The Official FIFA World Cup 2022 Megathread

[Tony Towner]

Last night reinforced my view that as soon as an opponent shows any sign of ambition Southgate’s mentality is to retreat and we all know where that leads. Our best players are the attacking ones and we need to take the brakes off and get them causing opponents problems. It’s no use beating the likes of Iran and Panama if you then wave a white flag the moment you play a better team. I think we’re a couple of players short of a team that could genuinely go on to win it but I’d rather see us try than be submissive and accept the almost inevitable quarter final defeat that the current approach will result in.

I don't think there is a side with a better attacking group of players in the tournament, just like there wasn't in the Euros. Even if you look at Brazil Richarlison and Raphinha wouldn't get in our side based on what we've seen of them in the PL. With the obvious gap at centre half we have the players, it needs to come with the correct mentality

 

[Tony Towner]

Who do we get?

Runner up of France's group or winner of Argentina's

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Netherlands second round most likely and then probs the winner of the Argentina group I think

 

[PuntsWolf]

I don't think there is a side with a better attacking group of players in the tournament, just like there wasn't in the Euros. Even if you look at Brazil Richalison and Raphinha wouldn't get in our side based on what we've seen of them in the PL. With the obvious gap at centre half we have the players, it needs to come with the correct mentality

Got Martinelli on the bench though who is better than Saka and Sterling for me. Then Antony who is better than his club mate Rashford. Jesus is obviously decent as well and Rodrygo not bad but don’t know enough about him beyond sporadic CL games.

As for the Argentina group have to see how today goes as that’s wide open.

 

[jd1981]

Didn’t bring Foden because he thought he wouldn’t offer as much stability defensively.
That was he explaining on that call and sums him up. Spends far too much time not concentrating on where our strengths are.
I absolutely guarantee the moment we meet a so called big side he’ll revert to a back 5.

 

[Wilf Wolf]

Got Martinelli on the bench though who is better than Saka and Sterling for me. Then Antony who is better than his club mate Rashford. Jesus is obviously decent as well and Rodrygo not bad but don’t know enough about him beyond sporadic CL games.

As for the Argentina group have to see how today goes as that’s wide open.

We’ve got Foden but….

 

[Johnny75]

Yes they did, as soon as we got the ball, camped in 30 yards. When they got the ball attacked with 3/4 players. You saw their manager telling players to hold position.
We probably had 2 half decent chances, they had the same, Pulisic had a fantastic shot off the bar. Be interesting to see the average positions and stats.

Thought it was 2 teams more intent on not losing than going to win, draw was much better for us, given we have 4 points. Going to be tough for the USA, they are going to have to commit more men forward they need to beat Iran.

I genuinely have no idea what you watch sometimes.

The stats tell you the US had more attempts at goal. Your eyes should tell you that they went out to win.

Then you have the England manager saying he was pleased with the point and the 'don't lose' mentality.

Southgate never says win, it's lose all the time with him.

The US don't have that problem and whilst they were compact in defence they had Trippier, Rice and Shaw on toast every time they attacked.

We played with pure fear.

 

[The Bear]

I guess Southgate's thoughts were, a point pretty much guarantees qualification with 4 points. Whereas a plucky loss would put us needing to get a result against Wales.

 

[Tony Towner]

I guess Southgate's thoughts were, a point pretty much guarantees qualification with 4 points. Whereas a plucky loss would put us needing to get a result against Wales.

Yep, which speaks volumes about his mentality in general

 

[Johnny75]

I guess Southgate's thoughts were, a point pretty much guarantees qualification with 4 points. Whereas a plucky loss would put us needing to get a result against Wales.

Against the USA with our level of talent?

That's a losers mentality.

 

[Dire Wolf]

I guess Southgate's thoughts were, a point pretty much guarantees qualification with 4 points. Whereas a plucky loss would put us needing to get a result against Wales.

I'd imagine there's something in that. Objective 1: do what is necessary to get through the group stage. The World Cup isn't won in the 1st week and all that... Still thought it was piss poor though.

 

[The Bion]

Great stat just seen England have had more 0-0 draws in World Cup history than any other nation

I might be misremembering but could swear I also saw one that said that was US' first clean sheet against a European nation at a WC since the 50s

 

[Wilf Wolf]

I'd imagine there's something in that. Objective 1: do what is necessary to get through the group stage. The World Cup isn't won in the 1st week and all that... Still thought it was piss poor though.

It isn’t but laying foundations you can build on won’t do any harm. If we play like that against better teams we’ll be out.

 

[WsWolf]

I don't think there is a side with a better attacking group of players in the tournament, just like there wasn't in the Euros. Even if you look at Brazil Richarlison and Raphinha wouldn't get in our side based on what we've seen of them in the PL. With the obvious gap at centre half we have the players, it needs to come with the correct mentality

Richarlison wouldn't but Raphinha vs Saka is a toss up I think, both are capable of brilliance and anonymity in equal measure. Brazil also have Neymar (if he's fit for the knockout rounds) whilst Southgate plays mount there. Those are certainly the best 2 forward lines in the tournament though.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Mbappe and Giroud isn’t too shabby

 

[Johnny75]

Mbappe and Giroud isn’t too shabby

Giroud isn't anywhere near.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Probably as it should have been Benzema I guess!

 

[Johnny75]

Probably as it should have been Benzema I guess!

Definitely. Although I think Griezman is still top drawer.

The French suffer with the same thing we do.

A completely shit manager not fit for purpose.

 

[Dinowolf]

So what will Southgate's tactics be against Wales?

 

[Johnny75]

So what will be Southgate's tactics be against Wales?

You could offer an opinion.