2022 World Cup knockouts: RIP four games a day

[niko_cee]

I wouldn't be surprised if he went with 3 centre backs and played Walker on the right of them.

You know Southgate is absolutely gagging to do this but I don't see how he can unless he's going to keep the same team but drop Saka back to right wingback. Unless he goes Trippier which would at least give us some sort of threat from set pieces.

I was going to say it would be good if the patriotic burglars could knock over Harry Maguire's gaff next but if Dier is genuinely the only other option then maybe not. Dread to think what he's going to look like running against some of the French lot though. He was losing 5 yards over 10 yards against Senegal.

That left side of the England defence has to be one of the worst ever seen at any sort of elite international level.

[Ben]

There's no point going to three centre backs. We could play nine in defence and good players will still find a way through us because none of them are top level. Mbappé would destroy us.

Our best bet is carrying on like we are and backing ourselves to outscore them. If we get tactical then it's curtains.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, but this is Southgate. The highlight of the last three games has been the three clean sheets, [for him] that's what everything is built on. As you say, trying to make it some sort of crabby shitefest just sees us lose when one of our numpties at the back give the ball away [see the 'great' result against the dreadful Germans last year when they had the better of the chances before we nicked it late on].

Maybe he'll go full mind games and pick Trent at rightback. Didier won't be planning for that.

[Spikey M]

There's no point going to three centre backs. We could play nine in defence and good players will still find a way through us because none of them are top level. Mbappé would destroy us.

Our best bet is carrying on like we are and backing ourselves to outscore them. If we get tactical then it's curtains.

Yeah, but Southgate gonna Southgate. It's taken him until now to realise that he doesn't need 8 defensive players against the likes of Wales and Senegal. I highly doubt he's ready to abandon it against the likes of France.

[Spikey M]

Maybe he'll go full mind games and pick Trent at rightback. Didier won't be planning for that.

Fighting fire with petrol.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Safety first is the best policy. As many defenders as possible. If we lose, at least we'll have tried to stop them. No point trying to score goals and ending up leaving gaps in behind for Djorkaeff and Dugarry to run into.

You could play Walker and Trippier as a double right back against Mbappé, with Walker doing the defending, and Trippier hanging around in case we get a free kick.

[Shindig]

I'm of the other line of thought. Our midfield is our best asset. I wouldn't want to rob the middle of bodies. Four at the back is enough. Kane acts as a fifth midfielder anyway.

[niko_cee]

Fighting fire with petrol.

Check out Gerard Houllier giving it a go at 25 seconds.

[Waffdon]

I think he stays with the same sort of formation but wouldn’t be surprised if he brings in Kalvin Phillips to sit along side Uncle Ben and have Bellingham as the slightly more forward thinking player.

[-james-]

What is this absolute WANK tech house tune they play before every match?

[-james-]

Nippon to defeat racism here.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Infantino SPOTTED, Jimmy.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What is this absolute WANK tech house tune they play before every match?

Infantino's Theme (Reprise)

I now spend the first 3/4 mins of every game counting down to seeing him on screen. No sign yet! (1:11)

[Jimmy Floyd]

There he is! 1:39. Was over five minutes in the England game last night.

[Ben]

Is this Peter Schmeichel on co-comms?

I'm playing through BBC Sport website so it might be radio feed.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Is this Peter Schmeichel on co-comms?

I'm playing through BBC Sport website so it might be radio feed.

Radio feed.

[Pepe]

We all cheering for Japan here, right?

[-james-]

There he is! 1:39. Was over five minutes in the England game last night.

I thought this last night actually. Does he even like football? He's probably bored out of his tits.

[-james-]

If Maeda's xG regresses to the mean over the next four games then the world cup/golden boot double is on.

[Ian]

He just can't get enough of focusing on football.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I thought this last night actually. Does he even like football? He's probably bored out of his tits.

I reckon if you or I had his job we'd just live it up and love every minute, so that's probably what he's doing. President of Burkina Faso? Nice to meet you, and thanks for the bung last month, the Under 17 Women's African Nations is yours.

[Waffdon]

Ito should have fun throughout here against Barisic.

[Ian]

https://www.theguardian.com/football...tion-world-cup

Morgan will be leaving him voicemails asking him if he fancies a Part 3, presumably.

Would be funny if he was stripped of the captaincy but I assume he'll keep it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Maeda

Training ground set pieces

[Pepe]

Japan

[Shindig]

Japan have been right up for this.

[Ian]

Love to see it.

[Don]

If Maeda's xG regresses to the mean over the next four games then the world cup/golden boot double is on.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I thought the video grim reaper was going to come for that goal, like No Face out of a fucking wall.

Vamos.

[Waffdon]

Japan/South Korea QF here we go!

[Pepe]

Japan/South Korea QF here we go!

If only.

[Don]

The heavyweight of football punditry Jenas, Rio, Shearer and Williams claiming Croatia "look leggy" as if a midfield of Brozovic, Modric, Kovacic are going to play an intense pressing game. Fucking imbeciles.

[CJay]

Japan are a serious outfit. I think Brazil or South Korea would prefer the toothless Croats if they had the choice.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Rooting hard for the kim chi kids if Japan win. That would be a proper game. Brazil and their 1-0 ways can get to fuck.

[Waffdon]

Japan leading for the first time ever in a knock out game? They were literally 2-0 up at the last World Cup ffs

[Lofty]

Out of nowhere.

[Shindig]

Good header.

[Pepe]

Fuck off.

[niko_cee]

Croatia are such a weird team. They're a bit like England in that they can look absolute toilet for long periods, and then have everything click.

[Waffdon]

What a header that was

[Ben]

There are few things in football better than a banging header.

[Don]

Strange that because the leggy useless fucks who are nowhere near the team they were with Mandzukic seemed dead and buried. JJ said so.

[Don]

Is it Mitoma/Asano time yet or are they gonna toy with Croaitia a bit longer?

[Waffdon]

Croatia are such a weird team. They're a bit like England in that they can look absolute toilet for long periods, and then have everything click.

Modric is a prime per user. Probably shares his load at half time

[Pepe]

Come on Japan, don't bottle this.

[Waffdon]

Kovacic just looks unfit and has done all season. Definitely going for a surgery of some sort after this tournament

[Pepe]

Croatia will take this, won't they?

[Waffdon]

Have they reverted back to normal added time?

[Ben]

I get the feeling teams have stopped fucking around as much so maybe it's worked as intended?

[Adramelch]

This game didn't have much time-wasting if any.

Japan probably with a bit of a fitness edge over the aging Croatian squad, but I somewhat doubt it will amount to anything.