The Official World Cup 2018 Megathread

[AndyWolves]

Japan looked a much better side than I thought they would, tactically aware, decent interplay just some of the execution let them down.

 

[AndyWolves]

I mean you can't deny that the game turned immediately upon subbing on Fellaini and Chadli.

I'd say Vertonghens header was more of a catalyst

 

[White Wolf]

Keep the underdogs out tho

Nobody is arguing the smaller teams should be kept out, that's an intentional misrepresentation of the argument. If you so desperately want to see Zimbabwe fail at a tournament go and watch ACON.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I mean you can't deny that the game turned immediately upon subbing on Fellaini and Chadli.

True

But that is more the "send a big bloke or two on against them wee orientals" than it is on suddenly being Mario Zagallo.

 

[Alan]

True

But that is the "send a big bloke or two on against them wee orientals" than it is on suddenly being Mario Zagallo.

You won't find me calling Martinez a "genius" tbf.

 

[Jinky]

We'll see I guess! I am more confident of my position on that argument.

Ah mate, my sarcasm is clearly lost on you this evening. Bobby M is as much of a tactical genius as Del Wop is the next Bruce Dickinson.

Terrible manager & he got lucky tonight.

 

[Banjo]

True

But that is the "send a big bloke or two on against them wee orientals" than it is on suddenly being Mario Zagallo.

That's literally all it was. But it worked. And he should've done it earlier. Japan's keeper was awful and the defence collapsed once the balls started coming into the box.

 

[White Wolf]

No. Not a chance. I think he is what he is. A chancer who won an FA Cup while getting relegated.

I agree. Just because Fellaini scored doesn't make it a masterstroke, he just threw the tall guy on and crossed his fingers that he would score a header. No gameplan it was just throw the kitchen sink at Japan.

 

[nimrod]

That's literally all it was. But it worked. And he should've done it earlier. Japan's keeper was awful and the defence collapsed once the balls started coming into the box.

after the equaliser I don’t know why they weren’t crossing every chance they got. weird.

 

[leedswolf]

What a great game.

 

[pavlosmacwolf]

All be it he was never given a decent ball but I wasn't greatly impressed by Raul today, though to be fair with mexico playing everything up the middle he had two markers all the time.

 

[pavlosmacwolf]

Game of the world cup so far, am absolutely gutted for Japan they deserved extra time at least!

 

[pavlosmacwolf]

Sorry no idea why the Raul comment came so far out of context, forget it now!

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Martinez lost his first international match and hasn't lost since. That was 1 0 to spain. He got out of jail tonight but they are still in. Croatia got out of jail last night. Still there!

For those of you with a sense of humour
I hope England are still in this time tomorrow. The runes say 4 or 5 goals tomorrow but not who too! The tea leaves think Kyle Walker is in trouble,injury or suspension. Red cards predicted for tomorrow so good on to your hats. Could be us could be Columbia could be the other match.

 

[sycophantia]

Martinez lost his first international match and hasn't lost since. That was 1 0 to spain. He got out of jail tonight but they are still in. Croatia got out of jail last night. Still there!

For those of you with a sense of humour
I hope England are still in this time tomorrow. The runes say 4 or 5 goals tomorrow but not who too! The tea leaves think Kyle Walker is in trouble,injury or suspension. Red cards predicted for tomorrow so good on to your hats. Could be us could be Columbia could be the other match.

I'm invoking Kirsty MacColl...England 2 Colombia Nil

 

[Jinky]

Interesting debate on radio 5 just now. If England are knocked out tonight, would you consider this tournament to have been a failure?

Lot of the pundits on there are saying no, it wouldn’t be a failure due to the job Southgate has done reconnecting with the fans & media etc. Thoughts on that? Surely it should be judged on results?

For me, if we are knocked out tonight then I would deem that a failure. Long story short we should be beating Panama and Tunisia. Belgium was one of the strangest games of football I’ve seen, but a knockout defeat to Colombia wouldn’t be good enough, in my option. Particularly when you look at the way the tournament has panned out.

I certainly wouldn’t be calling for Southgate to be sacked, but if we were eliminated tonight then I personally would consider that a failure.

 

[Sniffer]

Agreed Jinky. With the draw that we were given a Quarter Final should have been achievable.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

It would be not only a failure but a massive missed opportunity.

 

[Kenny]

Interesting debate on radio 5 just now. If England are knocked out tonight, would you consider this tournament to have been a failure?

Q-F is where this team should be. Anything further than that is a bonus (ignoring how the side of the draw has opened up).

If we come home after beating Tunisia and Panama but losing to Belgium and Colombia then that is a failure of sorts.

I will say though Southgate has surprised me in the build up the Tournament, his handling of the media, handling of player issues (such as Sterling and the tattoo and Sterling turning up late) and the way he got us to play in the opening games. If we do lose tonight, despite me thinking it is a failure he deserves to stay and build for the Euro's...when football does come home and we win it at Wembley...

 

[Lord Knows]

If England are beaten by the better team but play well that's acceptable as long as the defeat is used to progress a young international side still in development. I have Colombia slight favourites.