Russia have played Maybe the two worst teams. They look alright though
Russia were supposed to be one of the worst teams too though. They have been very decent and look particularly efficient in attack. Round of 16 may still be their limit, but they're almost certainly getting out of the group and have scored 8 goals so far. They're clearly a couple of notches better than the pre-tournament preview shows had us believe.
Oh they 100% aren’t as bad as I thought they’d be, much like England though you won’t be able to judge them until they play a side that puts any sort of meaningful attack together.
I think there's a really important lesson in this in that development between the ages of ~18-23 is vastly underrated in this country. When you look at Chambers and Shaw, both (I believe) were coming off breakthrough seasons and looked incredibly promising. For different reasons, both went to big clubs where it completely fell apart for them. Shaw of course had the bad leg break and then a personal vendetta with Jose Mourinho, and Chambers just seems to have gone nowhere, even though I thought he was a standout for the U21 team last summer (a good reminder of how young he is). Contrast that with Stones, who is not perfect, but who has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple years. Or Jessie Lingard, who has really improved in the last couple years. Same with Harry Maguirre and Kieren Trippier.
There are others on here, Sturridge, Wilshere, Flannegan, Barkley, who have really been derailed by injuries.
Having seen Dier from a young age for England youth teams I thought he always looked a cut above on the ball and in his reading of the game. Kieran Trippier is someone who might well have once made this list for the 2010 or 2014 World Cups going on his form for Manchester City youth teams (alongside Richards, Onouha, Sturridge, and Dedryk Boyata), but he was a late bloomer. Beyond that I don't think any of us would have picked Henderson. Lingard was always highly rated in England setups but due to injuries and bouncing around on loan he'd never really shown his potential. Dele Alli was starting to tear things up for MK Dons, another one you could maybe have as an oversight.
I got a text message from a friend to say that my son was in The Times and thought that it might be bad news. He's out in Russia and was interviewed before the Tunisia game. He said that the English were outnumbered by 7 to 1 and that the Tunisians were noisy but friendly. He did text me to say that he wouldn't have been quite so impartial had they interviewed him after the game!
I think there's a really important lesson in this in that development between the ages of ~18-23 is vastly underrated in this country. When you look at Chambers and Shaw, both (I believe) were coming off breakthrough seasons and looked incredibly promising. For different reasons, both went to big clubs where it completely fell apart for them. Shaw of course had the bad leg break and then a personal vendetta with Jose Mourinho, and Chambers just seems to have gone nowhere, even though I thought he was a standout for the U21 team last summer (a good reminder of how young he is). Contrast that with Stones, who is not perfect, but who has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple years. Or Jessie Lingard, who has really improved in the last couple years. Same with Harry Maguirre and Kieren Trippier.
There are others on here, Sturridge, Wilshere, Flannegan, Barkley, who have really been derailed by injuries.
Having seen Dier from a young age for England youth teams I thought he always looked a cut above on the ball and in his reading of the game. Kieran Trippier is someone who might well have once made this list for the 2010 or 2014 World Cups going on his form for Manchester City youth teams (alongside Richards, Onouha, Sturridge, and Dedryk Boyata), but he was a late bloomer. Beyond that I don't think any of us would have picked Henderson. Lingard was always highly rated in England setups but due to injuries and bouncing around on loan he'd never really shown his potential. Dele Alli was starting to tear things up for MK Dons, another one you could maybe have as an oversight.
Here's the thing with predictions… name me one person in the entire country who would have said even this time last year (hell make it this time 6 months ago!) that Nick Pope would be in the England squad right now? (Including Nick himself!) There will always be players that don't fulfil potential, and players that come up the rails from seemingly nowhere.
You just never know and that's why these lists will keep coming up every four years or so and we will all have a good laugh at them like we always do!
I think there's a really important lesson in this in that development between the ages of ~18-23 is vastly underrated in this country. When you look at Chambers and Shaw, both (I believe) were coming off breakthrough seasons and looked incredibly promising. For different reasons, both went to big clubs where it completely fell apart for them. Shaw of course had the bad leg break and then a personal vendetta with Jose Mourinho, and Chambers just seems to have gone nowhere, even though I thought he was a standout for the U21 team last summer (a good reminder of how young he is). Contrast that with Stones, who is not perfect, but who has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple years. Or Jessie Lingard, who has really improved in the last couple years. Same with Harry Maguirre and Kieren Trippier.
There are others on here, Sturridge, Wilshere, Flannegan, Barkley, who have really been derailed by injuries.
Having seen Dier from a young age for England youth teams I thought he always looked a cut above on the ball and in his reading of the game. Kieran Trippier is someone who might well have once made this list for the 2010 or 2014 World Cups going on his form for Manchester City youth teams (alongside Richards, Onouha, Sturridge, and Dedryk Boyata), but he was a late bloomer. Beyond that I don't think any of us would have picked Henderson. Lingard was always highly rated in England setups but due to injuries and bouncing around on loan he'd never really shown his potential. Dele Alli was starting to tear things up for MK Dons, another one you could maybe have as an oversight.
Here's the thing with predictions… name me one person in the entire country who would have said even this time last year (hell make it this time 6 months ago!) that Nick Pope would be in the England squad right now? (Including Nick himself!)
I think there's a really important lesson in this in that development between the ages of ~18-23 is vastly underrated in this country. When you look at Chambers and Shaw, both (I believe) were coming off breakthrough seasons and looked incredibly promising. For different reasons, both went to big clubs where it completely fell apart for them. Shaw of course had the bad leg break and then a personal vendetta with Jose Mourinho, and Chambers just seems to have gone nowhere, even though I thought he was a standout for the U21 team last summer (a good reminder of how young he is). Contrast that with Stones, who is not perfect, but who has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple years. Or Jessie Lingard, who has really improved in the last couple years. Same with Harry Maguirre and Kieren Trippier.
There are others on here, Sturridge, Wilshere, Flannegan, Barkley, who have really been derailed by injuries.
Having seen Dier from a young age for England youth teams I thought he always looked a cut above on the ball and in his reading of the game. Kieran Trippier is someone who might well have once made this list for the 2010 or 2014 World Cups going on his form for Manchester City youth teams (alongside Richards, Onouha, Sturridge, and Dedryk Boyata), but he was a late bloomer. Beyond that I don't think any of us would have picked Henderson. Lingard was always highly rated in England setups but due to injuries and bouncing around on loan he'd never really shown his potential. Dele Alli was starting to tear things up for MK Dons, another one you could maybe have as an oversight.
Here's the thing with predictions… name me one person in the entire country who would have said even this time last year (hell make it this time 6 months ago!) that Nick Pope would be in the England squad right now? (Including Nick himself!) There will always be players that don't fulfil potential, and players that come up the rails from seemingly nowhere.
You just never know and that's why these lists will keep coming up every four years or so and we will all have a good laugh at them like we always do!
Ray Clemence used to come and watch Nick Pope when he was playing for us. The coaches and scouts for the FA have better knowledge than given credit for.
Loftus-Cheek to start as Dele is not going to be fully fit. Sounds like Rose will come in for Young when he's fit enough and Sterling to get another crack at it against Panama.
Also, from the Guardian:
'Fifa is to investigate whether there was a failure of video technology in the game against Tunisia after Kane appeared to be denied two penalties either side of half-time. The Colombian referee, Wilmar Roldán, took no action and the four VAR officials also failed to intervene, leaving England perplexed. Brazil have formally complained to Fifa after claiming they were denied two key decisions in their draw with Switzerland.'
I think there's a really important lesson in this in that development between the ages of ~18-23 is vastly underrated in this country. When you look at Chambers and Shaw, both (I believe) were coming off breakthrough seasons and looked incredibly promising. For different reasons, both went to big clubs where it completely fell apart for them. Shaw of course had the bad leg break and then a personal vendetta with Jose Mourinho, and Chambers just seems to have gone nowhere, even though I thought he was a standout for the U21 team last summer (a good reminder of how young he is). Contrast that with Stones, who is not perfect, but who has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple years. Or Jessie Lingard, who has really improved in the last couple years. Same with Harry Maguirre and Kieren Trippier.
There are others on here, Sturridge, Wilshere, Flannegan, Barkley, who have really been derailed by injuries.
Having seen Dier from a young age for England youth teams I thought he always looked a cut above on the ball and in his reading of the game. Kieran Trippier is someone who might well have once made this list for the 2010 or 2014 World Cups going on his form for Manchester City youth teams (alongside Richards, Onouha, Sturridge, and Dedryk Boyata), but he was a late bloomer. Beyond that I don't think any of us would have picked Henderson. Lingard was always highly rated in England setups but due to injuries and bouncing around on loan he'd never really shown his potential. Dele Alli was starting to tear things up for MK Dons, another one you could maybe have as an oversight.
Here's the thing with predictions… name me one person in the entire country who would have said even this time last year (hell make it this time 6 months ago!) that Nick Pope would be in the England squad right now? (Including Nick himself!) There will always be players that don't fulfil potential, and players that come up the rails from seemingly nowhere.
You just never know and that's why these lists will keep coming up every four years or so and we will all have a good laugh at them like we always do!
Ray Clemence used to come and watch Nick Pope when he was playing for us. The coaches and scouts for the FA have better knowledge than given credit for.
I'm not saying he wasn't rated, my point was this time last year Pope was on the Burnley's bench. You can't tell me a year ago Ray Clemence or anyone at the FA or anyone in the WORLD would have said he would be in the England world cup squad for this world cup???
Loftus-Cheek to start as Dele is not going to be fully fit. Sounds like Rose will come in for Young when he's fit enough and Sterling to get another crack at it against Panama.
Also, from the Guardian:
'Fifa is to investigate whether there was a failure of video technology in the game against Tunisia after Kane appeared to be denied two penalties either side of half-time. The Colombian referee, Wilmar Roldán, took no action and the four VAR officials also failed to intervene, leaving England perplexed. Brazil have formally complained to Fifa after claiming they were denied two key decisions in their draw with Switzerland.'
They've got to make it clear to the VAR officials, when they should be overturning decisions. They're just as important as the referee on the pitch now...
I think there's a really important lesson in this in that development between the ages of ~18-23 is vastly underrated in this country. When you look at Chambers and Shaw, both (I believe) were coming off breakthrough seasons and looked incredibly promising. For different reasons, both went to big clubs where it completely fell apart for them. Shaw of course had the bad leg break and then a personal vendetta with Jose Mourinho, and Chambers just seems to have gone nowhere, even though I thought he was a standout for the U21 team last summer (a good reminder of how young he is). Contrast that with Stones, who is not perfect, but who has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple years. Or Jessie Lingard, who has really improved in the last couple years. Same with Harry Maguirre and Kieren Trippier.
There are others on here, Sturridge, Wilshere, Flannegan, Barkley, who have really been derailed by injuries.
Having seen Dier from a young age for England youth teams I thought he always looked a cut above on the ball and in his reading of the game. Kieran Trippier is someone who might well have once made this list for the 2010 or 2014 World Cups going on his form for Manchester City youth teams (alongside Richards, Onouha, Sturridge, and Dedryk Boyata), but he was a late bloomer. Beyond that I don't think any of us would have picked Henderson. Lingard was always highly rated in England setups but due to injuries and bouncing around on loan he'd never really shown his potential. Dele Alli was starting to tear things up for MK Dons, another one you could maybe have as an oversight.
Here's the thing with predictions… name me one person in the entire country who would have said even this time last year (hell make it this time 6 months ago!) that Nick Pope would be in the England squad right now? (Including Nick himself!) There will always be players that don't fulfil potential, and players that come up the rails from seemingly nowhere.
You just never know and that's why these lists will keep coming up every four years or so and we will all have a good laugh at them like we always do!
Ray Clemence used to come and watch Nick Pope when he was playing for us. The coaches and scouts for the FA have better knowledge than given credit for.
I'm not saying he wasn't rated, my point was this time last year Pope was on the Burnley's bench. You can't tell me a year ago Ray Clemence or anyone at the FA or anyone in the WORLD would have said he would be in the England world cup squad for this world cup???
I'm sure they've always seen him as a potential definitely and for them, it would have been a possibility and he would have been on a list in case of injuries / lack for form / appearances.
Comments
Oh they 100% aren’t as bad as I thought they’d be, much like England though you won’t be able to judge them until they play a side that puts any sort of meaningful attack together.
Time again to sell their souls....
.... You thought that you had seen it all,
When along comes Poland Senegal.
"If you ever see a post from WRICURKINCAM walk away and pretend you didn't. Only madness lies ahead. " = Henry Irving.
I think there's a really important lesson in this in that development between the ages of ~18-23 is vastly underrated in this country. When you look at Chambers and Shaw, both (I believe) were coming off breakthrough seasons and looked incredibly promising. For different reasons, both went to big clubs where it completely fell apart for them. Shaw of course had the bad leg break and then a personal vendetta with Jose Mourinho, and Chambers just seems to have gone nowhere, even though I thought he was a standout for the U21 team last summer (a good reminder of how young he is). Contrast that with Stones, who is not perfect, but who has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple years. Or Jessie Lingard, who has really improved in the last couple years. Same with Harry Maguirre and Kieren Trippier.
There are others on here, Sturridge, Wilshere, Flannegan, Barkley, who have really been derailed by injuries.
Having seen Dier from a young age for England youth teams I thought he always looked a cut above on the ball and in his reading of the game. Kieran Trippier is someone who might well have once made this list for the 2010 or 2014 World Cups going on his form for Manchester City youth teams (alongside Richards, Onouha, Sturridge, and Dedryk Boyata), but he was a late bloomer. Beyond that I don't think any of us would have picked Henderson. Lingard was always highly rated in England setups but due to injuries and bouncing around on loan he'd never really shown his potential. Dele Alli was starting to tear things up for MK Dons, another one you could maybe have as an oversight.
You just never know and that's why these lists will keep coming up every four years or so and we will all have a good laugh at them like we always do!
Also, from the Guardian:
'Fifa is to investigate whether there was a failure of video technology in the game against Tunisia after Kane appeared to be denied two penalties either side of half-time. The Colombian referee, Wilmar Roldán, took no action and the four VAR officials also failed to intervene, leaving England perplexed. Brazil have formally complained to Fifa after claiming they were denied two key decisions in their draw with Switzerland.'