As I didn't say it I don't care what a bitter Aussie thought come back when the Aussies aren't a laughing stock.
Not a lot Jock refused to answer the question and it took that long to get any sense out of him that I forgot what the question was. Stirrer.
My take on the England Croatia match. England lost the match, Croatia didn't win it, or should I say England give it away. While England can be applauded for reaching the semi's, they weren't really tested by a good team, not even Sweden. Complacency and inexperience lost us the match, includes inexperience by Southgate. Southgate picked the same team over without mixing it up a bit. Sterling, while fast on his feet lacks end product and finishing power at this level. Kane wasn't much of a threat but should've been used more by our other players. If Vardy is good enough to come on with 10 mins left to play, he's good enough to play the whole of extra time. Coaches who think sub strikers can perform miracles in 5 or 10 mins are living in dream land, there are exceptions to rule of course. We scored from a free kick, it was a brilliant free kick by Trippier to put us 1-0 up after 5 minutes but, that meant both teams still had the whole of the match still to play, and we didn't play to kill off the game. First 30 minutes saw us dominate the game, but not enough to get that 2nd goal, after 30 minutes or so England seemed to be playing for half time, they eased their foot off the gas, that's a no no when only 1-0 up, we should've gone for the Juggluar, Croatia were there for the taking. Second half saw Croatia build their momentum, they had nothing to lose and everything to gain, what Croatia showed England is, you play the game for 90 minutes plus, not 45 or 70 mins. I agree with Milky, we were losing it in midfield, and England were becoming complacent, this could be seen in the half hearted back passes etc that nearly got us in big trouble. The early sting seemed to have gone out of the England tail and Croatia were taking advantage of it by using it to their advantage. They kept pressing forward looking for that equaliser, and they got it in the 68th min from Perisic, who was looking more and more threatening as the game went on. Was our defender fouled, or did he go over easy from an half hearted attempt cos he didn't account for Perisic; that will be debatable. As the second half went on England again seemed to be playing for the whistle thinking they could grab the winner in extra time, Croatia looking tired may have helped them come to that assumption, but it back fired. England were not playing like they did in first 30 minutes, after the first 30 minutes they were playing like they were defending the 1 goal lead. Croatia wanted the winner more than England did in extra time, in the 109 min, Croatia showed England that you play attacking football till the final whistle, they caught the England defense napping, flat footed and ball watching to score their 2nd and go 2-1 up. With 10 minutes left of extra time Southgate decided to bring on Vardy, bad move, he should've been on at start of extra time with his fresh legs. Final whistle and we were out of the World Cup at the semi final stage to a team we should've continued to carve up, but didn't, and we paid the price. Southgate needs to learn a lot about mixing up his team when playing certain teams, he also needs to learn about tactics, and how and when he should use them or change them. If Southgate continues by playing same players over and over, and doesn't use tactical changes, he will win friendlies, but not gain any success. Now he has the Euros to get ready for. I wouldn't be surprised to see Southgate rest some players and change some tactics in the 3rd and 4th place playoffs. We got to semis, which a lot of the other big teams didn't, both players and Southgate have a lot to learn. Pickford will only get better, but must remember he has 2 arms when diving for ball, he looks to be predominantly left handed.
Agree with most of that LL and our defence were immense in the first half soaking up everything in the air and up until the Croatia equaliser, don't know what defender it was but I wonder if he was trying to get kicked in the head by Perisic trying to head the ball away to get the goal cancelled on VAR.
Teams still very young,and we rely on Kane too much,he turned out to be human yesterday,missing our best chances.Sterling will be one of the worlds best in 2-4 years time,and this team will improve a lot.
Deffo Paul and will learn, develop and be better players for the experience. They've restored my pride in the English team after years of the so-called golden generation of forever failing players never getting anywhere near the last 4. Sterling divided opinion but I said keep him in as he works hard, runs his socks off, creates things and makes things happen as no defender at any level likes playing against pace. I hope this team stays together for 2020, 2022 and beyond and also Southgate will learn to juggle his tactics and formation when things aren't going to plan and be a better manager from this experience.
It's all gone quiet over there Yes it's all gone quiet over there It's all gone quiet It's all gone quiet It's all gone quiet over there
All of this i hope is true, however, the reality is this tournament opened up like no other for us. In four years time we could be a much better side and get dumped out in the last 16. If I was a betting man I’d say it’s unlikely that these boys won’t get a better chance again. When Kane hit the post from a yard out, that was the game. My gran would have scored and she’s been dead 20 years. I knew it was going to haunt us.
Think the world of Football,has changed for ever with VAR the Germans etc always getting through with the odd Dodgy decision have gone now.
