leffe186

It was quite nice being able to flick to the other match for the second half, as the red card meant Uruguay Russia became far less interesting.

Saudi Arabia deserved that. Egypt have been terrible.

Stating the obvious, but VAR has been so good for us because it has made corners and wide free-kicks so much more dangerous. The move a couple of years ago to combat the all-in wrestling at set pieces seemed to devolve fairly rapidly into lip service, but VAR has given it a shot in the arm. One reason the US didn’t qualify this year - and often struggle against the smaller CONCACAF sides - is that the opponents often get carte blanche to engage in the sort of spoiling and fouling and general bullshit we saw today. There’s a reason why Panama seemed so amazed that they weren’t allowed to do whatever the fuck they wanted. I am still not totally comfortable with VAR, but if they take the next obvious step and start clamping down on diving then that’s a couple of real footballing bugbears that it will address. It will need a serious commitment for change, which I am not sure we can count on yet given the bizarre decisions to repeatedly not card people for diving (and by people, I obviously mean Neymar). Today was fun. After the Tunisia match I nearly posted some smug bullshit about how you now know how reassuring it is to have Kane up front in your team. Well there’s that smug bullshit. Panama aren’t completely shit, but like a lot of minnows their game involves a considerable amount of snidery. Take that away, and they don’t have a great deal else. I was very encouraged by our right side, and wow, RLC is a fucking unit. Lingard is such a good team player, and it shows the value of having a team that has grown up together. Sterling still flatters to deceive for me, although his pace is a nice counterpoint to Kane. I really like Rashford and Vardy as options. Henderson did well, although the suspicion is that that will come to an ignominious end against a good side. Which brings me to the defence. I still can’t escape the feeling that we have three out of five defenders who don’t look particularly comfortable or convincing in their positions. We’re clearly going to score goals - particularly if the current VAR trend at corners persists - but our defence is going to drop a couple of clangers in every game, and I can see the wheels coming off pretty quickly if things turn sour.

It’s so fucking frustrating. We’ve put ourselves in the best possible position to reduce playacting and diving, but have suddenly decided to not give a fuck. Also, France are going to spawn their way to the World Cup, aren’t they?

I was surprised that Lamela didn’t get the call-up, but figured they had a plan that he just didn’t fit into. Turns out they didn’t. Not that he’s great, but he puts himself about, takes people on, and gives a shit. They could have done worse, and did.

Saw Spurs fans saying they wanted Yedlin back Absurd Fuck me, not sure which Spurs fans you’ve been hanging out with ?

Naah . We’re amateurs, these guys are pros.

I don’t think anyone hates him, but a lot of people question whether he’s a good enough defender against the top sides. Lovely crossed of a ball, not a dribbler. I like him a lot, but I understand why Poch was looking for an upgrade when Walker left.

Yup - how are we not winning this?

Just trying to hold the guy off and he was a bit closer than he thought. Soft as owt, but understandable. We look like I think we all expected. Fast and decent going forward, particularly wide, but only Kane and Alli with real composure in front of goal. Rose should be in for Young based on this performance - both defensively and just to have a left-footed player there. The three CBs are just not quite good enough, although sooner or later one is going to score a header. Ref has started to give us some decisions now, which will help.

Well done, It's fucking Tunisia. Just catching up. Mike speaking from the glassiest of glass houses .

Fair play though, fully expected a pathetic red there, and a yellow was a nice surprise.

I meant the handbags, not the VAR bollocks afterwards.

love this stuff.

Scratch that. This refereeing team is deeply unconvincing.

I think she’s been pretty good. Some decent insights.

That slowmo of the header was kinda cool .

This ref is a bit unconvincing.

Absolutely. I think they might get undone by pace at the back too.

Costa Rica are pretty well-organized. Just feel like Serbia could use a little more pace out wide.

Man, bury that.

Gentlemen, it’s been a pleasure. Just wish I wasn’t working tomorrow.

Somebody go look up the odds. Edit: Nice one Kaz

If Quaresma has scored that I might have retired from watching football.

Crying fans. Just missing a red card now.