MarcusX

If you'd offered me before the tournament 7 points, 9 goals scored and 2 clean sheets I'd have bit your hand off, so to speak I think the nerves only crept in for most because we played the supposed weakest team first, then a fairly drab 0-0 in the middle leaving us a showdown that's effectively a derby and anything can happen in those. I didn't want to go into the Wales game needing a result, and although we didn't really need anything out of the game (other than avoid a 4 goal turnover) it felt like we needed a performance to get our belief back. If we'd played Wales first, then Iran and finished with a 0-0 having already qualified I think the mood would have been quite different. Instead it was shades of 2020 where we drew in the middle and needed a result in the last game. We should beat Senegal, then it's likely France or Argentina which will be tough but we've got a chance. The Semi actually looks "easier" then

Yep, I don't care if we're "exciting" and go out and smash teams. Results are all that matters, yes he makes mistakes but we're worlds apart from the England team of 2016. Also, has any team really been that exciting yet? Spain's first game (but you could argue ours too) France perhaps have been the "best" so far across 2 games. I know it's off topic but genuine question, why a UK team and not a GB team like the Olympics? I believe NI athletes can choose between GB or Eire (dont know the history behind that allowance though) The pundit? Probably just as good to be honest

??

They need more than one, awful from them if they’re putting all their hopes on another result. Wales are absolutely dreadful, but we can’t break down these bad teams.

Proper jealous mate enjoy it!

Not too unhappy with that to be honest. We need to win to build momentum so I didn’t want to see mass changes - but there’s a fresh look to the attack now

Can’t see it tbh, Wales need a big win to keep it in their hands. Sneaking a 1-0 is big gamble on the other game

What we thinking tonight then? Rumours Hendo in for Bellingham, now I know some will question that on talent - but on the face of Friday's performance, why not? We looked better when Hendo came on and regained midfield control (from what I saw) I'd like to have seen Kane rested in that game, so perhaps tonight? Then again, ultimately he's our best player - I just wonder if a hungry (and presumably fully fit) Wilson offers us some more energy? I'd like to see some more "freshening up" but tbh I wouldn't change the back four or Rice. Perhaps swap out Mount, I really want to see Foden get more game time. The draw is interesting - a first place sees a potentially easier last 16 game (on paper) but a QF with France likely awaits. Second place would be a likely route of Netherlands and Argentina - are both winnable? they should be IMO though we have to go out and win this and do so convincingly. Forget the draw, we'd need to get past France at some point if we want to win it. You don't want to go into knockout football off the back of two realy poor results and scraping through. You want a strong performance and players on form. I'd love to see Kane get a couple of goals if he starts and a clean sheet, but it's a "derby" and they will be well up for it, anything can happen. I can't see a 4-0 though, so I think we're safely through.

Perhaps not racist but definitely offensive to many. This is where education comes into it, to some people their name is their identity. It’s part of their culture and their heritage. Then ask them how often their name is mispronounced, or how often they are asked if they can be called something “easier”. Then consider how many people are discriminated on their job applications etc because of their name, and how many feel they need to “anglicise” it. A professional footballer near the top of his game may not be too worried, but it has the potential to normalise the act or make light of it for the rest of us.

There was a lot that went on at that time that makes for some uncomfortable viewing now. A lot of "blacking up", Craig David's been critical of Bo Selecta and the impact it had on him, some of the sketches from Little Britain and Come Fly With Me are quite cringeworthy now. Even been re-watching The Office lately (US version) and some of the stuff isn't even borderline, it's just out and out racist. I think we've come a long way in terms of what is acceptable humour. I always thought it was odd that lots of people referred to Fammy as "Dave" too

Yet there's been 5 0-0 draws already, there was only 1 in the 2018 group stages

I see Klinsmann is getting torn apart for his comments about Iranian "culture" of gamesmanship. He made very similar points as the post about "latinos" on here - also said they wouldn't have got away with it with a european ref. In fairness, I assumed he meant footballing culture and not sure it was meant about Iran as a "culture" outside of football - although he's hardly one to speak about sportsmanship, cheating, conning refs. Not sure you can tarnish all people from one particular country like that though. Not all Germans cheat and dive like Mr Klinsmann did.

Ref blew early there? Didn’t even reach the 6 minutes

Difference in class showed unfortunately. 6-1 was a bit harsh but no disputing the better team won. If they’d managed to hold out to HT at 1-0 it might not have been so bad but let in the second just before the break. A good 15 minute showing after half time where CT were on top, conceded on the breakaway for a third before pulling one back. Then Sam Winnall came on against tired legs and no mercy was shown. Nice ground there, I missed the trip earlier in the season (Coventry away) old school terrace round 3 lengths of the ground. No atmosphere from the home fans though Burton had Mariappa at the back for them, as a city link Are you confident we’d actually beat them? ?

Semenyo-esque finish, pure power

Ah ok sorry, makes sense!

We’re working closely with Qatar too, I’m heading there for work next year. For another thread though.

Missed a lot of the England game as I was at a Xmas meal: had it on an iPad at the table with a few of us watching it but hard to pay proper attention. Poor performance and I’m as surprised as everyone else about some of the selections and subs. There must be more to it that we as fans just don’t hear about, training, attitudes, injuries whatever else. We’re all but qualified though. I thought we’d struggle to get out of the group so I’ll take that. If we somehow get turned over by 4 goals on Tuesday I’ll never watch England again. Should at least be a more open game as wales have to go for it. Would be good to win the group though, particularly as I’m at a wedding next Saturday!

Apparently the first to be out after two games, so no. Lovely to have that in the history books (for the people in charge, not so much the players) Have to be honest, I do it. As a defender if I'm in a race with the striker, just step across before the ball and take the foul. Even more so going forward because I'll be honest, a free kick is probably the better solution than me having the ball on the edge of the area 9 times out of 10. Though I have scored the odd screamer ?

I'm surprised it wasn't given Alex Scott does that half a dozen times a game, Grealish too. it's clever play - no different to a defender shielding a ball out of play, if you then go through him it's a foul. There's no harm in "looking" for a foul or "inviting" contact, defenders have to be smarter

Dean Saunders was a joy to listen to on talksport ?

could be scottish?

Saved a click: The Robins will also face an as yet unnamed Premier League side in a friendly which is set to be behind closed doors, likely to be on the weekend of December 3

Still bloody moved it to Sunday though for some reason

I believe the system is a set of cameras, so in theory yes they should all have the same number of cameras, same location etc. They even went as far as clearing up the offside situation saying the balls have chips in them so they know the precise moment they are kicked and the lines are drawn in seconds apparently - all automatic (I swear some people think a person in a studio "draws" the lines on themselves!) In practice - is every stadium the same size with the same availability for position cameras? No, but I assume there must be some calibration to ensure uniformity? For me big issues with VAR is - it's still down to opinion of the person in charge, it's better now that the refs get to view a screen (this didnt initially happen in the Prem I dont think?) so it can ultimately be their call, but you will get 2 very similar incidents receive different punishments across games and officials. On top of that, it's the communication back to the viewer, especially in the stadium. The fans need to know what's being reviewed and given some update. I've been to a couple of games now in real life where VAR has been used. Leicester v Chelsea FA Cup final with Chelsea's late equaliser, that was an awful fan experience as it took so long and England v Germany recently when no one had a clue what was happening. Luckily had enough signal to message friends and understand what they were looking at.