AKCJ

Leeds flourishing in the Premier League trying to kick us when we're down when we're on the brink of financial ruin is ****ing disgraceful to be honest. What comes around goes around. Look forward to their downfall.

Fernandez, Paredes and Simeone were all seemingly allowed to do what they liked without repercussion.

More an elbow than a punch. Happened within the first 2/3 minutes. BBC showed one replay of it but then left it. Not sure if they discussed it at half time. One of those ones where no referee is ever going to give it so early in a semi final and I suspect the Argentinians knew that. Suspect if he did it in the 2nd half he would have been in a lot of bother for it though.

Massive shame really. The game was set up perfectly and we threw it away. I wonder if it will cost Tuchel his job. It's been a while since I last saw a manager completely **** up all 5 substitutions. All tournament long England have looked very good on the counter attack and Argentina have looked very good around a crowded penalty area yet we decided to go with no pace up front and a striker that could barely jog. We got away with it against Mexico because nobody in their team could cross the ball yet every cross last night into our area was bang on the money. No cross was being closed down and it was only a matter of time. From going 1-0 up we should have lost that 5-1 with a bit more Argentina composure from those in the area and that can't ever happen. Hopefully Argentina's success can prove to be a blueprint for these young English lads. Are they willing to sacrifice their club careers to ensure they're in prime condition for a World Cup? Rice, Kane and Saka are three of our players that could be considered 'world class' yet they've all been on their arse for most of the tournament.

I actually think it'll become more and more common.

I didn't know that, but it hasn't helped that Canada have only hosted 3 knock out games.

I suppose it doesn't help this World Cup that the average Canadian or American does not really care about football. I think a Portugal and Spain World Cup would be fine.

Still miles above the league average. Especially considering he performed miles below the league average.

Was thinking last night about how it doesn't feel like the World Cup has an identity. Feels like the Euros that was played all over the place in 2021. Only the Mexico games have felt like there is actually a host nation.

The main reason to be positive is that we're getting rid of players quickly and getting paid for it. I was convinced we'd go this season with the bad eggs still here. Chaplin seems like it will be a good signing for the level and, on reflection, I can live with Danny Ings on a one year deal. You'd expect the pair of them to get goals at this level. The next major thing for me is keeping hold of Louis Page. I think he could have a fantastic season and we should be doing all we can to make sure he's happy. After that, we'll need wingers seeing as it looks like we're going into the season now with only one recognised wingers in Decordova-Reid (and he's someone we should be looking to get rid of).

I mean you said it was a "phenomenally difficult game"

Anyone know how much we got? Obviously we've made a massive loss on him but wonder how much was left on his book value?

He's up there with Dennis Wise to me. Absolute bellend.

The final should have been held in the Atlanta stadium. Absolute work of art that place is. But it was always going to be shown where the money is.

I just don't see it. This makes out that it's like a relegation threatened team going to the Etihad or Anfield. I think it's set up perfectly to catch these off guard on the break. Spain's fullbacks played the near perfect game last night and I think they'd have to do the same to stop Gordon and Saka because if they get in behind with Kane on the ball and Bellingham running into the box they are done for. England have looked shaky against the sides that want to sit in and defend but when we've given the ball to the opposition and looked to break (bar the first 30 minutes or so against Norway where we looked out of sorts, partly because of Rice's illness) we've looked really solid. So yeah, I'm not sitting here thinking it'll be easy by any imagination. I just think that we'll pose Spain a lot of problems and I think Spain would much, much rather Argentina won tonight. Edit; I think the weather is a non-factor really. It's the same for both sides. Spain have a lot of players that play in England and Spanish football is specifically played in the evening during warmer months to avoid the heat. Both sides will struggle with that.

The entire history of the Scottish league is full of players who have only ever had 6 months of success in England. He'll either flop or do great things there IMO. Can't see him going there and having a 7/10 season.

Spain were great and France were really off it. But I maintain that we'd beat Spain but lose to France.

He's the type to go there and get 20 goals in that shit league only to then get a move to someone like West Ham for £20m and never score again.

Who the **** is Nathan?

Wonder how much.

Does that really matter? Since 2004 Leeds have only beaten us 7 times out of 27 games. Hard to say they wouldn't batter us right now.

I think we win 7 in 10 against Argentina, 6 in 10 against Spain and 3 in 10 against France. I do think that Spain are France's biggest threat though.

France are simply levels above everyone else. I do think we beat Argentina and Spain though.

England have their greatest ever player in this team and they consistently let him down. Dread to think how bad things will have been under McCullum if Root wasn't here. The fact that he's this good whilst everything around him has been on fire just shows how good he is.

I'd imagine they have rolls of material with that pattern and they just cut it in the most efficient way.