Tunisia v England, 18th June, 7pm(GMT)

[Abertawe]

I don't think anyone does or could hate Southgate. That's part of the issue in a way, he comes across as such a drab entity I can't see him inspiring such a strong emotion in people.

Oh I hate him definitely. I hate fakers and he's faking on the biggest stage.

 

[Son of Cod]

I don't think anyone does or could hate Southgate. That's part of the issue in a way, he comes across as such a drab entity I can't see him inspiring such a strong emotion in people.

Well, you've managed to do it pretty well on here!!!

 

[Gassy]

Well, you've managed to do it pretty well on here!!!

I have to ask you, based on our previous conversation;

So after last night, what's our chances? Is it coming home?

 

[AFCB_Mark]

I have to ask you, based on our previous conversation;

So after last night, what's our chances? Is it coming home?

About 7.30pm: It's coming home!
7.35pm: It's not coming home
8:45pm It's definitely not coming home
8:46pm IT'S F**KING COMING HOME LADS

 

[Son of Cod]

I have to ask you, based on our previous conversation;

So after last night, what's our chances? Is it coming home?

Hahaha of course it is mate. Last night was a perfectly executed plan that was never in doubt!

 

[Nilsson]

Much needed win that keeps the good feeling that surrounds this squad going. Would've been devastating if we failed to win that considering the amount of chances we created and the fact we should've had a penalty - can't believe VAR missed that, the defender wasn't even looking at the ball and just hauled Kane down.

Given ourselves the best chance of going through now, hopefully the Panama game is less frustrating. I'd start Rose over Young, having a left footer on that side would give us a much better balance.

Oh I hate him definitely. I hate fakers and he's faking on the biggest stage.

What's he faking?

 

[Tranmerewhite]

Time to book 15th July and the day after off work! Best team performance so far this tournament if you ignore all the other games!

Got to drop Alli though, didn’t look fit and we’ve surely learned our lesson on that from every previous tournament.

 

[Redpelt]

What's with the Southgate bashing?

Promptness.

 

[TractorBoys]

Get in. Where's TractorBoys with his bag

Didn't get back to my current home town until 1PM today. Can confirm bag was indeed smashed.

Enjoyable performance, should have been home and dry after the first half. Second half i felt we reverted back to old England traits, and become sluggish & shackled.

TB

 

[Stevencc]

Really? I didn't even watch the game, I don't expect I will watch any England games.

Was it a good performance? I don't really know, I've long said England lack a creative midfielder and their two goals came from set pieces.

The hideously overrated Kyle Walker gave away a penalty whilst the, in my opinion superior, Trippier had a good game.

Maybe it is Englands year after all? Their record of 5 decades of underachievement can't continue forever.

I don't believe you.

Either way, you'll still profess to be an expert on all things England whether you watch us or, highly unlikely, you don't.

 

[Pagnell]

Is it possible to not watch a game but at the same time know which players were good and bad?

 

[Stevencc]

Is it possible to not watch a game but at the same time know which players were good and bad?

Only if you listen to what the most informed English pundits like Jamie Redknapp and Alan Shearer say about the game you "didn't watch".

 

[Pagnell]

Do you think Hugh knows Sterling was shit?

 

[G.B]

About 7.30pm: It's coming home!
7.35pm: It's not coming home
8:45pm It's definitely not coming home
8:46pm IT'S F**KING COMING HOME LADS

Current coming home status: It's

 

[Stevencc]

Do you think Hugh knows Sterling was shit?

That depends really, has Jamie Redknapp proffered an opinion on Raheem's performance yet?

 

[SALTIRE]

STILL DONE BETTER THAN YOU YOU DAMN JOCK.

Sorry mate, got carried away.

That's ok mate, according to St. Juste we are playing the long game under Machoolish; he's building us up into becoming a monster of a side capable of not only qualifying for the next world cup, but potentially reaching the final. And we all know St Juste is NEVER wrong.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Why do people think that unless a manager runs up and down the touch line like a bellend, he has no passion and can't motivate the players? I was disappointed with the appointment of Southgate at first but he's done a good job so far, changed the system, put in a lot of younger players and so far has delivered with results, no complaints from me.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Most enjoyable game at a World Cup since 2002. Don't get the Southgate hate, he's done a good job so far and if we carry on in the same vein we'll do ok with this young team.

Have to agree with this. I was a serious doubter but he has certainly won me over.

 

[Pagnell]

Why do people think that unless a manager runs up and down the touch line like a bellend, he has no passion and can't motivate the players?

Nice strawman.

 

[AnimoEtFide]

Maybe I've missed something, but how do we know Southgate fails to inspire/motivate the players? I don't have a clue what he's like behind closed doors.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Maybe I've missed something, but how do we know Southgate fails to inspire/motivate the players? I don't have a clue what he's like behind closed doors.

Almost as comical as when fans claim the manager has lost the dressing room, like they know what goes on behind closed doors.

 

[Skinner]

Good to see this place is offering debate as usual

 

[Stevencc]

I quite like Southgate, despite being underwhelmed when he was appointed.

He's handled the media and expectations excellently, he's playing a young squad and he has something resembling a footballing philosophy.

This group of players mixed with a crop from our multiple trophy-winning youth teams in four years time with a bit of continuity of style and leadership could be an exciting prospect.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Agree with all the above. Think Southgate is doing a good job and I like how we’re set up, conducive to a dynamic brand of football which we have the players to pull off. The build up to the tournament has been solid, there are no huge expectations and that suits an unassuming bloke like Southgate down to the ground who can handle the players in the calm aura he gives off. The qualifiers bored the tits off me and was a foregone conclusion so didn’t see much but things seem to be clicking and the players look like they enjoy playing for England for once. A likeable side going about things in the right manner and long may it continue.

Getting to the second round is a must considering England must be in the top 16 in terms of world population.

 

[AnimoEtFide]

He's also a smashing looking fella. No one ever said this about Big Sam: https://www.theguardian.com/fashion...able-style-icon-most-fashionable-man-football

 

[Stevencc]

He's also a smashing looking fella. No one ever said this about Big Sam: https://www.theguardian.com/fashion...able-style-icon-most-fashionable-man-football

That articles gives weight to the theory that, sometime between the late nineties and 2016, Gareth had his lips permanently glued shut.

 

[St. Juste]

I don't believe you.

Either way, you'll still profess to be an expert on all things England whether you watch us or, highly unlikely, you don't.

Would be a rather odd thing to lie about it, had I been watching it I would probably have been posting about it on here.

But, nevertheless, there are loads of games on at the World Cup and if you actually have a life you need to ration what you're watching. Spain Portugal was a game I absolutely was not missing, but England vs. Tunisia was extremely far down on that list.

I don't imagine I'll watch any England game unless they get to the latter stages of the tournament.

I've never professed to be an expert on all things England at all.

Is it possible to not watch a game but at the same time know which players were good and bad?

Clearly, I read some of the reports on the game. And I saw the highlights of Walker giving away an awful penalty.

As for Trippier having a good game? I read that on this site I think, although probably should have caveated it with "apparently".

Only if you listen to what the most informed English pundits like Jamie Redknapp and Alan Shearer say about the game you "didn't watch".

Who should I be listening to on it?

Do you think Hugh knows Sterling was shit?

I do now.

That's ok mate, according to St. Juste we are playing the long game under Machoolish; he's building us up into becoming a monster of a side capable of not only qualifying for the next world cup, but potentially reaching the final. And we all know St Juste is NEVER wrong.

Well, I've never said any of that. If Scotland reach a World Cup final in my lifetime I will be absolutely astonished.

It's far more likely Brazil will win the World Cup five times in the next 50 years than Scotland reaching the final.

The response to Englands opening victory has been fascinating to watch. Lineker insisting everyone should be positive, something that has absolutely never been an issue for the English media in the first place. Kane is being touted for the Golden Boot and is on the front page of BBC sport saying he wants to be as good as Messi and Ronaldo.

The hype up started months ago, it's finally ramping up now. Most of us have seen this story before.

 

[Bobbin']

God forbid someone suggests being positive or one of the best strikers at the tournament having ambitions of scoring the most goals.

 

[St. Juste]

God forbid someone suggests being positive or one of the best strikers at the tournament having ambitions of scoring the most goals.

Not at all, England have always been incredibly positive as to their chances. I wish Scotland were more like it.

To argue that they haven't been positive is quite astonishing. Shearers quote from Euro 2012 summed it up "maybe expectations are so low we just might win it".

Rarely has one line encapsulated the English mindset towards football since 2008. We might be rubbish, but we can still win tournaments.

As for Kanes statement, he's clearly quite far off the level of those who is speaking about, but do other nations do this? Does a Colombian sport website have a front page story of James Rodriguez wanting to be as good as Messi or Ronaldo? Does Poland do it with Lewandowski?

I don't know, it just seems bizarre to me.

Kane might think it, but how is it news?

 

[Stevencc]

Because people like you click and read it.