The Official World Cup 2018 Megathread

[Deutsch Wolf]

I wouldn't be entirely shocked if a drug-enhanced Russia knocked Spain out before that.

I would, Russia are rubbish. Beating Saudi Arabia (even if they did benefit from Alan's rabid support) and an Egypt operating with a 50% fit Salah, all with home advantage is little to shout about. They were dire against Uruguay, who themselves had been awful to that point.

That was easily the worst group of the lot.

 

[Tony Towner]

Fixed it

Anyone takes anything out of this game must be nuts.

Did I agree with it - NO
Did I understand it - Yes, if he had lost one of the main players would have been crazy given we did not need to win the game
Did I like the performance - NO
Do I think we are better than last night - Yes
Will we beat Colombioa - We should, but then we should have beaten Iceland
Still think no matter what happens the players and the manager have done enough to put a smile back on the nations faces when it comes to the national team.

I disagree with your last sentence. If we lose on Tuesday the first two games will be forgotten and the narrative will be 'same old England'

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Lose on Tuesday and Southgate will be pilloried

 

[GLASGOWOLF]

I disagree with your last sentence. If we lose on Tuesday the first two games will be forgotten and the narrative will be 'same old England'

Press maybe
Fans no

 

[Tyrannosaurus Dan]

I would, Russia are rubbish. Beating Saudi Arabia (even if they did benefit from Alan's rabid support) and an Egypt operating with a 50% fit Salah, all with home advantage is little to shout about. They were dire against Uruguay, who themselves had been awful to that point.

That was easily the worst group of the lot.

Oh, I agree they are crap. I just wouldn't be that shocked if circumstances conspired for Russia to win - home advantage, some dodgy decisions, questionably enhanced performance levels etc. I also wouldn't be surprised if Spain stuffed them either tbf.

 

[Sniffer]

I disagree with your last sentence. If we lose on Tuesday the first two games will be forgotten and the narrative will be 'same old England'

Lose on Tuesday and Southgate will be pilloried

Press maybe
Fans no

Sorry Glasgow but I'm with Paddy and Tony on this one. I couldn't see us losing to Japan and there would have been no disgrace in losing a quarter final against whoever we were up against. Playing the reserves, losing to Belgium and going out to Colombia is a failure in my eyes. If that happens the buck will stop at Southgate for not playing a team to win the Belgium game.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Other way round for us Cyber, I'm the one that loves it in our house. Earned me enough brownie points last week to last a lifetime of World Cups. Unfortunately folks here aren't interested, even less so this time as they aren't even in it :icon_lol:. Enjoy the rest of this WC Cyber.

Mrs cyber hates football with a passion I can only dream of. I know where my bread is buttered. For those of you whose partners love football too enjoy it! Spare a thought for the rest of us!

 

[Tony Towner]

Press maybe
Fans no

I disagree. We scored an injury time winner in the first game and hammered statistically the worst team in the tournament in the second. What got fans on their side was the open style of play and having a go which we saw in the two first halves. Lose to Colombia and that disappears as quickly as it arrived.

 

[Del Woppio]

Yeah I'm really not getting all the love tbh. We laboured past Tunisia, battered a bunch of shite (but only two from open play) and last night was, well, what it was. Colombia will be the first test - fail it, and it's not a tournament to be proud of at all.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Didn't know Alan Sugar posted on here.

Sorry! I used wives and partners to cover all eventualities . But as me and my wife aren't equal I feel I can comment. I have her exactly where she wants me. I am the master of my house and what my wife says shall be done. I buy all my own clothes. She chooses the ones I can wear. You see where I am coming from? I am sure I am not alone. To me happy wife happy life

 

[Langers]

As ever, the reaction to a World Cup result is hyperbole. We did well against Tunisia and Panama - you can only beat what's in front of you - but those 2 wins didn't suddenly mean we were favourites to win the trophy.

We were disappointing last night but it was clearly a team put out with the last 16 in mind. I didn't agree with that mindset but I understood it. I still think we've played worse than that in recent tournaments and scraped wins but overall it wasn't great. But that doesn't mean we're shit and we'll lose against Colombia.

We've looked pretty good so far and I'm pleased with the tournament as a whole but we are where we should be at this stage - through to the knock out stages. The fact that we've scored plenty and have the current top scorer in our squad with a little bit of self belief is a bonus. We've done better than I predicted, there are plenty of positives so far amongst a few negatives and so far it's going to plan.

I'm bored already with the permutations going on, which started at full time v Panama.

Tuesday is a massive game and if we play well, we'll win as I think we're a better side. Colombia were pretty shit for 2 out of their 3 games.

I know it's part and parcel of football (especially international tournaments) but the extremes are beyond tedious.

 

[lemonjelly]

Langers nails much of it.

For me, thought Rose did well enough to earn a start. The bigger error was the CH not covering the run, meaning Rose was dragged inside, doing the work of 2 defenders.

We should've gone full strength, but didn't. Pointless stressing about it, focus on the next game. Agree very much with langers on the permutations issue. Whilst watching the panama game I was dreading the papers headlines suggesting we could win this tournament. Now too many people are talking about the route to the SF or final. They should take a leaf out of Nuno's book and focus on the next game. It was always about the next game for us last season, and that worked well. We didn't plan for further ahead games, our focus and concentration was the next game.

 

[pavlosmacwolf]

Sniffer , I'm sorry, but why are you already looking for the best excuse for going out, it's a knockout and let's see what happens only one team can win it after all

 

[pavlosmacwolf]

But isn't that why they are the second string? Some did good some just shouldn't be there!

 

[Jack Regan]

Colombia were useless yesterday against Senegal, only some incredibly wasteful play in the first half stopped them being a couple down at half time. I can still see us beating them even after yesterday, however I could also see a France 98 scenario. Where we played awfully against Romania costing us top of the group and ended up getting knocked out by Argentina in the last 16 as a result.

 

[pavlosmacwolf]

Ah sorry guys I was referring in my previous two posts to specific threads you posted but obviously got the wrong tit at the bottom, now they look out od f context so sorry about that.

 

[Lord Knows]

England moved into fourth favourites, ahead of France, after conceding against Belgium. They are generally an 8-1 chance, but as short as 6-1 in a place. Bookies regard a loss as favourable to England's World Cup hopes.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Bookies' odds on England are always massively skewed due to the amount of money placed on them.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Squad game in 2018 and the Belgium game was as close to win win as you get in tournament football. Win get Brazil Portugal Uruguay Argentina side all teams we have been knocked out of tournaments by in my life time , lose get Columbia Sweden etc. If we reach the final I would love to play Belgium. If that is the final we win and win well.

 

[Langers]

Squad game in 2018 and the Belgium game was as close to win win as you get in tournament football. Win get Brazil Portugal Uruguay Argentina side all teams we have been knocked out of tournaments by in my life time , lose get Columbia Sweden etc. If we reach the final I would love to play Belgium. If that is the final we win and win well.

I hate to break this to you but we've lost to Belgium more recently than we've lost to Brazil, Portugal, Uruguay or Argentina. Or Colombia or Sweden.