2018 FIFA World Cup thread

lol, how you been my brother?

 

It's that way everytime. Really, people should be excited that we are where we are at with a manager like Southgate controlling the strings.

 

Time will tell, but it's draining to play an extra half-hour in a physical match like that and then play on Saturday afternoon in sweltering heat in Samara. It should have never have gone to pens and it might have been better for confidence to have won the game in ninety minutes instead of drawing. Sweden should have more energy on Saturday and it might give them the edge.

Granted England have lowered expectations due to the Iceland and other recent debacles but I don't understand the ITV pundits saying that's it's been a successful WC for England after this win. The draw is as fortunate as it's ever going to get and a big nation like England should be setting the bar higher. Anything less than the final will be a major disappointment. This is a great chance to win the World Cup.

 

Typical

 

I have no idea if the system works at all or has any benefits. But last night was so fun. There's too few games and too many bits of luck to try to really analyse the side. England don't even have to be good to win it or to keep progressing,

Sweden are a tough opponent, but a brilliant one to be facing in a QF.

 

Any injury concerns?? Walker, Young, and Alli all looked a bit hurt .

 

Thanks, didn't realize Vardy had picked up a knock

 

Funnily enough, Vardy doesn’t concern me that much as like I’ve said before unfortunately the system Southgate plays just doesn’t suit his play. Rose comes in for Young, no problem for me. Walker could be a blow but Cahill would come in and he’s been pretty good lately for us plus he might be better equipped with Sweden’s set plays. Again didn’t think Alli was that good last night but maybe that’s due to injury but can imagine RLC coming in for him. Either way, don’t think the changes would weaken us significantly imo.

 

I think 2 or 3 changes definitely should be made, independently from injuries. The team must be jaded after this 120 minutes, and statistics show the winners of penalty shootouts usually go out in the next round in previous World Cups. So I would change Young to Rose, Sterling to Rashford, and for Alli perhaps bring in Delph - the midfield was sometimes non-existent against Colombia, and the dangerous Swedish counter-attacks should stop in time. I don't think Southgate trusts Loftus-Cheek to start, and to be honest, he has been much better as a sub so far.

 

I think Ali should be dropped for rlc and young for rose

 

I think you could play Sterling and Rashford, but Sterling needs to be the one to create for Rashford and Kane.

 

Young looked beat up and slow at times.

 

I think Delph is still in England for the birth of his third child. Got to be honest, I find it odd that he was selected if it was known he wanted to be with his wife for the delivery. It’s not like it was a surprise or anything but why select a player that might not be available when it matters. We could have taken someone else who would be available for the entire tournament. Don’t get me wrong, I like Delph but I wouldn’t have taken him on this basis.

 

not surprising given RLC has been used out of position. Not that Ali has done anything to deserve a starting spot. Rashford for Sterling wouldn't make sense after yesterday's game IMO, Sterling the only one driving the team forward.

 

I thought you were adamant RLC is a central midfielder? He's been used as one of three 'central' midfielders so far?

 

Loftus Cheek is a central midfielder indeed, not a wide right attacking midfielder, don't think he's mobile enough to do what Ali and Lingard are supposed to. More of a yaya toure type of player. That's my opinion but it's shared by all his coaches at youth level. And England basically plays with one central midfielder atm.

 

No, he flew back to Russia today. He could play in the next game.

 

Dutch ref for Saturday

Referee designations FWC 2018 Match 59: #SWE🆚#ENG⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠(07 July):
(Quarter finals)

Referee: Bjorn KUIPERS (NED)
ASR 1: San. van ROEKEL (NED)
ASR 2: Erwin ZEINSTRA (NED)
4th Off. Antonio MATEU (ESP)
Res.Ass. Pau CEBRIAN (ESP)@FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Sz7WI2x0t9

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) July 4, 2018

 

Kuipers is a really good ref..doesnt get intimidated..yesterday he would have slung the whole colombian team out..glad we have got him

 

Considering that most of his passes are sideways or backwards, that is horrendous . How Henderson is a first team player for Liverpool and England, I will never know . Think how much better your midfield would be if Wilshere or Shelvey were in it, instead of Henderson. I think if Wilshere was in the team you would be in with a shout of winning it, not because Wilshere is great but because midfielders are so shit now . I swear if you look at all the teams left in the competition, they barely have a good midfielder between them .

 

I don't think Southgate has a plan B.