Well, worst of both worlds... predictions wrong for the competition but final outcomes as I thought. Can't even have a drink to numb the pain
Better to have travelled in hope than travelled in fear. And I feel the journey has only just begun. Please under 21 and under 17 learn the system and form an orderly queue And let's have no more talk of foreign managers ever again. And Aidy Boothroyd to follow in Southgate's footsteps ? Not unhappy
All part of a process. We had a young team out there which will develop and a lot of young talent coming through. We need to make sure that this talent comes to fruition and does not burn out in a few years as so often in the past. At the moment the team lacks a leader on the pitch, and appears to lose all shape once the opposition score. Just a stepping stone for the Euros in 2 years time. We need to avoid all the hype in future, and just concentrate on the game in hand because weighing the team down with 52 years of unfulfilled expectations is just a millstone around their necks.
Sadly it all seemed to pear shaped in the 2nd half, resorting to hoof ball even, I know not why when they had a good system going. We relied too much on set pieces so need to get sharper in front of goal, needed a midfield general and I could not see Kane rallying his troops effectively throughout the competition, Pickford was superb and more vociferous. Anyway a youthful team under a realistic and honest manager exceeded all expectations and can only benefit from the experience. Everyone put in a shift and were gutted but it bodes well for 2020 & 2022 that is if anyone can actually play football in Qatar due to the heat - I wouldn't be surprised if a footballer dies in Qatar, sadly.
It so felt like watching our beloved Hornets-all the ingredients were there there. Great start , good goal, we’ll on top, missed some chances to make game safe, couple of warning signs, then fell away 2nd half , opposition found us out, scored 2 goals, both a tad fortunate, but had several other chances. Perhaps Boothroyd’s influence is more than we thought(!) or perhaps it’s ‘cos Southgate comes from Watford!
I thought the same. Not putting the game to bed with the chances then wobbling second half until the inevitable happens. Less of those this season please!
How much difference will the move to "winter" make? Probably just unsettle our players (and other teams) who will see their domestic season disrupted. Seen a few comments around saying "well we really weren't that great and had a kind draw" but you can only what you get drawn against and we did that in the main. Even last night we were on top for 45 minutes but maybe Modric was right to say we got a bit complacent thinking Croatia would tire? If anything we seemed to.
You can only play the teams you're up against Mark. When the Germans got to the final in 2002 via Paraguay, the USA and South Korea in the knockout rounds they didn't devalue it because they were lucky.
Now the dust has settled what should the gaffer do with the opportunity Saturday brings? Go all out to finish 3rd? Make it a festival of football and use the whole squad (esp. the two goalies)? Experiment with different set ups (treat it like a friendly)? Have a chat with Martinez and see what both can agree (possible risking the wrath of FIFA)? or ???????
Go for it full tilt. Firstly because 3rd place would be our second best World Cup and also because this team needs to have beaten one of the top sides at some stage. And thirdly as a way of saying thank you to the fans.
Trippier looks like being a big loss, along with Pickford he has been the stand out member of the team.
Overall on England I am still not convinced but impressed by the improvement. Got to go for the win on Saturday, however, it is a nonsense game really. CAn anyone, without looking it up, remember any 3/4th games from any world cups???? hmmmmmmm
Well actually they have been quite high scoring in the past - with Germany winning a few. We lost 2-1 to Italy in 1990.
Last 10 World Cup third-fourth place play-offs Year Result Year Result 1978 Brazil 2-1 Italy 1998 Netherlands 1-2 Croatia 1982 Poland 3-2 France 2002 South Korea 2-3 Turkey 1986 Belgium 2-4 France (aet) 2006 Germany 3-1 Portugal 1990 Italy 2-1 England 2010 Uruguay 2-3 Germany 1994 Sweden 4-0 Bulgaria 2014 Brazil 0-3 Netherlands BBC trying to convince us to watch it - https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44804907
It's not even on the BBC though! Surely they don't want ITV getting better ratings than them for the tennis ..
Both teams are disappointed to be there which always makes the match a bit of an anti climax, which is a shame really because 3rd sounds a lot better than 4th. Over the years it has often been more entertaining than the final itself.
