Planet Rugby Forum

The Native wrote:Croatian Firefighters watching the game - https://imgur.com/gallery/NU187f9

Commiserations England....know how you must feel today as we did after a few of our rugby exits...I think Blackadder would say it best..

Seez wrote:Didn’t see any of that one but the U17s looked very good technically in the final against Spain, Foden especially.

They were streets ahead of Spain in that final but the front five or six in that team (Foden aside) play like Rashford/Sterling - direct runners, pace & power - which is probably more effective in lower age group football. There wasn't anyone like a Modric keeping it ticking over and killing opponents with 1000 cuts/jabbing them into submission.

It blows my mind I'm saying this but losing Winks and Oxlade-Chamberlain to injury before the tournament probably killed England's chances in a match like this semi. And I'm not saying either is really like Modric or of his calibre, but they're closer to playing the role of someone who can put a foot on it, set the tempo and knit defence to attack, than any other English midfielder on display in Russia. A fit and firing Wilshire of yesteryear would have been THE solution.

I actually thought Henderson might do more of this than he has during the tournament. Seemed a bit subdued to me but I don't watch Liverpool religiously so I don't know if we saw his MO over the course of these six games as a whole.

Edit: Sorry Juddy, just read back to see you'd made some of the same points in the first paragraph...

Great game.
For the first time in my life I was actually cheering on the English in a football match, so I musn't be much of a good luck charm, sorry lads

England were utterly dominant until Croatia's 1st goal imo, then the wheels came off. The team will learn a lot from this and comeback stronger next time

On behalf of IKEA, well done Croatia

Don't feel the same devastation as the 1990 semi but a strong sense of disappointment and 'what could have been'.

Desperately needed the second goal in the first half which could have led to a third as Croatia chased the game but from the start of the second half Croatia were the dominant side and thoroughly deserved their victory. Their conditioning is incredible given the energy they had in extra time, let's hope they beat the Frogs on Sunday.

Yep, needed that second goal. If there's one person you'd want those first half chances to fall to it would be Kane, but it wasn't to be.

Can't argue with the result over the full game.

Plato'sCave wrote:

Mick Mannock wrote:

Plato'sCave wrote:I hope there’s no violence

I live in S Essex and so far my car is not on fire. Hopeful sign

I’d call that a big win.

It's a big win by the end of any weekend

So team of the tournament?

Pickford

Trippier-Varane-Kompany-Nagatomo (couldn't think of another left back who's stood out)

Kante

Modric-De Bruyne

Mbappe-Kane-Hazard

Diego wrote:So team of the tournament?

Pickford

Trippier-Varane-Kompany-Nagatomo (couldn't think of another left back who's stood out)

Kante

Modric-De Bruyne

Mbappe-Kane-Hazard

I’d have Cavani ahead of Kane tbh. Also might have Maguire ahead of Kompany.

Lenny wrote:

Diego wrote:So team of the tournament?

Pickford

Trippier-Varane-Kompany-Nagatomo (couldn't think of another left back who's stood out)

Kante

Modric-De Bruyne

Mbappe-Kane-Hazard

I’d have Cavani ahead of Kane tbh. Also might have Maguire ahead of Kompany.

You can't really leave out the likely top goalscorer, even if they were mostly penalties. Yeah maybe Maguire, although his shithouse diving skills have put me off him a bit.

Diego wrote:

Lenny wrote:

Diego wrote:So team of the tournament?

Pickford

Trippier-Varane-Kompany-Nagatomo (couldn't think of another left back who's stood out)

Kante

Modric-De Bruyne

Mbappe-Kane-Hazard

I’d have Cavani ahead of Kane tbh. Also might have Maguire ahead of Kompany.

You can't really leave out the likely top goalscorer, even if they were mostly penalties. Yeah maybe Maguire, although his shithouse diving skills have put me off him a bit.

Would possibly have the Croatian keeper too ahead of Pickford

Yeah good call. It's close for sure.

fonzeee wrote:Aren't England supposed to have some amazing youngsters coming up?

I'm not sure about amazing, but a few talents. The age grade success is mostly due to the F.A. have done well to drill all youth teams into a particular way of playing to develop the players so they know how to play for England as a team.

In short the F.A. are more or less copying the way New Zealand do thing in Rugby as best as they can, with all teams being developed to play a similar style which results in a cohesive national side that exceeds the sum of it's parts. They also have the good fortune literally no other country in the world is doing this.

Diego wrote:

Lenny wrote:

Diego wrote:So team of the tournament?

Pickford

Trippier-Varane-Kompany-Nagatomo (couldn't think of another left back who's stood out)

Kante

Modric-De Bruyne

Mbappe-Kane-Hazard

I’d have Cavani ahead of Kane tbh. Also might have Maguire ahead of Kompany.

You can't really leave out the likely top goalscorer, even if they were mostly penalties. Yeah maybe Maguire, although his shithouse diving skills have put me off him a bit.

Cavani was unbelievably good until his injury. Kane was excellent early on but I don’t think that getting the leading scorer tag, with three penalties and a deflection he knew nothing about, should give him an automatic pick. Not knocking Kane, who has been outstanding over the past couple of years and seems to be a genuinely nice guy, but if you’re picking on WC performances then I think he hasn’t been at his best.

Just seen the Roy Keane v Ian Wright spat from last night

Roy Keane is a psycho. Surely there is no angrier, unstable man around?

terryfinch wrote:Just seen the Roy Keane v Ian Wright spat from last night

Roy Keane is a psycho. Surely there is no angrier, unstable man around?

Keane hasn't grown up or hes got some social interaction problems. His attitude does make me laugh at him but it's seriously a problem. A young Ian Wright would have actually been happy to fight him.

eldanielfire wrote:

fonzeee wrote:Aren't England supposed to have some amazing youngsters coming up?

I'm not sure about amazing, but a few talents. The age grade success is mostly due to the F.A. have done well to drill all youth teams into a particular way of playing to develop the players so they know how to play for England as a team.

In short the F.A. are more or less copying the way New Zealand do thing in Rugby as best as they can, with all teams being developed to play a similar style which results in a cohesive national side that exceeds the sum of it's parts. They also have the good fortune literally no other country in the world is doing this.

The Irish youth teams do the exact same thing. I'd be surprised if it wasn't a relatively common practice these days.

Anyways, good luck to Croatia. If France win the world cup it's well deserved being the best team. If Croatia win it would be impressive.

alliswell wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

fonzeee wrote:Aren't England supposed to have some amazing youngsters coming up?

I'm not sure about amazing, but a few talents. The age grade success is mostly due to the F.A. have done well to drill all youth teams into a particular way of playing to develop the players so they know how to play for England as a team.

In short the F.A. are more or less copying the way New Zealand do thing in Rugby as best as they can, with all teams being developed to play a similar style which results in a cohesive national side that exceeds the sum of it's parts. They also have the good fortune literally no other country in the world is doing this.

The Irish youth teams do the exact same thing. I'd be surprised if it wasn't a relatively common practice these days.

I have no idea what football associations around the world are doing re youth development, but that statement does sound like total bollocks

alliswell wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

fonzeee wrote:Aren't England supposed to have some amazing youngsters coming up?

I'm not sure about amazing, but a few talents. The age grade success is mostly due to the F.A. have done well to drill all youth teams into a particular way of playing to develop the players so they know how to play for England as a team.

In short the F.A. are more or less copying the way New Zealand do thing in Rugby as best as they can, with all teams being developed to play a similar style which results in a cohesive national side that exceeds the sum of it's parts. They also have the good fortune literally no other country in the world is doing this.

The Irish youth teams do the exact same thing. I'd be surprised if it wasn't a relatively common practice these days.

The big countries are not doing anywhere near as much as what England do at St. George's. Germany observed this last year and complained that their problem was they did do this and then stopped after the world cup win.

I'd say Maguire was more deserving of Kane in any team of the tournament reckoning. Looked completely untroubled at pretty much every stage. A real breakout set of performances.

eldanielfire wrote:

alliswell wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

fonzeee wrote:Aren't England supposed to have some amazing youngsters coming up?

I'm not sure about amazing, but a few talents. The age grade success is mostly due to the F.A. have done well to drill all youth teams into a particular way of playing to develop the players so they know how to play for England as a team.

In short the F.A. are more or less copying the way New Zealand do thing in Rugby as best as they can, with all teams being developed to play a similar style which results in a cohesive national side that exceeds the sum of it's parts. They also have the good fortune literally no other country in the world is doing this.

The Irish youth teams do the exact same thing. I'd be surprised if it wasn't a relatively common practice these days.

The big countries are not doing anywhere near as much as what England do at St. George's. Germany observed this last year and complained that their problem was they did do this and then stopped after the world cup win.

There'll be a reckoning soon enough and then you'll all start eating each other again. Until then enjoy the amazing systems you have in place that literally nobody else in the world has even conceived of.

Margin_Walker wrote:I'd say Maguire was more deserving of Kane in any team of the tournament reckoning. Looked completely untroubled at pretty much every stage. A real breakout set of performances.

Yeah maybe. He didn't look the most comfortable yesterday though imo. Yer man Koulibaly from Senegal would be a decent under the radar call for centre back.

Trippier was brilliant for England though. Easily their best player and key to getting them so far in the tournament.

eldanielfire wrote:

alliswell wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

fonzeee wrote:Aren't England supposed to have some amazing youngsters coming up?

I'm not sure about amazing, but a few talents. The age grade success is mostly due to the F.A. have done well to drill all youth teams into a particular way of playing to develop the players so they know how to play for England as a team.

In short the F.A. are more or less copying the way New Zealand do thing in Rugby as best as they can, with all teams being developed to play a similar style which results in a cohesive national side that exceeds the sum of it's parts. They also have the good fortune literally no other country in the world is doing this.

The Irish youth teams do the exact same thing. I'd be surprised if it wasn't a relatively common practice these days.

The big countries are not doing anywhere near as much as what England do at St. George's. Germany observed this last year and complained that their problem was they did do this and then stopped after the world cup win.

Spain and Germany have been doing this for literally 10 years minimum. I'd be shocked if others didn't.

It's the reason all Spanish teams are good on the ball.

blindcider wrote:

Diego wrote:

Lenny wrote:

Diego wrote:So team of the tournament?

Pickford

Trippier-Varane-Kompany-Nagatomo (couldn't think of another left back who's stood out)

Kante

Modric-De Bruyne

Mbappe-Kane-Hazard

I’d have Cavani ahead of Kane tbh. Also might have Maguire ahead of Kompany.

You can't really leave out the likely top goalscorer, even if they were mostly penalties. Yeah maybe Maguire, although his shithouse diving skills have put me off him a bit.

Would possibly have the Croatian keeper too ahead of Pickford

I thought Subasic's attempt at Trippier's freekick was appalling tbf.

Lloris has been excellent.

I'd probably have Alderweireld ahead of Kompany.

For left back Strinic isn't flashy but he gets shit done and defends very well.

eldanielfire wrote:

terryfinch wrote:Just seen the Roy Keane v Ian Wright spat from last night

Roy Keane is a psycho. Surely there is no angrier, unstable man around?

Keane hasn't grown up or hes got some social interaction problems. His attitude does make me laugh at him but it's seriously a problem. A young Ian Wright would have actually been happy to fight him.

he's a fcukin nutter.....and I'm a Cork man !

why didn't Wright pull Keane up when he said how hard it is to get to the world cup finals with....yeah, and when you get there you fcuk off home to bring your dog for a walk

ticketlessinseattle wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

terryfinch wrote:Just seen the Roy Keane v Ian Wright spat from last night

Roy Keane is a psycho. Surely there is no angrier, unstable man around?

Keane hasn't grown up or hes got some social interaction problems. His attitude does make me laugh at him but it's seriously a problem. A young Ian Wright would have actually been happy to fight him.

he's a fcukin nutter.....and I'm a Cork man !

why didn't Wright pull Keane up when he said how hard it is to get to the world cup finals with....yeah, and when you get there you fcuk off home to bring your dog for a walk

That spat was excellent - you could see Keane mutter ‘fockin cont’

And when the other commentator said “ah we are all friends here really !”

I actually have a lot of time for Roy Keane and agreed with what he was saying, and was in his day exactly the kind of player England needed last night.

ticketlessinseattle wrote:

eldanielfire wrote:

terryfinch wrote:Just seen the Roy Keane v Ian Wright spat from last night

Roy Keane is a psycho. Surely there is no angrier, unstable man around?

Keane hasn't grown up or hes got some social interaction problems. His attitude does make me laugh at him but it's seriously a problem. A young Ian Wright would have actually been happy to fight him.

he's a fcukin nutter.....and I'm a Cork man !

why didn't Wright pull Keane up when he said how hard it is to get to the world cup finals with....yeah, and when you get there you fcuk off home to bring your dog for a walk

I liked him playing fir Man U back in the day but he comes across a bit wierd. I remember a doco of him and Viera picking their all time Arsenal/United teams of their era. Viera was taking it in a lighthearted way but Keane was totally serious. Viera suggested that Keane must have Giggs in his team, Keane responded by saying "just because u win those trophies doesn't mean you were great." Then he tells Viera "you gonna put me in your team? I put you in mine" in a serious tone. Strange man.

earl the beaver wrote:

blindcider wrote:

Diego wrote:

Lenny wrote:

Diego wrote:So team of the tournament?

Pickford

Trippier-Varane-Kompany-Nagatomo (couldn't think of another left back who's stood out)

Kante

Modric-De Bruyne

Mbappe-Kane-Hazard

I’d have Cavani ahead of Kane tbh. Also might have Maguire ahead of Kompany.

You can't really leave out the likely top goalscorer, even if they were mostly penalties. Yeah maybe Maguire, although his shithouse diving skills have put me off him a bit.

Would possibly have the Croatian keeper too ahead of Pickford

I thought Subasic's attempt at Trippier's freekick was appalling tbf.

Lloris has been excellent.

I'd probably have Alderweireld ahead of Kompany.

For left back Strinic isn't flashy but he gets shit done and defends very well.

I'm pretty sure Subasic isn't at 100%.

He looked like he'd twinged his hamstring against Russia.

That said, Tripiers free kick was excellent. An inch lower and it wouldn't have cleared the wall, and inch higher and it probably wouldn't have come back down. Praise the kick, rather than blame the 'keeper for that one.

Wasn't Kane offside for those two chances he had in quick succession? Thought I saw the flag out

Cartman wrote:Wasn't Kane offside for those two chances he had in quick succession? Thought I saw the flag out

Was hard to tell - firstly, he defo wasn't offside, the flag may have been for offside or the ball going out of play. Should have been a corner to England. We wuz robbed etc.

Womack wrote:

Cartman wrote:Wasn't Kane offside for those two chances he had in quick succession? Thought I saw the flag out

Was hard to tell - firstly, he defo wasn't offside, the flag may have been for offside or the ball going out of play. Should have been a corner to England. We wuz robbed etc.

He was a good 2 yards offside for one, but onside for the one he had a couple of goes at. That was blown up for the ball being out of play, which it clearly wasn’t.

Lenny wrote:

Womack wrote:

Cartman wrote:Wasn't Kane offside for those two chances he had in quick succession? Thought I saw the flag out

Was hard to tell - firstly, he defo wasn't offside, the flag may have been for offside or the ball going out of play. Should have been a corner to England. We wuz robbed etc.

He was a good 2 yards offside for one, but onside for the one he had a couple of goes at. That was blown up for the ball being out of play, which it clearly wasn’t.

That one was flagged offside, bizarrely

JM2K6 wrote:

Lenny wrote:

Womack wrote:

Cartman wrote:Wasn't Kane offside for those two chances he had in quick succession? Thought I saw the flag out

Was hard to tell - firstly, he defo wasn't offside, the flag may have been for offside or the ball going out of play. Should have been a corner to England. We wuz robbed etc.

He was a good 2 yards offside for one, but onside for the one he had a couple of goes at. That was blown up for the ball being out of play, which it clearly wasn’t.

That one was flagged offside, bizarrely

Was it? The Irish coverage I was watching said it was blown because the ball was out before Kane pulled it back, so didn’t pay much attention to whether he was off side at any time.

Lenny wrote:

JM2K6 wrote:

Lenny wrote:

Womack wrote:

Cartman wrote:Wasn't Kane offside for those two chances he had in quick succession? Thought I saw the flag out

Was hard to tell - firstly, he defo wasn't offside, the flag may have been for offside or the ball going out of play. Should have been a corner to England. We wuz robbed etc.

He was a good 2 yards offside for one, but onside for the one he had a couple of goes at. That was blown up for the ball being out of play, which it clearly wasn’t.

That one was flagged offside, bizarrely

Was it? The Irish coverage I was watching said it was blown because the ball was out before Kane pulled it back, so didn’t pay much attention to whether he was off side at any time.

He wasn't offside at any point but the linesman had a brain spasm and gave the rebound as offside

It was called offside but the flag only went up after Kane missed so the goal would have stood had it gone in. They've really made a mess of offsides and VAR.

I think Kane has had a pretty mediocre World Cup to be fair - scored most of his goals against Panama & Tunisia (and most of them were penalties / deflections / rebounds) - he definetly doesnt deserve to be in the team of the tournament.

I'd say England's best players were: Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Pickford and Henderson.

England's worst performers were Alli & Lingard - they are both capable of moments of magic and are skillful players, but they go missing for large periods every game and are too lightweight to marshall a midfield and dictate tempo (as was evident against Croatia) - Henderson can't do it all himself. I see them both more as luxury No.10s than as part of a three/five man midfield - they showed up well against weaker teams - but stuggled when they came up against a well drilled midfied unit

I'd put Lloris in the team of the tournament as goalkeeper. Pickford on the bench. Honourable mention - the Russian goalkeeper.

To many chicken runners in the English Premier League. They need a qouta system for players and coaches.