Right-back looks a potential problem position going forward - no massively standout youngsters there at the moment - and they at least need reconfigure their attacking set-up, if not the personnel, but they've got talent coming out of their ears.
I heard an astounding stat, which if true does not bode well: England have never beaten a major nation (Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal, Italy) in the knockout stages of a major tournament away from Wembley Stadium. If that is true (and from my knowledge it sounds correct), we would have to make history to advance on Saturday.
My feelings about England (which would be corroborated by the above stat) is that we are like a par golfer at major tournaments. We are steady enough to normally beat who we should beat, but as soon as someone comes along who can shoot birdies and eagles, we struggle to advance.
It would be nice for this all to be thrown in the bin after Saturday, though!
Here's a stat to cheer you up. England only win world cups in countries with a very small population (Wembleystan 1966) and, as somebody on here has already said, countries where homosexuality is illegal. It's coming home!
I would agree as a general rule on tailored stats, but some are in the eye of the beholder. For instance, I think there is an argument that there is a strong streak of conservatism that has run through English national football that has been a connecting thread between W Germany 1970, Argentina 1986, Germany 1990, Argentina 1998, Brazil 2002, Portugal 2004, Portugal 2006, Germany 2010, Italy 2012, and Italy 2020, rather than it necessarily being a coincidence. There is quite a historical distrust of maverick talent (perhaps Gazza aside) which to me is often exactly what you need to get over the line against the behemoths.
Of course, if we were good at penalties, the conservatism would be significantly mitigated!
Random quiz question: Which stadium hosted one 66 group match, when the owner of Wembley refused to cancel a greyhound meet scheduled for the same evening?
Fairly dreadful game between Croatia & Brazil, until extra time. Made worse by the excruciating BBC commentary team; does Jenas talk in anything other than cliches?
Well played Croatia, Brazil can have no complaints an inability to break down a very organised solid opposition is what really cost them; the 2 missed penalties were the salt in the wound.
I do find Croatia a really hard team to watch & to warm to, but that might just be me...
Comments
Right-back looks a potential problem position going forward - no massively standout youngsters there at the moment - and they at least need reconfigure their attacking set-up, if not the personnel, but they've got talent coming out of their ears.
Honestly, I don't get the softly taken penalties. I would rather know where I am going, hit it hard, and if the keeper makes a save so be it.
If it's an Argentina v Portugal final, I will be playing golf like Dennis Law in 66. Don't care if it's dark and freezing!
It is what they’re doing I’m afraid.
The flaws are obvious, which is another reason to think that we’ll end up with a 64 team tournament in future.
Then a 128 team, then 256 team world cup.
Vatican City v Monaco group stage game here we come!
I think it's best not to pontifficate about scenarios like that
Agreed - would not be very pope-ular
There’s a time traveller posting on Tik-Tok claiming to already know that Brazil beat France in the final. So England will lose on Saturday.
I heard an astounding stat, which if true does not bode well: England have never beaten a major nation (Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal, Italy) in the knockout stages of a major tournament away from Wembley Stadium. If that is true (and from my knowledge it sounds correct), we would have to make history to advance on Saturday.
My feelings about England (which would be corroborated by the above stat) is that we are like a par golfer at major tournaments. We are steady enough to normally beat who we should beat, but as soon as someone comes along who can shoot birdies and eagles, we struggle to advance.
It would be nice for this all to be thrown in the bin after Saturday, though!
Not a fan of tailored stats like that. Meaningless.
Here's a stat to cheer you up. England only win world cups in countries with a very small population (Wembleystan 1966) and, as somebody on here has already said, countries where homosexuality is illegal. It's coming home!
These sort of weird anomalies are there to be broken.
Of course, this England team could be history breakers and makers.
I would agree as a general rule on tailored stats, but some are in the eye of the beholder. For instance, I think there is an argument that there is a strong streak of conservatism that has run through English national football that has been a connecting thread between W Germany 1970, Argentina 1986, Germany 1990, Argentina 1998, Brazil 2002, Portugal 2004, Portugal 2006, Germany 2010, Italy 2012, and Italy 2020, rather than it necessarily being a coincidence. There is quite a historical distrust of maverick talent (perhaps Gazza aside) which to me is often exactly what you need to get over the line against the behemoths.
Of course, if we were good at penalties, the conservatism would be significantly mitigated!
England only win world cups in the year xx66 is a perfectly statistic too.
We're doomed to fail ...
Maybe England only win World Cups when the year starts with a 1.
The curse of the two Bobby's...
England have never lost in Qatar.
England’s footballers have the potential to emulate the achievement of the cricketers - the two Bennies.
Second Test commences tomorrow morning, 5 am, smog permitting. No sign of it in current forecasts.
In 1966, England played Portugal in the semis...
Random quiz question: Which stadium hosted one 66 group match, when the owner of Wembley refused to cancel a greyhound meet scheduled for the same evening?
White City?
Correct. As your prize, you get to watch England v France in a double bed.
Add to that at the time White City Stadium was the home of the Greyhound Racing Association and home to the Greyhound Derby.
Fairly dreadful game between Croatia & Brazil, until extra time. Made worse by the excruciating BBC commentary team; does Jenas talk in anything other than cliches?
You can't teach an old dog new tricks tbf
All of them have their moments.
Alex Scott reckoned the game was...like a game of chess!
But then how much new stuff do you think they can come up with for a game of football?
Could always take a really obvious concept like pressing or defending deep with hipster "high press" "low block" type re-invent the wheel phrases?
"Game management" and all these sort of annoying phrases that crept in at some point and now get wheeled out every game.
Well played Croatia, Brazil can have no complaints an inability to break down a very organised solid opposition is what really cost them; the 2 missed penalties were the salt in the wound.
I do find Croatia a really hard team to watch & to warm to, but that might just be me...
Excellent ! Just need Holland to knock Argentina out now