The Official FIFA World Cup 2022 Megathread

[AndyWolves]

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

I think it will depend on where Southgate wants us to finish in the group.

You can see what'll happen a mile off though. Wales will be pumped and want to put on a performance and we will sit back and surrender the initiative because we won't go out for the win.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

It will probably end 0-0. Wales need miracles on the level of the Wedding Feast at Cana to progress so I wonder if they will have one foot on the plane and England know a point is plenty.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Good win for Convict FC. Tunisia were absolutely rubbish though.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

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.

Imagine either of the England or France squads under the tutelage of Klopp. Would be a ridiculous force.

 

[Johnny75]

Imagine either of the England or France squads under the tutelage of Klopp. Would be a ridiculous force.

Klopp, Pep, Ancelotti, Conte, Pochettino, Arteta would all walk the World Cup with England or France.

Basically anybody with any ability.

I’d throw money at Poch to manage England at the next Euro’s.

 

[Alan]

Harry Maguire playing Pep’s system would be a sight for sure

 

[Johnny75]

Harry Maguire playing Pep’s system would be a sight for sure

Maguire is very good on the ball. And I think it's his confidence on the ball that has been shot.

It's the mistakes that cost him and Pep's system would have Rice dropping in between the CB's and the full backs covering in front (inverted).

 

[Tredman]

Thought he played well last night.

 

[Dinowolf]

You could offer an opinion.

I don't know what Southgate will do as I can't figure out his thinking.

If it was me I'd play 3 at the back with TAA at wing back, 3 in midfield and 2 up front.
Foden has to play.
Attack wide with pace and move our line further forward. If Kane is not 100% then don't play him.

 

[PuntsWolf]

Not sure I’m a fan of this finish second theory. I don’t think it’s true for one minute anyway but even if it was the Netherlands could easily beat us. Solid enough at the back to keep us out and more quality up top than the USA to nick something.

 

[Tony Towner]

I don't think that's what he was thinking yesterday. He played the way that guaranteed going through, which is either professional or cowardly, pick your poison. Second gets you on the same side of the draw as Spain, Brazil and probably Argentina so doesn't really stand up to scrutiny in the wider context either

 

[sycophantia]

Saudi Arabia look pretty good in this game, maybe the win against Argentina was no fluke.
Think I heard comms say all the Saudi players play in their domestic league which is remarkable.

 

[jd1981]

Matty Cash should be off after that second yellow

 

[Jinky]

Maguire was MOTM last night IMO. Headed everything away.

If he got a move away from Man Utd he’d still be a top PL defender, for all the abuse he gets. He’s just at the wrong club.

 

[sycophantia]

Matty Cash should be off after that second yellow

He should, leading pretty aggressively with his elbow, already on a yellow.

 

[Jinky]

Matty Cash should be off after that second yellow

Nah, didn’t take his eyes off the ball.

Saudi’s look decent. Like the look of Kanno in the middle of the park.

 

[White Wolf]

Not sure I’m a fan of this finish second theory. I don’t think it’s true for one minute anyway but even if it was the Netherlands could easily beat us. Solid enough at the back to keep us out and more quality up top than the USA to nick something.

It's not true, it doesn't make any sense. For us to finish second we need to lose to Wales and for Iran to win (ignoring a big GD swing for the US or Wales) - the two together is quite unlikely IMO and considering the matches are concurrent there's no guarantee of anything.

Occam's razor is he wants to win the group and decided a point was the best way to do that. It's far too negative.

 

[Johnny75]

I don't think that's what he was thinking yesterday. He played the way that guaranteed going through, which is either professional or cowardly, pick your poison. Second gets you on the same side of the draw as Spain, Brazil and probably Argentina so doesn't really stand up to scrutiny in the wider context either

Exactly this, you've got to be good at every stage. Trying to plot your way through the tournament is equally cowardly given the talent we have at our disposal.

More signs of a losers mentality.

 

[Dinowolf]

Cash is a lucky boy

 

[jd1981]

Nah, didn’t take his eyes off the ball.

Saudi’s look decent. Like the look of Kanno in the middle of the park.

Pretty irrelevant elbow makes contact with the head at force it should be a yellow