England v Croatia Match Thread

[animallittle3]

Well well well , we've only gone at got to the world cup semi final ffs .

Early thoughts , Croatia have had back to back extra time and penalties and looked out on their feet during the second half of tonight's extra time , bound to have an affect in my opinion going in to Wednesday night's game .

It's a tough game but how can any world cup semi final not be , you ain't exactly going to be playing Saudi Arabia are you at this stage ? .

Can we win , fecking dam right we can , Croatia are decent but nothing special .

Let The Lion Roar

[perkytyke]

My bet will be 2-0 again and Sterling at anytime as the lad has got to score at some point.

I would hope we just stop them from scoring in the first half without putting too much effort into the game, then go for it second half, because surely their stamina and performance levels will drop dramatically because of the games they have had with extra time and penalties?

[animallittle3]

My bet will be 2-0 again and Sterling at anytime as the lad has got to score at some point.

I would hope we just stop them from scoring in the first half without putting too much effort into the game, then go for it second half, because surely their stamina and performance levels will drop dramatically because of the games they have had with extra time and penalties?

Good point perky , the Croat's were blowing out of their @sses in the second half of extra time , that said they still had enough to win on penalties .

I know they've won both ties on penalties but they aren't that convincing in opinion , how Modric squeezed that one home I'll never know last night .

Let The Lion Roar

[animallittle3]

Watched the match between Russia and Croatia very closely with the winners meeting England of course .

The Croatian left back is weak , some joy there for Trippier and co in my opinion and I'd be targeting him all day long .

They are suspect at set pieces too which is one of our strength's , get the ball in the right area and we will have too much for them at set plays .

That said Modric and Rakitic are two top notch central midfielders , you don't get to play at Real Madrid and Barca without real quality .

Fascinating match up because both teams like to boss possesion but it's how you use it that counts the most .

Very difficult game tactically for Gareth Southgate , our shape needs to be solid when we don't have the ball and not let those two in midfield for Croatia call the shots , possesion of the ball is key , give it away cheaply in the wrong areas and they will kill you , just like they did against Argentina .

With the ball we can hurt them with our movement and the pace we have and of course those set plays .

Hard to call , 50-50 game for me and it won't be a surprise if it goes to pens .

Let The Lion Roar

[perkytyke]

I honestly believe it will be a comfortable ride again Animal.
I don’t want to be over confident but they beat Russia on penalties who were not that good and were surviving on not wanting to let down the outstanding support they had.
Can you imagine after 45 minutes sat in the Croatia dressing room completely knackered because of previous exertions in their last two games and let’s not forget how mentally draining it is to WIN on penalties as well, contemplating going out for a second half knowing full well that Sterling, Lingard, Walker, Trippier and Young and going to be coming at you non stop!
On top of this we have players that can revert to different systems to change the game around if it isn’t working, Croatia have one system with Mandzukic on his own up front and who is clearly not happy playing this way!
It’s coming home mate i’m Sure of it.

[animallittle3]

I honestly believe it will be a comfortable ride again Animal.
I don’t want to be over confident but they beat Russia on penalties who were not that good and were surviving on not wanting to let down the outstanding support they had.
Can you imagine after 45 minutes sat in the Croatia dressing room completely knackered because of previous exertions in their last two games and let’s not forget how mentally draining it is to WIN on penalties as well, contemplating going out for a second half knowing full well that Sterling, Lingard, Walker, Trippier and Young and going to be coming at you non stop!
On top of this we have players that can revert to different systems to change the game around if it isn’t working, Croatia have one system with Mandzukic on his own up front and who is clearly not happy playing this way!
It’s coming home mate i’m Sure of it.

We have to make it count with the ball mate and we won't get it like we've enjoyed at times at this world cup .

Defensively they are bang average in my opinion , the left back is very poor and the central defender Vida is lower end PL if that and Liverpool's Lovren ain't all that either .

Those two in midfield are my worry but they are 31 and 32 years of age and how much they have in tank is questionable , neither of them at their clubs have to run too much and you could well be right with what they have in reserve .

Get the first goal and we should be ok but it's England and I dare not be too confident .

Let The Lion Roar

[pass_and_move]

Its a world cup semi final. Both teams have strengths and weaknesses but are there cos nubdy could beat em. England just need to go out there and give it everything. Nubdy can ask ennymooar

[Ponte_Steve24]

Suck it and see.

[SBRed48]

Nar this lass near Sailsbury has sadly died from her Novochok poisoning May should show some world leadership and principles and order the team home from Russia immediately.

[animallittle3]

Nar this lass near Sailsbury has sadly died from her Novochok poisoning May should show some world leadership and principles and order the team home from Russia immediately.

Interesting opinion SB and I understand your sentiment .