World Cup 2018

[redandwhitemike]

0-0

class finish

[redandwhitemike]

Something of a non event in which the only point proved was that Belgium's second eleven are better than ours - but I think we knew that already.

Not sure any of the England players really made a case for being promoted to start against Colombia - Rashford was very disappointing.

Remains to be seen how the result will affect the psyche of the squad going forward.

[Lovejoy]

Something of a non event in which the only point proved was that Belgium's second eleven are better than ours - but I think we knew that already.

Not sure any of the England players really made a case for being promoted to start against Colombia - Rashford was very disappointing.

Remains to be seen how the result will affect the psyche of the squad going forward.

All that assumes we wanted to win, which I am fairly confident we did not.
So how the players performed tonight is largely irrelevent.

[Mayo]

I would rather see us trying to win every game, but on reflection pleased with the route now presented to us. Squad players got a run out and although uninspiring, fairly professional performance. Bring on Columbia.

[Medieval]

Until they scored, was half hoping we would win, they had added to their total cards count, so a draw would see us potentially against Brazil later. Once they scored, I changed my view, strangely, hoping we did not score, great result!
The point about resting players; they may have had a rest after the season, but we were last to start our games, so more cramming in a reduced time scale.
Not sure if Southgate intended to lose, but we are in a much better position from so doing together with resting our first team.
As for the performances, generally disappointing, Delf probably best.

[spitalfields]

Whoever it was who said that yesterday's game will ultimately be evaluated in light of the result against Colombia had it spot on. Personally I never like intentionally weakening teams as I think the subtle consequences for motivation and psychology are difficult to control and, more often than not, pretty destructive. Sensible protection of players on yellow cards is one thing; putting out the reserves something else altogether.

I thought it was a mistake not to see off BPA at the first attempt, and so it proved when the 'rested' players seemed lethargic in the game that mattered, probably as a result of the lost momentum. I know that these cossetted Premiership darlings are more used to squad rotation, but the struggles they had against a pretty poor Tunisia side suggested to me that they desperately needed game time to develop a rhythm and cohesion- and the confidence they could have got from playing well against a weakened Belgium team would have been invaluable. The Panama result does not make them world-beaters by any stretch of the imagination. And Colombia play in a way that is likely to expose England's embarrassing defensive frailties.

I hope I'm wrong, but I'm expecting to look enviously at Belgium cruise past Japan to meet a triumphant but exhausted Mexico, as we go out with a whimper against an underrated Colombia...

[redandwhitemike]

Whoever it was who said that yesterday's game will ultimately be evaluated in light of the result against Colombia had it spot on. Personally I never like intentionally weakening teams as I think the subtle consequences for motivation and psychology are difficult to control and, more often than not, pretty destructive. Sensible protection of players on yellow cards is one thing; putting out the reserves something else altogether.

I thought it was a mistake not to see off BPA at the first attempt, and so it proved when the 'rested' players seemed lethargic in the game that mattered, probably as a result of the lost momentum. I know that these cossetted Premiership darlings are more used to squad rotation, but the struggles they had against a pretty poor Tunisia side suggested to me that they desperately needed game time to develop a rhythm and cohesion- and the confidence they could have got from playing well against a weakened Belgium team would have been invaluable. The Panama result does not make them world-beaters by any stretch of the imagination. And Colombia play in a way that is likely to expose England's embarrassing defensive frailties.

I hope I'm wrong, but I'm expecting to look enviously at Belgium cruise past Japan to meet a triumphant but exhausted Mexico, as we go out with a whimper against an underrated Colombia...

My reservations exactly - but happy to be proved wrong.

Thought Japan's game would have suited England.

Then again 'arry could have got injured in the first ten minutes had he played - you just don't know

[Medieval]

Or our first 11 could have lost against Belgiums reserves, would really have inspired confidence.

[Phil]

Shock as Lionel Messi exits the World Cup. If Ronaldo goes the same way tonight who will they gush over?

[garthrockett]

Sychophancy at its best......gotta luv the BBC.

[Phil]

The annoying thing is that Messi has totally under performed in this tournament and still they treat him like a God.

He wouldn't even get in a Harriers side.

[garthrockett]

....and if Uruguay knock Ronaldo's Portugual out they'll have to switch attention to some other overrated icon......

[redandwhitemike]

Watching Russia 'manage' the game with such negativity against Spain and ultimately frustrating the more gifted and technically superior Spanish players I couldn't help but think of Harriers games against the likes of Chorley and Salford - you wonder whether in the end it's good for the (beautiful) game? What it does prove is that there is more than one way to win a football game, we may not like it - but nevertheless it's fact.

Which leads me onto Southgate and whether he has a plan 'B' - because it's quite possible the two teams might meet and if the Russians can thwart Spain with their massed ranks and parking not one bus two - what hope England breaking them down ?

I know it's unfashionable to suggest it, in light of how England now play under Southgate but a Crouch or Carroll in these situations could be a god send.
For me, I would have taken that type of player as opposed to Welbeck or even Vardy - who would be useless against the massed ranks of Russia, with no space to run into.

What ever the game, for England to progress I think we have to win it in the ninety + - no way will go through on penalties

Colombia then Sweden or Switzerland - I could see England just about managing to overcome - but then if Russia do the same to Croatia which is quite possible - might we all regret not seeing Crouchie in an England shirt even if was only for 45minutes !! Like in American football they bring on a dedicated kicker for the field goals - think it's a massive oversight by Southgate.

As I said maybe unfashionable and maybe not the 'Right Way' as some would see it - but winning World Cups (or promotion) can hinge on such decisions.

[garthrockett]

We are a long way from considerations on how to play against Russia......Columbia stand in the way first; an difficult -but not insurmountable- obstacle.

[redandwhitemike]

We are a long way from considerations on how to play against Russia......Columbia stand in the way first; an difficult -but not insurmountable- obstacle.

Come on Garth - lets think positive

We can beat Colombia I'm sure - hat-trick for 'arry !!!