Posts: 2,897
Threads: 86
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
7
I'm a proud Englishman but have had no engagement with the national team for years; this team has changed that. They're certainly not the finished article, but they have got great pride, belief and skill. I'm now looking forward to seeing them in the Euros.
A shame that they didn't score a 2nd when they were so on top in the first half, but in the end the best team won, without a doubt.
For me, Alli should've made way for Loftus Cheek early in the second half, but what do I know?
Arise, Sir Gareth
Posts: 1,397
Threads: 16
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
5
Agree Drewks. If it was a school report it would say ‘Tried hard but could do better’ which hopefully will happen over the next few years.
Even though we dominated both of the first half’s, other than scoring from the free kick, we only had one attempt on target in 120mins and were poor in the final third. Croatia were the much better team and could have won by a much bigger margin and deservedly so.
Unexpectedly, we did very well to get to the semis and a huge well done to Gareth and all his team and staff,
Posts: 2,641
Threads: 84
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
4
I am not disappointed, I am not annoyed, I am not feeling proud ..... England did what I expected .... flattered to deceive ...... we had an easier route than most, we played some nice football but no penetration, no real goal scoring opportunities from open play ...... goals from set plays mainly ....lots of tippy tippy but no end product ..... did not expect to win the cup even if we won last night so a little hope but not enough to be devastated ..... always proud to be English still a little disenfranchised with the England team and football generally ....... need a good season to re engage but that's looking unlikely at this moment in time .....
Posts: 3,745
Threads: 80
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
5
12-07-2018, 10:02
(This post was last modified: 12-07-2018, 10:04 by talkSAFT.)
Without picking on those who had an off-day - IF ONLY they had converted the chances in the 1st half when they were a goal up, I don't think the Croats could have stepped up as they did - they looked like HibeeJim's team 1st half, and I'd never seen Modric have such a poor game.
First time for donkey's years I've felt proud of the Team.
The one thing that's got the Nation behind them is that these lot have shown some humility, which we haven't seen since 66/70.
Start every day off with a smile and get it over with
Posts: 8,054
Threads: 55
Joined: Aug 2015
Reputation:
3
12-07-2018, 11:18
(This post was last modified: 12-07-2018, 12:04 by hibeejim21.)
" they looked like HibeeJim's team 1st half"
Works for me 
(11-07-2018, 18:30)talkSAFT Wrote: (11-07-2018, 17:49)Baggievicar Wrote: I'm just desperately hoping that Gareth Southgate does not wear a waistcoat tonight. It would annoy so many people.
We don't want to spoil HibeeJim's night, do we? (that's if he's watching) 
I'm happy for southgate to reach hero proportions, he's a mediocre coach. He should take responsibility for England losing last night. Croatia changed their plan at half-time to bring their full-backs into the match and to overload Young/Trippier down the flanks; England had no response.
He’s a horrendous manager...but yeah nice waistcoat.
Posts: 3,745
Threads: 80
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
5
(12-07-2018, 11:18)hibeejim21 Wrote: He’s a horrendous manager...but yeah nice waistcoat.
Own up, Jim. You bought one.
Start every day off with a smile and get it over with
Posts: 8,054
Threads: 55
Joined: Aug 2015
Reputation:
3
(12-07-2018, 12:18)talkSAFT Wrote: (12-07-2018, 11:18)hibeejim21 Wrote: He’s a horrendous manager...but yeah nice waistcoat.
Own up, Jim. You bought one.
You got me there. 
Posts: 5,456
Threads: 69
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
6
***UNBELIEVEABLE! PLEASE READ!
FIFA officials have noticed that Croatia have been using a player that was yellow carded two games ago. He should have missed the last two games. Therefore, FIFA officials could disqualify Croatia from the World cup, meaning England could potentially qualify for the final and be on their way to the final!
This news is official and can be checked on the BBC website. It was brought to the attention of the chairman of FIFA only 25 minutes ago. Go and check!...
Carlsberg don't do statuses but if they did, this would be the best status of the world cup 2018.... DD 
BaggieSteve likes this post
Ubique.
Posts: 1,093
Threads: 1
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
6
12-07-2018, 16:41
(This post was last modified: 12-07-2018, 16:42 by Slick_Footwork.)
I seem to be in the minority, but personally I think poor management cost us a fantastic opportunity here.
Performances generally were poor, with the exception of 1st half against Tunisia and 1st half against Sweden. We were fortunate time and time again - lucky goals against Panama, Sweden missing easy chances - which papered over the cracks. IMO Southgate picked the wrong team.
In short, we made it the semis by default.
For starters, I don't understand the new found obsession with 3 at the back. Not least when it results in playing square pegs in round holes. First game, Kyle Walker looked out of place, costing us a penalty with poor positioning but because we dug on the 2-1, it's all forgotten. But realistically, why was he playing there? He's only ever been good at attacking his whole career. A proper centre half would've stuck his head in where it hurts yesterday, but I don't blame Walker, he's one of the best full backs in the world.
Our midfield was ridiculously open, which could've been easily fixed by dropping Walker and playing a proper midfielder next to Henderson. Yes, we blew teams away first 20 minutes on numerous occasions, but after that were dominated on numerous occasions too. Croatia game was case in point, where we completely lost the midfield 2nd half because Alli and Lingard don't have any natural defensive awareness.
Ashley Young is probably 3rd or 4th choice left back IMO. Rose looked so much better when he played. Bertrand is a much better player too.
Stirling just doesn't want it, doesn't have the guts or the pride to wear the shirt. Yes, he makes good runs, but clearly hides when it comes to getting a chance. Believe me, I can tell this player is doing everything in his power not to get a chance because he's scared of missing. For all his good runs outside of the box, when it comes to inside, he'll suddenly 'stumble' or be 'brushed aside'. How the manager can continue to trust a player with no end product, time and time again, is beyond me. This isn't city where he gets 5-6 easy chances per game.
With the players we have, we should've beaten Croatia. We've beaten ourselves but we're all happy about it because we made our way to the semis, by virtue of the draw. IMO, Southgate looked just as useless as when he was Boro manager.
Dingle-Dingle likes this post
Posts: 8,054
Threads: 55
Joined: Aug 2015
Reputation:
3
(12-07-2018, 16:41)Slick_Footwork Wrote: I seem to be in the minority, but personally I think poor management cost us a fantastic opportunity here.
Performances generally were poor, with the exception of 1st half against Tunisia and 1st half against Sweden. We were fortunate time and time again - lucky goals against Panama, Sweden missing easy chances - which papered over the cracks. IMO Southgate picked the wrong team.
In short, we made it the semis by default.
For starters, I don't understand the new found obsession with 3 at the back. Not least when it results in playing square pegs in round holes. First game, Kyle Walker looked out of place, costing us a penalty with poor positioning but because we dug on the 2-1, it's all forgotten. But realistically, why was he playing there? He's only ever been good at attacking his whole career. A proper centre half would've stuck his head in where it hurts yesterday, but I don't blame Walker, he's one of the best full backs in the world.
Our midfield was ridiculously open, which could've been easily fixed by dropping Walker and playing a proper midfielder next to Henderson. Yes, we blew teams away first 20 minutes on numerous occasions, but after that were dominated on numerous occasions too. Croatia game was case in point, where we completely lost the midfield 2nd half because Alli and Lingard don't have any natural defensive awareness.
Ashley Young is probably 3rd or 4th choice left back IMO. Rose looked so much better when he played. Bertrand is a much better player too.
Stirling just doesn't want it, doesn't have the guts or the pride to wear the shirt. Yes, he makes good runs, but clearly hides when it comes to getting a chance. Believe me, I can tell this player is doing everything in his power not to get a chance because he's scared of missing. For all his good runs outside of the box, when it comes to inside, he'll suddenly 'stumble' or be 'brushed aside'. How the manager can continue to trust a player with no end product, time and time again, is beyond me. This isn't city where he gets 5-6 easy chances per game.
With the players we have, we should've beaten Croatia. We've beaten ourselves but we're all happy about it because we made our way to the semis, by virtue of the draw. IMO, Southgate looked just as useless as when he was Boro manager.
You make some good points,and I agree southgate was to blame for England's defeat. But I take issue with the "with the players we have we should've beaten Croatia".
Once the Croatian midfield sparked, the English players didn't have the quality to truly compete with them. That's why those players are worth a fortune and play for the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid and in the second half the gulf in class really showed.
Also going by modric's comments today,the English pundits and media really pissed them off with their dismissive attitude towards them.
England beat no team in the WC that was higher ranked than them in the competition. This view that you should be beating Croatia doesn't hold any water.
|
