World Cup 2018

[Husky]

Just watched an Italia 90 programme on The History Channel. It's slightly depressing that 1990 now looks like the 70s . . . ?

Going back to the bad goalkeeping theme in crucial games; There wasn't any as bad as the recent CL final, but . . .Paddy Bonner certainly didn't cover himself in glory in gifting Italy their 1-0 QF winning goal, then Italy's keeper gifted Argentina their SF equaliser by coming out for a cross and being beaten by a header. As for England, you look back and think Shilton was past his best then . . . .that Paul Parker deflection/lob, it almost went in slow motion . . .Jesus,!!! you'd be calling a keeper for letting that in these days. You can't blame a keeper for not saving a penalty - but you got the impression that West Germany could have taken penalties all night and he wouldn't have got near one (one does wonder whether a tactical goalkeeping substitution might have been a better option when it came down to the crunch).

England should have won. (Waddle hitting the inside of the post - that cross that flashed across the empty goal (You do wonder that had Gascoigne not been a drinker he would have been that little bit fitter and sharper onto it). History should have been re-written with a revenge final win v Argentina . . .?

Edited June 1, 2018 by Husky

[speeeeeeedie]

1 hour ago, Husky said:

Just watched an Italia 90 programme on The History Channel. It's slightly depressing that 1990 now looks like the 70s . . . ?

Going back to the bad goalkeeping theme in crucial games; There wasn't any as bad as the recent CL final, but . . .Paddy Bonner certainly didn't cover himself in glory in gifting Italy their 1-0 QF winning goal, then Italy's keeper gifted Argentina their SF equaliser by coming out for a cross and being beaten by a header. As for England, you look back and think Shilton was past his best then . . . .that Paul Parker deflection/lob, it almost went in slow motion . . .Jesus,!!! you'd be calling a keeper for letting that in these days. You can't blame a keeper for not saving a penalty - but you got the impression that West Germany could have taken penalties all night and he wouldn't have got near one (one does wonder whether a tactical goalkeeping substitution might have been a better option when it came down to the crunch).

England should have won. (Waddle hitting the inside of the post - that cross that flashed across the empty goal (You do wonder that had Gascoigne not been a drinker he would have been that little bit fitter and sharper onto it). History should have been re-written with a revenge final win v Argentina . . .?

Shilton benefitted from little competition. Clemence was old. Woods not good enough. Woods was bigger than Shilton, it may have helped in the pens.

He wasn't much better at Mexico 86. His lack of quickness contributed to both Maradona's goals. 

[Stuart]

Please don’t EVER blame Shilton for Maradona’s first goal. That cheating bastard ruined my Summer. Will never forgive him for that.

[Dack2018]

4 hours ago, Stuart said:

Please don’t EVER blame Shilton for Maradona’s first goal. That cheating bastard ruined my Summer. Will never forgive him for that.

England were well beaten.. Clutching at straws for years.

[Stuart]

2 minutes ago, Dack2018 said:

England were well beaten.. Clutching at straws for years.

Bore off. Presume you are a bitter Jock or not old enough to have watched the game live.

We deserved to beat those cheating @£&?s. Watching that drug addict lift the trophy was an insult to right thinking people around the world.

[JacknOry]

Just now, Stuart said:

Bore off. Presume you are a bitter Jock or not old enough to have watched the game live.

We deserved to beat those cheating @£&?s. Watching that drug addict lift the trophy was an insult to right thinking people around the world.

he is mrsusans the dingle new id

aka the claret

Edited June 1, 2018 by JacknOry

[bob fleming]

Just now, JacknOry said:

he is mrsusans the dingle new id

aka the claret

No way jack. Just no way. This new fella joined relatively recently and has made two posts shortly after that Susan fella was banned. No way is anyone that stupid. 

[Stuart]

Just now, bob fleming said:

No way jack. Just no way. This new fella joined relatively recently and has made two posts shortly after that Susan fella was banned. No way is anyone that stupid. 

Mrs Usan has been banned?

[JacknOry]

Just now, Stuart said:

Mrs Usan has been banned?

Yes, transfer thread 102

[roverandout]

Why are we so far behing france and germany in terms of talent...their squads are incredible, we barely have any players in the second bracket...i hope it all changes when our world cup winning underage groups come through

Edited June 2, 2018 by roverandout

[JacknOry]

12 minutes ago, roverandout said:

Why are we so far behing france and germany in terms of talent...their squads are incredible, we barely have any players in the second bracket...i hope it all changes when our world cup winning underage groups come through

Thats the hope I guess, our youngsters have been winning everything on the world stage in the lower age groups. Surely in the next 5-10 years we should have an excellent crop to choose from.

Problem is, our youngsters dont find it easy getting into first teams due to the foreign influx.

[joey_big_nose]

56 minutes ago, roverandout said:

Why are we so far behing france and germany in terms of talent...their squads are incredible, we barely have any players in the second bracket...i hope it all changes when our world cup winning underage groups come through

Main difference between England and all other top teams (except maybe Italy atm) is they have loads of players playing abroad and we do not. British players just do not go abroad in numbers, partly because culturally we don't like it, and partly because English players are hugely overpriced so present very very poor value for foreign clubs to buy. 

There are three issues with this 1) it means English players get much less Champions League experience than other nations 2) English players also have a much narrower experience in styles of play 3) English players live too much "in the comfort zone" which I think impacts our resilience at tournaments. 

If he was Spanish or French Ben Foden would have buggered off abroad to a CL club by now. But instead he'll sit on the City bench. Or even if he is sold Crystal Palace for example would easily be able to outbid Sevilla or Marseille with their PL resources. And they would do it because, you know, he's a talented Englishman so a marquee signing. So instead if playing CL football he will play mid table and relegation dog fight. 

Sancho from City has gone to Germany now (but only as his contract ran out and he is unusually intrepid) so hopefully that is the start of more talent going overseas, but until we start have 10+ players abroad in CL clubs playing regularly we are always going to be at a serious disadvantage.  Not sure that will ever happen with the huge TV deals the PL keeps signing though. If anything I expect it to get worse. I anticipate more and more top English players will get paid more by prem clubs not to play and they'll rot. 

Edit - I checked last squads and even Italy has four playing abroad compared to England's zero....  France have 14 of their wc squad, Germany 9,  Belgium 20 (!!), Argentina 19, Brazil 20...

Edited June 2, 2018 by joey_big_nose

[scotchrover]

2-0 to England at half time, and they’re playing some good, entertaining football for a change. Dele Ali has been the standout so far.

[roversfan99]

Jekyll and Hyde performance, some lovely movement and interchange first half, albeit nowhere near ruthless enough., good to watch though.

Second half ive no idea what happened, subs didnt help, an obvious downgrade bringing on Welbeck etc.

Central midfield a problem, Dier is crap and we lack someone to calm it down when we go under pressure, im unconvinced that the way we played the 3 in midfield will work v better teams, may need to put the impressive Delph next to Henderson.

[Husky]

I missed the first half, so only have negative things to say.

That was diabolical....and Welbeck.... Jesus wept.

[JAL]

Pickford all over the place for Nigeria's  goal looked like he trains on a bouncy castle jumping for an imaginary football.

? Pickford 

Give me strength....

[roverandout]

Just now, roversfan99 said:

Jekyll and Hyde performance, some lovely movement and interchange first half, albeit nowhere near ruthless enough., good to watch though.

Second half ive no idea what happened, subs didnt help, an obvious downgrade bringing on Welbeck etc.

Central midfield a problem, Dier is crap and we lack someone to calm it down when we go under pressure, im unconvinced that the way we played the 3 in midfield will work v better teams, may need to put the impressive Delph next to Henderson.

Cheek is that player but no good giving him 30 minutes..should build the midfield around him

[roverandout]

Just now, JAL said:

Pickford all over the place for Nigeria's  goal looked like he trains on a bouncy castle jumping for an imaginary football.

? Pickford 

Give me strength....

Dont talk bullocks..

[JAL]

1 hour ago, roverandout said:

Dont talk bullocks..

He's shyte end of !

Is the Nigerian keeper another Evertonian keeper, he should be after Kanes goal.

Edited June 2, 2018 by JAL

[Husky]

Just now, JAL said:

He's shyte end of !

Pickford out !

All he had to do was Pickford the ball out of the net.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Only saw the second half but we've no cutting edge. I can't remember their goalie having to make a save.

[roversfan99]

21 minutes ago, roverandout said:

Cheek is that player but no good giving him 30 minutes..should build the midfield around him

Disagree, hes more of a number 10, hes not one to sit deep and control it.

Dont think theres a case for building the midfield around him either, whats he done to prove he is THAT good to build a team around him.

[philipl]

Watched 1H Austria v Germany from sodden Klagenfurt.

- wouldn't be surprised if there isn't a serious injury; both sides making tasty challenges in treacherous conditions

- Germany have some man mountain defenders

- Ozil scored which says everything about a pretty disjointed looking German attack

- three seriously bad defensive mistakes by Germany which Austria failed to make anything of

- we all know the Germans start slowly but this looks a bit more like needing to raise the dead

 

[AspRover]

Sterling still looks like an 18 year old on the verge of becoming a world beater. He has plenty of skill but still somehow lacks the awareness or ability to read the game and make the right decisions. That normally comes with age, problem is that he's 24 or something now and it still doesn't seem to have clicked.  

[joey_big_nose]

I'm echoing Hoddle on the commentary here, but he's right. Our system looked great and we totally dominated until Nigeria changed their formation at half time to match us one to one. Then it was like a brick wall - we couldn't create anything at all. 

Other teams will look at that and use it against us... Not sure if we have a plan B to be honest. 

As for who played well - I thought everyone was decent enough except for Young who killed many moves by having to switch to his right foot, and was also lazy defensively. I can't see what he brings at all. Lingard and Alli looked  good first half. Sterling was frustrating. We could have scored four or five in the first half if his final ball was better. 

All in all standard sort of England pre tournament performance. Not convincing, but when is it ever? 

Edited June 2, 2018 by joey_big_nose