If you can’t understand why Sterling gets picked and what he brings to the system and the team, then I’m not sure what else I’ll ever be able to say to convince you. Yes, his finishing is really quite naff but he makes us a better side and he works so hard on and off the ball. He really aids what we set out to do.
There was a bunch of boisterous lads with Millwall Tattoos making a lot of noise on the tube this evening. A few people, including a woman with a young child, did look a bit intimidated. They were pretty good natured really, but loud, pretty drunk, and at one point I was worried their constant banging on the train doors might cause the thing to stop. The South Bank was brilliant though - footie fans in full voice, mingling happily with the remnants of the Pride crowd. Not sure how many places in the world you'd see that
What a silly and condescending response. I can quite understand how he is a help to the system, but Rashford could do the same job. If you believe our entire world cup relies on A guy who can't pass or shoot, fine. I hapoen to have a different opinion. If you can't understand how starting your response with "if you can't understand" comes across as silly and condescending, then I am not sure what else I'll be able to say to convince you.
Can I say how refreshing it is not to use my 'fall back' in the World Cup of Italy. I was a bit worried that I wouldn't be able to 'pull the Italian card' as I have done in practically every World Cup I have been alive (except 1990) as they didn't qualify. Gareth & the boys have done me proud. Sorry to my late Mum, but Only England Matters... It's coming home.
Got to the end. Fantastic from Pickford, Maguire, Linguard and a few others. Alli was better in the second half, but not sure he has pulled his weight at this tournament, no point my grumbling because he will get picked next game too. Sterling was awful. Didn't pass in a decent position until the 88th minute. The chances he had to offload or score, all squandered, were criminal. Not having this "we need him for system" bollocks. Rashford is also quick and hard-working. Also getting sick of hearing that "he needs a goal". This is just a polite way of saying he has no end product. Sweden were very bad and we did a decent job getting past them. Should be able to beat a very average Croatia team, too, so look forward to Sterling scoring a World Cup winner to prove me wrong...
In 1966 I was earning about 7/-6d an hour. After tax and NI I would have needed to work two hours to buy that ticket. I don't know how much a high skilled and technically gifted worker would get paid today.
Sweden were not bad, far from it. They put in a fantastic defensive display for most of the 90 mins, and drew two brilliant saves from Pickford, so I don't call that a bad performance from them. Croatia won't be easy either. How many times have we seen Saints struggle to break down a well drilled, disciplined side? And they have Modric. As for Sterling, he was a bit unlucky twice, very selfish once; he's a threat, got into positions few players would. I know it's all about opinions, but I do wonder sometimes, what people are seeing on the pitch.
For the last 52 years we have been constantly told by West Ham fans that they won the world cup for England. If we win it this time will we have to put up with 52 years of Spurs fans telling us how they won the world cup for England?
I don't care. Let them build a statue of Harry Kane sitting on the shoulders of Deli Alli, and put it up outside WHL if they want. It didn't do West Ham's subsequent fortunes anygood. England's No 6 plays for Leicester anyway. Put him next to Bobby Moore at Wembley I reckon. Then if Harry Kane gets a hat trick against France in the final we'll have to put him on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square, next to Nelson.
If we win this, every ground in the country will ring out to the sound of "It's coming home" on the opening day of the season...
Mmmmm, I have never hidden my dislike for spurs. Kane, Ali, Dier, Trippier have all been amazing at this tournament. A certain Mr Pochettino had faith in these youngsters and gave them all a chance. A certain Southampton football club had faith in a Mr Pochettino and gave him a chance. He would never have arrived at spurs when he did without saints. As a Saints fan I will therefore be taking full credit if we win.
Sterling has been a threat throughout our games. It hasn't come off for him, but it didnt come off for Kane either yesterday. Dont see or her many cries of drop him at the moment. Sterling danced through the defence a few times yesterday, I thought he had a good game and kept them occupied single handed at times.
The test will be if we get beat, stay away if so. When we went out in 1990 I left the pub only to be thrown against a wall and "searched" by several police officers who appeared not to hear or see the rioting thugs in the town precinct. When I politely pointed out this basic error in community policing I was told "that's why we're searching you sonny, we're not bloody stupid" Of course we now know this time the boys in blue will be filling their helmets with champagne and hugging us all as the country finally comes together in a spasm of joy.
Sterling terrifies defenders with his pace and trickery. It’s not so much what he does as what he might do that makes them think, and coupled with Kane he is a force to be reckoned with. I have been calling for Sterling’s replacement by Rashford from the first game, but I trust Southgate and Sterling had his best game yesterday, so let’s see. As for Alli, he might be a complete cock, but he’s England’s complete cock and he is a fantastic footballer. I must have watched his goal about 35 times and his movement in the buildup is amazing. He goes forward, back, forward, back, and then forward at the perfect moment to beat the offside and create space for himself to get his header in.