If England are going to win this, it won't be via 1-0 shutouts. Our strength is up front, we've tore apart a previously solid Iranian team
I agree that's where the most quality is in this England team, but we know that Southgate is a big believer that teams who win tournaments are teams who control, and are controlled in, games. Ironically, apart from Italy in the Euros, who had the platform of a world class goalkeeper and one of the best CB partnerships of their generation, it has largely been true.
France were largely functional despite having a fair amount of flair talent. Same with Germany in 2014. Portugal were downright turgid in 2016. And then you had the great Spain sides who controlled the game with possession.
I don't think Iran are quite as bad as the've looked at times, I could see them getting something against Wales or the US, but they're not great. England definitely won't be this free flowing and open in the upcoming games--be prepared for the switch to 3-4-3 on Friday. But England have shown that they do have this in their locker, and that they can play some very tidy attacking football when required.
England have scored 6 but have also been very controlled. Its not like we have scored by flooding men forward.
Fair point, I do think they've flooded men forward at times but it has been in controlled moments and in some cases at least planned movements.
Time will tell. Iran are probably the weakest team England will play in this tournament, or at least the team they match up against the best. I think a free flowing, attacking England side could be very successful. And it would show very important and impressive evolution from Southgate--who I think very highly of as an international manager.
If nothing else, they should be a good side. Assuming this game ends before they play the US on Friday.
Oh god sake... Cmon, I've gotta go get my Son from School in 10mins
They're not gonna be happy when I'm forced to tell them the reasons I was late, was because the England game just wouldnt end
They're not doing a school watch party?
Dunno... He's in reception anyway, and doesnt have much interest in Football at the moment, if he doesnt buck his ideas up in a few years, he'll be up for adoption
Get him the Panini book, that seems to have triggered an absolute obsession with mine!. Saw his first ever WC goal yesterday and sleeps in his kit lol. Got it on record for after pre school so he can watch the first half.
Didn’t know you could still do that!
betamax?
On wax, he's only 3 so can use his imagination for the visuals.
Farcical finish, VAR proving how fucking useless it is and how weak the refs are, joke.
Anyway great performance but still concerned about defence.
VAR isn't useless the moron operating was.
Why do people persist in saying this type of thing?
You do know what "VAR" stands for don't you?
Who watches the video?
The "Video" part of it is bang on. Can't fault it. The ability to play back recordings from various camera angles is magnificent. Well played everyone.
It's the "A" and the "R" parts that are just plain shite!
Comments
Time will tell. Iran are probably the weakest team England will play in this tournament, or at least the team they match up against the best. I think a free flowing, attacking England side could be very successful. And it would show very important and impressive evolution from Southgate--who I think very highly of as an international manager.
If nothing else, they should be a good side. Assuming this game ends before they play the US on Friday.
On wax, he's only 3 so can use his imagination for the visuals.
VAR has 7 people who are as inconsistent as the 1 on the pitch
Anyway great performance but still concerned about defence.
You do know what "VAR" stands for don't you?
It's the "A" and the "R" parts that are just plain shite!