Thetownend.com

Wahay let’s fuckkng have it. Four games a day in the group stage, what a time to be working from home

As long as your productivity dosen't suffer🤣

USA 🇺🇸. USA 🇺🇸.  USA 🇺🇸
Let the games begin!!
 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :clap: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

If it was the summer, and not being held in Qatar, I would be exceptionally jealous.

As it is, I will have no issue making my year 9 class work all the way through our lesson as the game kicks off. Sad times.

I see that in addition to the last minute beer ban, the paid shills have been told that they're not not getting paid. A bit funny, but more worrying that the organisers just feel they can renege on any agreement at any time.

Sadly it still all feels wrong to me. Wrong time, wrong place. Will watch some games I'm sure, but would usually be full on world cup fever and can't say I'm that up for it at all. Really feel for my Welsh friends that *this* is the one world cup they make.

If he works for any government agency you’ll not notice any difference.

Have very little interest for this WC and the same must be the same for a lot of others judging by the lack of flag draped houses.

I have popped some St George's Cross bunting up on the front porch (yes, very American - think Stepford Wives, that is where I live, and I love it!).  I am sure the locals probably think it is some funky new Christmas guff for decorating the house.

You’ll be fine as long as a jumped up privileged Labour MP doesn’t see it. Especially if you’ve a white SUV parked outside. God forbid anyone thinks you’re a ‘far right fascist republican’ voter. With a subscription to Horlocks guilty secret.

Oooop. LL has had a beer.

Not in my thread. Good vibes only

Good vibes and anti-Qatar/fifa vibes only

when do you go on holiday, and how long for?

I work with lots of Welsh people. so don't you fucking dare lose England.

Poor old Southgate. Our second most successful manager yet seems pretty much hated.

Who's the most hated as there's a few candidates 😀

Apart from their first game England KOs are 11pm here. Not sure I can be arsed to stay up to 1.00am to watch.

I genuinely hope the tournament falls flat on its face. Shame on FIFA for this one.

What is your obsession with talking about Horlock?

New three lions is good imo

 :clap: :clap: :clap:


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ubRBLAHjkTo

Infantino might just be worse than Blatter. What a speech.

On the pitch, any predictions?

Think this will be a South American win, maybe Argentina. Not sure on golden boot but maybe Jamal Musiala as an outsider if it's not a Neymar/Messi.

Hope England have a respectable semi final exit. I don't want us to win this one, which I get is hubristic but I'll be really annoyed if the one win in my lifetime is this mess of a tournament.

If England play to their obvious potential then a Quarter or Semi final place is on the cards.

We seem to be playing quite plodding possession based passing football lately though and not creating the chances we were only 2 years ago, we also look like conceding goals whenever the opposition attack (sounds like watching Swindon!).

If the planets are aligned then yes we could progess easily to the semis, but, personally I just dont see where the goals are coming from at the moment.

Brazil or Argentina to win it though.

 really can't wait now

France to win

Four lions?

Brazil for me just think they will adapt to the heat plus have many quality players if they all click.

 has there ever been a world cup where brasil have not been favourites ?

In 2010 Spain were 4/1 favourites with Brazil second at 9/2. In 2018 Germany were the favourites at 9/2 with Brazil just behind at 5/1

I don't think so, even in 1966 they were 9/4 favourites with England 2nd on 9/2.

Although they have won 5 of the 21 previous World Cups they could be considered as under achievers also having been outright favourites in (AFAIK) every World Cup, they have only finished as losing finalists once as well.

Really have not one ounce of excitement for this years World Cup.
Excitement levels complete zero so far

Equal favourites Jim.

TBH they are for me too mate, trying to get enthused but its not working yet.

At least you get running water even if it is brown. Not bad for £175 per night🤣

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/63691286

Be sods law that it is the one world cup nobody gives a fuck about and England end up winning it

I will celebrate it if we do. No worries

BBC starting coverage with the politics of the situation. Fair enough really. Infantino brought it up yesterday.

Plenty of time for the football later.

Already a dodgy VAR decision. No reason for that goal to be wiped off.

can't remember a worse opening game to any world cup

Equador aren't great, but pretty comfortable against this Sunday league (definitely not pub) team.

Equador are far superior but still a hard watch along with Dion Dublins rambling.

2002 when they won nobody was really talking about them winning it. All anyone could say was France or Argentina, neither of which made it past the groups.

Qatar, as host nation, are devoid of any footballing ability which shows up the corrupt decision to award the tournament to them.

Whilst your point about corruption is a fair one.
Not sure who hosts the WC has ever been decided on that nation being good at football.

I mean if the infrastructure is there then that Nation could / should be able to host.

Obviously that point doesn’t really work here.


…but…like you have F1 race tracks in countries that don’t even have any professional drivers representing them

Qatar beat Japan and South Korea in winning the Asia Cup. Not sure what that says about the standard of Asian football at the moment, but it's not promising.

South Africa are the only host nation not to get out of their group.

No host nation has ever failed to win a group game.

Tournament football is a month long competition, Grand Prix is a one day thing. There is supposed to be a legacy from hosting a WC.

That was a poor start to the tournament

Oh I don’t know. First get, first win thanks William Hill 😉😁

I doubt Qatar will even score a goal. What a crap start and “fans” streaming out after half time.

Let's hope England turn up and concentrate on the football.

I see they have bottled wearing the armband due to threats of a booking

Kind of understandable though, can you imagine if Kane got booked for it and then picked up a 2nd card later in the tournament to miss a knockout game?

Its a tournament in a shit country at a shit time of the year but i don't care now........it's football time

I see the bookies had voided betting on Kane being 1st booked last night.

You can't take the booking for that.

FIFA's true colours showing once again. Don't upset those holding the cheque book.

100%, if that happens it blatantly again shows the corruption in FIFA.

4-3-3 Pickford, Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Bellingham, Rice, Saka, Mount, Sterling, Kane.

Quite like that to be honest. I know Foden should be a key part of the team but he's never quite showed his City form for England to my memory. Glad to see we're not doing 3 at the back against a defensive side (no parallels to Town there!) and think there's probably an argument for that being the best central midfield in the tournament with France's injuries. 23, 23 and 19 as well. Bodes well for the future.

Who knew the goalkeeper is classed as the last man even if there is a defender behind him ref - Equador's disallowed goal for offside🤔

Everyone, since forever.  Its always been '2 defending players' when the ball is kicked.

I'll hold my hands and say that rule had passed me by😀

Not everyone, the BBC pundits didn't understand the rules.

Pundits often don't seem to understand the rules, particularly when analysing VAR calls, they just talk about what they'd *like* the rules to be, which obviously has nothing at all to do with the refereeing calls on the day. It's a strange thing in football punditry where a lot of them seem to have no interest at all in learning the rules.

It's why in theory a referee on the panel would be helpful, although as Peter Walton proves weekly on BT, in reality they haven't got a clue either!

I thought it was more that it never looked anywhere near in doubt that there were 2 players at least level. VAR didn't really help with absolutely no info at the time and then a bit later a weird player graphic with no context whatsover as to where anyone else stood.

(I have seen an angle that shows it in a different light, I don't think they showed it at the time)

Its pretty much impossible to play football at any level and not know the rule.

Mason mount singing Queen in the national anthem...

Enormous fan of the winter world cup featuring a referee called Claus.

Maguire rugby tackled.

I spotted that too!  :soapy tit wank:

easily done!

even when we were singing it at the CG for the very reason Charles was king, it came out "qwing"

they've killed their own keeper

edit: wow, carrying on. that can't be right can it?

Very true but we aren’t being filmed close up and broadcast to the nation! Doesn’t look like the Iran keeper is fit to continue!

he's off.

that should have happened by protocol not left to the player

Fuck sake, how much injury time we gonna have at the end of the first half here.

Is it Jenas on co coms, getting right on my tit ends!

I can see them using the Crewe playbook here

I can see us using the Swindon playbook here

goooooooooooooooal

Game on

goooooal #2

Great goal

gooooooal #3

win your first game, that's good enough

Keep em coming
14 mins injury time  :D

into injury time...

14 minutes of

Essentially 3-0 up after 31 minutes, which you'd have to say will do.

How much we should have had Saturday…

Pretty decent so far from England.

that'll do pig, that'll do.

it may 'only' be Iran. But we have more gears and we've done what needs to be done

Iran have had 46 accurate passes this half, compared to England's 366  :)

I remember only Algeria, only Costa Rica and only USA...

Buzzing after that first half

It is going to be a great world cup for england

Ffs, shit defending

Another well taken goal.

you can't tell much from this game, but it's worth pointing out that Iran are a world top 20 team.

24 minutes (total) injury time in the game. Blimey

Boring, boring England  :)

Should have had that much on Saturday

I cashed out 3-0, was debating 4-0 at £200 + when the cunts suspended the offer, seconds later Iran scored. Still with my wedge on a win and my return on cash out I’m level. I also had 5-0 and 6-0.

Weak penalty decision

Love that they've VARed this after ignoring the one on Maguire that was a full bear hug...

What the...

Give that but ignore Maguire's? VAR causes as many problems as it solves

Yet more proof that VAR isn’t working.

Fortunately the two mistakes so far haven’t influenced the results, but later in the tournament they might.

For each half.

Good performance. Shame about conceding 2. Zero consistency with the VAR. Bellingham clearly has a bright future and he speaks well with maturity. Think the score line flattered Iran.

Too early to say yet, but I wonder if the timing of the WC will be more of a marginal gain for England than other sides given the number of domestic games played after a long season.

England looked anything but jaded today.

Is Johnny starting!?

No

It would be a surprise if Jonny played a minute at this WC. He's there for the vibes.

USA look decent, Wales look shite.

Red card incoming sometime I reckon.

Get in!!!

Wales are lucky that it’s only 1-0, it’s OK having Bale in the team but he’s hardly touched the ball.

so we beat USA.
Iran beat Wales

that would be perfect

I've got a vision of you running around your house shouting U-S-A, U-S-A

That's what they get for leaving out Johnny Williams

Pulisic is the best player on the pitch.   Not sure that has ever been said when the US is playing     Finally developing real players

😁

USA are lacking a good forward and play a little too frenetically to challenge the big boys - means they give possession back too easily against better teams.  Way better than Wales though.

Bake doesn’t look anywhere near fit, neither does Ramsey. Can’t find a pass. No physical presence up top. Would do far worse than getting Jonny on.

The real stars of this team are long past their best. Hope they do well, but the next generation really isn't at the same level at the moment.

perfect result if it stays like this

The complete lack of ability or desire of the USA to control a game has made it quite fun though

We were poor tonight. Yanks the better team. Will take a point though. Bale was frustrating, but again pulls it out the bag.

Wales were the better team in the second half to be fair.

Ramsay and Bale look a little off it. Which is good for England

Ramsay and Bale have looked off it for about 3 years.

We should have arranged a look a like to go to the WC and kept Williams in SN1

Wales we’re fortunate to only be a goal behind at half time, but looked much the better team in the second half and deserved the draw

Sargent is a better forward than he showed.   The moment intimidated him.  I think England will come out against US Friday and win easily.  They will be wales for sure.  So probably comes down to goal differential for US and wales to move on

Think you’re right. Second place is up for grabs.

USA looked like world beaters in the 1st half and really should have been out of sight on the score board.
That said, Wales could and possibly should have won it in the 2nd half.
Really enjoyed the game and a very good result for England.

He'll be getting out the frustrations of Zack Wilson's performance on Sunday.

Tell you what books my piss. Not just the WC but any kind of ‘event’ that’s covered by the media, the only thing they can think of doing is going to so-and-so’s old school to listen to a bunch of excruciating brats singing some pathetic song in their screechy voices.

#grumpyoldtwat#

you've been watching the BBC haven't you Aud .

Did smirk when they kid said he's supporting England, but was made to wear a Wales shirt and sing the song.

Can't blame him really, on TV and with his classmates.

it's a bit thing for Wales to be fair, might be another 60 odd years to the next one

Oh, yes. The BBC. The perpetuators. Their never ending obsession with primary schoolchildren to bolster a new story.

Ah see what you mean, kids at Gareth Barry's former school singing along with the PE teacher and story's about him :girlgiggle:

They should ask the kids if they know of any involvement between Gareth and investment at STFC.

:)

so today

Argentina v Saudi Arabia (10, ITV)
Denmark v Tunisia (1, ITV)
Mexico v Poland (4, ITV)
France v Australia (7, BBC)

Go Saudi  :)

Go Aussie! Does Luongo still play?

I'm only following via text updates so haven't seen what the Argentina penalty was awarded for but from what I have read, that's the second penalty that VAR has now awarded for grappling/shirt pulling in the box from a set piece. I'm hopeful that because of these awards that there will be less of this kind of thing happening - McGuire could also have had a penalty yesterday (looked 50/50 to me) but it looks like a dangerous precedent for defenders going forward now.

Yes, the Argentinian penalty was for holding in the box.

Both those that have been given were much less of a foul than the one on Maguire

Three offside goals for Argentina, is Thomas Dossevi involved in their set up?

Isn't the normal corrupt approach to under report crowds?

The official attendances of each game at the World Cup so far.
Qatar vs Ecuador - 67,372 (Stadium capacity = 60,000)
England vs Iran - 45,334 (Stadium capacity = 40,000)
Senegal vs Netherlands - 41,721 (Stadium capacity = 40,000)
USA vs Wales - 43,418 (Stadium capacity = 40,000)

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/20489180/qatar-world-cup-announce-67000-fan-attendance-stadium-60000/

Well, this is a little bit funny. I'd prefer my plucky underdogs not to be representing sociopathic oil barons, but beggars can't be choosers.

The USA played yesterday ;)

That wasn't supposed to happen.

Plenty of time for Argentina yet though. Is it just the 3 disallowed goals? Its on in the background so no idea if there was any contraversial VAR descisions..


Holy fuck. What a goal from the Saudi man. 2-1

Holy fuck.

Haha

Starting to enjoy this world Cup  :D

This is throughly entertaining

I predict at least 10 minutes of injury-time. Shame we didn't have this ref against Crewe!

8 minutes of added time, come on you Saudis!

Saudi players smiling on the pitch😀

 :pint:

78 minutes of added on time so far in 5 games!

Time to have a visible clock on display like Rugby Union.

"Every trick in the playbook is being used" as the replay shows a player taking a flying knee to the face. Not ideal timing on an otherwise fair comment!

That stops everytime there is fannying around with free kicks, corners, etc thus ensuring that 45 mins of actual football happens

Nice!! Well done Saudi's  :clap: :clap:

Fuck you Maradonna and your hand of God you Argie fucks, you were all beaten by the hand of Allah!

That has to be one of THE biggest upsets in World Cup history, fair play to the Saudis, ignore the politics and religion (yes despite my first comment but Diego started that one!) this is what all cups are about, the plucky underdog biting the big boys on the nuts.

This rightly can enter into this prestigious lot.

https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/soccer/news/biggest-world-cup-upsets-ranking-top-10-results-history/cr0fwtyq5kamkyzpbqxhyjj0

Herve Renard is absolute tournament magic.

That was an absolute defensive masterclass from the Saudi’s.

Let Argentina have the ball deep. They won every header going and when they needed to put their foot through it they absolutely fucking booted the living daylights out of it (take note Swindon)

Although it was offside in the build up that header off the line was immense.


…I know the debate about Ronaldo and Messi is endless but I’ve always felt Ronaldo has a much more galvanising effect on the players around him where as Messi just struts around trying to be Messi.

If it wasn’t for the fact he’s so short - you could have mistaken him for Iandolo today.

Glad I stayed up to watch that

It's great isn't it.
Can't think of any scenario where Argentina v Saudi Arabia would be of interest to non-partisan fans other than at a world cup.
Well deserved win in the end.

Let's hope Mexico beat them in their next game.

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:
 :oops:

Let’s also not lose sight of the fact Saudi Arabia are ranked 31 places below Iran - who we despatched with ease yesterday

fair fucks. The Saudis were excellent in the second half.

Will Argentina go out? I doubt it. But makes them sweat a bit

Doesn't that just prove that the ranking system is bollocks, Iran, USA and Wales all top 20 and to date all looked pretty useless.

Iran yesterday made RSA look like Brazil today.


I was dipping in and out of it, but once they got a foot in the game they looked incredibly organised and strong, on the top of the high quality shit housing as the game went on.

Not having a go, but do you have to keep putting the boot into Iandolo.

I thought Iran out qualified Saudi Arabia?

No idea, the way they played yesterday I was not convinced some of the Iran players had actually played football before.

But they are a lot braver than many players in their convictions https://twitter.com/NasimiShabnam/status/1594798580983799818

Interesting article about the extra time in games being so large.

https://www.90min.com/posts/why-is-there-so-much-injury-time-at-the-world-cup/partners/35681

Fucked my accumulator well and truly. Messi's shite  :D

Last 3 halves have been very dull

At least United have sacked Ronaldo to give us some afternoon content.

lewanflopski

mwhahaha..feel my punnage

not sure which party will be happier tbh

Get in, Aussie!

that didn't last long enough.

I didn't realise it has been 3 years since luongo was last capped, and has yet to play for boro

Out of contract in a few weeks - sign him up!

Obviously we can't afford him but we can guarantee that he'd walk into this team and he's mates with Gladders.

Absolutely no chance.

He couldnt wait to fuck off the last time he was here anyway

Unfashionable pensioner, understudy in his squad for Euro footballer of the year and "golden boot" , quietly steps in to win match and equal his country's all time scoring record.  

Today's games

Morocco v Croatia 10am, ITV
Germany v Japan 1pm, BBC
Spain v Costa Rica, 4pm, ITV
Belgium v Canada, 7pm, BBC

Talented footballer in wanting to progress in his chosen career shocker!

Its a strange one isn't it though, joined Boro in September but seems to have been so unfit that even after c.3 months not considered fit enough to get into the team, spose if he train swell and then plays his arse off in the couple of post world cup games for Boro I would imagine they will offer him an extension anyway.

Whatever happens can't see him dropping another 2 divisions.

Morocco fans seem to be having a great time watching this game, can't say I feel the same.

Gave this on a work enforced miss. Seems like a good thing.

Work getting in the way🤣

Ways of going about it though. See Simon Cox for ways of keeping your head down, performing and doing it with class.

Luongo and Kasim were too giant bags of shite from the moment they started getting international call ups.

Wasn't a classic. Let's see what mood ze Chermans are in.

Very often is the way when a player gets called up for the 1st time at a smaller club, they have their heads turned and want some of the wages and lifestyle of the team mates.

Luckily Joniesta was already an established player so hasnt been affected the same, although he is a massively humble and very nice chap.

The Simon Cox who inspired this classic?

https://thetownend.com/index.php?topic=23492.0

yyyyyyeeer

booooooo, offside

i looked at page 1. then this comment scared me and didnt want to read any more:

broke through on the right,had pook inside in acres and decided to carry on running with the ball and lost it

And after 1 mediocre football trophy performance.

Fred was right at the time. Cox was pre-moaning in case he didn't get picked. Hence the reaction

it just happened to be very wrong a week or two after, and Cox didn't need to knock the managers door thereafter

Not like Swindon fans to write someone off.

What is with this stupid whistle from the crowd in the Germany vs Japan game?

German kit is lovely, isn't it?

Not all of us wrote him off so early ;)

iiiii'm


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWWwM2wwMww

Oh boy. This start to the tournament feels like it's come straight out of an England fan's dream!

Hell of a touch and finish.

And where were the Germans? Frankly, who cares.

I'm sure they will equalise in the 12th minute of injury time!

Ha, there are only 7 minutes. They'll equalise in the 7th minute. Jokes on you

Fucking 'ell, not been watching but just checked score.....

WOW!

Christ fahrt am Rad.

There has been some stinkers of course but it's been a really enjoyable spectacle on the pitch so far. Long may it last.

Again, a deserved win.
Germany looked sluggish. Caught out by a long ball.
Musiala looks a player.

Time for a tea ceremony.

England score six
Argentina lose to Saudi
Germany lose to Japan

Somewhere, there is an England fan with a lamp who has gone much too early here...



Has there been a "good" game yet? It's all crackers or stinkers. Maybe US v Wales was alright?

Great point. I guess US v Wales wasn't a cracker, but it was one of those games that was intriguing even though it wasn't a cracker.

Oh, and whilst I think about it, I love McCoist as a co-commentator as much as I dislike Hartson.

Spain have the right answer for national anthems - music, no words.

Costa Rica - not so much. Way too long.

One of only 4 national anthems with no words.

Be interesting what they claim the attendance of this Spain Costa Rica game is, seem to be a fair few empty seats.  

There’s a dreadful trumpeter somewhere in the crowd.

Spain doing their job a bit better than Argentina or Germany - so far.

To be fair, absolutely anyone could put loads past Costa Rica. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25285354)

To be fair absolutely anyone should be scoring loads against Saudi. Never that easy

um, Germany are under pressure big time.

Japan will surely get 6 points.

Remind me, is it head to head that counts in group?

edit: nope. goal diff in world cup. Booo

…one of my favourite threads ever

What is Vincent Kompany doing in Qatar as a pundit.
Has he given the Burnley players the month off? Are they not training or has he just got his coaches doing it?
Strange.

Spain will probably beat Germany 4-0 on Sunday.

a draw would do tbh

Canada very unlucky but just missing that bit of quality

Not all managers take training to be fair. But you'd expect them to be there and observe.

In this day and age it’s probably all recorded.
He could have even been watching via a live link

Today we have

Switzerland v Cameroon 10am, ITV
Uruguay v South Korea 1pm BBC
Portugal v Ghana 4pm ITV
Brazil v Servia 7pm, BBC

Potentially the best day so far?

Imagine the players will be having 1-2 weeks off and Kompany won't be there in Qatar for the whole tournament.

It was worth him being there just for his Ronaldo comment!

definitely

That's 4 0-0 then :)

Have to say I'm not that bothered by today, Brazil are worth a look I suppose :) But we've had some crackers so far that 'on paper' looked pointless - thanks Japan and Saudi - so who knows.

Very much looking forward to Sunday's Spain v Germany - OK, who isn't. Outside of Germany anyway.

Got a morbid curiosity on how Qatar will stand up v Senegal tomorrow too. And Wales v Iran. And there's some other team colony playing England. Tomorrow looks great to me.

Think this one could be a good game.

Two probably even matches teams both of whom might fancy themselves for second place in the group if they win.

A draw probably helps neither

Imagine if USA were to beat England that would potentially make the Wales game a must win.

Lay off the pipe Jimmy

A couple of shock results so far🤣

It’s about time England beat the USA in the World Cup, haven’t managed it in the last two attempts

I agree it's about time England beat them :pint:

29 Jun 1950  USA v England L 0-1 FIFA World Cup
08 Jun 1953  USA v England W 6-3 International Friendly
28 May 1959 USA v England W 8-1 International Friendly
27 May 1964 USA v England W 10-0 International Friendly
16 Jun 1985  USA v England W 5-0 International Friendly
09 Jun 1993  USA v England L 0-2 US Cup
07 Sep 1994 England v USA W 2-0 International Friendly
28 May 2005 USA v England W 2-1 International Friendly
28 May 2008 England v USA W 2-0 International Friendly
12 Jun 2010  England v USA D 1-1 FIFA World Cup
15 Nov 2018 England v USA W 3-0 International Friendly

TBF we have a pretty decent record vs the US overall in international games.

'Meh' first game. Didn't think Cameroon showed enough 'joie de v'ivre' to get anything out of that game. I fancied the Swiss to surprise many before the WC.

The BBC seem to have a cast of thousands punditing out there so I wonder whether he is only out there for  short while?

Huge fan of Uruguay having two centre-backs aged 36 and 35. No substitute for experience. Godin has 160 international caps!

South Korea's back line are all called Kim! And they have another one on the bench. It will be interesting to see how the commentators differentiate.

1   Kim Seung-gyu
15 Kim
4   Kim
19 Kim Young-Gwon
3   Kim

Done a treble of S. Korea, Portugal and Brazil - 8/1

Overall yes, but a draw & a defeat in our two World Cup matches

Of what I’ve seen of Uruguay & Korea it’s been a bit shit

Some of the 0-0s haven't been that bad. That one was though.

Now, from one talented side with a statue up front living off his reputation... to Portugal, who I'm sure will be very different.

The official stats said there were zero shots on target, the first time ever since these stats began, the worst previously was Portugal v Ivory Coast which had 2

I watched the last ten minutes and the wash up...look like i saw the best of it!

Kane declared fit, apparently (edit: oh, 6 hours ago)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63738269

It’s been very poor fare so far today. Much as it usually is in first games at a WC.

@jj, all that is well and good, but we are on ITV tomorrow therefore a good record means nothing

come in Ghana. Can't stand Portugal

soft penalty

So soft.

JoJo would have saved it.

They just mentioned Jojo on comms. Ghana now level. Lovely stuff.

His other skills may be diminishing, but his ability to fall over remains one of the best of all time.

What an ending. The Ghana player that snuck behind the 'keeper needs better studs.

I enjoyed it! Ghana so nearly mugged the Portugal keeper at the end there. shame

Slipped at the vital moment! That would have been hilarious!!

I only ever watch Brazil in the World Cups and they are usually up their as favourites and always regarded as a top team in the world but I swear it’s been about 20 years since they last had a top quality team.

20 minutes later and Brazil score such a Brazil like goal.

I..
I believe…..
I believe that we will….
I believe that we will win!
I believe that we will win!
I believe that we will win!

Go USA!!!!

 :clap: :clap:

Belated Happy Thanks Giving Day. Sorry I cannot be as charitable about tonight’s game.

I unironically love this chant

You won’t though. I feel it’s going to be between you and the welsh on GD as to who gets through

Wales Iran, draw please.

That looked a mile offside in real time.

Edit: and it was.

Too much Thanksgiving turkey methinks!

They need their cheerleaders😀

Wales have their backs to the wall.

Need to get Jonny W and his massive smile on to lift the team!

Jonny will be back by next Saturday at this rate, Wales looks awful.

I've only seen the second half and Wales have been really poor.

They're saving him for the must win game v England!

That is such a red card, top comedy reffing. He's absolutely Schumachered it.

It didn't need to go to VAR😀

vuvuzela's are making a lot of noise!

they were more competitive in the first half, but Iran very unlucky not to win this

Considering Wales have been pretty crap and overrun in midfield all game, why take a midfielder off?

Maybe the heat has sapped their energy.

It's not like Ramsey has done anything. Think the logic is they'll only score now on the counter or from a set piece, so the quick lads + Moore are essential. Don't think you can play with 10 including Bale and Ramsey, so one of them had to go.

Oh my, get in :pint:

or, indeed, not

Cruel on Wales, but Iran have absolutely deserved the win.

 :pint: :pint: :pint:

Taffs won't be laughing in the changing rooms🤣

That 6-2 looks alright, doesn't it?

Ah well. At least Joniesta will be back a bit earlier.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2H5Se-9XAVE

Wales arguably playing with 10 before the sending off with Bale on the pitch.

JW on the first flight back to England, please. TIA.

Karma boyos, remember the celebrations by the Wales squad when England lost to Iceland.

Not laughing quite so much now then 😂

I thought that Iran fully deserved that and their talismen of Bale and Ramsey were exceptionally poor. Ramsey at least got involved, but most of what he did was bad and Bale was just non-existent.

Hartson called Bale a genius in the last game, he was definitely a dunce in this one.

Oh boyo

The strange thing with Bale is they talk about him like he is some sort of veteran, he really isn't that old, albeit I suspect much like Michael Owen as a huge part of what was so special about his game was pretty much purely his pace and once that's gone he is pretty average on a world stage.

Iran looked like a different team compared with when they played us, good on 'em!

Ah let's be fair, that was pretty funny. We've all laughed at Saudi beating Argentina and Japan beating Germany, gotta take our own hits too.

be nice if jonny came on as part of the 5 subs in the last game.

After today's performance he may have  a chance of starting.

Bale all but retired as a top level footballer a few years back.
Once he was massively out of favour at Madrid he just treated as a nice long holiday.

He should have got straight out gone after regular game time.

Then once he was finally out of for contract he moved to a retirement league.
Sure he’s lost some of his pace but he always had a bit more to him than that.

Joe Allen, Ramsay and Bale are past it, legs wise. Age is but a number

They deserve to play in the world cup for getting them there though. And imagine the flack for taking them off.

Wales aren't done, especially if we beat USA and qualify so we can blood some squad players at some point on Tuesday. But it's out of their own hands. 

I don't think the group is done yet

If it was piss taking from the fans then I’d agree, the players not so much so.

Would we find it as amusing if there were videos of England players celebrating this result on social media?

There is zero chance of Southgate and/or the England players taking it easy v Wales.

But every chance of England fucking it up v. Wales or the USA for that matter.

No absolutely, but I would think the Welsh and Scots would revel in such pisstaking activities, maybe even the Irish too. Shows a lack of respect IMO.

I'm normally sad when the host nation go out. it detects from the atmosphere of the competition.

But Qatar are shit and their fans add nothing. see ya

I have a distrust of anyone who wants other home nations to do well. including players

what you have to understand that as well as small man syndrome, Wales have an inferiority

Win tonight and we’d be through.

He’d definitely rest players and I guess look at where we’d end up depending on if we finish first or second in the group.

If we beat the USA it’ll take a massive defeat by Wales plus an Iran win v USA for England not to finish top.

Is it head to head or GD first.

Even more reason to rest players against Wales.

Only compared to England's massive superiority complex batch. I support both but the amusing way England fanatics don't recognise that they're the biggest underachievers in world football since Spain had some success tickles me. We're a classic case of all the gear, no idea: world's richest clubs, huge support, massive grounds, first pro league in the world etc. Can't buy a win against a higher ranked team & still banging on about 66 which took both home advantage & helpful refereeing

Gonna be on a plane for the England game - Just reading up on BA WiFi to see if I can stream it on IPTV.

Goal difference

We're not the biggest underachievers in world football, we've gotten pretty much what we have deserved. The helpful refereeing reference is bollocks too.

I didn't say it was a complex ;)

if we can't take the piss out of our own principality, what's the point.

lived in Wales for a bit, they give as good as they get!

The irony is that had the FA not been such a bunch of tossers in the early years England would likely have more than one World Cup, as they were actually one of the best teams in the World before they could be bothered to enter the tournament.

England were almost unbeatable at home until they got a footballing lesson by Hungary in 1953.

Right. Time to head off to the bar.

Table booked - check
Pizza ordered - check
Mythos well stocked - check
Taxi booked - check

Kalispera!

helpful refereeing?  :fishing:

been screwed over many more times than benefitted! still angry at Sol Campbells header ruled out for nothing.

All I ever hear from Welsh/Scottish/Irish is that England are hated because of arrogance, when its just a bullshit excuse to justify xenophobia. At least just say its a local rivalry thing and you don't want to see us do well. If you ask most England fans if you think we'll win it, they'll say its more hope than expectation.

Robbie Savage: "Iran are probably one of the worst teams, they are dreadful"
Mark Hughes: "hopefully we'll already be qualified by the England game anyway"
Sorba Thomas: "We don't fear England. Why can't we be the ones to knock them out."
Kieffer Moore: "Can't wait to knock out England."

Talk about making a dick of yourselves Wales.

They'll be up for the game with us, so we'll need to be as well no matter what the result tonight, but I hope we fucking pump the cunts. They remind me of Bristol City with their misplaced arrogance. I suppose they're almost Welsh.

I was watching MOTD top 10 World Cup goals with Lineker, Shearer & Richards and Michael Owens goal from that game got a mentioned and Shearer (who ‘fouled’ the keeper) talked about this (and they showed it) I forgot just how fucking soft it was.

Was a ‘Golden Goal’ as well

Has Nigel de Jong deliberately come dressed as the twins from Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul?

Holland started well but have been a bit disappointing.

still, getting out the group is all that matters at this stage.

We've never been the USA in a world cup. Expecting a very close game. We caught Iran cold, but that's a one off

Hosts going out on Day 6 of the tournament is a bit funny.

is Godd002 in the house?

Hopefully your guys are Thanksgiving turkeys and suffer a black Friday

(yeah, I know, I know. But i the opportunity won't come up again)

Let's fucking do this.

Form aside, not sure about Maguire starting five days after a head knock.

We had a pipe break under the house last week so they had to break through the cement.  Now we are trying to put it all back together so wife is making me work.  So just now getting game on

Like watching town atm

I’m at a pub having lunch fucking wankers have it on 1 tv.  Fuckers

Not looking very positive right now.  :doh:

He was ill.

Thought Ecuador were very good tbf.

Think they would provide tough opposition in the next round - should that be the outcome

Any Swindon flags spotted?

 :zzz:

Well this is thrilling

US will score soon. I don't quite know what we are doing.

More rewarding trying to spot flags. A bit turgid.

Nothing. Literally nothing

one paced and early promise down the right gone.

USA should be 1-0 up... and have just hit the bar

It's coming. Useless at the moment.

Boring Southgate tactics England need to up their game or risk getting beat.

We need to use the left side as well😀

It's like walking football for the over 50s  :suicide:

Fucking wake up😡

Static and zero challenges, wtf is going on?

Southgates tactics & lack of inspiration!

We put the ball in the box. Yay

Perhaps we're trying to get Wales back in the tournament!

The way this is going, England will do well to get a draw.

Hopefully they will improve in the second half

Now let these English lads have a day off.  It’s ok!

1 min added says it all.

We have so far  :)

I’m sure England will come back out balls out but I am hoping to keep this game within 1 goal.  I think that gives the USA a chance if they take care of Iran

Not a great half but a few of you have the lost the run of yourselves here. US are playing well, but as we saw v Wales it's hard to press like that for the whole 90.

Few tweaks needed but we've shown that they're vulnerable down the wings. That Musah looks handy.

Not denying the US have done OK, but we are so static.

we look dodgy down our left ourselves.

USA are half decent and always going to be hard to break down.

But there wasn't much urgency or movement from ourselves first 10 and last 1 aside.

It's the lack of excitement that concerns me.

I still see a 2-0 win for England but hoping for a 2-1 or 1-0

Fairly uninspiring half that.

I’m sure he must have had his moments, but I cannot remember Mount having a decent game against any sort of half-decent opposition for a long time. Saka poor for him as well so far.

Not being brave enough in the right areas for me. Too easy for the US.

Come on England, make me look stupid in the second half!

One extreme to the other isn’t it.

Last game it was all ‘it’s coming home’ and now it’s all ‘boring, overrated England’ & ‘Southgate out’

Not a great half. USA look good to be fair. Draw wouldn’t be a disaster over all.

Booked a table in Bath for the football tonight, the Kiwi girl I met 3 years ago that took my heart was there, same pub, haven’t seen her since.

Only came out for the game.

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Unfortunately due to work I didn’t see that one. So my opinion of England in this tournament comes from that 45 only, and it won’t last long if we play like that.

With all due respect our group draw has been incredibly kind to us. England player for player are a cut above, just playing so, so far below the sum of our parts.

'It's not been a massive improvement'

It's been three minutes Lee.

8 mins and he ain't wrong

Pass amongst yourselves boys.....remind you of anyone!

Tv is going off soon. Fucking shit.

We need Pep or Klopp to give them a team talk

come on Lindsey, make some changes

Backs against the wall😀

An hour of this is enough for me, off back to the County.

Bring on Louie Reed  ::)

Too early for that, wait until we get a free kick after the 90th minute

Yep.... this team/match is crying out for Jordan Henderson 🤣

Sent from my SM-A125F

Best to play safe😀

“Jordan Henderson taking his bib off” that is a bit of a Louis Reed type sub actually!

https://youtu.be/WDP7_h4wkgw

All the boring sideways & backwards passing has to come from Southgate

Its not very good is it.

Utter shit.

USA better team for large parts

Hope Gareth watches it back this evening😀

Woulda loved a win but a draw keeps us alive.   Hope England gets their shit together against wales and USA does the same against Iran

Dull as dishwater, not one for the viewing public at all but looked like England set out to not lose and to conserve energy. On those terms, it's probably a success, same as the Scotland game in the Euros. It's frustrating to watch as a viewer of course, but that just felt like zero risk football knowing a draw was fine for the qualification. Beat Wales and it's all forgotten.

Not a disaster, but a bit of a shit Friday night.

Thought that young lad Musah looked a real player. Certainly the better 19 year old mid on the night, although Bellingham has credit in the bank.

Exactly that :clap: boring keep ball tactics scared to take players on

At least the ITV group game is out of the way

USA quick, energetic, bright

England dull, drab, lacklustre

Just like Gareth!

Thanks Jim!

Fucking deserves to.

Is does make you wonder if they had the “don’t lose” mentality.

 :D

Did England try and win that?

Yep now's the time once the tournament is over.

Same Gareth who has taken us to a final and a semi final in the last two tournaments.

Wind it in

No. We should have put the group stages to sleep tonight, not the fans

Of course they did. And it's probably not wrong if you play the odds, putting in extra effort to win every group game doesn't really benefit you in the long run. Not fun to watch though of course.

Yeah, this.

Not great to watch but that result will do. Puts us all but through. No injuries, no suspensions etc

You wind it in I'm entitled to my opinion

Ffs 😂😂😂

Yes, you are - and I’m perfectly entitled to tell you your opinion is rubbish if I want too.

Did those two things I mentioned not happen?

As if I will listen to you and your mate.

Yeah, that works for me - never read or reply to my posts again. Thanks.

I wasn't at all impressed tonight but your right. That point takes us all but through. We will have to be much much better in the knock outs. I wonder if Southgate is saving Foden for the knock outs. To have not brought him on at all in either game is a little baffling.

A cowardly negative boring twat that has exciting players on the bench and refused to make changes earlier.
How the twat starts Mason Mount and keeps him on is criminal.

Schooled by the USA.
Ffs no wonder I stick my head in the sand following Swindon and not that.

Same here mate no time for slimed digs

Maybe we should have a National holiday with the other football giant Croatia.

Quite frankly one poor group game is not likely to define our tournament.

The people going overboard about how poor England were tonight (and they were) and how rubbish they are and how Southgate is a poor manager - were the same people who peddled the same wrist slitting crap over a equally crap 0-0 draw with Scotland in the Euros. The same people who a week later were singing ‘footballs coming home’


Ultimately footballs a results business & Southgate has absolutely delivered when it’s matter so far - so no doubt in my mind people should be off his back for this tournament.

If we balls it up, then yeah let’s reassess but for now I think Southgate has done enough to be given the benefit of the doubt.

A lot of people lack the ability to take anything past or future into their thoughts - it’s all right here right now…and yes the game was dull but who fucking cares. No one in their right mind supports England (and Swindon for that matter) to be entertained. We support them because we want them to win.

Every opinion as good as the next.
Tonight sums up the England Manager.

It does, as someone who prioritises results ahead of performances. I get why people don't love it, and maybe with the talent level we have now, we don't need it. But top managers don't manage at international level these days, so who else gets the job? Can be sure that it wouldn't be a Pep, Klopp, Tuchel figure, even Potter has a better club gig now.

Would you take a Brendan Rogers? A Frank Lampard? Gerrard?  It doesn't feel like a deep pool of options.

My point was it was against USA not Brazil and as well as they played we didn't go after them like a Klopp or Pep side would. All we hear through the media is how talented we are we'll give us someone in charge who wants to let them express themselves.

And who is that?

I'm not for one second saying that today was any good, but we scored six goals literally one game ago. We didn't go for the kill, but we didn't need to, and if we had and got caught out or someone tore a hamstring, we'd have been far worse off than we are just taking the draw. It was a dull, mechanical, joyless decision, but it wasn't trying to win and failing.

We did of course try Kevin Keegan, England manager, and it didn't go very well.

 Christ- nil nil is not the end of the world

This. That was totally unacceptable with the talent at disposal.
The fact that it wasn’t working and how late it was left to make the changes against lesser opposition sums up who we have in charge.
Deserves all the shit tomorrow morning coming to him.

Coz you never moan  ::)

If you're happy watching that shite carry on but can't see those tactics going far in the competition but hey happy to be proved wrong.

Love to meet you at the County ground

It’s called an opinion. We don’t always agree.
Show some respect and class Mate. No need for that.

   I feel very sorry for those who seem to think that England have some sort of devine right to roll over all opposition

Add to that - that Iran are a decent side and likes of Germany and Argentina came unstuck against teams who rankings wise are worse than Iran.

I’d get the negativity if both games had been like tonight - but they haven’t been.

Plus the US have a decent team and despite football still being far from the most known/popular sport over there - it’s still huge, getting bigger and better. Just purely playing the population percentages the have a massive pool to pick from in theory.

They aren’t a minnow and I’m not sure why a lot on here and treating them as such.

That is years supporting Swindon Mate.
Not digging but laughing ☹️😇

Post deleted?

By who?

On reflection, it was a shit game and every team plays shit games, as we well know.

However, what pisses me off is that I had high expectations for both home-country games today and they were both awful. So it must be my fault for forgetting that games rarely live up to your hopes. At least BT didn't show any rugby tonight so nothing was lost.

Quaqmire

Why are people getting so het up over a dull England performance? God knows there’s been enough of them before.

Just like watching Swindon play.

I don't really remember us ever flying through the group stage

I think Wales need to win 4-0 for us not to qualify. if they do that then we deserve to go out

You can see it now, Wales are going to beat England 1-0.

England qualify for the second phase & Wales go home on a high

Haha, I literally just said something similar in a chat group.

As long as we're in the knockouts that's all that matters. It's from then on that Southgate earns his money.

More importantly could Jonny Williams be available for Saturday?

Hot and cold, great performance just a few days ago then that shite.

It's all about progression into the knock out stage.

Goes to show though that even teams at elite level struggle against an intelligent press & well thought out defensive set up.

It's called "group management" I believe. And Southgate is good at it.

..oh,and if yer darling Brazil had put in a performance like ours against Iran,everyone would've been all over it. Always get far more comments after a perceived poor performance it seems

MacGuire and Stones' repeated interpassing was great for possession stats.  68% at half time.  Like watching paint dry.  They made Harries and Brennan look positively Brazilian.

Rice is a good shield but they needed someone like last season's Reed to move England forward.

The start of the Poland v Saudi Arabia games is very like the start the USA made. They are very energetic and skilful.

I reckon the traditional footballing nations are going to have to accept that the supposed also ran nations have caught up immensely - and in some cases overtaken them.

For me it was a clear sign that we have absolutely no chance of getting near winning this competition.

was it different to the 2nd game in Euro 2020 when we drew to Scotland?

Didn't see the first game but the Australian win should be counted as something of an upset?

Much better from Poland.
A solid Pot B team for qualifying but making up the numbers in recent tournaments.
A far cry from the glory days of the 1970's.

Have to admire the approach of the Saudis.
This group is wide open.

Much more difficult for the Saudis to buy their way to WC glory.
Did read mention of a possible 2030 joint bid from Greece, Egypt & Saudi Arabia.
Not for me.
For the 100th anniversary of the WC there are much more worthy symbolic venues if they are up for it.

Second appearance by the Brasilian ref if I'm not mistaken & still no sign of Oliver or Taylor.

And finally, Matty Cash's perfect coifeurre is a thing of great envy.

Do you think we will ever get another World Cup during our lifetime 😀

Get a load of this idiot.

Rice is perfect if played the correct way like he is for West Ham. Shoehorning people like Mount in is what is messing things up. We have no creativity apart from the front 3 on a consistent level, fullbacks were horrific yesterday as well, shades of Rob Hunt get forward then turn back

Luke Shaw was a strange one at United he bombs forward at every opportunity it's as if Southgate had told him not to attack past the half way line.

Must have been a hell of a pass to get an assist for our first goal against Iran from inside his own half?

Sent from my SM-A125F

I see what you've saying😀 but imagine what chances he could create by attacking in the opposition's half and supplying crosses onto the box.

Which both Shaw and Trippier did against a frankly dreadful Iran (who played like a differentteam against Wales), an outlet which was then very succesfully nullified by an organised USA team who had obviously done their homework.

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Against a very well organised team that Southgate didn't seem to want to change tactics/personnel to change things.

So far, the teams that had a great first game seem to be having a really duff second one. What price Germany to beat Spain I wonder?

Over half way through the second round and only France have two wins.

Fine so it's all down to Southgate then, who you replacing him with?

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Garner?

So it's not down to the tactics then? and the USA players are too good for the likes of Shaw and the rest of the the players to have a plan B and work out how to get behind them? For the record I would go foreign again as there are no English candidates I can think are suitable and would go for Thomas Tuchel after the World Cup is over.

I do not recall that game to be honest.

Looking back at our knockout route to the final at Euro 2020, we played Germany (in a shambles), Ukraine, Denmark. The standard at a World Cup is higher and I would bet that Italy would have beaten Scotland.

It could be just a blip, or a tactical bit of not losing, but nevertheless it was a dire performance and not befitting of a side that has the potential to win against really good opposition.

Belgium 0 Morocco 2😀

wow! I had to go out at half time but they were on top second part of first half.

What a win for them

Imagine the meltdown over here if we had lost to Morocco.

It looks like their “Golden Generation” is going to be as successful as ours was

Was just discussing the parallels between ours and Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ with the pub landlord. On paper both that England team’s and Belgium’s are/were phenomenal, but neither ever managed to create fear in the opposition.

I think so Yes. I am unsure who to replace him with if we do not do well but someone braver.

Do you not think it is his fault he is not playing players like Foden and playing Mount and not looking at players like Tomori but selecting players like Dier?

Interesting. Three good English managers in the PL at the moment all with better records at club level than Southgate.
I suspect that Southgate will call time with England after this tournament but don't think that the FA will look outside of England. Didn't go so well on the last 2 occasions but we'll see.

Fair point, I can still remember the outrage when we lost to Sweden under Taylor

Southgate is our most successful manager since 66.

Yet I doubt he'll be thought of as fondly as Bobby Robson.

I kind of feel the same, but I can't put my finger on why

A lot of it is due to Social Media I think.

Remember the press pretty much hounded Robson out of the England job before the 1990 World Cup

Well that puts the Moules amongst the Frites.

Shame Japan lost, good result for Germany. Let's hope Spain do the business later.

But none of them in their right mind would take the England job, money likely only marginally better, the associated media ball ache and supporters calling for their head two games into a competition where to date they haven't lost.

Sad to say but if we are going down the English manager route it's going to be a Bruce or similar after a last pay day or much as with Southgate an appointment from within? One option slightly ouside that criteria option might be Rodgers, as the gloss seems to have gone at Leicester.

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If it hadn't been for the glorious failure at italia 90 I don't think Robson would have been looked back on that fondly, plus what he did post England (and being a genuinely great bloke) got his reputation up again.

Remembering the 88 Euros and aftermath I think Robsons legacy has been rather rose tinted by many fans and the media in more recent years.



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I have a feeling Eddie Howe might.

I can see the wealthy Newcastle owners looking for a bigger profile manager in the near future which may give Howe the opportunity to manage England if the circumstances are right.

If England want to win something - then the next manager should be Mourinho.

The football wouldn’t be pretty and the same people moaning about Southgate would be moaning about Mourinho but he’s a winner.

Not many English managers are.

If he wins and they moan then fuck em. The last 12 months haven't been great though unfortunately, fans need more than a 6-2 against Iran to get excited probably

Granted the last 12 months haven’t been great but thus far Southgate has delivered good showings in the major tournaments.

Enough to be cut some slack against a very organised, high energies US side. In a game we didn’t *really* need to win…

Canada v Croatia is a cracking game.

He does but i don't think he should be above being called out for poor selection too. People wanting him gone shouting etc are just stupid but he needs a good competition in my opinion still.

It will be interesting to see how England perform tomorrow evening as Wales have nothing to lose and will probably attack from the start.

Definitely. Agree on that.

We keep putting in those types of performances and we will go out and Southgates time will be up, no doubt.

Which was no doubt said after the 0-0 with Scotland.

Nemo used the phrase ‘group management’ we gotta hope that’s what is was…
Selection (and subs) weren’t great but if it means someone like Foden is fresher for the knockouts then no harm done.

 i am not coming out with anything ground breaking by saying that international football is a lot more competitive than it was in the good old days .  And history tells us that England didnt win that much in the good old days either.

I am sure that England will go on to have a good tournament - and maybe get to the last 8. 

What are they playing wales at tomorrow? The world Cup game is Tuesday?

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It's on Tuesday night Jim. Tomorrow is the last of the 4 games at 10,1,4 and 7.

My mistake gents it's definitely Tuesday.

Croatia clinical after going a goal down so early.

No worries Jim. So much football on at the moment it's an easy mistake to make!

No Gareth! You're meant to call JQ a daft cunt and not budge one iota or be accepting that we all make mistakes  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

JQ you daft cunt*






*Only joking matey. Promise  ;)

No worries Bamboo I know you don't have any malice in you🤣  How you doing these days miss your content!

Spain trying to walk it in.

Germany well organised but missing a decent forward.

Spain look a bit ragged.

Get in  :)

 ::)

Germany and Spain to go through then. Nearly but not quite a shock.

Japan to win  ;)

Love the Cameroon celebration there, although I suspect there's about to be ten bookings! Also nice to remember Rigobert Song.

Like the second Cameroon goal!

Brilliant wasn't it? And the Serbian third This is a cracker of a game.

Edit: fucking hell this is great.

Wow!

Serbia defending far too high. Aboubakar is loving it!

Well, most of Serbia are defending very high. Nobody seems to have told the right back!

It's a bit like running the line for my club team up here, three defenders stepping up nicely and one has dozed off and played everyone onside.

Reminds me when I ran the line for our lot years back, the gobby prick left back was moaning that I wasn't flagging rather missing that whilst the back 4 were keeping a decent line, the slow midfielder coming out 3 yards behind them was playing everyone onside.

BBC Commentary team getting cross at the flag staying down for an offside and letting the play continue to the shot before flagging... when that exact protocol changed the result of the last game because the assistant thought Aboubakar was offside for Cameroon's second. And why yes, it is Jonathan Pearce, of course it is.

Some really entertaining games today!

Indeed. Better than the dross from Friday.

South Korea playing crossing-and-headers is certainly playing against type!

Those two defenders though  :doh:

I totally understand why it's done, the Aboubakar incident the case in point as to why it's done in the way it is. And on the otherside of the coin I also understand why people don't like it, sometimes the striker is clearly miles offside and they play on for so long that it appears to be pointless. Can you imagine if a player was to get injured badly in such a scenario? I guess that's why the pundits aren't keen.

2 good games today so far

Suspect the Korean manager will be having a bit of time off here.

What was he so irate with the referee for? Ah because he blew the whistle before they had a chance to take a corner. The time was over by 30 seconds so was probably correct.

I fully accept that everything about a World Cup in Qatar is wrong but there is one caveat to that. I am not missing the sight of England "fans" taking over bars and cafes singing about the IRA and throwing furniture at people who wander past. It may be old age but the lack of alcohol is not necessarily a bad thing.

The idiots may not have travelled to Qatar but have made it to Tenerife🤣

https://www.independent.ie/videos/england-and-wales-fans-clash-in-tenerife-ahead-of-their-world-cup-game-next-tuesday-42175426.html

More Judy than Punch.

Normally is 😀

fecking eeedjuts.

I guess not that unusual at the Veronicas though.

Not even sure they can be called football thugs when they are nowhere near a game😀

Can always rely on Switzerland to bring the mood down.

I've not yet seen an outstanding team over 90 minutes Spain the pick of the bunch for me but only in patches.

From what I have seen so far, the World Cup winner will come from Spain, Brazil or France. They have been a class apart so far. Will be interesting to see how they cope in the knock out stages as most teams will just sit back against them and hope to score a goal on the break.

I’m not a major fan of cup football for that reason as you can have a favourable draw or just play ultra defensive and go far in a tournament.

If I had the choice of watching Swindon win the premier league or champions league in my life time then the premier league wins all day long.

Good post my sentiments exactly.

League 2 or the Wiltshire Trophy are probably a bit more realistic.

 I have really enjoyed the world cup .  Some interesting games and upsets. you can also have a good laugh at those who think they know a lot more than experienced managers and professionals

Interestingly, I love cup football for exactly the same reason. The best team doesn't always win, and everyone (well, nearly everyone) has a bit of hope. Obviously wouldn't turn my nose up at Town reaching the PL but we'd have no chance over a season. In this world cup, England look the 5th or 6th best team so far, but there's still a chance.

I guess it just comes to whether you want a 'fair' result in which case leagues tend to be right almost every time, or are fine with plenty of luck being involved.

Watching some of Portugal v Uruguay & hoping Portugal lose as Ronaldo is such an unlikeable cunt, and then remembering that Suarez (who is even more of a cunt) plays for Uruguay.

It’s like trying to choose between the piss stains & slave traders

soapy tit wank. good analogy

Never a handball. The rules for handball have become ridiculous. Earlier in the tournament a volley smashed at a defender from just over 2 yards away was also given.

Today is the today. For us Taff's, it's more about the performance. Very very unlikely to go through, but stranger things have happened.

Think England are certainly beatable but not by 4 goals.

We need to drop Ramsey. Will Southgate make changes? I don't think. Maybe 1 or 2 but nothing major.

For England, not sure which team is preferred in the next round.

Play like we did on Friday then I don't see much point in progressing in this tournament.

On a side note,Cardiff v Leeds in the FA Cup too  :girlgiggle:

With the second round of fixtures complete, I think it gives a lot of context to England's uninspiring performance vs the US - only three sides (Brazil, France, Portugal) have two wins from two, and I think there are issues with all those sides. Spain look the best team so far, and yet dropped two points to Germany who got beaten by Japan who in turn were beaten by Costa Rica. It just seems that the fast turnarounds are causing some fairly unpredictable results, it'll be really interesting to see if the final round of fixtures sees the best teams really assert themselves or not.

As for today's games, Group A at 3pm - Ecuador vs Senegal is essentially winner goes through, loser goes out, with Netherlands playing Qatar meaning they really should top the group.

Then Group B at 7pm - on paper, almost an identical set up as Group A as Iran v US should be two relatively evenly matched sides going head to head for second. The Wales/England rivalry factor certainly adds a complication though. I'm not an England fan who dislikes the Welsh at all, I wish they could somehow progress along with us, but dispassionately, this isn't anything like the Wales team of four years ago who really could have given a good account of themselves. England should win comfortably, but it doesn't always work that way.

That's my thought, the Welsh *always* raise their game against us. ABE. But 4 goals, if that happens then something extraordinary unexpected must have happened - sending offs, penalties, etc. At least IMO


Thing is, we've struggled through group stages before and picked up in knockout football. Nothing I saw v USA suggests that could happen, and yet we put 6 past Iran - so where do we lie?

I suggest closer to the USA game  based on recent form. But I don't know.

Looking even further ahead, let's assume we finish top of the group and avoid the Dutch (who haven't been that great themselves either) we face either Ecuador or Senegal. Based on what i've seen I think i'd rather play Senegal, I think Ecuador could be tricky. If we turn up then we 'should' be good enough to beat either side and progress into the 1/4 finals.

Thoughts?

Is Valencia fit? Ecuador* look a much poorer side without him on the pitch.

* I assume I am not the only one who has to say Ecuador in this style whenever I say it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cQlVww0zKo

haha - you are not alone!

Enner Valencia is a real menace. I've read he has recovered from his injury but will be watching today and without wishing injuries on players I agree that he would be a big miss from that side.

In theory Ecuador or Senegal are beatable, but then it's brick wall territory with a probable run of France in the quarters, Germany/Portugal in the semis and Spain/Brazil in the final.

That Spain/Brazil quarter looks absolutely delicious.

Whatever happens, it's hard to see an easy route to the final. Which is how it should be!

Jesus was it 24 years ago, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/63788467

I am glad the game is on the beeb, and not the shit ITV. Cannot stand some of those pundits and co-commentators.

Just Dixon and Matterface who are terrible, no? It's odd that ITV are using them as their A team when Champion/McCoist and Hutchinson/Townsend are much more enjoyable. Studio pundits I haven't seen much of.

As it stands, the Netherlands win group A and Senegal will go through as runners-up.

Prefer the BBC commentators but ITV have better pundits.

Yeah, I'd pretty much agree with that re your analysis of the commentators. I hate the buildup/punditry etc so turn on just in time for the anthems and then kick off and then go and find something to do for 20 minutes over half time.

Won't be easy for England should they meet Senegal.
I had Senegal down as an outside bet to make good progress but that was before they lost Mané.

Their fans are great.
Slap a coat of red & white paint on 4D and the gang and maybe they could do a similar job in the Town End.

Andros Townsend has done a good job on co-comms so far.

I had red and white face paint on at the Sunderland play off game, ended up blending in and I looked flushed/embarrassed  :-[

I was wearing my "we are Ozzie's red & white army" T shirt😀

Ecuador and Senegal now 1-1

Edit - now Senegal 2-1.

I went to the loo and missed two goals!

Sam Matterface is a an abomination of the commentator.

He waffles on & on! Enjoy listening to Keane, Neville & Souness and who dosen't enjoy looking at Laura😜

If you are bored this is worth a read, sounds like it was absolutely mental! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1930_FIFA_World_Cup

Good to know that FIFA has always been a shambles.

Four changes for England. Foden, Rashford, Henderson and Walker in for Saka, Sterling, Trippier and Mount.

 :zzz:

 buzzin- cant beat matches like  this

WE WANT CHANGES!!!



NO THOSE CHANGES!!!

See the US are doing similar to us in the Iran game.

Not sure Wales are looking for that four goal win they need here.

I want to comment but I don't want to jinx it ..

Wales to win 1-0 and the others draw.

 I have been enjoying festive world cup football. Maybe winter world  cups should be the thing in future

Gripping stuff🤣

Maguire with the most shots  :)

It’s definitely been different.

I mean - I’ve found because it isn’t summer and it isn’t hot that it’s easier (with a family) to watch the games whilst it’s dark, cold and people don’t want to go out.

I’ve also enjoyed the pallet cleanser from the domestic season but that’s probably influenced by our last two performances.

Whilst obviously the domestic season isn’t on during the summer - there is a lot more going on with manager and player movement than there is now…

Jonny warming up

I have watched more matches than I would normally do when the sun is shining and there are better things to do

I've seen my first Town flag of the tournament - extreme right on right-hand side.

nope

clashes with proper football.
didn't give is a summer bridge between seasons

I'll wave next time.

Epic injury time incoming... and the joy of the thoughts of Jenas on the concussion protocol again.

Much as the US game I think if we get a goal we win this easily.

Sent from my SM-A125F

Must be Legends Lounge.

If that had gone in that was goal of the tournament stuff.

Go USA

Bring on Crawley away.
This is shite.

Reign it in Dukey😀

Marcus Rashford is so nearly a good footballer. He's so involved and everything just seems to go 5% wrong at the very end. It's quite frustrating.

didn't think that was too bad tbh. much better than USA game

I always wonder what not too bad means😀

 Nowhere near as bad a half as some would lead you to believe

So you can watch some more possession football without any end game?

Don't watch much PL football at all, does Kane always play this deep for spurs.

Yeah not bad at all against a stubborn defensive team with no real counter attacking threat - not sure you can play on the counter when you have two achingly slow players up front and just Daniel James who can run around ahead of Ampadu at DM. I can understand why you have to play Bale for the potential moment of magic but he just offers nothing in regular play.

England are nearly getting it right, lots of things going awry at the last minute but it'll come. Something like 75 percent of goals in this tournament have come in the second half.

Bring on Trent Arnold for his passing ability.

my view:

ok we didn't create much. But we had two or three chances, not none

Wales have inexplicably been passive, keeping it as tight as they can but not attacking much at all.

They will have to go for it. I suspect they hoped to nick a 1-0 and hope Iran can hold the USA.

They could be a different team in the second half, but up to now they've been very poor.

Bale off. Fair play to Rob Page.

hwyl fawr

Super strike

That'll do.

Edit: oof that step by Ward the wrong way looks worse every time you see it.

 Southgate seems to have got it right

Club over Country for me.
Ironically planning the trains and we score 2 ⚽️

cracking team talk, there you go Jimbo ⚽️⚽️

Get back on trainline  :)

Ouch.

SOUTHGATE OUT

10:30 meet up at Victoria it is 😀🍺🍺🍺

Mind you driving to Barrow again and not looking forward to that trip again.
Bastard train strike.

Iran have had even less shots than Wales  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

I realise it's a bit grumpy but not sure Rashford should be praised overly for that shot just because the keeper fucks up and lets it go in. It's straight at him, 99 times out of a 100 the keeper deals with that. Great build up to that point though, just think picking out one of the others in the box is the higher percentage decision at the end of it all.

Keepers not been great on any if them TBH

I must confess on a similarly grumpy theme whilst Rashford has undoubtedly had a good game I am not sure it warrants the wankfest Jenas is presently partaking in.

I get it, it's a good storyline and he's clearly a lovely bloke who they all want to do well, but think he owes Danny Ward a drink!

Jonny will be fit for Saturday ⚽️

Let the players attack and we look a decent side!

Jonny Wills must be absolute shite not to get a run out for this shower. Along with Qatar and Panama,probably the worst WC finalists in my memory

Well called.

They really look awful. Created nothing.

Us and the yanks then

Well he plays league 2 football. As shit as Wales are, you’d be majorly worried if he was one of the top 16 best Welsh players. He’s played some good games for Town but at a really really poor standard of football.

Grealish a player that oozes class with a ball at his feet.
Such a flair player. Wish we could see more of him in an England shirt.

That will do very nicely.

Fair enough but why take him then? There's Welsh players playing in a higher league than him. And he scored in his last appearance

 Job done . Great to see.  Southgate deserves some praise

that was very very comfortable. Didn't expect that regardless of Wales first 2.

also as group toppers we play Sunday and avoid the clash with Town

26 man squad isn't it, gotta take a few players who are more there as good tourists as you're never going to get them all game time. Same with England taking Conor Coady.

Senegal it is then. Should be a fun one to watch, can't see them setting up in a low block somehow. Game on Sunday evening.

Pretty much summed it up.

Will get the praise if we beat the likes of France, Spain, Brazil.

I wonder which nation have used the most players on a World Cup (…Euros too)

So after all that moaning. England qualified, topped the group, no suspensions, no injuries, no fatigue and ready to go for the knockouts - couldn’t have gone much better really could it?

Tunisia going well against France Reserves.

Interesting couple of minutes with Tunisia scoring (putting them second) and then Leckie getting an absolutely beauty for Aus.

Tunisia need a draw in Aus-Den, Den need a win and Aus need to win if Tunisia do.

I bet none of French nationals are calling for their manager to go for his group management in their final (redundant) game…

I hear Lez Ville End is in meltdown.

faire avancer

Only a small sample size but Harry Souttar looks solid.

Only played once for Stoke his season (….assume injured?) otherwise would be a decent (but probably unlikely) loan option in Jan.

Saw this posted on Twitter, don’t know if it’s true, but would confirm what I’ve always believed that England always seems to do better when the game is in BBC

“England's World Cup TV record since 1998:

BBC: 12 wins out of 16, 75% win rate
ITV: 2 wins out of 15 games, 13% win rate”

Well, fair play to the Aussies, didn't see that combination of results coming!

Tunisia beat France. If you are going to go out, that's the way to do it.

VAR VAR VAR...

Well played Senegal!

Euro & WC combined from 2010:
ITV P17 W3 D9 L5   (17.6% win rate)
BBC P14 W10 D2 L2  (71.4% win rate)

https://www.nationalworld.com/sport/football/world-cup/itv-england-curse-world-cup-tv-3936040

ITV:
World Cup 2022: England 0-0 USA
Euro 2020: England 0 - 0 Scotland, Czech Republic 0 - 1 England, England 2 - 1 Denmark, England 1 - 1 Italy
World Cup 2018: England 0 - 1 Belgium, Colombia 1 - 1 England (ENG win 4-3 on pens), Croatia 2 - 1 England, Belgium 2 - 0 England
Euro 2016: England 1 - 1 Russia, Slovakia 0 - 0 England, England 1 - 2 Iceland
World Cup 2014: Uruguay 2 - 1 England, Costa Rica 0 - 0 England
Euro 2012: France 1 - 1 England, England 1 - 0 Ukraine
World Cup 2010: England 1 - 1 USA, England 0 - 0 Algeria,

BBC:
BBC Results
World Cup 2022: England 6-2 Qatar, Wales 0-3 England
Euro 2020: England 1 - 0 Croatia, England 2 - 0 Germany, Ukraine 0 - 4 England , England 1 - 1 Italy
World Cup 2018: Tunisia 1 - 2 England, England 6 - 1 Panama, Sweden 0 - 2 England,
Euro 2016: England 2 - 1 Wales
World Cup 2014: England 1 - 2 Italy
Euro 2012: Sweden 2 - 3 England, England 0 - 0 Italy (ITA win 4-2 on pens)
World Cup 2010: Slovenia 0 - 1 England, Germany 4 - 1 England

A Poland and Saudi win tonight please.

Come on Poland.

The Saudi v Mexico game is livening up  :D

I support Poland but watching them play brings me back to when Town played under Sheridan. Lack of ideas going forward and just hoping to keep a clean sheet and get a miracle goal from somewhere.

fucking hell. that penalty is worse than Ronaldo's. never ever

saved

Really glad the penalty just given for Szczęsny touching Messi in the face with his glove was saved, absolute joke of a decision.

They are still yet to concede though.

Poland doing their best Wales impression so far .

Yeah, the penalty award for Portugal the other day was bad this one was even worse.

Poland won't survive this as it stands. Need to be much better on the counter in 2nd half to stand a chance.

Zabaleta has a funny old accent, definitely some Manc in there...

Ffs, wish the commentators would stop dribbling over the Argie support.

Both ends of the stadium 😀

Not many protesting about the cup then.

Thay have a drum, says it all.

Too busy playing drums

Messi & Ronaldo scoring is what they want

Poland are second on fair play as it stands

that's no way to separate teams.

I suspect though that Argentina will take care of the issue

Where does it go after yellow cards?

That Alvarez looks quite a player, didn't know he was at City.

Danny Murphy equating Poland's lack of yellows in this game with failure to have a go at Argentina.  :no:

Toss

What? Who can knock one out the quickest?

All over.

Actually, they still only need to score 1

Can't have been many WC groups where the team that finished bottom beat the team that finished top (especially when it wasn't in a dead rubber final game)

The Argentinian fans are a great spectacle to watch.

Indeed, the South American fans along with the African fans generate a proper atmosphere.

It's been noticeable to me that the European fans have been very quiet in comparison

That’s because they’re not pissed up.

That's unfair, England have a band you know!

I was in Buenos Aires for the 2014 World Cup final, watched in the city centre on a big screen. As soon as that late German goal went in, it got very tense! A few Argentinan eyes locked onto me and instantly got accused of being a German and was chased into a hotel! Luckily they let me chill in a room until I could make my escape back to my hostel! They went mental, shop windows smashed all over the city, and cars turned over! I suppose you get idiot fans everywhere, but they are a very passionate and angry bunch when they are on the booze! 

These sorts of stories make me laugh because the constant narrative is the big bad English and football hooliganism being The English disease. Even seen a Welsh guy complaining about The English the other day utterly convinced that Welsh hooliganism doesn't exist.

England fans can be cunts but the hate boner for them by the media and other teams fans is completely disproportionate to reality when you look at other nations.

would that actually be worse than saying you were English though 😁

VAR is still colossally wank

Lukaku is officially turd. 3 chances but the last one in particular  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

He always looks like he's sulking.

Belgium out.

Morocco top the group. Who saw that coming?

Wow that's a big surprise Belgium going out it seems they peaked a couple of years ago.

Kevin De Bruyne seemed to...

The Germans are going to Germany their way into the next round  ::)

If by ‘Germany their way’ you mean ‘win games of football’ then yeah probably.
Historically they’ve been quite good at that in fairness.

 This world cup is just getting better and better in my view

Get in Japan  :D

Goodness gracious me.

Hopefully Spain will rest some players now  :)

Imagine Japan going through having beaten Germany and Spain and lost to Costa Rica. Fair fucks if anyone had money on that outcome...

Costa Rica equalise  ;D

Costa Rica just need a 12 goal swing to overtake Spain here... I'd like to see it happen! (or of course, to win themselves, which would be remarkable).

They only need 1 goal more to move aboce Spsin. If Costa Rica win and Japan win it’s bye bye Spain and Germany.

It's on Aud  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Edit for, 2 mins

Well that massively swung since I last looked…

STOP THE COUNT

It’s swung again in the time it took me to make my last post about it

As it stands Spain & Germany would follow Belgium out of the World Cup.

I’m assuming it’s Southgate’s fault 😂

Boo

Spain will go through as it stands

…and to think our biggest gripe has been a 0-0 draw with the US.

This is brilliant

Germany scored by the time I posted.

Ironic that a Germany goal sends Spain through

And now a Spain goal would send Germany through

Germany scored an offside goal, watch Spain score now.

All eyes on Japan now.

Fantastic  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Well, that is brilliant.

Just a shame Costa Rica couldn’t hang on at 2-1.

Again shit likes and Belgium puts some context around how well we’ve done so far

Superb achievement by Japan

Souness   :zzz:

unbelievable

Auf Wiedersehen, Pet

On the plus side, the German kit is lovely.

Makes you wonder if Spain wanted to lose. Knocks out a main rival and gives them a knockout game v Morocco rather than Croatia.

If they did, they're decent actors - at full time they looked like they genuinely weren't sure whether they were through or not.

Agree on the German kit, very nice.

I need to tell the wife that there is no strictly on tomorrow night because of the football. She is off out tonight so will miss it.

Could she not watch strictly on the Iplayer on another device?

‘Do a little dance.
Make a little love.
Get down tonight!’

Just catching up on his most recent cartoons, Town fan David Squires is pretty scathing about the whole thing. https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2022/nov/29/david-squires-on-the-workers-view-of-qatar-world-cup-moments-so-far

All Ghana?

Fingers crossed.

Sent from my XQ-AD51

Tune in to this one, guys. Ghana miss a pen and it’s kicking off

Stereotypical slow/shit penalty

Sent from my XQ-AD51

Suarez to score and celebrates by biting a Ghana fan

Hang in there Ghana  :)

What a finish again.

Another amazing finish to the groups. Have to say I was 'meh' about the World Cup weeks ago but I am now hooked, on the pitch it's been fantastic.

Watching the horrible little fucker cry is one of the highlights of the World Cup so far

It definitely made my day.

Draught excluders in a wall😀

https://youtu.be/gKCLS7FhlqU

With those results, England have the best group stage record of any team. Quite something.

And Wales the worst (but for Qatar and Canada).

I think all the teams, bar Qatar, have managed at least one impressive performance, never mind the real shock results and qualifications.  Happy bookies?

This has been the best tournament I can recall in terms of the drama of the Group Stages.  Despite FIFA's best efforts.

But Southgate…..

But he has a waistcoat

Loved it. Brilliant player, but a vile weasel of a man

Only 4 teams went through the group without defeat.
Netherlands, England, the US & Morocco

Ok, so some teams were done after game two and made ally of changes for the last game but still

Not often I'd happily say this....

COME ON AUSSIES

That's what Clem is saying!

Hi all,

Not read the whole thread so apologies if it’s already been written. I fancy venturing out for the England games. Anywhere with a big screen and bouncing atmosphere? TIA x

This Mbappe lad has something about him.

mbappe is the best in the world at the moment without doubt.

should keepers be penalised for strikers stuttering and dummying their penalties? its a bit of farce even thought it didn't matter.

No, rules are simple.  Move when the ball is struck.  Move before that to try and cheat/beat the timing, you take the risk of what happened.

but the striker is cheating the timing in the run up. pretending to shoot and then stopping seems to get you a free pass if you miss

So what?  They can run around in circles if they like.  Don't move until he hits it.  It's not supposed to be easy.

What happened to the rule that you couldn’t stop in the run up to a penalty?

Steam will be good. Donkey potentially but will be hit and miss due to being a Sunday. Have fun 👍

Saka for Rashford only change. Bit harsh on Rashford maybe, but plenty to like about the team.

well the rules are apparently simple. but they open for interpretation as always.

If, before the ball is in play, the player taking the penalty kick feints to kick the ball:
in the run-up: permitted. Once the kicker has completed the run-up: not permitted

so it seems like players can do it with momentum. but if they stand still and feint the shot its a yellow card offence.

players are pushing this to the limit as they will always do

Thanks. I’m preempting a win tonight and lining up a sesh with an atmosphere for next Saturdays Q final game  :beers:

Except the stutter on the successful penalty saw at least one Polish player appear to encroach before the ball was kicked.  

Order a 2nd re-take.  :zzz:

And (I think) the keeper was also off his line for the re-take but I guess it didn't matter as he didn't save it?