The World Cup

[carthesis]

Arsenal fan?

 

[LBA_Blade]

How the hell do they work those ratings out then?

View attachment 239793

They stop the voting on that far too early, it was similar to after the DR Congo game and probs others too, it's probably any anti English "fans" just marking them as 1 if enough do it they will end up lowering their scores.

 

[ATL Recs]

Not once did he give the ball away for them to break quickly. Played to instructions,he can knock it 30 yards to feet no problem,but that’s not good enough for our ‘gerrit forward’ numbskulls.

He has been the orchestrator in this Norway team they are very good England will have a battle on there hands as these can play football and Sander is the link to how they play, he makes it look easy

 

[Cheeky Blade]

Will Trump take his ball home if USA dumped out?

 

[Keen Blade]

He has been the orchestrator in this Norway team they are very good England will have a battle on there hands as these can play football and Sander is the link to how they play, he makes it look easy

He finds so much space in the middle of the park.
Burnley was an odd move.
But he's in clover at Fulham , the wealthy bastards.
Fulham , Bournemouth , Brentford , Brighton ...
And that's in addition to the really big London clubs.
No prizes for guessing where all the feckin money is in this unbalanced country.
Go Andy B ... Go and get a fair share for the forgotten provinces

 

[Keen Blade]

The red I think while harsh, was perfectly understandable. In real time, I think it's just clumsy, no malice, but he went over the ball, studs up, that's long been established as a no-no. The slowed down version makes in look MUCH worse though. I'm not a footballer, so don't really know what I'm talking about but I think a player could have made that challenge without going over the ball so he doesn't really have an argument.

An accidental foul is a foul.
If a foul is serious (and it was) it's red all day long.
He was out of control.

Kane's was very unlucky coz he'd no idea his victim was behind him.
But again , an accidental foul is a foul.
Penalty all day long.

Bad luck , rules are clear.

 

[lincsfan]

The English defense was immense for those remaining 20-30minutes. I never expected them to hold out. Bellingham's performance was the best I've seen from an English player. If I was a Mexican fan I'd be disappointed at their attacking play at the end, too many weak crosses and a lack of quality. Surprising, because at the end of the first half they looked deadly. Maybe the pressure got to them.

 

[LBA_Blade]

The English defense was immense for those remaining 20-30minutes. I never expected them to hold out. Bellingham's performance was the best I've seen from an English player. If I was a Mexican fan I'd be disappointed at their attacking play at the end, too many weak crosses and a lack of quality. Surprising, because at the end of the first half they looked deadly. Maybe the pressure got to them.

In a way at home which they were for the tournament, you would expect a side that have that vocal support and passion to beat the countries they did, although no mugs South Korea arguably their most difficult opponent in the groups, Ecuador are ok and a bit of rivalry but nothing they shouldn't have been able to beat. Realistically and this as modest I will be, I think England have been Mexico's toughest opponent, England's squad have World Class quality all over the park, realistically Mexico are similar to a lower end Premier League team not Champions League level. I think it did get to them playing in front of 60-70,000 fans and also the noise around the country, that can only take you so far. They picked a poor night not to defend well against Bellingham and Pickford was outstanding at commanding his box (makes a change) at times in the match especially when England dropped deep they struggled to pick out accurate passes, there were also points in the 2nd half where they looked knackered and at one point every man on the pitch bar Pickford was in Mexico's half. Quality for Mexico wasn't there in the last 3rd, they were lucky in a sense with their 1st of how the ball bounced and the penalty (VAR), where as England looked like a team on a mission.

 

[SwissBlade]

The goal saving clearance in his own six yard box just before halftime too. Immense at times

Yeah was no way the lad was missing that chance if Bellingham hadn’t got the boot in

 

[skegblade]

He finds so much space in the middle of the park.
Burnley was an odd move.
But he's in clover at Fulham , the wealthy bastards.
Fulham , Bournemouth , Brentford , Brighton ...
And that's in addition to the really big London clubs.
No prizes for guessing where all the feckin money is in this unbalanced country.
Go Andy B ... Go and get a fair share for the forgotten provinces

Berg wont live against England's midfield hes lethargic and passive

 

[SwissBlade]

There wasn’t enough camera shots in the ground of crying Mexicans, it always beautiful to see the home fans tears.

And they played footballs coming home as soon as the final whistle went.

 

[Revolution]

In a way at home which they were for the tournament, you would expect a side that have that vocal support and passion to beat the countries they did, although no mugs South Korea arguably their most difficult opponent in the groups, Ecuador are ok and a bit of rivalry but nothing they shouldn't have been able to beat. Realistically and this as modest I will be, I think England have been Mexico's toughest opponent, England's squad have World Class quality all over the park, realistically Mexico are similar to a lower end Premier League team not Champions League level. I think it did get to them playing in front of 60-70,000 fans and also the noise around the country, that can only take you so far. They picked a poor night not to defend well against Bellingham and Pickford was outstanding at commanding his box (makes a change) at times in the match especially when England dropped deep they struggled to pick out accurate passes, there were also points in the 2nd half where they looked knackered and at one point every man on the pitch bar Pickford was in Mexico's half. Quality for Mexico wasn't there in the last 3rd, they were lucky in a sense with their 1st of how the ball bounced and the penalty (VAR), where as England looked like a team on a mission.

Mexico lost to the first decent side they played. South Korea and Ecuador came into the tournament with good reputations but were both appalling.

Ditto Canada. Wins against Qatar and South Africa, neither of whom were any good. Lost to Switzerland reserves and Morocco.

All the host teams got a relatively easy run until the last 16. Hopefully the US hit a buffer too.

 

[SwissBlade]

Mexico lost to the first decent side they played. South Korea and Ecuador came into the tournament with good reputations but were both appalling.

Ditto Canada. Wins against Qatar and South Africa, neither of whom were any good. Lost to Switzerland reserves and Morocco.

All the host teams got a relatively easy run until the last 16. Hopefully the US hit a buffer too.

That maybe the case but the key was that they beat everyone that got put in front of them before England rocked up.

They played well and dominated to see games out.

England struggled with Ghana, Panama and Congo.

When you look around the teams remaining in the tournament and the way that Mexico played last night, I don’t think Mexico would’ve lost to many sides. England were extremely impressive and that performance was a huge effort. Thankfully we’re back down to low altitude today and can have a good recovery as they’ll be some really tired bodies today.

Huge bonus that we didn’t go to extra time either and we have the same amount of recovery time as Norway.

 

[Selly]

Yesterday was a pretty much perfect WC day.

• Brazil "samba football"/"the world cip is better when Brazil are in it" OUT
• Host nation OUT
• England through

Just need Belgium to do the US and Egypt to shock the Argentinians and all will be well.

 

[HOT CURRIE 10]

He has been the orchestrator in this Norway team they are very good England will have a battle on there hands as these can play football and Sander is the link to how they play, he makes it look easy

They are a decent side and quite disciplined. Berge a lovely player,a decent keeper and a centre forward that frightens Brazilians,really Brazil should have beaten them easily but missed guilt opportunities. If England turn up,we are a better side.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

I was slating Konsa first half, I thought his marking of Jimenez was loose at best, but fair play he was excellent second half.

Quansah was a stupid boy for an unnecessary challenge but was having a good game.

Burn and Spence really played their part off the bench.

Of course Bellingham, Rice, Guehi and Pickford were absolute lions but there wasn’t a bad performance from anyone.

I thought a Championship CF, Raul Jimenez, ran Konsa and Guehi pretty ragged... a definite concern given they've got Haaland up next.

Jude Bellingham was other worldly.
I don't remember an individual England performance like it. Truly incredible. A genuine 10/10.

What was really pleasing to see was that, athough Bellingham and Kane got the goals (again), others stood up.
Gordon had a superb game off the left and Saka, Rice and Anderson all had big hands in the decisive moments.

Pickford produced some fantastic saves following some doubts and the defence (inc. the subs) managed an onslaught and saw the game out.

Pickford - 9
Quansah - 4, Konsa - 6, Guehi - 6, O' Reilly - 6
Anderson - 7, Rice - 7, Bellingham - 10
Saka - 7, Kane - 8, Gordon - 9.

It can sometimes be tough to go again after a huge energy exerting win like that.
I wouldn't be surprised if we start quite flat against Norway and it takes us a little while to get going.

I'm still not 100% sure I've seen a team capable of winning the World Cup, but last night's level could take us to the Final.

 

[Frank the tank]

Will Norway play a low block?

 

[SwissBlade]

I thought a Championship CF, Raul Jimenez, ran Konsa and Guehi pretty ragged... a definite concern given they've got Haaland up next.

Jude Bellingham was other worldly.
I don't remember an individual England performance like it. Truly incredible. A genuine 10/10.

What was really pleasing to see was that, athough Bellingham and Kane got the goals (again), others stood up.
Gordon had a superb game off the left and Saka, Rice and Anderson all had big hands in the decisive moments.

Pickford produced some fantastic saves following some doubts and the defence (inc. the subs) managed an onslaught and saw the game out.

Pickford - 9
Quansah - 4, Konsa - 6, Guehi - 6, O' Reilly - 6
Anderson - 7, Rice - 7, Bellingham - 10
Saka - 7, Kane - 8, Gordon - 9.

It can sometimes be tough to go again after a huge energy exerting win like that.
I wouldn't be surprised if we start quite flat against Norway and it takes us a little while to get going.

I'm still not 100% sure I've seen a team capable of winning the World Cup, but last night's level could take us to the Final.

A little derogatory to say that Jimenez is just a.l championship CF. Hes a very good and experienced player and i think the fact that he only scored from a slightly soft pen highlights how well the defence played.

Haaland is world class though and will need to be handled differently.

I’d suggest the game plan will revolve around stopping the supply to Haaland and not leaving him isolated with one defender.

 

[Sportbilly /Detroit Blade]

They are a decent side and quite disciplined. Berge a lovely player,a decent keeper and a centre forward that frightens Brazilians,really Brazil should have beaten them easily but missed guilt opportunities. If England turn up,we are a better side.

If you compare man for man, with the exception of Haaland, and perhaps Odegaard, you wouldn't swap many of the England players for their Norwegian equivalents.

That said, they look a real team, and I don't think it will be an easy game.

Norway to get to a WC semi-final, couldn't have asked for a better draw though.

 

[Valley Blade]

I thought a Championship CF, Raul Jimenez, ran Konsa and Guehi pretty ragged... a definite concern given they've got Haaland up next.

Jude Bellingham was other worldly.
I don't remember an individual England performance like it. Truly incredible. A genuine 10/10.

What was really pleasing to see was that, athough Bellingham and Kane got the goals (again), others stood up.
Gordon had a superb game off the left and Saka, Rice and Anderson all had big hands in the decisive moments.

Pickford produced some fantastic saves following some doubts and the defence (inc. the subs) managed an onslaught and saw the game out.

Pickford - 9
Quansah - 4, Konsa - 6, Guehi - 6, O' Reilly - 6
Anderson - 7, Rice - 7, Bellingham - 10
Saka - 7, Kane - 8, Gordon - 9.

It can sometimes be tough to go again after a huge energy exerting win like that.
I wouldn't be surprised if we start quite flat against Norway and it takes us a little while to get going.

I'm still not 100% sure I've seen a team capable of winning the World Cup, but last night's level could take us to the Final.

I think if Jimenez hadn't suffered the terrible injury that he did, he would have played for one of the really top clubs.

 

[HOT CURRIE 10]

If you compare man for man, with the exception of Haaland, and perhaps Odegaard, you wouldn't swap many of the England players for their Norwegian equivalents.

That said, they look a real team, and I don't think it will be an easy game.

Norway to get to a WC semi-final, couldn't have asked for a better draw though.

I agree on all points. A close thing between Haaland and Kane who is much more of a team player,they are both deadly in the box. I do like odegaard,a lovely footballer.

 

[The Crab]

I agree with most of your comments and I think Quansah's challenge was stupid but in my eyes more a reddish yellow which was made to look red in a slow motion replay. I think the reviews should be done primarily with replays at normal speed - however I do find it surprising how many toes are stamped on without it being obvious at normal speed

I thought both players were trying to kick the ball and actually kicked each other and if it had to be a foul it could have been given either way.

I'm glad I watched the game live. It must have been a challenge to watch the full match replay or highlights without inadvertently hearing the result. I went to bed after the squeaky Harry Kane interview and looking through the curtains thought I'd left my outside light on - then realised it was dawn breaking. Can't remember the last time I went to bed so late

Me too, I nearly binned off going back to bed and had a coffee in the back garden instead, it was light enough

 

[Bell4]

I thought a Championship CF, Raul Jimenez, ran Konsa and Guehi pretty ragged... a definite concern given they've got Haaland up next.

Jude Bellingham was other worldly.
I don't remember an individual England performance like it. Truly incredible. A genuine 10/10.

What was really pleasing to see was that, athough Bellingham and Kane got the goals (again), others stood up.
Gordon had a superb game off the left and Saka, Rice and Anderson all had big hands in the decisive moments.

Pickford produced some fantastic saves following some doubts and the defence (inc. the subs) managed an onslaught and saw the game out.

Pickford - 9
Quansah - 4, Konsa - 6, Guehi - 6, O' Reilly - 6
Anderson - 7, Rice - 7, Bellingham - 10
Saka - 7, Kane - 8, Gordon - 9.

It can sometimes be tough to go again after a huge energy exerting win like that.
I wouldn't be surprised if we start quite flat against Norway and it takes us a little while to get going.

I'm still not 100% sure I've seen a team capable of winning the World Cup, but last night's level could take us to the Final.

Super post

Agree fully re Jimenez , he looked immense - not a championship level player - our defence will be our downfall

 

[BazWainwright]

Think we now have some wind in our sails with regard 'belief' and the problem of lesser gambles in the starting eleven is now exposed, though right back remains problematic.

I'd like to see:

-----------------------------Pickford-----------------------------

Spence-----------Burn---------------Stones-------------O'Reilly

Rashford----------Rice--------------Anderson----------Gordon

--------------------------Bellingham-----------------------------

-----------------------------Kane---------------------------------

 

[wavy-blade]

lol

 

[Swannyblade]

lol

Well, that’s eased all my fears. Nice of Don to clear things up for us.

 

[Grey Blade]

Well, that’s eased all my fears. Nice of Don to clear things up for us.

He talks very confidently but the more he does, it's increasingly apparent that he doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

[BazWainwright]

lol

It's a shame, but the international game has been 'gone' for some years as we know.

The fat, listening cherry on top of the brown, Mr Whippy piece of bum-clay was awarding Qatar the last World Cup finals. Everyone suspected and kinda refused to believe it was bent as for many years, but now the orange-skinned toilet-head who rednecks have elected as 'Leader of the Free World' feels he needs to intervene to bias advantage in America's favour, we know for sure now with no doubt.

Infantini is a wholesome wanker of the first order. Any other person of integrity would have told Trump to digest his own faeces.

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

class team spirit

 

[Davalon]