England V Nigeria

First half England looked good, second half the Nigerian coach worked out Southgate’s Wing Back system and sent on 4 sub’s to counteract it, by playing it the same way, but quicker. Young was exposed as too slow and the whole thing fell apart. Bringing on Danny Rose as a genuine left back helped, but this is what is going to happen when we play better teams in Russia: a fixed system gets worked out. Sterling, perhaps our most talented player, did one of his stupid, unnecessary dives and received an equally unnecessary yellow card. Attack became defence too many times as the ball came all the way back from the Nigerian penalty area, to Pickford in goal. Far too much tip-tap passing and losing the ball. But the Nigerians were quick and skillful, with a bit more luck in front of goal, they could have won.

We are heading for the usual pre-tournament streak of wins, followed by an early exit at the Finals, unless Southgate loses his fascination for systems and gives the players more freedom. I thought Dele Alli had his best game, until replaced.

Note to traveling England support: don’t plan on a long stay in Russia.

I’m really not sure on the aggro front. Russia hooliganism seems to be different – often politically aligned – and therefore politically controllable. If that is the case it is possible that they will be told to “stand down” while Russia showcases itself to the world.

It (aggro) is also focused in certain cities (mainly Moscow and St Petersburg) – that’s not to say they can’t travel but Volgograd (England’s first location) is not one of the aggro cities.

England haven’t had a travelling organised hooligan (as in fighting) following for many years – just p!ssed up idiots who like to sing and act like hard cases but are in fact the opposite and a complete embarassment in every way. If they embarass themselves in Russia I think they’ll have more to worrky about from from the coppers than Russian hooligans.

As posted on another thread – interesting country to explore – just not for football.

It made me laugh this morning to read and hear Southgate and the BBC’s Phil McNulty bigging – up England’s performance. BBC: “Have England found their best system?” – Well, point 1, Nigeria worked out how to deal with it and almost had England clinging on in the second half. Point 2, Nigeria seemed to sit back and let England play in the first half. Point 3, if that is our best system, we will struggle against much better teams. Point 4, why systems? We always seem system-orientated in English football. The last English coach with a system which actually worked, was Sir Alf Ramsey, the world caught up and overtook us by 1970.

I think Putin will want to make sure that his lunatic fringe do not shame his country. There will be a heavy security presence and most of it will be directed against the Russian thugs. The world will be watching and TV cameras will be everywhere: you simply cannot fool a worldwide audience all the time. Maybe the Gulags will be reopened again…

I would love England to do well, I am as patriotic as anyone, but I simply cannot see it happening. I would dearly love to admit how wrong I was, after the tournament.

My personal hate is drums. I love crystal Palace, but oh my the frigging drummer.

Could of Gone to watch Brazil today, but we just cba, should of really, they have some ok players I’ve heard.

I’d like England to turn back into a traveling team, like when Wembley was being rebuilt. I love the idea of them playing in Newcastle, Anfield, old trafford, villa park, Im sure they played at the Dell once too (may of been St Mary’s by then) .

My point is, at least in Liverpool, there is a saying, scouse not English, it pre date even thatcher, but to the days when England was just see as a London club, in the early days, England was made up of mainly local teams, mostly cos back them it wasn’t a 4h train trip for the underpaid players. So not many would be that bothered to play, and the average fan couldn’t afford to go to london to see a load of players they didn’t really know. (then the whole thatcher thing happen, which cemented the ‘not English’ thing).

A few month ago, on the radio, I’m sure England friendly (may of been a qualifier), was selling for £10 a ticket, (just shows the demand for England tickets), the wife asked if I fancied it. Even at that price I cba driving to London, getting a hotel, then watching a team I just don’t care that much for. Now if they was playing Brazil  (even though I just admitted I cba to go today) I may be interested. But I’d be way more interested if I cold drive 40mins to watch them.

And I’m sure many other northerners feel the same. They only need to pick about 5 grounds found the country, and work on a cycle. Id bet they would fill every ground for every match. Maybe not old Trafford, as that just seems to grow every year.

I always feel sorry for the fans in the section with the drums and bugles etc… We don’t have any of that, some away teams might, but usually I’m in The kop or towards the kop in the Kenny stand. Still not made it into the new main stand yet.

I love footy song, and we have quite a hymn book. Don’t like the new one we nicked from Porto, it’s good but it’s been milked to death, and it never ends, never.

My favour song is poor scouser tommy. When you have 15k singing it in the kop it’s an emotional song. It doesn’t come out much, always on derby day, as there is a last verse about beating EV 5-0 and rush scoring 4.

Here is the one we nicked and adapted from our 5-0 (iirc) away win at Porto. (it’s been a great year). This was taken in the fan park about 3h before kick off last week ? it’s a great song, and I have no idea, how this was stolen from Porto adapted, and then the following weekend 2 or 3 days later, the whole away section knew it, there is alot of words, and sang it for a full hour after the game (we get locked in an OT). Klopp brought the team back out and the just all Sat on the edge of the pitch untill we got let out. Only then we didn’t want to leave, as the team was there.

Problem is it is too good, so now I hope it gets retired a bit for next season, but I can’t see it.

Klopp is an ace guy, he is a true football fan, he just gets it. Tbh we may just all be wrapped up under his spell. But from the inside, I’ve never known Liverpool the club, the fans, and the team and manager, to all be on the same page and happy. I can’t remember a time in my adult life.

Rumor has it Fekir’s agent is at anfield now. If we get him over the line too, our midfield, should be amazing, kaita, Fekir as attacking mids, and fabinho anchoring it. Maybe a new centre half. I think the future is looking good.

That’s cool, I was took there a few times as a kid. That’s when they was decent, Pre winning the league days. I’ve never personally minded Leeds. But that maybe down to the massive dislike man United fans for them.

My enemies enemy is my friend and all that.

I bet they are are playing at Ellend Rd is cos that game just won’t attracted the numbers. And a 90k stadium will look terrible with 25-30k fans in it. Id imagine Leeds holds around 30 to 40k, from what I recall it’s a relatively big ground.

It’s better to fill out a smaller stadium than have a huge one 1/2 empty. Even if the latter one is actually more seats sold. I’m assuming the £10 a ticket thing from a few months back, didn’t go to well for them.