World Cup 2018 | 11th July | SF: Croatia vs England Match Thread, KO 19:00 (BST)

[KnaresboroughBlue]

I'd say England did more or less as expected given the fixtures they had. Beat teams that they should beat and lost to the teams that were their equal or slightly better.

I can't really see them doing much better in tournaments until they find a bit more quality in midfield.

It's a shame though as this was about as good an opportunity as you can hope for in a World Cup.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

Croatia were there for the taking France will beat them comfortably.

Bottled it.

Stupid comment.

We were exposed due to a lack of creativity and quality in midfield , where Croatia have the likes of Modric and Rakatic , and a failure to take chances when we were on top in the first half.

The team didn't lose due to.a lack of effort but due to the lack of better quality personnel.

 

[Dave S]

I'd say England did more or less as expected given the fixtures they had. Beat teams that they should beat and lost to the teams that were their equal or slightly better.

I can't really see them doing much better in tournaments until they find a bit more quality in midfield.

It's a shame though as this was about as good an opportunity as you can hope for in a World Cup.

Exactly.

 

[Nascent Blues]

We'll have a chance when Foden is the lynchpin of the midfield.

 

[SpiritofBurnden]

I think Southgate deserves most of the blame as the system just has never been balanced and has never really worked in open play, it just took the first decent midfield we played against to brutally expose that.

The system worked fine in the first half.

 

[Southbanken]

Can't believe I'm gonna say this but lads there not shit, there just ridiculously overhyped. The criticism is to severe there above average young pros playing amongst world class players at club level.

Similar to Raheem Sterling then?

 

[foxbox123]

 

[hilts]

Or Wigan in the FA final.
Football doesn't work like that.

Anything is possible but I’m quite confident this shite England team with a average manager would probably beat Saudi Arabia if we got enough set pieces in the game

 

[Len Rum]

Maybe, except Croatia should have been 3-0 down at half time.

 

[hilts]

There was some quality hoofing going on tonight for sure. The second half was solid Wimbledon without the end product. If only bogbrush was English or Andy Carroll was fit.

Hooooooooooooooooooooof and defend

#plucky

Players gave their all though n fairness