England aim to find the next level

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Screen Shot 2018-07-11 at 10.22.51 AM

The stage appears set. Olivier Giroud has guided France to a World Cup final, and now it’s up to England to the make the most of the huge opportunity they have today and make it a weekend to remember.

The France vs Belgium game wasn’t much to write home about yesterday, I think Rory Smith wrote that they the French have appeared to be excellent at doing just enough and not a lot else through this World Cup. Strangely pragmatic considering the breadth of talent they have at their disposal. Imagine the ball they’d be playing under Wenger?

I felt they had a fairly comfortable ride against Belgium. There aren’t many things that give me more joy in life than seeing Fellaini beaten in the air at the near post. I also liked seeing the ref wise as you like to the antics of Eden Hazard. Ultimately, no one bar England fans really wanted to see Belgium in the World Cup final. At least it’ll be a spectacle now.

The England game is so exciting. Croatia has undoubtedly been pedestrian in this World Cup so far. Were it not for a few moments of luck and magic, they’d be sitting out this game. Two penalty shootouts against Denmark and Russisa tells you that midfield hasn’t quite hit Barca/Madrid levels.

That said, England has had a fairly easy ride this whole tournament, and I do think there’s been a lot nonsense about identity and likeability. It’s clouded the reality that we really haven’t created a lot of chances. I read that Harry Kane has had to feed off about 9 chances, where strikers of more creative teams are boasting 20+ chances. That’s a really poor showing, but the press is so tuned into the fact Gareth Southgate is easy to deal with in press conferences, we’ve lost a bit of perspective.

I’m not saying I haven’t enjoyed the pragmatism. I’m not denying the fact you have to deal with the teams that are put in front of you, I do like the creative formation and the results it’s landed us. All I’m saying is you have to be prepared that today could be a very different prospect. Croatia on their day can put on a show, that they haven’t so far is a positive, but it shouldn’t lure fans into a false sense of IT’S COMING HOME security.

That said, having had Three Lions brain wormed into my head for the last 3 weeks, I am starting to believe something magic is about to happen. I’m actually booked on a shoot over the World Cup final. I mean, what England fan could realistically tell someone they couldn’t make Sunday because England might be in the final? It’s written in the stars I’ll be stuck in Oregon without a way of watching the game because that’s just the way the stars align for me.

There was a lot of purring about the French backline yesterday and how young they all are. I think I’m more about the England defenders. Pickford, Mcguire, Stones and Trippier are giving me life. All Northerners, possibly coal miners in another life, just making it happen from the back. They’ve been excellent this tournament, they’ve made themselves household names, and I think they alone deserve to see the next round. I really hope Harry Mcguire is the real deal. He’s been so solid at the back, and such a threat going forward. He looks like a classic thug defender from darkest recesses of a Stoke past, but he’s actually very classy on the ball, and probably one of our most creative players. Trippier has been immense as well, his final ball is something else and his composure is very impressive.

Raheem Sterling may have lacked a bit of end product this tournament, but he’s doing a selfless job creating space and opening up the game for everyone else. It’s a shame he hasn’t scored, but that could happen today. I think the press, bar a few gammon like folk, have taken more time to judge the game he’s been offering up. The foreign press has certainly been far more analytical in his offering.

Harry Kane is another player who has taken a hit to his game. He’s not getting the service he needs to be effective in open play, but his hold up play and movement has been exceptional. Not to mention his nerves of steel under pressure. He’ll still always be a mystery to me, but there’s no doubt, he’s one of the top 5 players in the world now.

So, today is the once in a generation chance for England to make a final. Enjoy the moment, this feeling of hope doesn’t come along that often.

See you in the comments.

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Boomslang

Here

grooveydaddy

1st

grooveydaddy

Tr4phy

Boomslang

4

grooveydaddy

4th

grooveydaddy

Nice one boomslang

Boomslang

Cheers Groovey

James wood

Hang on I’m just going to have a couple
of Paracetamols.

DM

Well done Boomslang. Unfortunately my presence was needed in a different office and just came back in to see this lol

Rambo Ramsey

Whatever happened to that hot PSG prospect we were on the brink of signing? Flopped? Is this Guendouzi the backup?

Receding H must hate the lad.

Chika

Jamie

“Also, I legit received an email this morning from Mr Loveridge Goodwill telling me that my inheritance of $10.5m was parked in a bank account for me, and I should be wary of scammers trying to fleece me. Instead, I should send $550 to Mr Robert Stein (email address ending in ‘yeah01.net’) and he’ll transfer the millions of dollars to me.”

Yeah very dumb trick, I wonder the sort of idiots that fall for such. haha

Leftsidesanch

Optimistic for tonight with a hint of pessimism. That trash its coming home song however, happy is an understatement if I never heard it again.

Receding Hairline

“Receding H must hate the lad.”

Care to elaborate??

Mark S

The next level is the next level is the next level!

Rambo Ramsey

Receding, look at the hair on our new signing.

Leedsgunner

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/07/11/do-report-arsenal-now-stand-in-tottenhams-way-of-44m-ante-rebic/

A winger on way? Could it be Rebic?

Another reason for England to win tonight so we can get negotiations going on this one!

Bob

Dear down the PUB fans if England win or lose please don’t get drunk and lev the streets in a disgusting mess, show some respect for your country.

Park Chu-young's left testicle

We’ll probably play with a little bit the handbrake on.

Rambo Ramsey

How the fvck do professional athletes live with that sort of hair? What with all the sweat and dirt. Bleargh

Dissenter

Rambo
You’re just envious of the dude’s hair
He has a professional contract so paying for a hair dresser shouldn’t be too hard.

Dissenter

Pogba has very little hair but spends more time with the barber.

Rambo Ramsey

“You’re just envious of the dude’s hair”

I see it in my dreams.

Just the hair.

Receding Hairline

“Receding, look at the hair on our new signing.”

LOL…Now this was funny

Rambo Ramsey

Its difficult to remember the last Arsenal player sporting that amount of hair.

Was it Adebayor?

No, Bellerin with his Barbie cut does not count.

Leftsidesanch

Lool at the jibe to Receding,

I’m sure a baldy will suit you fine

Kayciey

I cannot support England because of Dele Alli
I cannot support England because of Harry Ka ne
I cannot support England because of Kieran Trippier
I cannot support England because of Eric Dier
I cannot support England because of Danny Rose
I cannot support England because I cannot support a Spud.

Sorry England
It will never get home coz you can never trust a Spud to deliver anything.

Leedsgunner

Best wishes especially to all t’ Yorkshire lads in t’ squad t’day playing for England.

Ay up lads, have a good cuppa Yorkshire Tea before match and you’ll be right as rain…. 😉

Leftsidesanch

I see Bob is back

David Smith

Kayciey, who knows, Kane might hit a wall, Danny Welbeck might come on as sub and hit a winner, or score a decisive penalty

Kayciey

David Smith

“Kayciey, who knows, Kane might hit a wall, Danny Welbeck might come on as sub and hit a winner, or score a decisive penalty”

Then I will be happy for Welbeck.

Samesong

Cmon England!

gonsterous

as I was saying

so far France is the favourite to lift the cup, but if England have a good performance and win 2-0 tonight, they just might be motivated enough to win against France…

Bob

Please don’t go the pub and get drunk it’s time to keep the roads safe and clean.

Masterstroke

England have blagged their way into a WC semi final, and if they go on to actually win the damn thing I will rejoice with thanks to all including Spurs players, and then wipe the slate clean and start again for next season. That’s how it works.
There really are some immature people on these footy blogs sometimes.

Jamie

Ridiculous tennis on too. Sports day. Come on, England!

gonsterous

All Northerners, possibly coal miners in another life

didn’t know pedders believed in reincarnation…

gonsterous

David smith

I like your enthusiasm on Welbeck. but let’s be real, he’s more likely to shit himself and miss sitters if he came on…

Sancho Monzorla

Harry Kane is surely not a top 5 player in the world. Pedro has got to be kidding.

Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, Mbappe…..and Kane? Really?

DaleDaGooner

Between the spuds, mancs and chavs, the England squad just looks disgusting, not to add how badly Gareth is treating Welbz.

DaleDaGooner

France have a spud, manc and chav as well, but England just has more cunts i care less about than France….Dele Alli and Jessie Lingard have punch-able faces

Bob N16

Gonsterous, has anyone in the history of the WC not been motivated when playing in a final?

KAY Boss

Croatia starts as favorites. The problem with England seems to be the lack of a proper no. 10 and a dominating midfielder. come on the Croats. and I like the hair of the new dude. wish I could get his hair as wig when he shaves off.

Kayciey

Sancho Monzorla

“Harry Kane is surely not a top 5 player in the world. Pedro has got to be kidding. Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, Mbappe…..and Kane? Really?”

Harry Kane ain’t even in top 20. The only Spud player I rate is Trippier…the rest are overrated.

WengerEagle

Fed out.

WengerEagle

M’Bappe isn’t top five either, mad what World Cup hype can do.

He’s a nailed-on certainty to be a top five player within the next couple of years though.

Coach 15

Come on England,give it your best shot,play to have no regrets,be brave and give it a go.

Bob

Down the pub get drunk and make Britain great again

Rambo Ramsey

Looks like Bob is a bit lost after Wilshere left the club.

WengerEagle

Funny how Wilshere lad has supposedly always been a die-hard Hammer, could have sworn he said he was an Arsenal boy as a youngster?

Rambo Ramsey

Yeah, I don’t know why its become common practice, players referencing their latest clubs with happy childhood memories.

Seriously, learn some new material. Its painful watching you struggle with follow-up questions, like asking names of 5 players from those teams that you supposedly loved.

arsnil

WengerEagleJuly 11, 2018 17:39:21
Funny how Wilshere lad has supposedly always been a die-hard Hammer, could have sworn he said he was an Arsenal boy as a youngster?

Poor lad must be Hammered!!!!

Arsene's Nurse

Right I’m going to jinx it now. Sterling is utter rubbish, he couldn’t hit a barn door from three paces. Why he’s been picked I’ll never know.

Croatia will win this 2-1.

Sancho Monzorla

WengerEagle

I was just going off the top four “obvious” media choices, I don’t think Mbappe is quite there yet either but if we’re going to actually do that ranking it’s gonna become a long thing on here with a bunch of different opinions.

Trust me I was tempted to throw in Ospina too.

Marko

I mean don’t get me wrong I hate England as much as the next guy but I kind of want them to win tonight because it’d annoy victorious and he’s such a wanker so go England

Dissenter

Arsene’s nurse,
Sterling is bound to come good. His pace creates a lot of problems for the opposition defenses which is why he gets so many chances.
I fully understand why Southgate starts with him all the time.

I’m reall baffled about these negative Sterling sentiments.
You should be worried that Harry Kane hasn’t scored a goal in open play since the opening game [despite the back heel deflection he knew nothing about].

Dissenter

I think England wins easily.
Croatia have played 120 minutes in the last two games and have injuries with 2-3 starters.

Receding Hairline

“You should be worried that Harry Kane hasn’t scored a goal in open play since the opening game [despite the back heel deflection he knew nothing about].”

Back heel deflection?? LOL…Ball just hit the dude while he was getting out of the way. Will be the least deserved top scorer award in the history of top scorer awards

Arsene's Nurse

Dissenter July 11, 2018 18:13:52 Arsene’s nurse, Sterling is bound to come good. His pace creates a lot of problems for the opposition defenses which is why he gets so many chances. I fully understand why Southgate starts with him all the time. I’m reall baffled about these negative Sterling sentiments. You should be worried that Harry Kane hasn’t scored a goal in open play since the opening game [despite the back heel deflection he knew nothing about]. ———————————————————- Nah he’s rubbish, there’s no way he’ll score two and set Kane up for the winner. He could play a million… Read more »

Dissenter

Receding
“despite the back heel deflection he knew nothing about
…he knew nothing about

hmmmmm
C’mon man

Coach 15

We are England,no one likes us we don’t care………come on lads.

Dissenter

Did anyone else see the recent mistake Karius made in a pre-season friendly.
The MGH neurologists who suggested that a concussion was responsible for his mistakes in the CL final apparently didn’t get a full history from their patient.

The lad needs to be moved back to Germany for humanitarian reasons.

Rambo Ramsey

“The lad needs to be moved back to Germany for humanitarian reasons.”

But does he have Wenger on speed-dial?

Receding Hairline

@ Dissenter

I know you said he knew nothing about it but the back heel in the post sort of gives him a bit of credit when he deserves absolutely none for that goal. That was my point. Reading it one might assume he tried a back heel or something

Victorious

I mean don’t get me wrong I hate England as much as the next guy

Now Let’s see if a certain poster will make the ‘xenophobia’ retort he’s been brandishing about for every prediction against England

Victorious

Come on England! I want some humble pies………… or not eh

Marko

Bet Karius’s humanitarian work is nothing like Wenger’s. Lad dominated the humanitarian game for a good 10 years apparently

Pierre

Just thinking how it would feel for a spurs fans after all these years of failure how ironic it would be for England to go and win the world cup with half a team of spuds.

Marko

Shouldn’t it be how would an Arsenal fan feel if England won with half the team a spud

Jamie

what in the fuck

karim

Great goal, amazing start England !

Samesong

Come on !!!!

Tomtom

Has a team ever had such an easy route through to the final in World Cup history?
Serious question

TonyD

Bet Victoria is happy

Marko

Anyone remember a time when Bellerin was better than Trippier? Yeah me neither

qna

#torn

Want England to win the World Cup.

Don’t want to put up with insufferable English fans for the next 40 years on the back of it.

Hmmm

gonsterous

Croatia look shit. they may not turn up today…

Tomtom

Young is doing well to be starting.
Very average player

Leftsidesanch

Croatia not looking up to much so far, so far so good

Tomtom

Croatia lucky to get this far, the easy side of the draw!

Elmo

Sorry, qna, but it’s one or the other. As you well know, if we win the WC you will not be able to watch a PL match for YEARS without the WC being mentioned, and English fans will be reminding the world about it for DECADES, as will be our right!

Tomtom

Croatia keeper looks injured

Samesong

Sterling is doing a Welbeck impression tonight Bambi on ice.

Dissenter

Sterling and Trippier will trouble defenses all the time.

Zfree

Rebic looks a player. Didn’t someone say on here there were some rumors making the rounds we might be in for him?

gonsterous

what happened to sterling ? how Did his arse get so big ?

Dissenter

Against popular opinion, Sterling is having an excellent game.
He’s drawing fouls and full of running.

karim

Croatia playing like they’re 2 goals behind with 10 minutes left

It’s the only team I know that gets worse with every game, crazy stuff.

Dissenter

There’s a tendency to find a whipping boy in every team.

gonsterous

Jesus, kane should have scored there. he really needs a penalty to score a goal…

Sancho Monzorla

Wow Kane could have nearly sealed it. What a miss that may turn out to be.

Croatia keeper looked to pull his hamstring near the end of the Russia match, he probably isn’t 100%.

Elmo

Ashley Young is having a really poor game. Caught by Rebic twice on the ball, and routinely is being found out of position.

Needs to sharpen up.

Dissenter

Had it been Sterling that missed that chance?

karim

Looks like they’ve finally woken up after all.

England better score that second goal

Tomtom

Lingard is such a poor player

Dissenter

Pickford has a powerful horse kick.

Victorious

Croatia defense=shit

England should be out of site

Dissenter

That’s a yellow card , weak officiating from the Turk ref.

Tomtom

Croatia have nothing upfront

Victorious

Mandzukic=anonymous donkey

Always felt a ball playing striker will suit Croatia more than a target man,Kramaric should come on before England go 2 up

Sancho Monzorla

Think this game will continue to be chippy and tense but end 1-nil.

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