Let's see: Third place teamsSlovakia parked the bus and time wasted for the majority of the game to ensure 3rd place. Does not bode well for the quality of the remaining group games.
If the opponent is going to park the bus, the secondary attackers - your fullbacks and box-to-box midfielder - are often the key players in overcoming that strategy, attacking weak parts of the defense in numbers. Yet Roy decided this was a good time to start his second choice fullbacks and Jordan freaking Henderson in those positions. Totally indefensible decision.While Slovakia certainly created very little I'm not sure I'd simply chalk that dire match up to bus parking. Slovakia kept men behind the ball but England were far too content to pump crosses into the box and hope for the best. They've struggled to create much in the way of straightforward chances since probably the 1st half versus Russia.
That's probably it on the men's side. Last year's Women's World Cup was the first one since expanding from 16 to 24 as well.What was the last big 24-team tournament? USA World Cup 1994?
I'm surprised Stones didn't get a chance today, England could really stand to have a CB who can pass it back there. And if the other team is sitting back as much as Slovakia were, there's really very little reason to play Dier either, let along Dier and Henderson. It's very easy to say after the fact but the team just needed far more creativity than was on display today. I think it's really weird how intent the English fans and media seem on ruining Raheem Sterling but they probably could have used the Raheem Sterling that used to exist today. Only Lallana and Sturridge had any semblance of beating a man on the dribble and those types of things can also be the difference in these situations where the other team defends deep.If the opponent is going to park the bus, the secondary attackers - your fullbacks and box-to-box midfielder - are often the key players in overcoming that strategy, attacking weak parts of the defense in numbers. Yet Roy decided this was a good time to start his second choice fullbacks and Jordan freaking Henderson in those positions. Totally indefensible decision.
In major finals you don't really want some teams getting byes in the knock out stages. It's not the FA Cup.Yeah
What was wrong with doing 12 teams move on with top 4 point getters getting byes? Wouldn't that encourage wins and attacking more?
Agree with all of this. Honestly, the team selection seemed to have no tactical logic whatsoever, more like a U12 lets-give-everybody-a-chance-to-play-at-least-once logic than any coherent strategy for approaching a match in which everybody knew the opponent would defend and play for a point. That somebody leaked the team sheet to the press last night, and hypothetically gave Slovakia like 18 hours to prepare a game plan, was also completely bizarre.I'm surprised Stones didn't get a chance today, England could really stand to have a CB who can pass it back there. And if the other team is sitting back as much as Slovakia were, there's really very little reason to play Dier either, let along Dier and Henderson. It's very easy to say after the fact but the team just needed far more creativity than was on display today. I think it's really weird how intent the English fans and media seem on ruining Raheem Sterling but they probably could have used the Raheem Sterling that used to exist today. Only Lallana and Sturridge had any semblance of beating a man on the dribble and those types of things can also be the difference in these situations where the other team defends deep.
It would, but I don't think they want some teams sitting around for more than a week without playing.Yeah
What was wrong with doing 12 teams move on with top 4 point getters getting byes? Wouldn't that encourage wins and attacking more?
He was blabbing about how England has bossed all their games, teams have sat back against them, which makes it difficult to find space (lol boo hoo) and break teams down. And they've had loads of shots on goal. Loads. He was defending the England team, which is fair enough, but he was kind of taking the moral high ground...England have played the right way, what more can they do?...and like Hodgson, opined that maybe England will have more chances when they play a team that really comes at them, has a go at them. But Savage just laid into him, saying England got their tactics wrong against Slovakia, that there's no plan B just plan E; E for excuse. Savage also mentioned that teams sit back against Real Madrid and they just won the Champion's League, Waddle countered that Real Madrid have a team full of amazing players and savage mentioned that England had around £150m worth of talent on the pitch.Mart- what was Waddle saying?
You're right Bilic has been a breath of fresh air. He doesn't give a fuck. He has such a passion for the game, and he's a realist. I thought it was nice how he kept putting his hand on Ian Wright's knee when he knew he was busting Wright's balls a wee bit.Slaven Bilic has been a terrific pundit all tourney. He had a great bit when Ian Wright said that "we (England) had all the possession", he answered that their opponent wasn't interested in having the ball. Which was true, teams don't want to possess against England, they want to defend and counter because they expect England to be toothless (which they mostly have been).
I don't know if its just me, but it seems like the finishing in this tournament has been terrible - lots of shots straight at the keeper or duffed into the ground or even opportunities where a player misses the ball altogether. Germany certainly performing that way today.Northern Ireland is pretty bad but Germany has looked great and could have four with some better finishing. Ozil and Muller have been really active.
Good pointIt would, but I don't think they want some teams sitting around for more than a week without playing.
Yep, also, a Turkey win by less than 4 goals or a draw between Turkey and Czech Republic will see Northern Ireland through. (They have other ways through depending on tomorrow's result, but they could be through by the end of the day).So the results of the first matches means the following are through to the next round:
Hungary
Slovakia
Croatia
And the winner would probably face Germany in the QF.Spain v Italy.... no that's not the final, that's the first knockout round of 16.
YesAre third place qualifiers for the knockouts decided by group points, then by goal differential?