2018 Football World Cup
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I was surprised how dire Tunisia were at the back given the pre-game talk, I thought England would struggle to carve out chances. As it was, England had numerous chances especially early on and some decent finishing would have wrapped up the game. Tunisia were all over the place whenever there was a decent cross which made it doubly frustrating that the second half was full of England players over-elaborating and not getting in a cross.
Harry Kane has a fantastic habit of being where the ball travels to - for both his goals he moved to exactly the right spot.
For the usual "this player was crap" allegations after an England game.
Sterling had an awful game.
Ashley Young needs to have a left foot to play wide on the left.Does this mean England can win the World Cup? No change really - they should always be good enough for the quarter-finals. But this is an easy group, to have 2 weak teams is a bonus.
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I was surprised how dire Tunisia were at the back given the pre-game talk, I thought England would struggle to carve out chances. As it was, England had numerous chances especially early on and some decent finishing would have wrapped up the game. Tunisia were all over the place whenever there was a decent cross which made it doubly frustrating that the second half was full of England players over-elaborating and not getting in a cross.
Harry Kane has a fantastic habit of being where the ball travels to - for both his goals he moved to exactly the right spot.
For the usual "this player was crap" allegations after an England game.
Sterling had an awful game.
Ashley Young needs to have a left foot to play wide on the left.Does this mean England can win the World Cup? No change really - they should always be good enough for the quarter-finals. But this is an easy group, to have 2 weak teams is a bonus.
@kiwipie said in 2018 Football World Cup:
I was surprised how dire Tunisia were at the back given the pre-game talk, I thought England would struggle to carve out chances. As it was, England had numerous chances especially early on and some decent finishing would have wrapped up the game. Tunisia were all over the place whenever there was a decent cross which made it doubly frustrating that the second half was full of England players over-elaborating and not getting in a cross.
Harry Kane has a fantastic habit of being where the ball travels to - for both his goals he moved to exactly the right spot.
For the usual "this player was crap" allegations after an England game.
Sterling had an awful game.
Ashley Young needs to have a left foot to play wide on the left.Does this mean England can win the World Cup? No change really - they should always be good enough for the quarter-finals. But this is an easy group, to have 2 weak teams is a bonus.
I always look forward to your level head analysis of football (and Cricket)
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@rocky-rockbottom said in 2018 Football World Cup:
Tue:
Poland vs Senegal
Russia vs Egypt (although Salah might be worth a squizz if he gets on)That's why i won't include Egypt in any multis - Salah can completely change the contest.
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@rocky-rockbottom said in 2018 Football World Cup:
anyone see Belgium play?
I saw the second half. Looked to be struggling to break down Panama (who were as "muscular" as Tunisia) until Mertens lashed in an unstoppable volley. After that it opened up a bit and they were able to win easily.
Kevin de B looked to be struggling in a deeper role until he played the killer pass for the second goal. Hazard had a few meandering runs but as soon as he got a yard a Panamanian would haul him down so hard to tell about his form. When he did get space, he comfortably set up the 3rd goal. Lukaku looked good - he is a very reliable forward if he gets service. Dembele only got on at the end which shows their depth of attacking options.
They should dispose of Tunisia, England should dispose of Panama and then probably a draw for Belgium will see them top the group - unless both teams would rather come second when it may come down to Belgium showing England the way to goal and England saying "No thanks"
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@mikethesnow said in 2018 Football World Cup:
Regardless of the result this evening, the pre-tournament feeling that England won't be a threat at this WC has been confirmed.
haha what? They won. That means Germany, Spain, and Brazil are no fucking hope. You bitter Welshie
Great to see England get a win. That penalty pissed me off no end. Then somehow England weren't awarded an actual penalty.
Harry Kane is an extraordinary player. He can be pretty average all game, then bob up with 2 goals.
@mariner4life said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mikethesnow said in 2018 Football World Cup:
Regardless of the result this evening, the pre-tournament feeling that England won't be a threat at this WC has been confirmed.
haha what? They won. That means Germany, Spain, and Brazil are no fucking hope. You bitter Welshie
Great to see England get a win. That penalty pissed me off no end. Then somehow England weren't awarded an actual penalty.
Harry Kane is an extraordinary player. He can be pretty average all game, then bob up with 2 goals.
Cider please.
Time will tell, but for all teams and England especially in tournament football momentum is everything.
If England don't increase their conversion rate significantly then they'll be out. Because they won't have an easier ride than they did last night.
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@mariner4life said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mikethesnow said in 2018 Football World Cup:
Regardless of the result this evening, the pre-tournament feeling that England won't be a threat at this WC has been confirmed.
haha what? They won. That means Germany, Spain, and Brazil are no fucking hope. You bitter Welshie
Great to see England get a win. That penalty pissed me off no end. Then somehow England weren't awarded an actual penalty.
Harry Kane is an extraordinary player. He can be pretty average all game, then bob up with 2 goals.
Cider please.
Time will tell, but for all teams and England especially in tournament football momentum is everything.
If England don't increase their conversion rate significantly then they'll be out. Because they won't have an easier ride than they did last night.
@mikethesnow they're not really a hope of winning it. But that's based on a little more than round one.
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@mikethesnow they're not really a hope of winning it. But that's based on a little more than round one.
@mariner4life said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mikethesnow they're not really a hope of winning it. But that's based on a little more than round one.
I'll refer you back to my original post
"Regardless of the result this evening, the pre-tournament feeling that England won't be a threat at this WC has been confirmed."
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@mariner4life said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mikethesnow they're not really a hope of winning it. But that's based on a little more than round one.
I'll refer you back to my original post
"Regardless of the result this evening, the pre-tournament feeling that England won't be a threat at this WC has been confirmed."
@mikethesnow said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mariner4life said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mikethesnow they're not really a hope of winning it. But that's based on a little more than round one.
I'll refer you back to my original post
"Regardless of the result this evening, the pre-tournament feeling that England won't be a threat at this WC has been confirmed."
and my replay was, what is different about the big names? They massively underwhelmed, but couldn't win. Surely England finding a way to win that game said something?
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@mikethesnow said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mariner4life said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mikethesnow they're not really a hope of winning it. But that's based on a little more than round one.
I'll refer you back to my original post
"Regardless of the result this evening, the pre-tournament feeling that England won't be a threat at this WC has been confirmed."
and my replay was, what is different about the big names? They massively underwhelmed, but couldn't win. Surely England finding a way to win that game said something?
@mariner4life said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mikethesnow said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mariner4life said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mikethesnow they're not really a hope of winning it. But that's based on a little more than round one.
I'll refer you back to my original post
"Regardless of the result this evening, the pre-tournament feeling that England won't be a threat at this WC has been confirmed."
and my replay was, what is different about the big names? They massively underwhelmed, but couldn't win. Surely England finding a way to win that game said something?
Difference for the big names was the quality of opposition - Iceland, Switzerland, Portugal and Mexico are all contenders for the last 16. Which isn't to say any of them looked very good except maybe Spain.
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@mariner4life said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mikethesnow said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mariner4life said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mikethesnow they're not really a hope of winning it. But that's based on a little more than round one.
I'll refer you back to my original post
"Regardless of the result this evening, the pre-tournament feeling that England won't be a threat at this WC has been confirmed."
and my replay was, what is different about the big names? They massively underwhelmed, but couldn't win. Surely England finding a way to win that game said something?
Difference for the big names was the quality of opposition - Iceland, Switzerland, Portugal and Mexico are all contenders for the last 16. Which isn't to say any of them looked very good except maybe Spain.
@kiwipie said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mariner4life said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mikethesnow said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mariner4life said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@mikethesnow they're not really a hope of winning it. But that's based on a little more than round one.
I'll refer you back to my original post
"Regardless of the result this evening, the pre-tournament feeling that England won't be a threat at this WC has been confirmed."
and my replay was, what is different about the big names? They massively underwhelmed, but couldn't win. Surely England finding a way to win that game said something?
Difference for the big names was the quality of opposition - Iceland, Switzerland, Portugal and Mexico are all contenders for the last 16. Which isn't to say any of them looked very good except maybe Spain.
Thank you
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@rocky-rockbottom said in 2018 Football World Cup:
Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard have contributed only five goals in 73 caps between them for the national team.
One of these wallies is going to have to make way for Rashford. Maybe 2 of them for him and LoftusCheek
Sterling and Lingard, in particular, are infuriating in just how wasteful they are. Even at club level, both players are so un-clinical (and for that reason alone are incredibly overrated).
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@rocky-rockbottom said in 2018 Football World Cup:
Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard have contributed only five goals in 73 caps between them for the national team.
One of these wallies is going to have to make way for Rashford. Maybe 2 of them for him and LoftusCheek
Sterling and Lingard, in particular, are infuriating in just how wasteful they are. Even at club level, both players are so un-clinical (and for that reason alone are incredibly overrated).
@junior said in 2018 Football World Cup:
@rocky-rockbottom said in 2018 Football World Cup:
Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard have contributed only five goals in 73 caps between them for the national team.
One of these wallies is going to have to make way for Rashford. Maybe 2 of them for him and LoftusCheek
Sterling and Lingard, in particular, are infuriating in just how wasteful they are. Even at club level, both players are so un-clinical (and for that reason alone are incredibly overrated).
Lingard was teed up once by Alli inside 6 minutes and absolutely should have scored, and had another reasonable chance a little later. Sterling scuffed a sitter only to be called back for offside. I'd switch out one of those two in favour of Rashford or even Vardy. Lingard seemed to get into better positions more often but he is a terrible shot. Alli isn't the type of player that beats a man, but he has good vision and was influential with a number of well weighted timely passes. What was encouraging was the number of clear chances but they have to make more of them. I wonder if tactics come into play if England get to Belgium with an eye on the QF. The group winner might see Brazil, the second place getter might meet Mexico
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Any chance someone could actually show up to the World Cup and put on a display?
What's the coverage like in NZ? Because in Australia, it's fucked. Proper fucked.
Coverage split between SBS (free to air) and fucking Optus. SBS get one game a night, and that's it. To watch the others you need a subscription to Optus Sports, so you can stream it to your phone. Which no one has unless they really fucking love the Premier League.
Of course, as if this wasn't bad enough, the streaming service has shat itself. Every. Single. Night. So basically no one is Australia is watching the World Cup.
And with SBS, you get a replay in the morning at 6.30 of whatever game they had from the night before. Coverage starts at 6.30am. But for the first hour you get to listen to Craig Fucking Foster talk absolute shit. And then the game starts at 7.30, as you are walking out the door to work.
I'm surprised you can't hear the cries of anguish from the Melbourne ethnics from NZ. Imagine if Italy has actually made it? Leichhardt might have burnt down by now.
@mariner4life said in 2018 Football World Cup:
Any chance someone could actually show up to the World Cup and put on a display?
What's the coverage like in NZ? Because in Australia, it's fucked. Proper fucked.
Coverage split between SBS (free to air) and fucking Optus. SBS get one game a night, and that's it. To watch the others you need a subscription to Optus Sports, so you can stream it to your phone. Which no one has unless they really fucking love the Premier League.
Of course, as if this wasn't bad enough, the streaming service has shat itself. Every. Single. Night. So basically no one is Australia is watching the World Cup.
You should come home for RWC next year. Coverage will be glitch free. Spark is "confident"!
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Great wins for Japan and Senegal this afternoon
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Russia likely to reach the next round, which is a surprise based on their pre-WC form.
I can't see them advancing much further though (Rd of 16 match vs Spain or Portugal).
@bovidae said in 2018 Football World Cup:
Russia likely to reach the next round, which is a surprise based on their pre-WC form.
I can't see them advancing much further though (Rd of 16 match vs Spain or Portugal).
Depends on what kind of deal Putin has made with the officials. I assume the ref will be French?
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@bovidae said in 2018 Football World Cup:
Russia likely to reach the next round, which is a surprise based on their pre-WC form.
I can't see them advancing much further though (Rd of 16 match vs Spain or Portugal).
Depends on what kind of deal Putin has made with the officials. I assume the ref will be French?
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Moral of the tale for me is when predicting results, never listen to a single pre-tournament podcast.
Brazil, Germany - sure to progress easily.
Russia, Japan - hopeless, a complete shambles.plus numerous other examples.
Russia seem to actually be playing to their level - they have some very good players and making the last 16 is about that level.
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Why does Ronaldo walk round like he has something lodged up his arse?
