FIFA World Cup 2026: England Tournament Thread [R]

And just remember, opening matches. All those loser manages we had between 1986 and 2016. Very few of them managed to win the opening game. Southgate won all of them. and now Tuchel has won his only one to.

 

It's great because now we are basically qualified. We can rest and rotate in the next two games and try and find out rythm

 

Just been on l'equipe. Kane getting loads praise

 

Depends who is rotated on. Those who came of the bench today fair enough. Some of those who didn’t maybe not.

 

Have to say Tuchel has proved me wrong. I think most of his selections today were spot on and we look great offensively, so much balance.

Only downside is O'Reilly looks a bit error prone at LB

 

Legend. Brilliant

 

That second half was much more like it and has enjoyable to watch also. Midfield was much better, probably because Pickford stopped hitting long balls so Croatia could just recycle. It changed in the second half, they started to take some chances with balls through the lines or more shorter risky passes which was what was needed to create space. Great use of the subs as well and shifting around players which worked. Onwards and upwards, can’t complain about that at all. Think I would get Guehi in for Stones though for the next game against Ghana.

 

I was surprised when Sam Matterface said O’Reilly had been good at left back. He was the biggest concern among the starters for me and the Ghana match is where he needs to play well or the knockouts will be worrying with him starting,

 

O'Reilly is fine. Don¨t worry.

 

Easier perhaps but full concentration needed, no over confidence and try as hard as possible to keep a good scoring momentum going. 5-0 ahead with 10 minutes to go and keep pressing for a 6th and then a 7th. NO letting up.

 

Much better second half, Tuchel giving it full German to the team at half time. He basically told them to stop worrying about losing and to get on with doing 'their thing' and suddenly the team that looked like past England teams at tournaments (ie headlights and rabbits) looked far more composed and confident in their ability.

Good work Tuchel

Under Southgate I reckon we sit back and draw or even perhaps lose that game.

 

Yes Tuchel knows what he is doing. You only need Kane/Jude/Rogers as creators otherwise you need runners. I would start Madueke ahead of Saka even if he was fit. I want runners opening up space.

The defence is what it is. They are very good individually but it's not a proven back 4 with chemistry and flawless qualities. They can gain chemistry as they go but if you have to point out a weakness I suppose that would be it against quality attacks.

Physically England look like the top side at the tournament. They are really balanced as well.
No reason why they can't go far.

 

Never forget. What Tuchel is doing here. It's building on Southgate. Southgate was not perfect, but he was way beyond anything we had for the last 50 years. Don't forget that

 

Can see Henderson or Trafford starting the Panama match then if Ghana goes well. As a warning perhaps.

 

Is this the first time that 4 England goals were scored by England players playing for foreign sides? Real Madrid Barcelona bayern

 

I thought Anderson's pass to Bellingham was sensational. First time over the top. We've really missed that kind of vision

 

Hey @W.A.S.P.

When you get back, if you have some pics from the stadium and give us the info on how it was in the stadium that would be awesome man.

 

Southgate did well to turn England into a counter attacking machine. This is still the same generation/project. Tuchel simply is brave enough to put out a balanced 11 that can do what Southgate ideally wanted to see but felt pressure to play 3 numbers 10s because of media and fans. Remember on top of Foden Palmer Saka Kane Jude all being demanded a starting place fans/media also wanted Grealish. Southgate did all he could to keep Grealish out without being pelted. Tuchel simply does not care what anyone thinks.