I think Columbia is probably the toughest match we would have before the final. The winners of Tuesdays match have an excellent chance of getting there. I actually think Columbia is the best team still in our half of the draw so if - and its a big if we beat them there are no teams to fear before we play France/Brazil/Belgium in the final. That said knowing England we will beat Columbia then go out to the Swedes on Penalties on Saturday
Of course we would be better playing Japan next round they arent as good as Columbia - but then Bazil/Mexico followed by France or our half of the draw? Losing was the percentage choice for going a long way. In any case whatever happens Southgate has done enough to be worth a tilt at the Euros even if we lose tomorrow playing the reserves against Belgium made perfect sense to me. First team gets a weeks rest and chance for Ali and Trippier to recover from knocks - no chance of yellows meaning they miss the Columbia game or picking up injuries in a low priority game. And it gives the rest of the squad game time so if they are needed they have already got the feel of the competition. Why do you think Belgium did exactly the same as us
I seem to remember us having the easy side of the draw at the Euros just 2 years ago and we all know what happened then. Missing sitters and cocking up at the back isn't a recipe for success against the elite.
I want us to win the world cup but it would be even better winning it by having to beat top teams, instead of getting a lucky easy passage. Belgium played a much stronger side than we did. Southgate in the press today sticking by Pickford could be a mistake. If we go out tomorrow it will be Southgate losing momentum in the last group match, Southgate sticking by a keeper with no clean sheet in four games out of four, barely beat Tunisia, conceded against Panama and lost two games in a row. As boss he can't afford to lose tomorrow. If we win all is great. Let's hope that happens.
We didn't have the easy side of the draw at the Euros. Yes we played Iceland and we all know what happened. But if we had won that game the path would have been France and then Germany. I take the point the Iceland game proves we shouldn't get carried away. I don't think the sensible people are. Just that we could make a final by winning 3 games against teams we could see ourselves beating. Equally we could be out by Wednesday morning.
How anyone can criticize Pickford is beyond me. I know its mostly embarrassing, lazy journalism because there is nothing else really to report on but come on!? How can he be blamed for any of the goals he's conceded?
He cant and you are right. There is no way he wont start on Tuesday and rightly so but you know the press and fans love to criticize - Sterling got it in the first game, Pickford wasnt excactly impressive in the game against Belgium - true he wasn't at fault for the goal - that lies much more with Danny Rose though I do wonder if he could have done better with the shot. More worrying though was he has pushed more than one shot straight back into the middle of the box - so far he has got away with it but that doesnt make it correct goalkeeping.
Fingers crossed that we will at least turn up and give it our best, and Colombia will have to be at their best if they're going to beat us. I hope it doesnt come down to us not trying like in the Iceland game, and hopefully the refs will be good and impartial. Yesterdays matches sort of spoiled the enthusiasm of all the neutral fans a bit, seeing the toss that Russia & Denmark played, although I hope we as England fans aren't regretting cheering for Croatia last night because we might end up playing them!.
There's scope for a whole new thread right there. The once foreign fad for punching at every opportunity by keepers seems to have become endemic. Sometimes it's necessary. A lot of times its not. Catch the thing ffs!
I was thinking of exactly that when I posted. There wad no one within two yards of him and he punched it. Seems a bit churlish to criticise someone who saved two or three pens but nevertheless.
He saved three pens because he and the Croat keeper were both allowed to come half a mile off the line lol. Anyway.. come on Mexico and do us another German style favour and boot out the Brazilians!.
Its not long since we got to the FA Cup Semi Final by beating Liverpool and Chelsea. We then lost to the "easy" Cardiff at Wembley. You can only play who is in front of you at each round. For what its worth, I think Switzerland and Sweden are both as good, or better, than Colombia so its not an easy passage to the semis.
In the group they beat Portugal 4 0 drew with Ghana 2 2 and beat USA 1 0 Then last 16 beat Algeria 2 1 Quater final France 1 0 Semi Brazil 7 1 Final Argentina 1 0.
England's record could hardly be poorer in knock out games against anyone half decent. They are the ultimate chokers and I see no reason to change that opinion. Looking beyond Columbia bit pointless IMHO.