The 2017-2018 Football Thread

[bmac4]

No.

If one of their serious players - let us say, Harry Kane - was injured in game where the outcome was (frankly) irrelevant, this would have be far worse.

Gareth Southgate now knows that his Team B is - frankly - not at the races, and the players cannot complain that they weren't given a chance to shine on the world stage.

It has also give him more time to rest Dele Alli, and take the spotlight off Harry Kane - the message that the team is greater than the player matters especially at World Cup level, and - should hopefully - serve to ensure that Kane is even hungrier for the next round, where performance and outcome and goals will matter.

Re the rest: They play Colombia. So what? This is the knock out stage of the World Cup. If you claim to be a good team you should be able to beat other good teams when you field your best players.

So, they didn't meet Japan, again, so what?

Japan got lucky today.

In truth, the best English team needs to be stretched by a team that is better than Japan - who will be found out.

If England hope to progress further, they need the confidence that winning against decent opponents will bring.

Yeah I can’t disagree with you. Hopefully it serves them well and we are watching them play in the quarterfinals.

I am actually working on an article for a friends sports sight about matchups and predictions for the round of 16. Hopefully can offer some good insights the some Americans that don’t know much about football.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Quite a dull flat game between England and Belgium, but I think it was worth trying some of the B team players out.

Agree. Not that exciting a game. But I'm glad we got the job done in the first two games.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

As I expected, the the "Good Mood" around the England squad Southgate had been lauded for for just 24 hours ago has been forgotten as soon as a bad result popped up. The narrative is now that the campaign will be seen as an utter failure unless England beat 2014 quarterfinalists Colombia. Neither B team looked convincing, though that is the result of a lack of experience playing as a unit as much as it is a drop in talent.

I would have thought Rashford or Vardy would have been able to grab a goal.

We're in the knockout rounds now, so England's campaign hinges on the next result. Win, and the narrative swings backs to Unfounded Optimism Mode. Lose, and people will claim all the old faults have returned.

 

[Apple fanboy]

As I expected, the the "Good Mood" around the England squad Southgate had been lauded for for just 24 hours ago has been forgotten as soon as a bad result popped up. The narrative is now that the campaign will be seen as an utter failure unless England beat 2014 quarterfinalists Colombia. Neither B team looked convincing, though that is the result of a lack of experience playing as a unit as much as it is a drop in talent.

I would have thought Rashford or Vardy would have been able to grab a goal.

We're in the knockout rounds now, so England's campaign hinges on the next result. Win, and the narrative swings backs to Unfounded Optimism Mode. Lose, and people will claim all the old faults have returned.

So true. And of course don't forget there could always be penalties to go out on!

 

[Silencio]

Colombia will be a good test for England, but Sweden or Switzerland would follow on in the quarterfinal matchup instead of the more dangerous Brazil or Mexico. England could also catch a huge break if James can't recover in time to play.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

As I expected, the the "Good Mood" around the England squad Southgate had been lauded for for just 24 hours ago has been forgotten as soon as a bad result popped up. The narrative is now that the campaign will be seen as an utter failure unless England beat 2014 quarterfinalists Colombia. Neither B team looked convincing, though that is the result of a lack of experience playing as a unit as much as it is a drop in talent.

I would have thought Rashford or Vardy would have been able to grab a goal.

We're in the knockout rounds now, so England's campaign hinges on the next result. Win, and the narrative swings backs to Unfounded Optimism Mode. Lose, and people will claim all the old faults have returned.

True, to a certain extent.

I think that Southgate will have learned a lot, while sacrificing little.

Moreover, his decision to play in form players - such as Kane - irrespective of glittering or non-glittering team (yes, Rashford and Vardy - okay, Leicester won the Premiership two seasons ago) has also has paid dividends.

England have qualified for the knock-out stages; fine, I would have preferred to have seen a draw (and a goal - for tonight's performance suggested that a win was never on the cards) with no injuries and no real loss, except to a misplaced pride.

Let us see them raise their game for the next round.

So true. And of course don't forget there could always be penalties to go out on!

Penalties, yes.

Although, knowing the level of preparation and planning Southgate puts into things, (and given his own personal history), I'd be staggered and stunned if this wasn't also factored in.

 

[cube]

I think you were a bit too harsh on Japan because they GAMBLED. They could have easily been left out and it would be their fault.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I think you were a bit too harsh on Japan because they GAMBLED. They could have easily been left out and it would be their fault.

I'm not harsh because they "gambled", I'm critical because of their cynical time-killing exercise at end of their match against Poland in the forum of the World Cup.

I hope they are hammered in the next round; I do not wish to see such behaviour rewarded.

 

[Gutwrench]

I'm not harsh because they "gambled", I'm critical because of their cynical time-killing exercise at end of their match against Poland in the forum of the World Cup.

I hope they are hammered in the next round; I do not wish to see such behaviour rewarded.

At the least they should pretend not to want to lose. Lol.

 

[cube]

I'm not harsh because they "gambled", I'm critical because of their cynical time-killing exercise at end of their match against Poland in the forum of the World Cup.

I hope they are hammered in the next round; I do not wish to see such behaviour rewarded.

It was a strategy, and Poland was satisfied winning 1-0.

It was the Japanese manager who ordered to keep the ball and not getting carded.

 

[Gutwrench]

It was a strategy, and Poland was satisfied winning 1-0.

Belgium and England sat 9 and 8 respectively in the first half.

While it might be a tad overboard to say that the teams wanted to lose on purpose, it was clear to all watchers that the desire to win wasn’t at the level we expect from highly-paid footballers.

It was reminiscent of what Indian political watchers call a ‘friendly fight’ where parties put up a weaker candidate to help their ally win.

http://www.dnaindia.com/sports/fifa...e-and-fifa-needs-to-change-its-system-2630947

Friendly fight...haha. Nice description.

 

[cube]

Japan had people in the other game reporting to the manager.

 

[BenTrovato]

World cup is all about the road to the cup. You need to get lucky with your path and the team needs to get hot.

England and Spain "should" meet in the semi's. The other side of the bracket is a nightmare. It will be interesting to see if the AI that predicted Spain will be correct, citing they would have an easier path than the other favorites.

 

[cube]

All the Japanese spectators were checking their phones.

 

[pachyderm]

All the Japanese spectators were checking their phones.

i'm sure all the fans were checking their phones.

 

[cube]

i'm sure all the fans were checking their phones.

Not at the level shown at the end of the Poland-Japan match.

 

[pachyderm]

 

[Centaurr]

Colombia becomes the group leader! they played superb with poland but when they played senegal they were ok. gotta step up their game with england. hopefully James will play but im not worried cause they still have El Tigre (the tiger) Falcao, Mina and Cuadrado......funny thing is, Colombia were still gonna pass to Round 16 if it was a draw with senegal cause poland won #GoColombia #WorldCupFever

 

[Gutwrench]

Now it makes sense. Lol!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Yesterday was a welcome relief from football: One can become footballed out.

Anyway, belatedly, have caught up with the match between Argentina and France. One-all at half time.

 

[bmac4]

Argentina should be out of this game. If Argentina hadn’t given 2 or 3 very dirty fouls, they are out of this game.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Then, early in the second half, Argentina scored again, bringing the score to 2-1, almost immediately, France equalised pulling them back and proceeded to score a further two.

So, 4-2 to France as matters stand.

 

[decafjava]

Argentina should be out of this game. If Argentina hadn’t given 2 or 3 very dirty fouls, they are out of this game.

It’s looking like that is what’s going to happen. Pretty good match by France. I knew who scored before checking my phone by the yelling (lots of French supporters here).

 

[bmac4]

It’s looking like that is what’s going to happen. Pretty good match by France. I knew who scored before checking my phone by the yelling (lots of French supporters here).

Yep, Mbappé took over the game. Looked like the best player on the pitch.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Personally, I would like to see France win.

Very good game from France.