What's new

The England World Cup Thread

Spursh

Well-Known Member
Jul 21, 2009
2,558
6,514
No qualms and credit to Croatia. They were the superior side throughout and deserved to go through. Hope they now go on and beat France. They’ll have my support.

Wonderful effort from our young England team. I’m frustrated that Kane wasn’t able to get a real strike in anger off in the box all tournament, but we simply didn’t have the quality to create chances for him regularly enough. However, Southgate maximised all that was given to him, and in doing so, he’s gone some way to uniting a disjointed nation. He, and his team, represented England wonderfully.
 

Amo

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2013
15,795
31,480
Get a grip and a room you two. At least it’s not Tottenham ?

I used to get seriously depressed at England losses as a kid. I remember telling my teacher to leave me alone after the Brazil match in 2002, while leaving the assembly hall where the whole school had gathered to watch before school started.

There are photos of me crying after Portugal in 2006 while I was at my cousin's wedding. Videos of the wedding guests walking with the bride and groom through a London park have me sulking and watching my shoes as everyone else is singing and dancing. That was the day we lost to Portugal a second time.

After the Croatia loss in 2007 qualifying I said fuck this shit and simply stopped caring. It was nice when we won by more than a few goals but I mostly skipped matches and would hate it when the international break interrupted Spurs' season. It just wasn't worth the heartbreak when it seemed the players didn't give a flying fuck. I actually laughed at our loss to Iceland. That might have been cognitive dissonance or hypocrisy, or perhaps a reflection of my thinking politically in those eight years. Perhaps all three.

For this World Cup it was different. For the first time I was at a similar age to, or older than, most of the squad. I saw a young inexperienced team, many of whom from rough backgrounds and faced with a total lack of energy, optimism, or hope at home with the fans. I guess I saw myself in them a bit.

The expectations were lower than low. Most friends agreed bit being slaughtered by Belgium would be a result.

But we played well. Our match with Tunisia one of swagger and, at times, excellent football. We then let loose on Panama and everyone is excited again. So am I

We won on penalties for the first time in my life and the scenes on my way home that night were astonishing. A two hour walk through a buzzing London with smiles constantly affixed on everyone's faces, including mine.

Watching fans in Bradford dance to Bhangra, and Sikh weddings in London dancing to the tune of It's Coming Home; watching the scenes in Croydon and Stratford and Liverpool Street and Hyde Park. Watching almost everyone from every background united at this very politically and socially divided period, it's a pleasant feeling and it's a welcome surprise.

I'm proud of this country. I'm proud of the team. It's usually been one or the other recently.

I think tears are an appropriate response. As is @riggi wanting to top himself in a pub full of fellow heartbroken England fans, to the tune of nostalgia-feuling songs of his youth.
 
Last edited:

kr1978

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
5,322
8,464
I used to get seriously depressed at England losses as a kid. I remember telling my teacher to leave me alone after the Brazil match in 2002, while leaving the assembly hall where the whole school had gathered to watch before school started.

There are photos of me crying after Portugal in 2006 while I was at my cousin's wedding. Videos of the wedding guests walking with the bride and groom through a London park have me sulking and watching my shoes as everyone else is singing and dancing. That was the day we lost to Portugal a second time.

After the Croatia loss in 2007 qualifying I said fuck this shit and simply stopped caring. It was nice when we won by more than a few goals but I mostly skipped matches and would hate it when the international break interrupted Spurs' season. It just wasn't worth the heartbreak when it seemed the players didn't give a flying fuck. I actually laughed at our loss to Iceland. That might have been cognitive dissonance or hypocrisy, or perhaps a reflection of my thinking politically in those eight years. Perhaps all three.

For this World Cup it was different. For the first time I was at a similar age, or older than, most of the squad. I saw a young inexperienced team, many of whom from rough backgrounds and faced with a total lack of energy, optimism, or hope at home with the fans. I guess I saw myself in them a bit.

The expectations were lower than low. Most friends agreed bit being slaughtered by Belgium would be a result.

But we played well. Our match with Tunisia one of swagger and, at times, excellent football. We then let loose on Panama and everyone is excited again. So am I

We won on penalties for the first time in my life and the scenes on my way home that night were astonishing. A two hour walk through a buzzing London with smiles constantly affixed on everyone's faces, including mine.

Watching fans in Bradford dance to Bhangra, and Sikh weddings in London dancing to the tune of It's Coming Home; watching the scenes in Croydon and Stratford and Liverpool Street and Hyde Park. Watching almost everyone from every background united at this very politically and socially divided period, it's a pleasant feeling and it's a welcome surprise.

I'm proud of this country. I'm proud of the team. It's usually been one or the other recently.

I think tears are an appropriate response. As is @riggi wanting to top himself in a pub full of fellow heartbroken England fans, to the tune of nostalgia-feuling songs of his youth.

Superb post
 
D

Deleted member 26368

I used to get seriously depressed at England losses as a kid. I remember telling my teacher to leave me alone after the Brazil match in 2002, while leaving the assembly hall where the whole school had gathered to watch before school started.

There are photos of me crying after Portugal in 2006 while I was at my cousin's wedding. Videos of the wedding guests walking with the bride and groom through a London park have me sulking and watching my shoes as everyone else is singing and dancing. That was the day we lost to Portugal a second time.

After the Croatia loss in 2007 qualifying I said fuck this shit and simply stopped caring. It was nice when we won by more than a few goals but I mostly skipped matches and would hate it when the international break interrupted Spurs' season. It just wasn't worth the heartbreak when it seemed the players didn't give a flying fuck. I actually laughed at our loss to Iceland. That might have been cognitive dissonance or hypocrisy, or perhaps a reflection of my thinking politically in those eight years. Perhaps all three.

For this World Cup it was different. For the first time I was at a similar age, or older than, most of the squad. I saw a young inexperienced team, many of whom from rough backgrounds and faced with a total lack of energy, optimism, or hope at home with the fans. I guess I saw myself in them a bit.

The expectations were lower than low. Most friends agreed bit being slaughtered by Belgium would be a result.

But we played well. Our match with Tunisia one of swagger and, at times, excellent football. We then let loose on Panama and everyone is excited again. So am I

We won on penalties for the first time in my life and the scenes on my way home that night were astonishing. A two hour walk through a buzzing London with smiles constantly affixed on everyone's faces, including mine.

Watching fans in Bradford dance to Bhangra, and Sikh weddings in London dancing to the tune of It's Coming Home; watching the scenes in Croydon and Stratford and Liverpool Street and Hyde Park. Watching almost everyone from every background united at this very politically and socially divided period, it's a pleasant feeling and it's a welcome surprise.

I'm proud of this country. I'm proud of the team. It's usually been one or the other recently.

I think tears are an appropriate response. As is @riggi wanting to top himself in a pub full of fellow heartbroken England fans, to the tune of nostalgia-feuling songs of his youth.

Superb post buddy.
 

punkisback

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2004
4,410
7,278
We vastly underestimated Croatia. One of the best teams in the world with a fantastic midfield; the press and fans basically went on as if they were a Denmark. A decent team with one world class player, however they are excellent. Modric even said that they were fuelled by the British media and fans underestimating them. Rakitic and Modric piss over Lingard and Henderson. We'll need to improve so much to get to this stage again.
 

ravo

SC Supporter
Jun 4, 2004
4,787
2,885
We vastly underestimated Croatia. One of the best teams in the world with a fantastic midfield; the press and fans basically went on as if they were a Denmark. A decent team with one world class player, however they are excellent. Modric even said that they were fuelled by the British media and fans underestimating them. Rakitic and Modric piss over Lingard and Henderson. We'll need to improve so much to get to this stage again.
Agree, but England don't need to improve too much. They had a good tournament, and just need that extra player or two (i.e. creative midfielder) to push them on to the next level.
 

riggi

Well-Known Member
Jun 24, 2008
48,487
104,720
Can't top @Amo post but Ye, I've never felt like this about England. I stood taking a piss in between two blokes and we joked that we could all go back to hating eachother. One was Arsenal and the other Chelsea. We all laughed and walked away.
 

Amo

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2013
15,795
31,480
Can't top @Amo post but Ye, I've never felt like this about England. I stood taking a piss in between two blokes and we joked that we could all go back to hating eachother. One was Arsenal and the other Chelsea. We all laughed and walked away.

You're right and it should have started after you'd finished your piss. I worry about the "we all" in that last sentence.

Did you top 'em with a glass bottle while they still had their dicks in their hands before laughing and walking away?
 

riggi

Well-Known Member
Jun 24, 2008
48,487
104,720
You're right and it should have started after you'd finished your piss. I worry about the "we all" in that last sentence.

Did you top 'em with a glass bottle while they still had their dicks in their hands before laughing and walking away?

No but I almost kicked off with some div who called Kane a "Tottenham ****" I tapped him in the shoulder and reminded him of our contribution ?. No idea who he supported as he melted off at full time whilst I was crying singing along to 2002 classics.
 

Ben1

Well-Known Member
Jun 22, 2015
2,130
8,411
I think supporting spurs has made me slightly immune to what happened earlier, although it obviously still hurts. Reading the headlines...respect and pride for the effort and heart of a team that many are saying is 'almost there' (it isn't quality wise but that's a separate issue). Love for a manager moulding a young team. Commendable losers. It all feels so familiar and numbing.

England were naïve at times, wasted big chances and switched off against a more experienced, clinical team. It was a replay of many a spurs semi final of late (or a certain champions league tie). But there were so many positive moments and its nice that the rest of the country gets that warm feeling towards a team like this.

I hope it continues for the national team and that one day soon they can be the main event and not the footnote in someone elses history. Similarly for Spurs.
 

Gbspurs

Gatekeeper for debates, King of the plonkers
Jan 27, 2011
26,946
61,827
The game reminded me a little of our Juve match at Wembley. Well on top, didn’t take our chances.

The opposition manager makes a tactical change to create an overload down one flank, and we failed to adjust, paying the price.

Reminded me of the semi against Utd in the FA cup. Early dominance, should have been 3 up at half time and then we never looked like scoring again.
 

T-Love92

Well-Known Assembler
Aug 3, 2017
305
806
No need to be sad, most of this team is young enough to be at the next WC ... with more experience and Jack Grealish who learned it all from maestro Eriksen :geek:
 

tommo84

Proud to be loud
Aug 15, 2005
6,120
11,100
In the immediate aftermath of the defeat I felt torn over who I wanted to win the final. Obviously it would be great to see Hugo lift the World Cup, but there is little else to admire about Deschamps' France (Mbappe aside), while Croatia winning it would be a fantastic achievement for a nation so small, and would cement Modric as an all-time great after years of being under-appreciated.

This morning I've woken up to see bizarre comments from Croatia's players which suggest an English arrogance which simply wasn't there this time. So fuck 'em - Hugo all the way on Sunday.

Also its quite depressing to see the immediate re-emergence of club rivalry-fuelled pettiness on social media in the minutes immediately after the final whistle. Nobody let anyone down. There isn't a single player in that starting XI who didn't play a meaningful part in getting England as far as the semis. This team doesn't quite deserve a parade or any of that guff but they do deserve a large dollop of respect and appreciation for exceeding expectations and giving fans who haven't dared believe in their national team for 20 years a reason to believe. However, given how quickly some prominent fan accounts got on the backs of Kane and Stones, its probably only a matter of days before the red-top columnists follow suit. Ho hum.

The holiday's over and it's back to reality - England's just the mistress; Tottenham are the wife.
 

michaelden

Knight of the Fat Fanny
Aug 13, 2004
26,386
21,685
The game reminded me a little of our Juve match at Wembley. Well on top, didn’t take our chances.

The opposition manager makes a tactical change to create an overload down one flank, and we failed to adjust, paying the price.

England had few clear chances and nothing really after the break. Kane was used like Heskey, bounce the ball off him, and Sterling & Linguard were used to break behind the defence. Kane is better than that, and Sterling & Linguard are shocking in front of goal. They remind me of a slightly better Lennon going forward.

Alli should've been central, Rashford on wide & Sterling as an impact sub. I'd rather Young player LW & Rose at LWB.

Look at how the team moved forward from this starting position: -

Walker Stones Mcguire
Trippier Young
Hendo
Linguard Alli Sterling
Kane​

to: -
Stones Mcguire
Walker
Hendo Young
Kane
Trippier Linguard Sterling Alli

Kane ended up behind the "creative" 3, Trippier was acting more like a RW and Alli ended up out wide left as Sterling mostly cut in.

I'll give you that England didn't get the rub of the green as the ref was pretty poor in penalising Croatia. But for me the last 2 games should've been easier if the team didn't unbalance itself going forward.

Ball retention by Linguard & Sterling wasn't great. They often miss controlled a pass, shot wide or messed up a pass to a teammate. Kane needed Alli & Hendo closer to him for ground passes and not long balls & diagonals while he was 30 yards from goal. I think Alli was put on Modric which negated his game (Alli's not Modric, who was superb. That little demon. Love him but wish he was still at Spurs).

Kane too wasn't great last night. But I'm not sure if he couldn't get up top fast enough or was too tired but he was definitely less mobile than he has been. Same goes for Hendo who was really slow in moving beyond the halfway line. As an outlet in midfield he was not that effective and when pressed went back not making space for himself and playing behind the pressing Croatian midfield.
 

michaelden

Knight of the Fat Fanny
Aug 13, 2004
26,386
21,685
England "Well on Top" stats :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

1531381394193.png
 

Trix

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2004
19,337
329,029
Was hoping it would be a fully changed lineup for Saturdays playoff but no way will Kane not start considering it counts towards the golden boot.
 

Wheeler Dealer

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2011
6,863
12,282
Agree, but England don't need to improve too much. They had a good tournament, and just need that extra player or two (i.e. creative midfielder) to push them on to the next level.
Let's put it into some perspective. Tunisia, Panama, Columbia and Sweden were crap. We rotated squad to play Belgium second string and we were crap. We play a half decent team in Croatia and did well in periods, but the overall result was right, they were the better team.
Yes, there are many positives, our defence in general was good, composed and effective with the ball at their feet. The midfield lacked any creativity and was unbalanced as was the entire team when you don't play one out field left footer.
There is huge head room for improvement, which may come with experience.
 

michaelden

Knight of the Fat Fanny
Aug 13, 2004
26,386
21,685
Was hoping it would be a fully changed lineup for Saturdays playoff but no way will Kane not start considering it counts towards the golden boot.

Surely it'd take a special game by Lukaka, Mbappe or Griezmann to beat Kane?

1531381732149.png
 
Top