England vs Argentina - Weds 15th 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 

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

44 minutes ago, whoareyaaa said:

I’d start Rashford and Saka 

 

And drop Gordon?!

[Leicesterpool]

That dilemma that we're 90 minutes away from our first world cup final in sixty years! Let's make it happen. If somehow we can keep Messi quiet, we could win this. Egypt and Cape Verde shown they have weak spots.

[StanSP]

1 hour ago, Leicesterpool said:

That dilemma that we're 90 minutes away from our first world cup final in sixty years!

What's the dilemma

[Izzy]

2 hours 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 

Beg to differ.

 

For those of us who remember Mexico 86, that injustice still hurts deep.

 

And then Simione's antics in 98 getting Beckham sent off and Batistuta stood there nodding his head hurt like fvck at the time.

 

I give Argentina more than a second thought and beating them would give me more pleasure than pretty much any other nation.

[Jon the Hat]

5 hours ago, Izzy said:

Beg to differ.

 

For those of us who remember Mexico 86, that injustice still hurts deep.

 

And then Simione's antics in 98 getting Beckham sent off and Batistuta stood there nodding his head hurt like fvck at the time.

 

I give Argentina more than a second thought and beating them would give me more pleasure than pretty much any other nation.

In football terms yes, but how often do you think about the Falklands?  They seem to be banging on about it a lot, every time one of their politicians needs some popularity.

[Leicesterpool]

49 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said:

In football terms yes, but how often do you think about the Falklands?  They seem to be banging on about it a lot, every time one of their politicians needs some popularity.

Why they even want it, theres little there.

Edited 23 hours ago by Leicesterpool

[FoxesWalk]

43 minutes ago, Leicesterpool said:

Why they even want it, theres little there.

Except about ~1 billion barrels of oil in its territorial waters. That, and it’s a forward military operating base that we can use to project power over shipping lanes, Antarctica etc. if needed. 

Edited 23 hours ago by FoxesWalk

[Libertine]

17 hours ago, StanSP said:

Atlanta stadium. 

 

Winner plays France or Spain.

Bro you got the date wrong in the title. Don’t want fans tuning in last week to watch this. 

[StanSP]

17 minutes ago, Libertine said:

Bro you got the date wrong in the title. Don’t want fans tuning in last week to watch this. 

Nice. Someone finally noticed! 

[Jon the Hat]

Booked Thursday, Friday and Monday off now, so I can watch the games - 3am kick off.

[gerblod]

14 hours ago, Raj said:

I remember  in the hand of god game how much the Argies loathed England because of the Falklands war.

Wonder if that hatred is diluted over time or if its still there.

 

There fans are a different level of passion to anyone so hope tensions dont boil over because of non footballing  issues

I don't believe the 'average' Argentinian gave a flying fvck about the Falklands/las Malvinas - they were too busy dealing with inflation and the cost of living. Galtieri and his gang of generals thought they could distract the people from their dissatisfaction with the regime by starting a 'righteous' war. But people were killed (just 3 islanders btw out of 900 or so military) and so a vendetta amongst those few who like to nurse a grudge begins. It's ironic that the islanders relied upon the 'Argies' before the war for essential medical evacuations, education, mail, fresh food, and transport to the outside world. I suspect that a good many past and present countries have good reason to dislike England (but not the English) as an entity - that includes the Irish, Scots, French, Germans, Yanks, Italians, India, Afghanistan and half of Africa. The Scottish national anthem is based on the thraping Edward II received at Bannockburn in 1314 ffs!

That stated I still nurse a vigorous dislike of Maradona, not just for the Hand of God, but the unclassy berk he was.

I therefore hope that 'we' give Messi and company the same thrashing that Germany gave Brasil in their 2014 semi-final.

[Muzzy_no7]

Surely Mainoo gets minutes in this one? 
 

Cant quite believe he hasn’t featured at all yet. 

[Super_horns]

Fortunately the game is in an air conditioned stadium so hopefully that will help improve our general performance as probably will need to improve .

 

As will Argentina though who haven’t been convincing particularly in defence either.

[Spudulike]

My mate asked me last night if Wonderwall will finally get to number one if England win the World Cup. I said maybe.

[Richard]

9 hours ago, Izzy said:

Beg to differ.

 

For those of us who remember Mexico 86, that injustice still hurts deep.

 

And then Simione's antics in 98 getting Beckham sent off and Batistuta stood there nodding his head hurt like fvck at the time.

 

I give Argentina more than a second thought and beating them would give me more pleasure than pretty much any other nation.

All fair points and yes I'm just about old enough to remember Someone 98. 

 

However the point is that the whole nation of Argentina feel that way about us, and I'm not sure a lot of England realises

[CrazyKopCorner]

They have been faltering for a few games now. 

 

England to win by the odd goal 

[David Hankey]

4 hours ago, Jon the Hat said:

In football terms yes, but how often do you think about the Falklands?  They seem to be banging on about it a lot, every time one of their politicians needs some popularity.

Shh, don't mention the Falklands.