No sooner had I posted yesterday, than the announcement that Sokratis had landed as our brand spanking new defender.
What a day.
The 29-year-old has come in from Dortmund for £16m. He’ll bring leadership, fear, and prison yard bully-boy tactics to the dressing room. He’s so scary, he already has Aubameyang calling him Papa online. Total and utter dominance of other men is quite the skill.
I’d still quite like to see another young centre-back coming in. Someone with a touch more experience than Holding and Chambers. I’m not sure where the deal for Soyoncu has gone, but you’d imagine after the retirement of Per Mertesacker and the horrible injury of Koscielny, it’ll be something that’s top of mind.
I was also mulling over the new deals for Chambers and Xhaka. I know there’s a lot of love in the fanbase for both, but I’ve always been under the impression that they’re lacking in the pace department. Odd deals, but I guess you just have to trust in the new process.
The deal for Torreira has yet to happen, but I guess with Uraguay still firmly in the World Cup, it’ll be at least another week.
Mesut Ozil has finally picked up the number 10 of Jack Wilshere, which means he’s certainly playing an important role next season.
The other deal that’s still on the table is the Aaron Ramsey one. We’re pushing into ‘OH GOD NO PLEEEEASE SIGN DA TING’… you’d have to imagine there’s a deadline on this. No way we can let him head into the last year of his deal. According to rumour, he’s been rejecting deals like bad swipes on Tinder. As I mentioned before, his agent will be pushing for Ozil like money, because why not? He’s the best performer at the club. However, you can see it from the clubs perspective. You can’t level out that sort of money on a player who goes missing with injury… that said, you have Mesut who goes missing in big games and on random holidays when the going gets tough.
Tough times.
At least we know he’ll be floated out the back door if he doesn’t decide to stay on. We’re in a ruthless regime now. Though I do wonder what you do if he says he doesn’t want to leave? Do you threaten him with U23 football all year? That’d be mean. Let’s see where this goes, I don’t like the ‘he’s waiting to see what the squad looks like’ banter.
England is up a bit later this afternoon. We saw Belgium beat Japan after going 2-0 down. A lot of talk of Belgium being frauds, but the boys stepped up in the end and kept the flicker of the golden generation dream World Cup win alive. I love how the internet has rallied against people calling out Lukaku for lacking intelligence. It’s amusing to now watch it go the other way, people clamouring to be the first to congratulate him on intelligently passing the ball 3 yards into space. It was a lovely dummy for the final goal yesterday, but the genius post-rationalization commenatary is a bit much.
I also have to say, regardless of the ‘I need to be offended’ brigade online, the idea that it’s now a bit racist to comment on a player’s physical stature or attributes is next level. Sport, literally the one living in the world where being a genetic freak is exactly what lands you big dollars, is largely down to your power and pace. You think Per Mertesacker is making £90k a week if he’s 5ft5? You think Aaron Ramsey is anywhere near the Premier League without the engine he has?
I appreciate there are levels to this, and it’s certainly nuanced, but I think we lose our damn minds sometimes.
Right, England up in 4 hours, see you in the comments!
x
For me sweden is the favorite to go through to the semis. England has a very technically awerage midfield and attack. They arent particularly big n strong either. They are bound to have big problems breaking the swedish iron wall down bar a lucky accident. On the other hand the 343 formation is very vulnerable to counters down the flanks which is swedens specialty….
What exactly is different from before?”
No big named players apart from Kane.
Im afraid man marking by South American sides Panama & Columbia will make you react to a tackle they continued to leave something on every England player last night a win a all costs scenario. Yes the ref was weak a red might have calmed things down intimidating the ref right in his face last night should be addressed by FIFA and Columbia fined. Im an long term ARSENAL supporter but England come a close second i detect quite a bit of annimosity against England on here and i am wondering why perhaps it’s because the Chickens and the VOODOO… Read more »
We’ll beat Sweden, no doubt.
Sweden have very little quality in the team. Harry Kane is worth the same as the entire Sweden team combined.
That said Southgate needs to think about changing things up front, Raheem Sterling just hasnt shown up at this world cup.
Rambo Ramsey Ospina is what he is i.e. a “competent” second string goalkeeper and nothing more. He had a decent World Cup, but then there are a lot of other players in that Tournament who are frankly second stringers. Arsenal needed a new first string goalkeeper and hopefully Leno will fulfil that role. Cech is in his final season of contract and at 35 clearly at end of contract. It is well known that he wants to stay in London. So my guess he will be retained on books for one final year. Macey and Martinez will also be competing… Read more »
Reverting to the Sweden v Switzerland game it was shocking how both Phil Neville and Jenas “abused” Xhaka. Xhaka did not have a bad game. In general he passes the ball well. Occasionally he does make silly mistakes, but then so do many so-called “top players”. Xhaka was not remotely to blame for the Swiss goal. Forsberg was not close and changed direction away from Xhaka before shooting. Similarly statements made before the game about Xhaka’s poor disciplinary record is a distortion of truth. Last season this player did not receive a single red card or suspension. Xhaka is not… Read more »
ES You keep banging on about Arsenal needing to improve defensively. Now tell me if keep starting and playing a regista every week is going to be helpful in making Arsenal better defensively. How many teams in the EPL employ a regista? How many teams in this World Cup employ a regista? It is well known now that Xjaka has defensive weakness. Even in the Swiss set-up his weakness defensively can be evident. We even had the Swedes targeting him for mind games before the match the other day. They targeted him because they saw him as a weakness in… Read more »
Lots of negativity shown towards England on here.
Not surprised.
@raptora: If you can’t see changes you obviously haven’t been watching England these past twenty years.
Ishola 70
Back on the Xhakaritis saga I see.
For goodness sake, give it a rest.
“Defensive issues” were always relevant with Wenger in charge.
Xhaka or no Xhaka.
“Back on the Xhakaritis saga I see.”
It’s Xjaka Graham and he is a regista
He is not fit to be a footballer and FIFA should intervene to bar him from world football.
I just don’t get how you can talk about the same thing every single day without boring even yourself.
I was answering a post that was the subject of Xjaka.
I didn’t create out of nowhere the subject of Xjaka today. It was in answer to another post.
And I will continue to answer posts as I see fit that are seen as a defence of Xjaka.
If it bores you and you don’t like it then don’t read the post. It’s that simple.
Meanwhile I will continue to argue with posters who seek to defend him.
Another day, another Xhaka obsession.
Another day another Arsenal fan crying over criticism of a player.
Reverting to the Sweden v Switzerland game it was shocking how both Phil Neville and Jenas “abused” Xhaka.Xhaka did not have a bad game. In general he passes the ball well. Occasionally he does make silly mistakes, but then so do many so-called “top players”. First off he’s not a top player and secondly there’s honestly something wrong with you lot whether it’s Ramsey fanboys Ozil fanboys or Xhaka fanboys. They didn’t abuse Xhaka and it wasn’t shocking you’re a grown man ffs. They merely pointing out with evidence mistakes he made that were undisputable so not shocking or remotely… Read more »
Someone tell this man-child there’s a clear difference between criticism and obsession. Please, be kind enough to also remind him the sensible thing to do would be to wait and see how THE NEW COACH would set up the team.
Similarly statements made before the game about Xhaka’s poor disciplinary
record is a distortion of truth. Last season this player did not receive a single
red card or suspension.
Fair play to him he only got 13 yellow cards last season. Only has 8 red cards and 58 yellows in his career. What a distortion of truth. Try harder
I can’t remember the first poster who playfully spelt Xhaka as “Xjaka”; this maniac totally jumped on it like a butt plug.
La Colina de Nervion: #AFC and Juve are N’zonzi’s main suitors with the English club showing the strongest interest so far. The player wants to quit Sevilla at all cost and has handed in a transfer request already.
Chika You need to get over your irritation regarding the subject of Xjaka. I respond to posts like the ES one with points put forward that are clear cut and are part of debate. All I get in response is replies that show irritation that the subject is broached in the first place. No succinct replies. And that’s where it gets ugly. Arguing about whether we can keep reminding people that Xjaka is a weakness. You accuse of childisness. Maybe you should look at yourself for rsponding in the first place. You don’t like to be reminded that Xjaka is… Read more »
“La Colina de Nervion: The word coming from Sevilla is that they are open to let N’zonzi leave if and only if his €40m clause is paid. However, #AFC & the player’s camp are working on striking a deal below that valuation as the English club doesn’t seem ready to reach that figure”
Ishola
“You need to get over your irritation regarding the subject of Xjaka.”
LoL the irony….
Don’t responds to the posts Chika.
I have put forward in my response to ES post actually footballing debate.
What have you put forward?
Answer absolutely nothing.
You don’t like then ignore and move on.
“You don’t like to be reminded that Xjaka is a weakness? Fine then ignore and don’t respond.”
You don’t like to be reminded that you’re obsessed with Xhaka, sorry Xjaka? Fine then ignore and don’t respond.” You fucking man-child!
What a fvcking twat.
Crying in his milk because someone likes to remind that Xjaka is a weakness.
My response to ES was football debate on here.
The original post by ES was genuine football debate.
Then posters like you weigh in with worthless comment and argumentative narrative.
Congratulate yourself. Well done.
bla bla bla total maniac
For the Switzerland team and for Arsenal and while he was at Borrusia his name has always been Granit Xhaka . That is how it is written by his clubs and the player himself.
It’s one thing being obsessed with the apparent weakness of a particular player, just one in a squad of about 30, it’s another trying to show everyone you alone know how his name should be written.
What are you, an expert in the Albanian language ??
I like ospina, he’s a decent keeper. we should have told cech to retire instead of giving him the no. 1
And after the clash, BBC pundit Phil Neville hit out at Xhaka, stating: “For that goal, he is disgraceful. He went to the floor and let Forsberg go past him too easy. “He is probably sat in the dressing room thinking ‘I’ve had a good game today, I played a few sideways passes to my teammates. “One of the big problems with him, you have to be one or the other,” Jenas said. “If he wants to be a deep lying player and get on the ball, he needs to stick his foot in like Kante. “At the top end,… Read more »
“One of the big problems with him, you have to be one or the other,” Jenas said.“If he wants to be a deep lying player and get on the ball, he needs to stick his foot in like Kante.“At the top end, you need to create. He just floats around doing nothing.” —————————————– This is absolutely spot on, to be honest. I’ve always said he’s not defensive enough to play CDM and not good enough on the ball to go forward and influence play upfront. Looks like a fish out of water whenever he ventures past the halfway line. Add… Read more »
Absolutely agree with Phil Neville and Jenas, just like I agreed with Souness, Henry and Gary Neville last season. Xhaka is a nothing player. He cant defend, so he isnt a DM, and he has nothing going forward, so he isnt a quality CM. He is one of the least mobile players i’ve ever seen, has no pace and the turning circle of a truck. His shooting is terrible, 1 goal from about 65 shots last season. He has discipline problems, and makes more mistakes than any other midfielder in the PL. What I have never seen is ANYONE making… Read more »
“He is probably sat in the dressing room thinking ‘I’ve had a good game today, I played a few sideways passes to my teammates.”
Wengerized 😉
One game at a time… too early to think about the quarters. Need to deal with one game at a time and opportunities will present itself.
The World Cup throws up strange bedfellows.
I mean, if you were Colombian and you supported Arsenal you had a conscience free night last night… but for most of us in England it was odd cheering for so many Spurs players to do well against an Arsenal second keeper… especially when it went to pens…
Talk about a conflict of interest!
Jesus there are some right yappy c**ts in here. A young England team just held its nerve against a very experienced Columbian team and all we get in here is how average they are. Shame on you. They played against a terrible referee who buckled and allowed 2 penalty calls and a red card to go unanswered. They held their nerve through 120 minutes of being pushed, kicked, head butted and fouled with little support from officials, and held their nerve through a penalty shoot out. But some of you arse wipes can’t give the boys a teaspoon of credit.… Read more »
Most of the punditry on UK TV is just personal abuse
What Phil Neville said about Xhaka went too far when he started talking about him being “fake”.
Xhaka didn’t have a good game, neither did the other 10 Swiss players in the field.
Ishola70 The points I was making were not so much about Xhaka but rather the bile of Jenas and Phil Neville and in particular after the game. His comments were totally wrong and inappropriate particularly in the case of Forsberg goal. Xhaka was certainly not to blame for this goal and to call him a coward was ridiculous. I would suggest that whatever Xhaka’s failings cowardice is not one. My view of Xhaka is that he is a good but not outstanding player. He is certainly good enough to be included in our squad and in the right formation he… Read more »
“What I’m most happy about for Gareth is that he took a risk against Belgium,” he added. “He believed in this approach and sometimes when you have the right approach you don’t get the right results to go with it. “If we’d lost people would have said he was getting carried away and should have concentrated on momentum. “He made a bold decision, he made a risky decision and there was a sense of opinion from a lot of people saying it was the wrong decision. “It is now justified. He has a quarter-final against Sweden versus a quarter-final against… Read more »
What about this Turkish defender? Has this fallen through? We were heavily linked with him earlier in the summer. I wonder if Chamber’s new contract will mean he’s not coming in…
I agree. After the Panama game it was the same, England seem like the only country who aren’t allowed to enjoy a good result in football because ‘well you won’t win it’. So fucking what? We have a young team, a good not great team, no one expects us to win, we’ve made the quarter final for the first time in a long time, we won a fucking penalty shoot out for once, and we can enjoy it without all the salt of other supporters. No one is saying we’re as good as Brasil or France but fuck it, Sweden… Read more »
Xhaka has been neither good nor bad at Arsenal. He is absolutely average. That said, we have a new manager, new coaches and a new system. Every player should get a clean slate.
As for the media treatment of him – some is worthy, some is xenophobia. Neville or Jenas wouldn’t dare say such things about an English player.
Emiratesstroller
Have you ever considered that you may be significantly biased towards Arsenal players?
Jenas (ex-Spurs) and Phil Neville (ex-Man Utd) made a less than complementary comment about a present Arsenal player?
Never!?!
Their insights are dull and tinged with mediocrity.
I wouldn’t pay them anymore attention if I were you.
“As for the media treatment of him – some is worthy, some is xenophobia. Neville or Jenas wouldn’t dare say such things about an English player.”
Why arent they Xenophobic in the case of other overseas players?
Or is this the return of the famous Anti-Arsenal agenda, where the media, FA, UEFA & FIFA specifically only hate Arsenal players?
It is a good point, what does Xhaka actually do?
If we get N’Zonzi I can see him being dropped very quickly.
I wonder why Jenas and Neville failed to replicate their great football insights during their playing careers.
@ Gambon
What exactly was “disgraceful” and “fake” about Xhaka’s performance against Switzerland ?
Was Granit Xhaka the reason Switzerland lost to Sweden??
or is it cool to have a go and personally insult any Arsenal player you happen not to rate
Quotations I shared are from no one else but Garry Neville of course.
It is a good point, what does Xhaka actually do? Arsenal under Wenger made a 35m pound bid to sign Xhaka, he did not volunteer to play here nor get picked up at some Charity auction. He was perfectly happy at his former club playing a key role until Arsenal bid for him. Secondly it is not Xhaka’s fault that Arsenal fans somehow convinced themselves they were getting a midfield enforcer or are still under the delusion that we would have beaten Chelsea to the signing of Kante if we did not sign Xhaka. The current management just extended his… Read more »
Xhaka, whether one likes him or not is staying. Let’s see what Emery can do with him to bring the best out of him. This constant sniping of our players when they haven’t even kicked a competitive ball under the new manager seems unmerited. If it was up to me would Xhaka and Chambers stay? No… but the common factor in all of this is Wenger. He enveloped the whole club in a cloud of excuses and mediocrity. Wenger’s gone. Let’s see what Emery can do. If he can transform Xhaka and Chambers back to playing their best and to… Read more »
So just to back u my point, we have had 2-3 posters in the last 10 minutes rambling about Xhaka, but offering no insight as to why he is good enough for a top team*
*obviously as things stand we are no longer a top team, in large part due to the signing of massively substandard players in recent seasons, of which Xhaka is one.
Gambon “Have you ever considered that you may be significantly biased towards Arsenal players” Quite the contrary I think that I am realistic. There are players in our squad, which are not good enough and should be offloaded, whilst others are constantly pilloried without justification even when they play quite well. Arsenal had a dreadful season in 2017-8 and that was down to the Manager and the lack of leadership both on and off the field. We were totally rudderless. We have a new manager and I will judge the players and staff next season on what he and they… Read more »
Receding None of that matters in the slightest. I don’t care if Xhaka was happy where he was, I don’t care if some fans thought he was Kante. What is his actual use to Arsenal right now, what does he do? I’m not massively against Xhaka but I can see the point and I can agree without massive improvement he should be dropped. None of what you said has any worth at all. It’s not personal abuse to ask what Xhaka as a footballer does on a football pitch, insulting his intelligence or appearance would be personal and unwarranted abuse,… Read more »
Mr Insight you are yet to tell us what was “disgraceful” or “fake” in relation to Xhaka’s performance against Sweden in a game lacking in quality for the whole 90 minutes.
There have been many dire performances in this tournament, including some nothing performances from many in the England shirt. How many have been described as “fake’ or “disgraceful” by pundits ??
Last 3 players that the management was eager to extend their contracts are Ozil, Xhaka and Chambers. Kind of tells you the story that the shadow of Wenger will not leave Ashburton Grove in a quick snap. Add to that Cech getting the #1 shirt and you see the whole picture. Probably the first 4 players that I would have transferred out.
The pursuit of N’Zonzi is very interesting having extended Xhaka’s contract because you would think he is direct competition for Xhaka’s midfield position.
@ Cesc Appeal
So you agree he is “fake” and “disgraceful” then?
Pundits are paid to be melodramatic and controversial. Does this mean the football-istic reasons they gave for Xhaka criticism are false?
Perhaps the rose-tinted brigade should build a case against those arguments. But its impossible, hence the deflections.
Receding
I agree with the part about questioning what he offers on the football pitch and what he is on the football pitch, that’s why I said ‘it’s a good point’ and then expressly put that part of the conversation.
“We have a new manager and I will judge the players and staff next season on what he and they achieve.”
It kind of sounds like Wenger’s “Judge me in May” and we kind of already knew what’s coming our way.
In all honesty we’d be much better with new players in places of Ozil, Chambers and Xhaka. None of them will work for our team and denying it has the ooze of Wenger’s defenders vs Pedro/LeGrove in 2008-2018.
Gambon
Based on performance Switzerland were ranked 5th by FIFA and England 12th=
with Denmark.
Xhaka is rated the most valuable player by Transfermarkt in the Swiss National Squad. Indeed his valuation is double that of the next player in their squad.
So clearly there are people outside Arsenal supporters who do rate him.
Is that a good enough explanation?
Absolutely Xhaka was disgraceful against Sweden.
He literally did nothing. Put in one tackle in 90 mins as a central midfielder.
For the goal he was clearly at fault. Its not even a question of whether he was.
Forsberg gets the ball 25 yards out, Xhaka moves to close him down and utterly fucks up. As always hes clumsy, gets his feet wrong and looks like hes wading through treacle.
When the ball arrives theres only one man close enough to do something, and he completely messes up.
Thats why Neville thinks hes “fake” and “a disgrace”
Hes totally right.
@ Cesc Appeal Noted. I for one has never maintained that Xhaka is a top class player or offers really that much on the field , at least anyone who has watched him play can see that a lot of improvement is needed in various aspects of his game. Nzonzi is a far better footballer than Xhaka and offers a lot more so i can understand why he is being pursued. The contract extension is simply smart bit of business, he is 25 going to 26, we paid 35m for him, he would have had just a year left after… Read more »
The scenes here when Emery can’t turn our average squad into league challengers.
All the Ozil and Xhaka apologists are hoping for a magical system in which neither player needs to defend. It’ll end in tears.
Emiratesstroller
I dont know about good enough, but its certainly the worst explanation ive ever seen in my life.
You are not a very clever chap, thats for sure.
Xhaka is the most valuable Swiss player, therefore hes good enough to play CM for a top European team?
Emiratesstroller
Yeah and Ozil is probably the most valuable player in Arsenal’s squad, am I right?
The fvck does that prove? How many clubs were lining up to get this player when he was in a situation contractually?
Yeah there is definitely way too much “lets see what Emery can do” talk on here.
A football team is mainly a function of the combined quality of the players in that team.
Hes not going to provide Xhaka a magic potion that takes away his endless mistakes, makes him quicker and gives him the agility of a squirrel.
Gambon
Do me a favour you are being idiotic.
Only Phil Neville suggested that Xhaka was at fault for the goal scored by Sweden. He was not remotely at fault.
When you watch Xhaka’s performance for Switzerland in last two games he
was actually one of the best players on the pitch.
I would certainly judge him better than the England midfielders apart from
perhaps Lingard based on their overall performance in World Cup.
The problem with some posters on Le Grove is that it is fashionable to criticise
and play to the gallery.
Right on, gambon.
Receding I just like that now it should be a competitive environment where players have to perform. I like N’Zonzi and it sounds as if Emery and Sanllehi are going to try and get him in for a lower fee than his release clause. It also means Xhaka has to perform now because that is direct competition. As you say I like Maitland Niles as well and certainly he should get some game time this season. If we add Torreira and N’Zonzi our midfield goes from being crap to looking very strong suddenly. What I like most is Emery does… Read more »
Btw Manuel Akanji, the Swiss dude that the ball got deflected by, is 22 yo and got a transfer this January from FC Basel to Borussia Dortmund for 20m pounds.
“I just like that now it should be a competitive environment where players have to perform.”
@ Cesc Appeal
Competitive being the key word. Ozil plays like a whimp he gets dropped till his attitude improves. Xhaka lets people go past him due to poor positioning he does not start the next game, Bellerin sleeps off while players run in behind him at will he spends sometime warming the bench.
At least that is what we hope for
With the ‘new’ structure in place, the remit should be simple; dismantle Wenger’s squad of, by and large, average players and tread water until we can replace all the dross with quality additions. Takes 3 years for a club our size showing some ambition, tops.
Welbeck, Iwobi (probably), Ozil, Xhaka, Kos (unfortunately), one of Holding or Chambers, Kolasinac, Cech would all be out the door by Feb 1st if I had anything to do with it.
gambon
“Yeah there is definitely way too much “lets see what Emery can do” talk on here.”
Actually, that’s the sensible approach now.
The first preseason in 22 years without the dinosaur manager is just starting .
Emery rates Xhaka, let’s see what he has planned for him before we bring out the pitch forks.
“He literally did nothing.”
The Ozil way.
It was completely obvious within about ten minutes of watching him play two years ago that Xhaka had blatant obvious flaws that are completely independant of system or manager.
Always baffled me why people kept saying ‘there is a player in there’ despite these inherent flaws.
Most disappointing is his supposed strengths. Yet to see him playing a single pass that make me take notice and think he had some rough diamond type talent.
How do you respond to the suggestion that there’s too much “let’s see” going on here? With a “let’s see” statement, obviously. Classic.
Wenger allowed complacency and laziness to set in because, to him, it was more important to have players who were unquestioning and loyal (to him, not the club).
That’s why Alexis and RvP were let go because they wanted more from the club and wanted to win trophies and to compete for the title… and Wenger took it as a personal insult.
I’m so glad, it seems like under Emery, competition will not be a forgotten word.
http://www.marca.com/futbol/sevilla/2018/07/04/5b3c9d8a46163f41588b45c3.html
So he wants to stay at Sevilla ?? F*ck him…
Leedsgunner
I agree 100% with your last post.
Let us hope that Emery will introduce a different culture next season.
If he does I am sure that many of the players in our squad will react positively and hopefully we will see a marked improvement in performance.
Good post, Leeds.
I feel that the changes in managerial style and added discipline which Emery brings will make a huge difference. We will not discover precisely how much for a few months. But I start the new season with a sense of optimism that has been sadly lacking for at least 10 ye ars.
HighburyLegend
That says to me there might be some truth in the N’Zonzi rumours then, maybe not so much he’s happy to stay at Sevilla as Arsenal are not that interested anymore.
gambon-
my comment meant exactly what it stated – Neville and co. would never make a statement like that about English players. If I am wrong, there should be plenty of examples available online.
Emiratesstroller is an arsehole.
Criticises Ospina who is ten times better than the inept Xhaka he so keenly defends.
Sweden will beat this average England team. As usual the English fans are overestimating their teems worth. The Swedes are far to disciplined and stronger unit than England.
Looking forward to 17:00 on Saturday when the whining will start on here.
Not just Arsenal players either. Shaquiri got similar treatment from Neville and co.
Sweden will beat this average England team. As usual the English fans are overestimating their teems worth. The Swedes are far to disciplined and stronger unit than England.
And what will you say if England beat Sweden???
Those who think Xhaka has passing skills need to watch the Switzerland v Sweden game again..
It’s not a case of overestimating our worth, the draw just looks more favourable than it has done in the past so there is quiet (and in some cases overt) optimism
Wouldn’t care if they did Samesong as I support neither. been watching all the games in the WC so far and tbh there is no outstanding team there. But from what I have seen from England and Sweden there are more things that would worry me from England perspective than Sweden’s.
I feel the Swedes are simply a better unit and more organised. England would have some better individual players but you could see from an average Colombian side that they where rattled at times.
Technically the swedes are not bad either.
TT
50/50 I reckon.
Regardless Samesong I think it will be a cracker of a game and definitely not without drama and goals. What better for the pub when you are a neutral 🙂
We certainly need to play Rashford and Rose, take it straight to them. I’m not as worried as I was about Colombia but it is still a game that could easily go wrong if we don’t have the right attitude or bottle it.
Samesong You and a few others on here just don’t get it. Here in England we have to put up with – Potholes in the road. General traffic gridlock. PC gone mad. Garbage reality TV. The House of Commons. Leaders who don’t have a clue or give a toss. Post office queues. Automated banks. Coronation Street/Eastenders. A rip off culture. Local councils. The BBC. Extortionate Petrol prices/Insurance/Road tax. Bloody ignorant cyclists. Brexit and the remoaners. Lack of discipline and respect in schools. The weather………………………….etc…….etc So, any fudging win against any fudging team at this moment in time feels so so… Read more »
Kane must be the worst ever potential golden boot winner.
Three penalties two tap ins and one fake ‘goal’
Almost forgot –
“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”
Should have added Redtruth to the list.
Graham what dont I get sorry not with you at all?
Sorry, but Kane was brilliant last night.
Go Harry go!!
Graham
I’ve lived in UK all my life mate! less of the Dads army speech.
Graham62
You are a clown if you think Henderson didn’t dive when he was tàpped under his chin.
Here! Here! Graham old chap.spot on.were not like Johnny Foreigner! Still upper lip.so glad we beat those cheating scumbags last night.to do it by penalties was the maximum heartache for them.wonderful.& for all you chip on the shoulder” Brit haters”.hard cheese.haw ! Haw! Haw!