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hope Gareth continues for at least 4 more years and tries to build on his start. 12 months ago and no one would have believed that a semi final was achievable. No he knows what to build on. Alas he may have few options. Especially as a Modric style linch pin to control the game and conduct the team. Wilshire is/was the closest we had and not wanted, so not sure who will come through for this roll
out but in truth we can't be disappointed
sod 3rd place play off. Surely it will be the B team as only 2 days off in between matches
IMO The Manager got it wrong. It was there for the taking and He did nothing he played it as safe as could be. The goals were soft. Walker off Alexander Arnold on. Lingard off Vardy on. Half time changes. Lovren was on the ropes and we let him off. Croatia now go to the final and we go home having made the Country Proud.... of what? Having experience of losing to help us going forward....By the way Me and the Mrs are not talking today and it has everything to do with the football. Wonder what was going to be for tea tonight... Another missed opportunity lol.
All that said, we got to the semi's, when a lot of folks (including me) were predicting disaster.
I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.
They have done pretty well this time against similar level countries, and eventually ran out of steam and imagination against classier opposition.
They got a very long way on tenacity and tactics but there are obvious shortcomings in terms of flair and creativity against better teams.
This is in no way a criticism, but when England progress to a semi- or a final these are FREAK EVENTS, not England's rightful and God-given place in the world. England are, and always have been footballing minnows, and a realistic and honest utilisation of the assets at their disposal has got them a very long way this year.
I honestly fear for them at the Euros, the press gave the coach and squad an easy ride this year, but their success will have them baying for a 6-0 win in the Euro final or they'll tear them to shreds.
The end result is that we've given France a weary and battered team to destroy in the final.
Overall great showing at the tournament, if we can find a gazza we'll be as good as anyone.
Very true. With Sterling's pace advantage over the Croatia defenders I can see why they were trying to take advantage of it. There may have been some element of a deliberate strategy there.
What you need to do though, is establish that threat with the odd long ball so the defenders sit deep. You can then take advantage of the space that should make in front of them, but we just didn't mix it up at all.
I'm not sure there was the movement for us to play it out from the back either. Young wasn't getting forwards enough. Rose should have been on half an hour earlier (if not from the start). I didn't see much of Alli, Lingard, or Henderson moving in front of the defense to give the option of a short pass either.
We didn't play well in the second half. That team has it in them to play better, but I think a lot of it was inexperience in the big situations. How many of our players are even the key playmakers at their clubs? A lot of the time it's some expensive foreigner who the team is built around. If our players aren't used to controlling a game at club level, it won't come easily at international level. They will be better for this experience though.
Also note, England are world champions at U17 and U21, which is not that bad a place to be for such minnows
As for the general performance, we need a world class creative midfielder to progress, all round performance, organisation, set pieces were all great, but simply not enough chances created to go all the way. The tournament flattered the team a bit, getting the easier draw, but still, we look so much better than 2016. Also with 2 age groups of world champions feeding into the team over the coming years, a Premier league winter break on the cards, it all looks good.
Sometimes I think the worst thing they ever did was win it all those years ago. If they never had English football fans would enjoy the journey every time far more, without all that "Coming Home" bollocks.
Anyway, time to go and flip another page over on my free gift Viz 'Years of Hurt' calender.
Remember, it's easier to criticise than create!
Yeah I agree then, the expectations and media go way over the top. We played better than last time and have some good foundations to improve, nothing more, nothing less. Despite being in the last 4 we're still a long way behind the big footballing nations (including some who weren't there). It may never 'come home', but if we can be the best we can be, you can't ask more than that.
I think everybody is ready is ready for a break with the coming home shite.
The Irony now is though, you can't blame the media anymore, it used to be the red top papers whipping it up, now it's mainly the fans on social media....
Croatia are a good team with some very good players. We should have put them away in the first half, but there's no shame in losing to them and I'm certainly gonna be willing them on in the final.