rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 17, 2018 17:14:39 GMT
Here we go again and I listened with some amusement to a stat on bbc breakfast this morning- we haven’t won the first game of the World Cup since 2010, oh, you mean we didn’t manage this in 2014!
Probably no expectation for us to win this competition but I think most would hope that we get out of the group stage and with Belgium scheduled for our last match, we really need to do it in the first two games.
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chelstongull
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Post by chelstongull on Jun 17, 2018 17:23:11 GMT
Probably no expectation for us to win this competition If we do, I'll buy Jon a curry and if we don't.... |
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 18, 2018 19:02:13 GMT
Not a bad half, dominate play but miss chance after chance before the other team get a dodgy penalty at the other end! Bit like watching Torquay really….
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Post by stewart on Jun 18, 2018 23:54:03 GMT
Best we've played in a long time IMO. Deserved win. Hopefully Rashford starts next game and Sterling is the bench option. Sterling did absolutely nothing in product terms. I felt he should have come off on the hour mark. MoM was Trippier for me. Completely agree, in fact I don't believe that Sterling should even be in the squad. He runs around like a headless chicken and contributes nothing. Trippier played really well this evening and I believe that Southgate has come up with a perfect solution by playing Walker in the back three. There is still something missing from the build-up play, and perhaps the introduction of Rashford and Loftus-Cheek will enable the team to sustain forward movement more consistently. Finally, surely Rose has to start instead of Young, who is so embarrassingly right footed? |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2018 10:53:10 GMT
An important late winner to grab all three points. A scenario where we went into the last game needing to beat Belgium to go through certainly wasn't wanted, and things look more comfortable thanks to last night's win. I agree that Ashley Young does look awkward on the left, and we can only guess at Southgate's thinking. It's a youthful team, even less international experience in the defensive section now that there's no Joe Hart, and I wonder whether Young is valued for his old head and experience as much as anything. I see he celebrates his 33rd birthday in a few weeks time, and in a lengthy tournament (assuming we do well) Rose and his fresh legs could well be called upon. Beat Panama on Sunday and would Young be rested against Belgium? Perhaps it will depend on whether there's a perceived advantage in finishing top or second in the group ? Southgate currently looking as calm, steady, and unpanicked as Gary Owers is. 'Wor Gary' refusing to be rushed as he carefully and patiently selects only the right players for his promotion squad.    |
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Jun 19, 2018 23:24:06 GMT
Ashley Young has been playing in that position for United for a while. Remains my left back of choice over Rose and certainly agree his wise old head next to Harry McGuire probably will come into the Manager’s thinking.
Agree with Flo that Trippier had a very good game. I’d have to give MOTM to Kane, but Trippier second. He was always looking to get into good positions and his delivery was quality in the main. I do like the system we are playing. I know TUFC have played it a few times, but it’s nice to see it when it works, as it did in the first 25 minutes last night and at times throughout the game. Good on set pieces as a unit, too, which is always a bonus.
Sterling is another, like Young, who has had a superb club season. He’ll need to play better than last night as Rashford never seems to disappoint in an England shirt. A quality Welbeck has had over the years as well. Loftus-Cheek remains a bench option only for me.
Henderson played his role well. I like him and Dier. Walker, for me, is a player who, if he continues to improve, might fit into that world class category. And Stones is wonderfully comfortable on the ball and absolute quality. That said, all three of the central defenders have the capability to drop a bollock in a game. We are a young team, and I like that and what Southgate is doing.
Unless there are injuries, I’d be surprised if Southgate makes any changes for the Panama game.
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Post by stewart on Jun 20, 2018 1:21:59 GMT
Ashley Young has been playing in that position for United for a while. Remains my left back of choice over Rose and certainly agree his wise old head next to Harry McGuire probably will come into the Manager’s thinking. Agree with Flo that Trippier had a very good game. I’d have to give MOTM to Kane, but Trippier second. He was always looking to get into good positions and his delivery was quality in the main. I do like the system we are playing. I know TUFC have played it a few times, but it’s nice to see it when it works, as it did in the first 25 minutes last night and at times throughout the game. Good on set pieces as a unit, too, which is always a bonus. Sterling is another, like Young, who has had a superb club season. He’ll need to play better than last night as Rashford never seems to disappoint in an England shirt. A quality Welbeck has had over the years as well. Loftus-Cheek remains a bench option only for me. Henderson played his role well. I like him and Dier. Walker, for me, is a player who, if he continues to improve, might fit into that world class category. And Stones is wonderfully comfortable on the ball and absolute quality. That said, all three of the central defenders have the capability to drop a bollock in a game. We are a young team, and I like that and what Southgate is doing. Unless there are injuries, I’d be surprised if Southgate makes any changes for the Panama game. I would agree with most of your comments but disagree with two, maybe three, of them. All of England's best left backs, Pearce, Cole and Baines, during the past two decades have been predominantly left footed and have therefore been able to deliver dangerous crosses. Rose is just as capable of doing that. Young, on the other hand, always turns and plays the ball back to Maguire or sideways to Henderson, thus slowing down the attack. For me, Sterling is grossly over-rated. He fits in well at Man City, as they have world class players who can slip him in for a tap-in goal, but he is like a fish out of water playing for England because he is not good enough to fit into the formation which Southgate has concocted. He runs around like a headless chicken and contributes absolutely nothing. Rashford, on the other hand, creates real panic in opposing defenses whenever he receives the ball. I believe that Reuben Loftus-Cheek will be England's most talented midfield creative player for the next decade at least, and now is the time for him to start games and show how good he is. I would have no hesitation in playing him instead of Alli, who has clearly lost his touch and energy during the past year or so. I am really impressed with the way in which Gareth Southgate has energised, organised and motivated the team and, like you, I would be surprised if he makes any changes for the next match. For what it's worth, though, I would make the three changes which I have described, and also bring on Vardy to use his pace in the closing stages of a close match, which surprisingly didn't happen against Tunisia. |
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 20, 2018 6:27:30 GMT
The good news is that we appear to have a decent team with just some tinkering around the edges needed with plenty of options out there for once! Rashford had a knee knock a week ago but appears to have recovered and I would hope he gets a deserved start on Sunday. Agree that Vardy could wreak havoc off the bench. Would not expect more than one or two changes for this game.
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