England v Belgium, 28th June, 7pm(GMT)

[Pagnell]

This thread is full of fucking win.

Which is more than can be said for Scotland and Wales.

 

[blademan89]

Im not one for changes but id serioudly consider not playing kane, not because he needs rest hes clearly our most important player and as unlikely as it is he will get injured it's Still a slight risk. Personally imo he is the only one who is irreplaceable. I think Southgate will make 8,9 or 10 changes anyway , much like he did in the two warm ups.

 

[Pagnell]

Changing the starting lineup, or more to the point resting Kane, would be stupid. Momentum is everything. Play our best 11 and if we pick up the 3 points we go into the knockouts with a massive confidence boost. Anything less than our best 11 and we won't win, and likely not get a point.

 

[blademan89]

Changing the starting lineup, or more to the point resting Kane, would be stupid. Momentum is everything. Play our best 11 and if we pick up the 3 points we go into the knockouts with a massive confidence boost. Anything less than our best 11 and we won't win, and likely not get a point.

Belgium will make a similar amount of changes too I think. I have always said play the best 11 though throughout my life.

 

[Luke_1884]

I think we'll see Rose, Dier, Rashford and Vardy all start. Same back three, let's see how they do against good opposition. It would be a massive waste to not try out elements of our best 11 against Belgium in what is essentially a free hit.

Obviously would love a win but an entertaining score draw will do for me.

 

[mente captus]

Changing the starting lineup, or more to the point resting Kane, would be stupid. Momentum is everything. Play our best 11 and if we pick up the 3 points we go into the knockouts with a massive confidence boost. Anything less than our best 11 and we won't win, and likely not get a point.

I agree. That would be a stupid decision. Youre losing your flow. You could rest some after 60 minutes but to start with the second line is a abysmal way to end the group stage

 

[PuB]

If the match is like France and Denmark yesterday I'll be livid, absolutely no need for that kind of shithousery.

 

[Super_horns]

Sounds like Kane might start - but there will be 8 changes .

Lets hope he doesn't get injured!

 

[Son of Cod]

Sounds like Kane might start - but there will be 8 changes .

Lets hope he doesn't get injured!

I'll be incredibly surprised if there are 8 changes. Pickford and the back 3 will surely all start? Kane and one of RLC or Lingard will start, I'd have thought. I'd be surprised if Trippier doesn't start too. I could be calling it entirely wrong, but I don't trust these predicted lineups in big tournies.

 

[Nilsson]

I'll be incredibly surprised if there are 8 changes. Pickford and the back 3 will surely all start?

I reckon Walker will be rested as he's on a yellow card. Dier for Henderson, Rose for Young and Vardy or Rashford for Sterling would be my only other changes.

 

[Son of Cod]

I reckon Walker will be rested as he's on a yellow card. Dier for Henderson, Rose for Young and Vardy or Rashford for Sterling would be my only other changes.

Ah yeah good call on Walker, is it before or after quarters yellows get wiped?

 

[Stevencc]

Come on lads, we need to lose this one.

The draw is a lot better for the losing side.

 

[SALTIRE]

Come on lads, we need to lose this one.

The draw is a lot better for the losing side.

Na Kane to get all six goals in a 4 - 2 victory as you walk another step to inevitable glory...

 

[Stevencc]

Na Kane to get all six goals in a 4 - 2 victory as you walk another step to inevitable glory...

And claim them even if he doesn't?

 

[SALTIRE]

And claim them even if he doesn't?

That's what he does!

 

[Chris FGR]

Kane should be left out, it's about the team not individuals and there is no need to risk him. Also he might fuck up our attempts to finish second by scoring a hat trick or something.

 

[St. Juste]

This thread is full of fucking win.

Which is more than can be said for Scotland and Wales.

Interesting reflection. Following the lock of the earlier thread, you must still think Andorra finishing third in their WC qualifying group (and not qualifying) would not be a 'good campaign'?

If England manage to avoid Colombia, then face Switzerland or Sweden in the QFs, they will be overwhelming favourties to reach a semi final. Which would be a great achievement, the stars really aligning in their favour. You would expect they would then lose to the first good side, but flukes can happen.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Can someone pass the salt please?

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Always go for the win, in sport momentum is key and you can't just switch it off, imo winning tonight would actually be a massive win and show of intent regardless of whether we are through or not.

 

[Bobbin']

Can someone pass the salt please?

Is there any left?

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Is there any left?

Probably not, but I'm sure the Germans will want some. Just seen a twitter post on how to convert your German flags to Belgium, some of these nations are laughable.

I wouldn't mind most don't hate us for our football team, as we've been crap most of the last 50 years.

 

[GodsGift]

If England manage to avoid Colombia, then face Switzerland or Sweden in the QFs, they will be overwhelming favourties to reach a semi final. Which would be a great achievement, the stars really aligning in their favour. You would expect they would then lose to the first good side, but flukes can happen.

You're absolutely shitting it and you're now trying to cover your arse just in case England actually do well. This is glorious to watch.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Harry Kane has scored more World Cup goals in two games than Wales have in their entire footballing history

 

[Stevencc]

Probably not, but I'm sure the Germans will want some. Just seen a twitter post on how to convert your German flags to Belgium, some of these nations are laughable.

I wouldn't mind most don't hate us for our football team, as we've been crap most of the last 50 years.

The Germans on here have reacted surprisingly well to their nation's failure (Dirk is always a sanguine fella but I expected Mente Captus to have a breakdown, which hasn't been the case) - they won't be cheering us on from here on, of course, but I've not noticed any saltiness.

That's been coming from much closer to home.

 

[Dirk]

The Germans on here have reacted surprisingly well to their nation's failure (Dirk is always a sanguine fella but I expected Mente Captus to have a breakdown, which hasn't been the case) - they won't be cheering us on from here on, of course, but I've not noticed any saltiness.

That's been coming from much closer to home.

No saltiness from me (I am not Salty ).

I've wrote it already "in another forum": During my lifetime I've seen Germany lose 4 World Cup Finals in 1966, 1982, 1986, 2002 (although in 1966 I didn't realise it because I was only 3 1/2) and several semi-finals. This hurts way more than going out right in the group stages (although it's a first for us) after 3 piss poor matches.

We deserved to go out here and I can stand the banter from others.

Yesterday after our match I was also kind of relieved that this nightmare ended because if we would have advanced we maybe get even beaten by England (and on our current form they would even beat us on penalties, the ultimate humiliation for us then )

From now on I can watch World Cup football without pressure what my team will do in the next round etc.

I am now just hoping that it's another European country that will win this World Cup. The remaining Europeans teams are so far okay for me (some more than others but none that I absolute dislike like the "usual 2" (I spare you their names, you know them)

So, Europe win this World Cup against South America! Do your duty!

 

[WilsdenBantam]

The Germans on here have reacted surprisingly well to their nation's failure (Dirk is always a sanguine fella but I expected Mente Captus to have a breakdown, which hasn't been the case) - they won't be cheering us on from here on, of course, but I've not noticed any saltiness.

That's been coming from much closer to home.

Don't worry I know most of the salt comes from north of Hadrians wall.

 

[Abertawe]

You're absolutely shitting it and you're now trying to cover your arse just in case England actually do well. This is glorious to watch.

No he's just being realistic to the situation. It's looking feasible you'll get to the semi's without playing anyone. The Japan Poland game is crucial today and fortunately for England the Poles look hopeless.

 

[Soup Ladle]

So are we hoping we don’t win tonight to get ‘the easier half’ of the draw or win to keep momentum going?

Personally I want us to win and beat a good side and carry that forward to the knockouts. For me, we’ve already surpassed expectations in terms of performances and done all I expected we’d do this WC by getting to the 2nd round. Anything else is a bonus and beating one of the fancied sides on the way to a glorious last 16 exit wouldnt be the worst tournament we’ve ever had. Obviously I think we can go further than that if we play like we can. To do that I think fielding a strong side tonight and putting on a good performance would give us a lot of confidence.

 

[Benji]

England have looked dodgy at the back even having only played Panama and Tunisia. Depending on whether they share a Danish/French approach to this game or not, we could see how England defend against an attacking force of reasonable World Cup quality. Otherwise, they are going into the knockouts blind, and frankly all members of Group H are considerably better than those England have faced so far.

 

[Abertawe]

So are we hoping we don’t win tonight to get ‘the easier half’ of the draw or win to keep momentum going?

Personally I want us to win and beat a good side and carry that forward to the knockouts. For me, we’ve already surpassed expectations in terms of performances

Oh with all respect shut up. They were crap in the second half against Tunisia and Panama is Panama - semi pro teams can't defend set pieces. You must have extremely low expectations.