WORLD CUP 2018 RUSSIA

[Dave Rice]

OMG!!!!! We have a game on now.

Yaaaaay!!!!

[Bob Williams]

Can’t quite believe how good this Belgian team has become. They seem to be fired up by every result and consequently develop more belief in what they can do. Lukaku has become much better at winning the ball and keeping it, breaking up Brazilian play in their own half. de Bruyne is immense, but in fact the whole team are playing out of their skins. Brazil are shell-shocked, Neymar is becoming a peripheral figure, has laid down a couple of times for a non-existent foul and is completely overshadowed by his opposite No. 10, Eden Hazard, who is working his socks off. Hope they don’t fade in the second half, but the Brazilian attacks will keep coming, although the Belgian defence has been very effective.

The earlier game was all action, this one even more so. As you say Dave, we have a game on now, more proof that European national teams are no longer worried about the South Americans: catching and overtaking them.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

What a game that was, and lost by Neymar, who went to ground so many times in this game and all his previous appearances without an actual foul being committed. Result: when Gabriel Jesus should have had a penalty, and when Neymar himself might have had one, referee did not give it, because the ref’s have taken against those players who have, in reality, brought the game of football into disrepute. It’s about time this happened, maybe now Neymar, still one of the world’s greatest and most skillful players, discovers that he doesn’t need to cheat, and when he does he hurts not just himself, but his own team mates.

I was right to think that Belgium might fade, they did in the last 10 minutes and it became very very close, but fantastic saves from a marvelously talented goalkeeper, a lot of luck, great defending, and a horrible miss of an open goal from Phillipe Coutinho, kept them on track. I think that Belgium can now go all the way, can’t see either Russia or Croatia stopping them. I have been wrong so many times during this WC, though, and that is pleasing to know, it’s what has made it so different and so unpredictably entertaining.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Dave Rice]

Now I’ve got some organising to do next week! Just hope the OBB free WiFi is up to it.

[keith with the teef]

Top draw and another set peice.

What a game.

Foot Ball is coming home.

Beautifull game today. 🙂

[Bob Williams]

This team has come of age, what a performance. I cannot pick out any one player. I just wish that Raheem Sterling had just that bit of luck, he ran his socks off, won the ball and broke up the Swedes in their own half, taking on 2 or 3 players and going through them. If he had the slightest good luck in front of goal, England would have been at least 3-0 up at half time, probably would have thrashed them by 4 or 5. Henderson was magnificent, doing what seems like simple stuff and doing it so well. After one of Pickford’s great saves, he put his body in the way of the rebound, from the floor. This is a guy who hates to lose.

From a magnificent defence, through midfield to attack, they dominated, and any player would take on either of those roles.

How far can we go? we are in the Semi’s of a World Cup! No one gave this team a chance when they flew into Russia. And this was an England win without a Harry Kane goal.

 

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Ed P]

I found it interesting that Stirling is actually taking on the role served by Kevin De Bruyne for Manchester City.

Assuming England can win through the semi finals I think that Belgium remains the side to beat. Unfortunately De Bruyne knows how to anticipate Sterling’s movements and vice versa which may make it an interesting challenge for the respective managers on where/whether to play them.

[PlaneMan]

I have no interest in foot ba,  but this is one instance that I might just give England a teeny bit of support. I won’t watch any game, if this was rugby I’d be supporting anyone bar England. Rugby is in my soul, foot ba, nope.

Is that the autism or my grandfathers teachings? Maybe both.

[Bob Williams]

Croatia were the better footballing side I thought, but just could not translate their superiority into goals. Russia worked hard, but a lot of their play was long ball stuff and header tennis, all thud and blunder. Cheryshev’s goal was a cracker, though.

I am looking forward to England playing Croatia on Wednesday: several yellow cards mean that some of the Croatian players miss a match. And the extra time, plus the nerve – shredding of Penalties, will hopefully have an effect on the Croatian team.

Dare we dream? COME ON, ENGLAND! One more game!

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[johnbarry]

PlaneMan wrote:

I have no interest in foot ba,

I watched the second half, will they do it. It’ll make a change to hear it’s coming home.

 

Cheers
John

[The Duke]

I’m getting fed up of the ‘it’s coming home’ already. I’m may support Croatia in the next round.

We will be the worst set of winning fans every. We may be better to bow out than win.

[blacklion1725]

Croatia slight favourites for me on Wednesday – but we have a good shout.

Duke I can do without all the contrived stuff in the press, but there is a real, genuine feel good factor about. I watched it in a pub in Romford yesterday, walked up the market place where all the stall holders had it done up a treat – flags and bunting everywhere. People smiling and talking to strangers, really happy mood around the town.

Go on – let yourself enjoy it mate!

[The Duke]

I won’t betray liverpool and enjoy another team lol.

I am enjoying tbh, I think this WC had been fantastic, the football on the whole has been great,var has turned out a brilliant addition, and the hosts have been excellent.

It’s a plus for me that England are doing well too. How England do is not a make of break for me.

Was talking to wife last night about the lack of feel good around here. And wishing wales had been in the comp, as the euros was truly special around here,cos its a rare occasion wales qualify,never mind do well.

I suppose its the same in England now,given ever year, we are about to “conker the world” then fail (set up for a fall), but this year, Southgate was a bit of a joke, and no one,even the pundits, gave them a chance. So the shock of us actually doing well, is a great and welcome surprise.

It also demonstrates how little pundits and us fan know. There is something in not having a superstar to hang your hat on. Everyone has to pull in the same direction,and buy into the plan.

[blacklion1725]

I know what you mean Duke. Just watched our (WHU) first pre-season friendly on the club’s facebook stream. Goes without saying we lost 3-2 to a team of Swiss part-timers. Back to earth with a bump! However now till Wednesday will get the old butterflies going again – it is definitely different though. A few houses have flags and bunting up whereas in years gone by would have been almost every house here. Expectations are low, so we have already over-achieved – anything now is a bonus. I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.

[Bob Williams]

Steve, they are playing in an all-red strip, which possibly accounts for your lack of support. And they have your captain, who for me is playing out of his skin, doing the stuff that is absolutely necessary but will never make him Man of the Match. The engine room, I call him.

Maybe you have begun turning Welsh after all this time on your mountain? ? ?

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[blacklion1725]

Completely agree about JH Bob – much better player than I had realised. I reckon/hope young Sterling will turn promise in to reality on Wednesday night. We are not the most talented collection of players but we are definitely a TEAM which gives us a fighting chance against anyone.

[The Duke]

JH seems to one of them players that are vital, but you only notice once they are out injured.

He is great. Unlike most defensive midfielders, he can pick a pass as good as anyone, and he has a great brain, he knows how to be patient, side to side to side, and when the gap eventually comes can always find it.

Next season will be interesting as he isn’t going to be first choice. He will be till about Xmas, as klopp really like to hold payers back untill they know the system inside out. Look at ox and robo, they get drip fed in.

Also fitness, not alot of teams play with our tempo, so if youre not ready, it doesnt matter who you are. The system always come first.

Except the last 3 of 4 games last season, when salah picked up (got kicked to bits) an injury at stoke second half, but he still got played the next two, even though he was obviously at 70%, but by then he was in the hunt for the golden boot.

One of klopp flaws is he is a football romantic. He loves the Roy of the rovers type stuff.

We played our first pre season yesterday, against Chester (at Chester), we won 7-0. We play Man City in some pre season American Cup at the end of July. We will be missing JH, lovern, and trent. The first shouldn’t be an issue given we have just brought in cover, but the other two could cause an issue.

But I can’t wait for it. Even more so than Wednesday. I’m getting excited just thinking if it. I’ll be away, not check my dates, but hopefully I’m not due to be driving.

What’s the laws in france on watching footy why driving 130kmh. I’m sure they are fine.

[Dave Rice]

God bless the Greeks ?They have reserved the table in front of the TV for us for Wed night. Off the train and a quick 10 min dash.

[The Duke]

Nice. I’ve been looking up the Liverpool fixtures, and so far I’m good.

[blacklion1725]

Well you’ve got yer 3 point banker to kick the season off Duke!

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