this will be a tough game and a real test of the 'new' England team and set up .. they have to be as canny as they are skilful and be able stand up to provocation without seeking revenge or giving in to it whilst at the same time keeping their collective concentration .. anything I've forgotten ? .. I hope that they are all up for it .. come on England
they did just what I hoped .. loved the way that Dier turned away after his 'kick of all kicks' with a little grin on his face and no histrionics .. he knew their keeper had not saved it by the slimmest of margins
we have weaknesses .. no decent passer/creator in midfield, an unwillingness to shoot. a propensity to dribble too far before indecision sets in (Sterling/Lingard), a tendency to get complacent at the back (Walker) .. BUT.. all in all this is a team that believes and for all its weaknesses and foibles, is a team that should beat Sweden (no turnips need apply) and I'd love to see them against the Croats who I think will beat Russia despite the noise and hatred that will flow towards them from the home crowd
other points .. reports suggest that many European fans did not go to Russia as they were concerned about the political and potential hooligan problems .. there has been a surfeit of South American fans .. impoverished nations??? .. I wonder if the Russian government and/or FIFA subsidised these fans as propaganda fodder or merely to fill half sold stadia .. anyone have any info on this ?
the behaviour of the players from most of the S American countries seems indictive of the volatile and potentially violent nature inherent in those countries .. a refusal to listen to authority, a refusal to admit to breaking the laws after cynical fouls etc etc .. I hope that Brazil and Uruguay if they are to win their games do so by fair(ish) means and not through intimidating match officials or the seeming lack of willingness on the part of VAR officials to point out glaring incidents of foul play
Seen it reported that a lot of South Americans do 4 year saving plans from one World Cup to the next and that the World Cup is the Holy Grail for the majority of South American fans.
Also take Colombia for example, there are tens of thousands of them living in Spain, so it's not as if they've all travelled from South america.
Peru took 40k fans but it was the first time they'd qualified for over 30 years so many fans were desperate to go to Russia.
I seemed to be the only person who noticed Vardy was having problems with his groin at the final whistle (confirmed he had injection after the match on news) and assumed that was the case when Jamie who has the best penalty taking record in this squad decided not to take part.
Harry Kane is number 1 penalty taker but Vardy must be number 2 for England.
this will be a tough game and a real test of the 'new' England team and set up .. they have to be as canny as they are skilful and be able stand up to provocation without seeking revenge or giving in to it whilst at the same time keeping their collective concentration .. anything I've forgotten ? .. I hope that they are all up for it .. come on England
they did just what I hoped .. loved the way that Dier turned away after his 'kick of all kicks' with a little grin on his face and no histrionics .. he knew their keeper had not saved it by the slimmest of margins
we have weaknesses .. no decent passer/creator in midfield, an unwillingness to shoot. a propensity to dribble too far before indecision sets in (Sterling/Lingard), a tendency to get complacent at the back (Walker) .. BUT.. all in all this is a team that believes and for all its weaknesses and foibles, is a team that should beat Sweden (no turnips need apply) and I'd love to see them against the Croats who I think will beat Russia despite the noise and hatred that will flow towards them from the home crowd
other points .. reports suggest that many European fans did not go to Russia as they were concerned about the political and potential hooligan problems .. there has been a surfeit of South American fans .. impoverished nations??? .. I wonder if the Russian government and/or FIFA subsidised these fans as propaganda fodder or merely to fill half sold stadia .. anyone have any info on this ?
the behaviour of the players from most of the S American countries seems indictive of the volatile and potentially violent nature inherent in those countries .. a refusal to listen to authority, a refusal to admit to breaking the laws after cynical fouls etc etc .. I hope that Brazil and Uruguay if they are to win their games do so by fair(ish) means and not through intimidating match officials or the seeming lack of willingness on the part of VAR officials to point out glaring incidents of foul play
Seen it reported that a lot of South Americans do 4 year saving plans from one World Cup to the next and that the World Cup is the Holy Grail for the majority of South American fans.
Also take Colombia for example, there are tens of thousands of them living in Spain, so it's not as if they've all travelled from South america.
Peru took 40k fans but it was the first time they'd qualified for over 30 years so many fans were desperate to go to Russia.
Not just in Spain....The Elephant and Castle is a bit quieter than usual.
I seemed to be the only person who noticed Vardy was having problems with his groin at the final whistle (confirmed he had injection after the match on news) and assumed that was the case when Jamie who has the best penalty taking record in this squad decided not to take part.
Harry Kane is number 1 penalty taker but Vardy must be number 2 for England.
Reckon's a qualified referee “will know a lot about baseball, but he has no idea about football" based on nationality.
Nasty piece of work.
Pekerman came out with the same sort of crap. Accused English players of diving and cheating.
everyone should by now know that Maradona is a drug addled, pisshead, psychotic piece of excrement .. he is and always has been totally anti England/Britain .. he should never again be allowed into this country ..
Watched BBC highlights and Murphy said same think as I did, (and others) Why didn't Vardy take 3rd or 5th penalty ? I'm sure he had an injury because he seemed to be holding his groin unless that is a nervous reaction !
No way would Henderson and Dier get ahead of Vardy. So the win through the penalities may be serendipitous BUT we are in the quarter finals and live to fight another day.
My understanding is that Southgate and his team planned for penalties by looking st the mentality of the taker, not just the technique. They wanted players who they felt thrive in pressure situations.
I expected to see Vardy take one, but to be fair Henderson has been a penalty taker for his club, and none of them were bad penalties, the one that was saved was more a great save than poor penalty - the much maligned Ospina went the right way for nearly all of them.
To call the win serendipitous is a bit unfair.
Ospina was excellent on all the penalities bar the last one when he couldn't find a strong enough hand. Kane, Rashford, and Trippier's penalties were superb, and Henderson's was decent but a little high. Dier's pen went in despite the keeper going the right way, so bravo to calm Eric.
As I stated last week on the WC thread penalities have Never been a lottery but a skilful way to decide matches. I still feel Hoddle for all his Innovation didn't understand the shootouts by letting Batty and from memory Paul Ince take pens.
IF Southgate looked into the players eyes and decided or by the result of practice before hand or even by heartbeat in tests then great. But if Vardy said to GS at the final whistle that I have a groin strain and can't do my power pens then that would be serendipitous by switching to Dier.
*Serendipitous occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way. (for the 2% who aren't sure of meaning)
Only if he hadn't already identified Dier as first reserve, which I'm pretty sure he would have done.
They pointed out on the Totally Football podcast that it was noticeable that England's wobble came when Dier was in front of the back four and Henderson pushed forwards, and the subsequent settling of nerves and stronger finish largely coincided with Dier dropping into the back 3 and Henderson going back into the holding midfield role.
Henderson is turning into one of those players that, despite not always being a stand out individual, is a key cog that makes the rest of the team play better.
They pointed out on the Totally Football podcast that it was noticeable that England's wobble came when Dier was in front of the back four and Henderson pushed forwards, and the subsequent settling of nerves and stronger finish largely coincided with Dier dropping into the back 3 and Henderson going back into the holding midfield role.
Henderson is turning into one of those players that, despite not always being a stand out individual, is a key cog that makes the rest of the team play better.
Henderson has had a great tournament (and before). One of the most important players in our team imo.
Has anyone spoken to any Colombians they know? Would be interesting to hear their take on their teams behaviour and the ridiculous comments by Maradona and their manager since?
Don’t know if it’s been mentioned by anybody else yet but can I just record my personal appreciation to maradonna for calling the England win a monumental robbery...just makes the win even sweeter knowing it’s irked him.
I seemed to be the only person who noticed Vardy was having problems with his groin at the final whistle (confirmed he had injection after the match on news) and assumed that was the case when Jamie who has the best penalty taking record in this squad decided not to take part.
Harry Kane is number 1 penalty taker but Vardy must be number 2 for England.
Pickford doesn't look like a real goalkeeper, his positioning is all over the shop, he looks small (though apparently 6' 1") and generally unathletic.
We all got carried away after spanking a poor Panama, but my god that Belgium game was a return to business as usual for England playing tournament football. Like Charlton in recent years, no strength in depth, and probably only Kane is truly world class.
I know I predicted failure to get out of the group, but I can't see a win against Colombia.
Fancy a little bet for The Upbeats? I've got a tenner that says we'll win. @EveshamAddick
Yes, why not....
The Upbeats will be happy with their winnings @EveshamAddick
Done, and not daring to predict what might happen against Sweden!!
Watching this just makes you realise how many Colombians were in that stadium last night. Also love the fact they put 'it's coming home' literally as soon as the goal went in.
1. That the make up of England's support is alien compared to most away games. 2. The segregation is non-existent. 3. If we meet Russia in the semi and it’s like that it will be eventful.
Comments
What a nice bunch of lads they were, had a decent chat with Solly.
It was clear that there is a great team spirit there.
Dancing on the tables to three lions.
What a night.
Amazing.
Captures the swings in emotions!
The celebrations for the winning penalty are pretty nuts!
Also take Colombia for example, there are tens of thousands of them living in Spain, so it's not as if they've all travelled from South america.
Peru took 40k fans but it was the first time they'd qualified for over 30 years so many fans were desperate to go to Russia.
I seemed to be the only person who noticed Vardy was having problems with his groin at the final whistle (confirmed he had injection after the match on news) and assumed that was the case when Jamie who has the best penalty taking record in this squad decided not to take part.
Harry Kane is number 1 penalty taker but Vardy must be number 2 for England.
as for Pekerman .. may your Pecker droop forever
Henderson is turning into one of those players that, despite not always being a stand out individual, is a key cog that makes the rest of the team play better.
Current players on yellow cards:
Henderson
Lingard
RLC
Walker.
Worth looking out for if we are progressing to the SF
They wipe the out after that so you can't miss the final for 2 bookings, only a red.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=9JLOPFshmxc
1. That the make up of England's support is alien compared to most away games.
2. The segregation is non-existent.
3. If we meet Russia in the semi and it’s like that it will be eventful.