Quarter-Finals 4: Sweden v England, 7th July, 3pm(GMT)

[JJ1532]

Never in doubt was it lads?! Anyone else stopped shaking yet?

How does Southgate get the players regrouped, refreshed and ready for another very tough game? Yes, the confidence will be sky high, but the players might well feel the strain of extra time and penalties, so getting them ready will be a tough task.

What do you do team wise? Stick with the same group that played against Colombia? Or make changes? Given the limp performances of Lingard, Alli and Sterling, you could make some in attack I'd imagine. Maybe use them as impact subs? Or do you keep the faith and hope they come good?

As for Sweden, as Southgate pointed out, they are no mugs. Got plenty of tidy players and they carry momentum into this game. They should have beat Germany, but bounced back with a superb win over Mexico and then a gritty 1-0 win against Switzerland. I doubt they go full Colombia/Panama with the dirty wind up tactics, but underestimate them and we'll go out.

So, is it actually coming home? Or will this be an after the lord mayors show?

 

[Laker]

Sweden look like a pain to play against, and not in the cynical way but in an organised, frustrating, get the most out of their players sort of way.

I fancied it against Colombia (even when it went to penalties) but sorry to say, but I think we’re gonna lose to Sweden. :-(

 

[Soup Ladle]

Never in doubt was it lads?! Anyone else stopped shaking yet?

How does Southgate get the players regrouped, refreshed and ready for another very tough game? Yes, the confidence will be sky high, but the players might well feel the strain of extra time and penalties, so getting them ready will be a tough task.

What do you do team wise? Stick with the same group that played against Colombia? Or make changes? Given the limp performances of Lingard, Alli and Sterling, you could make some in attack I'd imagine. Maybe use them as impact subs? Or do you keep the faith and hope they come good?

As for Sweden, as Southgate pointed out, they are no mugs. Got plenty of tidy players and they carry momentum into this game. They should have beat Germany, but bounced back with a superb win over Mexico and then a gritty 1-0 win against Switzerland. I doubt they go full Colombia/Panama with the dirty wind up tactics, but underestimate them and we'll go out.

So, is it actually coming home? Or will this be an after the lord mayors show?

Nope still shaking like an alky when the offy is shut.

Don’t think he’ll make any changes but this will be a tough fucking game.

They’re solid and will sit back, just the sort of unit that will cause us problems. I like the Swedes and they do well with their sparse population so bearing that in mind we should win 10-0, as we have 10 times the number of people here.

Regardless, great tournament from the lads and just hope we give it our best shot. 1-0 would do me but that margin would disappoint our resident Scottish human geographers and we’d never live it down. Oh the shame.

 

[Gassy]

Sweden are a good team, individually we're better but it's a team game.

Looking forward to it, also looking forward to not being constantly fouled, cheated & diving. They're much more honest than that.

I dont mind if we go out now, i'll be gutted but I've said from the beginning if we make the 1/4 finals that is a successful tournament , no doubt.

 

[Carver]

It's ok if we lose this match as quarter finals was what we regarded as our highest target before the tournament kicked off, right?

Nah!

 

[Gassy]

It's ok if we lose this match as quarter finals was what we regarded as our highest target before the tournament kicked off, right?

Nah!

Of course I'd be upset, but I'd be happy overall with a good tournament under the belt and ready for Southgate to build on for the upcoming Euros & 2022

 

[villa loyal]

Very difficult game against a bit of a bogey team for us. They will frustrate us, and will be hard to break down. I wonder how much last night would have taken out of us. Another penalty shootout to decide the game.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

World Cup quarter final, without trying to sound to cliche there aren't any easy games at this stage. People say we have an easy draw etc. but these "lesser" teams have out lasted the big boys and are here on merit.

That said I can't subscribe to this not been bothered if we go out at this stage. If we got outclassed to a Brazil or France fair enough, but we go into this heavy favourites regardless of the stage. I'll be gutted to lose to Sweden(no disrespect) and Croatia or Russia when we only need to beat 2 out of 3 of these teams to reach a World Cup final, we won't get a better chance.

If anyone's confident of a Sweden win, bang a ton on because I've found them at 4/1 you won't get much better value in a two horse race.

Going for a 3-1 win to us.

 

[PuB]

The thing with people saying we won't get a better chance to get to a World Cup final, is that every other team in this side of the draw will be thinking EXACTLY the same.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

The thing with people saying we won't get a better chance to get to a World Cup final, is that every other team in this side of the draw will be thinking EXACTLY the same.

As they should, no Brazil, Germany, France and Spain yes please.

 

[Renegade]

Sorry England fans, this has a frustrating draw and penalties written all over it. Prepare yourself for agony. I'd fancy England to beat Croatia or Russia in 90 minutes, but not Sweden. Hope you get over the hurdle, I like this squad.

 

[FishyMackem]

As long as the players don't adopt the same mentality that "it's okay to go out at the quarter finals stage", I think we will put up a fight. Sweden are a team that play very much together and grind out victories but we should get the result if we stick together.

 

[Gassy]

Pretty sure the players won't have my attitude, they were just the ones to break the record, they smell blood

 

[AFCB_Mark]

We seemed to pick up quite a few injury niggles and knocks through that grueling game last night. By the time the squad got back to St. Petersburg, have a rest today, assess fitness and look back over last night's game, it doesn't leave much time for proper recuperation and preparation before they have to fly out to Samara for Saturday.

I'd expect Sweden to be fresher, and if the game goes the distance that might show.

We didn't see RLC last night and we didn't see much of Rashford either, both could be useful relatively fresh creative/attacking options. None of Sterling, Lingard, Ali looked up to much last night and they'll all be knackered as well.

 

[valefan16]

We are favourites and have a great chance, Sweden are worse than Colombia on paper but will be tough, they've had a solid world cup and despite no big names are a good team.

This isn't the same old England though and we seem to have something about us this time for a change and I fancy us to progress in a tough encounter.

Interestingly Pat Nevin suggested on BBC that if we beat Colombia based on yesterday we beat Sweden 99 times out of 100? Were they that bad yesterday?

 

[Chris FGR]

Dunno about the players but that game yesterday took a lot out of me I'm feeling fucked today lol. Need to rest, recouperate and refuel for the big one.

Tbh I can't see anyone stopping us from here, we've got the momentum and can't even see the likes of France or Brazil fancying beating us, let alone Sweden.

That win yesterday is gonna be the start of an England domination era, like the one Spain had. We're a young side only getting better and better and fear no one and can even win shootouts. This is awesome. Never saw it coming which makes it even better.

 

[Dirk]

Sorry England fans, this has a frustrating draw and penalties written all over it. Prepare yourself for agony.

This, in all respect to England, could happen. It's always a pain in the arse for us to play the Swedes (and our win against them in the group stages was proof for that again). They're normally well organised, lacking elegance or attacking power (Berg a former HSV player needs too much chances) but they often need only 1 Goal to win games.
I like their goalie, Olsen.

Interestingly Pat Nevin suggested on BBC that if we beat Colombia based on yesterday we beat Sweden 99 times out of 100? Were they that bad yesterday?

No they weren't that bad yesterday. They were as always. Swedes, eh!

This is just the hubris you hear from some "experts" after such an emotional win.

I hope England will beat them (#revengeforgermany ) and France will do their duty in the other half (beating Brazil if they play against), so that we can avoid a final with 2 yellow shirt teams.

 

[Jockney]

The same approach as the Colombia game is needed. Pen Sweden in, make sure that we keep the ball, keep them chasing. We really need Alli-Lingard-Sterling to be on form coz Sweden are almost certainly not going to leave gaps.

 

[Bilo]

Oh my, what a dream match up this is. I wanted England and I suppose you should be careful what you wish for. Unfortunately for us, this team of yours isn't your tabloids or your commentators saying you'll beat us 99 times out of a 100. I doubt this England team will be complacent and if we're to beat you, we need to do so on merit.

If people are wondering what to expect from us (weirdly, given we play the same way every game) I want you to rewind the clock to the best of Atlético frustrating Barcelona and Real Madrid. Our system is pretty much the same. Jockney wants us to be kept chasing, well we don't chase. We wait. And wait. And wait. Our 4-4-2 defensively consists largely of four central midfielders, we'll force you wide, push you back and you'll pass the ball around your backline down to the other side. And we'll wait. And wait.

When we do get the ball, the pattern is this: Defender or midfielder up to dropping forward, dropping forward down to central midfielder, central midfielder down the channel for the other forward to chase (you want Walker on this one). When he does get the ball, the other forward and two midfielders will arrive in support. That's what we do and that's how we score our goals. You'll see it many times this game. It looks quite neat and tidy, but when we score it always strikes me that usually, none of our players did anything difficult of note. Which, I suppose, is the only way for us to score given none our players are especially capable of doing difficult things.

Most of the time it breaks down. For long periods we won't even get the chance to try. But we'll wait. And wait. We go into every game thinking if we keep the clean sheet we'll win. One goal is all we need, and if we try this same thing over and over whenever we get the chance, it always pays off. For being such a defensive side, we're very, very rarely kept out in competitive games.

And I suppose it's too far away still, this match, for me to feel really nervous about it. It's going to be a long old wait but that's what we've done all tournament. We've waited. So while your lot are waiting for the easiest hurdle en route to the World cup final, we're just going to do what we always do. Run unto a pitch against an opposition who really, deep inside, can't imagine that they'll go out against us. Against Sweden. I mean sure, neat tidy side and all ... but come on.

You're finally back where you belong and we're where we have no right to be. I hope the key will be that it's been a generation since you were where you perceive that you belong. We've been in this situation since the qualifiers.

This is a huge game for you. We've known nothing but for the past year.

Good luck lads!

 

[Chris FGR]

Anyone see similarities between us now and Germany 2010?

Young squad afraid of no-one playing exciting football with a group of players who grew up together benefitting from the shake up of our coaching a few years back?

 

[Dirk]

You're finally back where you belong and we're where we have no right to be.

oh come on.
You have every right to be there like any other nation who wins a knockout match. I mean, I can see what you're doing here but you won't fool me, eh . Your guys will give them nothing for granted and although I hope they'll beat you I wouldn't in the least be surprised if you advance.

 

[valefan16]

First goal will be crucial in this, if we get it first and early we could go on and win comfortably, if Sweden get it then we will struggle.

 

[Bobbin']

Oh my, what a dream match up this is. I wanted England and I suppose you should be careful what you wish for. Unfortunately for us, this team of yours isn't your tabloids or your commentators saying you'll beat us 99 times out of a 100. I doubt this England team will be complacent and if we're to beat you, we need to do so on merit.

If people are wondering what to expect from us (weirdly, given we play the same way every game) I want you to rewind the clock to the best of Atlético frustrating Barcelona and Real Madrid. Our system is pretty much the same. Jockney wants us to be kept chasing, well we don't chase. We wait. And wait. And wait. Our 4-4-2 defensively consists largely of four central midfielders, we'll force you wide, push you back and you'll pass the ball around your backline down to the other side. And we'll wait. And wait.

When we do get the ball, the pattern is this: Defender or midfielder up to dropping forward, dropping forward down to central midfielder, central midfielder down the channel for the other forward to chase (you want Walker on this one). When he does get the ball, the other forward and two midfielders will arrive in support. That's what we do and that's how we score our goals. You'll see it many times this game. It looks quite neat and tidy, but when we score it always strikes me that usually, none of our players did anything difficult of note. Which, I suppose, is the only way for us to score given none our players are especially capable of doing difficult things.

Most of the time it breaks down. For long periods we won't even get the chance to try. But we'll wait. And wait. We go into every game thinking if we keep the clean sheet we'll win. One goal is all we need, and if we try this same thing over and over whenever we get the chance, it always pays off. For being such a defensive side, we're very, very rarely kept out in competitive games.

And I suppose it's too far away still, this match, for me to feel really nervous about it. It's going to be a long old wait but that's what we've done all tournament. We've waited. So while your lot are waiting for the easiest hurdle en route to the World cup final, we're just going to do what we always do. Run unto a pitch against an opposition who really, deep inside, can't imagine that they'll go out against us. Against Sweden. I mean sure, neat tidy side and all ... but come on.

You're finally back where you belong and we're where we have no right to be. I hope the key will be that it's been a generation since you were where you perceive that you belong. We've been in this situation since the qualifiers.

This is a huge game for you. We've known nothing but for the past year.

Good luck lads!

Cheers fella, just passed this on to Gareth Southgate.

 

[Gassy]

Cheers fella, just passed this on to Gareth Southgate.

I was thinking this, but what if its a bluff

Bilo - biggest idiot, or brilliant tactician?

I can see the headlines now

 

[Nilsson]

I'd swap Alli for Dier to play alongside Henderson. I like Alli but he looked slightly off the space to me last night. It's knockout football, play your defensive players if you need to. We'll be better equipped to deal with Sweden's wide players and it'll give Lingard and Sterling more freedom to support Kane (who was too deep at times last night, we need him in the box). It'll also give Trippier more license to go forward, he's been our best attacking outlet.

Sweden remind me of Iceland from 2 years ago with better players. The difference now is that we're going into the game with players who have a positive attitude and are all pulling for eachother. We'll know their strengths and not take anything for granted but we have enough talent to beat them and I'm confident we'll do it.

 

[TomPNE94]

Playing Dier alongside Henderson nearly cost us last night, no chance he’ll do that and nor should he. No changes for me except maybe RLC for Alli who doesn’t look fit at all.

 

[mase]

Playing Dier alongside Henderson nearly cost us last night, no chance he’ll do that and nor should he. No changes for me except maybe RLC for Alli who doesn’t look fit at all.

This. Alli has been god awful this tournament.

 

[Abertawe]

Team needs fresh blood. The England lads were out on their feet.

 

[Nilsson]

Playing Dier alongside Henderson nearly cost us last night, no chance he’ll do that and nor should he. No changes for me except maybe RLC for Alli who doesn’t look fit at all.

I agree but coming on as a sub in that type of match is never easy, starting him would be completely different and give us better control imo.

 

[valefan16]

Team needs fresh blood. The England lads were out on their feet.

More mentally than physically after conceding so late in normal time. They should be buzzing Saturday after that. The belief within the squad should be massive.