FIFA World Cup: Russia 2018 [Archived] Soccer • Page 100

I hate Pogba, but I'd love to see Giroud win the world cup. Difficult.

 

I’m still not sure how France made it out of the group stage after that farce of a match against Australia to kick off their tourney

 

fixed that one.

Its why the womens world cup is usually more watchable when it comes to the key games. Lot less diving in the quarters/semis/finals

 

Still kind of peeved Martial didn't make the French squad.

 

Neither team looked particularly great tonight. Not sure I am too worried about either, although France are probably the best of the four.

 

I think France can still turn it up another level, Belgium never really looked dangerous because France shut them down. Plus France would have learnt from Euro 2016, and neither Croatia or England have an Eder wondergoal in them to win it.

 

I think saying neither team have a wondergoal in them is false when they have players like Modric and Kane.

 

Neither Modric or Kane are on the Godtier level of Eder though.

 

Mahrez to City. Finally wrapped that one up, interested to see where and how much he plays.

 

Of all the players to break your club record on... Mahrez? Really? I mean he's good, but... really?

 

France won that without getting out of second gear, that's what scary about them.

Why do you hate him? Just because of United? I think he's one of the most likable players in our squad.

 

The transfer market is so out of wack that it is what it is at this point.

 

I reiterate my position that France will win this.

I want England to win tomorrow night, but I suspect we're going to have a very hard time in the final. That being said, even if we go out tomorrow, we've still been so much better than we've seen in ages.

 

Inconsistent, shit hair, likes dabbing, dives, etc.

Just don't like him, absolutely nothing to do with United (I like De Gea, Rashford, and a few others).

 

love france. love hugo. love antoine.

 

France v England.
Hugo v Harry.
Two captains from Spurs.
Ultimate bottle game.

 

So much that England will bottle getting there.

 

Do Chelsea have a manager right now?

 

It feels like they have 2

 

Conte is still in charge and taking pre-season training atm, fuck knows what’s going on with Sarri.

Also, I have an incredible “hot take” about Conte I’ve been holding onto the past week or so, one of those takes that you’re almost nervous to post in a way lol.

 

Go on...

 

Conte switching to 3 at the back during a Chelsea vs Hull City game was the moment that started this entire upturn in the fortunes of the national team. When other teams like Spurs (as the most prominent example) switched to 3 at the back it showcased how well English players - especially wingbacks like Rose, Walker, Trippier etc - fit into a system like that and also how we could paper over some cracks like weak defensive options by adding a 3rd CB.

Conte made the switch and won the league with almost a record points haul, and everyone else imitated. If England win the WC Conte should be praised as a key figure in what helped make it happen. I will die on this hill

 

To be fair, if I had coached the “Barzagli-Chiellini-Bonucci” back three line like he had, I would’ve changed all my systems to a 3-5-2, too.

But I don’t think you’re wrong, either.

 

That’s fair. But I think Poch’s influence on the young English players has been huge as well.

Also, Poch was kinda using that system two years ago when Conte first came in. It was a 4231 but Dier would drop back into a CB role whenever Walker/Rose pushed up higher. Walker and Rose were average at best players before Poch came in. Walker was sold for a ton of money and Trippier stepped in and is just as good in that role as Walker was when he left.

 

So what England band is going to record a 2018 version of “Three Lions” ?