Third Place: Belgium vs England

[davek]

They absolutely spawned that win over Brazil and Croatia would have certainly tested the trademark leaky Martinez back line. But you're right in that Martinez has made losing semi-finals a bit of a trademark of his. Expect the next one to come next summer after they win against a poor group in that Nations League

Sorry mate, this WC has underlined the views of those who supported Martinez while here that he's a very astute tactical coach and demolished the dwindling band of people who see him as a "fraud". It's been a disastrous WC for those people and a wonderful, belief-affirming one for the Robertonians amongst us.

 

[TheBigIguana]

I think the current Belgium squad got the right balance, age and experience.

The German squad has gone backwards...they don’t even have a proper leading forward.

Given the results it is tough to see this but the Germans played pretty well and on another day would have put away South Korea and made it through. Could have beaten Mexico too if things break different.

I wouldn't expect Germany to go away. Only Neuer Khedira and Gomez are over 30 and they have young talent to replace some of the underperforming players. Guys like Sane Goretzka Brandt even Werner aren't bad players because of this tournament. And they still have Toni Kroos

 

[PITA]

Don’t know. Last chance salon for them in the Euro two years later. Those players will be approaching 30s.

Someone getting a haircut?

 

[davek]

Well the paucity of that response would suggest that he hasnt got much to draw on has he?

I'm not claiming there's loads to choose from but he did have Shelvey there to bring if he wanted. He chose to overload with midfield runners. A major mistake.

 

[PITA]

Sorry mate, this WC has underlined the views of those who supported Martinez while here that he's a very astute tactical coach and demolished the dwindling band of people who see him as a "fraud". It's been a disastrous WC for those people and a wonderful, belief-affirming one for the Robertonians amongst us.

The only person in England who knows anything about football has spoken. It must be true.

 

[LinekersLegs]

He should have brought Shelvey. He'd have been pinging more accurate balls to Kane from a bit further up the pitch than Dier/Stones/Maguire back in their own half.

Changed your tune a bit lol

Looks erratic to me and capable of a few costly brain farts. At a different level, but for the same reason, I can understand Southgate not bringing Jonjo Shelvey to the WC for England.

 

[Kurt.]

Well the paucity of that response would suggest that he hasnt got much to draw on has he?

I honestly believe he should have included Jack Wiltshire in his squad. I know ... I know.... but I do honestly believe that he is England’s best technical footballer on his day. In that Croatia game he could have given England another option in the last 30 mins. I know many won’t agree but there was not 1 player in that squad who offers what Wiltshire does

 

[roydo]

I'm not claiming there's loads to choose from but he did have Shelvey there to bring if he wanted. He chose to overload with midfield runners. A major mistake.

Maybe. I give him credit for getting a tune out of a young squad. Over achieved and resurrected interest in and affection for the England team. Deserves credit for that. Not that you would mind.

 

[PITA]

That’s another trophy along with 3rd place medal.

Quite. Dave is doing a good impression of a RS at the moment.

 

[roydo]

I honestly believe he should have included Jack Wiltshire in his squad. I know ... I know.... but I do honestly believe that he is England’s best technical footballer on his day. In that Croatia game he could have given England another option in the last 30 mins. I know many won’t agree but there was not 1 player in that squad who offers what Wiltshire does

I reckon that was his biggest decision personally. As in the most difficult to make.

 

[PITA]

I honestly believe he should have included Jack Wiltshire in his squad. I know ... I know.... but I do honestly believe that he is England’s best technical footballer on his day. In that Croatia game he could have given England another option in the last 30 mins. I know many won’t agree but there was not 1 player in that squad who offers what Wiltshire does

Agreed.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Sorry mate, this WC has underlined the views of those who supported Martinez while here that he's a very astute tactical coach and demolished the dwindling band of people who see him as a "fraud". It's been a disastrous WC for those people and a wonderful, belief-affirming one for the Robertonians amongst us.

No it hasn't. One win over Brazil where Fernandinho elbowed it into his own net and KDB scored a screamer while Brazil missed chances consistently doesn't equate to tactical excellence. In fact what happened in the last two knockout games was Martinez taking a talented team and ruining their chances by not being able to organize a coherent attack or any type of defense. He basically hoped the great players would pull it off and hey maybe not a bad idea but that's also not good management at this level

 

[davek]

Changed your tune a bit lol

It was understandable for disciplinarian reasons, as I said. But does my viewpoint make his (the man tasked with getting the best out of the team) decision not to take him excusable?

 

[davek]

Maybe. I give him credit for getting a tune out of a young squad. Over achieved and resurrected interest in and affection for the England team. Deserves credit for that. Not that you would mind.

I do give him credit. SF stage is a decent run...I said as much yesterday in support of him against attack in the press that 'England played no one'. But he's tactically not at the races. That was a set piece team and he and his staff cant lay claim to doing anything special in respect to playing through lines and controlling the ball and game.

 

[LinekersLegs]

I honestly believe he should have included Jack Wiltshire in his squad. I know ... I know.... but I do honestly believe that he is England’s best technical footballer on his day. In that Croatia game he could have given England another option in the last 30 mins. I know many won’t agree but there was not 1 player in that squad who offers what Wiltshire does

Both Shelvey and Wilshere, whatever their talents, have major attitude problems and at their ages it is unliekly to change.

One of the things I liked about this team was that there seemed to be little temper tantrums on or off pitch.