dutchman

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I'm more concerned about just how easily we were beaten in the end. Hands down Croatia were far the better side from the second half on.

We played like minnows and far too within ourselves. Seemed to be holding on for the most part, even though Croatia didn't really threaten that much.
That Croation equaliser came out of nowhere.

I shouted out loud "That's a surprise!" (or words to that effect).
 
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Otis

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If Kane had converted an easy chance Croatia would have been beaten

We’d then have lost to France and you would then have said that they were the only decent team we’d played.

France who struggled oddly to beat Australia in the early stages and were dire versus Denmark.
Why? I have never said Croatia are a poor side.

Feel free to go and quote the quote I never made though.

All I have said is that pundits have been saying what a poor side they are.
 

Brighton Sky Blue

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Three wasn't it?

Yep, would've been game over by half time. Can't explain how Kane didn't score or how Lingard in acres of space put it wide.

Also think this 3rd/4th place game needs to be scrapped. Neither team wants to hang around and you gain nothing from winning it.
 
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Macca

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If Kane had converted an easy chance Croatia would have been beaten

We’d then have lost to France and you would then have said that they were the only decent team we’d played.

France who struggled oddly to beat Australia in the early stages and were dire versus Denmark.
Why? I have never said Croatia are a poor side.

Feel free to go and quote the quote I never made though.

All I have said is that pundits have been saying what a poor side they are.

If England get to the semi finals of the next major tournament I'll biff Joy
 
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I_Saw_Shaw_Score

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That Croation equaliser came out of nowhere.

I shouted out loud "That's a surprise!" (or words to that effect).

Really!?
Every time they got the ball they targeted our left as nobody was there, weren’t pressured easy cross in but we looked happy to just keep defending their balls in.
 

Sky Blue Spud

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No doubt Southgate will show his true colours and patriotism by making another earner with a Pizza Hut advert with a paper bag over his head!
 

covmark

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My outside bet on Croatia is still on. Fair play to England but Croatia were a class above.
Haha Croatia were a class above?
We should have been 3 up at half time. They certainly weren't a class above. After 120 mins they probably just deserved it.

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Brighton Sky Blue

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If Kane had converted an easy chance Croatia would have been beaten

We’d then have lost to France and you would then have said that they were the only decent team we’d played.

France who struggled oddly to beat Australia in the early stages and were dire versus Denmark.

On paper France are better in every position except perhaps goalkeeper. As for Croatia, they can now have the honour of Mbappe pissing all over their prehistoric defence on his way to the trophy.
 

Otis

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Kane was awful, think most of it was masked with his pens.
He has not been the Harry Kane we know.

Usually he is having lots of shots and lots of long range efforts too where he cuts inside, but we just haven't really been seeing that.

Thought he was excellent against Sweden, but then that was in a rather odd deep midfield role.
 

Nick

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Haha Croatia were a class above?
We should have been 3 up at half time. They certainly weren't a class above. After 120 mins they probably just deserved it.

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Their finishing was better. They opened us up a few times.

Only time we troubled was the goal.
 
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SkyblueBazza

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Yep, would've been game over by half time. Can't explain how Kane didn't score or how Lingard in acres of space put it wide.

Also think this 3rd/4th place game needs to be scrapped. Neither team wants to hang around and you gain nothing from winning it.
Think it will be good to play all the second string to cut their teeth in tournament footy though tbh

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Otis

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Really!?
Every time they got the ball they targeted our left as nobody was there, weren’t pressured easy cross in but we looked happy to just keep defending their balls in.
Our 'fullbacks' suddenly became anonymous, especially Young, who was far too deep and they just kept coming down the flanks.
 
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Brighton Sky Blue

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Think it will be good to play all the second string to cut their teeth in tournament footy though tbh

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Already had a B team fixture against Belgium don't need another and it has about as much point as the first one
 

I_Saw_Shaw_Score

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On paper France are better in every position except perhaps goalkeeper. As for Croatia, they can now have the honour of Mbappe pissing all over their prehistoric defence on his way to the trophy.

Yep for the last 75 mins of the game we failed to capitalise on their defences ‘pace’, that walking football at the Ricoh at half time in games those boys would out do this lot!
 

Otis

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Already had a B team fixture against Belgium don't need another and it has about as much point as the first one
Will probably be the same degree of energy and effort and application too.

Can't say I am looking forward to it, but will still watch.
 

I_Saw_Shaw_Score

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Our 'fullbacks' suddenly became anonymous, especially Young, who was far too deep and they just kept coming down the flanks.

I think he was knackered as well think he’s carried a knock for a large portion of the comp tbh.
 

Sky Blue Spud

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That Croation equaliser came out of nowhere.

I shouted out loud "That's a surprise!" (or words to that effect).
Stones showed his inexperience by not picking up his marker. Maybe Cahill would have offered an experienced head amongst an inexperienced back three?
 

Brighton Sky Blue

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Will probably be the same degree of energy and effort and application too.

Can't say I am looking forward to it, but will still watch.

Vardy deserves a full 90 minutes but I have no interest in watching the battle of the losers
 

Grendel

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Their finishing was better. They opened us up a few times.

Only time we troubled was the goal.

Kane and Lyngard missed easy chances - we controlled the first 45 minutes
 

Grendel

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Yeah but they didn't trouble from them. That was my point about finishing.

They also hit the post and forced Pickford into a save. He has saved us a fair few times.

Kane hit the post
 

Otis

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I think he was knackered as well think he’s carried a knock for a large portion of the comp tbh.
Trippier too.

Young's delivery has been good, but otherwise I have not been enamoured.

Rose is much the better player in that position. In saying that though, I don't think Rose was that great when he came on.
 

Brighton Sky Blue

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Yeah but they didn't trouble from them. That was my point about finishing.

They also hit the post and forced Pickford into a save. He has saved us a fair few times.

Yes which were chances created by us fannying around in our own third of the pitch.
 

SkyblueBazza

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7-1 shots on target tells astory really. Think defensively were were exposed somewhat, & the French may have annihilated us & destroyed the squad's confidence moving forward.

As critical as I have been about Sterling...it was quite glaring once he went off. His workrate chasing down derenders was fantastic. And nobody took threatening runs at their defence either. That is why the pundits like him I reckon, so fair play to them & him.

BUT massive respect to Southgate & the squad, massively surpassed expectations & have put the pride back into English football for international football.

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