[Bluekent]

Misnomer, on 12 July 2018 - 08:32 PM, said:

Sorry, where did I say it wasn't acceptable?

This line says a lot really.....I think everyone believed we'd get out of the group. That leaves three games...is that where we far exceeded, winning two extra games against inferior opposition and losing one? OK..
Inferior as well 🤣🤣🤣 how do you see us as average but still call Colombia and Sweden inferior?

[Misnomer]

Bluekent, on 12 July 2018 - 08:40 PM, said:

This line says a lot really.....I think everyone believed we'd get out of the group. That leaves three games...is that where we far exceeded, winning two extra games against inferior opposition and losing one? OK..
Inferior as well 🤣🤣🤣 how do you see us as average but still call Colombia and Sweden inferior?

I use the FIFA ranking system, you?

Anyway.....you didn't answer my question: where did I say it wasn't acceptable??????

This post has been edited by Misnomer: 12 July 2018 - 08:44 PM

[Goku]

Misnomer, on 12 July 2018 - 08:43 PM, said:

I use the FIFA ranking system, you?

Is that still as flawed as it was years ago? Wasn't worth the paper it was written on not long ago.

[Bluekent]

Misnomer, on 12 July 2018 - 08:43 PM, said:

I use the FIFA ranking system, you?

Well Tunisia were 1 place below us before the World Cup and you’ve slammed our 2-1 win against them soooo....

[Misnomer]

Goku, on 12 July 2018 - 08:45 PM, said:

Is that still as flawed as it was years ago? Wasn't worth the paper it was written on not long ago.

OK....what do we use for comparison?

Bluekent, on 12 July 2018 - 08:49 PM, said:

Well Tunisia were 1 place below us before the World Cup and you’ve slammed our 2-1 win against them soooo....

Sooooo....answer my question: where did I say it was unacceptable???

[Bluekent]

Misnomer, on 12 July 2018 - 08:52 PM, said:

OK....what do we use for comparison?



Sooooo....answer my question: where did I say it was unacceptable???

Soooo Colombia are only 2 places below us as well.

[Misnomer]

Bluekent, on 12 July 2018 - 08:54 PM, said:

Soooo Colombia are only 2 places below us as well.

Sooooo, that makes both teams inferior lol 😁

[Goku]

Misnomer, on 12 July 2018 - 08:52 PM, said:

OK....what do we use for comparison?

A combination of the team's players, their managers and recent results... or anything other than the FIFA rankings, really.

[tedspireite]

calvin plummers socks, on 12 July 2018 - 08:26 PM, said:

The rubbish on here!
Armchair experts ridiculing a World Cup semi final team and manger!

What a time to be alive

I think some on here would moan and ridicule even if we would have won the darn thing .

[60s 70s Spireite]

Goku, on 12 July 2018 - 09:27 PM, said:

A combination of the team's players, their managers and recent results... or anything other than the FIFA rankings, really.

To be overhauled (at last) https://www.telegrap...alised-england/

[Doughnut]

Well if we're average or rubbish, maybe our FIFA world ranking of 12 flatters us.

That being the case, reaching the last 16 of the World Cup would be par. Reaching the last 8 would be overachieving. Reaching the last 4 would be really overachieving. Surely we should celebrate our over-achievement as opposed to whining about the fact we beat teams that are worse than us?

If we really are bang average then surely nobody should complain at losing to Belgium, ranked 3.
Sweden, ranked 24th (so they're worse than Tunisia) finished higher than Mexico (15th) and Germany (1st). Maybe they're not so bad after all or maybe Germany and Mexico are pure crap. If its the former, possibly beating Sweden wasn't a bad result?

But then do we trust the ranking system? Switzerland 6th, Poland 8th, Spain, 10th, Wales 18th, Italy 19th, Croatia 20th.

On a separate note I do find it a little strange people use good saves made by our goalkeeper in a negative way. I could kind of see the point if he made 10 or so outstanding saves in one game, but one or two in 90 mins. That's what the goalkeeper is there for! I suppose we're lucky that our striker scored a goal or two, or is that what he's there for?

I really don't get some people. You'd think people would be pleased we'd got to the semi finals of the World Cup. Its a great achievement for a bang average side. I think we've done well and I don't hear anyone claiming we're world class. I guess some people don't want to be happy and will look for a reason not to be.

[Blue roan lily]

Doughnut, on 12 July 2018 - 09:38 PM, said:

Well if we're average or rubbish, maybe our FIFA world ranking of 12 flatters us.

That being the case, reaching the last 16 of the World Cup would be par. Reaching the last 8 would be overachieving. Reaching the last 4 would be really overachieving. Surely we should celebrate our over-achievement as opposed to whining about the fact we beat teams that are worse than us?

If we really are bang average then surely nobody should complain at losing to Belgium, ranked 3.
Sweden, ranked 24th (so they're worse than Tunisia) finished higher than Mexico (15th) and Germany (1st). Maybe they're not so bad after all or maybe Germany and Mexico are pure crap. If its the former, possibly beating Sweden wasn't a bad result?

But then do we trust the ranking system? Switzerland 6th, Poland 8th, Spain, 10th, Wales 18th, Italy 19th, Croatia 20th.

On a separate note I do find it a little strange people use good saves made by our goalkeeper in a negative way. I could kind of see the point if he made 10 or so outstanding saves in one game, but one or two in 90 mins. That's what the goalkeeper is there for! I suppose we're lucky that our striker scored a goal or two, or is that what he's there for?

I really don't get some people. You'd think people would be pleased we'd got to the semi finals of the World Cup. Its a great achievement for a bang average side. I think we've done well and I don't hear anyone claiming we're world class. I guess some people don't want to be happy and will look for a reason not to be.

Great post Doughnut

[Goku]

Doughnut, on 12 July 2018 - 09:38 PM, said:

Well if we're average or rubbish, maybe our FIFA world ranking of 12 flatters us.

That being the case, reaching the last 16 of the World Cup would be par. Reaching the last 8 would be overachieving. Reaching the last 4 would be really overachieving. Surely we should celebrate our over-achievement as opposed to whining about the fact we beat teams that are worse than us?

If we really are bang average then surely nobody should complain at losing to Belgium, ranked 3.
Sweden, ranked 24th (so they're worse than Tunisia) finished higher than Mexico (15th) and Germany (1st). Maybe they're not so bad after all or maybe Germany and Mexico are pure crap. If its the former, possibly beating Sweden wasn't a bad result?

But then do we trust the ranking system? Switzerland 6th, Poland 8th, Spain, 10th, Wales 18th, Italy 19th, Croatia 20th.

On a separate note I do find it a little strange people use good saves made by our goalkeeper in a negative way. I could kind of see the point if he made 10 or so outstanding saves in one game, but one or two in 90 mins. That's what the goalkeeper is there for! I suppose we're lucky that our striker scored a goal or two, or is that what he's there for?

I really don't get some people. You'd think people would be pleased we'd got to the semi finals of the World Cup. Its a great achievement for a bang average side. I think we've done well and I don't hear anyone claiming we're world class. I guess some people don't want to be happy and will look for a reason not to be.

well said that man. we had the youngest squad at the WC and we made the semi. happy days

[Westbars Spireite]

Doughnut, on 12 July 2018 - 09:38 PM, said:

Well if we're average or rubbish, maybe our FIFA world ranking of 12 flatters us.

That being the case, reaching the last 16 of the World Cup would be par. Reaching the last 8 would be overachieving. Reaching the last 4 would be really overachieving. Surely we should celebrate our over-achievement as opposed to whining about the fact we beat teams that are worse than us?

If we really are bang average then surely nobody should complain at losing to Belgium, ranked 3.
Sweden, ranked 24th (so they're worse than Tunisia) finished higher than Mexico (15th) and Germany (1st). Maybe they're not so bad after all or maybe Germany and Mexico are pure crap. If its the former, possibly beating Sweden wasn't a bad result?

But then do we trust the ranking system? Switzerland 6th, Poland 8th, Spain, 10th, Wales 18th, Italy 19th, Croatia 20th.

On a separate note I do find it a little strange people use good saves made by our goalkeeper in a negative way. I could kind of see the point if he made 10 or so outstanding saves in one game, but one or two in 90 mins. That's what the goalkeeper is there for! I suppose we're lucky that our striker scored a goal or two, or is that what he's there for?

I really don't get some people. You'd think people would be pleased we'd got to the semi finals of the World Cup. Its a great achievement for a bang average side. I think we've done well and I don't hear anyone claiming we're world class. I guess some people don't want to be happy and will look for a reason not to be.

Good post.

[Bluekent]

Doughnut, on 12 July 2018 - 09:38 PM, said:

Well if we're average or rubbish, maybe our FIFA world ranking of 12 flatters us.

That being the case, reaching the last 16 of the World Cup would be par. Reaching the last 8 would be overachieving. Reaching the last 4 would be really overachieving. Surely we should celebrate our over-achievement as opposed to whining about the fact we beat teams that are worse than us?

If we really are bang average then surely nobody should complain at losing to Belgium, ranked 3.
Sweden, ranked 24th (so they're worse than Tunisia) finished higher than Mexico (15th) and Germany (1st). Maybe they're not so bad after all or maybe Germany and Mexico are pure crap. If its the former, possibly beating Sweden wasn't a bad result?

But then do we trust the ranking system? Switzerland 6th, Poland 8th, Spain, 10th, Wales 18th, Italy 19th, Croatia 20th.

On a separate note I do find it a little strange people use good saves made by our goalkeeper in a negative way. I could kind of see the point if he made 10 or so outstanding saves in one game, but one or two in 90 mins. That's what the goalkeeper is there for! I suppose we're lucky that our striker scored a goal or two, or is that what he's there for?

I really don't get some people. You'd think people would be pleased we'd got to the semi finals of the World Cup. Its a great achievement for a bang average side. I think we've done well and I don't hear anyone claiming we're world class. I guess some people don't want to be happy and will look for a reason not to be.

Cracking post.

[Misnomer]

Doughnut, on 12 July 2018 - 09:38 PM, said:

Well if we're average or rubbish, maybe our FIFA world ranking of 12 flatters us.

That being the case, reaching the last 16 of the World Cup would be par. Reaching the last 8 would be overachieving. Reaching the last 4 would be really overachieving. Surely we should celebrate our over-achievement as opposed to whining about the fact we beat teams that are worse than us?

If we really are bang average then surely nobody should complain at losing to Belgium, ranked 3.
Sweden, ranked 24th (so they're worse than Tunisia) finished higher than Mexico (15th) and Germany (1st). Maybe they're not so bad after all or maybe Germany and Mexico are pure crap. If its the former, possibly beating Sweden wasn't a bad result?

But then do we trust the ranking system? Switzerland 6th, Poland 8th, Spain, 10th, Wales 18th, Italy 19th, Croatia 20th.

On a separate note I do find it a little strange people use good saves made by our goalkeeper in a negative way. I could kind of see the point if he made 10 or so outstanding saves in one game, but one or two in 90 mins. That's what the goalkeeper is there for! I suppose we're lucky that our striker scored a goal or two, or is that what he's there for?

I really don't get some people. You'd think people would be pleased we'd got to the semi finals of the World Cup. Its a great achievement for a bang average side. I think we've done well and I don't hear anyone claiming we're world class. I guess some people don't want to be happy and will look for a reason not to be.

Who wasn't pleased? Who wasn't happy?
Who's wining?

Easy to trot out such suggestive remarks, whilst being completely untrue. Stating facts isn't wining, it's called stating facts.

Do you think we had an easy route to the semi final or not?

Do you think we played anyone of any significance other than Croatia?

Fifa rankings aside:

Panama
Tunisia
Colombia
Sweden

Do you think these teams are good?

Did Southgate ever have a plan b? Does he have the tactical nouse to change the game when needed? I don't think so...in fact, he made us weaker with the changes he made against Croatia, IMO of course, don't want to intentionally upset anyone.

Young side excuse: they all play in the premier league and have years of experience in kicking a ball. Man United youngsters won numerous trophies. Or, is it somehow acceptable to say it's different at international level?

Good saves in a negative way lol ffs how utterly ridiculous. You have a great knack of twisting things to support your own views.

Mate, it's about opinions. I'm more than happy and pleased we got to the semi finals...I've been waiting for this since 1990, when I was in my late teens.

Getting to a semi final is great, but I choose to put it into perspective (because, I'm an old, unhappy, wining, depressed, middle aged man) in terms of who we played and how we played to get there, not the mere fact we got there.

Is Chris Waddle also wining? Probably one of our best ex international players who offers excellent analysis on BBC five live. He is also displeased and unhappy?

As I've said too many times already: the DNA blueprint looks promising; the proof of it's successful implementation will be witnessed at the next two tournaments. Do I hope we go far, of course I do.

Some folks have very short memories, especially those who lauded the dog shít signings made by Saunders and Caldwell...that worked out well. It's also funny how the same people criticised the last few Town managers, including Cookie, for not having a plan b....

This post has been edited by Misnomer: 13 July 2018 - 08:58 AM

[calvin plummers socks]

Misnomer, on 13 July 2018 - 08:34 AM, said:

Who wasn't pleased? Who wasn't happy?
Who's wining?

Easy to trot out such suggestive remarks, whilst being completely untrue. Stating facts isn't wining, it's called stating facts.

Do you think we had an easy route to the semi final or not?

Do you think we played anyone of any significance other than Croatia?

Fifa rankings aside:

Panama
Tunisia
Colombia
Sweden

Do you think these teams are good?

Did Southgate ever have a plan b? Does he have the tactical nouse to change the game when needed? I don't think so...in fact, he made us weaker with the changes he made against Croatia, IMO of course, don't want to intentionally upset anyone.

Young side excuse: they all play in the premier league and have years of experience in kicking a ball. Man United youngsters won numerous trophies. Or, is it somehow acceptable to say it's different at international level?

Good saves in a negative way lol ffs how utterly ridiculous. You have a great knack of twisting things to support your own views.

Mate, it's about opinions. I'm more than happy and pleased we got to the semi finals...I've been waiting for this since 1990, when I was in my late teens.

Getting to a semi final is great, but I choose to put it into perspective (because, I'm an old, unhappy, wining, depressed, middle aged man) in terms of who we played and how we played to get there, not the mere fact we got there.

Is Chris Waddle also wining? Probably one of our best ex international players who offers excellent analysis on BBC five live. He is also displeased and unhappy?

As I've said too many times already: the DNA blueprint looks promising; the proof of it's successful implementation will be witnessed at the next two tournaments. Do I hope we go far, of course I do.

Some folks have very short memories, especially those who lauded the dog shít signings made by Saunders and Caldwell...that worked out well. It's also funny how the same people criticised the last few Town managers, including Cookie, for not having a plan b....

I'd personally file Waddle in the same drawer as Dean saunders

[Siberian Spireite]

If we really were a 'bang average' international side then we'd be ranked 106th, instead of Madagascar.

[Mr Mercury]

Siberian Spireite, on 13 July 2018 - 01:44 PM, said:

If we really were a 'bang average' international side then we'd be ranked 106th, instead of Madagascar.

In the terms of being "bang average" I'd imagine Madagascar fall way short of that description.

[Doughnut]

Misnomer, on 13 July 2018 - 08:34 AM, said:

Who wasn't pleased? Who wasn't happy?
Who's wining?

Easy to trot out such suggestive remarks, whilst being completely untrue. Stating facts isn't wining, it's called stating facts.

Do you think we had an easy route to the semi final or not?

Do you think we played anyone of any significance other than Croatia?

Fifa rankings aside:

Panama
Tunisia
Colombia
Sweden

Do you think these teams are good?

Did Southgate ever have a plan b? Does he have the tactical nouse to change the game when needed? I don't think so...in fact, he made us weaker with the changes he made against Croatia, IMO of course, don't want to intentionally upset anyone.

Young side excuse: they all play in the premier league and have years of experience in kicking a ball. Man United youngsters won numerous trophies. Or, is it somehow acceptable to say it's different at international level?

Good saves in a negative way lol ffs how utterly ridiculous. You have a great knack of twisting things to support your own views.

Mate, it's about opinions. I'm more than happy and pleased we got to the semi finals...I've been waiting for this since 1990, when I was in my late teens.

Getting to a semi final is great, but I choose to put it into perspective (because, I'm an old, unhappy, wining, depressed, middle aged man) in terms of who we played and how we played to get there, not the mere fact we got there.

Is Chris Waddle also wining? Probably one of our best ex international players who offers excellent analysis on BBC five live. He is also displeased and unhappy?

As I've said too many times already: the DNA blueprint looks promising; the proof of it's successful implementation will be witnessed at the next two tournaments. Do I hope we go far, of course I do.

Some folks have very short memories, especially those who lauded the dog shít signings made by Saunders and Caldwell...that worked out well. It's also funny how the same people criticised the last few Town managers, including Cookie, for not having a plan b....

Firstly, don't feel personally attacked by my post. My comments are based on a number of posts I've seen over a number of threads. Indeed on another thread I've stated I'm surprised at what appear in many ways a negative view of England's achievements. So, I'm not suggesting 'you' are not happy but I am surprised how many posters seem to be focusing on the negative (without referencing any positives) of what I believe was a good achievement by an inexperienced international team. By inexperienced I mean a group of young players who haven't been playing alongside each other for a long time, and playing a system that we hadn't tried and tested extensively. It is all about opinions, you're right and we're dealing with opinions based, not on fact, but on subjective matter - eg are Sweden a good side. My opinion is we did well. We didn't have the hardest route to the semi finals but, that's not our fault, and I'm not going to use that as a stick with which to beat the team. In terms of perspective we got to the final four, but I still wouldn't class us as in the top 10 teams, but then that, to me, backs up the opinion we did well and overacheived.

'Unconvincingly beat a Swedish team that turned up with ten minutes remaining, and Pickford made two crucial saves...'

The line above is taken from your post. I disagree in that I think we did beat them fairly convincingly (of course that is not fact that's opinion). We didn't 'destroy them' but I thought we were comfortably the better side with the exception of the end whereby, understandably they went for it and we had to defend. Regardless, your comment above occurred in what I interpret as a more negative overview list. Its understandable I therefore view your goalkeeping comments as made in the same negative way. Of course, apologies if I misinterpreted. Somebody else on a different thread also highlighted we were reliant on great saves by Pickford etc. Well, that is what the goalkeeper is there to do. I could understand criticism if he wasn't making saves and we were conceding a few, but when he makes saves somehow we're lucky because the goalkeeper is doing what he's employed to do!

As for Southgate, well I was disappointed he didn't change things earlier in the second half v Croatia as we resorted to the long ball and it wasn't working. Was this Southgate's direction or was it the players panicking? I really don't know to be honest so it would be wrong of me to point the finger. I don't believe Southgate is the panacea but I think he's done a good job with a team that I would assess as no better than 'good' and certainly has areas of weakness. Credit to him again for trying to mask these and play to strengths.

This post has been edited by Doughnut: 13 July 2018 - 02:43 PM