2022 World Cup (football)

Hendo totally deserved that standing ovation

 

Senegal kicking everything above grass

 

Henderson subbed off after an unbelievable performance. Lee Dixon says **** all, which says more about him than anything else. ****er of the highest order.

 

Start against the French as we started tonight and against the USA and we could be out after 10 mins.

 

Dont hold your breath mate. It will be all about France. Southgate will get zero credit as well, probably talking about who should replace him for next time.

 

Back 5 against France? I’ll be shocked if it isn’t Walker RCB and Trippier in at RB but who does he drop?!

 

Done really well tonight. Was touch and go for 30 mins.

The French really just have Mpabbe. That's it. No other fear for me. Might be worth the ye old Cattermole reducer in the first exchange.

 

The mags, as they do not have a dog in the fight as it were, ie no England players seem to regard the World Cup as shop window. Reckon they will buy Bellingham.

 

Would rather see TAA than trippier purely for speed. Walker is no slouch even at his age. He’s played against the best with city.

 

Bit like us v Millwall

 

**** that. Just attack. We won't be able to defend for long periods. We are stronger in final third.

 

It has to be a back 3 for me. Mbappe cuts in from the left and the only chance of stopping him is to have Walker in his path. Personally, I would have Alexander-Arnold as a RWB, to give them something to think about the other way and exploit the space left by Mbappe.

Who to drop is a difficult one, but I think it ends up being Henderson. Bellingham is undroppable and Rice just fits the system much better. Unless we do something totally different and play Kane and Rashford as a front 2 with 3 in midfield and no wingers.

 

From almost blind panic for 40 minutes to a complete stroll for the last 40 minutes.
Football's a funny old game indeed.
Well done England.

 

I suspect the best England manager we have since Ramsey... Will have a plan or two..

 

I'd keep that midfield for the France game Hendo and Rice have fo start.

 

There is no way I would lose Hendos drive and leadership against France. It will be worth far too much.

 

Just enjoy the ease everyone. We are a tournament team. This is Southgates making. He has created a side greater than the sum of its parts. The man is a genuinely top class international manager. Miles better than anything we have had since Sir Bobby.

I have decided to take the Brazilian approach to this tournament. We will either win it or lose it. We have done the semis and final. Brazil say win or nothing. It is quite liberating. France next, so what, we will win or lose. If we lose it will be no different to losing the final to me.

I still stand by Brazil v England in the final. We look the two stand out squads so far in my opinion. Now for a couple of fine malts.

 

Well that was a piece of piss in the end. First 5 minutes were a bit dodgy but we got the measure of Senegal and barring a few chances kept them at bay nicely while making them pay at the other end with some very well worked goals.

France will be a tougher test but I reckon we will come through it if everyone turns up on the day and plays to their potential.

 

You might be right. It's easy to say what not to do though. What's your plan for Mbappe?

 

You say that. And I agree. But you look at social media and just how much stick he gets, despite being the most successful tournament manager in almost 60 years!!

I also actually enjoy watching England. Something I haven’t done for over 20 years befor he took over