GunmaN1905 Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 The only similarity would be great set-pieces. England still hasn't played against a team that's supposed to be better than them. Idk what's the narrative in your media, but Colombia and Sweden certainly aren't better by England. Colombia didn't have their best player, either. Therefore, you can't say the defense was solid because England has faced one world class player during the whole torunament, 32yo Falcao. I don't count Belgium game because it was basically a friendly. England played really well against Sweden, but Sweden is a team they should beat in every possible scenario. Colombia game was a sh**show because of the way Colombians acted. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_ Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Defence has looked a bit shaky tbf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 C'mon now, Sweden is not world class team, they have no superstars but they're extremely tough to beat. Knocked out Netherland, Italy, blown Mexico away and fairly decent Switzerland. They ain't no pushover. Expected much more from them vs England though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adhikapp Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Expected more from Colombia as well. Sure they didn't have James, but they have talented players. Had they had the right mentality instead of just hacking every Englishmen in sight and just knuckle down and play some football, they should've absolutely won that game. Sure it went to penalties, but if England lost that match, I would've said England got robbed. Also other than a few shots saved by Pickford, Sweden didn't really look at all threatening, and the team looked very comfortable. After the Maguire goal, England never looked liked losing. Had Sterling finished his dinner, the game would've been killed by half time. England were lucky that the two teams they've faced in the knockouts didn't entirely show up to the occasion, but England deserves credit to not make the opponent play to their strengths. Watching the Russia vs Croatia match, I thought to myself, "Well whoever goes through here, no way are they beating England" because they were both so underwhelming. Not to mention a few Croatian players picked up a few niggles here and there, they won't be as fit for the semifinals. They do have amazing players, and an amazing fighting spirit - playing 2 games that ended in penalties are no mean feat for the mental side - but I'd expect that from a team that have reached a World Cup semifinal. Despite the team full of players in clubs that are known to bottle a few matches here and there, England will definitely be tough as nails, and are faves in that match. I know this thread started out as a joke, but England are one match away from a final. How mad is that. Inb4 a Belgium vs England final, this time both teams playing their first XI. Would be like watching an EPL allstars match. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 13 minutes ago, adhikapp said: Inb4 a Belgium vs England final, this time both teams playing their first XI. Would be like watching an EPL allstars match. With all the stars playing for Belgium? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJJ Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 That RMSalih guy is a notorious Britain hater. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adhikapp Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 21 minutes ago, noikeee said: With all the stars playing for Belgium? I didn't say any of them played for England Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD nawrat Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 38 minutes ago, noikeee said: With all the stars playing for Belgium? Kane, Sterling, Alli, Henderson, Walker and Pickford all key players at their clubs in the Top 8 teams of the Prem. Not to mention Lingard and Young have been key players for United the last 12 months too. And Stones before his injury was consistently in the starting line-up for City. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Obvious joke there by noikeee. IMO, of all those players JD speak of, only truly star is Harry Kane. All others are good players, important for their teams but Harry is one i would call a proper star. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD nawrat Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Just now, Constantine said: Obvious joke there by noikeee. IMO, of all those players JD speak of, only truly star is Harry Kane. All others are good players, important for their teams but Harry is one i would call a proper star. In the Belgium team only really KDB is a star for respective PL teams too, then. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 1 minute ago, JDownie said: In the Belgium team only really KDB is a star for respective PL teams too, then. Kane is the only true top-class player on this England team, even though he's not playing up to his Tottenham level. Alli is nowhere near Tottenham level and Sterling just has too many deficencies in his game. KdB and Hazard are top class players on Belgium team. I don't see Lukaku as one, but it's kind of hard to seperate him and Kane into different classes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 1 hour ago, Andrew_ said: Defence has looked a bit shaky tbf I think it's improved in the knockout games Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizzy Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD nawrat Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 7 minutes ago, GunmaN1905 said: Kane is the only true top-class player on this England team, even though he's not playing up to his Tottenham level. Alli is nowhere near Tottenham level and Sterling just has too many deficencies in his game. KdB and Hazard are top class players on Belgium team. I don't see Lukaku as one, but it's kind of hard to seperate him and Kane into different classes. Ah I forgot about Hazard, my bad. Then yeah, Belgium have 2 to England's 1. But nobody is ever gonna consider a defender a star, even though Walker fits the profile. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 5 minutes ago, JDownie said: Ah I forgot about Hazard, my bad. Then yeah, Belgium have 2 to England's 1. But nobody is ever gonna consider a defender a star, even though Walker fits the profile. Courtois? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toon_84 Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 The thing I fear about Belgium is they have world class players and they play as a team, they know their system and they don't know when they're beaten. Wrong thread isn't it? **** the chocolate making ****s, the only decent thing to come out of Belgium is Stella. It's coming home Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 7 minutes ago, JDownie said: Ah I forgot about Hazard, my bad. Then yeah, Belgium have 2 to England's 1. But nobody is ever gonna consider a defender a star, even though Walker fits the profile. Walker is playing as a bloody CB. The best he can hope for is not to be considered a liability. There are no star defenders left in this WC. Godin was the last one. Noone considers Marcelo a star because of his defensive qualities. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adhikapp Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 If there was ever a chance an EPL Allstar team was formed, most of the players would be Belgian. If a 23-man squad EPL Allstar team was made, then arguably England would have a few more players in it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adhikapp Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 1 minute ago, GunmaN1905 said: Walker is playing as a bloody CB. The best he can hope for is not to be considered a liability. There are no star defenders left in this WC. Godin was the last one. Noone considers Marcelo a star because of his defensive qualities. I'd argue Varane-Umtiti are just as much of a "star defender" as Godin. The entire back three of Belgium are definitely "star defenders" but thats maybe because of my Premier League bias. At least England are facing Lovren and Vida... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Just now, adhikapp said: I'd argue Varane-Umtiti are just as much of a "star defender" as Godin. The entire back three of Belgium are definitely "star defenders" but thats maybe because of my Premier League bias. At least England are facing Lovren and Vida... Varane maybe, Umtiti definitely not. Not yet at least. If Belgium defenders are considered star defenders, then Miranda and Thiago Silva are also star defenders. Both Alderweireld and Verthongen are already around 30 and they've won nothing. Alderweireld did, but he was a sub behind Miranda and Godin in Atletico. Kompany would be a star defender if he wasn't ruined by injuries. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
themadsheep2001 Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Who cares about star names? If games were won on paper, Germany wouldn't have gone home in the group stages. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 1 hour ago, Gizzy said: What is the story behind your Chocolate Teapot status? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 If there was any doubt, this settles it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bestbrother Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Im happy to be honest in that; We beat Tunisia because their full back had a brain fart in the 94th minute and gave us a corner for no reason Beat Panama who should be no where near a football pitch let alone the World Cup Lost to Belgium B Drew with Colombia over 120 minutes even though they had their best player missing Beat a Yellow Bus And have the easiest Semi Final going as we all know Eastern European teams bottle everything IF we faced a proper team, would we have lost? Yes, no doubt about it. BUT we are unbeaten in Finals.... so.... Its still coming home Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
toon_84 Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nordan Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 It's coming home! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizzy Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 46 minutes ago, georginho_juventusygr said: What is the story behind your Chocolate Teapot status? The mods are as funny as they are appreciative of my past efforts on here. Cant remember how it came about though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bootador Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
themadsheep2001 Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 1 hour ago, Gizzy said: The mods are as funny as they are appreciative of my past efforts on here. Cant remember how it came about though. Definitely something about you being a shambles at one point Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 4 hours ago, JDownie said: Kane, Sterling, Alli, Henderson, Walker and Pickford all key players at their clubs in the Top 8 teams of the Prem. Not to mention Lingard and Young have been key players for United the last 12 months too. And Stones before his injury was consistently in the starting line-up for City. I was being a bit provocative, Kane is most definitely a star and Sterling, Alli, Walker, Stones near-top players. But Belgium does have KDB, Hazard, Courtois, plus other near top players like Lukaku, their CBs etc. I think they've got more talent even if I'm not convinced they've got a more balanced team set up here! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
VamPook Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 Kompany hasn't really put a foot wrong since starting has he Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan045 Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 34 minutes ago, VamPook said: Kompany hasn't really put a foot wrong since starting has he He will soon. Good CB but will be exposed by Mbappe come Tuesday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD nawrat Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 1 hour ago, VamPook said: Kompany hasn't really put a foot wrong since starting has he Made a mistake Vs. Gabriel Jesus and arguably could've given a pen away but other than that he's been brilliant. 26 minutes ago, ryan045 said: He will soon. Good CB but will be exposed by Mbappe come Tuesday. Haha good one. Kompany has played against forwards better than Mbappé and has never really suffered majorly against one particular opponent (not the way Vidic turned into an amateur at the sight of Torres, for example). He's not the kind of player to get beaten repeatedly as mentally he's a mountain. Mbappé's best hope is an injury to Kompany. More likely than Mbappé ending Kompany's career, anyway. E: Kompany came close Vs. Brazil but it's been 6 years since he scored for Belgium. The semi finals will be a good point to add to his tally - he loves a big game goal if I had money to bet on it I would. Setpieces will be key for Belgium Vs. France, as I think France with their defensive fullbacks in Pavon and Hernandez may be better equipped to deal with their open play threat than any other side in the competition (the whole competition) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razzler Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 7 hours ago, bestbrother said: Im happy to be honest in that; We beat Tunisia because their full back had a brain fart in the 94th minute and gave us a corner for no reason Beat Panama who should be no where near a football pitch let alone the World Cup Lost to Belgium B Drew with Colombia over 120 minutes even though they had their best player missing Beat a Yellow Bus And have the easiest Semi Final going as we all know Eastern European teams bottle everything IF we faced a proper team, would we have lost? Yes, no doubt about it. BUT we are unbeaten in Finals.... so.... Its still coming home Croatia beat the mighty Denmark and Russia, Belgium were in our group and Brazil aside, needed a late goal to beat Japan. You beat who you beat. We have this thing in England where fans who think by being miserable they aren't 'getting caught up in it' say (this one is a good one) "we lost to the first decent team we played" - probably seen it in last tournaments and before this tournament. Thing is, the 'first decent team' becomes whoever beats us Guarantee if we lost to Colombia everyone would have said we lost to the first decent team we played but getting past Colombia? Nah, no one will give any credit for that. If we'd lost to Sweden they'd have suddenly become that 'first decent team' cause of how efficient they are, took Germany to the end, hammered that really good (lolz ... sshhhh, they weren't all that really, were they) Mexico side, so, they'd be that decent side ... beat them comfortably ... nah, still not beat a 'decent team'. That's pretty much how it goes. If we lose to Croatia they'll suddenly be the 1st decent team and so on. We're in a semi, ffs, beating anyone to get to this point is a good thing, if the 'better' teams did better in their groups then the draw wouldn't look like this, would it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bestbrother Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 2 hours ago, Razzler said: Croatia beat the mighty Denmark and Russia, Belgium were in our group and Brazil aside, needed a late goal to beat Japan. You beat who you beat. We have this thing in England where fans who think by being miserable they aren't 'getting caught up in it' say (this one is a good one) "we lost to the first decent team we played" - probably seen it in last tournaments and before this tournament. Thing is, the 'first decent team' becomes whoever beats us Guarantee if we lost to Colombia everyone would have said we lost to the first decent team we played but getting past Colombia? Nah, no one will give any credit for that. If we'd lost to Sweden they'd have suddenly become that 'first decent team' cause of how efficient they are, took Germany to the end, hammered that really good (lolz ... sshhhh, they weren't all that really, were they) Mexico side, so, they'd be that decent side ... beat them comfortably ... nah, still not beat a 'decent team'. That's pretty much how it goes. If we lose to Croatia they'll suddenly be the 1st decent team and so on. We're in a semi, ffs, beating anyone to get to this point is a good thing, if the 'better' teams did better in their groups then the draw wouldn't look like this, would it! i dont care who we beat but im calling it as i see it. if we had lost to sweden or colombia id be fuming as they are both crap. i also dont think croatia are much cop so fully expect us to waltz that. our only hard game will be the final and we are unbeaten in finals so the odds are in our favor. not sure why you are trying to defend englands run to the final though. play **** beat **** = happy.. play **** lose to **** = unhappy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skybluedave Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 2 hours ago, Razzler said: Guarantee if we lost to Colombia everyone would have said we lost to the first decent team we played but getting past Colombia? Nah, no one will give any credit for that. This so much. Colombia were very good. Now they are rubbish. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Cartman Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 I think i've just about recovered Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bliss Seeker Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Who can even concentrate at work? This is been one of the most unproductive, unprofessional few weeks of my life. And I spent most of last December running a quiz on otf. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razzler Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 44 minutes ago, bestbrother said: not sure why you are trying to defend englands run to the final though. play **** beat **** = happy.. play **** lose to **** = unhappy. There's nothing to defend. If a team can't finish top of their group then they'll end up in a different part of the draw, won't they. That's how the draw works. Neither Colombia or Sweden are 'crap' and no one is waltzing anyone in the semi finals but if thinking like this enables you to be super angry if we lose then go ahead, champ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bestbrother Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 1 minute ago, Razzler said: There's nothing to defend. If a team can't finish top of their group then they'll end up in a different part of the draw, won't they. That's how the draw works. Neither Colombia or Sweden are 'crap' and no one is waltzing anyone in the semi finals but if thinking like this enables you to be super angry if we lose then go ahead, champ! I wont be super angry, thanks for you concern though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wigmore Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 35 minutes ago, Bliss Seeker said: Who can even concentrate at work? This is been one of the most unproductive, unprofessional few weeks of my life. And I spent most of last December running a quiz on otf. I also can't concentrate at all. I'm still in my probation period at this job and have just been given my first big project... probably not the best time for this all to be happening Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwig Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 I haven’t really check the odds but have England been favourites in all their games (not counting Belgium as that was an anomaly)? Who’s favourites for the Croatia game? I think were so used to choking its now seen as a big achievement to beat the sides we should be beating. You see some of the big teams underperforming so it’s good that we’re not in with that lot. Southgate’s secured his job now for the Euro’s whatever happens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coulthard's Jaw Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 Southgate has the job until the next World Cup (at least). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wigmore Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 16 minutes ago, Bigwig said: I haven’t really check the odds but have England been favourites in all their games (not counting Belgium as that was an anomaly)? Who’s favourites for the Croatia game? England are 8/13 to qualify, Croatia 13/10. England are joint second favourites to win the World Cup (11/4). Belgium are also 11/4, whilst France are 2/1 favourites. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony85 Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 I know the route to the final (if we get there) has been favourable - but it's not like it hasn't happened before. Look at Germany in 2002. They faced Cameroon, Saudi Arabia and Ireland in the group stage. Followed by Paraguay, USA and South Korea. Was that really any harder? Can only beat the teams in front of you and no-one will really think about who we faced to get there if we do the unthinkable and win the tournament. Plus it add's a nice symmetry to holding all the mens World Cup titles at the different age groups in one cycle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coulthard's Jaw Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggins Top Boys Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 fantastic stuff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1981 Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 37 minutes ago, Wigmore said: England are 8/13 to qualify, Croatia 13/10. England are joint second favourites to win the World Cup (11/4). Belgium are also 11/4, whilst France are 2/1 favourites. Not just going into a World Cup semi final but favourites to win it. Still can't believe this is happening Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Cartman Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 https://www.apple.com/uk/itunes/charts/songs/ 3 Lions 1 & 9 Vindaloo 13th World in Motion 21st We can do this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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