The World Cup 2018 - Page 2

Alex · 17-05-18, 10:57 AM

I know traditionally this forum hates England. But I love the World Cup. Its brilliant.

Tee · 17-05-18, 10:58 AM

Worst England squad I can ever remember, they are going to do very well to even get out of the group

Pablo · 17-05-18, 11:02 AM

Everyone loves the World Cup. Can't wait for it!

At least England expectations are spectacularly low so we don't have to deal with all the usual hype.

I think Ox and Lallana are a big miss from that squad. Massive lack of creativity there.

Maxiedge · 17-05-18, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

I know traditionally this forum hates England. But I love the World Cup. Its brilliant.

Love it too but ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tee

Worst England squad I can ever remember, they are going to do very well to even get out of the group

They might just about manage to get out but will come unstuck against a decent side in the knockouts. Absolutely no doubt about it imo. There's not even that sense of pieces falling into place a la Leicester, Greece, Denmark etc...

Also, another thing that has me slightly perplexed, since when did Southgate become permanent England manager? I thought he was just interim while they find a proven manager? Must've missed that that bit of news....

Alex · 17-05-18, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablo

Everyone loves the World Cup. Can't wait for it!

At least England expectations are spectacularly low so we don't have to deal with all the usual hype.

I think Ox and Lallana are a big miss from that squad. Massive lack of creativity there.

I think a Midfield 3 of Ox, Henderson and Milner for England would have been brilliant this summer. Shame that Milner has retired from that POV.

Since he has though his club form has gone nuts.

dom9 · 17-05-18, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

I think a Midfield 3 of Ox, Henderson and Milner for England would have been brilliant this summer. Shame that Milner has retired from that POV.

Since he has though his club form has gone nuts.

Do you think Southgate would get them to play with the same level of intensity as Klopp does?

red g · 17-05-18, 11:28 AM

[QUOTE=Alex;3472361]

Just strikes me as giving some different names for the sake of it.

I think im alone in thinking this might be one of the best England sides in about 10 years (2002 WC being the previous peak probably)

Its more like a club side than its ever been. Less superstars, but I dont think anyone really wants that.

Think we will do well.[/QUOTE]

Agree there. With City pissing the league too, the rivalries between players don't seem as intense from previous years.

Alex · 17-05-18, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dom9

Do you think Southgate would get them to play with the same level of intensity as Klopp does?

No idea. But you would like to think that those three together would know whats required. Its the same as playing a club centre back partnership. Less thinking required.

dom9 · 17-05-18, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

No idea. But you would like to think that those three together would know whats required. Its the same as playing a club centre back partnership. Less thinking required.

To a point, but Klopp has drilled into them a certain way of playing. Southgate might have completely different ideas and that is where things can get a bit unstuck.

I guess if you were to extroplate to when Hodgson or Fat Sam were England manager, the magic ingredient which makes the Liverpool team so special and dynamic would in all probability be absent.

foresterbloke · 17-05-18, 11:47 AM

No lols at 15 goals in 37 appearances.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deano

Absolute LOL's at Welbeck being included

Chris · 17-05-18, 11:52 AM

10 of those against Malta, Lithuania, San Marino, Slovenia, Moldova and Scotland. He's absolutely horrendous.

Alex · 17-05-18, 11:57 AM

Yeah even I cant be that positive about Danny Welbeck.

Buzzo · 17-05-18, 11:59 AM

The thing will be sticking with Southgate even if (when) the team exits early.

He has been relatively bold. But like a lot of his squad he also lacks experience.

However for all the players mentioned there are just as many with very little top level experience. Look at other countries and the amount of Champions League appearances they have within their squads it will be far more than Englands.

I admire your optimism though Alex

I am fucking gutted we dont get to see England managed by Fat Sam in the World Cup. That would have been absolutely hilarious.

Alex · 17-05-18, 12:14 PM

If this team was still managed by that whopper Id not be arsed. Same with the Hodgson teams.

But say what you want about Southgate, but hes been good for England and the U21s. The teams play some nice football too. Not Klopp nice. But sort of better than anything since Eriksson.

Buzzo · 17-05-18, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

If this team was still managed by that whopper Id not be arsed. Same with the Hodgson teams.

But say what you want about Southgate, but hes been good for England and the U21s. The teams play some nice football too. Not Klopp nice. But sort of better than anything since Eriksson.

He is definitely a more sensible appointment. He just needs the press to take a pragmatic view if he struggles at his first tournament.

Alex · 17-05-18, 12:22 PM

Klopp nailed it talking about England didnt he

labourRed · 17-05-18, 12:32 PM

That pre tournament English optimism. It's a beautiful thing.

Exiled_red · 17-05-18, 01:01 PM

I might be sticking my head above the parrot pit

but it is a squad without too many stars or egos. There aren't really any expectations or much hype. Hopefully Southgate can get them playing as a team and they can exceed expectations. There is no danger of them winning it but what have been regarded as much better England teams have done poorly at tournaments and I don't think these can really do much worse, so I think they might be capable of surprising people.

Alex · 17-05-18, 01:05 PM

This guy gets it

cream · 17-05-18, 01:14 PM

I think the world cup has been kind to us, lots of key players not involved the ones that are should be back early.
Karius, VVD, Lovren, Robbo, Clyne, Klavan, Gini, Milner and Lallana not involved. Salah, Mane, Henderson and Trent should be back early.Biggest worry is Bobby and we don't have sufficient cover for him either, priority signing for this summer should be cover for Firmino.

gratziani · 17-05-18, 01:32 PM

Any one of the three for the keeper

Walker , Stones , Cahill , Rose in defence

Dier and Hendo in front
Tempted to play Alli with them for some creativity

Kane Sterling and Rashford as a three

Dirk07 · 17-05-18, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gratziani

Any one of the three for the keeper

Walker , Stones , Cahill , Rose in defence

Dier and Hendo in front
Tempted to play Alli with them for some creativity

Kane Sterling and Rashford as a three

Shame we pissed Zaha off as he would have been an excellent option instead of Rashford

danperkins · 17-05-18, 02:51 PM

It's the most bang average England world cup squad I have ever seen.

gratziani · 17-05-18, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danperkins

It's the most bang average England world cup squad I have ever seen.

It does seem that way but for the first time seems more like a team

Don't expect much to be honest but City and our players have proved the English contingent do have some good players in there if used properly

Just depends if Southgate can do that

Red_Polo · 17-05-18, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Is it though?

Stones, Walker, Delph and Sterling all started and played a lot in a Man City team that just broke 100 Premier League points. Henderson we know. Kane and Vardy scored 50 goals between them. Add in Sterling with another 18.

Taking club loyalties aside now, I think there is goals and a good attacking threat in this England team. I worry about the defence though. Id have probably just tried to plonk in the Burnley defence plus one other.

Southgate has shown he has got more ideas beyond the normal boring England style of play too. He might not be Pep or Klopp. But at least he isnt Sam Allerdyce.

Really?! I think it's an embarrassing squad packed to the rafters with mediocre technically inept players. Walker, Kane, Hendo and Sterling aside I'll be looking at almost every player that could start thinking, wow, really can't do any better than that?

Tee · 17-05-18, 06:00 PM

Firmly putting my support behind Salah and Egypt, followed by Bobby and Brasil

Phoenix07 · 17-05-18, 06:08 PM

I'm with Alex on this one.

It's a decent squad, and Southgate has a plan for it. Fine, it may all fall apart, but it's been a long time since England have had a squad without expectation to win, and a manager with some sort of plan.

I also agree with Exiled_red in that it's an unbalanced squad. It doesn't help when Lallana has been missing with injury, and Oxlade-Chamberlain gets an injury in the back end of the season.

Overall, it looks average, but it's nowhere near as average as some are making it out to be (from footballing fans in general).

Deano · 17-05-18, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foresterbloke

No lols at 15 goals in 37 appearances.

Please don't take this the wrong way - But - Fuck off !

There is absolutely no excuse to pick Welbeck............Thats a shit big Chris vs Firminho argument ....

Deano · 17-05-18, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red_Polo

Most of the players you mention are too shit to be expected to make any difference tbf

I'd agree, but Welbeck and Delph plus several other full backs is woeful - too many Jack of all trades as opposed to specialists.

Shelvey and Lallana would have changed that squad.

Deano · 17-05-18, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

. But say what you want about Southgate, but hes been good for England and the U21s. The teams play some nice football too. Not Klopp nice. But sort of better than anything since Eriksson.

Disagree - Boring at Boro and even more so at E21 - Considering U20's and U18's all won something and he didn't, speaks volumes.

Hopefully proved wrong, but i reckon he's another Coleman in disguise but without the luck

Exiled_red · 17-05-18, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red_Polo

Really?! I think it's an embarrassing squad packed to the rafters with mediocre technically inept players. Walker, Kane, Hendo and Sterling aside I'll be looking at almost every player that could start thinking, wow, really can't do any better than that?

They are pretty much the best players England have, you can argue there are a few injuries but I don't believe that any of those would increase the quality of the side significantly. I think that alot of people are under estimating alot of the players probably because they aren't getting the hype of players of the past but they aren't bad players

Deano · 17-05-18, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exiled_red

They are pretty much the best players England have, you can argue there are a few injuries but I don't believe that any of those would increase the quality of the side significantly. I think that alot of people are under estimating alot of the players probably because they aren't getting the hype of players of the past but they aren't bad players

For me he's gone jack of all, master of non - He could have taken a risk on two players instead of packing it with full backs and defensive midfielders.

He's taken Delph, Rose and Young for the LFB spot, because none of them is getting a LW spot on a midfield spot either unless there are tons of injuries.
Surely Rashford, Kane, Vardy are all ahead of Welbeck for the front spots ?

Exiled_red · 17-05-18, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deano

For me he's gone jack of all, master of non - He could have taken a risk on two players instead of packing it with full backs and defensive midfielders.

He's taken Delph, Rose and Young for the LFB spot, because none of them is getting a LW spot on a midfield spot either unless there are tons of injuries.
Surely Rashford, Kane, Vardy are all ahead of Welbeck for the front spots ?

I said the same about jack of all trades and too many fullbacks, the squad isn't balanced IMO. Presumably he has a team and formation in mind but I'm not sure what happens if there are injuries or suspensions

Deano · 17-05-18, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exiled_red

I said the same about jack of all trades and too many fullbacks, the squad isn't balanced IMO. Presumably he has a team and formation in mind but I'm not sure what happens if there are injuries or suspensions

For me its far to functional - No creativity whatsoever in that team. - He's fucked if Delle Alli gets injured IMO - Christ, I'd take Rooney FFS.

Tatterdemalion · 17-05-18, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Just strikes me as giving some different names for the sake of it.

I think im alone in thinking this might be one of the best England sides in about 10 years (2002 WC being the previous peak probably)

Its more like a club side than its ever been. Less superstars, but I dont think anyone really wants that.

Think we will do well.

Bizarrely I think we will too. No real optimism from me though, as generally I don't give a toss about England. If they make it to the semi's I'll give it a shout.

Yup, fairweather England fan all over.

McDermotX · 17-05-18, 10:46 PM

France......Some names missing out there Lacazette, Martial, Payet, Rabiot, Coman etc
Standby list chance I suppose given the thin nature of that midfield pool.

Quote:

France World Cup squad:

Goalkeepers: Alphone Areola (Paris St Germain), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Steve Mandanda (Olympique de Marseille)
Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Atletico Madrid), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris St Germain), Benjamin Pavard (VfB Stuttgart), Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City), Djibril Sidibe (Monaco), Adil Rami (Olympique de Marseille), Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Blaise Matuidi (Juventus), N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Steven N'Zonzi (Sevilla), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich)
Forwards: Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (Paris St Germain), Thomas Lemar (Monaco), Nabil Fekir (Olympique Lyonnais), Florian Thauvin (Olympique de Marseille), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona)

labourRed · 17-05-18, 11:01 PM

Thin. There's five of them. And seven forwards. I'm not sure I've seen a squad like it. But some of those forwards could play as wide midfielders I guess, I've no idea what formation France play.

Red_Polo · 17-05-18, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by labourRed

Thin. There's five of them. And seven forwards. I'm not sure I've seen a squad like it. But some of those forwards could play as wide midfielders I guess, I've no idea what formation France play.

Yeah, or as the more advanced in a midfield three I guess. Some of the players that haven't made their squad I'd have starting for England!

McDermotX · 18-05-18, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by labourRed

Thin. There's five of them. And seven forwards. I'm not sure I've seen a squad like it. But some of those forwards could play as wide midfielders I guess, I've no idea what formation France play.

Couple injuries and they could find themselves looking soft in specialised CM functions, but I suppose that's what a standby list is for anyway. It's probably fair to say, France may line up to go for the throat in most of their games.

foresterbloke · 18-05-18, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deano

Please don't take this the wrong way - But - Fuck off !

There is absolutely no excuse to pick Welbeck............Thats a shit big Chris vs Firminho argument ....

Maybe he only performs for England? If so then no I won't fuck off, the numbers don't lie!

I wouldn't want him anywhere near LFC but for England, he obviously produces so what else do you want?