I am also think Hughes could be in Russia now. Yes he was injured a lot, but when he was fit, he was head and shoulders above almost everyone at Watford. He is just the type of midfielder England need - someone who has that technique and vision no one else has at the moment bar RLC, but the latter seems a bit star-strucked. I would have taken Hughes in the place of Welbeck perhaps.
He pretty much described his own manner whilst thinking that's England. Underestimating us at this rate, is to lose.
Because they understand English and like to think of the negative English stereotypes just to make them feel better about themselves.
This is me being confident, but I wouldn't be surprised if we came out and wolloped Sweden after winning our first ever World Cup penalty shootout. Maybe we find some flaws in their back line and hopefully if we score first (which Sweden has done in every game) then perhaps that'll break them open. Lots of guesswork, but it could be done. I think we'll win and I'm not underestimating the Swedes. They're a very well organized team and this will most likely be a dull match with few opportunities. Then again we have Kane and whenever he's in the box every side we've faced seem to panic every time by wrestling him to the floor.
The end of Italian football as we know it. Someone like Chiellini is a villain but brilliant at what he does.
Quarter Finals. I think we all would have accepted that before the start of this. Now - It's not about the way we are playing, it's not about who isn't in Russia. It's about the team seizing their chance. Not about the next tournament. 3 games. That's it. Saturday 3pm kickoff Middle of a heatwave World Cup Quarter Final Could be worse.
I also have this weird feeling we will do to them what we did to Denmark in 2002. I'm sure the reality of the situation will pop me in the mouth on Saturday but just a feeling. Low 80's (F), not horrible! Then again, I do live in Dallas so I don't view heat the same way the rest of the world does.
Whoever partners Kane needs to have a huge game. I would go with rashford to add the extra physical dimension needed to test their defence. Sterling has been dog turd so far and struggled to even so much as control a pass.
I'd still start Sterling somewhere. Maybe take out Dele and insert Rashford while Sterling takes Dele's place.
I'd give him an hour and then collar him if he's not doing it as I said before. I can see the sense of sticking with him for a while IF he starts to perform but he's on very thin ice at this point. The only reason I'm not saying ditch now is because I'm guessing Southgate has seen some basic issue with the obvious alternatives like Rashford. Of course, on that basis, maybe he's been worried about something but then Sterling simply hasn't performed so he might start Rashford anyway? I suppose, with such a young side, it's hard to tell how they'll react.
I'm actually hoping he's hurt because that's the only reason he should be putting in the 75% effort he did vs Colombia.
Oh my god! Just hearing a journalist on talkSPORT saying he thinks Alli will be dropped and check this out, Henderson would take the Alli role and Dier dropping into the defensive midfield role! What a bloody catastrophe that would be! Please god I hope it’s just a smokescreen or something.
I read that Dier could replace Ali in the starting line up... Would be a true disaster if true, we almost lost the game when Dier came on, surely Southgate can't make the same mistake two times in a row - especially against such a defensive side.
The worst thing is I think he can! What an absolute nightmare that would be and would not understand the thought process whatsoever! Bizarre considering we will probably have Young as a wing back who won’t get much joy going forward. All of a sudden I’m even more nervous about tomorrow now.
Sorry, I’m fuming, I know it’s just speculation but usually the press is correct on these things! I mean has Southgate learnt nothing about having Dier & Henderson in Midfield even if he plays Henderson further forward, I mean it just nuts and a hell of a lot of crazy against a team that’s going to defend deep.
Same. Would be insane really. The effect against Columbia was spectacular, in 2 mn we completely lost control of the game.
I thought the same. It's impossible to say for sure that that was the deciding factor, but it was difficult to ignore that we couldn't keep the ball from the moment the substitution was made. It's clearly supposed to be a defensive move to close down the game, but it just invites more pressure.