Well, we have a couple of Belgian guys who post around here who can get into the personal vs. tactical debate I suppose. If Martinez says it is a tactical reason I can only go by his word. I have respected his analysis on ESPN the last few World Cups and Euros and he does not seem to be the type to be emotional when it comes to these sort of things. But I will differ to the Belgian fans who know more about this situation than I do.
No Mohawk man....incredible, given the questionable quality of many on the Belgium list. I agree withthe posters who say it has to be personal with Martinez.
Roberto Martinez: “Radja is a top player. The reason is tactical. In the last two years the team has worked in a specific manner. We know that Radja has a very important role in his club and we cannot give him that role in our squad. Other players had those roles.” Nainggolan has since announced his retirement from the national team. pic.twitter.com/F018EsVZJl— Radja Nainggolan (@OfficialRadja) May 21, 2018
Reportedly, Nainggolan still had a chance before Martinez went to Rome for a final talk (the day before the squad was made public). Radja didn't win his trust. According to Nainggolan's family and friends it was a massive blow for Radja, which lead to ending his international career a day later. Making the team was everything for Radja and he confirmed he wouldn't have minded a fringe role in Russia. He feels he merits a place for what he brings on the pitch. Apparently, off the pitch issues have been decisive. Radja is no angel but neither are players like Vidal for example. Possibly Martinez fears Radja could cause unrest, as he'd have to settle for the bench, and he could be too much of a distraction. Radja usually grabs the media's attention but then again it was often due to Martinez snubbing him during the WCQs. It beggars belief that Radja still didn't get in even after he told Martinez he'd accept a bench role and considering quite a few that did get a call-up aren't exactly in his class.
https://colfootball.wordpress.com/2018/05/22/panamas-national-hero/ This is the man who will lead Panama to the 2nd round
The only way Panama makes it to the second round is if Belgium and England don't show up for the tournament.
...like Italy and England did when Costa Rica made it? Some Ticos might disagree with that assessment. I, being Canadian, am no fan of Costa Rica or Panama, but I think they had strengths the Europeans didn't , they made it on their own, and Panama has speed and some other strengths that could potentially cause problems for their rivals.
I see a lot of arrogance from English fans like every four years even though they’re a good team, football is played on the field, Tunisia is a decent side that could give them and Belgium a lot of trouble.
Hi All, I have 2 category 1 tickets for England VS Tunisia anyone interested please get in touch with me, I will be in Russia starting from the 12th of June
Arrogance? Majority of people in England don't think we'll do anything. Even in 2014 many opinions were mixed. It's common for outsiders to think England always bang their chests before every major tournament. Having said that I'm sure Tunisia will give us a good game and make us work very hard for the most part.
Tunisia can definitely get a goal, but is it more worrying that they've shipped four goals in two games?
As a follower of the Tunisian national team I can tell you friendlies don’t mean much, the coach is still trying to figure out the defense, both Portugal goals were when two defensive starter didn’t play so is the the last min goal turkey scored, I’m really pumped, I haven’t seen Tunisia play this good since 78, finally a coach who balanced the team and got away from the defensive mentality every coach insisted on since the 80s
Pretty good first half, but kinda sat on it in the second. Nigeria came out aggresively in the first five minutes in the second half and got a good goal from Iwobi. It had to be him or Victor Moses. I liked how we played overall and I think we deserved a 3-1 win, but I'll always take any victory possible with England.
I can't see Belgium not taking all three points against Panama, but there's more than a half chance that England and Tunisia could shock them with a point or more if they get their tactics right.
I don't see the arrogance this time around. Actually it hasn't been there for a few years now, so I'm not sure where you're getting this impression(?). The good news for England is that expectations are low. The bad news is that they are low for a good reason. They're a bit like Argentina right now: strong up front, weak everywhere else. Except they don't have Messi.
English 'arrogance' is actually just stereotypical nonsense along with 'the long ball game' and 'it always rains in London!' You can't fight stereotypes! If you want to see 'arrogance' then you should check out the 'Italian' or 'Dutch' forums! In fact if anything the English (in the main) are VERY dismissive when it comes to their national team (me included). Most English are more likely to think of the players as 'overpaid' prima donna's than potential World Cup winners! Just looking at these world cup threads go to show how the English view the World Cup compared to say Spaniards. I think the Premier League is FAR more popular here than any international competitions (including the World Cup), which perhaps isn't surprising considering recent tournaments though it is perhaps a bit 'sad'. Most English fans (me included) think that getting through the group stage is about as good as it will get this year. English youth looks a bit more promising though, trouble is once they hit their late teens the drink gets a hold of them!
Expectations are low, but they're gonna be high as soon as the buildup to the Tunisia game starts and then Panama. Once people realise we're playing them then they'll assume England should beat those countries... Hypotcrites.
Yeah we've noticed that and we know they aren't the best in the EPL barring Kane, Sterling and Walker. You could say the same thing about any other country in the World Cup lol, but people love to bombard us England supporters.