On the basis that England completely controlled the game. Scored more goals. Crested more chances. And, you know, won.
England were extremely comfortable for the entire game.
England - Euro 2021 Discussion | FA chairman: Southgate to be offered new contract until Euro 2024
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England were extremely comfortable for the entire game.
What?
the expectation is never there.
it's Very self deprecating.
can we win it? Yes of course. England are one of half a dozen teams that can. Chances are we won’t. But let’s enjoy the matches when they come - and hope we don’t go to pens against the Germans!
But they didn't, and they didn't even come close.
Which are better?
My problem isn't that he just got dropped, it's obvious why too
Grealish would have been dropping into midfield. It's like having David Silva and saying you don't have midfielders.
But possession was equal so the game was even, or something...
We had by far the best chances - Foden hitting the post, the goal, Kane’s miss when he slid into the post, the Mount free kick, Sterling’s wild shot over the bar. Not the all-singing, all- dancing entertainment your beloved England RU team has treated us to the last 18 months, admittedly, but a very solid start.
In reality England were neither awful nor dominant.
They were fine. They did what they needed to do and happily nullified a lesser Croatia side.
The question is whether they improve from here (which there is plenty of room to do given there are other talented players who could step into the side to improve it) or if they'll continue on like this until a better side inevitably beats them.
They were fine. They did what they needed to do and happily nullified a lesser Croatia side.
The question is whether they improve from here (which there is plenty of room to do given there are other talented players who could step into the side to improve it) or if they'll continue on like this until a better side inevitably beats them.
No, it didn't. But if we play like that again, I guarantee that it will cost us when we face any team with good forwards. You cannot play that deep for so long.
Croatia's forwards aren't even as good as some of players we couldn't fit in the squad.
Tbf Kane was dropping even in the 20mins England were playing wellExactly. There's a reason why Kane was dropping so deep. We had no midfield control. It was quite laughable really.
If this happens you promise this and that. Yadda yadda. You play what's infront of you. We did. We won. The end.
Great managers don't think like that, though. It shows the mentality.
Fairly comfortable game and getting the win takes the edge off the next game . Would be nice to see Southgate give Grealish, Shaw and maybe Rashford starts to keep everyone involved . Bring on Scotland.
What does this mean? What's even your point anymore?
England played Croatia today in the opening game of the tournament and won. They win the opening game for the first time in their history. They did so against the team that knocked them out of the last tournament, and exactly the sort of team they often struggle against.
Is there room to improve? Sure. So what? No one is saying there isn't. They played. They won.
Next.
Edit. Maybe lighten up a bit. Football is a sport. It's to be enjoyed. Enjoy the wins while you can. Thats what it's all about. Instead of absolutely pointlessly killing yourself over tiny details and what might have been, or what might be next time.
England, France, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, easily.
It's even tempting to throw in Italy.
Croatia aren't very good...They have 4 wins in the past 14 matches.
England won the game very comfortably. It was the first game, and on paper the most challenging of the group, and the team passed the test.
Croatia didn't have a single chance. I'm not sure what you're on about really.
It was a decent performance. There are definitely holes that can be picked if you go looking for them but it's a good one to get over the line against a competent footballing side. Kane should have buried that, a great chance by his standards and then it looks a very good performance.
The defence and some of the tactical elements will certainly be tested more as the tournament progresses, but England do have a few cards to play considering what is on the bench and potentially Maguire to return.
The defence and some of the tactical elements will certainly be tested more as the tournament progresses, but England do have a few cards to play considering what is on the bench and potentially Maguire to return.
Good post
Why England will win the Euro!
Firstly, they get to meet Croatia, their rival in the last world cup. England will be ready to exact revenge and will be going all out. Scotland and Czech are easy confidence booster. Let's not forget England are the hosts for their own 3 matches.
England will top the group and then face one of France/Portugal/Germany. Nobody will fancy England and once again, England will be on full frontal attack instead of passing sideways. The result: Another England victory.
Next, England will most likely face the winner of Group E (Weak team in Spain, Sweden, Poland, Slovakia) and triumph easily.
Then, don't forget, England is hosting all the semi-finals and finals so they will win!
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I mentioned in the newbie forum that England will win.
Firstly, they get to meet Croatia, their rival in the last world cup. England will be ready to exact revenge and will be going all out. Scotland and Czech are easy confidence booster. Let's not forget England are the hosts for their own 3 matches.
England will top the group and then face one of France/Portugal/Germany. Nobody will fancy England and once again, England will be on full frontal attack instead of passing sideways. The result: Another England victory.
Next, England will most likely face the winner of Group E (Weak team in Spain, Sweden, Poland, Slovakia) and triumph easily.
Then, don't forget, England is hosting all the semi-finals and finals so they will win!
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I mentioned in the newbie forum that England will win.
With England and United, it honestly feels like people take more joy from defeat because it in someway backs up their armchair critique.
sums up many on here
Conceded the initiative but got away with it as this Croatian side is ageing and never had a huge goal threat even at its peak
Managers live and die by their decisions, bottom line they won so he's justified with it
We'll need to be a lot braver in the knockouts and who knows maybe he's keeping his powder dry for those
I doubt it though
Managers live and die by their decisions, bottom line they won so he's justified with it
We'll need to be a lot braver in the knockouts and who knows maybe he's keeping his powder dry for those
I doubt it though
They have likely never been to a live game in their lives
Phillips did better than I expected in a more advanced role.
Mings was a concern before the game but played well.
Not convinced by Foden playing on the wing tbh. Would prefer Sterling on the right and Grealish or possibly Rashford on the left.
Mings was a concern before the game but played well.
Not convinced by Foden playing on the wing tbh. Would prefer Sterling on the right and Grealish or possibly Rashford on the left.
Nice win but I think England’s midfield will get overrun if/when they come up against heavyweights like Germany, France or Italy. The midfield is definitely an area of weakness and not helped by some of southgate’s baffling decisions.
Honestly, I’ve given Phillips some shit this season but he was mint today, stepped up when he was asked.
It was a good result against Croatia, but there’s no way in hell Scotland will be an easy confidence booster. England are a much better side but that game is probably going to be a slog. Even if England win comfortably they’re not going to go into it thinking it’ll be a dawdle.
France Portugal Germany would all be very tough.
I like your optimism and I think England will have a chance, but it probably won’t be as easy as you’ve written.
I'll give you France, Portugal and Germany but the others are arguable. Modric is obviously a top player and although past his best is still very classy. He is exactly the kind of player England needs. Brozovic is very highly rated and won Serie A with Inter this season. Kovacic is a very gifted player but I think there's some psychological frailty with him.
Croatia are a decent side but yes England are better than them. England actually has a really good record against Croatia WC2018 semi-final aside. We were better than them in both games in the Nations League straight after the World Cup winning one and drawing the other in Croatia.
Glad I didn’t bet on England.
Is it just me, or did Southgate strip out every single interesting option he had in his starting 11? I mean, you have to start Kane, Mount and Stones. Maybe Foden was the one selection?
Very little quality passing in the midfield, patterns of play were nowhere to be found. After the 3rd thru ball from Trippier that spun out, I stopped counting. That’s why you play a left footed LB instead of… oh nevermind.
I reckon they will lose in the quarters. Italy would dominate that starting 11.
Is it just me, or did Southgate strip out every single interesting option he had in his starting 11? I mean, you have to start Kane, Mount and Stones. Maybe Foden was the one selection?
Very little quality passing in the midfield, patterns of play were nowhere to be found. After the 3rd thru ball from Trippier that spun out, I stopped counting. That’s why you play a left footed LB instead of… oh nevermind.
I reckon they will lose in the quarters. Italy would dominate that starting 11.
It's Scotland's biggest game for literally decades. They will be so up for it.
He was played in a more advanced role than I'd seen him before. A bit like Kante in a way. It kind of suited him. Really pleased for him too because he was one of those players people weren't so sure about. He was great today.
Yeah for sure, like you say a few people were unsure of him (myself included) but the pass he played through to Sterling was excellent, great vision and execution. Like I said, I’m happy if he keeps proving me wrong!
I know a lot of people hated the first 11 and think we played badly, but I think there are some positives. I think the worst decision was not playing Shaw, Trippier did not offer anything Shaw wouldn't offer better.
I think one of the worst players was Kane, and I think it showed through Sterling. Sterling offered some movement and made chances, Kane was just not offering anything, and lost the ball most of the time.
I think one of the worst players was Kane, and I think it showed through Sterling. Sterling offered some movement and made chances, Kane was just not offering anything, and lost the ball most of the time.
There was definitely some positives, we genuinely played quite well and created some good chances. Just think there’s one or two players we could switch out who played today who played with better options.
Where was Rice's passing ability that some claim he has?
Also Sancho really should be starting ahead of Foden.
Also Sancho really should be starting ahead of Foden.
Foden is an incredible talent, don’t think Sancho should start ahead of him. Maybe alongside him in a front 3.
Sure his club form is amazing but Sancho hasn’t exactly lit up the place whilst in an England shirt.
Sure his club form is amazing but Sancho hasn’t exactly lit up the place whilst in an England shirt.