Was thinking much the same. Seems to me Confederation loyalty becomes the main thing for many. Anyone South American is automatically preferable to anyone European. Many Brazilian fans in that thread, have they forgotten what Colombia did to Neymar 4 years ago? Bashing UEFA is more important, apparently.
Indeed, yeah that thread is wearing thin now tbh, some guys come on there just to spout crap about England just because they have a permanent dislike because we’re the most arrogant and ignorant football fans in the world as one poster claimed. I find it all highly amusing. lol. Even the mod is encouraging trolling, indicating we all love drugs. Classy, lol.
When you’ve got a mod doing that it’s best to just stay away. Being from Egland is essentially asking to be wound up on any other forum. You can’t have a discussion without blatant trolling as per that thread. Just ignore them, most of them have been knocked out and we’re still in, so enjoy it because this doesn’t happen all too often
I dont even look at other forums. Most threads are just trolling and pointless arguments. The same thing happened to the UEFA forum when they appointed some twat as mod . Someone who encouraged world rivalry style trolling.
Wont happen but it would be bloody hilarious! The bitterness would explode into ’ Lucky English ’ or ’ worse side to ever win the World Cup ‘ lol
They're scared. They all know that it is possible. It is unlikely, I'd give it 10% or less likelihood. Not sure why they hate us so much but it doesn't bother me. It bothers them.
Love how everyone says we've had such an easy run up to this point but forgets about tournaments like 2010 where we had USA, Slovenia and f ucking Algeria and could only manage 2nd place (and 1 win!). I'm also having to defend Kane (something I'm not use to) on LFC's forum because he apparently has easy "tap-in goals" or PKs only. Again, I have to point out that if it was so easy to do what he's done, why haven't we had anyone do it in the last 16 years?
It is strange. I don't ever want France, Germany, Spain or Italy to win it. Just moves them further ahead of us. Usually I just want Brazil to win as for me they're the least bad alternative to England. Croatia would be ok, Belgium bearable but the main Euro teams and Argentina are always a no. I suppose three straight European wins riles them a bit and a fourth just shows them to be ordinary like, well, England.
I generally favour the Northern European or East Asian teams as they aren't absolute sh*thouses like the South Americans!
Scandinavians and East Asians in individual matches. If Sweden were to beat us then I'd back them in the semi. Should one of those be in a position to win the cup then I'd want them to do so but generally they're not.
Don't even get me started on that one... Early 2000's Germany: Eliminated from Euro 2000 & 2004 in the group stage (no wins). 2002 route to the final: Saudi Arabia, Rep. of Ireland, Cameroon, Paraguay, USA, South Korea. Ridiculous.
We're already getting the 'Oh, it's a poor tournament' stuff. Apparently it's a poor tournament because a lot of the 'big' teams aren't getting through
It is an easier draw than we usually get. The Swedes will be feeling thr exact same way I know. We have had so many hard draws through the years, as others have pointed out 2002 was so aggravating, we were the second best team in that tournament imo.
One English player who I thought would get a call up to the English team was Will Hughes . I know he is playing for Watford and he has suffered injuries this season but I remember seeing him a few games for Derby in the championship and although it was the chamionship he looked head and shoulders above any other player on the pitch . He reminded so much of GAZZA and scholes . Gazza with his abiilty to dribble by multiple players and scholes for his passing and vision . I am not saying Hughes will ever be as good as those guys but his talent is undeniable . The english media get carried away with Harry Winks which I don't really get . To me winks is too much sideways passing and not enough penetration in his passing or inventiveness .He reminds of Michael Carrick, who was a good player but never great. But Hughes has so much more ability on the ball , vision and awareness than Winks . He has that touch of genius . I swear if there was one club in the premier league who could do with Will Hughes it is Liverpool. His style of play is made for Liverpool and Klopp would turn him in to a star. Does anyone in England ever question why Southgate has never called him up ?
When said earlier that Ireland would win this world cup I was sayin it in jest to make a point but I still stand by my overall point that the standard of football has dropped . It is particularly noticeable in defenders and midfielders . I mean how many defenders do you see that play with calmness like the old greats . Any time an attacker gets near the box they have rush of blood and foul causing a freekick or penalty . Also there marking from corners and crosses leave a lot to be desired . Often their man has a free head at goal with nobody marking him . How often do you see them failing to block shots from thirty yards , they turn away from the ball instead of getting a block in. Midfielders also too specialist . You one midfielder to fill space and defend. You have another to create chances for the strikers and then you have another like ali who just hangs around the box looking for taps . Why cant a midfielder do all three. I am not saying that they nedd to do all three to a high level. But ever midfielder whether they are a holding midfielder , box to box midfielder , or attacking midfielder should be able to defend , create and get forward to score some goals . How midfielders in international football can do that now . I can't think of any .
It's interesting looking at the teams we had to face... Argentina, Sweden, Nigeria, Denmark and Brazil. If Germany only had to face Saudi Arabia, Rep. of Ireland, Cameroon, Paraguay, USA and South Korea before facing the same side that knocked us out, Brazil... then it could be said the same thing that people used to say about us, (that we failed the first good side we played), could also be said about them... on that occasion at least.
Yeah, honestly, been watching England for 30 years and this is hands-down the best tournament since France 98 for me, even if we don't progress. The amazing performance of the so-called smaller teams over the bigger teams (sweden, iceland, japan and others take a freaking bow), the number of goals, some of the types of goals, the crazy controversy despite/because of VAR, England playing their asses off, the shining of brilliant young players like Mbappe, and the fact it's in one passionate grateful country that has owned it and given it character despite Fifa's marketing department trying to make every tournament look the same. Rock on.
I like Hughes and have enjoyed following him since he broke into the derby team but I never felt his stats (by which I mean primarily goals and assists) added up, particularly vis-a-vis Alli or Lingard, who rightfully deserve to be ahead of him. I think an argument could be made for his inclusion verses Delph but equally Delph was brought in for the kind of versatility and experience in such roles Hughes doesn't have. With other mids emerging like Sancho Mount etc he'll have to go some to get in.
Hughes flatter d I deceive at derby more recently. Hopefully he improves at Watford but he’s very injury prone He has talent but can he stay fit? @greengrass81 The reason defending has declined is due to the physical side of the game being monitored. All the best defenders were dirty and grabbed etc and fouled at the right time. Now the game is geared towards attackers more than ever with var The defenders who thrive now are all ball players
Rewatching Argentina’s collapse against France and I love it! Their fans are so cocky and have the balls to claim that we are cocky I loved watching them collapse and fail at this tournament
The Japanese were a complete joy to watch, I don't remember them continually b*tching to the ref, headbutting, scuffing penalty spots or their coach purposely 'barging' opposition players, they played hard, were a tad unlucky and were then gracious in their defeat, I have huge respect for them, just compare that to the South Americans! Different world!
I'm always a bit surprised when Shelvey is brought up in the discussion as an option that this squad desperately needs. He's got a pretty good passing game but he's quite immobile and not a very intelligent player. I don't think he's ever really had a full season of consistent displays in his career either. But he's going to come in and dictate play for this group in a WC? I think I would even prefer to take the risk on Mason Mount attempting that over Shelvey.