Third Place: Belgium vs England

[Walken]

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.

if shelvey is the answer to any question at this level of football, you are in huge trouble, absolutely average and only got raved about amongst the Rafael bumming

 

[Kurt.]

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

Hindsight is wonderful as we all know but he took Kane vardy sterling wellbeck and rashford.... I would have swapped wellbeck out for Wiltshire

 

[deipnosophist]

With Bobby’s coruscating success at this WC, I suspect Bainsey and Capt Jags might be keeping their heads down. Their snidey role in Bobby’s demise at Everton hasn’t exactly covered them in glory, has it?

 

[Kurt.]

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.

Sometimes that little bit of attitude gives an extra edge... sometimes

 

[davek]

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

No mate. What happened in the SF against France was Belgium not taking their chances when dominating the game. If Lukaku had a decent game they'd be in tomorrow's final. France just shut up shop. They are a class outfit. No disgrace or recriminations toward Martinez on that level. The Belgians described the French as anti-football exponents in it's aftermath.

 

[ftk43]

#BronzeBobby

He did a lot to fix his reputation at this WC - They only lost to the best team in a tournament.

 

[davek]

if shelvey is the answer to any question at this level of football, you are in huge trouble, absolutely average and only got raved about amongst the Rafael bumming

I'd have taken Wilshere too.

Southgate never prioritised trunning the rule over that type of player in friendlies etc, becaus he didn't want to play any other way than route one.

 

[LinekersLegs]

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?

Southgate tried to build a team greater than the sum of its parts which is a pleasant change from the “Golden Generation”.

In another timeline where either Shelvey or Wilshere are playing I’d have put good money that both of them would have reacted in the Colombia match and got a red card and we’d have lost the game.

 

[Rook]

Hazard Player of the Tourney? Think he's been better than Mordric and Griezmann and more consistent than Mbappe.

 

[TheBigIguana]

No mate. What happened in the SF against France was Belgium not taking their chances when dominating the game. If Lukaku had a decent game they'd be in tomorrow's final. France just shut up shop. They are a class outfit. No disgrace or recriminations toward Martinez on that level. The Belgians described the French as anti-football exponents in it's aftermath.

What chances? They had the Alderweireld shot and the Hazard one and neither of those were huge chances. Outside of that did they have anything? France meanwhile had the goal, Pavard's shot and the Giroud one that got blocked which were all better. Lukaku was poor but he didn't have an actual chance created for him. And the Belgians calling it anti-football is hilarious because it was the plan they used against Brazil just minus the actual defending and shutting up of the shop

 

[roydo]

I'd have taken Wilshere too.

Southgate never prioritised trunning the rule over that type of player in friendlies etc, becaus he didn't want to play any other way than route one.

lol You didnt watch any did you? Route one....Ok mate.

 

[davek]

Southgate tried to build a team greater than the sum of its parts which is a pleasant change from the “Golden Generation”.

In another timeline where either Shelvey or Wilshere are playing I’d have put good money that both of them would have reacted in the Colombia match and got a red card and we’d have lost the game.

Possibly, but they easily could have provided the killer pass against the Croatians in the SF...

 

[Rook]

I would take 28 year old Osman over Shelvey or Wilshere.

 

[davek]

What chances? They had the Alderweireld shot and the Hazard one and neither of those were huge chances. Outside of that did they have anything? France meanwhile had the goal, Pavard's shot and the Giroud one that got blocked which were all better. Lukaku was poor but he didn't have an actual chance created for him. And the Belgians calling it anti-football is hilarious because it was the plan they used against Brazil just minus the actual defending and shutting up of the shop

Chances falling to Lukaku if he'd anticipated the flight of the ball - twice in very good positions.

 

[LinekersLegs]

Hazard Player of the Tourney? Think he's been better than Mordric and Griezmann and more consistent than Mbappe.

Overall the one I’ve probably enjoyed watching the most