World Cup Discussion

[Filo]

wtf is that ruddy women on about

I thought she talked a lot of sense

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Been chatting with a mate of mine in Holland. He said the Dutch expert summarisers said that was a "very mature performance" by England. That felt like the performance of really serious contenders.

It's harder to judge when it's your country undoubtedly.  Other countries will be watching and thinking Kane, Bellingham absolute world class. The Harry Kane performance tonight was about as good as it gets, 2 goals, 1 assist, tackles the lot.

For me, I'd be questioning the defensive set up but with the attacking players England have, go for the win and accept the odd goal conceded as there are goals all across that attack and on the bench.

[ncRover]

Unbelievable in attack.

Better to have a dodgy defensive performance early on. Surely Guehi comes in to calm it down.

LB a slight concern.

[BillyStubbsTears]

My Dutch mate summed it up for me. There's a calm, confident intelligence about this group of players that every tournament winner has. And in all honesty, we've never had it before. We've either been shit-or-bust, or not really believing we could dominate a good side.

[Rupee92ONLY]

If there were any doubt still left hanging over Anderson they can be lobbed in bin. Quality player.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Well that was a mixed bag with all aspects of our game and mentality on show.

Lots to work on but a relief to be off to a winning start.

[NickDRFC]

wtf is that ruddy women on about

I thought she talked a lot of sense

Watching in the pub so didn’t hear the content but it feels very misjudged to have it from what looks like a kitchen. I’m sure there wouldn’t be the same reaction if that was Glenn Hoddle, though.

Really happy with that performance. Like France we really stepped up second half. Plenty to work on but loads of positives. Hopefully everyone who loves to say how shit England are and how terrible it is to watch them when they don’t even know that we’re playing can recognise that.

It’s coming home.

[Ryaldinhio]

I thought the subs were impressive in both selection and input.

Saka and rashford caused problems, combined for a goal and maybe should have twice.

Spence looked rapid when he came on and looked better than Reece James.

Rodgers came on and caused bother, a point to prove.

Gueye getting minutes and looked composed. He is better than Stones IMO so hope his fitness gets resolved.

Hopefully those going off were tactical and/or cautionary and no injuries.

Second half was totally different performance and clearly had the bollocking needed. Notably Bellingham worked a hell of a lot harder in second half and Kane stayed further up.

[drfchound]

As England fans I think we are over critical of the team.
Fans of other countries will have seen that tonight and have us noted as one of the best four or five teams in the tournament.
We could have scored six tonight but for a superb display by the Croatian keeper.

[jmt23]

I was just about to raise that point - we have really impressive strength in depth, probably netter than ever before.
I don’t watch many Prem games, and have never seen Anderson, he is some player.

[MachoMadness]

Probably the most entertaining England game at a major tournament since... the 3-0 against Denmark in 2002? dare I say the 4-1 v Netherlands at euro 96? Feels odd watching an enjoyable performance in a world cup!

Yes we were sloppy at times but there is real quality in this team. And we have strong options on the bench. It's a statement win for sure.

[ChrisBx]

Probably the most entertaining England game at a major tournament since... the 3-0 against Denmark in 2002? dare I say the 4-1 v Netherlands at euro 96? Feels odd watching an enjoyable performance in a world cup!

Second half was great tonight, but we did have some good times under Southgate!

[SydneyRover]

Match reaction from Harry Kane

08:12

"I thought [it was] a game of two halves. First half, we were OK. Really disappointed to concede the way we did," the England captain told ITV. "Credit to the manager, the manager gave us a speech at half-time as if to say, 'Look, if we lose, we lose in our way' and you saw that with how we came out in the second half. We went full gas and they couldn't deal with it and that's the level we have to set for every game so credit to everyone – the first game of the tournament [and] a great result against a top side."

Fair comment, we didn't look like losing at any point in the second half.

[ncRover]

Got lazy in the second half of that first half.

Tuchel obviously gave them a rocket at half time.

With him, that inferiority complex of recent times looks to have gone. Meek Southgate would have allowed the players to sit deep and invite pressure. “Oh no they have Modric, scary!” would have been the old attitude.

We have the hardest to play against midfield in the world. And in Kane and Saka, two of the most intelligent forward players.

Believe.

It’s a squad game. Let’s not nit pick and try to create scapegoats. We have the competition for places and a very serious manager.

[Ryaldinhio]

Got lazy in the second half of that first half.

Tuchel obviously gave them a rocket at half time.

With him, that inferiority complex of recent times looks to have gone. Meek Southgate would have allowed the players to sit deep and invite pressure. “Oh no they have Modric, scary!” would have been the old attitude.

We have the hardest to play against midfield in the world. And in Kane and Saka, two of the most intelligent forward players.

Believe.

It’s a squad game. Let’s not nit pick and try to create scapegoats. We have the competition for places and a very serious manager.

I was impressed with Tuchels interview post match.

[Pancho Regan]

A new experience for me, watching the game amongst a load of other England fans in the Sports Bar at Center Parcs.

It was good to share all the emotions with like-minded people!

A great win, even though they made us sweat as always.

[scawsby steve]

Whatever Tuchel said at HT, it worked. The intensity went up to a different level, and the substitutions were superb. Croatia couldn't cope with us after that.

Oh, and for those that don't know, Emma Hayes OBE is regarded as one of the best coaches in the women's game of all time. Her achievements with the Chelsea women's team and the USA national women's team are phenomenal.

 

[graingrover]

I watched it on French TV and to echo the remark  from the Dutch the French pundits expressed their surprise at the team qualities shown . They even compared our team work to that of  it to their own national team .Before kick off  they only knew of Kane and Bellingham but then discovered England’s teamwork.



 

[IDM]

I didn’t like the what I call “fannying about” at the back..  it’s ok in general but I thought they were close to the wire with too many touches before moving it on, at times.  Going to get caught out badly eventually.

Great going forward, with intensity and pace.  Not quite at France’s level IMHO.

[Filo]

Kane’s first penalty, why do the stutter? It just puts extra doubt in the takers mind for me, just run up and hit the f**ker hard and high

Anthony Gordon, I reckon Newcastle have had Barcelona’s pants down on that one

[ncRover]

Kane’s first penalty, why do the stutter? It just puts extra doubt in the takers mind for me, just run up and hit the f**ker hard and high

Anthony Gordon, I reckon Newcastle have had Barcelona’s pants down on that one

Gordon is good. It’s one game. Rotate him and Rashford depending on if you need more work rate or more technical ability.

You see the plan. Get fast runners like Gordon and the others going beyond Kane. Then no one complains about him dropping deep. Kane’s passing is world class, it should be utilised.

Southgate just used to clog up the no.10 area with Kane, Foden, Palmer. This isn’t the way.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Kane’s first penalty, why do the stutter? It just puts extra doubt in the takers mind for me, just run up and hit the f**ker hard and high

Anthony Gordon, I reckon Newcastle have had Barcelona’s pants down on that one

We didn't give him the ball,,we were poor down the left with O'Reilly neither here nor there.

[moses]

Kane’s first penalty, why do the stutter? It just puts extra doubt in the takers mind for me, just run up and hit the f**ker hard and high

Anthony Gordon, I reckon Newcastle have had Barcelona’s pants down on that one

Kane said after that he knew the keeper like to go early so if he did the stutter there was a godd chance the keeper would commit.

[Filo]

Kane’s first penalty, why do the stutter? It just puts extra doubt in the takers mind for me, just run up and hit the f**ker hard and high

Anthony Gordon, I reckon Newcastle have had Barcelona’s pants down on that one

Kane said after that he knew the keeper like to go early so if he did the stutter there was a godd chance the keeper would commit.

That explanation doesn’t convince me, what he’s saying is if he missed he was banking on the officials spotting and infringement and a retake

[danumdon]

In past tournaments against teams like Croatia we would have had all on chasing the game and attempting to get the ball off them to play, Its very apparent now that we have the technical player to match teams like this and go beyond.

Our offensive game is very durable with players who are fast, will run at and take on defenders, with alternatives on the bench to take over when required we are certainly blessed in that region. Players like Bellingham and Rodgers will always fashion something from nothing, we just need to wrap Kane in cotton wool Our holding middle is also very strong, Rice and Anderson can dig in, do the hard yards but also create and play more expansively when required.

The defence looks like the area that will test us, if we are to continue with playing out from the back we need to be sharper and more controlled, some of our short passing put us in peril quite a few time, never seen Pickford look to slack and untidy, it seemed to rub off on the rest and led to some hairy moments, concentration and focus should improve after this, Guehi's experience and control could have helped.

Overall a fantastic start, gives Tuchel many options now for the later games, if he wants them.

Momentum is everything, we could be onto something quite special here!

[selby]

  Sorry to burst the bubble of the intelligent reading of the game by the lady at full and half time lads, but, I once watched a programme about the professional analysts who sit in the back ground picking out the salient points  on the computer for the so called expert faces to discuss and pass on their expertise to the great thick audience.
  They are just a front with a name.
  Jack at the back the brains, plus the computer and the many play backs of course.

[Filo]

  Sorry to burst the bubble of the intelligent reading of the game by the lady at full and half time lads, but, I once watched a programme about the professional analysts who sit in the back ground picking out the salient points  on the computer for the so called expert faces to discuss and pass on their expertise to the great thick audience.
  They are just a front with a name.
  Jack at the back the brains, plus the computer and the many play backs of course.

Why have you never pointed this out over the years when we’ve had male experts?

[Nudga]

This was a victory for immigration. 

[RoversInSpain]

England have just lit up the World Cup for me Great Match.
Love the physicality and strength that Tuchel has gone for, big strong lads, Bellingham, Anderson, Kane, MRogers, Rashford, Madueke. Clearly he’s also got the players on board, that was some change of attitude in the 2nd half.
At 3-2, absolutely loved the Subs, attack minded,  and…Spence looked like a prime racehorse flying forward. No shutting up shop there.
Loved it!

[Filo]

England have just lit up the World Cup for. Great Match.
Love the physicality and strength that Tuchel has gone for, big strong lads, Bellingham, Anderson, Kane, MRogers, Rashford, Madueke. Clearly he’s also got the players on board, that was some change of attitude in the 2nd half.
At 3-2, absolutely loved the Subs, attack minded,  and…Spence looked like a prime racehorse flying forward. No shutting up shop there.
Loved it!

Spence looked a better RB than James, with miles more pace and atheticism