Great first half at the weekend, but thought Henderson was absolute pony standing 5 yards off players when they had the ball and 5 inches when we had it. For me the least effective player and I'd like to see him replaced for the Belgium game, can see him getting destroyed.
This is very true. Despite playing well in the Euro's and the WC Qualifiactions, Poland very cunningly mananged their friendlies to secure a false ranking (in accordance with the rules). This was great to a point as they did get seeded in the WC, however they have been brutally found. To make it more painful, they have played below their potential. Their true current ranking should be about 20 ish. This is the reason that FIFA will change the ranking to the "ELO" system (which is used in chess) after the WC. https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2018/6/12/17451472/fifa-change-system-elo-ranking-mens-teams I quote: "For example, Poland is currently ranked 8th in the world by FIFA and Spain is ranked 10th. Eloratings has Spain as 3rd and Poland as 19th. But the higher ranking from FIFA put Poland in the first pot of the World Cup draw while Spain was relegated to the second. It was pure luck that Spain avoided Germany in the group stage which would have been a disaster for FIFA. An Elo rating system would have had Poland and Spain reversed at the very least, which certainly appears more appropriate given the level of the two teams over the last few years."
Seen a lot more of the game now. Very good, even given the quality of the opponents. Everybody wants the ball and they are all comfortable with it. It’s a complete change from the fear players have shown in recent tournaments. Youth works! This team is coached! Not only at excellent set pieces (incredibly high ratio of chances made from these.... remember when Kane took the corners? Have a look at Stones’ first goal, the movement from all was superb to make the space, like a play in American football, which Southgate has been studying), but in shape and style of play, which they stick to, clearly trusting Southgate. We haven’t had this since Venables and Hoddle. 26 passes led up to Kane’s (flukey) final goal. If that had been Spain....... Apparently the Panama coach, who has taken 3 different countries to World Cup finals) told Southgate that his team were ‘spectacular, beautiful’ and that he would calm down the Panamanians for the second half, which a I think he did as far as he could. Just read something relevant to Ubes’ earlier points about our lack of a playmaker. Apparently Southgate talked about this a few months ago, noting that we just don’t have a Tony Kroos, and devising a system based on a pivot (Henderson/Dier) and two fast moving number 8s (pick from Lingard, Alli, Loftus Cheek and it would have been Oxlaode Chamberlain, poor bloke) instead. That’s what you want from a coach. Doubtless we will come a cropper, hopefully later rather than sooner, but there is so much to be positive about, especially compared to what we have been used to. Even if we crash out badly Southgate has to take massive kudos from this and be allowed to continue for a long time.
Iran...the more interesting match. I think Ronaldo is the world's best footballer...and one I really dislike!! Sent from my STF-L09 using Tapatalk
I actually think Henderson has been decent. My lad pointed out his problem and it's happened in both games. The other two midfielders are so forward thinking that Henderson gets isolated. When the keeper or defenders have the ball and Henderson is closed down, there is no way to play out or he gets played into trouble. Same applies when we don't have the ball, which is why he's strugglito get to players. I'm surprised this hasn't been spotted by Southgate, although in the 2nd half against Panama he did get a bit more help.
Iran v Portugal here, hoping for some Ronaldo fireworks. Could get a bit feisty I reckon, Iran aren't afraid of leaving a boot in and there's some hot-headed players in the Portugal team. I'm sure Pepe will be watching the snipers in the crowd and will spend a fair bit of time rolling around on the floor trying to convince the ref he's been shot
I hate a player as talented as Ronaldo, claiming every handball that hits a players arm by his side...every 50-50 rough tackle he complains to the referee. For a player so classy with a football ...he really has no class Sent from my STF-L09 using Tapatalk
Disliking Ronaldo more and more....he played for that, it was never a penalty... And he missed it...that is karma Sent from my STF-L09 using Tapatalk
This is why so many people dislike him. Whether he or Messi is the best around at the moment is a difficult debate, and impossible to prove. What is not in doubt for me is that Ronaldo is a cheat
Poor penalty, just the right height for the keeper who still had to guess the right way. Starting to get niggly now....
Queresma now goes down clutching his face after a hand brushed his chest. Should have been booked for that and would now be off for a rugby tackle.
Spain losing again.....and Ronaldo escapes getting a red via VAR, although there wasn't really much in it to be honest. The ref has had a tough time of it with play-acting going on by both sides
