I am so, so happy we have made the semi-final. Southgate has this lot bonded well. Never looked in doubt today and although Croatia are better than Russia, I am happier to play them than a home Russian team. Come on England, you are doing us proud! What a day! What a week! What a tournament! #ich
Without being great it was a brilliantly professional performance and the result never felt in doubt. An odd experience tbh Any non believers out there still? Gareth Southgate, the whole of England is with you It's coming home...
Yes, I’m happier playing a technically good Croatia team rather than Russia. The noise levels in the Colombia game would have been multiplied several times in Moscow against the home team. Key player will be Henderson, who needs to be more proactive against Modric and Rakitic. Just need to get Sterling making those runs he did today against Lovren, and Kane’s penalty count will double.
Hendo will need to have a monster of a game... I wonder if Gareth will go with the extra man in Dier with him to counteract that? I hope not tbh, I'd rather let them worry about us.
The best thing I can say about this squad and Southgate’s tenure is that it’s so nice to watch England play and to be able to see and understand the game plan and recognise a team which has clearly actually been coached. You know, instead of just, 4-4-2 and all the biggest names shoehorned into it and ‘go out there and play’. Also massive props to Southgate and the England media and comms team for how they’ve changed the vibe around the camp and back home. We’ve definitely seen a more open and ‘united’ England camp and fanbase.
I can’t see Gareth changing the team now, but Alli and Lingard will have to track back more than they normally do. Alternatively, press high and frustrate them by cutting off the supply to Mod and Rak.
Play our game and play well and I think that we win the match, no need to tamper with it too much IMO.
Not be watching the games in a beer garden again. Whats with all the "educated yoof" throwing beer about covering everyone whether they like it or not? Bunch of knobheads. Then started threatening "oldies" when they complained.
Made the point to a pal earlier he had a clear idea of his plan a good year ago and has stuck to it, compared to previous tournaments when in the last friendly even it seemed we were still experimenting. It's so, so refreshing to see and he's handled all the off the stuff pitch brilliantly too. Some on here will know that I had some serious man love for Southgate even way before the tournament and that's only getting stronger. It's coming home
If anyone’s bored, the full match replay is about 20 minutesvin on BBC1. I think we’re going to win this.
