games seemed to have flowed much better than PL as refs aint bothered and just say "get on with it " plus as Frank says VAR has been nicely light touch .
It was hot. We pushed hard for 20mins, penned them in but failed to score then all the pace went out of it. Kane was rubbish. Sterling made good runs but infrequently. Mount had a one half game. Foden not much better. Trippier killed the left side and walker the right. Phillips was running all over from a supposed no 6 rule and was the main reason we won. Think what chilwell and sancho are thinking tonight. Not even in the squad.
I thought that overall it was a solid, professional performance. I got the impression that we turned it on when we needed to, but were also wary about conserving ourselves in the heat. Even when Croatia had periods with more of the ball, we never let them really look that dangerous. They might not be the team of three years ago (they were missing Lovren for a start), but they're still a decent side and to see them off fairly comfortably bodes well. Not a performance to write home about, but Gareth will be pleased. Game one ticked off successfully.
Kane was rubbish. Sterling was involved and had some good ideas, but the final pass/shot just wasn't coming off. If he can sort that out, he could have a big tournament. Big if though. Thought Trippier did ok; Walker was awful going forward. Gareth quite clearly doesn't trust Chilwell or Shaw defensively, though we may see one of them against Scotland or especially Czech Republic.
Yeah Just like in the World Cup I am certain there is a way VAR works - we just seem he’ll be t in trying to get it to fail any English refs at this tournament I thought we had none at last WC
Gave a shocking penalty because Poulson fell over. The only big descion I've seen a ref get wrong this tournament. Makes you proud.
nice to see we keep to a consistent standard whatever the competition . It is so obvious that Mrs Solid who isn't interested at all has noticed the games flow better without every challenge being a free kick . Edit : oh and have even seen the defender heading to a byline with oppo player behind him lob himself to the ground , which here is always given as a FK , and the ref just gestured to him to get up
I'm unsure when the quality of referee dropped so dramatically, I wonder if we scrutinise them to much, give them to much attention, make them think they're a bigger part of the game then they are. You get the feeling some of them think they are the main attraction.
Meh, didn't have to do much. He's getting alot of credit for getting the medical staff on quickly, but after the restart the game really didn't have much fight so not much to do really.
I didn't think it was a penalty in real time but he did catch him with his knee. Soft, but can see why it was given.