How lucky are we to have Ramsdale and Turner? Fantastic.

I’m sure that Arsenal’s No2 is enjoying starting all his national team games while Arsenal’ No1 sits on the bench. Hard to challenge Southgate when he’s top with two goals conceded in a rout.

invisibleman18 wrote:

So as poor as we were against USA and "boring" at other times, we go through top of the group as currently top scorers in the tournament, even more than Spain who won their first game 7-0.

Yeah but you scored those goals against Iran and Wales, the nation equivalent of "well done he's 13".

England are among the favourites but they really haven't been brilliant to watch. Game vs US was dreadful, showed defensive frailties vs Iran and Wales are just awful. Still think Southgate doesn't nearly get the best out the squad he has.

I think England have been stable and reliable. They have to count themselves amongst the favorites along with Brazil, Croatia, Portugal, France at this point. Brazil still need to figure out how to play without Neymar for the next 2 games. But that’s the core group I see winning this thing.

Jed wrote:

How lucky are we to have Ramsdale and Turner? Fantastic.

He's not the best ever MLS keeper statistically for nothing.

I knew he will be a fantastic signing. After watching USA live twice I'm actually quite impressed by his kicking, came a long way from when he first started. Command of box and shot stopping top notch as expected

Claudius wrote:

I think England have been stable and reliable. They have to count themselves amongst the favorites along with Brazil, Croatia, Portugal, France at this point. Brazil still need to figure out how to play without Neymar for the next 2 games. But that’s the core group I see winning this thing.

Brazil France and Spain are the ones I see winning, then England. Croatia are nowhere near close, Portugal might shithouse their way into contention

Clrnc wrote:
Jed wrote:

How lucky are we to have Ramsdale and Turner? Fantastic.

He's not the best ever MLS keeper statistically for nothing.

I knew he will be a fantastic signing. After watching USA live twice I'm actually quite impressed by his kicking, came a long way from when he first started. Command of box and shot stopping top notch as expected

It's great to know Turner is so competent. A great signing by the club.

Yeah I think France, Brazil and Spain right now look to be the likely winners.

I think England would be in the group below that maybe including Portugal and Netherlands. To improve Southgate needs to be able to let go of his favouritism and be able to be a bit braver in his tactics and using the depth of attacking quality England have to try influence those harder games we've struggled in.

That means doing things differently from the 2 previous tournaments so that's the big challenge for England in the knockouts.

What about Netherlands, I didn't really rate them going into this WC but they've looked as good as England so far in a ougher group.

jones wrote:
Claudius wrote:

I think England have been stable and reliable. They have to count themselves amongst the favorites along with Brazil, Croatia, Portugal, France at this point. Brazil still need to figure out how to play without Neymar for the next 2 games. But that’s the core group I see winning this thing.

Brazil France and Spain are the ones I see winning, then England. Croatia are nowhere near close, Portugal might shithouse their way into contention

Sorry. I knew I was forgetting someone. Spain have been selected and coached well.

I think Portugal look good. Lots of players who can make a difference. That fool Bruno has been excellent. Croatia have played the prettiest football outside of Spain for me. When they get going, it’s really good stuff.

Netherlands are crap. The teams of the 70s, 80s and 90s must be wondering what the actual fuck. Did none of them reproduce?

Brazil looks the best so far, Spain looks good. Croatia and France somewhat decent, Portugal plucky. So far these are the teams that impressed me one way or another, watching live and having an overview of the pitch gives you a different dimension.

In terms of players that impressed/surprised me the most so far:

Turner
Saud Kim MJ Gavrdiol Talbi Estupinan
Mitoma Eustaqio Enzo Buchanan
Gakpo

Kudos, Aguerd, Taremi, Alexis Vega deserves a mention too.
Hope Chelsea don't get Gavrdiol, that guy is phenomenal in defence absolutely unbeatable 1v1

Think it's still Brazil or France as favourites. Although England, Spain and Portugal should be good value to reach the semi's at which point anything could happen.

Clrnc wrote:

Brazil looks the best so far, Spain looks good. Croatia and France somewhat decent, Portugal plucky. So far these are the teams that impressed me one way or another, watching live and having an overview of the pitch gives you a different dimension.

In terms of players that impressed/surprised me the most so far:

Turner
Saud Kim MJ Gavrdiol Talbi Estupinan
Mitoma Eustaqio Enzo Buchanan
Gakpo

Kudos, Aguerd, Taremi, Alexis Vega deserves a mention too.
Hope Chelsea don't get Gavrdiol, that guy is phenomenal in defence absolutely unbeatable 1v1

This tournament has been wonderful for Turner. He can return to Arsenal with a lot of confidence. Liked his distribution yesterday.

Claudius wrote:
Clrnc wrote:

Brazil looks the best so far, Spain looks good. Croatia and France somewhat decent, Portugal plucky. So far these are the teams that impressed me one way or another, watching live and having an overview of the pitch gives you a different dimension.

In terms of players that impressed/surprised me the most so far:

Turner
Saud Kim MJ Gavrdiol Talbi Estupinan
Mitoma Eustaqio Enzo Buchanan
Gakpo

Kudos, Aguerd, Taremi, Alexis Vega deserves a mention too.
Hope Chelsea don't get Gavrdiol, that guy is phenomenal in defence absolutely unbeatable 1v1

This tournament has been wonderful for Turner. He can return to Arsenal with a lot of confidence. Liked his distribution yesterday.

Yeah and especially when he's playing in front of some jokers. Shaq Moore, Tim Ream amongst the worst players I have seen at this world cup. Probably only better than Vitoria and Miller of Canada

Lets hope Netherlands beat USA (sorry any US fans). The sooner Turner gets eliminated the better, dont want his profile to rise too much for him to think he is better than being Arsenal number 2.

Saliba doesn’t even make France’s B-team ffs

arsedoc md wrote:

Wait, guendozi got in? How?

Kante and Pogba at home.

This is such a shit group. None of these teams deserve to join France in the next round.

Sure haven't shown it

Denmark are awful mate. Have you watched them this tournament. Might as well have been an OMIT 11 with Jones in goal

MistaT wrote:

Sure haven't shown it

That I don't disagree with. 

Clrnc wrote:

In terms of players that impressed/surprised me the most so far:

Turner
Saud Kim MJ Gavrdiol Talbi Estupinan
Mitoma Eustaqio Enzo Buchanan
Gakpo

Kudos, Aguerd, Taremi, Alexis Vega deserves a mention too.
Hope Chelsea don't get Gavrdiol, that guy is phenomenal in defence absolutely unbeatable 1v1

Odd that you saw something in Eustaqio. I thought he was bang on average, and a huge part of the reason Canada's midfield was found missing. He could be tidy in a 3 man midfield, but is completely lacking for a 2 man midfield. 

Gakpo has certainly broken out, and it's been coming. If Martinelli's contract talks ever broke down he'd be a great buy, think there's a little more to him than Mudyrk. 

Perhaps you were already impressed by him Clrnc, but Tyler Adams has been an absolute stud. In terms of overall impact on a team, he's up there with the true world class players....note, not saying he's world class, but his impact has been. 

Odd seeing France risk Mbappe and Dembele, when they should be giving Thuram some minutes. Doesn't seem like Descahmps rates him though....

How are Denmark so poor? Thought they looked one of the better sides during qualifying. They look so stupid now with all the off field distractions

I think they're just keeping Mbappe and Dembele warm. Incredible for Saliba that he was the very last outfield player to get a run out.

Denmark have been embarrassing. This whole group apart from France should have been denied entry into the next round.

Alvarez over Lauturo is interesting.

Soft penalty. Think Messi will miss it ..

He misses. Scez penalty king. Acuna wasting so much from the left.

Fuckin hell, did Szezcny ever save a penalty for Arsenal???

What a beautiful save

Mirth wrote:

What a beautiful save

Really was. Absolutely amazing.

here we go.... Poland and Mexico tight for that 2nd spot

what a FK for Mexico

Imagine going out because of yellow cards 😆

Alvarez looking the part, astute change