On England's World Cup campaign I still feel a bit funny about the whole thing. Before the competition, I think many people would have seen getting to the quarters as a success, but to go one better was brilliant from the team.
Indeed, we were 22 minutes away from getting to the final, England, 22 minutes away from a WORLD CUP FINAL! Mad. Yes, the draw was favourable, but you can only beat what's in front of you as the cliche goes.
It was a once in a generation opportunity, you would think, and we could have won, maybe should have with the chances from Lingard, Kane, Stones' header off the line, who knows when something like this could happen for us again, but we live in hope.
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England's World Cup pros
- Southgate resisted the call from some parts of the media to play "experience" in the likes of Rooney and Hart who are yesterday's men.
- Talking of the media, since Leveson, people in this country aren't being swayed by the press to the extent they once were, and the backlash to "tattoo-gate" was glorious.
- The squad and manager seemed likeable, approachable, down to earth and like actual humans beings as opposed to previous teams.
- We won a penalty shoot-out by practising and treating it as a bit of a Science rather than the pot-luck, lottery bs of previous campaigns.
- At a time when our country is seriously divided over all sorts of things, this team managed to bring people together in a way politicians could only dream of. I watched the Sweden game in town, and the atmosphere in the bar was jovial, funny and warm. Great night.
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Cons
- Tactically, hmmm, seemed a bit hoof-bally in the second half and we retreated very, very early, almost like we were holding on when we knew Croatia could be got at.
- The lack of a midfield general. We need someone commanding, who can put their foot on the ball and calm things down, string some passes together. Maybe Loftus-Cheek can be that man when matures and nails down a place?
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Nitpicking
- I didn't think Stones should have gone to the tournament after a mistake-riddled second half to the season which saw him out of the City squad. But for 99% of it, he was absolutely magnificent, but he didn't seem to realise Mandzukic was standing right behind him and that lack of awareness cost us in the end, a bit harsh, but true.
- Young offered nothing going forward at the left-wing back, after the Costa Rica game I thought Rose was definitely going to start as he ads more balance and thrust down the wing, I thought it was unnecessary to play Young in every meaningful game.
Anyway, roll on the new season, qualification for Euro 2020, the Nations League and another crack at an international competition in two years
Admins, multi-board?
Now the dust has settled...
posted on 12/7/18
My biggest annoyance is we should've won last night. If he'd taken Ali and Young off on the hour, or even made decisive decisions at 1-1 before extra time we could've won it. Instead we were awful until the 90 minutes were up and then he made changes.
posted on 12/7/18
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 12/7/18
We played Costa Rica L in the previous world cup. Don't remember playing them this world cup.
posted on 12/7/18
"Costa Rica game" = Pre-tournament friendly at Elland Road where Danny Rose started at left-wing back
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44246164
posted on 12/7/18
Wonder how seriously the top countries will take the Nations League. It would be good to see a competitive edge to it, especially when we play Croatia in Oct/ Nov.
Gutted about last night but it's nice to come out of a tournament not feeling embarrassed for once
posted on 12/7/18
AS he took off Sterling I asked myself big call to leave Alli in there.The only reason you keep Alli is to give you goals running into space from the blind side.He hasnt come close to doing that at all throughout this tournament.
He did bring on Rashford who was erratic. In hindsight mayb he should have kept Henderson and brought on Loftus Cheek to carry the ball about and get closer to Kane.
posted on 12/7/18
Talking of the media, since Leveson, people in this country aren't being swayed by the press to the extent they once were, and the backlash to "tattoo-gate" was glorious.
Also see the response to journalists when the leaked team sheet was released, the backlash made me happy that people were telling them they are not helping.
posted on 12/7/18
comment by LQ (U6305)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
Talking of the media, since Leveson, people in this country aren't being swayed by the press to the extent they once were, and the backlash to "tattoo-gate" was glorious.
Also see the response to journalists when the leaked team sheet was released, the backlash made me happy that people were telling them they are not helping.
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It’ll be interesting to see how they proceed now the public have basically said, “we don’t care about the early team sheets” no public interest, no point, right?
posted on 12/7/18
comment by BruceAndPally (U8201)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by LQ (U6305)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
Talking of the media, since Leveson, people in this country aren't being swayed by the press to the extent they once were, and the backlash to "tattoo-gate" was glorious.
Also see the response to journalists when the leaked team sheet was released, the backlash made me happy that people were telling them they are not helping.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It’ll be interesting to see how they proceed now the public have basically said, “we don’t care about the early team sheets” no public interest, no point, right?
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Judging by their responses they will carry on regardless, to arrogant to understand that people have lost faith in them.
posted on 12/7/18
comment by LQ (U6305)
posted 22 minutes ago
comment by BruceAndPally (U8201)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by LQ (U6305)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
Talking of the media, since Leveson, people in this country aren't being swayed by the press to the extent they once were, and the backlash to "tattoo-gate" was glorious.
Also see the response to journalists when the leaked team sheet was released, the backlash made me happy that people were telling them they are not helping.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It’ll be interesting to see how they proceed now the public have basically said, “we don’t care about the early team sheets” no public interest, no point, right?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Judging by their responses they will carry on regardless, to arrogant to understand that people have lost faith in them.
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Yeah, it’s just a d*ck measuring contest between the journos, who’s got the best sources etc no real journalistic value to a team sheet that may well be wrong come kick-off.