bwfcfan5 Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 Deli Ali certainly wasn't fit he should of been dropped and as for sterling, he must be sucking southgate off We looked a worse team when Sterling went off. I’d go as far to say he was our main threat. Without him we didn’t threaten them at all. Rashford was rubbish when he came on.
Didledee Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 We looked a worse team when Sterling went off. I’d go as far to say he was our main threat. Without him we didn’t threaten them at all. Rashford was rubbish when he came on. In the 1st half Croatia could not live with Sterling at times, he caused Vida all cause of problems, many times Sterling would have a few yards to catch up a ball and still get it and if he just couldn't they were putting it out of touch for throw ins when facing their own goal. Complete contrast to the 2nd half when Vida and Lovren looked solid and were heading balls away for fun.
Didledee Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 Aye but we got a few our way in the first half to be fair. Not too gutted about that. We probably should have put the game to bed but again, once a team susses us out we struggle to adapt. As said above a link man or someone with a bit more nous in midfield is needed. Still, lots to be proud of and very promising for the future We'd all have taken that I reckon? Considering most of our goals came from set pieces and that yesterday we had a John Stones header off the line and a free header for Kane, I reckon we'd have created at least one more chance if they were given. Game should have been won for sure, 2-0 or 3-0 at half time and it's a different game, we were playing so well at half time, that Kane moment will be looked at like Gazza's in 96 when he just couldn't reach it, a what if moment. Pre tournament yes, the way the draw panned out and being 1-0 up in the semi's with 20 or so minutes to go and missing big chances, not really, hard to take, but a lot of positives going forward.
jimmyjoojar Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 Hugely disappointed that we weren't able to go on a score a second in the 1st half. It could have been so different.... Croatia would always have a period in the game were they would be on top, their midfield has some serious experience in big game settings. With a single goal our arse's began to twitch and silly errors crept in. Much prefer to go out in ET by a goal than lose on penalties mind. Flat this morning but nothing like the feeling of frustration/anger that I've had from England in previous tournaments. I think Southgate and Co can go home with some pride and their heads held high.
L/H White Posted July 12, 2018 Author Posted July 12, 2018 If you think Sterling was shit then football isnt for you
deane koontz Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 If you think Sterling was shit then football isnt for you This
jimmyjoojar Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 If you think Sterling was shit then football isnt for you I think we've established long ago that Jay knows as much about football as plenty folk have forgotten. Monkey see, monkey do.
wiggy Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 Well what a belting few weeks this has been. I doubt many expected to ever have so much fun watching an England team. We came up a bit short against a very talented Croatia midfield last night but Southgate has got everyone believing again. This group can and will get better.
Site Supporter Tonge moor green jacket Posted July 12, 2018 Site Supporter Posted July 12, 2018 Lots to pick up on but can't be arsed. Croatia were that bit better overall and deserved it. Hopefully with the experience gained and one or two changes over time, this team will grow and mature. Thanks to all of them for a great competition, and some good times. Come home, rest up, take it on the chin and go again.
bwfcfan5 Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 In the 1st half Croatia could not live with Sterling at times, he caused Vida all cause of problems, many times Sterling would have a few yards to catch up a ball and still get it and if he just couldn't they were putting it out of touch for throw ins when facing their own goal. Complete contrast to the 2nd half when Vida and Lovren looked solid and were heading balls away for fun. Because second half their midfield took control and we couldn't get Sterling out. We should have changed the system in truth.
madthatter Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 Considering most of our goals came from set pieces and that yesterday we had a John Stones header off the line and a free header for Kane, I reckon we'd have created at least one more chance if they were given. Game should have been won for sure, 2-0 or 3-0 at half time and it's a different game, we were playing so well at half time, that Kane moment will be looked at like Gazza's in 96 when he just couldn't reach it, a what if moment. Pre tournament yes, the way the draw panned out and being 1-0 up in the semi's with 20 or so minutes to go and missing big chances, not really, hard to take, but a lot of positives going forward. Aye I was annoyed at the decisions, especially the clear corner but that's just how it goes - clutching at straws to think they would have impacted the result but you never know I suppose? I hear what you're saying but it didn't surprise me - they adapted and we didn't have an answer. What is most gutting was the missed chances - we should have been out of sight but that underlines the slight lack in quality we have against the top teams. A different day we may have won.
Site Supporter Spider Posted July 12, 2018 Site Supporter Posted July 12, 2018 Sterling should have stayed on. He was the only player Croatia couldn’t really deal with. But it dunt matter now. It’s been a wonderful few weeks
gonzo Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 If you think Sterling was shit then football isnt for you Bang on.
birch-chorley Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 (edited) I also think Sterling has been one of our better players, if not our best (since the group stages anyway) Teams can’t handle his pace and skill, if his finishing was better then he would be one of the best players in the world for me We were worse when he cane off, Rashford was bobbins for me Edited July 12, 2018 by birch-chorley
Smiley Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 Kane slides it sideways to Sterling. 2-0. And Sterling with some confidence after scoring. How do Croatia react? All guns blazing in the second half and leave gaps for us to exploit - possibly. As it happened, they sussed out the need to press high, close down our wing backs. We suddenly had no outlet. Our back 3 tippy-toed the ball between them and then ran out of ideas and constantly passed back to Pickford. He too didn't have the wing-back outlet - and punted it long. I don't watch much Premier League football, but I'm guessing that Kane and Spurs don't play it long.... so it was alien for him to be having to win headers. Lovren and Vida snuffed that outlet straight away. Which meant we were surrendering possession far too often. Gaps in our midfield where appearing too frequently - that got exposed. Their two goals could have been stopped - both quite sloppy defending.... I'm sure in early games they would've been. We seemed to lack some fight and determination to defend like our lives depended on it. Again, felt we did that in previous games when needed. Great experience for the players and the fans alike. Enjoyed our run. We got some luck and the rub of the draw. And could easily have made the final. Croatia have some great big match players..... and can look back on the game and think they should've wrapped it up themselves in the second half. Thought Vida's reading of the game was incredible.
anewman Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 So a striker plays 6 games and doesn't score a single goal missing chance after chance?? Aye ok. Not good enough simples
Farrelli Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 I have criticised Sterling previously but he was clearly causing all kinds of problems for Croatia with his movement and pace last night. He was creating space for Lingard, Ali and Kane which should have produced a second goal.
bwfcfan5 Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 So a striker plays 6 games and doesn't score a single goal missing chance after chance?? Aye ok. Not good enough simples He's not really a striker and truth is we didn't lose last night because of Sterling. The chances fell to Kane and Lingard. But the reality was Rashford offered nothing when he came on. Sterling had their defence scared.
anewman Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 Ok I get that so why play him in that position?? Southgate got it wrong last night
maaarsh Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 (edited) [twitter] ⚽ EU ⚽ EU ⚽ EU ⚽ EU ⚽ EU ⚽ EU ⚽ EU ⚽ EU ⚽ — Martin Selmayr (@MartinSelmayr) July 11, 2018 [/twitter] Seen this twat? His grandfather was a Nazi war criminal down in the Balkans as well, so I suppose he has a family interest in Croatia. Edited July 12, 2018 by maaarsh
bwfcfan5 Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 Ok I get that so why play him in that position?? Southgate got it wrong last night Because he scared their defence. Playing Sterling created our opportunities that others missed. There isn't an argument here. Sterling didn't cause us to lose last night.
Site Supporter Spider Posted July 12, 2018 Site Supporter Posted July 12, 2018 Ok I get that so why play him in that position?? Southgate got it wrong last night The only thing he got wrong was taking Sterling off
Members DazBob Posted July 12, 2018 Members Posted July 12, 2018 The only thing he got wrong was taking Sterling off And not taking Alli off.
Site Supporter Tonge moor green jacket Posted July 12, 2018 Site Supporter Posted July 12, 2018 I agree with the comments re sterling working hard and pulling their defence about. On the other hand the balls were a bit speculative and last night nowt really came of it. Later we seemed to play a lot of balls to kane's head for him to flick on which yielded little. As our best finisher, we really need to find a way of getting Kane into the box, getting on the end of things to do what he does best. I felt last night was a bit of a lesson for the 2 attacking midfielders too; they will need to add a bit of the other side of midfield play; for me the issue last night wasn't necessarily taking sterling off, but not bolstering midfield. We were over run and it hardly gave Rashford much to get on the end of. I thought RLC might have come on to help get a grip, but Southgate had his thoughts and did what he thought best. Everyone will learn from the experience and be better for it.
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