Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

[bovril]

58 minutes ago, AKCJ said:

Same people laughing at Emma Hayes are the same that simply do not understand what she is talking about.

Having someone draw on a blackboard in what looks like a showroom kitchen is objectively very funny. Personally I'd love to see Keano doing it next time. 

[Sol thewall Bamba]

Just came back to say how good Kane is. Genuinely the best in the world in that role. 

 

And a lot of our fans still try to convince themselves otherwise becuase we sort of had a bit of a rivalry for 6 months 10 years ago  

[AKCJ]

19 minutes ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Just came back to say how good Kane is. Genuinely the best in the world in that role. 

 

And a lot of our fans still try to convince themselves otherwise becuase we sort of had a bit of a rivalry for 6 months 10 years ago  

Incredible to think that he's the same player we had on loan all those years ago.

 

 

[Detroit Blues]

2 hours ago, Raj said:

 

Unbelievable to think a nation like England haven't reached the Semis since '66

 

I can't imagine after going through the group stage, having to then go through a second group stage (like in 1982).  

[The Doctor]

1 hour ago, Stuntman_Mike said:

I would genuinely change GSTK to Wonderwall for our national anthem.

 

Should have changed it when the Queen died. It's dreary and people's attitude to the monarchy has changed.

 

 

aye, not Jerusalem or any other common shout for an alternative, Wonderwall. 

[Bert]

2 hours ago, AKCJ said:

Same people laughing at Emma Hayes are the same that simply do not understand what she is talking about.

She’s actually really clued up about the game. 

[stripeyfox]

1 minute ago, Bert said:

She’s actually really clued up about the game. 

I think it is fair to say she probably knows a lot, lot more about the game than the idiots posting sexist crap about her on social media will ever understand 

[Jaspa]

Two concerns from that night are the first half defence being flimsy and just what's going on with Declan Rice, whether that's an ongoing he's been carrying flaring up or something he can get over within a week or two. 

 

We stuck our flag in the ground there to win this group. Meaning we take the hardest route to the Final, if that's what happens. Azteca in heat & altitude, then right after that Miami in heat & humidity. Preparation & sport science need to be on point.

[Footballwipe]

1 hour ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Just came back to say how good Kane is. Genuinely the best in the world in that role. 

 

And a lot of our fans still try to convince themselves otherwise becuase we sort of had a bit of a rivalry for 6 months 10 years ago  

Couldn't believe the comments downplaying Kane. When he retires after 2028 and we're scrabbling about in vain trying to find someone anywhere near as good as him maybe they'll finally take the blinkers off and realise how good he is.

Edited Thursday at 13:11 by Footballwipe

[CosbehFox]

1 hour ago, stripeyfox said:

I think it is fair to say she probably knows a lot, lot more about the game than the idiots posting sexist crap about her on social media will ever understand 

 

1 hour ago, Bert said:

She’s actually really clued up about the game. 

Agreed but what the **** are ITV doing having essentially the best female coach in the world trying to do analysis on a ****ing chalk board whilst asking her to stand in a ****ing kitchen. 

 

Help her by giving her some actual decent equipment and in a place which just doesn't encourage a piss take. 

Edited Thursday at 13:54 by CosbehFox

[MC Prussian]

Judging by the first two games in this group, England will walk this.

It was obvious before the group stages even started, and now it's even more obvious.

[Number 6]

So if England beat Ghana and Panama fail to beat Croatia that would mean we have the group wrapped up with a game to spare. Lovely.

 

Really exciting performance yesterday. Liked comments from Tuchel and the anger at HT too. If you're going to lose then do it playing the way you want. Attack, press. Was great fun to watch.

[AKCJ]

4 minutes ago, MC Prussian said:

Judging by the first two games in this group, England will walk this.

It was obvious before the group stages even started, and now it's even more obvious.

The question mark was whether an experienced Croatia side could be too much for us.

 

But now that we've just walked over them, we should be able to make a couple of changes for Ghana and then play the reserves against Panama and win the group no problems.

[Corky]

2 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

 

Agreed but what the **** are ITV doing having essentially the best female coach in the world trying to do analysis on a ****ing chalk board whilst asking her to stand in a ****ing kitchen. 

 

Help her by giving her some actual decent equipment and in a place which just doesn't encourage a piss take. 

That is the thing, we were taking the piss out of the concept. Not like the Daily Mail wimmin in footy is so woke ban it now!! merchants.

[FoxAsh]

Players have said the 2nd half is the benchmark which with this manager is entirely possible reaching, best I have seen us play for about a decade no prima donnas in the squad either.

 

Think we can go far, the manager is class and levels above Southgate.

[Wymsey]

3 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

 

Agreed but what the **** are ITV doing having essentially the best female coach in the world trying to do analysis on a ****ing chalk board whilst asking her to stand in a ****ing kitchen. 

 

Help her by giving her some actual decent equipment and in a place which just doesn't encourage a piss take. 

Maybe she asked for the set-up / was offered a few choices?

[Foxmeister]

5 hours ago, Detroit Blues said:

 

I can't imagine after going through the group stage, having to then go through a second group stage (like in 1982).  

Dead strange format, 24 teams started, 2 qualified from each group going into 4 groups of 3 and the winners of those going into semis. England drew both their 2nd phase games 0-0 and went out unbeaten and only conceding 1 goal in the tournament. Sadly I knew all that without checking.

[ramboacdc]

[Vlad the Fox]

12 hours ago, StanSP said:

 

let's extend it to not knowing who the penalty taker is. 

3 attackers line up in the D, but the keeper doesn't know who's taking it until they start their run-up...

And once the ref has blown his whistle after 1 second everyone can rush the penalty taker.  

[AKCJ]

Something about Tuchel isn't there. I didn't think he was the right man for the job and I didn't think he did enough to convince me otherwise in the games leading up to the tournament.

 

But so far he's behaved impeccably. He carries an aura about him where he's calm but ready to snap if you're not pulling your weight and his past successes tell you he's as astute as they come tactically.

 

Obviously it's one game and the proof will be when we play a big team later in the tournament but I reckon he's got it spot on. First England manager in my lifetime that wants to play to the player's strengths.

 

The front 6 complements each other perfectly. Nice to see we're not just shoehorning names into the team.

 

[Leicesterpool]

Redknapp been on about it should be an "englishman managing england" does it really matter anymore? Who cares what nationailty if were winning games and brings success then the guys a hero. Theres no good english coach out there good enough at the moment. Eddie Howe is decent enough but even he had terrible season for Newcastle and showcases lack of consistency. 

 

One interesting question if pep is available and interested in the job, would you still considering going English. 

[Trent Steel]

On 18/06/2026 at 10:41, Raj said:

 

Unbelievable to think a nation like England haven't reached the Semis since '66

i know someone else who hasnt reached a semi since '66

[Trent Steel]

1 hour ago, Leicesterpool said:

Redknapp been on about it should be an "englishman managing england" does it really matter anymore? Who cares what nationailty if were winning games and brings success then the guys a hero. Theres no good english coach out there good enough at the moment. Eddie Howe is decent enough but even he had terrible season for Newcastle and showcases lack of consistency. 

 

One interesting question if pep is available and interested in the job, would you still considering going English. 

totally agree

'arry's just jealous cos we all know he would be w@nk

[Leicesterpool]

Redknapp biter he didnt get the job in 2012 though he forgets at the time he was standing trial for tax evasion, so his own fault. If it wasnt for that he would have been England manager but like Big Sam he blew it.

 

Sneaky feeling his feeling his nephew will get the England job someday.

Edited 12 hours ago by Leicesterpool