FIFA World Cup 2018 - Russia

[Geoff D]

That's it then, we finish second. Columbia await and if England play like that they'll get murdered like poor old Andres Escobar back in the day. Feast or famine, the greatest joy or the depths of despair, THIS IS ENGLAND!

[tob]

That is a sick thing to say you sad person.

[Geoff D]

Yeah I've given up trying to be civil, there's no point, I'll revert to irreverent/off colour Geoffy from here on out. I give you the power of football, ladies and gentlemen!

[dublinbluray108]

I think England will have become the luckier side after their defeat against Belgium. I heard that England will only have to face Columbia & then then the winner of Sweden & Switzerland in the semi-final. Belgium have a much tougher draw on hand because their next game is up against Japan in the next round. If Belgium win the game against Japan; then Belgium's next game is up against Brazil.

If Southgate needed to give Kane a rest for tonight. It's probably a good call for them to keep him for Tuesday. But one man on the pitch can't really be saved with saving an entire country's team behind him. Football can throw up some unusual tactics within it's games and how it's played with either team.

This WC has shown what can be done with Football when the higher spec teams are not properly focused on getting a win for their country. It has shown that when Germany got knocked out of the tournament yesterday against South Korea. There is no probability that Germany will win it for another few years anyway because right now it is anyone's else opportunity to get their hands on the title once they get into the final.

That is what makes it more exciting for anyone to watch. It makes it unpredictable, it makes it tense & it makes the pressure even more worth it in the end as these remaining teams get more respect & bragging rights for their country.

[Bullitt]

Originally Posted by dublinbluray108

I think England will have become the luckier side after their defeat against Belgium. I heard that England will only have to face Columbia & then then the winner of Sweden & Switzerland in the semi-final. Belgium have a much tougher draw on hand because their next game is up against Japan in the next round. If Belgium win the game against Japan; then Belgium's next game is up against Brazil.

If Southgate needed to give Kane a rest for tonight. It's probably a good call for them to keep him for Tuesday. But one man on the pitch can't really be saved with saving an entire country's team behind him. Football can throw up some unusual tactics within it's games and how it's played with either team.

You’re a game ahead of yourself.
Second round match next and the winner of that into the Q-F.

[Geoff D]

Can't look beyond Columbia at this point. The name's Rodriguez, James Rodriguez.

[Ben_C]

Rodriguez went off injured today though...

[Geoff D]

He wasn't all the way fit coming into the tournament, no. Got the golden boot in the last World Cup, if he's playing you can't count him out of it.

[Martoto]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

If people just said "I hate England" I'd have a lot more respect for them than all the niggly points-scoring nonsense that's been going on in this thread. As I said: People can give it large all they want, just don't dress it up as "the truth" like you're opening my eyes to it for the first time. Dude, I'm English, I know exactly how arrogant we are and for no real reason, given how poor the team has been in recent times, but that's the point: no matter how much I tried to explain how refreshing those first two games were, PURELY from a football perspective, people kept schooling me on how arseholic "England's media and fans" are. Eh. No-one likes us, business as usual then.

I see Wrighty keeps dressing in the dark, those shirts, ye gods my eyes. Ze goggles do nothing!

Gleefully reminding you of the kind of guff we have to listen to from the media, regardless of how refreshingly good it is in football terms, doesn't equate to hating you. Sorry to disappoint.

Here's encouraging news for you though. I turned the sound off so I have no opinion to give on whatever they had to say or how it reflects on all the English peoples. Let's see how long the ceasefire lasts. If it breaks though. It will only be friendly fire that recommences.

Wrighty needs to wear Timmy Mallet type specs. And hope they draw attention from whatever it is he's wearing.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I see Wrighty keeps dressing in the dark, those shirts, ye gods my eyes. Ze goggles do nothing!

ITV should put up those on-screen warnings from years ago - "Please do not adjust your set".

[Geoff D]

I can only think that if it was being broadcast in HDR then those shirts will have people's eyes melting out of their sockets.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

Christ, we lost it 1-0. Now, I feel like we'll go out because it's Colombia and not Japan.

Don’t worry about it, we won’t!

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Both teams are playing like a bunch of strangers but Belgium are easily the classier of the two, England in this guise remind me of all the second-rate hoofers we've seen so far who do the running but just don't have the quality or the composure to make it count in the opposition's box, Alexander-Arnold's set piece delivery has been extremely poor.

They are a young team though Geoff, they will have benefitted from that game no doubt. Impressed with Maguire tonight, looked very assured.
I am still very upbeat and can’t wait for Tuesday!

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

ITV should put up those on-screen warnings from years ago - "Please do not adjust your set".

Too right mate, (no pun intended).

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Don’t worry about it, we won’t!

*Attempts to look on the bright side*

At least we'll get more closeups of the female Colombian supporters!

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

That's it then, we finish second. Columbia await and if England play like that they'll get murdered like poor old Andres Escobar back in the day. Feast or famine, the greatest joy or the depths of despair, THIS IS ENGLAND!

Fantastic film and tv series (This Is England) by the way Geoff. Love Stephen Graham and Vicky Mclure.

Yeah, you worry too much, we will be fine. I think we have got plenty to overcome Columbia. Like Dublin said, we have a fair draw for the quarters also IF we progress.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

They are a young team though Geoff, they will have benefitted from that game no doubt.

I'm inclined to agree. Besides, any team can lose a match, but it's how you bounce back after a defeat that's important. It's still going to be a tough game against Colombia I would say, so we'll see what happens.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Bullitt

But there has been plenty of truth written,it hasn’t been dressed up as anything,you and Steedeel have swerved questions like a Januzaj shot!

Who’s here to earn your respect?haha,who are you??

No idea what you are talking about?

What questions have I swerved? All I have stated is that I’m proud to be English and I won’t have us slagged off by some cliche spouting forum member who thinks we are a nation of thugs.

You are getting pissed off with the media because you have a chip on your shoulder about England. Well, I’m sorry but tough. I work hard, I pay my way in life and if I want to have a few weeks to enjoy the footy and maybe build up my hope that my country can go far in the World Cup, I’m going to do that.
I also dont apologise for loving my country. I’m English and I’m ****** proud of it!

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

I'm inclined to agree. Besides, any team can lose a match, but it's how you bounce back after a defeat that's important. It's still going to be a tough game against Colombia I would say, so we'll see what happens.

It will, but if those key players are all on the button, I think we will sneak it. I’m going to have a bottle of Bud on Tuesday (don’t normally drink) a takeaway and the rest is up to England.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I’m going to have a bottle of Bud on Tuesday (don’t normally drink) a takeaway and the rest is up to England.

Well, you have to let your hair down now and again, and now is as good a time as any.
I'll be in work on Tuesday, so I'll catch the highlights later on.