I should've done a fact check before posting poor research on my behalf - doesn't stop the dream though.....
Still flying high today after that result. Whilst tempted to point out that we didn't look particularly great in the attacking third (oh wait I did), I'm choosing to champion the fact that we dug in when the going got tough, and finally put a demon to rest by winning a penalty shoot out. You can't really underestimate the impact that will have on this team, we'll become more fearless as a result and it should inspire more confidence. In my opinion, our stand out players have been John Stones, Kieran Trippier and of course Harry Kane. All 3 of them tremendous again last night, and kudos to Jordan Pickford as well. Against Sweden, I hope Gareth freshens it up with Rose coming in for Young (I think he can exploit the lack of attention to his wing, and use his pace effectively like he nearly did last night). Biggest conundrum is how best to deploy Sterling and get the best out of him, because he's a wasted talent in our current system. My expectations have already been exceeded, so I'm just enjoying every moment from here on in.....Come on England and roll on Saturday!
This morning I too am calmer. But a few queries I am worried about our attack which is so heavily reliant on Kane (and Kane taking penalties too). There seems to be a lack of cutting edge, I would like to see Loftus Cheek play some of the match, do we assume he is injured? Lingard is good in the role but we need Sterling and Loftus Cheek running at static defences Why didnt Vardy take a penalty ( I assume the answer because Rashford did)...and the other 4 were always going too... Vardy seems a little out of salts at the moment, too. Rashford seems to offer some danger threat, niot so sure about Vardy... a year ago he was on fire Finally is Young (boo, hiss!!) injured.
Also.... Andy Murray didn’t play at Wimbledon in 66, and he’s not playing this year. Queen Victoria was dead in 66 and she’s also dead this year. Giant Pandas were indigenous to China in 66, and guess what? It’s a bit spooky...
another non-appearance from Dele Ali. I'd like to see Rose, Rashford and Loftus-Cheek face the Swedes
I heard somewhere that Vardy didnt take the last pen as he had a groin problem, Dyer took it instead. For me judging on the Belgium game, England had their best 11 starting last night. Lyngard and Sterling are both causing defences a lot of problems, and Saturday against big but more static Sweden, will be the time something may come from their runs and movement. Hope!
Kane is our attack, and as long as he keeps scoring it’s immaterial. Loftus Cheek, who I really like the look of, was dire against Belgium and was having a ‘conditioning session’ the other day while the others trained. He’s also not especially fast, which I think will be our biggest weapon against the Swedes. Sterling has to stop thinking and just play. Lingard is a very handy player, always available, moves the ball fast, and can score. I thought it was a good call to bring Vardy on last night, but our shape is not set up for his style of play and we didn’t change to accommodate him (to be fair we were a bit on the back foot at the time). I don’t think Southgate is going to go for the ball over the defence or through the channel for Vardy, and that is what he thrives on. Don’t know why Vardy didn’t take a pen, but one thing we know is that they prepared for them, including psychometric tests. Perhaps a weakness was revealed. Or he missed a load in practice. Young is an accomplished actor, but he looked injured fairly early on to me. Thought he had a good game last night.
I’m sorry and ashamed of myself for pointing this out, but it’s Dier and Lingard. Kieron Dyer retired some time ago, and I suspect Lyngard is a real Scandinavian.
In what is turning into a nuts working month for me, I have been called to Paris next week ....... but brilliantly will only be working in the morning on 11th, so hoping for a France- Brazil semi final for the afternoon and another game of some interest in the evening. Then down to Madrid for a day where I hope to be walking very tall indeed.....
Vardy just didn’t cut the mustard yesterday. I thought balls peppered into the box would be the sauce of much success, but the way the team is setup doesn’t condiment his style of play. Definitely out of salts, Vern.
Yes, Loftus-Cheek is a good shout. To comment on what Stan says, I won't judge L-C on a bland performance against Belgium because I don't think any of our team knew what they wanted. We lost and as a result have a more favourable, though not easy, route to a final, through Sweden and Russia/Croatia.
The "Brazil - France semi final" would be in the evening of Monday 10th Stan. I sugest you wait for the result to see if the meeting should be re-arranged!
For the dummies, what would be the game times and dates for the remaining games in England's side of the playoffs? And what is the date and time of the final?
