cityexile

Must win game. (just wanted to be the first to say it this season...)

We defended fairly well. Nigeria clearly the better team, but can argue their goalie ended up making the better saves.

Got to feel for Nigeria as a neutral, but some guts shown in that last 40 mins by England. Don’t look remotely like we can win it, but getting though is everything is knock out.

Thought that was a pen to be honest.

Nigeria are excellent without the ball. Lucky to be here, and would take pens now.

Stupid stupid sending off.

Nigeria looked faster and slicker that half. Well organised and giving us no space at all. If they can keep it up for 90 mins we will see, but lucky to be level really. Fingers crossed we are better second half.

Goals scored, them our best card...alphabetical order (just for display, technically ‘equal’).

Maybe lucky to get a point with the balance of play in the second half. Deserved by Preston but still salty about their goal. Ho hum. Plenty to work on.

Nice start to the second half. Let’s hope we can push on this half.

Well, if ever a game deserved a 0-0 at half time... Disappointing. Preston looking more comfortable on the ball, but overall a poor match. Only one chance of note all half. There to be won. Let’s hope we improve!

Were we ahead?

Decent match in fairness. Did however have that feel of a lower level side giving it a good go in a cup game against better opposition. Difficult to judge SW on this one equally.

Having James Ward-Prowse thread it through at this level is also not too shabby.

Still not won a game since the clocks went forward…

Keep seeing we are a potentially a CB short with Kallas and injuries from others and you rightly point out the flexibility we do have. Maybe? I know compared to most clubs we are very rare users of the system, but if that is Pearson's judgement too, then does it not lend itself to a 6 month loan to come in rather than a perm?

You would think so. Equally Japan, Norway, Sweden or USA in the same quarter is a tough gig.

Scenes… https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/66395318

First round, Germany 6 Morocco 0. Germany out, Morocco progress. You do never know, but the draw seems on paper to have worked out well for England. Nigeria next then winner of Colombia and Jamaica for semi final. Then most likely France. Lots of teams that have done well, Japan, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden (plus USA) all in the other half. I fancy Nigeria, Jamiaca, Australia then USA as like some sort of post-colonial tour…

I fancy us to get something against China. However, if Denmark win we need something. I am not sure Denmark winning would be considered 'truly remarkable' and in that event, we are not as good as qualified. We will need a result.

Indeed. If Denmark beat Haiti, as you think they would, we still need something. China maybe lucky not to give a penalty away late on today and draw, but if China beat us 1-0 and Denmark beat Haiti 1-0 (both within the bounds of possibility), is it then down to lots? England maybe a bit unlucky the way it has split to have won two, and still in the last group round to still effectively face a knock out match (although they do get the draw).

Also worth saying, with two games a day a couple of times, that is a lot of our squad getting a decent workout.

Lost Williamson, Mead and Kirby. Also Bronze is only recently returned from injury and this is Bright's first game back from surgery after months out. Tough gig, and not looked great recently. It’s a tough group with three teams in the top 16, so somebody is going to miss out. Equally, many teams work their way in to tournaments, and they did win. Personally feels a huge ask to get beyond the QF, just gave to hope they click and improve.

Lucky it was not a red. Technically the ball is dead I suppose for the previous foul, but still dangerous play. I mean you can not head butt somebody after the whistle has gone either.

I get what you are saying, but maybe, just maybe, we valued him at £20m plus all along and therefore said £25m? At the end of the day any player is worth what others will pay for him. Increasingly looks like we will not be far away.