The World Cup Thread

[Roo1976]

18 minutes ago, HKsaint said:

What is JWP thinking?

If i was playing well enough i might have been in the squad!................just think all the talk of certain players getting in ahead of him ..................none of then figured.

[aintforever]

4 minutes ago, harvey said:

Very much like watching Saints, turgid defensive football. England will never with anything with Southgate.

I loved watching England 70s 80s and and maybe 90s.....don't particularly care either way now.

Except Southgate has achieved more than all the managers from the 70s, 80s and 90s combined.

[harvey]

2 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I think that's a bit harsh based on the 2nd half. We had the better chances, played the most football in that 2nd half and were once again 'glorious' losers. There was a fair bit of crab football in the first half for sure, but we pushed 2nd half and had them on the ropes.

Twice I saw Rice in plenty of space receive the ball, pass it back with no one near him!!!........pathetic!

[East Kent Saint]

The teams that win these games are prepared to put the boot in , France broke up our attacks early with fouls , Argentina do it as part of their game plan . Tonight France got away with it too often compared to fouls given against England .

[niceandfriendly]

Taking off Foden and Saka when they were tearing apart their defence. 😒

[harvey]

Just now, aintforever said:

Except Southgate has achieved more than all the managers from the 70s, 80s and 90s combined.

We still have won nothing and are boring!

[East Kent Saint]

Just now, harvey said:

Twice I saw Rice in plenty of space receive the ball, pass it back with no one near him!!!........pathetic!

This has been the norm for most teams in this WC , 

[aintforever]

Just now, harvey said:

We still have won nothing and are boring!

True. England are just not very good at football.

[Lighthouse]

1 minute ago, Jonnyboy said:

You're sounding a bit like that guy on here who always slags off Nigel Adkins. 

Because I’m not awe-inspired by a manager who managed to beat Iran, Wales and Senegal (without Mané) and was down to the bare bones of only having Kane, Saka, Foden, Rashford, Grealish, Maddison, Bellingham, Rice, Phillips, TAA, and Walker to build a team around?

He’s done the same as the last two tournaments, win the bog standard games when we’re clear favourites and lose to a team of comparable talent which played better.

[saintant]

They are world champions and we pushed them hard in a game which, if we're honest, could have gone either way. Not going to join those slagging the team and manager, think that's a bit out of order but maybe brought on by the huge disappointment. Fine margins.

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, Lighthouse said:

Because I’m not awe-inspired by a manager who managed to beat Iran, Wales and Senegal (without Mané) and was down to the bare bones of only having Kane, Saka, Foden, Rashford, Grealish, Maddison, Bellingham, Rice, Phillips, TAA, and Walker to build a team around?

He’s done the same as the last two tournaments, win the bog standard games when we’re clear favourites and lose to a team of comparable talent which played better.

What could he have done differently tonight? 

[influx]

Southgate didn't really put a foot wrong.  We performed well.  Some of posters on here showing yet again they are clueless.  

Edited 10 December, 2022 by influx

[64saint]

2 minutes ago, aintforever said:

True. England are just not very good at football.

Well, we just matched the World champions, indeed outplayed France for much of the second half and but for the penalty miss who knows.  As for not very good at football, runners up at the Euros last year, think there's a lot worse teams than us.

[egg]

7 minutes ago, harvey said:

Twice I saw Rice in plenty of space receive the ball, pass it back with no one near him!!!........pathetic!

You mean he kept possession when he had no forward options? If you don't understand the game, don't comment. 

[Sheaf Saint]

31 minutes ago, Sunglasses Ron said:

Fuck me we drew a short straw in life, supporting Saints AND England.

30 years supporting them and fuck all to show for all that toil.

Hello!? What about the Johnsons Paint Trophy?

[aintforever]

4 minutes ago, 64saint said:

Well, we just matched the World champions, indeed outplayed France for much of the second half and but for the penalty miss who knows.  As for not very good at football, runners up at the Euros last year, think there's a lot worse teams than us.

We have a decent side at the moment. Us and France are probably the best two sides in the tournament, I expect them to go on and win it quite comfortably.

Historically though our record is poor compared to the major footballing nations like France, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Italy and Spain.

Edited 10 December, 2022 by aintforever

[Sunglasses Ron]

3 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Hello!? What about the Johnsons Paint Trophy?

You know it’s a Mickey Mouse trophy when people can’t spell it correctly!

[Whitey Grandad]

3 minutes ago, egg said:

You mean he kept possession when he had no forward options? If you don't understand the game, don't comment. 

The point is that he didn’t have any forward options and we have to ask why?

[Lighthouse]

2 minutes ago, Sunglasses Ron said:

You know it’s a Mickey Mouse trophy when people can’t spell it correctly!

TBF most Pompey fans can’t spell ‘FA Cup’.

[FarehamSaintJames]

Blimey some people are fucking miserable on here.

The officiating at this stage has been poor.

We were better than France, we deserved to win. We HAD the chance to take the game to extra time and we didn’t. It’s happened. Time to move on.

The shit I’m seeing on social media already blaming Southgate when actually the team selection, and the subs were spot on today. 
I hope he stays on as manager.

 

[Pilchards]

5 minutes ago, influx said:

Southgate didn't really put a foot wrong.  We performed well.  Some of posters on here showing yet again they are clueless.  

I actually disagree with this comment.

Got the strongest bench in world football and he never even put on fresh legs to continue putting pressure on the French.

Dabbled for so long that they go and scored before Southgate changed it.

As for taking off Saka is laughable. Grealish for Bellingham as he was having a stinker plus Rashford on for Henderson who was blowing out his arse.

[ally_uk]

Just like saints not enough grit or steel or bard hastards in the team.... 

 

[qwertyell]

Still think we're less than the sum of our parts under Southgate. But we played better against a proper side tonight than we have in previous tournaments under him, so I guess that's progress.

If we could find a couple of CBs that aren't 4th choice for their clubs, bed Foden into a more enterprising midfield three with Bellingham and Rice, and get a bit more pace up front down the left, I think we'd be a terrific side.

Certainly haven't seen anything this WC from any of the other countries to suggest we're light years behind them. Quite the opposite - they're mostly one or two players carrying a bunch of ringers. 

[Disco Stu]

1 minute ago, Pilchards said:

I actually disagree with this comment.

Got the strongest bench in world football and he never even put on fresh legs to continue putting pressure on the French.

Dabbled for so long that they go and scored before Southgate changed it.

As for taking off Saka is laughable. Grealish for Bellingham as he was having a stinker plus Rashford on for Henderson who was blowing out his arse.

Agreed, such a strong bench but his changes made us weaker.

[vectraman]

2 minutes ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

Blimey some people are fucking miserable on here.

The officiating at this stage has been poor.

We were better than France, we deserved to win. We HAD the chance to take the game to extra time and we didn’t. It’s happened. Time to move on.

The shit I’m seeing on social media already blaming Southgate when actually the team selection, and the subs were spot on today. 
I hope he stays on as manager.

 

We outplayed France second half. Looked very good, had the chances, didn’t take the big one.. 

they are world champsfor a reason, they’re bloody good.  I disgrace, they’ll go on and win it, as could we have done if we had won tonight.

 

[saintant]

The referee was a disgrace summed up by the fact that he failed to give the second penalty in real time despite the French player barging Mount in the back right in front of his eyes. That he didn't have the courage to give it without being invited by VAR to look at the screen was just one of many mistakes he made and there were a lot.

[farawaysaint]

10 minutes ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

Blimey some people are fucking miserable on here.

The officiating at this stage has been poor.

We were better than France, we deserved to win. We HAD the chance to take the game to extra time and we didn’t. It’s happened. Time to move on.

The shit I’m seeing on social media already blaming Southgate when actually the team selection, and the subs were spot on today. 
I hope he stays on as manager.

 

Edited 10 December, 2022 by farawaysaint
I’m an idiot, thanks Pilchards

[Pilchards]

1 minute ago, farawaysaint said:

I think Bellingham deserved more time based on his appearances so far. A bit silly he was brought on so late. 

Bellingham started the Match. You getting mixed up with Rashford?

[farawaysaint]

1 minute ago, Pilchards said:

Bellingham started the Match. You getting mixed up with Rashford?

I am indeed, apologies a long night of drinking 🙄

[Sheaf Saint]

2 minutes ago, saintant said:

The referee was a disgrace summed up by the fact that he failed to give the second penalty in real time despite the French player barging Mount in the back right in front of his eyes. That he didn't have the courage to give it without being invited by VAR to look at the screen was just one of many mistakes he made and there were a lot.

And when he did give the penalty after reviewing it, he should have also sent the French player off. Last man, no attempt to play the ball (he wasn'teven looking at it), deliberate foul to prevent a goalscoring opportunity... red card all day long.

[Dark Munster]

35 minutes ago, saintant said:

Proud of the boys tonight. Gave it their all but didn't get the rub of the green plus ref was awful. Shouldn't miss a penalty but feel for Harry Kane. Ah well, come on Morocco, keep it as tight as you have done so far and sneak a lucky winner in the semi-final! 

Could they do a Greece? They certainly deserve to be in the semis, going past Belgium, Spain and Portugal, conceding only one goal (which as an own goal).

[Baird of the land]

Thought England played marginally better than France but just didn’t take their chances.

Thought smart play on that 2nd pen would be to send it down the middle.

also thought sterling sub was odd. Offered nothing, just jetted back in. Surely Maddison or Wilson would have been better options.

[John B]

The squad and Southgate have been a credit to our country and should be congratulated for what they achieved

 

It is very difficult to win a QF in the world cup If the referee is incompetent the opposition team continually foul but score two pretty spectacular goals and you miss a penalty against a really top class experienced team 

[whelk]

Mbappe being cited as the next Messi. He is clearly good but should not be mentioned in same breath as Pele, Maradona, Messi. Obviously media desperate to think there is ‘a crown’ to be passed on. 

Edited 10 December, 2022 by whelk

[LGTL]

We were the best team in the tournament. Can’t legislate for Kane doing that, surprised he didn’t go down the middle. Such a missed opportunity, absolutely gutted. 

[whelk]

Should have won tonight.  In wars we have far more spirit than French but in football fine margins that they seem to find a way to win. I think Loris would save their first goal. Ref absolutely shocking. Feels like a decent stab at competition but ultimately beat Iran, Wales and Senegal. Any England manger should be doing that with this squad. Just because we have had inept managers previously doesn’t mean we should be happy with this tournament and laud Southgate. Harry Kane will need a sleeping pill tonight 

[whelk]

7 minutes ago, Baird of the land said:

Thought England played marginally better than France but just didn’t take their chances.

Thought smart play on that 2nd pen would be to send it down the middle.

also thought sterling sub was odd. Offered nothing, just jetted back in. Surely Maddison or Wilson would have been better options.

I wouldn’t have minded Madison subbed on for that last minute free kick but no way Southgate woudl do something that bold

[Nordic Saint]

1 hour ago, Pilchards said:

I actually disagree with this comment.

Got the strongest bench in world football and he never even put on fresh legs to continue putting pressure on the French.

Dabbled for so long that they go and scored before Southgate changed it.

As for taking off Saka is laughable. Grealish for Bellingham as he was having a stinker plus Rashford on for Henderson who was blowing out his arse.

I agree with you, Pilchards. Grealish for Bellingham looked such an obvious change to make. I know he's a very talented player but all Bellingham did in this game was keep passing the ball to the French. Some of our players were just too nervous to give of their best, as was Kane when he skied that second penalty several yards over the goal. The occasion got to him. Sometimes you need a player like Grealish who plays for fun and doesn't worry himself sick about every move he makes. Credit to Saka who tore into the French at every opportunity. Perhaps with Grealish doing the same, we'd have won. But, a better referee might have made the biggest difference of all.

Edited 10 December, 2022 by Nordic Saint

[sandwichsaint]

15 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

And when he did give the penalty after reviewing it, he should have also sent the French player off. Last man, no attempt to play the ball (he wasn'teven looking at it), deliberate foul to prevent a goalscoring opportunity... red card all day long.

Weird one, comms said as he wasn't 'in possesion' so he wasan't denied a goal scoring chance.

But a, 'deliberate foul' to deny the player a chance of the ball, is not a red card. 

One of the few things the ref got right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lighthouse]

15 minutes ago, LGTL said:

We were the best team in the tournament. Can’t legislate for Kane doing that, surprised he didn’t go down the middle. Such a missed opportunity, absolutely gutted. 

Morocco have just won a group containing Belgium and Croatia, before knocking out Spain and Portugal in succesive games. We may have the best collection of players but we were not the best team in the tournament. 

[harvey]

1 hour ago, influx said:

Southgate didn't really put a foot wrong.  We performed well.  Some of posters on here showing yet again they are clueless.  

Rubbish!

[harvey]

58 minutes ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

Blimey some people are fucking miserable on here.

The officiating at this stage has been poor.

We were better than France, we deserved to win. We HAD the chance to take the game to extra time and we didn’t. It’s happened. Time to move on.

The shit I’m seeing on social media already blaming Southgate when actually the team selection, and the subs were spot on today. 
I hope he stays on as manager.

 

We weren't better than France.

[Turkish]

6 minutes ago, harvey said:

Rubbish!

What did he do wrong? Came out of the group unbeaten as highest scorers breezed past Senegal, better team against the world champions and probably best team in the tournament, kept Mbappe quiet. If Kane scored I’m certain we’d have won. I’d love to know what all these experts saying his useless would have done differently 

[niceandfriendly]

I like Southgate and this team, but taking off Saka and Foden when they were scaring the life out of France’s defence was shockingly bad tactics. 
 

Bringing on Mount at any stage is criminal no matter what time you bring him on. 
 

Aside from that we could have won and got unlucky in a few moments. Referee was dreadful. 
 

Not going to sit here and pretend all is rosy with Southgate though. We blew the best chance we’ve had to win a Euros in a home tournament and now we’ve blown probably our best chance to win a World Cup. That’s not success no matter how you look at it. 
 

Southgate can move on with his head held high though. He has done a lot for this team and the whole England set up. Good luck Gareth and thanks for the wins against the minnows. 

[harvey]

4 minutes ago, Turkish said:

What did he do wrong? Came out of the group unbeaten as highest scorers breezed past Senegal, better team against the world champions and probably best team in the tournament, kept Mbappe quiet. If Kane scored I’m certain we’d have won. I’d love to know what all these experts saying his useless would have done differently 

Today was going to be a completely different game than getting out of the group stages. We got lucky against the USA, played very well against Senegal, but today's game played out as I expected.

I'm not disappointed, I just think we're an 'ok' team...nothing particularly exciting and no way world champions.

[Turkish]

2 minutes ago, harvey said:

Today was going to be a completely different game than getting out of the group stages. We got lucky against the USA, played very well against Senegal, but today's game played out as I expected.

I'm not disappointed, I just think we're an 'ok' team...nothing particularly exciting and no way world champions.

And he played it a completely different way. If I was being hyper critical I’d say he brought Grealish on too late and Striling for Saka was a strange one. But overall tactically we were excellent, kept Mbappe quiet, got stronger as the game went on and were the better team. We hit the post, Loris made a couple of good saves, missed a couple of good chances and a penalty. Plus we were playing against a ref who got an awful lot wrong against us. Anyone who criticises Southgate for his performance in tournaments really shouldn’t bother watching another one.

[harvey]

10 minutes ago, Turkish said:

And he played it a completely different way. If I was being hyper critical I’d say he brought Grealish on too late and Striling for Saka was a strange one. But overall tactically we were excellent, kept Mbappe quiet, got stronger as the game went on and were the better team. We hit the post, Loris made a couple of good saves, missed a couple of good chances and a penalty. Plus we were playing against a ref who got an awful lot wrong against us. Anyone who criticises Southgate for his performance in tournaments really shouldn’t bother watching another one.

Southgate is 'ok' and 'safe' for an England manager but will never win anything.

[Killers Knee]

We were unlucky, plenty of near misses from open play in the 2nd half, if Southgate had chosen any of the other two keepers, the first French goal would have been saved (IMO).  Hopefully, we can have the 1st 4 names on the team sheet: Maddison, Bellingham, Foden & Saka.  English player of the tournament: Bellingham by a margin.   Time for a new era.

[Turkish]

22 minutes ago, harvey said:

Southgate is 'ok' and 'safe' for an England manager but will never win anything.

He isn’t a top coach, but not many at international level are. The best managers want to manage the top clubs in the top leagues. Southgate wouldn’t be anyones first choice but he’s not got much wrong as England manager and done better than anyone else ever has in tournaments. We were a 3 penalty kicks away from being European champions and two time World Cup semi finalists. The fact we ended the wrong side or that line isn’t down to him, the other side of it and he’d be the regarded as the best England manager of all time.

[SNSUN]

2 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Might as well restart the Premier League next weekend. There’s that round of fixtures that were cancelled for the Queen’s funeral for a start.

Nah Ralph is still getting the summer signings up to speed. 😁