The Official England Thread-The Team We All Support [Vol 2]
Discussion
Fairly harsh analysis I think so far. It’s worth bearing in mind we haven’t won an opening game since 2006. This win gives the team time to breath and not feel paralysed by pressure.
We started well. We missed a few sitters which ended up flattering Tunisia. And yes Sterling ought to be playing second fiddle to Rashford. But think about it: there were I counted 3 missed point blanks that would have made the overall result very different if say Platt or Lineker were on the receiving end. We’ll see if anyone steps up: it’s early doors.
Tunisia made a mistake thinking they could shut down the game in the second half and fouled appallingly especially on England set pieces where Kane was being mugged. The VAR and ref was a disgrace but hey ho: you play the game you’ve got.
We wilted in heat but hung on for rightful win - I suspect Southgate misjudged the heat effect and admitted as much. BUT. Job done. I was impressed: this team makes some key changes that have been a source of real annoyance for a long time and it’s good to see.
Belgium won’t be easy: good team and probably judging by the reaction on here any marginal result will be seen as an indictment. But when you’re playing at this level nowadays it’s pretty much a % game as Argentina, Germany et al discovered this week.
Been pretty ambivalent about this tournament in the run up but it’s bubbling up nicely imo.
We started well. We missed a few sitters which ended up flattering Tunisia. And yes Sterling ought to be playing second fiddle to Rashford. But think about it: there were I counted 3 missed point blanks that would have made the overall result very different if say Platt or Lineker were on the receiving end. We’ll see if anyone steps up: it’s early doors.
Tunisia made a mistake thinking they could shut down the game in the second half and fouled appallingly especially on England set pieces where Kane was being mugged. The VAR and ref was a disgrace but hey ho: you play the game you’ve got.
We wilted in heat but hung on for rightful win - I suspect Southgate misjudged the heat effect and admitted as much. BUT. Job done. I was impressed: this team makes some key changes that have been a source of real annoyance for a long time and it’s good to see.
Belgium won’t be easy: good team and probably judging by the reaction on here any marginal result will be seen as an indictment. But when you’re playing at this level nowadays it’s pretty much a % game as Argentina, Germany et al discovered this week.
Been pretty ambivalent about this tournament in the run up but it’s bubbling up nicely imo.
gadgetmac said:
If Kane gets injured we are royally screwed.
Can’t see where the goals would come from.
Reminds me of this...Can’t see where the goals would come from.
https://youtu.be/bBF1wwkAVc8
Moley RUFC said:
cerb4.5lee said:
A lucky goal at the end to disguise a lacklustre performance overall for me. Thank God Kane knows where the net is though. Happy with 3 points for sure, but its just so boring watching England play sadly.
Utter garbage.What game were you watching?
Something that's being overlooked due to the hysteria over the Kane injury time winner is that in the prior move to that goal we very very nearly got done by a fantastic pass which split the defence and put them through, but for the excellent pace of Kyle Walker to rescue the situation. He shepherded the guy down the left channel and got the ball back almost on our own goal line, passed to Trippier who then gave it him back via a cheeky nutmeg which was the start of a 14 pass move up to the other end resulting in the corner which lead to the goal. A really good piece of patient play by England in that situation which was nice to see.
I felt that Loftus Cheek and Rashford both made the most of their minutes on the pitch and made us look to have that attacking threat again. 3 points in the bag, if we get 3 more on Sunday then everything is good and we can wait to go out on Penalties. (Do I recall Southgate starring in a Pizza add related to penalties?)
Brave Fart said:
For those saying "scrap VAR, let the ref decide"........I disagree. The system is supposed to be an assistant to the ref, so that it picks up any glaring errors he has made. The ref tonight was incompetent, and missed two obvious penalties. What is needed is more VAR intervention, not less. You need a system that forces the ref to review crucial errors. Either allow the VAR observers to stop the game, or follow cricket's example, and give the aggrieved team the chance to demand a review. If they fail, they lose their review. If successful, they keep it.
Plus, VAR can prove, for all to see, that a given ref is incompetent - and maybe bent, who knows? Tonight's ref, and linesmen, should be on the next plane home, with VAR the proof of their wretched performance.
The commentator said VAR light went green, so they were looking at the first Kane penalty shout, how can they not see it was penalty as I said earlier the operators should be questioned.Plus, VAR can prove, for all to see, that a given ref is incompetent - and maybe bent, who knows? Tonight's ref, and linesmen, should be on the next plane home, with VAR the proof of their wretched performance.
hilly10 said:
Brave Fart said:
For those saying "scrap VAR, let the ref decide"........I disagree. The system is supposed to be an assistant to the ref, so that it picks up any glaring errors he has made. The ref tonight was incompetent, and missed two obvious penalties. What is needed is more VAR intervention, not less. You need a system that forces the ref to review crucial errors. Either allow the VAR observers to stop the game, or follow cricket's example, and give the aggrieved team the chance to demand a review. If they fail, they lose their review. If successful, they keep it.
Plus, VAR can prove, for all to see, that a given ref is incompetent - and maybe bent, who knows? Tonight's ref, and linesmen, should be on the next plane home, with VAR the proof of their wretched performance.
The commentator said VAR light went green, so they were looking at the first Kane penalty shout, how can they not see it was penalty as I said earlier the operators should be questioned.Plus, VAR can prove, for all to see, that a given ref is incompetent - and maybe bent, who knows? Tonight's ref, and linesmen, should be on the next plane home, with VAR the proof of their wretched performance.
If so, it's just going to stir up more on-field dissent as players will feel the need to protest wildly for the penalty just so the VAR refs notice them.....
Sticking with Dele Ali so long after he appeared injured was a fairly big error by Southgate. The guy contributed virtually nothing after that point. Rashford should have come on a little earlier as should Lotus cheekbone:-)
However it's a win and we looked good in the first half. It could easily have been a draw but they showed spirit at least.
However it's a win and we looked good in the first half. It could easily have been a draw but they showed spirit at least.
I agree that VAR has probably made bad decisions more, rather than less, likely.
On the playing side:
(1) What is the argument for Sterling over Rashford? Rashford is quite bad at finishing and passing, but Sterling is terrible at both!
(2) Henderson was his usual self. He’s not got any real quality at all. But we knew that. And we have no options. He will get badly found out against a big side and lose us the game, yet we have nobody better to play in that role.
(3) Lingard is our most threatening attacking player, so it would be mad to drop him. He pulls the defence around and creates lots of chances for himself and others.
(4) We have lots more to come from Kane, hopefully. He was terrible apart from his goals. But scoring two goals while playing badly is a pretty good sign!
On the playing side:
(1) What is the argument for Sterling over Rashford? Rashford is quite bad at finishing and passing, but Sterling is terrible at both!
(2) Henderson was his usual self. He’s not got any real quality at all. But we knew that. And we have no options. He will get badly found out against a big side and lose us the game, yet we have nobody better to play in that role.
(3) Lingard is our most threatening attacking player, so it would be mad to drop him. He pulls the defence around and creates lots of chances for himself and others.
(4) We have lots more to come from Kane, hopefully. He was terrible apart from his goals. But scoring two goals while playing badly is a pretty good sign!
Quick note on the first (and more obvious) VAR incident. Just before Kane is clear tackled to the ground Stones makes a very obvious and strong push on a defender. It might be that this was seen first and so cancelled out the following rugby tackle - no pen.
However... FIFA must come out and say this, if it's the case. They are bringing themselves in to disrepute currently. Also the tackle is still worthy of a red card for dangerous play.
However... FIFA must come out and say this, if it's the case. They are bringing themselves in to disrepute currently. Also the tackle is still worthy of a red card for dangerous play.
hilly10 said:
The commentator said VAR light went green, so they were looking at the first Kane penalty shout, how can they not see it was penalty as I said earlier the operators should be questioned.
The only thing I can think of is that they saw the push by Stones and thought that that was the first offence.Edit must have been posting the same time as Puggit.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 19th June 08:03
zygalski said:
The entire second half was terrible. An embarrassment. Our young team, full of energy looked like they were all ready to collapse after 60 minutes.
What game were you watching?
That's because they exerted too much energy in the 1st half with a quick high press. We see Liverpool do it and they always tire in the 2nd half. I fear that when we play a 'clever' team, they'll keep it tight for the first half and we won't have the legs in the 2nd half to beat them.What game were you watching?
Some b
ks i'm reading in here this morning. No it wasn't the best performance but the players all showed grit and determination to go to the final whistle and win. Showed a lot of character.
Also the first game is always a nervy affair, just look at Germany, Brazil and Argentina for reference.
Stop bhing and get behind the players ffs.
ks i'm reading in here this morning. No it wasn't the best performance but the players all showed grit and determination to go to the final whistle and win. Showed a lot of character.Also the first game is always a nervy affair, just look at Germany, Brazil and Argentina for reference.
Stop b
hing and get behind the players ffs.
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