If we had been told we could get to the semi finals we would have been chuffed before the competition started. I think they did better than expected and they are a young team so provided they stick together, like Germany do, they should grow and improve.
Yeah..... but saying it only winds lads up. Sadly. Walker, stones, Maguire.... Walker coughed up first not watching. Stones deffo coughs up second. Dejan lovren in world cup final....someone needs to check on Jimmy please.
Problem is, in all the euphoria that's gone on with England, it papers over the massive cracks that from open play, this England team are pants up top. Formation doesn't work offensively against half decent opposition. The 3 behind Kane created nothing, Kane therefore had nothing to feed on. Wing backs, should be getting wide and deliver crosses which is what were doing early in tournament, but we only have 1 player on the pitch that can win a header in Kane, Sterling, Alli, Lingard aren't going to score and headers from crosses (bar Ali's tap in). 12 goals.. 10 from set pieces sums up this England team. Fair play, they've at least got England fans watching the team and talking about them again and not totally embarrassed, but we still have no identity and no plan on how to score goals.
Yup, but at same time, no one expected that the QF's wouldn't include Argentina, Germany, Spain... and that our route would be Colombia, Sweden, Croatia. I think if you'd told us those would be our opponents, everyone would say we'd beat the first 2 and Croatia would be tough one which is how it's panned out. Getting to the semi was just as much about luck of the draw than anything else. If we'd won out group we'd have played Japan, Brazil & France. If we'd made it to Semi then having beaten Brazil & topping group against Belgium, then that's a different story, I think everyone would have been pleasantly surprised by that
Sterling better start and lie in the bed he made If Southgate drop him and England cruise to a 4-0 win with an actual link between midfield and attack I will #meltdown
Kane goal was a fluke. The lingard goal was from 2 goals up Have to wonder.... if var was not there would England have got half those goals.... can't hold people. Like they were all pens in theory but in prem none would be given as no var. In the end as a midfield alli sterling and lingard were absolutely woeful in both finishing and creating. They all got a few chances and they all missed,especially in the early easy games. Looking at it now, would england hzve got anything from taking lallana? Idoubt it but thats about all that was available
England did well and over achieved. Southgate did really well to get them so far. But to get further Southgate needs to get the right blend of midfielders to support Kane. It's been a problem throughout the entire world cup but Southgate did well with the limited players he had. Big problem is England is devoid of any playmakers or midfielders that keep the ball well. France to win the World Cup. Bring in Zidane and France will go up a level.
Alli had a poor World Cup, mainly due to carrying an injury. Tonight the only midfield was Henderson and he can't be expected to control it on his own at this level. Sterling caused problems to all the teams we played with his runs but as usual the lack of end product told. Ah well onwards and upwards
England have some serious midfielding problems. Alli has been held up as some messiah but he's been over hyped beyond reality. He's been toilet all world cup. Sterling and Lingard have had ok to rubbish games. No one in midfield has stood out.
