| England v Croatia 21:56 - Jul 7 with 11743 views | bosh67 |
I have no idea why but feel a bit relieved we are playing Croatia rather than Russia given the intensity of Russia's fantastic support and what it would have elevated to against us if they had won.
I feel that it will be a more even playing field on Wednesday. We won't be playing 80,000+ supporters in the ground as well.
Croatia are a hugely talented team but like today it is a game that on paper could go either way, whereas I felt it was written in the stars for the Russians to do the impossible if they won tonight. |  |
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| England v Croatia on 09:28 - Jul 9 with 2065 views | ElHoop |
| England v Croatia on 08:32 - Jul 9 by BazzaInTheLoft |
I know he’s out of form, but I think Dier is mustard and the only one who came out of the Euros with any credibility. |
I can't have Dier instead of Henderson or indeed anyone else I'm afraid. I think that he'll keep the same team. It fits together, the set pieces are in place with Trippier and Young doing fine at teeing them up . Kane is a distraction and the other front men will surely capitalise on the free space eventually as Croatia get tired. I would definitely favour us here but of course it's only 90 minutes and anything can happen on the night. |  | | |
| England v Croatia on 09:33 - Jul 9 with 2059 views | rsonist |
| England v Croatia on 08:32 - Jul 9 by BazzaInTheLoft |
I know he’s out of form, but I think Dier is mustard and the only one who came out of the Euros with any credibility. |
Yeah to be honest If I had to pick one football blind spot of mine today, it's Dier. He's clearly important to Spurs' system but what everyone saw against Columbia is what I see every time he plays. |  | | |
| England v Croatia on 09:34 - Jul 9 with 2057 views | paulparker |
| England v Croatia on 08:32 - Jul 9 by BazzaInTheLoft |
I know he’s out of form, but I think Dier is mustard and the only one who came out of the Euros with any credibility. |
he was awful against Belguim and awful against Colombia , if we are to replace Ali in the midfield then loftus -cheek for me should start , he is fresh is a good box to box player and I don't think Croatia would be expecting it , I would also start Rashford for Sterling , lets go at them and put them on the back foot from the off |  |
| And Bowles is onside, Swinburne has come rushing out of his goal , what can Bowles do here , onto the left foot no, on to the right foot
That’s there that’s two, and that’s Bowles
Brian Moore
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| England v Croatia on 09:47 - Jul 9 with 2035 views | Rangersw12 |
| England v Croatia on 09:34 - Jul 9 by paulparker |
he was awful against Belguim and awful against Colombia , if we are to replace Ali in the midfield then loftus -cheek for me should start , he is fresh is a good box to box player and I don't think Croatia would be expecting it , I would also start Rashford for Sterling , lets go at them and put them on the back foot from the off |
I like Rashford but Sterling is integral to how England play and we have looked poorer when he hasn't been on the pitch
He gets space and his link up play us exceptional . I would start same team that started against Sweden and then make changes 2nd half
Loftus-Cheek for Ali is very tempting though |  | | |
| England v Croatia on 09:52 - Jul 9 with 2021 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
| England v Croatia on 09:34 - Jul 9 by paulparker |
he was awful against Belguim and awful against Colombia , if we are to replace Ali in the midfield then loftus -cheek for me should start , he is fresh is a good box to box player and I don't think Croatia would be expecting it , I would also start Rashford for Sterling , lets go at them and put them on the back foot from the off |
Yeah I’ve been impressed with LC on the glimpses we’ve seen. |  | | |
| England v Croatia on 10:11 - Jul 9 with 1989 views | Juzzie |
Sterling's first touch and inability to hit a barn door with a banjo is frustrating but he does do an awful lot of work in pulling defenders all over the place freeing up other England players to push forward into spaces.
I'm sure Southgate is just as frustrated about the former but maybe it's the latter that's keeping him in the team and if it does the job then that's a good thing.
[Post edited 9 Jul 2018 10:58]
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| England v Croatia on 12:42 - Jul 9 with 1869 views | traininvain |
| England v Croatia on 10:11 - Jul 9 by Juzzie |
Sterling's first touch and inability to hit a barn door with a banjo is frustrating but he does do an awful lot of work in pulling defenders all over the place freeing up other England players to push forward into spaces.
I'm sure Southgate is just as frustrated about the former but maybe it's the latter that's keeping him in the team and if it does the job then that's a good thing.
[Post edited 9 Jul 2018 10:58]
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His first touch wasn't a problem on Saturday and his movement was brilliant. But agree his finishing was poor.
I'd stick with the current team. Can always make changes during the game if needed. |  | | |
| England v Croatia on 12:53 - Jul 9 with 1852 views | BasingstokeR |
People would seriously take Sterling out the starting line up without him being injured?  |  | | |
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| England v Croatia on 13:04 - Jul 9 with 1820 views | timcocking |
No way i wanted us to be facing Russia in Russia for a game of this magnitude. Thank God Croatia put them out. Not that they'll be any easier really, but i'd still have picked them like a bloody shot. |  | | |
| England v Croatia on 14:09 - Jul 9 with 1757 views | Dorse |
| England v Croatia on 12:42 - Jul 9 by traininvain |
His first touch wasn't a problem on Saturday and his movement was brilliant. But agree his finishing was poor.
I'd stick with the current team. Can always make changes during the game if needed. |
Weirdly enough, the only player whose selection I have questioned going into the competition was Ashley Young. It grinds my gears seeing a wing-back always having to cut inside in order to cross the ball. It just ain't natural, I tells ya!
However, he has actually looked like a steadying influence in the team. Never seems to panic and links up nicely with Maguire as the left sided CB. I would still prefer Rose going forward but he didn't look especially up to speed against Belgium. Probably more to do with nerves than ability, to be fair.
Gareth clearly knows his stuff. If it's a stupid idea but it works, it isn't stupid. |  |
| 'What do we want? We don't know! When do we want it? Now!' |
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| England v Croatia on 14:13 - Jul 9 with 1746 views | Yugohoop |
It's no secret that i'll be supporting Croatia but regardless of the result i reckon we can be proud of both of our nations and call the world cup a success.
May the best team win and then go on to do it again in the final! |  | | |
| England v Croatia on 14:40 - Jul 9 with 1685 views | FDC |
| England v Croatia on 14:09 - Jul 9 by Dorse |
Weirdly enough, the only player whose selection I have questioned going into the competition was Ashley Young. It grinds my gears seeing a wing-back always having to cut inside in order to cross the ball. It just ain't natural, I tells ya!
However, he has actually looked like a steadying influence in the team. Never seems to panic and links up nicely with Maguire as the left sided CB. I would still prefer Rose going forward but he didn't look especially up to speed against Belgium. Probably more to do with nerves than ability, to be fair.
Gareth clearly knows his stuff. If it's a stupid idea but it works, it isn't stupid. |
I've been shocked and appalled by the fact I seem to be warming to Young... Dreadful business. But as you say, he's an important figure in the team -- especially in the Colombia game -- and his delivery has been really good. |  | | |
| England v Croatia on 15:03 - Jul 9 with 1643 views | DavieQPR |
| England v Croatia on 14:40 - Jul 9 by FDC |
I've been shocked and appalled by the fact I seem to be warming to Young... Dreadful business. But as you say, he's an important figure in the team -- especially in the Colombia game -- and his delivery has been really good. |
When it comes to England and the WC I can support any player to play well
(except Terry even if he does lift the cup.Yes I know he's not actually playing but....).
England do need to strengthen the midfield and Lingard hasn't done a lot. |  | | |
| England v Croatia on 15:23 - Jul 9 with 1625 views | kensalriser |
Quite a lot of arguments in favour of tinkering!
Southgate's going to go with his first choice 11 though, injuries permitting, as he has in every game bar Belgium. |  |
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| England v Croatia on 15:39 - Jul 9 with 1607 views | paulparker |
| England v Croatia on 15:23 - Jul 9 by kensalriser |
Quite a lot of arguments in favour of tinkering!
Southgate's going to go with his first choice 11 though, injuries permitting, as he has in every game bar Belgium. |
I know Ali scored but his ball retention and passing was terrible , with the midfield they have we cannot have any passengers , I would go RLC , but what do I know
either way its good to have some pride back in the national team , this team only makes me hate the likes of Terry, Gerrard, lampard , Neville , sturridge, Wilshire cole , capello, sven, hodgson even more, the years they have thrown tournament's away or bottled certain games is criminal and how some of them have the front to be pundits and give expert advice on this side is beyond me
anyway rant over | |
| And Bowles is onside, Swinburne has come rushing out of his goal , what can Bowles do here , onto the left foot no, on to the right foot
That’s there that’s two, and that’s Bowles
Brian Moore
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| England v Croatia on 15:52 - Jul 9 with 1594 views | kensalriser |
This team is a breath of fresh air and I think Southgate takes a lot of the credit for that. | |
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| England v Croatia on 15:56 - Jul 9 with 1580 views | Juzzie |
| England v Croatia on 15:39 - Jul 9 by paulparker |
I know Ali scored but his ball retention and passing was terrible , with the midfield they have we cannot have any passengers , I would go RLC , but what do I know
either way its good to have some pride back in the national team , this team only makes me hate the likes of Terry, Gerrard, lampard , Neville , sturridge, Wilshire cole , capello, sven, hodgson even more, the years they have thrown tournament's away or bottled certain games is criminal and how some of them have the front to be pundits and give expert advice on this side is beyond me
anyway rant over |
Same with our good mate 'arry. Yes, won stuff with Pompey (and crippled them as a result) and got Spurs into the CL but had awful tenures at QPR and Birmingham. The lack of success I can take but the downright lies he spews out are far worse and yet he still there on every fkin' TV panel going talking the same bollox. | | | |
| England v Croatia on 10:17 - Jul 11 with 1352 views | ElHoop |
I can't worry about France or the final yet - this game is going to be hell.
I'd love a boring 1-0 and everyone saying that France look way better than us - just like they said about Portugal a couple of years back in the Euro.
Please just win tonight - do it. | | | |
| England v Croatia on 10:23 - Jul 11 with 1338 views | Rangersw12 |
Never been more nervous about a football match ever
Really hope we do this as its great to have the country United | | | |
| England v Croatia on 10:35 - Jul 11 with 1322 views | W7Ranger |
| England v Croatia on 10:23 - Jul 11 by Rangersw12 |
Never been more nervous about a football match ever
Really hope we do this as its great to have the country United |
Play off Final 2014??? |  | | |
| England v Croatia on 10:42 - Jul 11 with 1310 views | ingeminate |
| England v Croatia on 15:39 - Jul 9 by paulparker |
I know Ali scored but his ball retention and passing was terrible , with the midfield they have we cannot have any passengers , I would go RLC , but what do I know
either way its good to have some pride back in the national team , this team only makes me hate the likes of Terry, Gerrard, lampard , Neville , sturridge, Wilshire cole , capello, sven, hodgson even more, the years they have thrown tournament's away or bottled certain games is criminal and how some of them have the front to be pundits and give expert advice on this side is beyond me
anyway rant over |
Ali's passing wasn't great, that said his positional play was good, he won the ball back in good areas and as you say he scored as well. I liked that in the interviews after he brought up his own performance without being prompted and said he'd had a poor game. that sort of personal accountability says a lot about the environment - you could also see that when he was subbed he was shaking his head to Southgate acknowledging he'd not been at his best.
I think he'll keep the team as is. However I wouldn't broken hearted if he played Delph alongside Henderson to neutralise their midfield. Then pushed Ali further up alongside Kane and dropped Sterling.
I think Sterling has been great, stretched teams, brilliant runs and unlucky not to have scored - he's also got a couple of assists.
That said while Kane is doing a great job of holding the ball up we aren't getting him the ball enough in dangerous areas where he can hurt the opposition. The fact he's had 6 shots on goal all tournament says it all - pretty outrageous he's scored all six too!
Ali you'd hope will be better able to link up with Kane and create chances, he also makes the sort of runs Sterling does peeling off the last man for Spurs - he's not as quick, but he would offer that movement and help stretch play. Then Lingard as the font of the midfield triangle.
It would be changing the team to stop Ratikik and Modric and perhaps that sends out a negative message, at the same time those two are world class, so stopping them is the key to winning the game. |  |
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| England v Croatia on 10:48 - Jul 11 with 1293 views | ElHoop |
| England v Croatia on 10:42 - Jul 11 by ingeminate |
Ali's passing wasn't great, that said his positional play was good, he won the ball back in good areas and as you say he scored as well. I liked that in the interviews after he brought up his own performance without being prompted and said he'd had a poor game. that sort of personal accountability says a lot about the environment - you could also see that when he was subbed he was shaking his head to Southgate acknowledging he'd not been at his best.
I think he'll keep the team as is. However I wouldn't broken hearted if he played Delph alongside Henderson to neutralise their midfield. Then pushed Ali further up alongside Kane and dropped Sterling.
I think Sterling has been great, stretched teams, brilliant runs and unlucky not to have scored - he's also got a couple of assists.
That said while Kane is doing a great job of holding the ball up we aren't getting him the ball enough in dangerous areas where he can hurt the opposition. The fact he's had 6 shots on goal all tournament says it all - pretty outrageous he's scored all six too!
Ali you'd hope will be better able to link up with Kane and create chances, he also makes the sort of runs Sterling does peeling off the last man for Spurs - he's not as quick, but he would offer that movement and help stretch play. Then Lingard as the font of the midfield triangle.
It would be changing the team to stop Ratikik and Modric and perhaps that sends out a negative message, at the same time those two are world class, so stopping them is the key to winning the game. |
Alli will play for sure, and he should do as should Sterling. I think that both have done quite well and could potentially decide games with a moment of brilliance. | | | |
| England v Croatia on 11:18 - Jul 11 with 1269 views | Rangersw12 |
| England v Croatia on 10:35 - Jul 11 by W7Ranger |
Play off Final 2014??? |
No , I was strangely relaxed about that !! | | | |
| England v Croatia on 11:23 - Jul 11 with 1260 views | daveB |
I haven't been this nervous and excited about a game since the Wigan playoff semi final. I've always dreamed of seeing England win the World Cup, am desperate to see it happen and this feels like the best chance I'm ever going to get. |  | | |
| England v Croatia on 12:15 - Jul 11 with 1214 views | rsonist |
| England v Croatia on 11:23 - Jul 11 by daveB |
I haven't been this nervous and excited about a game since the Wigan playoff semi final. I've always dreamed of seeing England win the World Cup, am desperate to see it happen and this feels like the best chance I'm ever going to get. |
Can never take a golden opportunity like this lightly - but I would say that the foundations and framework that Southgate's put in place gives me plenty of hope for the future of the national side whatever happens.
I mean the first squad after the WC will immediately probably improve with Chamberlain, Lascelles, Gomez in. And where we're short today there's Cook, Sessegnon, Winks, Sancho etc tomorrow... | | | |
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