England have a great squad. One of the 5-6 teams that can actually win this thing. Today reinforces the idea that USA-England was one of our best performances in...forever. Glad Southgate spared us Foden though. Foden has superstar potential. What we're seeing so far is that R16 is where the pretenders are found out. These games haven't been particularly close. By the time we get to the QFs, almost every team left will be a credible threat to make the final. A team like Japan or Morocco has a chance to squeak in there, but basically it's just heavyweights from there on out.
Kind of pulling for England to be honest, to stick it to the fans who think that Southgate is holding them back.
Really hope France can score first. England are exceptional at killing off matches to the point that I almost napped through the latter part of the second half.
Killing off matches? It was 3-0 not 1-0, surely there comes a point when somebody is prepared to give the English team a 'little' tiny bit of credit! lol Surely when you are 3 behind the onus is on you to do something about it?
I think that was credit to us Crawley. Fwiw we aren’t interesting to watch but up to now we’ve been effective. Hoped there’d be a few upset with the last 16 games, maybe there will be and the best is yet to come but… been a bit of a snoozer these first 4 games.
12 goals scored, what else are they supposed to do? Let more in to make it more 'entertaining'? Honestly sometimes I find myself pulling my hair out when it comes to the English national team! No matter what they do they get criticized. I doubt they'll beat the French - then suddenly they'll be the worst team in the world again! :-D
I think that there are a number of teams similar to the US, in that they have a starting XI that can mix it up with the big boys when fully fit, and a then a big dropoff further down the roster. Our best 8-9 players can give England a good game; for players 10-26 the gap between the two squads is a chasm. For our 2026 chances, we don't only need to deal with our relative weaknesses at forward and central defense. We also have to develop additional high-level players at positions where we're already strong. Given the sheer number of emerging young prospects, I'm cautiously optimistic - but we still have a ways to go.
I think you’re being sensitive where you don’t need to be really. a neutral fan is saying they hope France scores first so that England will have to attack more than control the match defensively. Idk, I didn’t take it as a critique of England in any way.
In my opinion France are the best team in the world right now, for a good game its usually better for the underdogs to score first, I don't think England have been particularly defensive, they are the highest scorers in this world cup.
I would even say England is one of the top 3 teams talent wise in the tournament. Unfortunately their next game is against one of the teams higher in the pecking order.
Being particular defensive vs being good defensively. I think it’s going to be a fantastic game. England look good.
Sorry I wasn't clear, that is basically it. England seem more interesting to watch when they have to chase + it will open them up more for French counterattacks. With the form both squads are in, it's a shame that this match is only a quarterfinal. I wouldn't be upset with it as a final since they're almost certain 2 of the best 3 teams right now.
Am I crazy, or does JP do the thanksgiving dog shows as well? IMO, he's the worst play-by-play guy the Fox commentary team...
I would love for us to adapt some* elements of the Japanese game. * Please note I'm not asking for us to become a bunkering team with 30% possession or anything. I just think we have the athletes and transition players to be a bit more dangerous on the break and create more opportunities from transition.