GROUP G - Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England

[Big Fat Sam]

Ouch.

They will one day mate. Just not this year.

 

[peteblue]

BFS would have defended the 1-0 scoreline, only to draw 1-1.........

 

[MikeH72]

Poland will put England out of the World Cup.

Oh well

 

[Big Fat Sam]

Oh well

You'll have egg on your face in 4 years pal.

 

[Rook]

Granted you can only beat what’s in front of you, but seriously, Panama are not even league 2 standard here. Their defending on set pieces was comical and frankly absurd. They can’t even string a few passes together. They’re quite simply an appalling side who England should be comfortably hammering. We have title winning, champions league standard players. Who have they got? The commentators said their most famous player was some yard dog for the Seattle sounders. Tells you everything about the gulf in class and quality.

Given what’s happened in the past against sides like Trinidad and Tobago and Algeria etc, you have to give credit to Southgate and this England side. But at the same time those past struggles and failures should not be the benchmark. Nothing wrong with being pleased England will progress whilst simultaneously not going overboard with praise (which is exactly what will happen). Tougher tests await.

Panama probably just went to the WC to have fun. They've pretty much had the same players in the starting lineup for a decade now and they accomplished their dream of just making it. However yea their whole squad has a few way past their prime MLSers and not good enough for MLS players but they are experienced and usually are very organized defensively. They got 4pts against CR and held Mexico to 1 goal in 2 matches. The floodgates usually open when they go down by a goal or 2 but its usually tough getting that 1st goal against them. So it was a very good performance.

 

[Eggs]

You'll have egg on your face in 4 years pal.

...don’t bring me into it.

I note England are top of their group because they’ve got less yellow cards. I suppose somebody could go out of the group stage for that reason.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Can't read too much into these England performances yet. It's normally the team's that grow into the tournaments that end up winning it. That Kroos goal with seconds left on the clock could be very ominous.

Having said that, it has been reasonably pleasant watching them for a change. Having let us down so many times in the past it's good to see them having a go. I thought they were exceptional for most of the first half against Tunisia (a far better team than Panama despite what some on here think), and were clinical during the first half yesterday albeit without playing particularly well. Both games so far were played in pretty extreme conditions so it's not surprising the pace dropped in the second half. But most of the venues are situated in more temperate conditions which will only help England with the high press.

I think both England and Belgium will rest players for Thursday's game in their bid to become group runners up so it'll be interesting to see how that pans out. Personally, I think Belgium have the strongest starting XI in the competition, but have no depth, so I wouldn't be surprised to see England win that one.

Hope so anyway. My £5 at 12-1 on Belgium is looking a decent bet at the moment.

 

[Jamiednm]

I'm just enjoying a World Cup where England are playing well and scoring goals so far. It's been a while!

It's great to be excited about Football again, and what will happen will happen. There are other teams who are better than England on paper, but we don't really know how good England are yet, and Football is always about the team rather than a collection of individuals. We also have a goalscorer, which always gives you a chance, and tournament Football isn't always predictable.

 

[Jamiednm]

Can't read too much into these England performances yet. It's normally the team's that grow into the tournaments that end up winning it.

I used to think that, until I realised it was total nonsense that people tell themselves to excuse poor results/performances.

Anyway, whose to say England aren't growing in to it? They're just getting results as well.

 

[duncs pigeon]

We are good going forward but still a bit dodgy in defence. What pleases me is that they are, or seem to be, playing without fear. Playing for their country, team mates and manager - very similar to Wales in the Euros. Think we will get as far as the quarters before being found out, but the future looks good if they- and I mean the FA- allow the progression to continue, ie u17s to u21s.

 

[Walken]

We are good going forward but still a bit dodgy in defence. What pleases me is that they are, or seem to be, playing without fear. Playing for their country, team mates and manager - very similar to Wales in the Euros. Think we will get as far as the quarters before being found out, but the future looks good if they- and I mean the FA- allow the progression to continue, ie u17s to u21s.

if you face Columbia think the last 16's will be as far as england go, the only team worth avoiding in that group

 

[MikeH72]

if you face Columbia think the last 16's will be as far as england go, the only team worth avoiding in that group

I don't even think they'll get through tbh, can see Senegal doing them.

 

[Walken]

I don't even think they'll get through tbh, can see Senegal doing them.

Depends how Senegal start, two decent sides there though, and senegal have the advantage of only needing a draw, but I think Columbia definitely have more quality, Jamez would make horrenderson look daft

 

[MikeH72]

Depends how Senegal start, two decent sides there though, and senegal have the advantage of only needing a draw, but I think Columbia definitely have more quality, Jamez would make horrenderson look daft

It's really nicely poised that group. It's in Japan's hands because all they need to do is beat Poland who are already out and will probably be going through the motions. The Senegal-Colombia game should be a cracker. Could not predict who'll finish top and second in that group though, it makes the England-Belgium game a really strange situation whereas the result doesn't even matter, it's just all about Group H.

 

[duncs pigeon]

if you face Columbia think the last 16's will be as far as england go, the only team worth avoiding in that group

if you face Columbia think the last 16's will be as far as england go, the only team worth avoiding in that group

Possibly mate, but I think other nations will be wary of Englands attacking threat and might have to adjust to suit. Anybody who attacks England will score goals, thats my worry. In all fairness, Panama had two clear cut chances to score, the first one when it was nil-nil, better players would have scored.