England v Belgium/Panama v Tunisia, 19:00 BST, ITV1/ITV4.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Come on Welbz. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

England: Jordan Pickford; Phil Jones, Gary Cahill, John Stones; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eric Dier (capt) Fabian Delph, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Danny Rose; Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford.

Welbz still can't get a start. :lol:

Belgium: Thibaut Courtois (capt); Thomas Vermaelen, Dedryck Boyata, Leander Dendoncker; Nacer Chadli, Mousa Dembele, Yori Tielemans, Adrian Januzaj; Marouanne Fellaini, Thorgan Hazard; Michy Batshuayi.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Why is Piers Morgan on my TV? :sick:

[Goonermerree]

Come on England, don't come on England.:shrug::unsure:

[SMatthews]

England’s midfield...

[Goonermerree]

Can't find any sub's names anywhere. Hope Welbz gets to come on.

[Power n Glory]

England: Jordan Pickford; Phil Jones, Gary Cahill, John Stones; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eric Dier (capt) Fabian Delph, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Danny Rose; Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford.

Welbz still can't get a start. :lol:

Belgium: Thibaut Courtois (capt); Thomas Vermaelen, Dedryck Boyata, Leander Dendoncker; Nacer Chadli, Mousa Dembele, Yori Tielemans, Adrian Januzaj; Marouanne Fellaini, Thorgan Hazard; Michy Batshuayi.

Jokes on us with Welbeck. We gave him too many chances.

Belgium have one of the best squads in the WC.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Dier is absolutely hopeless.

[Mac76]

Let's face it this game is the next best thing to a dead rubber, already looking like a 0-0

[Letters]

We really need Vardy to score a goal given by VAR, if only for the tabloid headline writers

Vardy-VAR-Ha?

[Goonermerree]

The new guys on the pitch for both teams will want to play well to stake a claim for the next round.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Yellow to Tielmaans. Our fairplay record has got even better.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Chadli. :haha:

Tielemans' booking was some great scroting.

Also, Tyledsley talking about Belgium not facing the same calibre of opponents in the warm-up matches as England.

A) England played Costa Rica and B) When have friendlies ever mattered going in to a World Cup?

[Letters]

MrsL and myself are not in agreement about whether tonight's game is a good way to spend 2 hours of our holiday.
I think yes, although so far I'm thinking she might be right...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Great run from Batshit but Stones eventually blocks.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fellaini scuffer, saved.

Januzaj bollocks on the follow up.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Dier is the worst. Another shit ball from him.

[Letters]

Do we want to win this?
As in which side of the draw do we want to be on?

[Mac76]

The new guys on the pitch for both teams will want to play well to stake a claim for the next round.

Well they're not doing a good job of it unless the tactic is to bore Belgium into making an error

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Another yellow for Belgium.

Their fairplay record. :rose:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Dendoncker booked.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Alexander-Arnold freekick, deflects behind. Crap.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Loftus-Cheek with a great clearance!

[Cripps]

Utd actually gave Fellaini a new contract :haha:

[SMatthews]

Belgium have to win, as they’re two yellow cards down at this stage. What happens if they both finish on four yellow cards each? Decided on total fouls committed?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Hazard. :haha:

[Letters]

Do we want to win this?
As in which side of the draw do we want to be on?
Well?! <_<

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Belgium have to win, as they’re two yellow cards down at this stage. What happens if they both finish on four yellow cards each? Decided on total fouls committed?

They've drawn lots in the past.

[SMatthews]

Apparently not, the group winner is then decided by random lots

EDIT: As said above

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Well?! <_<

Japan or Colombia. There's scope for both winning really.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Horrendous first touch from Loftus-Road.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Panama 1-0 Tunisia, MERIAH OG! :haha:

[SMatthews]

Japan preferably as even though Colombia aren’t that hot upfront you could see England’s backline shredded with a few through balls. Although Rodriguez could be out.

The quarters after Japan look a bit easier too.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-0 HT. Awful from what I've seen.

[Letters]

Well. This is awful.

[SMatthews]

Well. This is awful.

Two teams thrown together - to be expected really. 45 more minutes of it really sets up England with a shot at the semi’s.

[Mac76]

Didn't see France- Denmark but this looks like that sounded - a total bore-athon

Basically other teams now know all they have to do is take out K**t and we're f*cked

[Mac76]

Neville: "erm........."

:haha:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Spurs players congregating :sick:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stones off injured, Maguire on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Rashford. :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

England 0-1 Belgium, JANUZAJ!

[Letters]

1-0.

Good hit, tbf

[Mac76]

Great goal by Belgium

[Goonermerree]

Now we need to see Vardy and Rashford do something. If we want to top the group that is.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

FFS letting that shitter score.

[SMatthews]

Didn’t batshuayi blast the ball back off the post into his face?

[Goonermerree]

Well they're not doing a good job of it unless the tactic is to bore Belgium into making an error

Hm, I did say they'll want to, whether they'll achieve that or not...

[Mac76]

FFS letting that shitter score.

:haha:

[Goonermerree]

Is that Kane lacing his hoofs ready to come on?

[SMatthews]

Loftus-Cheek is a beast

[Letters]

Is that Kane lacing his hoofs ready to come on?

:haha:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

If James' is out for the Colombia game then it may not be as hard as I fear.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Is that Kane lacing his hoofs ready to come on?

:haha::haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Panama 1-1 Tunisia, Ben Youssef.

[SMatthews]

If James' is out for the Colombia game then it may not be as hard as I fear.

They should be doable either way. It’s the quarters that get much tougher. Actually no, that’s bollocks. Finishing second makes the quarters either Sweden or Switzerland.

[Mac76]

If James' is out for the Colombia game then it may not be as hard as I fear.

They're still pretty handy without him, i think Japan are easier to beat

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Vardy takes out Tommy V.

[Mac76]

Batshit :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

They should be doable either way. It’s the quarters that get much tougher. Actually no, that’s bollocks. Finishing second makes the quarters either Sweden or Switzerland.

It's England, winning any knockout tie is a monumental task.

[SMatthews]

Didn’t batshuayi blast the ball back off the post into his face?

He can’t even score with the ball in his hand, standing on the goal line without a keeper

[Letters]

Belgium player kicked it onto the post during the goal celebration, bounced back and hit him square on the side of the head :haha:

[Goonermerree]

Classic the replay of that Belgian player wacking the ball into his own head after they scored.:haha:

[Letters]

He can’t even score with the ball in his hand, standing on the goal line without a keeper

Well no, that would be handball

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What is a Phil Jones?

[SMatthews]

Well no, that would be handball

Didn’t stop him from trying

[McNamara That Ghost...]

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/1012414481396371456

Batshit. :haha:

[SMatthews]

He did fluke it in after all

[McNamara That Ghost...]

OMG Rashford, what a miss!

[Mac76]

Rashford :haha:

[Letters]

Oh fuck off Rashford :doh:

[SMatthews]

That was garbage. Should’ve passed

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Delph. :haha:

Why?!

[Niall_Quinn]

As good as an open goal. Rubbish.

That Loftus-Cheek kid is a trier. He's energetic enough to make up for his lack of talent. The rest of them. Absolute garbage. That includes the Belgians too. What a joke of a group.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

As good as an open goal. Rubbish.

That Loftus-Cheek kid is a trier. He's energetic enough to make up for his lack of talent. The rest of them. Absolute garbage. That includes the Belgians too. What a joke of a group.

Out of curiosity is there anyone you rate at this world cup?

[Letters]

That was garbage. Should’ve passed

No, he should have scored.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Panama 1-2 Tunisia, Khazri!

[Goonermerree]

I've been calling for Rashford to start and not play Sterling after his many misses against Tunisia, and he goes and does the same thing.:doh:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I've been calling for Rashford to start and not play Sterling after his many misses against Tunisia, and he goes and does the same thing.:doh:

Sterling has always been better than Rashford. Just look at the vast difference in PL output.

Sterling's problem is mental whereas Rashford has never been good as the Man Utd hype machine have him out to be.

[Goonermerree]

Sterling has always been better than Rashford. Just look at the vast difference in PL output.

Sterling's problem is mental whereas Rashford has never been good as the Man Utd hype machine have him out to be.

Conclusion, they're both rubbish and miss too many chances. I like Rashford's energy though.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Vermaelen off, Kompany on.

Vermaelen MotM tbf, until Welbz comes on.

[SMatthews]

No, he should have scored.

Obvs. I’m merely enjoying the luxury of hindsight

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Disgusting that Welbz hasn't been brought on tbh.

Would have buried that Rashford chance of his arse!

[Niall_Quinn]

Out of curiosity is there anyone you rate at this world cup?

Croatia

[SMatthews]

Sterling has always been better than Rashford. Just look at the vast difference in PL output.

Sterling's problem is mental whereas Rashford has never been good as the Man Utd hype machine have him out to be.

Sterling gets a billion chances at City but has barely scored for England as the ratio is far less. Rashford at least runs at people but his finishing is ropey. Needs more time up front in the PL but that won’t happen at Utd.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Here comes Welbz! :bow:

[Letters]

Chance of his arse? :unsure:

[Niall_Quinn]

Conclusion, they're both rubbish and miss too many chances. I like Rashford's energy though.

Neither of them are good enough to play at a professional level, but both of them are more than good enough to play in the modern game. There lies the problem. It's all hype.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tyldesley burns Welbeck. :(

[Mac76]

Welbeck coming on, that'll sort it then...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

AA off, Lovely Smile on.

[SMatthews]

Chance of his arse? :unsure:

If that’s what you want, sure

[Goonermerree]

Come on Welbz, show Rashford, Vardy and Sterling how it's done. Butt, back, shin, hamstring- whatever, just get it in the net.

[Globalgunner]

Sterling gets a billion chances at City but has barely scored for England as the ratio is far less. Rashford at least runs at people but his finishing is ropey. Needs more time up front in the PL but that won’t happen at Utd.

At least not with Mourinho in charge.
I think Rashford has a higher ceiling than Sterling who is as bargain basement as they come.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Chance of his arse? :unsure:

The meme is that Welbeck never scores goals the way you expect him to. He either scuffs them, falls over when scoring or it comes off the wrong part of his body.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Rashford belts a freekick over.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Welbz denied a goal by Bogbrush!

[Letters]

The meme is that Welbeck never scores goals the way you expect him to. He either scuffs them, falls over when scoring or it comes off the wrong part of his body.

I mean you said "of", not "off"
Lolz
Never mind!

[Mac76]

Loftus-cheek :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Loftus-Cheek. :haha:

I do get what NQ is saying, there are a surfeit of athletes these days but no talent really.

[Letters]

This is more like it.
This is the England I know and "love"

[Niall_Quinn]

Wow. Loftus-Cheek. England's best player by a mile. And he can't play. It's embarrassing.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Mertens on for someone.

[Mac76]

there are a surfeit of athletes

* is :)

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Welbz involved. :bow:

[Mac76]

Welbeck :haha:

[Letters]

Welbeck :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

* is :)

Fewer.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Mertens smacks it, Pickford with a Hollywood save and still cocks it up right back out in front of him!

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Fell asleep watching this.

Thoroughly confused with the score.

[Niall_Quinn]

This is more like it.
This is the England I know and "love"

Not really.

There were still moments. Owen. Lineker. Gazza. Beckham.

There's nothing now. Zero.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

:violin:

Can a loss be a win?

[Cripps]

Does Dier do anything apart from kick and foul opponents?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a scramble!

Fellaini involved. :faint:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Does Dier do anything apart from kick and foul opponents?

That's exactly what Dier does.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fellaini. :haha:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Fellani :haha:

Man Utd :haha:

[Goonermerree]

Pickford needs to try and direct his saves to the side and not straight out front inviting another strike.

[Niall_Quinn]

Loobrush can't hit the target from 5 yards.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

England 0-1 Belgium's Z Team, FT!

England's unbeaten run is over. :rose:

Southgate. :haha:

I would imagine they'll spin it that the winning mentality they were banging on about before doesn't mean anything now.

[Cripps]

Can't wait for us to lose against Colombia :lol:

[SMatthews]

Perfect result

[The Emirates Gallactico]

We won when we were on the BBC but we lost when we were on ITV.

Colombia game is on ITV. :unsure:

[Niall_Quinn]

First competitive match against an opponent that isn't shit beyond belief. And they lose. The most predictable outcome imaginable.

But, because there are so many dire teams in this tournament, this lot could pub their way to the semis. Columbia next, which will be a pure bar brawl. Then the utterly dull Sweden or Switzerland is it? They could beat any of that lot. An opponent sent off, a penalty, a fluke own goal, even a planned goal is theoretically possible.

[Globalgunner]

First competitive match against an opponent that isn't shit beyond belief. And they lose. The most predictable outcome imaginable.

But, because there are so many dire teams in this tournament, this lot could pub their way to the semis. Columbia next, which will be a pure bar brawl. Then the utterly dull Sweden or Switzerland is it? They could beat any of that lot. An opponent sent off, a penalty, a fluke own goal, even a planned goal is theoretically possible.

Its coming home then.

[Cripps]

First competitive match against an opponent that isn't shit beyond belief. And they lose. The most predictable outcome imaginable.

But, because there are so many dire teams in this tournament, this lot could pub their way to the semis. Columbia next, which will be a pure bar brawl. Then the utterly dull Sweden or Switzerland is it? They could beat any of that lot. An opponent sent off, a penalty, a fluke own goal, even a planned goal is theoretically possible.

Have you ever thought about taking anti depressants?

[Niall_Quinn]

Its coming home then.

No chance of getting past the semis.

[Niall_Quinn]

Have you ever thought about taking anti depressants?

Why, do they help with buying into the hype?

[Master Splinter]

So England win two pre-season friendlies against non-League opponents and then lose the Community Shield against the Belgium Bench XI.

I know it's expected for the English media to be mindlessly patriotic, but how can you infer anything worthwhile from these results? Tunisia's best player is a Sunderland reject and they barely beat them. Panama's best player probably plays for Alaska F.C. and it shows. The fact England barely create anything from open play and still look nervy at the back despite the non-competitive opposition so far should be the biggest worries.

The draw might work in their favour, especially if James is injured. But even Japan would have been a massive step up on the basis that they have a professional setup. England are the same limited, unimaginative outfit lacking the required technical ability of a decent side and a couple of wins against dross doesn't change that. If they show something different in the upcoming game or games, I'll be the first to admit I didn't see it coming.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Hamas out injured for Colombia, according to Hoddle. :unsure:

[Letters]

Not really.

There were still moments. Owen. Lineker. Gazza. Beckham.

There's nothing now. Zero.

My teenage years and early 20s were peppered with "nearlys" - Italia '90, Euro '96, France '98.
In each of those we went toe to toe with the big boys and on another day could have won - Gazza's outstretched boot :crying:
Now we're reduced to losing to Iceland. Iceland! :doh:
So overall, I agree. The first two results notwithstanding there's not much hope right now.
Through gritted teeth I think Kane is the real deal, I don't think there's much else real quality though. People like Vardy, Rashford and Welbeck being in the squad suggest there's not much depth.

[SMatthews]

Rose tinted glasses about Italia 90. Bobby Robson was a true gent but the football we played in that tournament was awful. England scored 3 goals in the first 4 games of that tournament.

Mexico 86 was saved by Lineker banging in a hat trick in the last group game, and even the game against Holland in 96 doesn’t tell the whole story about that game. That was the only unexpected result in the run to the semi.

What was so great about France 98? Dumped out when it came to a big test as usual.

It all looks good selectively and in retrospect. You don’t need to be the best team to do well in WC. Italy have shown that enough times.

This team have enough about them to stumble their way through to a QF/SM just like teams in the past who had better talent but hardly ever showed it.

[Cripps]

So England win two pre-season friendlies against non-League opponents and then lose the Community Shield against the Belgium Bench XI.

I know it's expected for the English media to be mindlessly patriotic, but how can you infer anything worthwhile from these results? Tunisia's best player is a Sunderland reject and they barely beat them. Panama's best player probably plays for Alaska F.C. and it shows. The fact England barely create anything from open play and still look nervy at the back despite the non-competitive opposition so far should be the biggest worries.

The draw might work in their favour, especially if James is injured. But even Japan would have been a massive step up on the basis that they have a professional setup. England are the same limited, unimaginative outfit lacking the required technical ability of a decent side and a couple of wins against dross doesn't change that. If they show something different in the upcoming game or games, I'll be the first to admit I didn't see it coming.

:haha: