been a weird team to watch, since their first two games it often feels like they've struggled to properly get going. Play well in spurts but can also frustrate.

 

[Sandikan]

Can only speak for myself but getting fed up with anti-England vitriol dressed up as objective analysis. Anyone we beat is automatically shit, yet before the game they will apparently be our undoing.

We're boring to watch, got no talent, useless English players with no technical ability like Lingard etc etc etc. "It's coming home" = disgusting arrogance from Brexiter little Englanders. The national anthem.

At best it's complete revisionism and at worst just comes across as nothing more than a bit of petty racism. It's definitely not 'objective neutral analysis'.

A lot of us fans have witnessed the most heinous of international tournament campaigns, we have stunk out tournaments with dire football and negativity.

This campaign is clearly different. The team has been impressive and is in the semi-finals now, on the back of some very good performances, albeit with a favourable draw. If it was Germany, no i wouldn't want them to win, but credit where it's due I'm not gonna start going on their domestic club's fan forums and start trolling them, basically insinuating that they're shit after they keep winning.

If someone does that, then in my opinion, they're basically a complete and utter cnut.

I don't remember too much about 90 from the time, as I was a bit too young, but I'm pretty sure we started slowly, and the press and fans back home were getting a bit negative. And then it progressed to a real excellent showing.

So a few negative nellies are no worries at all. Only one way to shut them up!

 

[Mihai]

It's bloody coming home, innit?

 

[Billy Blaggs]

It's bloody coming home, innit?

It is.

 

[FootballHQ]

Big thing is all games are on free to air TV which dosen't obviously happen for domestic games anymore. CL always used to get good ratings if it had English team in semi final/final but that's been lost now with it tucked away on BT.

Plus World cup/England always attracts casual fans who have no interest in football rest of the year. Was on a train last week and was sat by two people. Guy was showing his GF a video of Batshuyai kicking the ball into his face after the Belgium goal. The girl genuinely asked him if that meant Belgium had scored another goal.

 

[jmaggio]

Is anyone else planning to go and see it in London ? I'm going to see some mates down there for it, we were looking at going to Flat Iron Square but tickets sold out after 45 seconds.

 

[littlepeasoup]

For anyone interested, with some time on their hands this lunchtime, BBC are replaying the entirety of the 1990 semi final online. It might still hurt for those who actually have memories of the game, but I was far too young to even know what football was.

 

[reelworld]

I hope this game is gonna be a blast. I think Croatia will score first, but England will score the equaliser from another corner. Lingard will smashed the winner from 30 yards in the 90th minute

 

[ChrisNelson]

Croatia were impressive in the group stages but their big stars haven't really turned up in the knockout games. I really hope Rakitic and Modric don't pick Wednesday to turn it back on again.

Although I think with those 2 and Perisic they arguably have the stronger midfield, I think we have the better man up top in Kane.

They can definitely be got at in defence and I can see us causing them a lot of problems, especially if Sterling returns to his City form. Also with set pieces, there's so much confidence in the team at the moment that our boys will feel anything that goes in to the box is theirs to win.

I don't think it will be easy, Croatia have had to win 2 penalty shootouts to get here but form is temporary etc... so we will need to be at our best.

 

[littlepeasoup]

Is anyone else planning to go and see it in London ? I'm going to see some mates down there for it, we were looking at going to Flat Iron Square but tickets sold out after 45 seconds.

Flat Iron has been incredible for games this world cup, but this isn't a bad alternative if you can get tickets:

https://www.bst-hydepark.com/events/detail/croatia-v-england/

 

[Harry190]

Overrated Croata. Also, tired Croatia.

 

[Sayros]

I hope it won't be too devastating when France or Belgium beats England if Croatia doesn't get to it first. I think you lot can already be proud of how far you've come, but this ride is going to end soon and the only thing that will be coming home are empty hands.

 

[TheReligion]

I hope it won't be too devastating when France or Belgium beats England if Croatia doesn't get to it first. I think you lot can already be proud of how far you've come, but this ride is going to end soon and the only thing that will be coming home are empty hands.

England as one of the four best teams in the world is fantastic.

The world is finally taking note whatever happens

 

[99withaflake]

I hope it won't be too devastating when France or Belgium beats England if Croatia doesn't get to it first. I think you lot can already be proud of how far you've come, but this ride is going to end soon and the only thing that will be coming home are empty hands.

Of course it won’t be fun if/when we get beat, but there still would have been many more moments to cheer than recent tournaments.

 

[Sayros]

Of course it won’t be fun if/when we get beat, but there still would have been many more moments to cheer than recent tournaments.

For sure, and if it wasn't clear I'm just talking absolute shite for the fun of it. The fact is, easy run or no easy run, you can only beat what's in front of you and I've been impressed with England and the way Southgate has coached this team. I think even if they didn't win this world cup, they are now viewed differently for future tournaments. It's a big change from how England was perceived the last decade or so by outside fans and English fans themselves.