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Post by gazz on Jun 23, 2018 13:18:26 GMT
We really need to put Panama away tomorrow, because there's no way we will beat Belgium on Thursday - we'll be lucky to get a draw.
Either way, we're not winning this group, so our best hope is to secure second place tomorrow.
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Post by archie on Jun 23, 2018 17:35:57 GMT
Second in the group would be perfect in terms of the knock-out stages.
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Post by hatter_in_macc on Jun 23, 2018 17:39:38 GMT
Could be even more perfect if the Germans lose, and get knocked out, this eve.  |
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Post by ceefer on Jun 23, 2018 18:57:01 GMT
Gary Neville ‘ Boateng is a joke and has delusions of grandeur’ ...,
Look in the mirror ......
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Post by sandbachhatter on Jun 24, 2018 7:43:25 GMT
We can't have Germany being knocked out in the group stages. The last time that happened was 1938, and they didn't exactly take it well...
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Post by gazz on Jun 26, 2018 8:13:58 GMT
Did anyone else notice Southgate bringing on Danny Rose for Kieran Trippier towards the end of the Panama game?
I was watching sneakily on my tablet in work so I couldn't really see the game too well, but that substitution would suggest to me that we went to a back four with Walker moving to right back and Ashley Young being pushed into midfield - I'm open to correction on this, of course.
If we did revert to a four with that change, could Southgate be thinking of going with four at the back v Belgium?
Also, with Vardy and not Rashford coming on for Kane, could he also be contemplating starting with Vardy instead of Sterling?
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Post by archie on Jun 26, 2018 8:27:13 GMT
I know there's a big movement for keeping the same team for the purposes of momentum but I'd look to protect any player on a yellow card (Walker, Loftus-Cheek), with a knock (Trippier, Alli) or who has worked hard and looked tired towards the end of the Panama game (Henderson, Lingard, Sterling, Young).
Butland
Alexander-Arnold, Cahill, Jones, Maguire, Rose
Dier, Delph
Welbeck, Rashford, Vardy
I'm not particularly keen on the Kane/Rashford combination because I think they like to occupy the same space. The most important player would seem to be Kane so his preference will impact on Southgate's selection for the knock-out.
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Post by jimboslovechild on Jun 26, 2018 11:17:04 GMT
Looked to me like Young switched to right back and Rose played down the left, with the three centre backs in the same place. I think Vardy is the sub for Kane and Rashford is the sub for Sterling. They kept Sterling on in the desperate hope that he'd do something to justify his continued selection, but Panama proved too strong...
I'd certainly keep the goalkeeper and back three the same to give them more experience of playing together, unless we decide to protect Walker because he's on a booking (as Archie says). Here's the line-up I expect (not my preference!):
Pickford
A-Arnold / Walker / Stones / Maguire / Rose
Henderson / Dier / Lingard
Sterling
Kane
Subs: Vardy for Kane, Rashford for Sterling, Cahill for Walker.
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Post by hermannsays on Jun 26, 2018 11:19:00 GMT
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Post by bringbacklenwhite on Jun 26, 2018 21:44:24 GMT
Very wise of Argentina to let Messi rest for the first 2 games.
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Post by gazz on Jun 27, 2018 16:13:21 GMT
Germany out after losing 2-0 to South Korea - hands up who saw that coming?!
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Post by hatter_in_macc on Jun 27, 2018 16:19:04 GMT
Could be even more perfect if the Germans lose, and get knocked out, this eve. I did... just three days too early!  |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2018 16:58:11 GMT
Brilliant!
That's the defending champions knocked out in the group stages at both of the last world cups!
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Post by hatter_in_macc on Jun 27, 2018 17:14:54 GMT
Each of the last three tournaments, I think, gts. Didn't Italy also fall at the first hurdle in 2010? But, as you say, Brilliant! A fascinating World Cup already - and even before it reaches the knockout stages. |
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Post by gazz on Jun 27, 2018 17:45:08 GMT
Brilliant! That's the defending champions knocked out in the group stages at both of the last world cups! It also happened to France in 2002 - I wonder how many others there are? |
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