Are you bored with the world cup,?

ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Well done, CJ, pleased for you. Overall I thought Croatia deserved it and will be a problem for England. I thought that Russia often looked uncomfortable on the ball and awkward and laboured in possession. But they put in a shift as did Croatia.

Did anyone else notice the siege gun kicking of the Russian keeper? :eek:
 
ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Not much about England's win on here ;). I thought they played quite well and did enough to get the job done without too much of a sweat. Speaking of sweating, Croatia wouldn't have been happy about the extra time and penalties, which might take a toll of their stamina against England. I hope England can go on and win it now as the country needs a lift but, tired or not, Croatia will be a tough nut to crack as they must really fancy their chances of lifting the Cup themselves. And just for you @CroJack if they do beat England, I hope they go on to become World Champions! :)
 
Ladygargar

Ladygargar

Fox in the Box
Staff member
Not being biased in any way - I have really enjoyed this World Cup - regardless of who is playing. If it’s not the Swans or Wales I’ve found it to be a much more relaxed and enjoyable experience - I wish them all well and I’d be glad to see any of them lift the cup after a thrilling entertaining match - the only thing I hope is whoever gets there doesn’t turn it into a 90 minute slog - for themselves, for the spectators and the audience - go out and PLAY no parked buses and no spoiling - if you’re the best in the World - prove it!!! (y)(y)(y)
 
ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Ladygargar said:
Not being biased in any way - I have really enjoyed this World Cup - regardless of who is playing. If it’s not the Swans or Wales I’ve found it to be a much more relaxed and enjoyable experience - I wish them all well and I’d be glad to see any of them lift the cup after a thrilling entertaining match - the only thing I hope is whoever gets there doesn’t turn it into a 90 minute slog - for themselves, for the spectators and the audience - go out and PLAY no parked buses and no spoiling - if you’re the best in the World - prove it!!! (y)(y)(y)
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Great post!
 
CroJack

CroJack

Key Player
ivoralljack said:
And just for you @CroJack if they do beat England, I hope they go on to become World Champions!
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I doubt Croatia will beat England. Not because they are not good enough, but because they have played two times 120 minutes. They are too tired.
Saying that, it should be a really good game. Croatia are like Swansea, they play best against better opposition, and if Croatia manager moves Modric up in the attacking midfield then I am sure they'll play better than they did against Russia. On the other hand, England can play much better if they start using their pace and press high on the pitch. 3-5-2 doesn't suit them imho. They depend too much on set-pieces and crosses from their wing-backs. They don't create much from the midfield, Henderson is too isolated there (though he brilliantly bypassed Sweeden defence with that long ball leaving Sterling one-on-one with Sweeden goalkeeper).

P.S. I fancy Belgium to lift the World Cup trophy.
 
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Jackflash

Jackflash

Midfield General
Staff member
CroJack said:
I doubt Croatia will beat England. Not because they are not good enough, but because they have played two times 120 minutes. They are too tired.
Saying that, it should be a really good game. Croatia are like Swansea, they play best against better opposition, and if Croatia manager moves Modric up in the attacking midfield then I am sure they'll play better than they did against Russia. On the other hand, England can play much better if they start using their pace and press high on the pitch. 3-5-2 doesn't suit them imho. They depend too much on set-pieces and crosses from their wing-backs. They don't create much from the midfield, Henderson is too isolated there (though he brilliantly bypassed Sweeden defence with that long ball leaving Sterling one-on-one with Sweeden goalkeeper).

P.S. I fancy Belgium to lift the World Cup trophy.
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Modric is always going to be a danger man for them, either opening up defences from midfield or his scoring ability if they play him further forward..
 
ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
France v Belgium, decent game and could go either way. Belgium were shading it with France very dangerous on the break and coming more into the game towards half time. Some snatches of really nice individual play from both teams but what a player is Eden Hazard!! He's fast, tricky and what strength for a small guy. He looks really up for it. Don't mind who wins but I hope it's the better team at the end.
 
ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Mbappe switched on the after-burners after the break and ran them ragged. Thought several players had good games for France but not so many Belgian stars played to their potential with KdB particularly disappointing. The French defence and midfield were outstanding and did a job on Belgium and of course they always had the incredible outlet of Mbappe. What a player at 19 years old. What a player at any age!!
 
CroJack

CroJack

Key Player
Quality of football at this World Cup is terrible. Half of the teams have a couple of extraordinary players each, but none of the teams have the whole package like Brazil in 1982 and 2002...

Defending first and scoring from set-pieces has become the norm. Mourinho must be enjoying this World Cup. Pep and Klopp are probably throwing up while watching this dross. 3-5-2, 5-3-2 and 5-4-1 are killing football.

In a documentary about the famous Brazil team who won the World Cup in 1982, Zico said this:

"We never changed our style of play. Even when we were behind, we didn't try to win ugly."

When you watch these two fantastic Brazil teams from 1982 and 2002 the first thing you notice is how they control the ball. I mean, that is poetry in motion. Not one or two or three players in the team, but all of them.

And today? Too many teams are trying to win ugly. F*** trophies, I want to watch some good attacking football.
 
ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Pretty even first half but I think England just shaded it with the better chances. Great goal by Trippier. But it's all to play for. Croatia are a very good team, a dangerous team and will give it everything in the second half. But if they push too hard, England have the pace to hurt them on the counter and I think that Lovren is a weak link who might give something away..... a free kick or a bad mistake to let someone in.

Given that Croatia had to play 120 minutes last time out, the longer the game goes the more tired they'll become and this will particularly apply if the game ends all square and goes into extra time. With speed merchants Rashford and Vardy (is he on the bench?) to bring on, I think that England have the weapons to hurt Croatia as their defence isn't the most mobile. Fascinating second half in prospect and I hope it delivers.
 
ivoralljack

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Gripping second half and only one team looked like winning it - Croatia. They were better all over the park, more skilful, stronger and carving out several good chances. England might regret missing their chances in the first half and can only hope that Croatia do start to tire. Up until now England looked like the team that had played those extra minutes and were hanging on like grim death.

Croatia have Modric and Rakitic who are making the difference. England have no playmaker worthy of the name and Kane is being starved of service. Croatia should go on to win this providing they don't tire dramatically. Either way, the French team will have broad grins on their faces.
 
CroJack

CroJack

Key Player
ivoralljack said:
Gripping second half and only one team looked like winning it - Croatia. They were better all over the park, more skilful, stronger and carving out several good chances. England might regret missing their chances in the first half and can only hope that Croatia do start to tire. Up until now England looked like the team that had played those extra minutes and were hanging on like grim death.

Croatia have Modric and Rakitic who are making the difference. England have no playmaker worthy of the name and Kane is being starved of service. Croatia should go on to win this providing they don't tire dramatically. Either way, the French team will have broad grins on their faces.
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Penalties? :eek::eek::eek:
 
Ladygargar

Ladygargar

Fox in the Box
Staff member
Well done @CroJack dont go smashing anything up now or jumping up and down on parked cars lol!! Well done dogged and well deserved win - I’d love it if they went on to take the cup now :love::love::love:
 
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