World Cup 2018 | 18th June | England vs Tunisia Match Thread

[inchy14]

this is fair enough - i think it was more so how Tunisia camped in there box second half, time wasted and played for fouls - eventually we'd get our breakthrough and we did.

Exactly, and the way to breaking that down is movement between the lines and getting behind the fullback, Trippier did it on the right when Rashford inexplicably left it but it never happened down the left, they knew it wouldn't so were able to stay compact centrally once Young got the ball.

Rose or Delph would have been a better fit. I'd start both v Panama and go 4-3-3 personally but doubt he'll deviate from 3 at the back now.

 

[mosssideblue]

I'm not sure what's happened to me with regards to England. I used to love cheering us on in the WC but watching last night I found out that I couldn't give a shit about how we do. When Kane scored the last minute winner I didn't feel anything at all. This is not a conscious decision and I wish I didn't feel like it, but that's the way it is. I feel similar about international football in general. Sooner I can watch City again the better.

Ditto

 

[Lancet Fluke]

How? he just ran into oppo and lost the ball, much the same as Sterling.

Loftus Cheek turned the game.

Spot on. Loftus Cheek came on and looked excellent, made a difference. Rashford was shit, worse than Sterling if anything and I genuinely don't understand how anyone with eyes in their head could even begin to claim that his introduction changed the game.

 

[Magicpole]

The link play between Sterling and Young wasn't working last night, they struggled to read each others game.
If we are going to play Sterling then he should be wide right and I would play Delph before Young.
Harry Kane kept his head, after being wrestled to the ground twice, a cool finish at the end was his revenge. I hope that he can set a new goalscoring record.
Trippier worked very hard all game and was my motm.
Lingard was unlucky not to score too.
I am satisfied with our performance and on another night we might have had 4 or 5.
Southgate might just be the man to take us deep into the tournament......

Southgate might just be the man to take us deep into the tournament...

You filthy swine!

 

[Withnail]

Watched the game in the pub and there are so many cockwombles who follow England it is untrue. Sterling as usual got loads of abuse and this allied to the fact that there are so many idiots who frankly know very little about football just adds to my malaise about our national team.

 

[01cravend]

Pickford - hoofs it an awful lot for someone who meant to play it out the back, Butland is a better keeper so should start

Walker - needs to concentrate more as his brainfarts at CB will be punished

Stones - was very good, didnt put a foot wrong unlike everyone else around him

Maguire - couple dodgy passes but solid otherwise

Trippier - thought he should have got forward a lot more, he has the fastest cb at the competition covering him and he was sitting deep. Good delibery when he did get forward/from set pieces

Young - drop him as soon as Rose is fit

Henderson - offers much more in possession than Dier would. Had a decent game apart from his inability to turn with the ball and instead just passes it backwards

Lingaard - some good movement to get the chances he had but finishing was atrocious

Alli - he's not a cm, he's like bambi on ice with the ball at his feet, terrible touch and just looks clumsy. Blows hot and cold and doesnt offer the control someone in his postion should.

Sterling - some decent link up play but was scared to/couldn't take people on, positioning was off and failed to do much of anything.

Kane - anonymous but right place at the right time twice.

Rashford - see Sterling

RLC - should start the next game as he's a better CM than both those starting in front of him. As is Delph.

 

[Magicpole]

You won, although after they reduced the space you struggled. This will give them a boost. Talk of the best football of the tournament from the commentators was ridiculous.

I think Sterling will drop out next game. It just didn’t come off for him. I don’t think he could argue with that decision.

Just enjoy it lads and think of us poor ****s who would love to be there.

 

[Deleted member 41424]

Vs. Panama -

Pickford
Stones-Cahill-Maguire
Trippier-Cheek-Rose
Sterling-Rashford-Lingaard
Kane

 

[ancoats]

Not sure why Southgate insists on playing Walker in a back three. Cahill is much better in that position and Kyle is by far the best right wing back in the league so just put the round pegs in the round holes. Rose or Delph in for Young, Henderson and Loftus-Cheek in midfield, Kane up front and, after that, its perm any two from the rest. If you're playing with a lone striker the players behind him need to regularly contribute to the goal scoring, KDB, Silva, Sane and Sterling all do it for City, but nobody seems able to do it for England.

spot on matey
the balance is wrong and so easy to defend when young keeps having to come back on his right foot the striker is making runs only to have to come back out because young has to cut back its daft and england have left footers in the squad like delph or rose even if they don't have the speed they have a left foot and you know if your a striker when to make your run. england just need to play the right people in the setup and then we will be hard to beat but yes not good enough to win the world cup but at least make the other team beat you with a hard game knowing you give it your best shot over the 90mins and extra time then win/lose on pens is a lotto and you come home with some respect

 

[mdj0520]

Vs. Panama -

Pickford
Stones-Cahill-Maguire
Trippier-Cheek-Rose
Sterling-Rashford-Lingaard
Kane

I'd go with that. Though I'd like to see sterling drop out just so I can enjoy England playing without getting furious with the control he's subjected to