England v Columbia last 16

Indeed, Matth.

I was impressed with young Rashford.

 

I dread to think what would’ve happened. Had he missed his penalty last night.

 

I can understand people giving Alli some grief, but I think we all need to lay back a little bit.

The Columbians did a fantastic job at disrupting our play, and Southgate had to massively adapt his tactics on the hoof, because we simply were not permitted to play our usual passing game. Therefore, Alli's effectiveness - which is to work the ball to Kane in positions from which the striker can score - was hugely neutralised, and I don't know of any other player who could have done any better than Alli, on the night, against that opposition.

Same for Lingard, I think.

We'll get a far better idea of these players' talents against Sweden.

 

It could happen in the game(s) to come, so worry about
it when we get there.

However you cannot beat up on any player who has
never been a main penalty taker for his club, let alone
country.

 

Fatigue played a major part, too, Bruv.

There was one point, during extra time when we worked the ball forward quickly and got the cross in, but there was no one in the box to do anything with it.

The Columbians did a fantastic job at wearing down our lads. I think we need to acknowledge just how well our lads did at holding up against the physical abuse they were taking, and yet still managed to keep their shape.

 

He’s a bellend. Ignore him.

 

Great band, in their day, Matth.

Songs From The Big Chair is an album that I still listen to.

 

Or Marc Almond.

 

I used to listen to a lot of Tears For Fears, Howard Jones, Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Jimmy Summerville, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, and Soft Cell.

But I am not gay.

 

Anyway, lads...

I've got to update the superb "Prem Top 6 World Cup League" thread, as there were quite a lot of goals scored, last night...

 

Rashford can do exactly the same job but better imo.

 

Are you sure? That's a pretty convincing list

Tears for Fears is for the ears of queers,

or so the saying goes

 

It's been distilled from the hundreds of artists that I listen to, of course.

I have a Blues collection that includes practically every pioneer of the genre.

My favourite genre is hard rock.

 

fixed

 

I've never heard of that genre of music, Little Urn.

Hard Cock music.

Is that something that you've enjoyed for a while, mate?

 

True.

We shall see but I have a feeling he'll stick with Sterling.

 

So do I. Unfortunately!

 

Don't think anybody is giving Alli a hard time, just that he's not 100% fit. I would usually expect him to be able to deal with a bit of needle as he's a bit of a prick himself, but he's just a yard short at the moment.

 

Every great team needs a player like Alli, Pix. I think you would agree with that.

 

I can certainly see why you'd keep faith with Sterling. He's getting into the right areas, his particular combination of pace, strength, and balance make him a bit unique imo.

If Southgate starts him on Saturday and he comes good, the manager is a genius; if he has a poor game - which I really don't think he has yet - the manager is a mug. That's how it works, right?