I don't know what it was about the German players but they just looked so laboured in their friendlies and that continued through the group stages. Bizarre but very welcome of course.
The history of football shows that new systems come in and teams work out how to play against those systems then they have to evolve. Germany are probably victims of this. It doesn't make them a terrible team, but the advantage is lessened and their system can even be used against them as Mexico showed.
The same can be said of Spain with their Tiki - Taka system. They are still hard to beat and can win the world cup, but before teams worked it out, they were unstoppable. Now teams know that they have to focus on the danger areas and not be drawn out, and be more wary of the counters.
The quality of the players remains a major factor - but the advantage the system gives can be nullified. It is reasonable that Germany would stick with the system that brought them success but it is time for a new system and they probably needed the kick into the proverbials to start developing it . Southgate has come up with a system that a) he thinks suits English players and b) doesn't suit continental opponents (Many don't like to be attacked with strength and pace and not being club sides, who can practice together more, are less adept at defending set pieces). In the past, England historically have relied more on the ability of their players than finding a system that gives us an advantage. But to win the World Cup, a team like England needs to be better than the overall level of its players. That is not being critical - they are all Premier League Players and top ones at that, but they need that extra an effective system can give.
I think the insightful one has been Southgate here. Many of us, including me have been mildly critical of playing Walker as a central defender when there are capable specialists. Many of us, including me have been mildly critical of Southgate not playing Sterling as he plays for Man City. It suddenly makes sense - the system is what Southgate thinks can win us the World Cup and it is bigger than the individual players!
The players have to learn it but you can't bring it in too early as there are risks of giving notice to opponents and risks to qualification as it beds in. It has suddenly dawned on me how clever Southgate has been. And that the England players believe in the system, which is essential. He and his team deserve a lot of credit and I honestly believe that England have as good a chance as anybody and better than most of winning the cup. Of course that is no guarantee and we need to avoid four teams above all else in my opinion, Brazil, Spain, Uruguay and Croatia. It is quite possible we will play Brazil in the quarters and that could go either way!
Having said that - Brazil won't enjoy playing Sweden - who I would give a 30% to 35% chance of beating them.
I think the insightful one has been Southgate here. Many of us, including me have been mildly critical of playing Walker as a central defender when there are capable specialists. Many of us, including me have been mildly critical of Southgate not playing Sterling as he plays for Man City. It suddenly makes sense - the system is what Southgate thinks can win us the World Cup and it is bigger than the individual players!
The players have to learn it but you can't bring it in too early as there are risks of giving notice to opponents and risks to qualification as it beds in. It has suddenly dawned on my how clever Southgate has been. And that the England players believe in the system, which is essential. He and his team deserve a lot of credit and I honestly believe that England have as good a chance as anybody and better than most of winning the cup. Of course that is no guarantee and we need to avoid four teams above all else in my opinion, Brazil, Spain, Uruguay and Croatia. It is quite possible we will play Brazil in the quarters and that could go either way!
Having said that - Brazil won't enjoy playing Sweden - who I would give a 30% to 35% chance of beating them.
'We want to breed a mentality that everyone in our squad wants to constantly win. We're building a team who everyone back home can see are passionate to play for England, want to win every time they go out & are improving every time.
Our public aren’t fools. They see when a team are together & are proud to play for them. They see the style of play & the different attributes these boys have to teams maybe 15-20 years ago. We’ve got a different type of player coming through our system'.
They’re working with top coaches, they’re more tactically aware, technically better. They can really go & knock some barriers down of how we’re perceived. We’ve seen that with our junior teams & there’s no reason that can’t filter into our first team."
Oh yes, I forgot - that is a shame as I can't see Mexico beating Brazil - bugger!
I completely agreed with your post though, yet do think Mexico could be a challenge for Brazil as they're quick on the counter attack, its a bit frustrating as dont really want to face either Mexico or Brazil if we're in that half as both could be tricky
I just walked passed a huge screen we have in reception and there she was.
I concur 100%
This
Beautiful girl. Not the best pundit, but a cut above Aluko (who is fucking awful, tbf). Some of the 'newer' pundits are pretty good in general. Jenas especially is good. Upson though is awful - and I caught a match the opther day that had Joleon Lescott on it... the less said about that the better
VAR showed it was a great tackle, thought it was a penalty too in real time, but last replay shows the ball being won cleanly.
Regarding both having to go for. Nobody wants to be runner up in this group. Winner plays runner up from our group then Sweden or Switzerland. Runner up from this group play winner of our group then Brazil or Mexico.
Bloody boring though hope someone scores early doors second half, i was struggling to keep my eyes open watching Senegal/Colombia, is the other game any better. Might just have to flick between the two to keep myself awake, almost as bad as Denmark/France.....on this showing England haven't anything to worry about.
Comments
The players have to learn it but you can't bring it in too early as there are risks of giving notice to opponents and risks to qualification as it beds in. It has suddenly dawned on me how clever Southgate has been. And that the England players believe in the system, which is essential. He and his team deserve a lot of credit and I honestly believe that England have as good a chance as anybody and better than most of winning the cup. Of course that is no guarantee and we need to avoid four teams above all else in my opinion, Brazil, Spain, Uruguay and Croatia. It is quite possible we will play Brazil in the quarters and that could go either way!
Having said that - Brazil won't enjoy playing Sweden - who I would give a 30% to 35% chance of beating them.
'We want to breed a mentality that everyone in our squad wants to constantly win. We're building a team who everyone back home can see are passionate to play for England, want to win every time they go out & are improving every time.
Our public aren’t fools. They see when a team are together & are proud to play for them. They see the style of play & the different attributes these boys have to teams maybe 15-20 years ago. We’ve got a different type of player coming through our system'.
They’re working with top coaches, they’re more tactically aware, technically better. They can really go & knock some barriers down of how we’re perceived. We’ve seen that with our junior teams & there’s no reason that can’t filter into our first team."
Thankfully wasnt anything more serious but as someone who has back problems all the time, I sympathise with him
I concur 100%
Beautiful girl. Not the best pundit, but a cut above Aluko (who is fucking awful, tbf). Some of the 'newer' pundits are pretty good in general. Jenas especially is good. Upson though is awful - and I caught a match the opther day that had Joleon Lescott on it... the less said about that the better
Very decent pundit from what I've seen before.
Realistically both have to go for it
Kagawa who has 2 in the last 3 games he is on the bench.
They have 3 players starting who have had 0 minutes this world cup
And 3 other players who.have had less than 25 minutes.
In a game where u are not certain to qualify, I am just saying I hope it backfires
LAST replay shows the most minute of touches... Good call ref
Regarding both having to go for. Nobody wants to be runner up in this group. Winner plays runner up from our group then Sweden or Switzerland. Runner up from this group play winner of our group then Brazil or Mexico.
Colombia arent great at the moment though
* note to self - check kick off times of future England games before booking the afternoon off work*