The ONLY World Cup thread (merged)

[goonersid]

Press full of praise for what to me was a typical Ingerland failure!
Beat a few minnows,
Stumblebummed past a few more,
Lost to the only 2 decent teams they played
So hopes will be sky high for the euros so gone will be any signs of humility,
Bring it on and the inevitable failure
I can’t fucking wait!!

[DB10GOONER]

All the pikeys and jocks piping up.

The only time we hear them is when England get knocked out tbf.

Pikeys ??

Noticed that myself.

Is he calling us Irish “pikeys”?

Maybe a knee jerk reaction to tonight but please explain MrT

Oh no, the Irish mafia on here are offended, ban incoming lol

I don't need to explain fuck all to you. If you choose to take offence, then that is entirely on you.

You are right about that you racist scumbag. One thing we do not tolerate is racism on here. Never have never will.

Typical keyboard warrior. You say something like that to my face and your lights would be out so quick you wouldn't even see it coming. You've always been an odious mouthy poisonous twat on here so no loss. Bye bye.

[DB10GOONER]

Now that that odious piece of filth has been dealt with let's get back to what has actually become quite a good thread with gasp reasoned debate!

Anyway I always felt that Stones and particularly Maguire would cost England. I thought they were both at fault for the Croatia winner as both switched off and just walked away. But in fairness to Maguire he has defended mostly quite well and cleared 90% of what has come at him. But he is not at that level as a player and like Stones always had a mistake in him.

It was weird watching that game last night. I wanted England to lose because and only because of the number of scum players in the team but when you went one nil up I kinda went "yes!" Have to admit to being a bit torn between my obsessive hatred of the vermin and my love of English club football which was of course represented by the England team. Also I really liked the way Southgate conducted himself with great dignity and did the best he could with limited resources.

But ultimately England reminded me of Arsenal under Wenger: some real talent but just a few too many average players to win the big prize. I agree the "new dawn" stuff is very wrong tbh.

Anyway hard luck lads and honestly you should be proud of your team as they gave everything and that is all you can ask really.

[Allgunsblazin]

Now that that odious piece of filth has been dealt with let's get back to what has actually become quite a good thread with gasp reasoned debate!

Anyway I always felt that Stones and particularly Maguire would cost England. I thought they were both at fault for the Croatia winner as both switched off and just walked away. But in fairness to Maguire he has defended mostly quite well and cleared 90% of what has come at him. But he is not at that level as a player and like Stones always had a mistake in him.

It was weird watching that game last night. I wanted England to lose because and only because of the number of scum players in the team but when you went one nil up I kinda went "yes!" Have to admit to being a bit torn between my obsessive hatred of the vermin and my love of English club football which was of course represented by the England team. Also I really liked the way Southgate conducted himself with great dignity and did the best he could with limited resources.

But ultimately England reminded me of Arsenal under Wenger: some real talent but just a few too many average players to win the big prize. I agree the "new dawn" stuff is very wrong tbh.

Anyway hard luck lads and honestly you should be proud of your team as they gave everything and that is all you can ask really.

That is exactly what I said, I was sitting through another fecking Wengerama episode, totally draining your spirit away...
As the Mrs put it, no one took responsibility to put the ball in the net, to be fair Stones header was going in till that clever Croat adjusted his positioning and cleared it off the line...
I thought Croatia were knackered then Mandzukic (poor World Cup) produces a rare piece of footie after the keeper had clobbered him..
Roy Keane got some stick with his comments, but he was absolutely right, Croatia fought very hard and got their final, no sour grapes from me, good luck Croatia hope you beat France!...

[Riotof91]

Southgate was very Wengeresque with his inability to make any adjustments and 'play our game1!!!1' regardless of scenario or opposition. Don't care what anyone says, it is utterly criminal to be 1 nil up 25 mins away from a world cup final and still be attacking with 4 forwards leaving the midfield to get over run. Should've had two banks of 5 against a team which has struggle against facing precisely that. Then to concede in the second half of extra time such a poor goal....

Having said that France would've exposed our tactical inflexability and weak defense even worse in the final.

[Allgunsblazin]

Never mind France, Belgium will be enough....

[xisstential]

A couple of guys on here have nailed it and some have got caught up in the foolish media hype and as "football fans" should really know better.

I kept asking the hysterical, and I include family members in that, "who have they played"? Who did England really play...piss easy group...a last gasp winner against Tunisia, lost to the only decent team they played, scored 9 of 12 goals from set pieces, including 3 penalties, scraped past Columbia, beat an average Swedish side, then lost to a team that was playing in their third ET match on the bounce.

I really don't see this as a new dawn, I do see it as a missed opportunity in what must be one of the easiest draws ever. Will England ever have a better chance than this?

[flash gunner]

Valiant effort but wasnt quite good enough in the end. Should have taken the chances in the first half at this level if you dont you will get punished.

Thought Mandzukic (sp) and Modric were out on their feet but still played exceptional and it shows when you have players that know how to win you stand a better chance, exactly what Tony Adams said before the tournament about the amount of scum players NOT knowing how to win

Exceeded expectations overall but disappointing not to reach the final. Think France will win 3-0 and would have done if England made it there too

[1989]

Indeed Flash. I don't think folk really realize just how strong this Croatia side is. They have a brilliant spine and like you said have wily players who know how to win. Modric, Rakitic and Mandzukic are all Champions League winners.

Fair play to them and hope they go on to win it.

[IW8Goalmachine]

Indeed Flash. I don't think folk really realize just how strong this Croatia side is. They have a brilliant spine and like you said have wily players who know how to win. Modric, Rakitic and Mandzukic are all Champions League winners.

Fair play to them and hope they go on to win it.

Can’t see them winning due to lack of proper striker and they have to be running on fumes now.

I have them on an E/W net at 25/1 to win it out so you know who I’ll be shouting for!

[the playing mantis]

Gutted but proud of the boys.

Honestly what are you proud of?

Of the fact that for the 1st time in ages, an England team (an unfancied one I may add) went out there in a big tournament and acquitted itself brilliantly. Of the effort, the guts and pride they displayed. Southgate is a bit of a legend for me, don't care what anyone says.

ok, but did we beat any teams you, or anyone didnt fully expect them to beat, and who they would have been slaughtered in the press for losing to?

[nut flush gooner]

I still feel proper gutted about last night, but its tinged with optimism about Arsenal. For the first time in years, we seem to be addressing the issues that were so obvious to everyone except Wenger.

With regards to England, the hype did get ahead of itself there is no doubt. But that's what happens when our National side does well. There's nothing wrong in dreaming as football fans we all do it. I do think there is the opportunity to build on this, a few creative midfielders and England could go toe to toe with the best in Europe/the World in future tournaments. We must not lose this momentum.

[Gunner Rob]

A couple of guys on here have nailed it and some have got caught up in the foolish media hype and as "football fans" should really know better.

I kept asking the hysterical, and I include family members in that, "who have they played"? Who did England really play...piss easy group...a last gasp winner against Tunisia, lost to the only decent team they played, scored 9 of 12 goals from set pieces, including 3 penalties, scraped past Columbia, beat an average Swedish side, then lost to a team that was playing in their third ET match on the bounce.

I really don't see this as a new dawn, I do see it as a missed opportunity in what must be one of the easiest draws ever. Will England ever have a better chance than this?

I was also very restrained during the group stages, but then could see that we had a clear route to the final - and to be honest I think if Kane had scored that second goal we would have made it.
Had no expectations of ever beating France (or any other side from the other half of the draw) but last night has to go down as a missed opportunity.

[Gunner Rob]

Press full of praise for what to me was a typical Ingerland failure!
Beat a few minnows,
Stumblebummed past a few more,
Lost to the only 2 decent teams they played
So hopes will be sky high for the euros so gone will be any signs of humility,
Bring it on and the inevitable failure
I can’t fucking wait!!

typical Irish jealousy

[Leyton Gooner]

See Sid has crawled out of the woodwork while still supporting an English football club