Semi Final: Croatia vs England - Wednesday 7PM (Continued)

[JJ1532]

The biggest issue currently as best highlighted in that Belgium game is we have absoolutely nothing outside that starting 11.

needed a change after the goal, ended up with weaker like for like and when 2-1 down again we could not really change things.

probably our key thing for 2 years now 'for once!!' is not needing to worry about the main 11, but now working on a Plan B and the back-up

Yep, fully agree. We had a horrible lack of depth heading into this tournament. Oxlade-Chamberlain would have made a difference I feel, especially given the form he had going before his injury. Does a fit Lallana also give us more options?

Shouldn't be much overhaul for Euro 2020 at least, which gives us something to build on. Keep this core together, get them playing regularly in the same system and hopefully a greater understanding will come. Pressure is on now, the fans will expect a similar run in 2 years time.

 

[claret50]

Well done England you’ve done us all fucking proud.

What he said.

 

[Jamie_SFC]

Can't wait to see Lovren cry when he loses another final though.

 

[Predator373]

While I’m proud of the lads and how far they got I do honestly feel Southgate made a some crucial mistakes.
1) Not taking a ball playing CM e.g Shelvey or Wilshere.
2) Starting Young over Rose.
3) Taking Sterling off totally killed any attacking threat we had.
4) Leaving Ali on when he was totally anonymous, Loftus-Cheek was massively underused in this tournament.
We were very good first half but when Kane and Lingard missed them BIG chances I just had a nasty feeling we would pay for it and we ultimately did, proud of England but also frustrated as this was a big opportunity missed.

 

[Predator373]

Oxlade-Chamberlain would have made a difference I feel, especially given the form he had going before his injury.

Totally agree with this. Oxlade would have made a big difference in the middle, he was sorely missed.

 

[G.B]

Can't wait to see Lovren cry when he loses another final though.

you southampton fans really know how to hold a grudge

 

[GTFCfish]

All Managers of workplaces that work Sundays (like mine) have just breathed a high sigh of relief.

 

[SALTIRE]

Can't wait to see Lovren cry when he loses another final though.

And you call Scots bitter!

 

[Jamie_SFC]

you southampton fans really know how to hold a grudge

4 years and counting.

 

[villa loyal]

I think they slightly edged us, and were the better team, just. Hope they go on and beat France. We were great first half, and should have been 2.0 up. Second half we allowed them too much of the ball, and you don't do that against a team with a player like Modric in it. Either way we never disgraced ourselves, and this team will get better. My only problem is that so will other nations. A lot of things went our way during the tournament, and we probably won't have it as easy next time. Big opportunity lost.

 

[Jamie_SFC]

And you call Scots bitter!

You've been pretty solid evidence of that in all the England match threads.

 

[SALTIRE]

4 years and counting.

And how long for Lallana now?

 

[Benji]

I think one of the braver and more successful things Southgate did was settle on how he wanted to approach the World Cup before they went. His defence was reportedly decided way back in November, and he started with the same 11 today as in the very first game of the tournament. Perhaps you could say he needed to change more, but I think it was refreshing to see an England manager who didn't lose his mind when a big tournament was looming.

They never really did much in open play though, so there's something wrong with the Henderson-Lingard-Alli midfield, because it should be creative on paper. Still, their effectiveness from set pieces is a positive, and Trippier was probably the best right back (or wing back) of the tournament.

Croatia are good though. And England are good too, just not as good as they think.

 

[Jamie_SFC]

And how long for Lallana now?

I actually think England missed a player like that today. In the grand scheme of things, it's a shame he had an awful season with injuries.

 

[Jockney]

I think we showed overall that we weren’t ready. Kane was poor and the attacking triad never really came tighter as it might/should have. Great effort well done the lads

 

[SALTIRE]

I actually think England missed a player like that today. In the grand scheme of things, it's a shame he had an awful season with injuries.

Yeah him and/or Ox might've gave you something more in midfield in fairness.

 

[villa loyal]

We definitely lack something in midfield. You have not been able to get away from the hype since we progressed from the quarter final. That made me concerned about the pressure, because as a whole it's been very low key in terms of expectations. All of a sudden we beat Sweden and the whole country rightly went up. I know a lot of people I spoke to underestimated Croatia for some reason.

 

[#Beebot]

The biggest factor was Modric pulling out his A game from 30 minutes onwards. England don't have a world class midfield general and sadly don't look like having one any time soon. Until then we aren't winning anything unfortunately.

Today, Sterling came off too early, Southgate had too much faith in Kane again and I'm not sure why we didn't bring on Loftus-Cheek. Alli and Kane look great for Spurs when they have Dembele and Eriksen supporting them, but England have neither type of player.

 

[villa loyal]

The biggest factor was Modric pulling out his A game from 30 minutes onwards. England don't have a world class midfield general and sadly don't look like having one any time soon. Until then we aren't winning anything unfortunately.

Today, Sterling came off too early, Southgate had too much faith in Kane again and I'm not sure why we didn't bring on Loftus-Cheek. Alli and Kane look great for Spurs when they have Dembele and Eriksen supporting them, but England have neither type of player.

Keeping Modric quiet was the key. He was superb second half. Our biggest fault is not having a genuine world class midfielder. We also lack another top class striker.

 

[Predator373]

Kane looked very leggy tonight and against Sweden

 

[Super_horns]

Bah!

Started well and could have scored more.

Then they came strong and we lacked experience I feel - sitting back and allowing the Croatia midfield to play.

Overall a very good World Cup - shame about the end.

 

[Son of Cod]

Absolutely gutted and I am snowed under in the L2 forum with some Notts County fan who has decided he hates Grimsby so I will read this thread tomorrow and add anything I feel needs adding.

 

[valefan16]

Frustrating and gutting. Game was there for the taking and ultimately this wasn’t a defeat to a top German or French side but a fairly average one.

We should be killing it off first half and maybe lacked that experience and for whatever reason we faded as it went on.

It’s painful but we have to take the positives and ensure this isn’t in vain. We have the best kids in the world at the moment and have to ensure they can come in and pad this young side out that will grow into tournaments.

Hopefully we can finish strong and get third place to make it our best finish since 66 and we’ll done Croatia on an unlikely final. Hope they beat the French in the final although realistically don’t expect it.

Proud, but with a hint of what if.

 

[Jockney]

With further reflection I’m more upset that we didn’t put it beyond sight of Croatia before they scored. But what you gonna do. Imo Kane should have showed more on this occasion — but then you also have to take into account that trio. It never quite clicked for them. A lore talented or experienced forward line would have finished them off. Oh well

 

[AnimoEtFide]

When you think that Iceland was only two years ago, the transformation this tournament has been remarkable. Onwards and upwards.

 

[Luke_1884]

Cracking tournament, disappointing night but can't have any grumbles with the result. Croatia were so much better on the ball after HT.

It's early days for this team and we need to be a bit more clinical. We got away with it vs Tunisia at the start of the competition but it's haunted us tonight. Kane 6 weeks ago slots his chance home, he looked gone tonight and unfortunately gave us nothing.

 

[Carver]

Howay cheer up lads, it's only a football match!

There are more important things in life yeah?

 

[Chris FGR]

Absolutely gutted but fair play the team have done us proud this tournament. It's nice to enjoy being a England fan again.

Croatia are a decent side, hope they beat the French.

 

[Meadow]

Yes we lost but I'm still bloody proud of the team. Unproven manager and a lot of unproven players. Harry Kane still likely to win the Golden Boot and a chance of beating Belgium to third. More than we we expected to do.

Onwards and upwards.

 

[Meadow]

Absolutely gutted but fair play the team have done us proud this tournament. It's nice to enjoy being a England fan again.

Croatia are a decent side, hope they beat the French.

I don't. A lot of their supporters are racist and they're a dirty team. G'won France. Mbappe for player of the tournament.