42 minutes ago, charierre said:

The interviews by Kane and Macguire were telling. Both said it out us in a strong position in the group suggesting the aim was to not lose instead of win.

I would appreciate that philosophy against bigger and stronger teams, since that's a page out of Mourinho's playbook, but there's no reason to play negative against USA of all teams.

3 minutes ago, Frankie8Lampard said:

 

I would appreciate that philosophy against bigger and stronger teams, since that's a page out of Mourinho's playbook, but there's no reason to play negative against USA of all teams.

There isn’t but having watched England falter through group stages many times it honestly doesn’t surprise me we played so pragmatically. World Cup football is all about making sure you progress through the group stages, one defeat and your instantly under pressure.

You know the best teams have a swagger. A belief. An arrogance almost. Sure, they play to a plan. But it ain't that rigid. They ain't that bothered about the opposition. They play to their own rhythm. The players are confident. The ball moves quickly. Of course a lot of that is down to having players with quality. But even more it's down to a manager who gives them that self-belief and freedom. Encourages them to express themselves.

Gareth Southgate is a genuinely nice guy. But he isn't that manager.

 

 

Glad I turned that sh*te off from the sounds of it!

By the sounds of it Wales have got a chance! 

Mental Musah is only 19. 

1 hour ago, just said:

You know the best teams have a swagger. A belief. An arrogance almost. Sure, they play to a plan. But it ain't that rigid. They ain't that bothered about the opposition. They play to their own rhythm. The players are confident. The ball moves quickly. Of course a lot of that is down to having players with quality. But even more it's down to a manager who gives them that self-belief and freedom. Encourages them to express themselves.

Gareth Southgate is a genuinely nice guy. But he isn't that manager.

 

 

Tonight England played to not lose, though could have done. There was no press and they were content to draw knowing only a catastrophic massive defeat against Wales would put them out. Strange though some of our better world cups has contained a 0-0 in the group stages…66, 86,90. It’s all about making sure your in a position to challenge in the knockout rounds at which point it becomes, ‘are you good enough’? I do hope in the later stages Southgate allows the players to play without the handbrake on, so it’s not another tournament we’re we say ‘if only’ 

Every American on that pitch wanted it more. England weren’t merely playing not to lose. They were simply outfought. 
 

Playing not to lose when your next match is against a Wales team that will be giving 110% given the circumstances, is foolish imo. 

Edited November 26, 20223 yr by Sconnie Blue

I reckon Wales will try and copy the USA's tactics.

Really feel we need something different, would be tempted to play Callum Wilson up top with Kane behind him and then four in midfield with a back four.

Don't think Southgate will do that and we will face a similar match to the USA as the Welsh try and frustrate us and hit us on the counter. 

4 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Playing not to lose when your next match is against a Wales team that will be giving 110% given the circumstances, is foolish imo. 

Southgate knew if England got the point, Wales would have to beat England by FOUR goals for England not to qualify.

Berhalter knew if USA didn't get 3 points they would have to beat Iran to qualify.

 

 

25 minutes ago, coco said:

Southgate knew if England got the point, Wales would have to beat England by FOUR goals for England not to qualify.

Berhalter knew if USA didn't get 3 points they would have to beat Iran to qualify.

 

 

So risk drawing to Wales and finish 2nd? Why not get the job done then and now?

Didn't watch it (f**k Qatar) but a nil-nil seems like a good result.  

5 hours ago, Scott said:

Didn't watch it (f**k Qatar) but a nil-nil seems like a good result.  

It feels more like 2 hours wasted.

Really strange that Foden doesn't get any minutes. Based on his performance in PL I think he is one of the English players at the moment. I must admit that Macguire was good yesterday. 

I cannot give USA much credit as we were poor. Hard to know which American players are good or not given we didn't even turn up to make a match of it. 

There's a reason Maguire was bought from Leicester. He can be a good defender, so why his form for Utd have been poor I don't know. Then again look at Sancho, he has been sh*t considering he came from Dortmund with massive hype. If Maguire wasn't bought for £80m, people wouldn't be so critical of him. 

Edited November 26, 20223 yr by enigma

I certainly think Maguire plays well for England perhaps because of his price tag, he has the Utd boo boys on his back and that affects his own performance.

Bizarre. 

33 minutes ago, enigma said:

There's a reason Maguire was bought from Leicester. He can be a good defender, so why his form for Utd have been poor I don't know. Then again look at Sancho, he has been sh*t considering he came from Dortmund with massive hype. If Maguire wasn't bought for £80m, people wouldn't be so critical of him. 

Don't let his performance against an average side mask the fact that he is sh*t. He's poor for United because he is very bad at the top level of the game. He's clumsy, error prone, has no agility, has zero chemistry with any CB he plays alongside, gets too tight to defenders and wrestles them because he lacks the ability to read the game well and anticipate things. 

Winning a few headers from set pieces against a side that aren't exaclty well known for being good from set pieces is hardly something he should be praised for. He was actually at fault for their best chance of the game. He got too tight and grabby with the American player which left a massive hole for McKennie to move into. There was also a moment earlier where he did one of his trademark bulldozing into a team mate when trying to win a header. Stones had it under control, but Maguire is such a clutz that he decided to jump on top of him and present USA with a chance to create something. Stones had to clear up his mess.

If yesterday was good from Maguire, then Silva against Serbia was a masterclass. 

Edited November 26, 20223 yr by Scott Harris

i like this coach 

won the Africa Cup with Zambia 🇿🇲 as well 

Three bookings for Poland in the first 20 mins of the match. This is going to be fun 

Haha this is incredible, now they have decided to help the Saudis 

That was not a penalty. The refs have been awful in this tournament.

What a double safe from szsesny 

Just now, Scott Harris said:

That was not a penalty. The refs have been awful in this tournament.

That's partly why I completely gave up on watching the brazilian league on a regular basis, that's our shameful standard of referees... 

Just now, Scott Harris said:

That was not a penalty. The refs have been awful in this tournament.

This one has been bought