2018 World Cup in Russia

Post by **Zidane** » June 18, 2018, 3:42 pm

vlad wrote: ↑
June 18, 2018, 3:14 pm
Be very lucky for Poland statts considering Poland didn't qualify lol.

Poland are in Group H,vlad

......start their campaign tomorrow against Senegal,10pm Thai time.

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 18, 2018, 3:49 pm

Just tried to pick a starting X1 for England and failed miserably once again.

Got as far as Butland Walker Cahill AN Other Rose (would have to utilise Dier as CB as I wouldn't trust either McGuire or Stones within 100 mile of the stadium let alone in the team. Having to play Dier at CB means there is no holding midfielder along with the fact that Southgate didnt select any ball playing midfielder to put in the team. At that stage I gave up apart from the fact that Harry Jamie Vardy & Dele Ali would form a fluid front three ..... and NO I wouldnt have Sterling as he needs at least 6 excellent passing midfielders to provide his tap ins (a la Man City) and England dont have one which is why Sterlings England record is so lousy.

Mind you I'm only an amateur

If I had a CV that read coached a Prem team (failed and got relegated), Coached a load of kids with varied success then I would be able to put a more professional team together for a World Cup :-&

Post by **vlad** » June 18, 2018, 3:52 pm

Hands up time im Sorry didn't realize Poland qualified, but because i am moderated now its difficult for my messages to view until im moderated.

Post by **GT93** » June 18, 2018, 4:13 pm

I was chatting to a Mexican today. He was really excited about the the Mexican team. I suppose if they keep playing like that they can win the whole shebang.

Post by **Vlad123456** » June 18, 2018, 4:49 pm

I can see us going far something feels different about this team and a manager that is not stale and old outdated plus its a young squad.

Post by **mathusalah80** » June 18, 2018, 6:16 pm

stattointhailand wrote: ↑
June 18, 2018, 3:49 pm
Just tried to pick a starting X1 for England and failed miserably once again.

Got as far as Butland Walker Cahill AN Other Rose (would have to utilise Dier as CB as I wouldn't trust either McGuire or Stones within 100 mile of the stadium let alone in the team. Having to play Dier at CB means there is no holding midfielder along with the fact that Southgate didnt select any ball playing midfielder to put in the team. At that stage I gave up apart from the fact that Harry Jamie Vardy & Dele Ali would form a fluid front three ..... and NO I wouldnt have Sterling as he needs at least 6 excellent passing midfielders to provide his tap ins (a la Man City) and England dont have one which is why Sterlings England record is so lousy.

As with picking the squad, Southgate is only able to pick from the players he has present there in the squad. Unlike you, he can't simply say, 'too difficult, so let us quit, and go home' As to the formation he should choose, and the players he should pick, at least, at last Statts, you have admitted you cannot do it; so you forfeit the right to criticise any selections or decisions, Southgate makes. Thankfully you will not be among those hypocrites who will be full of wisdom after the event.
Just to help you in your difficulties, I'm sure you will appreciate a reminder of my suggested selections, in making which I have included some players I feel sure Southgate will omit, and have omitted some I am equally certain he will include, (e.g. Alli, Dier, Sterlings). In this context I have included Lingard as the only player in the squad who comes close to having the skills of a playmaker, and the ability to score goals. I would omit Alli because his self indulgent petulance carries the ever present danger of his being sent off, and because I think he 'lacks bottle'
However I do hope England experience more luck with both the VAR and the referee, than did Australia.]MY Selection. Formation will comprise Goalkeeper; Back Three; A midfield of three, flanked on each side by wing backs and, up front two strikers, working in harness and supporting each other.
A GoalKeeper: Trippier, Stones & Maguire; Walker, Lingard, Delph, Rashford, Rose; Vardy & Kane.
The Bench:To include a Goalkeeper, Cahill, Dier, Loftus-Cheek, Sterling,Alli & Trent-Arnold.[/b]

Post by **Vlad123456** » June 18, 2018, 6:46 pm

We can all be armchair coaches what matters is the result at 90mins the squad is young but plenty of European experience so they wont bottle it for once be positive and bring it on for England.

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 18, 2018, 6:48 pm

I must say that I'm surprised to see you only have Gary Cahill on the bench, considering he is the ONLY centre back in the whole squad who has a clue about how to read a game and where to be to defend. Neither Stones or McGuire have learned that the first art of defending is to make sure you are in the correct position to defend . I would certainly have taken Lascelles and Mawson instead (even Pep has just about given up with Stones as he is such a liability) In fact I would have even considered taking JT in pref to Stones/McGuire and I hated JT with a passion. Both Lscelles and Mawson are young, inexperienced and prone to the odd mistake, but at least they would discuss what they should have done whilst they retrieved the ball from row h instead of the back of the net

Post by **mathusalah80** » June 18, 2018, 7:59 pm

You were challenged several times to select who YOU WOULD include in the squad, and declined to get off he fence. NOW , with the squad already picked and in Russia, you are already starting to 'second guess' Southgate's squad selections!!

I am not saying you are either right or wrong; just a bit late in the day to say what you 'would have done'

You will remember I wrote, well in advance, that I wouldn't know where to start, as regards picking the squad, and opted not to try. In doing so, I forfeited the right to now 'second guess Southgate's selections; as have you.
Again, you have opted out of naming the 'complete' team you would now pick for this first game, so no criticism please, after the game, as to where you consider Southgate got his selections wrong! :-"

.,
Enjoy the game.

Post by **vlad** » June 18, 2018, 9:06 pm

Never mind the who's and Rs the squad is picked the team are ready lets just see who has the Headlines in the morning.

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 18, 2018, 9:22 pm

I just dont see how anyone with the slightest idea of what is required to compete in a major tournament can pick 3 central defenders in a squad of 23 and then have the audacity to say that we are going with three at the back ...... err what happens when one of the three is injured or gets two yellow cards before the semi finals? Dont even try to make some excuse about playing Walker as a centre back ..... as Stevie Nicol (not a bad defender in his day) said its not just about being able to run fast you have to have enough knowledge and the experience of playing the position for years before you can expect to play at this level. I dont want to "second guess" Southgate coz whatever he does with HIS squad cannot cover the damage that has already been done with his original squad selection.
Having said that I fully expect him to compound his errors by playing 4 or 5 wing backs at the expense of Dier who is his one and only decent holding midfielder. He will also no doubt start Pickford even though any opposing coach will have told his players to put the ball into the near post for a flick on past Pickford who will be all at sea.

Post by **mathusalah80** » June 18, 2018, 10:19 pm

Come on Statts, you are indulging in your lawyer type semantics again; as you will recall I expressed the suspicion you might do, when challenging you to announce YOUR VIEW of the best squad available to represent England. You refused to stick your neck out, leaving you free now to seize that opportunity to be wise and criticise Southgate, after the event!
Now, suddenly you are willing to state which players you WOULD HAVE selected in the squad and which you would have picked for this first game. Being on very safe ground, in both respects, since several of the players you mention are not in Russia, and you are only now suggesting they should be! You really do like to both have, and to eat, your cake, Statto. :-"

Given the dearth of world class English players, overall, I think Southgate has made a reasonable job of assembling a squad which comprises a good mixture of promising young . and of battle hardened, players, capable of surprising their critics. My only personal reservation revolves around the formation, and the players , Southgate will decide upon. I hope my doubts will prove unjustified, as the tournament progresses.

Post by **Zidane** » June 18, 2018, 11:23 pm

Word on the street about Englands team selection.....
Pickford in goal,Walker Stones and Maguire centre backs,Trippier and Young wing backs,Henderson(holding midfielder),Lingard and Alli attacking midfielders,Sterling and Kane strikers.

Post by **arjay** » June 18, 2018, 11:37 pm

After a boring 0-0 first half, the Belgium v Panama game has come alive in the second half. It will be worth switching on, if you haven't so far.

Post by **arjay** » June 19, 2018, 1:29 am

England very lively in the first 30 minutes. Could have been 2 goals up in the first 3 minutes, but so far 1 goal up (Kane: 11 mins), with several near misses, and one scare at 26 minutes.

Ah, Oh, Oops, a penalty to Tunisia in the 33rd minute. Score 1-1.

Post by **Laan Yaa Mo** » June 19, 2018, 4:29 am

Kane is able!

Post by **arjay** » June 19, 2018, 4:31 am

Well England made hard work of that. In the early part of the second half they seemed to lose momentum if not confidence at times. After the substitutions and continuing perseverance they eventually got the winner, courtesy of Harry Kane from a 91st minute corner. Overall it should have given them more confidence as well as experience, and Gareth Southgate a few points to pursue.

There must be some big questions to be asked about the VAR system, when Kane was clearly manhandled to the ground, earlier in the game, but no penalty given, and the same pattern of behaviour continued throughout the second half with the referee seemingly unable to stop it or do anything about.

Post by **BobHelm** » June 19, 2018, 6:59 am

: wc.png (11.63 KiB) Viewed 1050 times

The Sweden v Korea game was end to end stuff but with far the better chances going Sweden's way. After an hour of no score it looked to me like one of those games where the side creating the chances might be punnished for not taking them. Then VAR stepped in & gave Sweden a penalty.
Generally disappointing by Korea who will now have a mountain to climb (in the shape of Germany & Mexico) in order to qualify.

Nil, nil at half time but then Belgium rather blew them away. 2 for Lukaku after assists from de Bruyne & Hazard. I wonder if Jose considers why he can't perform like this for United... might be the system Jose..

I don't think any of the favourites will be shaking in their boots after this England performance, but it was always about getting the 3 points. England have to smarten up at the front & back if they are going to progress but at least they should not be desperately searching for wins. Sterling's starting place must be in doubt. While there is no doubting his work rate & desire he clearly is over anxious once he gets a chance.
Statts will be pleased that VAR had little effect on the result - despite failing to do its' job at least twice on penalty shouts..

Group A start their second games today, after Group H complete both their first.

: wc1.png (12.05 KiB) Viewed 1050 times

Post by **stattointhailand** » June 19, 2018, 8:51 am

Yeah, you have to wonder how "clear and obvious" it has to be for VAR to be useful.

Shock /horror Kyle Walker gives away a penalty because he is a) wrong side of his man and b) facing wrong direction ...... well I didnt see that coming

Even bigger shock Raheem Sterling misses open goal

. I blame the other forwards as they should know that you have to give him at least three open goal chances before he can be expected to score

Only big downside is using the "GET OUT OF JAIL FREE" card in the first game when they might need a bit of luck/help later in the tourny

Post by **Zidane** » June 19, 2018, 9:28 am

England started like a house on fire and should have been two up before Kane gave them the lead in the 11th minute.
It was a harsh penalty but Walker was badly positioned but what about when Kane was wrestled to the ground twice in the area and nothing was given ? Blatant penalties !

I think England lost their way a bit in the second half and was pleasantly surprised when Kane got the winner in injury time.
Sterling was awful (hasn't scored for England in over 20 matches now) and Young was ineffective on the left.In contrast,I thought Trippier,the right wing back,was Englands best player although Kane will naturally get all the plaudits.
Tunisia didn't offer much and I think Panama will offer even less so,hopefully,England should progress from the group stages now.

2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia

Re: 2018 World Cup in Russia