Mole_Toonfan

If that doesn't prove Quaresma is the GOAT i don't know what does.

It's not a coincidence that since he stopped doing it every game for Madrid they've won the CL 3 years running.

Iran are really unlucky they were put in this group, they look miles better than i thought.

Can't say i'm surprised, as much as i like Bernado Silva the way they play doesn't suit him at all. Same goes for that Guedes lad.

What has to happen for that?

It kind of is like. I doubt you'd be saying this if you'd watched them tonight, they're definitely good like. Tbh I think England could give anyone a game, in terms of winning or losing though, it's a tough one to call, but Columbia would be the last team from that group I'd want us to play. At the same time i doubt you and others would be saying they are good after the Japan game, it works both ways.

I've seen plenty of good teams go down to 10 men and not look as bad as they did, besides if they don't beat Senegal they aren't going through anyway

That's not really an excuse to look as average as they did, even when James came on he didn't look good. If they look good against Senegal then fair enough but i really don't think they are as good as some here do.

I didn't watch Colombia today but they looked like crap against Japan, leading me to believe Poland are just that bad. Also Senegal while athletic are incredibly naive as today's game showed. If we are as professional as i think we are neither of them concern me personally, if anything i think Japan are the best of the 3 so far.

Win the group IMO, we'll have to face a top team eventually you can't really avoid it. I wouldn't be surprised if we lose in the second round though I don't mind it however as i really like how professional this team seems to be which bolds well for future tournaments unless the whole thing goes off the deep end for some reason.

In all seriousness I maybe more positive than usual, but that's mainly because I see a team which plays like a team. It gets me really excited for some reason even if we get knocked out in the 2nd round this tournament will bring more happiness to me than any other has in the last 15 years. I actually care this time for some reason, I haven't given a shit since 2002 so it's weird.

After 52 years of ALLOWING countries to enjoy World Cup success we are taking back what's ours.

As crazy as Maradona was his team looked somewhat normal compared what we've seen from Argentina this tournament. Which is absolutely crazy in of itself.

It could be BS tbf but until he proves he's a Pardew type fraud I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Before this tournament they went 3 tournaments ( 1 WC and 2 copa Americas) without losing in normal time (lost in extra time, penalties) They maybe some structural similarities but in they didn't really look incapable of winning, which is the case in this tournament so far.

Interesting he said that, I remember Guardiola saying something similar a few years ago. I wonder what these managers think they can learn from other sports which can translate to football.

He's already said he's only starting Dier or Henderson, I really don't see him changing his mind this quickly. Maybe he'll bring Dier on to close out a game but I can't see him starting both, also I don't want him too either as I feel it gives the impetus to Belgium. They play De Bruyne and Witsel as a 2 in midfield, playing Dier and Henderson together basically concedes the midfield to them and I would personally prefer to try and exploit the fact they will be very open in midfield. Try and get Alli (if he's fit) and Lingard running off the back of De Bruyne as I doubt he'll track them that well, that's the key to winning this game imo.

I don't think we'll be as open against top opposition tbf, I expect the team be more careful as the tournament progresses. It doesn't take a lot either, just dropping a few yards or not dribbling from the back as much. Like I said my biggest concern is creating from open play and has been since the tournament started. We just don't have that level of midfielder, but I do feel like Southgate has done a really good job of hiding those weaknesses by pressing early on and having players who can break pressure through dribbling. I expect eventually a team which has that higher quality of midfielder will be our undoing, but when it happens I don't expect to get embarrassed like in most tournaments.

Feel like Japan are really good when they can play through midfield but struggle to enforce themselves on the game enough for it to really matter.

First game was basically Walker being a moron( they barely got in the box outside of that) and elbowing someone and the second game we were up 6-0 and much better teams would have also conceded in the same scenario. You just get careless when you have big leads, if Real Madrid has done it then obviously we will. I'm a lot more concerned with our ability to create in open play personally, conceding 1 goal in each game is nowhere near as concerning as that to me.

Sure but we don't know how this team will react to that yet, i'm not as quick to rule out a possibility they could be good as you are tbh. As of right now we don't know how good/bad they could be in that scenario, it's all conjecture.

Can see why Lascelles wasn't picked tbh. We've looked pretty dodgy at the back IMO but it's nearly all been of our own making. Aye same, couldn't see Lascelles playing as expansively as our defenders have been tbh. Shelvey wouldn't make much sense given how we play either, you could bring him for a sub option i suppose but in general i understand why he made those decisions now. we've played against two of the worst teams going tbf, the point about lascelles and shelvey was always to give yourself the option of having something different if he thinks we play this defence against good teams and don't get punished he's insane imo Yeah but he's playing 3 in the back, all the defenders are asked to carry the ball forward and we are pressing a lot. Not exactly something which is suited to Lascelles skillset personally. I'm sure against big teams we will adapt accordingly but personally i don't have any issues with the decisions he's made now i've seen how he wants the team to play.

Can see why Lascelles wasn't picked tbh. We've looked pretty dodgy at the back IMO but it's nearly all been of our own making. Aye same, couldn't see Lascelles playing as expansively as our defenders have been tbh. Shelvey wouldn't make much sense given how we play either, you could bring him for a sub option i suppose but in general i understand why he made those decisions now.