The Round of 16

[Paullow]

It probably will end in the QF stage, but there won't be any disgrace or shame in losing to the current world champions (and who knows...), but if does end there, then at least it's another 6 days of excitement and a nation interested (mainly the casuals), rather than ending on middle Sunday a full 2 weeks before the final.

 

Disappointing the QF is on ITV again - they've definitely clicked with the England scheduling.

[RodneyCisse]

I’m not scared to go out it’s going out to the French that’ll feel tough.

[TheBrownBottle]

Just now, Klaus said:

Didn't realise Sterling had been burgled.

 

Absolute cunts.

All the Liverpool / Manchester-based players seem to suffer this a lot.

 

I’m constantly told by the press that the NW is preferable to the NE though 

[Dokko]

Could do with someone burgling Mbappe's house. Just saying. 

[BGRM]

Just now, Rafalove said:

I’m scared of the french

I'm just scared of Mbappe

[lxsln]

Will England play with five against France? Maguire and Stones won't stand a fair chance against the fifth ninja turtle.

[LiquidAK]

No doubt there will be more excuses if we beat the French "aye but look at all their injuries! Southgate's still never really been tested"

 

Such dull, low-risk opinions.

 

[54]

Just now, TheBrownBottle said:

With the most technically gifted generation of England players possibly in history. 
 

England won the U-17 and U-20 WC and U-19 Euros in quick succession.  This is a talented group of players.

 

These are good footballers.  There is no miracle in beating Senegal, Ukraine, Sweden, Colombia (on pens), and the shittest German side post-war. 

Thing with this argument is, historically we wouldn't beat them teams, with our "golden Generation" we lost to Portugal in 2004 and 2006, who where hardly amazing at the time, and we didn't even make it to Euro 2008, then in 2010, we struggled to get through the group and got smashed in the last 16 by Germany.

[Jaqen]

France is obviously a different sort of test but Southgate deserves credit for breezing into the quarter finals stress free. Top scorers and 3 clean sheets in a row. Can't knock that at world cup. 

[Klaus]

4 minutes ago, Caleb70 said:

I'm just scared of Mbappe

 

He will want to put on a good display, so he gets his dream move to the Toon in January.

 

 

Edited December 4, 2022 by Klaus

[Ste]

1 minute ago, LiquidAK said:

No doubt there will be more excuses if we beat the French "aye but look at all their injuries! Southgate's still never really been tested"

 

Such dull, low-risk opinions.

 

And literally no one was calling that Germany side at the Euros the worst German team post war.  We beat them and the narrative changes strangely. 

[Kimbo]

I don’t see them beating France, but last 8 is reasonable for this squad.

[Geordie Ahmed]

I don't think England should be getting scared of anyone 

 

If anything France should fear England based on everything we have seen so far 

[Big Geordie]

Job done tonight, despite the shaky start.

 

Maguire is utter guff though.

[LiquidAK]

Just now, Ste said:

And literally no one was calling that Germany side at the Euros the worst German team post war.  We beat them and the narrative changes strangely. 

Right?? 

 

"Aye wait til we play a good team"

 

Beat Germany, pretty comfortably too.

 

"Aye but.... it was at Wembley... and they're not THAT good......"

 

Just no winning  

 

Still think the French will prove a bit too much for us mind

[TheBrownBottle]

1 minute ago, 54 said:

Thing with this argument is, historically we wouldn't beat them teams, with our "golden Generation" we lost to Portugal in 2004 and 2006, who where hardly amazing at the time, and we didn't even make it to Euro 2008, then in 2010, we struggled to get through the group and got smashed in the last 16 by Germany.

The ‘golden generation’ was a load of bollocks though, including at the time - though I get the distinct impression that some of the players bought it.  That ‘golden generation’ did as well as this lot, mind - they beat who they should beat from 02-06, and lost to the sides they were more evenly matched with or inferior to in the knockouts (beat Denmark and Ecuador, lost to Brazil and Portugal x2)

 

England have beat every side they should beat, and lost against both sides they were more evenly matched against.  It isn’t brilliance on Southgate’s part - this is England performing to par.  Beat the French and he’ll have done something England managers don’t do - win a knockout game against a heavyweight.

[TheBrownBottle]

2 minutes ago, Ste said:

And literally no one was calling that Germany side at the Euros the worst German team post war.  We beat them and the narrative changes strangely. 

They’ve just went out for the second successive WC group stage for the first time since the ‘30s.  I don’t know anyone who didn’t think England would beat them at Wembley.  There is no ‘narrative change’

[Disco]

3 minutes ago, Kimbo said:

I don’t see them beating France, but last 8 is reasonable for this squad.

Said QFs pre tournament as I’d assumed we’d end up playing France but I think it’s a bit of a toss up tbh. They’re been shaky as you like defensively and Lloris is always good for a fuck up but Mbappe is ridiculous and Griezmann has been class too.

[BGRM]

How mature is Bellingham for 19? good after match chat.

[samptime29]

I think we can cause France all sorts of problems at the back. However they can do the same to us. It's a very interesting game. Be class if a Frenchie gets sent off.

[TheBrownBottle]

11 minutes ago, LiquidAK said:

No doubt there will be more excuses if we beat the French "aye but look at all their injuries! Southgate's still never really been tested"

 

Such dull, low-risk opinions.

 

Nah, beat France and that’s a blinding result irrespective of injuries.  It would be England’s best result in half a century

[SiLvOR]

This is going to be a really interesting game. On paper, two quite evenly matched teams. We have to be brave, as their defence, and Lloris aren't all that.

[The Prophet]

Senegal gave a good account of themselves until they conceded. After the goal they just folded and we were ruthless enough to run out comfortable winners. Bellingham was the best player on the park by a comfortable margin.

 

I think we can can beat France, but it'll require an off day from their forwards. If they misfire their defence looks vulnerable. I say misfire because as good a job as Southgate has done, he isn't innovative enough, nor has the players at his disposal to contain them.

[TheBrownBottle]

3 minutes ago, SiLvOR said:

This is going to be a really interesting game. On paper, two quite evenly matched teams. We have to be brave, as their defence, and Lloris aren't all that.

Eddie’s high press Mags put the shits right up him.  Press like maniacs and hope that either Mbappe has an off-day or any plan to take care of him works

[Interpolic]

10 minutes ago, Disco said:

Said QFs pre tournament as I’d assumed we’d end up playing France but I think it’s a bit of a toss up tbh. They’re been shaky as you like defensively and Lloris is always good for a fuck up but Mbappe is ridiculous and Griezmann has been class too.

 

Same, I said we'd get knocked out in the quarters by France. I'm still terrified of them but now not so sure. A toss-up is probably right. Poland gave them serious problems today and only came unstuck when Mbappe was given space.

 

I actually think it all hinges on how England approach the game - if we give them too much respect and play within ourselves like we did most of the game against Italy in the Euros final then we'll lose. Have a go at them and have enough players on form on the day and we can win.