2018 appears to be the year of taking your potential seriously. Ivan Gazidis pulled his finger out and shook the club up. Belgium just dusted off their bottle job reputation, dishing out a f*cking amazing result against Brazil yesterday… KDB, Hazard and Lukaku showing the world they’re more than just Premier League good (whatever that means). Today, we might land another couple of big results. Croatia has never quite delivered on their talent, nor has England. Could they be about to set up an epic semi-final?
The boys of England might not bring it home, but win tomorrow and that’s job done from an expectations perspective. Anything after that is bonus money. Sweden will be dangerous, they’ve nothing to lose, they’re massively overachieving as it is. I absolutely love that they’re doing this without Zlatan making it all about himself. A fantastic achievement, showing that you can be more than the sum of your parts if you have a perfectly baked plan and a lot of luck.
Another person who can’t help but be pleased with the state of the World Cup is Pochettino. He can’t find success with Spurs, but he’s doing a mighty fine job showing the world he’s a very capable coach. There’s going to be a few of his explayers rocking the semis if things go to plan tomorrow. Really can’t wait for him to leave Spurs in the lurch at the end of next season with a move to Bayern or United. I mean, I hope Bayern or someone that’s not in the Premier League.
In Arsenal news, DAVID ORNSTEIN SAID TORREIRA IS COMING HOME.
Yes he did.
He reckons Arsenal is going to sort out the deal for the DM ASAP, and that will likely wrap up our summer (+ maybe a kid of note)
You can’t really complain, can you?
I mean, maybe you could if the players were going to work under Wenger. I’m not sure we’ve quite hit the elite levels we’ve been dreaming of name wise, but look, we’ve certainly made significant strides over the last 6 months to address the lack of experience, the substandard attitude, and some of the quality issues.
I think it’ll be a tough start, but after the team gels and the manager starts to transmit his ideas, you’ll have a side that’ll be pressing like demons, you’ll have a group that are drilled in the basics like set pieces, playing out the back and even super basics like throw-ins. Hopefully, the attitude will start to shift as players are pushed into taking more accountability. Then you’d have to think we’ll see a very specific vision and style rise from the Wenger ashes.
Again, you really have to remember that huge change doesn’t come without teething problems. If we get off to a bad start, it might go beyond merely teething with people raising crisis flags very early on. Remember, Arsene was an institution. There will be fans ready to cut the new manager at the first sign of trouble, there will be certain members of the press who aren’t getting the same insider info they were in the past who might hold a grudge against the new regime, and there could even be a backlash from the players if they don’t like double sessions and 13 hours of video analysis.
… but I’ll never budge from the view that this move is exactly what the club needed. Progress doesn’t come without bruises and a couple of broken bones.
… and if you think I’m going to read into the above, you are very fucking wrong.
There’s no way a player like Hector; who could explain away the Celtic tribalism references of an Alexander McQueen hairband, would ever think to make a statement in a tweet.
No way.
Anyway, good to read that he’s learning. I hope all of them are. Carlo Ancelotti said in his book, players want to know if you’re going to make them rich, or if you’re going to make them better players. Hopefully, Emery is going to take care of the latter. I sense a big year for Hector, who should grow into one of the best right backs in Europe if he buckles down.
Right, I’m off out for an early one. I detest drinking from 10am, but when a World Cup quarter-final comes along, you have to do it.
See you on the other side, but before you go, listen to the damn podcast. We have Ash, who used to broadcast for Radio 5 Live.
x
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To be fair, England have been extremely fortunate. – An easy group with the only hard game played last. -Through on penalties against Colombia who’s best player was injured. – A walk in the park quarter final against a Sweden side who were like an effeminate Stoke city. -A forthcoming semi final against (probably) croatia which England could definitely win and which could have been so much harder. Also, let’s be honest England play pretty dreary football. Its like beans on toast. Despite this, and the weird, slightly dirty feeling I get when I’m cheering on harry kane, Who cares?… Read more »
Tits
Your comments are bit rabid, don’t you think?
Why did you single out the USA for abuse when most American fans are favorable to a good England run?
You’re just spewing blather.
I was the one here espousing the same position you just’ve put up.
Belgium is probably the best and most experienced team left in the competition.
It’s east to forget that they reached the semifinal in 2014 with the same squad.
That experience will come in handy but the best team does not alway win.
Alex
Southgate engineered the Colombia match going to pens so his team could get their hoodoo out the way early
QF Dissenter, they lost to Argentina 1-0.
Lively start.
Wenger eagle
“QF Dissenter, they lost to Argentina 1-0.”
Thanks man. I got that bit wrong.
Your general point was on the money though.
More experience and veterans to call in than France. Which will count for something in a tight encounter.
Just paid £19.66 for some groceries.
Is that an omen?
Haha, who cares if England get no further, they’ve done fantastically well to get as far as they have, but writing any team off at this stage is stupid. They may not be the prettiest team to watch but who cares if it’s getting results, they are playing to their strengths and doing it well.
Oh my lord. Davai Russia!
Tren-is Cheryshev with a peach!
What a goal
Russia been far more impressive than Sweden and England were in the earlier match
Beauty from Russia
Fantastic goal. One of the goals of the tournament. Holy moly!
It’s going to be Putin versus May!
And Russia are 1-0 up…………
People been talking about Golovin but Cheryshev with 4 goals is shaping up as Russia’s leader. What a play.
Pretty football?
Fudge, I just want winning football.
Salt, salt everywhere. Because the Scots and the Irish have too much time on their hands.
You cheer on the Russians in the semis you pathetic fucks
There’s a bit of brittleness with Croatia.
England vs Russia will be a politically charged affair that may bring out the worst in Russian fans.
The nasty genie may rear it’s ugly head out again.
Lol on the sauce are we Cesc?
Michael24
Fudge, I just want winning football
So do I.
To be frank this WC has been marred by too many players rolling around to gain the advantage.
But what counts is the win.
And 1-1 to Croatia.
That’s what you call an assist.
Good cross to the only single Croat in the midst of 4our Ruskies.
What a top notch cross lol This game is much more exciting than the borefest earlier.
That’s a yellow card, right.
Off the ground with both feet.
Russians playing well again, amazing what huge support can do for their team, (or a suitcase of syringes and blood bags)…..oops spoke too soon
Denisk
Shhht. Or the FSB will suicide you.
WE
I’ve had a few. But I get sick of the shit England get that no other teams does.
Fuck off. We’re enjoying our win we’re in a semi final while the people bitching never got on a plane.
Anything England do now is a bonus.
Fuck off anyway being negative or saying yeah but if they’d played. Here’s the facts, England semi final, everyone else at home.
Boo hoo, fuck you.
lol CA
Footballing patriotism is driving some pleasant fellows literally crazy.
It’s good to see the combative side of Cesc and Tits.
I’ll happily stay fucked and watch from the side lines since I’ve got no dog in the fight.
England have done brilliantly, bright future for us.
Salt is just flavouring
CA
With you, no salt or animosity from this Irishman.
England have already exceeded expectations and for that they’re to be applauded. Achieved more than the golden gen did in their career at this WC alone, even with fortunate favouring them at times.
I’m not going to lie to you and pretend that I’ll be roaring on England in the SF but I’m genuinely neutral, only hate the English media.
May the best team win as far as I am concerned.
WE
That’s because you’re a gentlemen.
I would have been happy with a quarter final. But I just want to see us giving it a go now, Croatia or Russia.
Must feel weird cheering on the Spud core and Sterling though… 😉
Interesting 2nd half ahead.
Croatia clearly the more talented team but their mental fragility is there for all to see.
Longer it stays 1-1 the more you fancy Russia to pull off the upset late on.
Forget about it’s coming home..
It’s staying home..in Russia !
End to End footy between Croatia Vs Russia,very entertaining and interesting,first 30 minutes better than all England matches so far,I see England going out on a whimper when faced with anyone of them
Loved it when Larsson kicked Kane down.
Once a gooner…….
Dzyuba makes so much difference for the Russians,Knits their play together and just makes them tick
Freaking hell. What a bad luck. That’s what I mean when I say luck has a big part in this sport. It so frustrating at times.
Victoria
Shame your Super Eagles turned into Dodos
Will Croatia rue this miss?
Fuck off anyway being negative or saying yeah but if they’d played. Here’s the facts, England semi final, everyone else at home.Boo hoo, fuck you.
Brilliant…is it coming home though Cesc
Croatia is beginning to show their class. They are winning the individual battles all over the pitch.
Until they have a hurling World Cup it won’t be any where near your home.
Uruguayan Chihuahua
Sometimes its just thinking out aloud. Not everything we write is a nugget of supernatural insight.
Big miss by the Russians. Exciting game.
Marko
You don’t seem to get it …. it’s called belief. Yeah the media are overhyping it (as usual) but as it should be for any WC semi finalist: we are allowed to dream.
Until they have a hurling World Cup it won’t be any where near your home.
Still probably find a way to fuck it up
Marko
You lot can call the hurling or Gaelic football county championships – “the World Series”
That way you can be world champions every single year.
Marko that made me laugh,fair play. No Englishman thinks it’s coming home,but fuck it’s close enough to just let yourself think it might,just might,with a hell of a lot of luck.
Stranger things have happened in football…like the Danish players being roused from their summer vacations to win the Euros in 1992.
I would think every team that gets to the semi-finals has every chance of winning it. It’s just 180 mins of footie left.
I understand why chronically cynical and victory-malnourished English fans may be afraid to dream.
The Croatian goalie’s hamstrings are gone and they cannot replace him until ET.
Who said there isn’t luck [or bad-luck] in sports?
Russia has to test him before ET.
Marko
You are so bitter with the fact that it may be coming…… I am not going to say it now as I did not want to jinx it with my mate earlier on. But I’ll tell you something, if it did, we would be one helluva happy country (with a huge shortage of beer).
You lot can call the hurling or Gaelic football county championships – “the World Series”
That way you can be world champions every single year
Nah sounds a bit pathetic doesn’t it. I mean I love the Philadelphia Eagles but they’re no more world champions than say the Golden State Warriors or whoever the fuck wins the world series. Leave it to the Americans to have an exclusive competition for America but claim it as a world championship
This is going to extra time, and possibly to pens.
Marko
Yea.
American grand-grandiosity at it’s best.
Here comes County Kerry, the champions of the world in Hurling.
Marko
.Lol I’ll give you that. I can’t stand that they call their comps world series (or whatever). I guess it is all down to arrogance (c.f.. one poster that was supposed to have exiled themself from here).
Where’s all the Croatia fan boys. This is more boring than the England game. Croatia were terrible in their last game too.
Corluka still plays footie
Oh and congrats England, such functionality
Croatia 1-2 up. Their political rep. cheering in the face of Medvedev. Lol!!
Croatia would have played ET in their last two games by the time they play England on Wednesday.
Those small margins make a difference.
Russia lost the game the moment they took Dzyuba off
literally just handed Croatia the initiative,Golovin should have made way, he’s been awful,coach has let his team down,what a clown
Wonderful game fo football
Thanks Russian for hosting a good competition and showing up
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??????????
Onto the pens it seems! 2-2
yes russia
Deserved!!great header by Fernandez
The Croatian prime minister is such a charming lady.
Celebrates like a proper fan when they score and is quick to shake Medvedev’s hands when they conceded.
Really want Russia to go through at this stage,very hardworking team with a strong mentality
What a World Cup. Fantastic.
Come on Russia
Really rooting for Russia now, been the better side and have shown great spirit.
Lol Smolov pathetic.
Awful pen
Have to say that’s a great save. Right in the corner probably not hit hard enough but still. Awful pen from Fernandez
Just saw Russian Danny Boyle
Russia are crap on pens….
Uruguayan Chihuahua
It”s good to know that you’re hanging unto every one of my posts. I’m really glad they are infuriating you.
You must think that your posts are irradiating profound knowledge.
Idiota.
Tame penalties from Russians
Great credit to Russia they’ve had a helluva tournament
Croatia has quailed by the skin of there teeth twice in a row.
They can’t be favorites against England, advantage England
Especially with the Croats playing 120mins twice in a row.
And we are up against Croatia in the semis.
*qualified
Terrible first penalty from Smolov, with absolutely no conviction. Put his team in trouble from the start. If you’re unsure just leather it down the middle.
Sad for the Russians but they’ve done themselves proud, took Croatia to the wire and knocked out Spain.
Glad Croatia won because they’ll give England a better match on Wednesday.
“Uruguayan Pitbull” writes in a very similar way to Aubergine
Aubergine/Uruguayan Chihuahua
Welcome back under your 991st moniker.
Glad to know you’ve stopped crying after your last ban.
The guy took the first penalty for Russia should be strung up from a lamp-post.
Croatia are no push over especially as they’ve now reached a semi-final. Having said that, if we keep to the plan and if Southgate adjusts the side a little we should be confident of getting to the final.
France and Belgium are beatable on the day, but who can tell in a final. We need very much to get a hold of the next game early.
Please, no more Sterling.
Wenger Eagle
“Glad Croatia won because they’ll give England a better match on Wednesday.”
Footballing wise, yes
However the Russia vs England game would have been a broadcaster’s nirvana
Got to feel for Russia!!! they’ve been a wonderful host and also gave a good account of themselves
Croatia becoming PK specialist,hope if it resorts to that they they keep it going when they face England next
Belgium to edge past France and wipe the floor with whoever they meet from England Vs Croatia
How do you manage to support the Arsenal of the ENGLISH premier league,you xenophobic twat
AN
Please, no more Sterling.
Agreed. He may be pushing forward but he ain’t scoring goals. Rashford would be more effective. (Although I wish Chambo was there….).
I said England won’t lose to Colombia nor Sweden.
They won’t lose to Croatia.
UTarse
🙂
C’MON ENGLAND!!!!!
Croatia going through will be tougher but better for England. Had Russia gone through, I would imagine most of the England squad would be mentally in the final. Croatia are a hard as nail outfit.
They will force England to raise their game… which will hopefully carry them to the final.
I know he didn’t score but Sterling played well today… pulling defenders out of position so that his teammates could do the necessary damage… proving once again, football is a team game.
*nails