The Round Ball Game - II

[johncorrigan]

Sorry but I'll be supporting Colombia, folks...only because I've got them in the sweep, of course!
However I would like to say I was very sad for Senegal. Sorry to see the loss of Africa to the tournament once again. ...I thought it was appalling that Poland and Japan gave up the game 15 minutes before the end...I think they should both be heavily fined by FIFA and sent on a tour of the Scottish Junior Leagues as extra punishment. Anyway other than Japan, representing the Rest of the World, all the teams are from Europe and South America...'twas mostly ever thus!

[zola]

Dele Alli will be sent off, there'll be a disallowed VAR goal, the England central defence will implode and Mourinho will bid £100 million to bring Juan Cuadrado back to the Premier League.....or not

[BBMmk2]

Although we lost, I thought it were not a too bad a game for us. Ido think that Southgate shouldn’t have made too many changes. Maybe one or two, but half the team? I think not!

[Beef Oven!]

Although we lost, I thought it were not a too bad a game for us. Ido think that Southgate shouldn’t have made too many changes. Maybe one or two, but half the team? I think not!

I thought it was a terrible performance. Even in my advanced years, I could have put a couple of those away!

But I agree with you about too many changes, in the sense that I believe none should have been made.

I firmly believe that the 'best team' should be played in each and every game. If a Greavesy gets injured, there'll be a Hursty or an Astle in the wings. We should have put out a Harry Kane-led team and given 'em an 'aircut.

Due to fortunate mixed-parantage, I normally support Italy (since the game where we lost 2-3 to West Germany and then Italy spanked the Krauts a few days later). So this is a frustrating World Cup for me Lions led by donkeys is an overstatement, but you get what I mean. Ameliorated by watching the games in friendly Turkish bars with copious amounts of (not yet banned) premium beer!

Japan would have been easier for us, IMHO. Colombia are going to be stiff.

Glad dirty teams like Senegal and Panama lose out. Good for the game, as we say. If anyone wants to be coying and patronising about African teams, choose Ghana or Nigeria, is my advice.

[Lat-Literal]

..it's double-barrelled Lat, but not as we used to know it....
..I daresay, a fascinating subject for class and cultural analysis...On the Types, Causes, Meanings and Evolutions of...(well, perhaps when the footie's over...:)

Anyway.
How does everyone feel about the result and the prospects...?
All a bit hmm.., yes, but Gary Neville summed it up very well, I thought (as so often....)

Well, yes.

My guess is that Shaun Wright Phillips was the first and that the first pairing was Loftus-Cheek and Alexander-Arnold.

If anyone thinks differently, shout.

As for yesterday, Martinez had declared that winning was not a priority. Belgium played as if winning was a priority but under the rules the Martinez statement should have led to an assessment on whether Belgium should be banned. Ironically, that would have removed the question about whether Southgate had only said that England wanted to win when certain players did not always give that impression and in doing so might have revealed a greater truth. Because in that instance, England would have come top of the group and faced what is undoubtedly a trickier route. Even Japan aren't a pushover. They show signs of German style organisation when they can be bothered.

I do not accept the argument about maintaining momentum mainly as I have now heard the word momentum mentioned a couple of hundred times. Consequently, I was not wholly opposed to the changes although I would have experimented with a goalkeeping change. There were few ridiculous moments or humdingers which are now both common parlance for describing something fantastic, Dier was dire and there was disappointingly little linkage between the midfield and the strikers. But I did think Alexander-Arnold played very well and I think there are about 15 of the 23 players including him who would justify serious consideration for inclusion in the term "Our First 11".

In terms of understanding of formations, I am somewhat questionable myself given that I try in my fantasy football 3-4-3 to avoid defensive midfielders as much as possible but I'm quite keen on shoving Kane, Vardy, Sterling, Lingard and Alli all into the first team which would no doubt be a mess. Still, the goals in that combination on their Premier League record is immense. In fact, last season they scored 85 goals in total. You could still have Rashford and if necessary Welbeck ready on the bench. My favourite player is Kane which while predictable is difficult to say especially as he was first at Arsenal but I am also very impressed and won over character wise by Lingard.

[jayne lee wilson]

Gary Neville summing up... said that if you are aware (as player or manager etc) of England's record over a decade or two - getting knocked out by Germany, Brazil, Portugal etc.etc., usually in 1/4 finals, on penalties, often repeatedly, in a bad humour....

Then avoiding the inevitable result of meeting Brazil in the quarters was highly desirable. Bear in mind the kinder climate in Moscow as compared to Rostov (venue for Belgium-Japan, sweltering) too.
That's how I see it at least, as I saw all their games and Brazil look very strong this time. It felt disheartening to think that, beating Japan say, we would then just go out again....
We do have a chance this way. Columbia are no pushovers, but get through that one and...no, stop, can't bear the hope...

[eighthobstruction]

....well Columbia seem to have lost James Rodriques....have apparently had their first 11 playing in all 3 close group games that have gone to the 90 minute wire (in hot conditions)....hopefully a rested Eng will have an advantage....if Sterling plays he should be told to give it all in the first half - ready for Rashford or Welbeck....Vardy should not get any more game time as the system is all wrong for him....shame Emlyn Huges isn't around anymore , he'd really suit this team....Cahill has the edge over Maguire, by the fact of his goaline save + Maguire not 100% confident....Harry Kane v Sanchez -interesting

[BBMmk2]

Well I am blessed. One of my countries has been knocked out, Germany. I’ve Still England, France and Spain.

[johncorrigan]

Fabulous game - love that French right back - he's had a great tournament so far and what a goal he scored...drama all the way to the end.

[jayne lee wilson]

France 4 Argentina 3.... wow, wow and wow...... our cup runneth over with skill, drama, and fabulous goals.....!
Pavard's stupendous volley even outdoes Nacho as my G-of-the-T so far. MY goodness!

Argentina weren't strong as a team (all over the place tactically sometimes in every game) but they had gifted players and kept fighting.... imagine if they'd got the equaliser with Mbappé and Griezmann already substituted...
I'm always uneasy when the stars and potential match winners go off with enough time left for the opposition to snatch goal or two, especially if extra time is possible....

France were very impressive weren't they? Really together as a team with many gifted individuals. Even Pogba excelled, always great to watch when he struts, bounces and passes like that.
Now it's the Suarez v Ronaldo show, and who knows what else...

[teamsaint]

Jayne, I share your surprise at top strikers being subbed with ET a possibility.

The French defence looked suspect, and anybody who wants to get past them is going to have to work out a way of getting at them, without getting ripped apart in the process. But they are full of skill, pace and power, another good reason to “ avoid” the top half of the draw.

Two sensational goals from Uruguay, who have top class up front to add to their generations - deep ability to defend successfully, ( mostly) for hours on end. The first goal was breathtaking, my favourite in the whole wonderful competition so far, I think. Almost undefendable.

Another fabulous days football, VAR hardly mentioned at all. The refs have been so lenient with yellow cards, but it sort of seems to be working.
Pity to have the fab weather and The Greatest Show on Earth at the same time,but its a good problem to have. Good thing the Proms haven’t started yet,and a shame about the beer crisis. Supplies holding up at TS towers......

[johncorrigan]

Two sensational goals from Uruguay, who have top class up front to add to their generations - deep ability to defend successfully, ( mostly) for hours on end. The first goal was breathtaking, my favourite in the whole wonderful competition so far, I think. Almost undefendable.

......

The problem for Uruguay is if Cavani's injury is serious, sainty. The problem for France, who impressed me today, is that Mbappe is unlikely to get the space he got today. Tough to call, but if Cavani isn't fully fit then I have to go for the French. Re the weaker half of the draw, I think a lot of the teams in there are thinking they would rather face England than Belgium, I believe. I actually think that Belgium, if they get past Japan, are capable of taking on the Brazilians, if they get past Mexico. Of all the tasty treats ahead, that's the one that I look forward to most...if it happens; but in this World Cup pretty much anything can happen.

[jayne lee wilson]

Jayne, I share your surprise at top strikers being subbed with ET a possibility.

The French defence looked suspect, and anybody who wants to get past them is going to have to work out a way of getting at them, without getting ripped apart in the process. But they are full of skill, pace and power, another good reason to “ avoid” the top half of the draw.

Two sensational goals from Uruguay, who have top class up front to add to their generations - deep ability to defend successfully, ( mostly) for hours on end. The first goal was breathtaking, my favourite in the whole wonderful competition so far, I think. Almost undefendable.

Another fabulous days football, VAR hardly mentioned at all. The refs have been so lenient with yellow cards, but it sort of seems to be working.
Pity to have the fab weather and The Greatest Show on Earth at the same time,but its a good problem to have. Good thing the Proms haven’t started yet,and a shame about the beer crisis. Supplies holding up at TS towers......

Yes... I got in the garden with the Panasonic FM for Any Answers, felt a bit reluctant to be back in for 3, but soon forgot any misgivings! And at least there isn't a Brandy crisis (double on the rocks, with an iced Espresso Shot...1500 hrs isn't too early is it..? )...

Just as I thought, Suarez was man-of-the-match, devastating, fabulous team-leader all over the pitch, Cavani just as hard-working as skilful... what a PEACH of a second goal too! I think he scored the first with his right cheek-bone...? But it was the stunning Suarez ball-in that gave it the unstoppable pace.

Russia-Spain should be fairly raucous! Fair compensation for giving up the bench under the trees, or the sun chair....

[aeolium]

I thought Uruguay-Portugal possibly the game of the tournament so far (a close contest with Spain-Portugal early on). There was such intensity and such a high level of skill all over the field. Suarez and Cavani were excellent up front for Uruguay but I think my man of the match would be Godin, who gave a masterclass in calm defending at the back, always anticipating the danger, policing Ronaldo, clearing the threats.

France v Argentina had lots of goals, including a couple of stunners, but was such an uneven contest that the result was rarely in doubt. How sad to see perhaps the greatest player of our age, Messi, reduced to insignificance by the inadequacy of his teammates and the wretched strategy of surely the worst manager in the tournament.

[teamsaint]

Football....Bloody Hell.

1-1 after 4 minutes in the evening game, with the nation’s sunday accumulators long since turned to so many cinders on a million barbeques.

Spain only themselves to blame for a lacklustre and complacent effort, I’m afraid.