Russia World Cup 2018

[Theatre of Dreams83]

Sorry but let us have this one, haven't won an opening game at major tournament for many a year. Huge burden for this young side that has overcame it.

We wasn't great 2nd half, but 1st half as good as anything i have seen.

No I'm not suddenly going to say we are going to win it obviously.

One last thing, that reffing and VAR use was absolutely diabolical. Walker sticks an arm up and it's a pen. They wrestle tackle every single time, 2 or 3 stone wall pens even with VAR to review them. Pathetic.

Don't care what anyone says we deserved them 3 pts. The refereeing made this more of a game.

Terrible reffing! And our **** finishing made it a game tbh. Still don’t get this young team talk! These are all experienced players. Wins a win I gues all that matters.

 

[RhQQ]

Too many forwards on the pitch. Kane, Alli, Lingard, Sterling, etc. - Southgate thinks he can integrate them like he's some peak Pep Guardiola.

Too much responsibility on Henderson as lone pivot. Would take out Alli or Lingard and bring in Loftus-Cheek or Dier.

 

[zzeezzy]

Terrible reffing! And our **** finishing made it a game tbh. Still don’t get this young team talk! These are all experienced players. Wins a win I gues all that matters.

Most of that lineup bar one or two has no World Cup experience Can have all the club football and international qualifiers, World Cup different ball game.

 

[zzeezzy]

Too many forwards on the pitch. Kane, Alli, Lingard, Sterling, etc. - Southgate thinks he can integrate them like he's some peak Pep Guardiola.

Too much responsibility on Henderson as lone pivot. Would take out Alli or Lingard and bring in Loftus-Cheek or Dier.

You have a good point, but we should of been out of sight with all them chances created first 20 mins.

I'd much rather see this approach than someone like Hodgson.

 

[Theatre of Dreams83]

Most of that lineup bar one or two has no World Cup experience Can have all the club football and international qualifiers, World Cup different ball game.

Meh maybe is. But don’t buy it tbh. A lot of these have played in European QF, Semi,Finals.

Maybe says it all about English players playing like **** for there country

 

[dilakh2]

More of a lack of ball carriers in midfield rather than creativity imo. Looked much better when loftus came on.

Edit: Agree with R that the onus is all on Hendo to provide he needs someonelse alongside him. Sacrifice one of the forward players and the team will look more balanced.

 

[wkdsoul]

More of a lack of ball carriers in midfield rather than creativity imo. Looked much better when loftus came on.

Kept the ball better than anyone in the front six all game pretty much.

 

[zzeezzy]

Meh maybe is. But don’t buy it tbh. A lot of these have played in European QF, Semi,Finals.

Maybe says it all about English players playing like **** for there country

Your far too negative after that win! You know this is coming from me as well right??

We were off the boil second half but first half was class, as good as anyone so far.

Like I said first 20 min should of been out of sight. Referee decisions made this more of a game also.

 

[Theatre of Dreams83]

Your far too negative after that win! You know this is coming from me as well right??

We were off the boil second half but first half was class, as good as anyone so far.

Like I said first 20 min should of been out of sight. Referee decisions made this more of a game also.

Will reserve judgment. Not getting excited just yet. And enjoying my Zz moment think Mexico have been the best side so far.

 

[RhQQ]

Taking out Lingard or Alli for Loftus-Cheek doesn't turn it into a Hodgson team though, it just adds a bit more balance, but he still has the creativity, ball carrying ability & final third x-factor to make things happen.

Henderson needs a supplement passer to help dictate the tempo, and I think Loftus-Cheek can be that, though he'll probably turn to Dier. Belgium will give us an idea of what he feels his best XI is.

 

[Theatre of Dreams83]

Taking out Lingard or Alli for Loftus-Cheek doesn't turn it into a Hodgson team though, it just adds a bit more balance, but he still has the creativity, ball carrying ability & final third x-factor to make things happen.

Henderson needs a supplement passer to help dictate the tempo, and I think Loftus-Cheek can be that, though he'll probably turn to Dier. Belgium will give us an idea of what he feels his best XI is.

Loftus has to start imo. Dier comes in and it will be a hodgson team!

 

[zzeezzy]

Taking out Lingard or Alli for Loftus-Cheek doesn't turn it into a Hodgson team though, it just adds a bit more balance, but he still has the creativity, ball carrying ability & final third x-factor to make things happen.

Henderson needs a supplement passer to help dictate the tempo, and I think Loftus-Cheek can be that, though he'll probably turn to Dier. Belgium will give us an idea of what he feels his best XI is.

Yes I get your point but in first half Lingard and Allis movement was sublime and causing them so many problems.

In bigger tests will need that balance better but I'm thinking he might know that, even if it is Dier.

It was just really satisfying seeing some great football from England in that first half. I'm making the most of it!

 

[dilakh2]

Loftus has to start imo. Dier comes in and it will be a hodgson team!

There is no need for Dier until the Belgium game. The second half was basically 1 player in midfield in Hendo who had no option but to recycle possession. Then he has to run back into the position he just vacated for his midfield partner to move into but now he has been pressed by the Tunisians so he has to go back again. That coupled with Lingard and Alli never coming deep it was frustrating to watch. In this case you need walker and Maguire to step into midfield and take the position vacated by Hendo but they stopped doing that in 2nd half. Walker defo showed that he is a fullback playing CB the amount of times he let the ball run across him like he is aiming a pass down the line. Southgate got it all wrong today for me.

 

[Theatre of Dreams83]

Still hate 3 at the back!

 

[zzeezzy]

Southgate got it all wrong today for me.

Bit harsh, if you're trying to play a possession based system with 3 at the back, all your CB's need to be good with the ball and Walker is our best option, that's why he was used. Look at the alternatives and it is basically Cahill....or Jones... who are both awful with the ball.

All about Lingard and Alli's movement between the lines and off the ball generally, it was superb first half, second half big drop off. Not using it as an excuse but apparently the heat in that place was hotter than anywhere that has been played in WC thus far.

I wouldn't change much at all, other than Loftus-Cheek perhaps filling in alongside Hendo. As soon as you start sacrificing attacking players and introducing Dier you're getting conservative again.

Ok it's only Tunisia, but apart from penalty they didn't create anything really.

 

[zzeezzy]

Just watched highlights off the game, Henderson was fantastic, he has come on leaps and bounds as a player over last few seasons.

 

[dilakh2]

Bit harsh, if you're trying to play a possession based system with 3 at the back, all your CB's need to be good with the ball and Walker is our best option, that's why he was used. Look at the alternatives and it is basically Cahill....or Jones... who are both awful with the ball.

All about Lingard and Alli's movement between the lines and off the ball generally, it was superb first half, second half big drop off. Not using it as an excuse but apparently the heat in that place was hotter than anywhere that has been played in WC thus far.

I wouldn't change much at all, other than Loftus-Cheek perhaps filling in alongside Hendo. As soon as you start sacrificing attacking players and introducing Dier you're getting conservative again.

Ok it's only Tunisia, but apart from penalty they didn't create anything really.

Maybe its a bit harsh to say he got it wrong but he certainly got lucky. Sure we got the win but apart from the first 20 when there was space in behind due to tunisia pressing we were poor. Once they got the goal and sat back it was 4 forward players and one person in midfield, credit to Southgate for bringing on the subs but he took to **** long. Nothing wrong with playing 3 at the back but we saw in the second half that once they don't step into midfield you get maguire, Walker and Hendo just recycling possesion between themselves and the wingbacks, with 4 forward players stepping on the toes of the Tunisian backline.

 

[zzeezzy]

Feeling lonely? in need of a hug? Why not visit the Tunisian penalty area today?

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Saw this comment somewhere and it killed me.

 

[Theatre of Dreams83]

Been a good game so far this. 2 teams who could surprise to the later stages.

 

[ninjaskill]

Big loss for Colombia against likely the weakest team in the group. They’re going to have to have a couple really good games