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

[mente captus]

Hahahahahahaha that's brilliant. I'll make sure I think of you clinging onto that in the last few seconds before Lloris gets his hands on it on Sunday.

C'mon, you would sell your fucking soul for getting this kind of message from my side as it would implement that you would have won the cup at the last tournament

 

[villa loyal]

Of course it’s a success. The ‘Big Boys’ were not good enough hence they were absent, the second tier nations are getting stronger. Let’s be honest England or Croatia would have fancied themselves to beat Germany, Spain or Argentina for instance based on their showing this tournament (of course Croatia did).

The big boys just were not very big this tournament bar France.

Look at Belgium? Six years or so ago they’d be someone most teams would fancy putting away in qualification and usually did and in six years time when this generation passes it may well go the same way again so the usual order is being upset by other teams catching up. Any team England played deserved to be there and earnt the right to be there. Tunisia the best African side, Panama even had some great results in getting there, Colombia no mugs, Sweden had produced some great results this World Cup campaign beating Italy and France, qualifying ahead of Holland yet we broke them down.

Croatia have had an easier route on paper and yet no one will be critical of that.

They like us had a pretty easy route once they got out of their group. I thought they had a pretty tough group though tbf. You can only beat what's Infront of you I suppose. Very much doubt we would have got to the semis had we beaten Belgium in the group game. A lot of positives to take from this World Cup, but I think some people thought we were going to walk into the final. This team will improve. Southgate will improve. Very much doubt we will have it as easy next time though with most of the big nations not showing up.

 

[villa loyal]

Kane will score goals at any level in the world. He's still good for another couple of world cups. Pickford is superb, and will go on to bigger places than where he is now. I like our defence and a few more years together will be even better. We are massively lacking in midfield though.

 

[Gassy]

of course it is a failure, it will NEVER ever be that easy to reach the final/to win the cup again.

I've seen us winning te world cup twice in my lifetime. It's a great feeling, you know

Who said it was easy?

The shit teams like Germany dropped out the group stages & Spain can't beat Russia.

Seems to me someone is trying to put paper over the cracks of Germany's biggest failure in their footballing history.

 

[mente captus]

Who said it was easy?

The shit teams like Germany dropped out the group stages & Spain can't beat Russia.

Seems to me someone is trying to put paper over the cracks of Germany's biggest failure in their footballing history.

not sure about that, we missed to qualify for the 1968 Euros against Albania....

oh....and Luxemburg has beaten us back in the 30th.

 

[Carver]

I'm still angry. There was a lot more to be had from these players but they weren't used as efficiently as they could have been. I'm surprised so many on here are happy to bow out at the semis. Seems at football we're happy to be valiant losers. Said it before the game - failing to beat another world class team (who England have more depth than) is a failure. Credit to the players, they done well, fuck Southgate.

I know, I'm confused why Southgate is being hailed as a hero and a great England manager who is not like all the other bottle jobs we've had.

He played an unfit Dele Alli ahead of Loftus Cheek and he did not have Harry Kane playing at his best in this tournament. Also he took the likes of Fabian Delph ahead of Wilshire who would of been ideal for this match and Southgate has no plan B and he played Kyle Walker at fucking centre back when he is a full back ffs.

 

[Carver]

I'd of done a better job than all these useless bottle job c*** managers we've had over the years.

 

[Gassy]

As you say, living through it is a good feeling, enjoy it - I get the feeling this won't be the first time you'll experience it

The problem is you're looking at it wrong - in typical German fashion of everything is either failure or success. Yes, 100% we will come back to say that was a great opportunity. But that doesn't mean it's a failure.

Especially if Croatia go on and beat France, we lost to the best team in the World - what a failure...

Open your mind and expand your horizons mente - you'll enjoy life a lot more

 

[TomPNE94]

I know, I'm confused why Southgate is being hailed as a hero and a great England manager who is not like all the other bottle jobs we've had.

He played an unfit Dele Alli ahead of Loftus Cheek and he did not have Harry Kane playing at his best in this tournament. Also he took the likes of Fabian Delph ahead of Wilshire who would of been ideal for this match and Southgate has no plan B and he played Kyle Walker at fucking centre back when he is a full back ffs.

Walker had a very good tournament and allowed the superior full back Trippier to play in his best position.

 

[TomPNE94]

I'd of done a better job than all these useless bottle job c*** managers we've had over the years.

Haha shut the fuck up you melon

 

[spireite]

It was a frustrating game last night. That Kane miss. At 2-0 and well in control, you're comfortable. We were much the better side 1st half and Croatia were allover the place at the back, there for the taking totally. Then 2nd half, I don't know what happened. It might have been some mental 'omg we're nearly in the final' breakdown, but we started giving the ball away cheaply. Players not moving, finding space. Defence being lackadaisical in possession. The 2 goals we conceded were really poor and you shouldn't be conceding those goals. We just went to pot, and it was all Croatia. We didn't deserve anything in that 2nd half. So disappointing to be so close.

 

[villa loyal]

Southgate is still young, and learning his trade. He will goon to become one of the better England managers I think.

 

[Carver]

WAYNE ROONEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE TEAM.

 

[Gassy]

WAYNE ROONEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE TEAM.

Still don't get why Southgate didn't pick Rio Ferdinand

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Disappointing but not all unexpected, the reality is Croatia were the first decent team we played.

Could have been 2 up at half time but boy did they make us pay, if Perisic didn't hit the post second half I think we'd have crumbled and lost 3 or 4-1. Second half and extra time they were far the better team, Modric totally dominant, Mandzuckic a total hand full, and Perisic and their number 18 attacked at will down the flanks. Our midfield was painfully exposed for how limited it really is. The first rule when playing against 3 at the back is too switch the play and use the width, the first team we play with that ability and it showed.

I don't really by into this "we have a young team, we'll be even better next tournament". Football has never been that simple and I wonder if people who say that actually ever watch it other than when a major tournament is on. Injuries, loss of form etc. can all play a part, or we might not get as lucky with the draw and we might play an inform Germany in the round of 16 and it could all be over in a flash. Plus I don't actually think our team are anything special, again last night 1 shot on target and that's from a set piece, we created nothing from open play and even against the shit teams struggled too, this needs rectifying going forward if we want any chance of success.

People are saying how memorable this tournament was, not sure why. The only game I really enjoyed was the Sweden game, Tunisia and Panama are very poor and we beat an average Colombia without their main man. I'll have too see Southgate over a longer period to judge his coaching abilities properly, but if we'd have played a decent team in the round of 16 or quarters we wouldn't be talking about semi finals in reality. The bright side is with this Nations League we will find our pretty soon, as long as the nations take it seriously.

Would like Croatia too win the final, however I have France on my bet so need them too win.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Southgate is still young, and learning his trade. He will goon to become one of the better England managers I think.

He'll be nearly 50 at the next tournament and has been coaching over 10 years at various levels, not sure he's that young and should have learnt a fair bit by now.

 

[Son of Cod]

C'mon, you would sell your fucking soul for getting this kind of message from my side as it would implement that you would have won the cup at the last tournament

I wouldn't be banging on about it days before it gets handed over to its next holder though, and certainly wouldn't be lauding it over a thread full of beaten semi finalists in the manner you are.

 

[SMH]

We’ll never have a better chance to win a World Cup. Germany, Spain, Argentina will surely never be that bad again, the likes of Italy won’t ever not qualify again and we’ll never get a better draw. This was our chance and in typical English fashion we blew it. Gutted!

 

[villa loyal]

He'll be nearly 50 at the next tournament and has been coaching over 10 years at various levels, not sure he's that young and should have learnt a fair bit by now.

50 is the new 30. I'd like to think he will be managing us in the next World Cup and will be better for it.

 

[TomPNE94]

Disappointing but not all unexpected, the reality is Croatia were the first decent team we played.

Could have been 2 up at half time but boy did they make us pay, if Perisic didn't hit the post second half I think we'd have crumbled and lost 3 or 4-1. Second half and extra time they were far the better team, Modric totally dominant, Mandzuckic a total hand full, and Perisic and their number 18 attacked at will down the flanks. Our midfield was painfully exposed for how limited it really is. The first rule when playing against 3 at the back is too switch the play and use the width, the first team we play with that ability and it showed.

I don't really by into this "we have a young team, we'll be even better next tournament". Football has never been that simple and I wonder if people who say that actually ever watch it other than when a major tournament is on. Injuries, loss of form etc. can all play a part, or we might not get as lucky with the draw and we might play an inform Germany in the round of 16 and it could all be over in a flash. Plus I don't actually think our team are anything special, again last night 1 shot on target and that's from a set piece, we created nothing from open play and even against the shit teams struggled too, this needs rectifying going forward if we want any chance of success.

People are saying how memorable this tournament was, not sure why. The only game I really enjoyed was the Sweden game, Tunisia and Panama are very poor and we beat an average Colombia without their main man. I'll have too see Southgate over a longer period to judge his coaching abilities properly, but if we'd have played a decent team in the round of 16 or quarters we wouldn't be talking about semi finals in reality. The bright side is with this Nations League we will find our pretty soon, as long as the nations take it seriously.

Would like Croatia too win the final, however I have France on my bet so need them too win.

Probably cos I’ve been in the pub with all my mates getting pissed up on a Tuesday night, Wednesday night, Sunday etc. It’s been fucking brilliant.

I went to France two years ago for the Euros and went to the England vs Slovakia game. Anyone who remembers that game and the Iceland game after it and still doesn’t see how far we’ve progressed is either blind or stupid.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

50 is the new 30. I'd like to think he will be managing us in the next World Cup and will be better for it.

Hope you are right as we need stability going forward, personally though he's never impressed me as a coach, on every thread where I've commented on our games I've not really praised him as i think all our managers in the last 20 years will have been watching thinking I wish I had that run. Eddie Howe was always the man for me after the Euros but it wasn't meant to be. SMH above has got it spot on we will most likely never have a better chance to get to a final. The big boys will be back far stronger, and I'm yet to buy into the hype over our team, from open play we look serious short of real quality, our biggest hope might be Maguire's head.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Probably cos I’ve been in the pub with all my mates getting pissed up on a Tuesday night, Wednesday night, Sunday etc. It’s been fucking brilliant.

I went to France two years ago for the Euros and went to the England vs Slovakia game. Anyone who remembers that game and the Iceland game after it and still doesn’t see how far we’ve progressed is either blind or stupid.

Which of the teams we've beat this tournament are better than that Iceland team, serious question? Probably Colombia. How far have we progressed then, did you watch our play from open play? We'll see next tournament should we qualify.

 

[Gassy]

We’ll never have a better chance to win a World Cup.

Bollocks.

Hate this saying that is doing the rounds. We're talking like we would have beaten France easily.

We will have chances, we may even do it one day. But to say we will never have a better chance is absolute garbage mate, sorry

 

[Abertawe]

I understand some English guys want their "moment" but this tournament wasn't it. Semis by virtue of not playing anyone and then Southgate messes up the first test, oh so predictable.

 

[spireite]

I understand some English guys want their "moment" but this tournament wasn't it. Semis by virtue of not playing anyone and then Southgate messes up the first test, oh so predictable.

I mean we could have run into Italy, Holland or Germany but that shite Sweden team knocked them all out unfortunately.

 

[mente captus]

I mean we could have run into Italy, Holland or Germany but that shite Sweden team knocked them all out unfortunately.

We have beaten them.

 

[mente captus]

As you say, living through it is a good feeling, enjoy it - I get the feeling this won't be the first time you'll experience it

The problem is you're looking at it wrong - in typical German fashion of everything is either failure or success. Yes, 100% we will come back to say that was a great opportunity. But that doesn't mean it's a failure.

Especially if Croatia go on and beat France, we lost to the best team in the World - what a failure...

Open your mind and expand your horizons mente - you'll enjoy life a lot more

yeah, maybe, but have a saying here in Germany, dont know something equal exists in english. literally translated it means: you make the biggest failures in success.

of course is to reach a semi a success, but "reached the semi final", shouldnt be written all over the english campaign this year. There is a lot of work to do.

 

[Carver]

SOUTHGATE IS WEAK

 

[Dirk]

of course it is a failure, it will NEVER ever be that easy to reach the final/to win the cup again.

I've seen us winning te world cup twice in my lifetime. It's a great feeling, you know

I heard you're from the Eastern parts of our Fatherland. So,thank god for the Re-Unification then, Mente. Right in time for you then. The GDR would've won nothing, you were our Scotland in football

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Bollocks.

Hate this saying that is doing the rounds. We're talking like we would have beaten France easily.

We will have chances, we may even do it one day. But to say we will never have a better chance is absolute garbage mate, sorry

It's his opinion, and tbf I agree not sure how it's garbage. If Harry Kane put us 2 up last night a final would have been in sight, we might not have beaten France, but it's a one of game where anything can happen, penalties, red cards, injuries etc.

Next tournament we could get a group of death again and other teams probably will improve, the question is will we? Nobody can realistically say, but we've missed a big chance, make no mistake about it.

Personally I'm gutted to lose a semi final but good for those who just seem happy to have had a good run.