*** The Official 2022 World Cup Thread ***

[Capt. Pants 4,236]

Well played Hendo. Got us going tonight.

[keelansgrandad 6,679]

Just now, Well b back said:

Would you play an injured player ? Let’s face it Bellingham, Foden, Saka, Rashford and Grealish are all s***.

The progress of Bellingham has been astonishing. If he stays fit, he is only going to get better. We can mould a team around him for sure.

[Well b back 3,208]

Just now, keelansgrandad said:

The progress of Bellingham has been astonishing. If he stays fit, he is only going to get better. We can mould a team around him for sure.

Living in Birmingham he is worshipped like a god , including by many that support other teams ( including Villa ). He is about to put some of his money his money into youth football centres across Birmingham for disadvantaged kids all over Birmingham.

[Mello Yello 2,296]

I would like to see Madders make a guest appearance....but he's probably too busy sat on the bench playin' 'Angry Birds' on his phone... 

[keelansgrandad 6,679]

I am going to mention Luke Shaw because nobody has yet.

[Well b back 3,208]

5 minutes ago, keelansgrandad said:

The progress of Bellingham has been astonishing. If he stays fit, he is only going to get better. We can mould a team around him for sure.

His younger brother is pretty good as well

[Surfer 1,547]

6 minutes ago, TheGunnShow said:

Nothing wrong with mixing it up. Also nothing wrong with just keeping hold of the ball. 

Refusing to take on the full back has nothing to do with mixing it up. Holding onto the ball in the opposition half may indeed make sense, but the constant passing back to the goalkeeper is inviting a very costly mistake. 

[keelansgrandad 6,679]

Just now, Well b back said:

His younger brother is pretty good as well

Lets hope he is even better

[Well b back 3,208]

1 minute ago, Mello Yello said:

I would like to see Madders make a guest appearance....but he's probably too busy sat on the bench playin' 'Angry Birds' on his phone... 

Or an online casino

[keelansgrandad 6,679]

I bet those Senegalese women don't even know the score. Still dancing and tapping those sticks.

[Capt. Pants 4,236]

Well Senegal quickly gave up. Commanding 2nd half performance. 

[Mello Yello 2,296]

3 minutes ago, Well b back said:

Or an online casino

What's the odds on that?....

[FenwayFrank 2,459]

Pleased for England

 

 

 

 

I think...

 

[cambridgeshire canary 6,724]

2 minutes ago, FenwayFrank said:

Pleased for England

 

 

 

 

I think...

 

The true pride of Britan

[Mello Yello 2,296]

2 minutes ago, FenwayFrank said:

Pleased for England

 

 

 

 

I think...

 

Bet he doesn't struggle with insomnia....he probably lays on his ample tum and rocks himself to sleep....

[Ken Hairy 3,773]

Job done,  pub for the French game then 

[Mello Yello 2,296]

2 minutes ago, cambridgeshire canary said:

The true pride of Britan

i....he probably is

[GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary 1,761]

Anyone off to swansea on sat has 2 hrs to get over the border to find a pub...

[KeiranShikari 1,412]

12 minutes ago, keelansgrandad said:

I am going to mention Luke Shaw because nobody has yet.

One of those players that seemingly always steps up his performances when playing in the England shirt.

[KeiranShikari 1,412]

6 minutes ago, cambridgeshire canary said:

The true pride of Britan

sir tango

[cambridgeshire canary 6,724]

8 minutes ago, Ken Hairy said:

Job done,  pub for the French game then 

You'll need the beer thats for sure

[Well b back 3,208]

5 minutes ago, GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary said:

Anyone off to swansea on sat has 2 hrs to get over the border to find a pub...

Our son has a spare ticket now as he has just booked a flight back over Qatar via Dubai to join his brother who flew back out yesterday.

[Branston Pickle 3,660]

Not that I give a huge amount of credence to the fifa rankings, but the four sides we’ve played so far are from the 16th-20th range.  You can only beat what’s in front of you, but it’s a big old step up to France.  Hopefully we are up to it…

[Well b back 3,208]

England, France Argentina or Holland are now at quite a disadvantage to Spain and Brazil as the former will have to peak in 3 consecutive games, whereas the latter should have a safe passage to the Semis.

[Well b back 3,208]

Bellingham saying a lot of you don’t know what you are talking about, in fact the words ‘ talking rubbish ‘ were used.

[Well b back 3,208]

This thread is as quiet as when Norwich win, I bet it will get a lot noisier on the day we lose ( assuming that we don’t win the whole thing ).

[Virtual reality 709]

Comfortable and completely in control in the end after a very poor start that should have seen us fall behind. France now in the quarters, Southgate was found tactically inept against quality opposition in the previous two competitions. Beat France and those like myself who believe he isn’t capable of stepping up to the big matches when it really matters will have to eat some humble pie. 

[Robert N. LiM 4,367]

On 30/11/2022 at 09:58, Robert N. LiM said:

It's almost as if the manager who's taken England to 50% of their semi-finals and 100% of their finals in the last fifty years knows what he's doing, isn't it?

Once more with feeling

Edit: to add to this: he now has 50% of all England's knockout wins in major tournaments since 1966. Six before him, six under him.

Edited December 4, 2022 by Robert N. LiM

[keelansgrandad 6,679]

5 minutes ago, Virtual reality said:

Comfortable and completely in control in the end after a very poor start that should have seen us fall behind. France now in the quarters, Southgate was found tactically inept against quality opposition in the previous two competitions. Beat France and those like myself who believe he isn’t capable of stepping up to the big matches when it really matters will have to eat some humble pie. 

Its 60 years since any country retained the World Cup. No need to fear France. Just respect them.

[KeiranShikari 1,412]

18 minutes ago, Virtual reality said:

Comfortable and completely in control in the end after a very poor start that should have seen us fall behind. France now in the quarters, Southgate was found tactically inept against quality opposition in the previous two competitions. Beat France and those like myself who believe he isn’t capable of stepping up to the big matches when it really matters will have to eat some humble pie. 

Pretty much same thoughts here.

We're set up to counter which in theory will be what's needed against the best sides but I don't think Southgate has got the mentality for it. He keeps the camp happy but I don't think we have that edge the best sides have.