The World Cup 2018

[Venton]

The squad list is and was ****ing awful. Worst I can ever remember. Based on that, they did as well as could be expected, but were never going to be a good side.

Yes, very poor. It's sad not to have any world class players any more but there you go. Sterling is probably the closest in that if he could actually learn to shoot and pass he'd have a lot going for him but there's fat chance of that now.

Still, they did the best with what they had and played as a team and I grew to like some of them more at the end than at the beginning whereas usually the reverse is true.

I wondered what we'd be like if we played a few less games a season... I don't think we'd be world class or anything because the premiership is a bit too fast for this kind of tournament but maybe we wouldn't be so pooped like we were tonight.

[fidget]

A nation of just over 4 million people
Is this the smallest country to have made a final?
Too lazy to look it up myself

[Buzzo]

As well as England played first half, I’m not recalling loads of missed chances? Croatia dominated from that point and ran out worthy winners.

[Leyton388]

[ATTACH]3197[/ATTACH]

[Kenneth]

A nation of just over 4 million people
Is this the smallest country to have made a final?
Too lazy to look it up myself

True. Putting Scotland to shame.

[Buzzo]

The squad list is and was ****ing awful. Worst I can ever remember. Based on that, they did as well as could be expected, but were never going to be a good side.

...This analysis by Lee Dixon is moronic.

[Phoenix07]

Squad list doesn't look great, but the first XI is by no means poor. England have a tendency to be absolutely bipolar in their reactions to things. From the golden generation, and believing they should win it, to thinking the squad is bollocks.

9 out of the 11 starting players play for the top 4 clubs in the Premier League. Pickford and Maguire were the exceptions. Even the bench has Premier League winners, and those from Man Utd, who have won the Europa League and FA Cups.

It's not a bad side, so it's time to stop pretending that it is. It's like with penalty shoot-outs. 'Oh we're never going to win, we're going to lose,' and you win one, and it's 'Oh my God, we won on penalties, maybe it's our year.'

No wonder you have the likes of Bilic reacting the way he does to comments from England fans (the pundits) sometimes. Always focusing on the negatives, and any positives are overhyped, causing tears in the space-time continuum, such are their ridiculousness.

Waistcoast Wednesday my ****ing arse.

[Kenneth]

Yes, very poor. It's sad not to have any world class players any more but there you go. Sterling is probably the closest in that if he could actually learn to shoot and pass he'd have a lot going for him but there's fat chance of that now.

Still, they did the best with what they had and played as a team and I grew to like some of them more at the end than at the beginning whereas usually the reverse is true.

I wondered what we'd be like if we played a few less games a season... I don't think we'd be world class or anything because the premiership is a bit too fast for this kind of tournament but maybe we wouldn't be so pooped like we were tonight.

Having more possession of the ball would have helped instead of having to chase it all game. But we don't have the players at the moment.

[Mr Darko]

Didn't England only have one shot on target since the first goal (5 mins)?

Harry Kane will miraculously play well in the 3rd place play off in order to get the golden boot. He's two ahead if Lukaku.

[spud_gun]

True. Putting Scotland to shame.

Nah, when you consider the number of sports we play at a high(ish) level we punch well above our weight.

We're the Honey Badger of the international sporting world.

Fair ****s to the likes of Croatia and Uruguay who churn out world class footballing talent every generation

[McDermotX]

.............

Waistcoast Wednesday my ****ing arse.

[Buzzo]

True. Putting Scotland to shame.

[Kenneth]

Squad list doesn't look great, but the first XI is by no means poor. England have a tendency to be absolutely bipolar in their reactions to things. From the golden generation, and believing they should win it, to thinking the squad is bollocks.

9 out of the 11 starting players play for the top 4 clubs in the Premier League. Pickford and Maguire were the exceptions. Even the bench has Premier League winners, and those from Man Utd, who have won the Europa League and FA Cups.

It's not a bad side, so it's time to stop pretending that it is. It's like with penalty shoot-outs. 'Oh we're never going to win, we're going to lose,' and you win one, and it's 'Oh my God, we won on penalties, maybe it's our year.'

No wonder you have the likes of Bilic reacting the way he does to comments from England fans (the pundits) sometimes. Always focusing on the negatives, and any positives are overhyped, causing tears in the space-time continuum, such are their ridiculousness.

Waistcoast Wednesday my ****ing arse.

How many of them are the best player in their club team? Or even second or third best? A squad of alright/decent players is ok if you have a worldie pulling the strings, like Croatia, but England just don't. France don't really, but they do have so many quality elsewhere.

[spud_gun]

Third place playoff has got to be the amongst the cruelest thing you can do to a team.

Imagine every member of both England and Belgium want to get home but instead they'll have to play a meaningless friendly

[Buzzo]

Ive just realised I’m now all aboard team Croatia for the final.

Was expecting to be supporting the French