Of course, that's what we all want. I'm just discussing team selection and tactics. That's what football fans do, it's a forum.
Just can't see many goals in these semi's with the emphasis on just getting through being too much for expansive football. The fear of conceding the first goal sometimes makes these semi's tight and full of tension, which to be fair has been consistent throughout this competition. I just fancy the French to hold off the Belgium's and for England to do the same with Croatia... Who scores first may well take the honours... Saying that last years semi between Brazil & Germany wasn't too close by full time...
I fancy Belgium to beat France in mbappe France have one of the most exciting players in the world right now but think they might struggle against the Belgium defence who have two of the best defenders in the world.england Croatia is interesting, Croatia like to play possession football with Modric orchestrating the play so England have to be patient and hit them on the counter. This is where Dier comes in,defensive midfield with one of the forwards sacrificed. The Croatia defence look slow and cumbersome.they look nice on the ball but under pressure look fragile . So it’s a spurs final for me.
De Bruyne by his standards had a very poor game and if I was Belgian, Lukaku would frustrate the hell out of me.
Belgium seemed very tense tonight but France defended deep so the main weapon of Belgium with the fast counters was nuetered, but an og from a corner was the only difference.
Throughout the tournament I have felt Belgium look great when you give them room in midfield but France kept it tight tonight and Belgium were largely anonymous. No plan B.
if and it is an IF , england beat croatia tonight they will be like liverpool against madrid in the european final , one sided and a stroll for the french , 3-1 the score !
These final 4 teams all have some sort of weakness and its finding it that means your team can progress. Like a few before me, Belgium's was just that lack of space for their creative players to really get going, although they did create a fair few chances, it always seemed to fall to the wrong player... France look a very well drilled side and seem to base most of their attacking play on the counter-attack, why not with the young speedster in your side. Strong at the back means you'd better put that chance away if you get it...!! Counter attacking teams sometimes fall short if they come up against a team that keeps the ball well, plus I think their are vulnerable against the ball from the wide areas, something we are good at... As for tonight, Croatia to me are a weaker version of Belgium, with a strong midfield without the power and pace that Lukaku gives them. Stifle the middle of the park and I can only see one team winning... As for England, well their weakness to me is in their constant passing when under pressure from the back. Yes they have managed to escape with the odd miss placed pass now and again but the deeper into any tournament the better the side you play against and if we play France in the final then I can see that being the one place that they will hurt us... Sets it up perfectly for tonight though, and I can see England beating Croatia by the odd goal, 2-1...
good analysis , but france are more than a counter attacking side , they have high quality players in every position , they play as a complete unit , a very dangerous combination , sure in knock out football , all kinds of strange things can occur in a one off match , that's englands hope , assuming they pass tonight's test , but in france they face a different caliber of opponent , one that in the past has always been too much , this young england side has more chance than previous teams , but they will still be the underdogs , noquestion
Loving the 'English' football media going into full reverse mode on the qualities of Gareth Southgate. Apart from a few exceptions (Tim Vickery) all his traits and methods (balanced, specialised support brought in and a dry wit) which seemed to damn him in the eyes of the 'big gobs' who frequent talkSport every three hours or so along with their many guests and contributors are now judged to be qualities in his favour. Mr Southgate just seems to be an all round good guy who has watched and studied the best coaches in Europe. No matter the outcome of the next one or two games I hope these dolts who infect the airwaves give my fellow waistcoat fan the credit he deserves! Strangely, I am not even in dread of an England triumph however you would have to ask me again in 2038 (should I remain a living breathing human bean bearing in mind my intermittent but extreme indulgence in Kentucky and Tennessee's finest)!
Talksport provide a last retreat for the nations utter twats BK. Big Sam and Carragher for example. Just think how different this WC could have been if Allardyce hadn't been such a stupid greedy bastard. I suspect you rather wish he was still in charge of our team though
Glad your still against us Rudey. The world's mad enough right now without you pitching in for your neighbours . I watched the QF in Wales at the missus' parents house and though all proud Welsh they all were cheering for us which I was quite surprised by. My good lady didn't even turn a hair when I decorated the little lad's bedroom with England flags - a look he described as epic! As for the Real Madrid, Liverpool analogy, I'd take that. Pickford is no Karius! The big if though is tonight. Tough, tough game against an underrated team.
When I turned sixty it became too much trouble to be too mad at such eejits as Adrian Durham, Alan Brazil and Mark f****n' Saggers. I also ran out of anger and disbelief that the 'meeedya' kept on about 1966. I seem to have moved into an accepting period of my life what with Brexshit, Trump in the White House and some of the political parties who have gained prominence in most of my favourite holiday destinations. My only (real) regret is that I did not follow my judgement in having a substantial each way punt on Croatia at 40/1.
Talking about redecoration here is a small tale. I was on holiday with my Mum in New York City and the closest early opening rub-a-dub to our hotel had a waitress from Manchester who supported one of my nemesis clubs; Manchester United. She had been allowed to construct a small shrine to 'ManU' in the corner of the pub however after a wee chat with the manager we removed her knick-knacks and replaced them with some of my FC Bayern gear. The boss told me when she would be on duty later that day so myself and my Mum were in place awaiting her arrival. Funny thing was that it took her about thirty minutes to notice the refurbishment. Anyway, she took it very well (probably better than I would have) and, after Flo toddled off to her scratcher, we had a pretty good evening at a nearby 'rock' bar. Since then I have been three times to Manchester to see FCB stuff Manchester City however I have never bumped into her!
England are where they are in this competition due to Southgate having the respect of the team, most of who he has worked with through the younger ranks. He seems to have instilled a team ethic and that going a long way in this competition is far more important than each individuals social media profile. Most importantly he has drawn on all his experiences as a squad player and eradicated the mistakes that his predecessors have made. He has done a brilliant job although no doubt if we were to lose tonight the media will see it as a golden opportunity wasted rather than a huge success beyond most of our wildest dreams. Top job Gareth (still think you should have taken Sessegnon though).
