The Official 2018 Russia World Cup natter

[mko9]

Group A has got to be one of the biggest cream puff draws in the history of the World Cup.

[MissChief]

Blackpuddin said:

darren f said:

MissChief said:

I can see England needing a result against Belgium in the last game after a 0-0 draw and a 1-0 win. And then getting humped 3 or 4-0.

Absolutely- Watching the draw yesterday my immediate thought was we needed to play Belgium first as they are notorious slow starters. Which, if it is the case next summer, could well mean both they and us go into the last game needing a result. Which historically doesn't tend to end well for us.

To take a glass half full approach, we could conceivably give Panama and Tunisia a good thumping and then try a few of our young players in the 'dead rubber' game against Belgium. That would be interesting.

And then when they play absolutely brilliantly and thrash Belgium 3 or 4 nil they get replaced by the same tired old 'International tournament experienced' players who spectacularly fail to impress, the same as they always do? If I were Southgate (or any previous England Manager for that matter) I'd be playing Rashford and Lingard and Shaw (if he starts to get games, he was great in United's match tonight apparently) and anyone else. Let them have a proper go in the team and let them play expansively. So many teams are positively petrified of losing their first match in the tournament they play negatively and often games are decided by a single goal. If, as has been said, Gareth's job is safe regardless, live a little, play the younger players in the first game and if they play well, keep playing them!

[FN2TypeR]

mko9 said:

Group A has got to be one of the biggest cream puff draws in the history of the World Cup.

Woeful isn't it? Wait until they expand the number of entrants, we'll see some right rubbish then

Scotland still won't qualify though

[Puggit]

Settled on Nigeria vs Argentina in St Petersburg. Waiting for my Russian friend to get tickets, then will book flights (need the ticket to avoid applying for visa).

[Ayahuasca]

Anyone going?

Should be a spare ticket as Prince WIlliam has said he is not attending.

[Puggit]

No - my Russian friend didn't even try to get tickets. And then Mrs Puggit got a job, so I have to use my holiday to look after the kids

[TTmonkey]

With this chaos happening with the nerve gas incident I could see England not competing.

[Ayahuasca]

I can see them not competing too.

They will however attend.

[Leroy902]

TTmonkey said:

With this chaos happening with the nerve gas incident I could see England not competing.

It's ok. It's not like we'd get past the group stage anyway.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Ayahuasca said:

I can see them not competing too.

They will however attend.

[Ayahuasca]

According to the news today, "England will not be coming home after the group stage".

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43951444

When I heard that I thought, fk me, they are going to defect to Russia!

[Leroy902]

Under big Sam, I'd be confident we'd get through the group stages (at worst). Under a manager with barely any experience, I don't see us getting through the group stages. And the performances will be horrendous.

[mko9]

Ayahuasca said:

According to the news today, "England will not be coming home after the group stage".

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43951444

When I heard that I thought, fk me, they are going to defect to Russia!

Or all be killed by a combination of Russian football hooligans and whatever the KGB is called these days.

[Black can man]

This must be the only World cup where my interest is absolutely zero. Personally i think it's going to be a disaster .

Not much looking forward to the next one neither.


I know i'm a grumpy old so & so but i just can't wait for the Prem to start again.

[TTmonkey]

Leroy902 said:

Under big Sam, I'd be confident we'd get through the group stages (at worst). Under a manager with barely any experience, I don't see us getting through the group stages. And the performances will be horrendous.

Maybe the players will play better for a younger, more in-tune manager. Someone they can relate to, who has a recent history as a player, than someone they just see as a bit of a dinosaur with no track record of winning owt....?

[GTO-3R]

TTmonkey said:

Maybe the players will play better for a younger, more in-tune manager. Someone they can relate to, who has a recent history as a player, than someone they just see as a bit of a dinosaur with no track record of winning owt....?

Agreed!

I'd much rather play for Southgate than Allardice. Whilst Southgate might have less experience, he's willing to try something different a play a young team at this world cup with a hope of the next one where the same lads will have more experience and do better. Allardice is a relic in football terms.

[TTmonkey]

Looking at the draw, should England get through the group stage and through the first knockout game, I’d see them face Germany or Brazil in the quarters.....

That would be tough to get through.

[zokovic]

Bad luck for Italy and Chile. They always play speedy games. Russia will miss both teams.

[gadgetmac]

TTmonkey said:

Looking at the draw, should England get through the group stage and through the first knockout game, I’d see them face Germany or Brazil in the quarters.....

That would be tough to get through.

Brazil are beatable, as long as they go into it knowing they can win. Too many teams are beaten by the mere mention of the word ‘Brazil’. Germany showed what could be done in the World Cup semi in Brazil with no fear.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

gadgetmac said:

Brazil are beatable,

Not by Iceland they ain't. If we play Brazil, we will go into it knowing we will lose, and they will go in knowing they will win, and both will be correct.