The England World Cup Thread

[Gb160]

Disappointing, but i really don't think we'd have stood a chance against France in the final.

 

[mpickard2087]

I don't think anything surprising happened last night. Some of us were having the discussion before the tournament when the squad was finalised that midfield was going to be a massive issue, in the warm ups when it became apparent that Southgate had hung his hat on that set up and line up that was just reinforced.

They, aided a bit by a kinder route, managed to find a reasonably effective (helped a lot by the work done on set pieces, rather than anything in open play it has to be said) way of playing that almost bypassed midfield build up. A bit of (fairly negative) possession amongst those at the back, which looked 'cultured', and if we could advance up the pitch there were balls played into the channels for willing runners. Some things to get fans/pundits excited. And winning a couple of football matches helps no end too....... But as some of us have kept saying, eventually when we run into a team that can control the ball it is likely to end in tears. And it did last night. A reasonable start, but then Croatia just took control and kept chipping away and we got no respite, no ability in that set up to wrestle back some control. Maybe different changes could have been made, but at the end of the day with that squad it was a pretty limited set of tools and can only play one way - direct, and a lot of runners rather than people who can put their foot on the ball.

Southgate has had a successful start, in terms of he has made this England team likeable, he's been a very good front man, and he's managed to mould a team that the country can get behind, can take some pride in, and have enjoyed the journey they've taken them on - and that's no small feat after the last 10-15 years. However this just has to be the start, and the evolution of the team needs to continue happening. The team/squad did a bit of a job for this tournament, but it is in no way perfect and I wouldn't want it to be a long term, default selection going into the future.

In relation to that last point, and as I said in the match thread last night, the challenge for English football is to start producing the type of midfielders we see with the likes of Modric etc. Not just one or two options we hang our hopes on, we need them found throughout the league. Players who can knit the play together and put their teams in the right places on the pitch. The best teams, the teams that win, are usually the ones that can control the game and have a real strength in the centre of the park.

 

[Swalien]

I think we have done amazingly well to have reached a semi final and winning a penalty shoot out was almost like a world cup win to me. Although to me it looks as though we have an extreme lack of proper central midfield players. With these new formations we seem to see in the premiership and now with England, there is a lot more use of the CAM role. Its a bit wishy washy, looking for flicks and intricate build up if you ask me and I would like to see proper central midfielders from England in the premiership and in the national team.

I dont understand why players like Alli, Loftus-Cheek and Lingard can not be utilised in the cental midfield role. I have liked the look of Alli in that role the few times he has actuallly played there for us. I cant even think of many English central midfielders in the premiership. I think Winks, Shelvey and Lewis Cook come to mind. I think clubs in the premiership should look at the top 4 divisions and buy any English central midfielders who are first team starters to strengthen the national team.

I understand the reluctance of top clubs to berth youngsters in this roles, but we are holding back the national team and we are also not developing these players.

Proud of the lads though and Gareth Southgate has done a great job, I look forward to the future and look forward to seeing some proper central midfielders.

 

[Gassin's finest]

My first world cup was Mexico '86 (still the best WC tournament there has been), and as a 7 year old I cried at the injustice of being cheated out of the tournament. I saw first hand how cruel and unfair football could be, and as such lost early interest in it.

In 1990 I truly fell in love with the game, as 11 years old I saw new heroes like Gazza light up an otherwise dire world cup. But I cried even more then at the penalty defeat. So so tough to watch. And then again as a 17 year old, agonising as the ball brushes Gazza's studs and Anderton hit the post.

Since then it's been nothing but a slow falling out of love with England. A brief flurry of hope in 2002, eventually extinguished altogether with the shambles of 2004.

But this last 3 weeks have been joyous, amongst the most open and fun world cup since those technicolor, sun soaked Mexico games. Southgate and this England team, whilst often unbalanced and fleeting with their composure, have restored the fun, enjoyment and above all the integrity of our England football team. A team that will play and fight for each other, and for their countrymen. The shot from behind the squad in front of a bank of appreciative English fans, all singing Don't Look Back in Anger, speaks of unity, respect, and camaraderie.

And importantly, it doesn't hurt. Losing a semi final is naturally hard and disappointing... and its ok to regret what may have been if Harry had managed to get under his shot more, or Lingaard composed himself better... or if Stones or Walker had held their focus for half a second longer. This level of sport is all about inches. An inch to the left and Waddle scores and we go to Rome, or Gazza gets his foot to it and we face Czech Rep back at Wembley. A foot either side and Stones scores.

But... we weren't cheated out of it, we didn't resort to the lottery of penalties, and we didn't let ourselves down with an insipid, half hearted display from players just waiting to go back to their mansions. We went out giving it all and literally putting our bodies on the line. And that's why the country is proud of our boys.

Let's hope we keep it here now, and truly cherish it... because football truly came home again.

 

[Gassin's finest]

I think we have done amazingly well to have reached a semi final and winning a penalty shoot out was almost like a world cup win to me. Although to me it looks as though we have an extreme lack of proper central midfield players. With these new formations we seem to see in the premiership and now with England, there is a lot more use of the CAM role. Its a bit wishy washy, looking for flicks and intricate build up if you ask me and I would like to see proper central midfielders from England in the premiership and in the national team.

I dont understand why players like Alli, Loftus-Cheek and Lingard can not be utilised in the cental midfield role. I have liked the look of Alli in that role the few times he has actuallly played there for us. I cant even think of many English central midfielders in the premiership. I think Winks, Shelvey and Lewis Cook come to mind. I think clubs in the premiership should look at the top 4 divisions and buy any English central midfielders who are first team starters to strengthen the national team.

I understand the reluctance of top clubs to berth youngsters in this roles, but we are holding back the national team and we are also not developing these players.

Proud of the lads though and Gareth Southgate has done a great job, I look forward to the future and look forward to seeing some proper central midfielders.

I'd like to think that one of the key legacies of this tournament is that clubs see what English players are capable of. Lads like Maguire, Trippier and Pickford have been amongst the best players at the world cup. Therefore young english players should be given more opportunities to express themselves, play for bigger teams in bigger games, and work with the best coaches to develop. Who knows how many Waddles, Gazza's or Kane's have been missed in the last 20 years.

 

[tommo84]

Well then you must have had your head buried firmly in the sand. The behaviour of the England fans, pundits and so called experts was cringeworthy to anyone bar England it seems. I guess the double standards of the commentators and media are brushed over when it’s in your favour.

Nothing that Modric or the other fella calling out England’s long ball tactic have said is untrue.

I’ll say it again. We beat Tunisia, Panama and Sweden. It was the equivalent of us beating Newport, Swansea and Rochdale this season. The over reaction to these so called “heroes” is quite frankly ridiculous.

You do realise the 'Its Coming Home' stuff started out as a joke, right? I'd have thought the daft memes/gifs and other dubbed videos would have made that obvious. It was rooted in the nation's reasonable belief entering the tournament that we had very little hope of getting beyond the last 16. There was zero expectation attached to these players and manager, due to a blend of inexperience and general lack of success. Its precisely because we then performed quite well in spite of those lowly expectations that the nation has taken this group to its heart. The 'heroes' of the team are not so much the likes of Kane or Henderson who were already seen as starters for the national team, but rather the likes of Trippier and Lingard, who only a few months ago nobody thought capable of reaching a semi final. Did you not notice the genuine disbelief of all long-standing football fans at how routine the victory over Sweden was? You'll always have bandwagon-jumpers predicting 3-0 wins (and rags like the S*n printing nationalist bullsh*t) but 95% of the country went into every game bar Panama thinking we were in for a nervous 90 minutes (or more) and could either win or lose.

Its not me that has my head in the sand - its more that you seem to have completely misread the tone of the country, or have had a complete sense of humour failure for the last month. Either way I feel sorry for you, as you've missed out on a lot of fun.

 

[danielneeds]

Croatia 7 on target to England's 2

No-one's saying they didn't boss the 2nd half and extra-time. They still didn't create loads of clear cut chances. Pickford's save from Mandzukic the only other really good one I can think of apart from the goals.

 

[Gassin's finest]

You do realise the 'Its Coming Home' stuff started out as a joke, right? I'd have thought the daft memes/gifs and other dubbed videos would have made that obvious. It was rooted in the nation's reasonable belief entering the tournament that we had very little hope of getting beyond the last 16. There was zero expectation attached to these players and manager, due to a blend of inexperience and general lack of success. Its precisely because we then performed quite well in spite of those lowly expectations that the nation has taken this group to its heart. The 'heroes' of the team are not so much the likes of Kane or Henderson who were already seen as starters for the national team, but rather the likes of Trippier and Lingard, who only a few months ago nobody thought capable of reaching a semi final. Did you not notice the genuine disbelief of all long-standing football fans at how routine the victory over Sweden was? You'll always have bandwagon-jumpers predicting 3-0 wins (and rags like the S*n printing nationalist bullsh*t) but 95% of the country went into every game bar Panama thinking we were in for a nervous 90 minutes (or more) and could either win or lose.

Its not me that has my head in the sand - its more that you seem to have completely misread the tone of the country, or have had a complete sense of humour failure for the last month. Either way I feel sorry for you, as you've missed out on a lot of fun.

Not only was "It's coming home" a tongue in cheek bit of self deprecating British japery, but it also referred to how we all collectively loved our sport again, and in particularly loved our national team again. Football did indeed come home because we enjoyed it again... kids out in the street and the parks with a ball. It's important again.

It's a stark contrast and antipathy to all the politcal and societal upheaval and division we've been having.

 

[Monkey boy]

You do realise the 'Its Coming Home' stuff started out as a joke, right? I'd have thought the daft memes/gifs and other dubbed videos would have made that obvious. It was rooted in the nation's reasonable belief entering the tournament that we had very little hope of getting beyond the last 16. There was zero expectation attached to these players and manager, due to a blend of inexperience and general lack of success. Its precisely because we then performed quite well in spite of those lowly expectations that the nation has taken this group to its heart. The 'heroes' of the team are not so much the likes of Kane or Henderson who were already seen as starters for the national team, but rather the likes of Trippier and Lingard, who only a few months ago nobody thought capable of reaching a semi final. Did you not notice the genuine disbelief of all long-standing football fans at how routine the victory over Sweden was? You'll always have bandwagon-jumpers predicting 3-0 wins (and rags like the S*n printing nationalist bullsh*t) but 95% of the country went into every game bar Panama thinking we were in for a nervous 90 minutes (or more) and could either win or lose.

Its not me that has my head in the sand - its more that you seem to have completely misread the tone of the country, or have had a complete sense of humour failure for the last month. Either way I feel sorry for you, as you've missed out on a lot of fun.

Yeah because Luka, Roy Keane and everyone else in Britain totally misread everyone predicting the final before we even got there as banter?? Oh I see....... Fans posting memes and hash tagging every social media post with its coming home is one thing. Supposed experts and journalists stating that England would steam roll this ageing, overrated Croatia team was at best misinformed but at worst English arrogance.

There’s a great video of Souness, Robbo and Stefan Freund analysis of last nights game on YouTube. I urge you to watch it as Souness pretty much nails every point. We beat 3 shit teams in the entire tournament and scored 2 goals from open play. Sorry but I don’t see this as anything to write home about.

Oh and by the way, I was more than a little bit pleased that Croatia won last night as I can’t stand England, the media circus that follows them or the mostly moronic fans that decide the best way to celebrate a win over Sweden is to trash an Ikea store. Good riddance, I can actually enjoy the final now that england aren’t in it.

 

[dontcallme]

At the beginning of the tournament my expectations were extremely low.

I have seen lose to poor sides before and just not look like a team.

So beating Columbia and Sweden was good to see.

Seeing the players pull together and the manager developing a style of play was just great to see.

Seeing the country pull together has been amazing.

I know some go ott and sometimes we come across as arrogant but for the most part I saw people like myself really enjoying the tournament and starting to believe again.

I honestly never thought I would believe in the national team again.

 

[tommo84]

Yeah because Luka, Roy Keane and everyone else in Britain totally misread everyone predicting the final before we even got there as banter?? Oh I see....... Fans posting memes and hash tagging every social media post with its coming home is one thing. Supposed experts and journalists stating that England would steam roll this ageing, overrated Croatia team was at best misinformed but at worst English arrogance.

There’s a great video of Souness, Robbo and Stefan Freund analysis of last nights game on YouTube. I urge you to watch it as Souness pretty much nails every point. We beat 3 shit teams in the entire tournament and scored 2 goals from open play. Sorry but I don’t see this as anything to write home about.

Oh and by the way, I was more than a little bit pleased that Croatia won last night as I can’t stand England, the media circus that follows them or the mostly moronic fans that decide the best way to celebrate a win over Sweden is to trash an Ikea store. Good riddance, I can actually enjoy the final now that england aren’t in it.

A Scotsman with a chip on his shoulder criticises England and someone who professes they can't stand England agrees with every point. Colour me schocked.

 

[Shadydan]

Yeah because Luka, Roy Keane and everyone else in Britain totally misread everyone predicting the final before we even got there as banter?? Oh I see....... Fans posting memes and hash tagging every social media post with its coming home is one thing. Supposed experts and journalists stating that England would steam roll this ageing, overrated Croatia team was at best misinformed but at worst English arrogance.

There’s a great video of Souness, Robbo and Stefan Freund analysis of last nights game on YouTube. I urge you to watch it as Souness pretty much nails every point. We beat 3 shit teams in the entire tournament and scored 2 goals from open play. Sorry but I don’t see this as anything to write home about.

Oh and by the way, I was more than a little bit pleased that Croatia won last night as I can’t stand England, the media circus that follows them or the mostly moronic fans that decide the best way to celebrate a win over Sweden is to trash an Ikea store. Good riddance, I can actually enjoy the final now that england aren’t in it.

Don't worry mate, it'll come home in 4 years.

 

[Gassin's finest]

 

[Gassin's finest]

Yeah because Luka, Roy Keane and everyone else in Britain totally misread everyone predicting the final before we even got there as banter?? Oh I see....... Fans posting memes and hash tagging every social media post with its coming home is one thing. Supposed experts and journalists stating that England would steam roll this ageing, overrated Croatia team was at best misinformed but at worst English arrogance.

No one ever did that.

There’s a great video of Souness, Robbo and Stefan Freund analysis of last nights game on YouTube. I urge you to watch it as Souness pretty much nails every point. We beat 3 shit teams in the entire tournament and scored 2 goals from open play. Sorry but I don’t see this as anything to write home about.

This is far more arrogant.

Oh and by the way, I was more than a little bit pleased that Croatia won last night as I can’t stand England, the media circus that follows them or the mostly moronic fans that decide the best way to celebrate a win over Sweden is to trash an Ikea store. Good riddance, I can actually enjoy the final now that england aren’t in it.

And we can enjoy this thread again seeing as you have no further need to post in it.

 

[michaelden]

 

[Gassin's finest]

View attachment 39386

Shit tattoo...

 

[LeSoupeKitchen]

Yeah because Luka, Roy Keane and everyone else in Britain totally misread everyone predicting the final before we even got there as banter?? Oh I see....... Fans posting memes and hash tagging every social media post with its coming home is one thing. Supposed experts and journalists stating that England would steam roll this ageing, overrated Croatia team was at best misinformed but at worst English arrogance.

There’s a great video of Souness, Robbo and Stefan Freund analysis of last nights game on YouTube. I urge you to watch it as Souness pretty much nails every point. We beat 3 shit teams in the entire tournament and scored 2 goals from open play. Sorry but I don’t see this as anything to write home about.

Oh and by the way, I was more than a little bit pleased that Croatia won last night as I can’t stand England, the media circus that follows them or the mostly moronic fans that decide the best way to celebrate a win over Sweden is to trash an Ikea store. Good riddance, I can actually enjoy the final now that england aren’t in it.

If you don't enjoy the journey or allow yourself to dream then it's a very miserable life as a Spurs and England fan.

 

[popstar7]

We were definitely a few players light in the squad, if you added the Ox and lallana to this group it would have helped with rotation.

Have to admit I'd kind of forgotten about Oxlade-Chamberlain. I think he would have complemented Henderson/Dier well and offered something Alli/Lingard/Sterling didn't (ie. being an actual midfielder). Lallana never catches my eye for some reason and I doubt he'll get many opportunities at Liverpool this season so not sure how much he can expect to feature for England. I could see O-C replacing Lingard maybe, playing deeper and allowing Alli and Sterling to focus on attack.

 

[dontcallme]

If you don't enjoy the journey or allow yourself to dream then it's a very miserable life as a Spurs and England fan.

Also I never understand why people let themselves get so riled up by the media.

I had Hardly been to my local pub before the tournament. I went in celebrated with complete strangers and had a nice chat and laugh last night at us going out.

Others have had street parties and people coming together.

But a few stories about Ikea getting trashed and some moron dancing on an ambulance and some act like that is a true representation of what the tournament was.

 

[rez9000]

Yeah because Luka, Roy Keane and everyone else in Britain totally misread everyone predicting the final before we even got there as banter?? Oh I see....... Fans posting memes and hash tagging every social media post with its coming home is one thing. Supposed experts and journalists stating that England would steam roll this ageing, overrated Croatia team was at best misinformed but at worst English arrogance.

There’s a great video of Souness, Robbo and Stefan Freund analysis of last nights game on YouTube. I urge you to watch it as Souness pretty much nails every point. We beat 3 shit teams in the entire tournament and scored 2 goals from open play. Sorry but I don’t see this as anything to write home about.

Oh and by the way, I was more than a little bit pleased that Croatia won last night as I can’t stand England, the media circus that follows them or the mostly moronic fans that decide the best way to celebrate a win over Sweden is to trash an Ikea store. Good riddance, I can actually enjoy the final now that england aren’t in it.

Oh, but Dalic saying that they could handle Kane because they beat Argentina was Croatia being the paragon of humility, was it?