We don't have an equivalent to De Bruyne or Modrich to deliver a laser guided ball to the likes of Kane or Vardy and definitely the difference between winning and losing. Probably get shot down, but in the absence of a complete midfielder, seeing the hopeful punts from the likes of Henderson and Dier I thought how Shelvy could have come on and added in this department.
We don't have an equivalent to De Bruyne or Modrich to deliver a laser guided ball to the likes of Kane or Vardy and definitely the difference between winning and losing. Probably get shot down, but in the absence of a complete midfielder, seeing the hopeful punts from the likes of Henderson and Dier I thought how Shelvy could have come on and added in this department.
Henderson keeps it ticking over in the middle but he needs some creativity alongside him. Lingard isn't that player yet.
He was spent. Race run. Modric and Rackatic pulled him all over the place in the second half.
Yes, he was bit of a passenger in the 2nd half. Was the right call to sub him off. He had a great World Cup though, certainly gone up in people’s estimations.
We missed him. Dier is good at stopping others but he's never going to create chances or drive the team forwards.
Massively. No surprise in the two games he's come off or changed position we have struggled.
And Sterling. 1-0 up against Colombia when he went off. 1-1 with Croatia when he went off.
Sterling's performance last night confirmed why he's been playing over Rashford!!
Whenever we had the ball at the back, the Croatian attack would harry us and ensure that we rushed our passes making sure we didnt have time on the ball and so forced us to lump it forwards - Sterling would do that at the other end of the pitch, staying on the shoulder of the Croatia back line which meant he was constantly running on to the ball
Rashford on the other hand didnt seem to run for the ball unless he knew he could get it and would always drop deep so rather making their defence chase after him, he dropped to get the ball which allowed the Centre-Backs to just sit deep and force him to try and get through them with the ball... Something that he (1) Couldnt do (2) Barely tried to do as in Extra Time he ran into the box with the ball, had an hand put on his chest and bloody stopped!!
Lot of people saying we sat back and allowed them to come at us in the second half. I don't think that this was a choice or a conscious decision.
I think we were forced back by the tactical switch they made at half time - to push their wingers and full backs right up on our wing backs and pin them. This forced them to play deeper and the midfield were forced to then cover the overload and ended up pinned back too. We needed a tactical change to overcome that.
Good foundations laid for us to build on going forward. Well done to all the young lads and Southgate for stepping up and make the nation proud again!
I am guessing that was the last we will see of Young as a regular. Rose needs to be played as the first choice left back now to add some balance to the side.
It would be good to see Gomez make a full recovery from his injury and slot into the third centre back role in place of Walker. He did well but you can see it isn't his natural position and made a few mistakes throughout the tournament. You would have three decent ball playing centre backs.
Midfield and forward options looking a bit light at present through so hopefully we will see a few more young players break through and make the step up.
We missed him. Dier is good at stopping others but he's never going to create chances or drive the team forwards.
Massively. No surprise in the two games he's come off or changed position we have struggled.
And Sterling. 1-0 up against Colombia when he went off. 1-1 with Croatia when he went off.
Sterling's performance last night confirmed why he's been playing over Rashford!!
Whenever we had the ball at the back, the Croatian attack would harry us and ensure that we rushed our passes making sure we didnt have time on the ball and so forced us to lump it forwards - Sterling would do that at the other end of the pitch, staying on the shoulder of the Croatia back line which meant he was constantly running on to the ball
Rashford on the other hand didnt seem to run for the ball unless he knew he could get it and would always drop deep so rather making their defence chase after him, he dropped to get the ball which allowed the Centre-Backs to just sit deep and force him to try and get through them with the ball... Something that he (1) Couldnt do (2) Barely tried to do as in Extra Time he ran into the box with the ball, had an hand put on his chest and bloody stopped!!
There is a story on this morning. Dealing with post match heartbreak with Vanessa Feltz.
People calling up saying they are really down what can i do.
And my kid is to upset to go to school.
WTF, these are clearly not even football fans as real football fans know heartbreak is part of the game, you feel shit for a while then u get over it.
No need to call up this morning and ask what to do.
It's daytime TV, Paulie - it exists purely to air the crap it does.
Exactly. Yesterday i saw a link online to a genuine tv spot about a 'mystic pig' which could correctly predict world cup matches. It picked England. Yeah that worked well.
Speaking through it at work, and someone made the good point that we seem to be confusing the strength of the team and the favourability of the draw.
People are saying that this team wipes the floor with the so called 'golden generation' but the team with Rooney, Owen, Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard etc never got a draw like this lot did.
I do wonder what the Japan 2002 side for instance would have done had they got Sweden and Croatia instead of Brazil in the quarters.
The less said about the "golden generation" today, the better. This new group put them to shame with their team spirit and application.
The 98 team certainly had a real togetherness... They also had an equally easy group - Almost Identically Tunisia, Romania and Colombia.
We were very unfortunate to go out to Argentina. If Beckham hadn't been sent off it wouldn't have been unrealistic for us to go on and get another goal.
The quality we had was vastly better in every position.
Seaman G Neville Adams Campbell Anderton Beckham Ince Le Saux Scholes Owen Shearer.
(Beckham 47 OFF) (Southgate for Le Saux 70) (Merson for Scholes 78) (Batty for Anderton 96)
We did get another goal from Sol Campbell - which was disallowed. I don’t think there was togetherness either. Hoddle cause md uproar by leaving Gazza at home, and picked David Batty (who was allowed to take a penalty having never taken one in a game) instead - He also left Beckham (out best chance of decent set piece delivery) out for the first 2 games, then had to go running to him in the 3rd Group game, and surprise surprise Beckham delivered.......this after a complete shit show against Romania in the 2nd group game.
There is a story on this morning. Dealing with post match heartbreak with Vanessa Feltz.
People calling up saying they are really down what can i do.
And my kid is to upset to go to school.
WTF, these are clearly not even football fans as real football fans know heartbreak is part of the game, you feel shit for a while then u get over it.
No need to call up this morning and ask what to do.
It's daytime TV, Paulie - it exists purely to air the crap it does.
Exactly. Yesterday i saw a link online to a genuine tv spot about a 'mystic pig' which could correctly predict world cup matches. It picked England. Yeah that worked well.
I don’t think we’ll make another semi in the next 3 tourneys at least The draw was so favourable and team spirit and application will only get us so far .
Also have players like Lewis Cook, Tom Davies, Winks, Loftus-Cheek, Lookman, Solanke, Brewster, Reece Oxford, Hudson-Odoi. Plenty of great talent coming through and reasons to think this can be the start of something good and not just a one-off miracle tournament.
The problem with all these youngsters is that they have to play regularly and train and practice hard and not be diverted by money and other things - we have something of a recurring problem with young players not developing to their full potential - and one good summer at the World Cup does not amount to a whole flock (or whatever they are) of swallows.
Speaking through it at work, and someone made the good point that we seem to be confusing the strength of the team and the favourability of the draw.
People are saying that this team wipes the floor with the so called 'golden generation' but the team with Rooney, Owen, Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard etc never got a draw like this lot did.
I do wonder what the Japan 2002 side for instance would have done had they got Sweden and Croatia instead of Brazil in the quarters.
Thats a fiar enough point.
I thibk what people are saying when they say they prefer this side to the golden generation is that we now have a team playing a system and being greater than the sum of the parts. Previously we had 11 individuals who didn't work well together and consistently pitting in performances way below the level they did for their clubs.
Comments
Gutted ain’t the word.
Modric and Rackatic pulled him all over the place in the second half.
Whenever we had the ball at the back, the Croatian attack would harry us and ensure that we rushed our passes making sure we didnt have time on the ball and so forced us to lump it forwards - Sterling would do that at the other end of the pitch, staying on the shoulder of the Croatia back line which meant he was constantly running on to the ball
Rashford on the other hand didnt seem to run for the ball unless he knew he could get it and would always drop deep so rather making their defence chase after him, he dropped to get the ball which allowed the Centre-Backs to just sit deep and force him to try and get through them with the ball... Something that he (1) Couldnt do (2) Barely tried to do as in Extra Time he ran into the box with the ball, had an hand put on his chest and bloody stopped!!
I think we were forced back by the tactical switch they made at half time - to push their wingers and full backs right up on our wing backs and pin them. This forced them to play deeper and the midfield were forced to then cover the overload and ended up pinned back too. We needed a tactical change to overcome that.
I am guessing that was the last we will see of Young as a regular. Rose needs to be played as the first choice left back now to add some balance to the side.
It would be good to see Gomez make a full recovery from his injury and slot into the third centre back role in place of Walker. He did well but you can see it isn't his natural position and made a few mistakes throughout the tournament. You would have three decent ball playing centre backs.
Midfield and forward options looking a bit light at present through so hopefully we will see a few more young players break through and make the step up.
This is interesting...
England:
Croatia:
"I took Liverpool to the final of the Champions League. Now with my national team we are in the final.
"I think people should recognise that I am also one of the best defenders in the world and not just talk nonsense."
Dealing with post match heartbreak with Vanessa Feltz.
People calling up saying they are really down what can i do.
And my kid is to upset to go to school.
WTF, these are clearly not even football fans as real football fans know heartbreak is part of the game, you feel shit for a while then u get over it.
No need to call up this morning and ask what to do.
If so, I'm assuming she's had a lot of heartache in her life!
The draw was so favourable and team spirit and application will only get us so far .
Mr pessimistic is back
That's what has got me more. Not so much the prospect of winning the thing but simply the occasion of knowing your country is in the world cup final!
I thibk what people are saying when they say they prefer this side to the golden generation is that we now have a team playing a system and being greater than the sum of the parts. Previously we had 11 individuals who didn't work well together and consistently pitting in performances way below the level they did for their clubs.
I know which version I prefer.
Think we can stick 2 players straight in for that one who we know will be ready - Gomez for Walker and Sessegnon for Young / Rose.
If one or both of Sancho and Lookman are still tearing up the Bundesliga then we may have other options further up the pitch for then as well.
If we get someone in the midfield who can put their foot on the ball - then summer after next could be a good one.