Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia

[Moomin]

Think you can say this for the next 2 or 3 years.

He got better as the game went on.

 

[Martin Alvito]

Decent showing from our suspiciously way-too-friendly neighbors to the North. They looked way better than us against Wales.

Looked way better than us in qualifying, too.

CONCACAF was just poor this cycle. Mexico and the USA with it all left to do, Canada needing wins and Costa Rica all but dead.

 

[verreauxi]

I recall reading that RM doesn't emphasize set-plays or corners or like long-balls. But Belgium has the pace and talent to make every 5th possession or so an over-the-top long-ball in terms of precision passing and the pace/talent to receive the ball and turn it into an opportunity. Why play conservative possession-based footie when you have the talent to mix it up a bit? EDIT: I was only watching the game sporadically so perhaps I missed something. And yes, their only goal today was a long ball--I know--but it's not something they practice, yes?

Am I recalling all this correctly? (everyone except DaveK can respond)

 

[Librarian]

One of the problems with changing the system beyond the obvious where this is the one they've used for years now is he only has one real fullback. Going back four and trying to have Castagne sort out Ziyech and Hakimi seems like a bad idea.

The best way to deal with that is by putting the opposition on the back foot

 

[Efcjake]

Also fuming over the penalty shout where people are saying the Canadian lad stuck his leg out in front of witsel to step on. Can't protect the ball anymore?

 

[TheBigIguana]

The best way to deal with that is by putting the opposition on the back foot

You ever seen a Martinez side try to press?

 

[Librarian]

You ever seen a Martinez side try to press?

433 with those players would make the opposition think twice about flooding forward, he probably won’t change it but what Canada did to them won’t go unnoticed

 

[Librarian]

Also fuming over the penalty shout where people are saying the Canadian lad stuck his leg out in front of witsel to step on. Can't protect the ball anymore?

They could have had 3 penalties and I think for the one they missed the referee delayed the taker for a crazy amount of time.

 

[coyb420]

Belgium don't deserve to win

And you want Bobby back here???

 

[Lineker]

I was strangely invested in that, not being canadian

 

[Ducans elbow]

Watched the Canada here in a great pub here in ?? , they played really well bad penalty we took
But overall I was impressed with the performance, 36 years since they was last in it

 

[TheBigIguana]

433 with those players would make the opposition think twice about flooding forward, he probably won’t change it but what Canada did to them won’t go unnoticed

It really does depend on if he can set up the team to play through them. Today was the same issues he was having in 2015. It ends up in a big circle with one or two guys in the middle. On the occasions those guys get it there are no options and it all breaks down.

 

[4737carlin]

And you want Bobby back here???

I still think he could be our best option, when did Everton last win a game they didn't deserve too?

 

[coyb420]

I still think he could be our best option, when did Everton last win a game they didn't deserve too?

When did Everton last win a game they did deserve to? ?

 

[FrenchDarrenBent]

If somehow the options boil down to Frank or Martinez it has to be Frank

I have a feeling it's already done and dusted. B.K. loves him...

Canada with lots of energy and pace. Still, they lacked the quality up front, simple as that. They didnt really register a lot of shots on target. Replace that striker Larin with a decent middle of the pack Prem striker and it's a draw at least.