England vs Argentina - Weds 11th July - 20.00 (BST)

[Spudulike]

We will struggle without a fully fit Rice.

[bovril]

16 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

How weird of a person do you have to be to see the greatest footballer of all time get excited about playing your country in the world cup semi final and your first thought is imagining some fictional Scottish people in your head are upset about it. 

 

The internet has really done a number on some people hasn't it. 

 

I think it's a kind of reaction to imperial decline, we need to convince ourselves constantly that the world still hates and fears us when in actuality most people never think about us.

[trabuch]

Absolutely can't wait for this. I'm convinced we will win. Whatever happens - both semi finals are near perfect. I thought this was going to be a shit world cup, but it has been pretty good.

[David Hankey]

31 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

We will struggle without a fully fit Rice.

He should not have been selected let alone played against Norway and that was a medical staff and Tuchel error.

[Richard]

I don't think we realise here just how big this is for Argentina as country - they despise us and are 100% their biggest rival. 

 

Whereas I think 99% of the English don't really give Argentina a second thought 

[South Shire Fox]

3 minutes ago, Richard said:

I don't think we realise here just how big this is for Argentina as country - they despise us and are 100% their biggest rival. 

 

Whereas I think 99% of the English don't really give Argentina a second thought 

Probably the ones under 30 who dont know the history or have ever seen us play them. Still remember the friendly win in 2005 where Owens goal was celebrated like we’d won the world cup. Argentina will always be the number one game ahead of Germany imo

[Alf Bentley]

I'll feel more confident if.....

- Rice is fit and starts

- Likewise, Reece James at RB

- We start Saka, not Madueke

 

I think our struggles v. Norway were strongly linked to the absence of a fit Rice (unfit in 1st half, subbed for 2nd). He really does help us exercise some control over possession and reads the game well. In possession, he also links defence, wings and attack. I gather he was ill, rather than injured, so hopefully more chance of him being fit? 

 

Would also be good if we have a specialist RB, namely James, rather than a converted CB - and someone comfortable joining possession in midfield as we move forward.

 

The stated explanation for starting Madueke, not Saka v. Norway made sense - namely that Madueke is a more mobile, athletic player better able to track back and assist a non-specialist RB. They've also clearly been managing Saka's return to full fitness. But we saw what we were missing when Saka came on v. Norway - much more accurate and dangerous crossing and greater goal threat. Here's hoping Gordon also continues his current good run of form, after a slow start struggling to penetrate deep-lying defences in the group stage.

[whoareyaaa]

2 minutes ago, Alf Bentley said:

I'll feel more confident if.....

- Rice is fit and starts

- Likewise, Reece James at RB

- We start Saka, not Madueke

 

I think our struggles v. Norway were strongly linked to the absence of a fit Rice (unfit in 1st half, subbed for 2nd). He really does help us exercise some control over possession and reads the game well. In possession, he also links defence, wings and attack. I gather he was ill, rather than injured, so hopefully more chance of him being fit? 

 

Would also be good if we have a specialist RB, namely James, rather than a converted CB - and someone comfortable joining possession in midfield as we move forward.

 

The stated explanation for starting Madueke, not Saka v. Norway made sense - namely that Madueke is a more mobile, athletic player better able to track back and assist a non-specialist RB. They've also clearly been managing Saka's return to full fitness. But we saw what we were missing when Saka came on v. Norway - much more accurate and dangerous crossing and greater goal threat. Here's hoping Gordon also continues his current good run of form, after a slow start struggling to penetrate deep-lying defences in the group stage.

I’d start Rashford and Saka