World Cup Russia 2018

[Stratmangler]

That was an odd experience, watching the bulk of the players that played in the last two games sat on the bench.
Cracking goal from Januzaj, but other than that it was a decent workout for lesser used players for both teams.

[Jimbo]

How's the betting going Martin, are you up?

[Macca]

£12 up. From £82 in bets. And I think I've still got a couple of quid to collect. But I took a bath on the second games in the groups, most of the profit I made on the first games got wiped out there. And a tenner on Germany to win the tournament, that slip got ripped up last night.

Still have a tenner on Spain to win. I might put some bets on the knockout games. Not decided yet.

[Jimbo]

£12 up. From £82 in bets. And I think I've still got a couple of quid to collect. But I took a bath on the second games in the groups, most of the profit I made on the first games got wiped out there. And a tenner on Germany to win the tournament, that slip got ripped up last night.

Still have a tenner on Spain to win. I might put some bets on the knockout games. Not decided yet.

Tricky tournament to predict I feel. No way would you have thought of loosing money so early on Germany!

[Marco]

Lol - I'm refusing to talk about politics on this thread, but there's a LOT I could say to that post of Tom's, and some of the others that have been made on the subject!

Anyway, Macca was right. Apart from a great goal by Belgium, and another solid performance from Celtic's Boyata (my team), it was a non-game. Rashford should've scored with that great chance he had and, for me, Vardy's out of his depth at this level, so England really need to keep Kane fit, as there's not a lot of back up.

Pickford, for me, is an accident waiting to happen against the better teams, with his continual desire to punch the ball, rather than catch it, and I think England will struggle against Columbia. They may rue making so many changes and not putting out a stronger team against Belgium, and trying to win the match or get a draw, then playing Japan instead.

We shall see!

Marco.

[Macca]

I left the tv on ITV after the match finished and eventually Piers Morgan came on and started talking. I've turned it over now of course but is that what always happens nowadays if you leave it on ITV for too long?

[Minstrel SE]

Its a tricky competion to call with a range of team abilities. Enough of it is down to the group placings where you dont see Brazil, Germany, England and France in an opening group.

I wonder what would have happened if England had played Germany and it could have gone either way.

England are not the best in the world. They are far from the worst but I dont see a team going much further. There just something about England as they seem to be winging or fluking it against the better teams.

I didnt see a real spark of talent or energy against Belgium. They were beaten by a better side. Japan play with passion and I could see Japan or Columbia beating them.

We are not the best in the world and the English premier league is packed with foreign players.

[Pete The Cat]

I thought Gareth Southgate gave a good "read between the lines" interview after the match - would've been nice to win but long term strategy favoured finishing second, however from a political perspective he could never say that in as many words.

I think all we know is that England B isn't as good as Belgium B and England A have yet to receive a robust test.

Pete

[chris@panteg]

I thought Gareth Southgate gave a good "read between the lines" interview after the match - would've been nice to win but long term strategy favoured finishing second, however from a political perspective he could never say that in as many words.

I think all we know is that England B isn't as good as Belgium B and England A have yet to receive a robust test.

Pete

Colombia are a very good side, the key will be James Rodriguez who picked up an injury, if he's fully fit? A real matchwinner and can turn a game, remember his goal vs Uruguay four years ago, magnificent.

[narabdela]

I left the tv on ITV after the match finished and eventually Piers Morgan came on and started talking. I've turned it over now of course but is that what always happens nowadays if you leave it on ITV for too long?

Cleaning up the resultant vomit is also a right pain in the arse .