2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

[piolaxo]

Originally Posted by radio times

We don't have it against any serious team. We might finish 2nd behind Belgium in the group, and that will be that. Strikers that score well normally, are like rabbit's in the headlights. 'Oooh it's the world cup! And were in Russia, that's like a whole different country! I want my mummy, the balls are too shiny'. Truly pathetic, some of them must have waited until they were at least 14 years old before leaving school.

This can be applicable to a few teams that seem to feel the big pressure
at the biggest stage. I think this is where teams must have a combination
of experience and youth. The experienced players need to calm the rest
and bring the best of them. The first game is always the tricky one since
the nerves are flying high, the pressure is too high and no one wants to
make the big mistake. It's a lot like when they say that in the beginning
of a game the keeper needs to "tested" early so that he gets loose,
but at the team level. The second round of games will be more telling.

[radio times]

Well let's hope so.The problem is they are so young,and though we have talent beyond Kane, any mature team like Belgium would have put the chances away in the first half to be at least 3-0 up. And it doesn't make a lot of sense, the English domestic scene is a long one and it's not like they have just arrived in Russia and have had no time to acclimatize. We are all deeply depressed at this performance, it was like the Patriots playing a college team and dropping all the touchdown passes.

[EfeTe]

Has anybody read/seen the Romelu Lukaku interview for The Players Tribune? (I don't think I am allowed to post the link to the story am I).

The bit about approaching this World Cup finals with a fresh, positive spin and try to enjoy it (as opposed to fighting the pressure and the expectation). Thought it was a fantastic story, all hard work and dedication, sharing his football boots with his Dad for 2 years, seeing his Mother dillude his bowl of milk with water so it could last another day. This puts things into perspective, and separates the entitled and the comfortable from the honest, dedicated ones who deserve each and every goal -sporting or financial or whatever- they are achieving. So refreshing.

[radio times]

True, and I shouldn't be surprised, blighty is good at cycling at least. Getting out of the group and then being hammered by a real top team is no worse than last time. Our top league has very few English players any way, and if the home talent just isn't there, it isn't there. Pointless complaining.

[bart]

Originally Posted by radio times

True, and I shouldn't be surprised, blighty is good at cycling at least. Getting out of the group and then being hammered by a real top team is no worse than last time. Our top league has very few English players any way, and if the home talent just isn't there, it isn't there. Pointless complaining.

It wasn't that bad, you know.
The team shows potential and is young.
They will do better than the old stars in '16.

[bart]

Now: Colombia with 10 against Japan.

1-1 so far.

[radio times]

I'm for the underdog, not sure which one, but the nod goes to Colombia.

[bart]

Japan won 2-1; my sympathy also went to Colombia.

[EfeTe]

2-1 Japan in the end, poor decision by Pekerman to take off Cuadrado and allow the Japanese to overrun them in midfield. Also Arias (PSV Eindhoven) gets caught out aerially for the final goal. This pool is going to be quite interesting.

[EfeTe]

Originally Posted by radio times

True, and I shouldn't be surprised, blighty is good at cycling at least. Getting out of the group and then being hammered by a real top team is no worse than last time. Our top league has very few English players any way, and if the home talent just isn't there, it isn't there. Pointless complaining.

I believe it's more of an (ill advised) philosophy / business decision. The talent is there only the FA and the League and the Work Permit panel keep opening the floodgate in while England is currently World U17, World U20 and Toulon Espoirs 2016/17/18 champion.