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World Cup Qatar 2022 - Desert Strike

Boothjan

By Boothjan,
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Angles Morts

Angles Morts

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, Barnard said:

Not to us. He still looks like a dog with floppy ears to my daughters 2 years after the euros. 

 

2 minutes ago, glb said:

Troy Hawke telling him he has “a fabulously symmetrical face” causing confusion for the former Villa man is some good stuff.

 

Just me then, seems like his complexion is going a bit George Best

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Matt Defis

Matt Defis

Posted
Posted

I'm not a football fan but Roy Keane putting Ian Wright in his place during the 2016s Euro semi final talking about England is still one of my favourite bits of tv.

 

I'd never normally support England but if they go through I'd love for them to win, they seem like a genuinely good bunch of blokes.

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Gabe

Gabe

Posted
Posted

Okay, having now read the comments it seems I missed another duffer, so hurrah for that I guess.

 

I think the problem with Southgate is that he is just overly pragmatic. A win tonight and the group was secured and he could rest some players who are clearly knackered (Kane) but also give minutes to people that might be needed in the later stages, so they aren't thrown into a knockout game with no previous game time. But no, he is very much a manager that is happier not to lose than one that wants to win.

 

Instead, he's now almost certainly going to play the same team again more or less on Tuesday and that is going to be an even tougher game now because Wales will now take heart from that performance and believe they can win. End result, not only will the team get even more tired, potentially they might not get top-spot and end up going out in the next round.

 

Somebody mentioned the heat earlier but it was hotter in Russia, wasn't it? They don't even have mandated drinks breaks here so I'm not sure how much of that is a big factor, especially as this isn't off the back of a long gruelling PL season.

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Gabe

Gabe

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, ChewMagma said:

It is a much of a muchness whether we win the group or not, none of Netherlands, Senegal, or Ecuador have looked great to be honest.

True, but it was more that the option to rotate and use the squad versus Wales is now gone, which would've been very handy especially if the heat is playing a significant part - I'm sure a few of them would've appreciated a bit of a breather.

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Stopharage

Stopharage

Posted
Posted

In the cold light of day, it’s important to reflect on the best part of yesterday. 
 

Imagine the scene, tutor time, Senegal game on. 
 

Me: Who’s that player on the subs’ bench? 
Football Obsessed Student (FOS): Name.

Me: Yep, that’s what I’m asking. 
FOS: Moustapha Name. 
Me: Yeah, I know he must. What is it? 
FOS: What is wrong with you? That’s his name.

 

Who needs a cost of living pay rise when you’re getting paid to smash out the dad jokes. 

 

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Gotters

Gotters

Posted
Posted

We've seen it enough now that Southgate will employ this terrible to watch safety first approach in certain games, which as Arsene would say sees the team 'play a little bit with the handbrake on'.

 

It's that miserable horseshoe of shame passing where you go a bit down one side before retreating to the back and try up the other side, bits of last night were even worse as we totally ceded possession to the US, especially at the start of the second half. The subs steadied that and I expect we'll see a little more adventure against the Welsh in the final game, but not a lot. 

 

It's the Euros thread all over again - we know he's super pragmatic and just won't let them play freely or start the more mercurial but in his eyes untrustworthy players like Foden/Grealish at this stage of a tournament. 

 

It's not that great to watch but I think a WC Semi and Euros final gives him the right to a bit of trust, if not admiration. 

 

That said if any of us were in charge we'd clearly be winning the tournament at a canter and stuffing everybody on the way. 

 

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ChewMagma

ChewMagma

Posted
Posted

If any of us were managing England, we'd be snatching 3-3 draws, occasionally thumping Argentina for no discernable reason one minute, and then inexplicably getting knocked out by Costa Rica the next. So basically how every other previous England manager has done.

 

And deep down I think a sizeable contingent of England fans miss that. They miss the chaos and the arguments and the WAGs and all of it.

 

Not me though, it was fucking awful.

 

 

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Art Vandelay

Art Vandelay

Posted
Posted

The horseshoe is a problem with player ability as well as system, I reckon. We’ve no quality on the ball when we’re trying to transition from the back four into anyone further forward than that. Football has moved on from your shielder collecting the ball to feet in his own third and picking a pass from there as although we’re secure we leave ourselves short in midfield. There’s no flexibility in possession either and this team is crying out for the Pep tactic of that kind of half-mid full back hybrid when we have the ball. Honestly, Ben White would quietly transform this starting XI if he got a crack.

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footle

footle

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Gotters said:

Stop blaming Gareth.

 

Since 1986 ITV have only shown 1 England group stage win live, whilst BBC have had 10.

 

England v Wales is on BBC.

 

Phew.


imagine ITV acknowledging that.

”Evening all. Now after the goal packed game on Tuesday, tonight we have the opportunity to see how England perform against the very different challenge of <insert team here>.
History tells us that the key factor is who’s responsible for providing the home broadcast, so our alcohol sponsors recommend you just start drinking now, our betting sponsors think you should put all your money on a scoreless draw snoozefest, and there’s always a bit of online shopping you can do to pass the time.

With that, let’s have our first advert break so you can get some ideas.”

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Ork1927

Ork1927

Posted
Posted
13 minutes ago, Ry said:

My brain ain't working correctly and I'm really ill after getting my COVID and flu booster yesterday but England only need to not lose by 3 goals against Wales and they are through, right?

 

4 as a 3-0 loss would give them same points and Goal difference as Wales, but they'd go through on goals scored.  And even a 4-0 loss is fine if USA and Iran draw.

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Ry

Ry

Posted
Posted
2 minutes ago, Ork1927 said:

 

4 as a 3-0 loss would give them same GD as Wales, but they'd go through on goals scored.

 

Ah ok. So England are basically through. 

 

And Wales are out then and it's between Iran and USA? That should be a good game. 

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ChewMagma

ChewMagma

Posted
Posted

Exactly so the hysterical English over reaction this morning is completely absurd.

 

If he wants to Southgate can still absolutely play his second string against Wales, it makes no difference and Wales are utterly dire anyway.

 

I distinctly remember before the tournament every podcaster and pundits calling England vs USA as an utter grindfest and now why are they acting surprised?

 

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Hamus

Hamus

Posted
Posted
30 minutes ago, ChewMagma said:

Exactly so the hysterical English over reaction this morning is completely absurd.

 

If he wants to Southgate can still absolutely play his second string against Wales, it makes no difference and Wales are utterly dire anyway.

 

I distinctly remember before the tournament every podcaster and pundits calling England vs USA as an utter grindfest and now why are they acting surprised?

 

 

Listening to The Totally Football Show this morning and a good point was made about the backlash after the Scotland game. 

Overall we weren't awful in that tournament.

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davidcotton

davidcotton

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, Gotters said:

We've seen it enough now that Southgate will employ this terrible to watch safety first approach in certain games, which as Arsene would say sees the team 'play a little bit with the handbrake on'.

 

It's that miserable horseshoe of shame passing where you go a bit down one side before retreating to the back and try up the other side, bits of last night were even worse as we totally ceded possession to the US, especially at the start of the second half. The subs steadied that and I expect we'll see a little more adventure against the Welsh in the final game, but not a lot. 

 

It's the Euros thread all over again - we know he's super pragmatic and just won't let them play freely or start the more mercurial but in his eyes untrustworthy players like Foden/Grealish at this stage of a tournament. 

 

It's not that great to watch but I think a WC Semi and Euros final gives him the right to a bit of trust, if not admiration. 

 

That said if any of us were in charge we'd clearly be winning the tournament at a canter and stuffing everybody on the way. 

 

So the English Conte then?  I imagine that 6-2 score line would have Southgate wake up in a cold sweat. 

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