QF4: England vs France, 7PM GMT, Al Bayt Stadium

[Astafjevs]

Game keeps going like this in 2nd half England will get the goal they need eventually. They're getting pretty close already even if no massive chances to point to.

France need to play a bit more front foot like they did before their goal. 

[Darius1998]

Still neutral at half time, evened up by the things I've been annoyed by so far:

France's tactics
England fans' trumpets

[JJ72]

Just now, Heartwork said:

Needs some changes in attack. Saka been the only bright spark but going down too easily for this ref.

So we'll see Saka taken off for Mason Mount and Bellingham off for Phillips.

Saka has had a lot of the ball but he seems unable to beat his man tonight

[Andrew_]

France look pretty **** but look capable when they are around the box. Can see the quality.

England playing the occasion rather than the team. And the usual Southgate tactics holding them back

[Darren Moores Mum]

Better side for large parts of that. Nothing to suggest we can't get back into this.

[Mr Adam]

France are strangely inviting us on and it’s almost like we are reluctantly taking it:D 

[Ackter]

England could easily, easily get back into and win this if they stopped playing everyone on the wings.

[Gary_Parker]

12 minutes ago, Constantine said:

I like this ref. He let the game flow, doesn't blow the whistle on slightest touch...

Agreed, but when he does blow the whistle, he likes to make sure everyone hears it and likes to sprint to the foul too. 

[dking]

2 minutes ago, sc91 said:

Ah now come on, I wanted insight into how the ref was ruining things.

Stupid it is. Bye.

[GunmaN1905]

France started the match way better, England's left side looked terrible, then the moment of brilliance happened and they stopped.

England grew into it and realized France isn't a better team. Had decent enough chances.

Two players are frustrating me, though.

Rice is just useless. I don't know if he's just another overrated English player or Southgate can't make him useful, but he's doing nothing. Doesn't offer build up options, has no passing range (had one decent pass for Kane), is way too slow to protect the defense when France hits on the counter and is just kind of there, doing nothing in all aspects of the game.

The other one is Saka. He obviously has class, but he needs to toughen up. Theo makes him look like a child whenever they match up.

Maguire is well, Maguire. He'll still hoof it thinking he's good at long passes, but what can you do.

[Bootador]

Small sample size, but Walker really does look comfortable against Mbappe imo. We've just got to win the rest of the match.

[Confused Clarity]

12 minutes ago, Constantine said:

I like this ref. He let the game flow, doesn't blow the whistle on slightest touch...

Yep. I like how he's performed so far. Only blowing up for anything obvious, trusting VAR to support him if there's a need to.

It's how games ought to be refereed on the biggest stage. Enjoyed that as a half of football.

[Darren Moores Mum]

Still so ****ing annoyed by how slow we play it around the back. Ridiculous at times. We do it whether winning, losing or drawing as well.

[Mr Adam]

Whilst we have played better than most of our first half’s I think that’s because France have dropped deep once scoring which is bizarre. Should have gone for jugular.

For all Southgate’s talk pre-game about tactics to cope with Griezman and Mbappe, we are playing the exact same style and formation and tactics as every…single…game. He’s worked out his model and he’s sticking to it.

[Astafjevs]

Just now, Bootador said:

Small sample size, but Walker really does look comfortable against Mbappe imo. We've just got to win the rest of the match.

It's not really been 1v1 though. He's had at least one other player with him, usually two

[sc91]

Just now, Confused Clarity said:

Yep. I like how he's performed so far. Only blowing up for anything obvious, trusting VAR to support him if there's a need to.

It's how games ought to be refereed on the biggest stage. Enjoyed that as a half of football.

As a neutral, yeah great. Just funny as obviously its England and everyone other sentence was about how bad the ref was. 

[EnterUsernameHere]

Just now, GunmaN1905 said:

France started the match way better, England's left side looked terrible, then the moment of brilliance happened and they stopped.

England grew into it and realized France isn't a better team. Had decent enough chances.

Two players are frustrating me, though.

Rice is just useless. I don't know if he's just another overrated English player or Southgate can't make him useful, but he's doing nothing. Doesn't offer build up options, has no passing range (had one decent pass for Kane), is way too slow to protect the defense when France hits on the counter and is just kind of there, doing nothing in all aspects of the game.

The other one is Saka. He obviously has class, but he needs to toughen up. Theo makes him look like a child whenever they match up.

Maguire is well, Maguire. He'll still hoof it thinking he's good at long passes, but what can you do.

Yeah Rice has had a really mediocre tournament. He had started to win me over for West Ham but when I see performances like this, I'm just not convinced he's good enough to warrant the freedom to roam that he needs to do well.

He can't play well when he's restricted.

[Rob1981]

Decent that. As long as we don’t go 2-0 down, we’ve got 45 minutes to score against a team that haven’t kept a clean sheet yet. Rather that than a 1-0 lead and we are already camped on the edge of our own six yard box.

Still confident.

[AM99]

Pretty good so far, creating plenty of decent openings. Just been done by a top class goal. Oddly despite us losing im more confident of us winning than I was 45 mins ago.

Would look at taking Foden off for Rashford and running at France a bit more, Foden has done very little so far.

[Baptista_8]

1 minute ago, Confused Clarity said:

Yep. I like how he's performed so far. Only blowing up for anything obvious, trusting VAR to support him if there's a need to.

It's how games ought to be refereed on the biggest stage. Enjoyed that as a half of football.

Wtf. How do you explain Upamecano not having a yellow card, at least?

[Darren Moores Mum]

Just now, sc91 said:

As a neutral, yeah great. Just funny as obviously its England and everyone other sentence was about how bad the ref was. 

You're not neutral FFS

 

[aiston]

Should probably get someone else on the wing instead of Henderson.

[Baptista_8]

Just now, sc91 said:

As a neutral, yeah great. Just funny as obviously its England and everyone other sentence was about how bad the ref was. 

Where are you from?

[Weezer]

We’re so passive. Nobody making forward runs, everybody looking to cut in and pass sideways or backwards. No confidence in ourselves until we score a goal.

Saka not done enough with all the possession he’s had, probably needs to come off. Needs to toughen up a bit.

[Confused Clarity]

2 minutes ago, dking said:

Stupid it is. Bye.

Calm down dear.

[Mr Adam]

Just now, sc91 said:

As a neutral, yeah great. Just funny as obviously its England and everyone other sentence was about how bad the ref was. 

Stating the obvious but you’d get it on any forum of any country where most of the people support that country. 

[Smallen]

Getting more replays of the Saka foul now… wtf is var for, man.

[Bootador]

Not been impressed with Henderson tbh, but I'm not sure what the change is.

[Chr1s Lawson]

Pretty clear foul on Saka in the replay 

[RTHerringbone]

We've been OK but not created anything of note. Really need to improve out set piece delivery if we can't create anything in open play.

We need more from central midfield. I'd consider something like moving Foden to where Henderson is and then sticking Rashford wide left.

I do feel that France are playing within themselves and could crank it up when they want.

[Ackter]

3 minutes ago, GunmaN1905 said:

France started the match way better, England's left side looked terrible, then the moment of brilliance happened and they stopped.

England grew into it and realized France isn't a better team. Had decent enough chances.

Two players are frustrating me, though.

Rice is just useless. I don't know if he's just another overrated English player or Southgate can't make him useful, but he's doing nothing. Doesn't offer build up options, has no passing range (had one decent pass for Kane), is way too slow to protect the defense when France hits on the counter and is just kind of there, doing nothing in all aspects of the game.

The other one is Saka. He obviously has class, but he needs to toughen up. Theo makes him look like a child whenever they match up.

Maguire is well, Maguire. He'll still hoof it thinking he's good at long passes, but what can you do.

Rice is useless because he's left isolated in the middle while everyone else runs to the wings.

[JJ72]

Just now, Weezer said:

We’re so passive. Nobody making forward runs, everybody looking to cut in and pass sideways or backwards. No confidence in ourselves until we score a goal.

Saka not done enough with all the possession he’s had, probably needs to come off. Needs to toughen up a bit.

This.  He's been involved more than any other player but done little.  Rashford on please

[Baptista_8]

Wish we had Keinan Davis to call on, he'd bully Upamecano

[afced7]

1 minute ago, sc91 said:

As a neutral, yeah great. Just funny as obviously its England and everyone other sentence was about how bad the ref was. 

Get in the bin you bore, you'd be fuming at the ref if it was whoever you support instead of England.

[Rebs]

I believe.

[Bootador]

Just now, RTHerringbone said:

We need more from central midfield. I'd consider something like moving Foden to where Henderson is and then sticking Rashford wide left.

Yeah, this was something I'd consider, it's a big call though - on 60 mins maybe

[Darren Moores Mum]

It's a clear foul on Kane and goes into the box. Clear penalty.

[GunmaN1905]

Just now, Smallen said:

Getting more replays of the Saka foul now… wtf is var for, man.

VAR is there to make sure there are no mistakes to be made against the team they want to win.

They probably dismissed it because too much time passed, but the goal should've been disallowed.

Since Cristiano is out, they will push Mbappe-Messi final narrative.

[dking]

1 minute ago, Confused Clarity said:

Calm down dear.

Do one.

[Confused Clarity]

2 minutes ago, Baptista_8 said:

Wtf. How do you explain Upamecano not having a yellow card, at least?

Because the referee didn't see it as a yellow card. I've seen them given,  I've seen them not given. No issue at all for me.

[EnterUsernameHere]

1 minute ago, GunmaN1905 said:

VAR is there to make sure there are no mistakes to be made against the team they want to win.

They probably dismissed it because too much time passed, but the goal should've been disallowed.

Since Cristiano is out, they will push Mbappe-Messi final narrative.

Relax.

[craigcwwe]

If that foul on Kane is on Mbappe,Ronaldo or Messi it's a penalty.

[Rob1981]

“At the very least it’s a foul!” says Pougatch, even though VAR can’t go back and give a foul. Textbook.

[The Golden boy]

2 minutes ago, Baptista_8 said:

Wish we had Keinan Davis to call on, he'd bully Upamecano

Hopefully he'll be bullying the defenders of Hull tomorrow.

[Mr Adam]

Just now, Bootador said:

Yeah, this was something I'd consider, it's a big call though - on 60 mins maybe

I’d agree with it but not a chance Southgate trusts Foden in a midfield 3.

The issue is Southgate is dead set on 3 central midfielders and there’s very few others who he trusts to play in those wider roles.

It will be Henderson, Mount or Gallagher.

so Mount.

 

I would go Rashford for Saka in about 10 mins or so.

For once I don’t think it’s imperative to change right now 

[Smallen]

1 minute ago, ginnybob said:

It's a clear foul on Kane and goes into the box. Clear penalty.

Yeah, very clear and obvious. So was the foul for their goal.

I don’t get it.

[dking]

3 minutes ago, Chr1s Lawson said:

Pretty clear foul on Saka in the replay 

I knew that when it happened. I didn't need a replay.

[Coulthard's Jaw]

2 minutes ago, JJ72 said:

This.  He's been involved more than any other player but done little.  Rashford on please

Rashford would be a dreadful choice with France sitting in like they are. Saka probably the only player in the squad who can play inbetween the lines like he is. I'm afraid we basically need him to have a stormer of a second half here, don't really have any alternatives.

[Darren Moores Mum]

Just now, Rob1981 said:

“At the very least it’s a foul!” says Pougatch, even though VAR can’t go back and give a foul. Textbook.

I mean, in that case that doesn't excuse the ref for not at least giving a free kick.

[Gizzy]

Looks like England are happy for Walker to not been involved in the game unless Mbappe gets the ball. Don't think England are good enough to play 10v10 against France. Henderson moving out wide to provide the job Walker usually would isn't working either because he's not very good on the ball.

Saka is useless when there's no space to work in.

Ref has been poor. Saka was fouled and so was Kane.