England v Columbia last 16

Don't want to jinx the QF, but Sweden might just have done us a favour - I think Switzerland might have caused us a lot more problems.

 

Agreed. I think we'll be able to manage the game against Sweden to suit our own style. Really proud of the lads last night for keeping theirs heads in the face of serious provocation from Columbia.

Said it last night, but that game was worth it's weight in gold for experience in managing difficult situations, they showed real mental strength and I think it will galvanise the players and give them belief. They know that even when it's going against them, they can dig themselves out and get a result.

 

It was such a good save. Especially given that he was going to his right and the ball was travelling down the middle. You see those pens a lot where the ball scrapes one finger of a diving keeper, but still ends up in the net. Pickford got a full strong hand to that ball and practically stopped it dead in its tracks

Boss man level.

 

He must have some upper body strength to have done what he did at that speed

 

Yeah I was torn with 6 or 6.5 for Deli. Maybe should have gotten a 6. Hasn't really done it for England yet and as you said doesn't look fit.

Not sure what to make of Sweden.

They did really well to qualify beating the likes of Holland and their record against us is good.

I think they will actually attack as well as defend so we need to be sharp at the back and make use of the space.

Will be very interesting.

I expect another tough game but at least we won't see all of that South American aggression and outright cheating.

They disgraced themselves last night.

 

Depends how we recover. Looked some very tired bodies out there and Saturday is not that far away.

 

Rashford took his penalty well.

 

And a United player don’t forget.

 

All playing under one flag matey.

 

I was just saying, I’m not an England fan.

 

Oh yeah.

Welsh aren't you?

Rashford was brave putting that penalty away.

 

Absolutely loving the fan reactions to that winning pen, proper brings a tear to my eye that ****. Love it

Hope they show this stuff to the players

 

They must be gaining confidence now. They’ve overcome so many of the old England pitfalls.

Got out of the group stage - check

Won a a knockout phase game - check

Won a WC penalty shootout - check

Sweden will be tough. They give liittle away at the back and if they get in front it could be a long night. But they’re beatable, no doubt.

 

A set a new record victory

 

Yeah I am, To think he’s only 20 as well.

 

The flip side to this is there's gonna be some smashed up town centres when we lose, which will more than likely be in the semi.

Hate to be the prophet of doom (on both counts) as you just know people won't be able to help themselves. There were signs of it last night where I was, that pissed up deranged 'celebrations' which will just become anger when we get knocked out.


Anyway, we did ok last night. Not brilliant by any stretch and there were disturbing signs of that rabbit in the headlights play from the Iceland game as the match was coming to an end.
That didn't bode well, I hope last night gave them some nous on how to manage these pressure situations.

We should be ok against Sweden as at least they'll be more familiar in style but, if we do manage to beat them, I reckon Croatia or Russia will beat us in the semi.

One negative, Sterling just isn't up to it so has to be dropped, simple as that. The rest did ok.

I did note Ashley Young 'adding' defensive ability, experience, calmness, distribution and decent dead ball delivery by the way. Just saying.

 

IMHO Alli and Sterling cannot play together in
this England team. Alli has been stuck out on the
left far too often, when at club level he drifts
around the lead striker (who is Kane) .

This smacks to me of the Gerrard/Lampard situation,
and Southgate does not seem to be manning up
to make the executive decision either way.

 

Looks like Vardy may have done his groin, explains why he didn't take a penalty. I am probably alone in this, but I thought he looked sharp last night and produced a proper piece of control from Trippier's long pass that has so far been beyond Sterling and Lingard. A shame if he's done for the next game.

 

Only Holy thing here is the massive gaping ringpiece you've been torn the last few days mate

 

Grow up skid marks, Use my thread about you, If you want to discuss this further.