Match Thread: England v Ghana

[brooks]

Ghana had a job to do and did it very well. England laboured and were too slow for the most part. Madueke, Gordon and Spence have no part to play if they continue to offer so little.

 

[jlove]

I was surprised Manduke lasted so long.

I was even more surprised that Gordon and Spence even came out for the second half! Saka is a bit of a one-trick pony – even if the trick is very good – but two defenders on him when he’s not got any support...

The to-you-to-me of Konsa and Guéhi was laughable in their inability to play around Ayew, especially when Rice and Anderson dropped back to join in their game, leaving Bellingham as a 1-man midfield… until Kane dropped back…

All so slow, pedestrian and predictable until the last 5 minutes when the players realised the b***ocking they’d get back in the dressing room.

Still, the great escape from the group is still on.

 

[Leedsbee]

Always a little baffled that professional footballers cant pass the ball accurately onto a colleagues head, ie cross the ball. It's a pass to a location with x, y and z coordinates so often shunned when the opportunity arrives.

 

[GlasgowBee]

It appeared to me that our tactic against the low block is to pass across the back four with occasional taps to midfield, who then dribble back and continue the kick about across the back line. Whilst this charade plays out there seemed to be bugger all movement infront of them. I know Ghana had parked the bus, but if our forward ie Kane, started to move out of position rather than stand in amongst the back line of defenders, then cracks appear.

I am reminded of the Danish Air Force base attack, it looks chaotic but is designed and aims to confuse


View: https://youtube.com/shorts/cTS-4OoqQ0E?is=J97oYo-dR-1XRxXI

 

[Edmundo]

T



I was surprised Manduke lasted so long. Every Chelsea and Arsenal fan I know say he is garbage and has no end product. Last night he turned back on his left and either passed backwards, gave it away, lost it or put an horrific cross in.

Saka looked so much better when he came on. Roger’s and Rashford surely must start.

If we don’t want players turning back all the time, then maybe go back to left footer on the left and visa versa, I don’t get the obsession with the inverted winger. Mix it up a a bit

Not just you, but why can no-one apparently spell Madueke's name correctly?

 

[Edmundo]

Would anyone start Bellingham next game?

Yes - Thomas Tuchel will.

 

[Rob-BEE]

Mexico or Scotland after that as it stands!

View attachment 66768

If we top our group I think (think!) we play 3rd place from Group K if they qualify as one of the 3rd place teams. If they don't it starts to get very complicated!

 

[Gazza Bee]

I see the 'We should have taken Foden and/or Palmer' brigade have already piped up after last night - always the same, if we don't win it is because of the players that were not selected who clearly would have taken us to a 5-0 victory instead... really annoys me

 

[Leonardo]

Djed Spence gave the level of performance that had Tuchel screaming at him. Meanwhile Lewis Hall was in a bar scratching his head why he wasn't there.

It cried out for Toney to be a target and release space for Kane to play deeper.

I was worried Bellingham before halftime was petulent.

I don't understand why Barcelona have paid so much for Gordon


Saka made a massive difference .


The ref was blind and fell for a Pickford all innocence. Konsa incident was a pen. Kane should have gone off for concussion protocol.

Rice looked dead and his dead ball delivery was unusually poor - he needs a rest and I could see Henderson or Mainoo starting instead against Panama who were unlucky not to get at least a draw

 

[johndub]

It appeared to me that our tactic against the low block is to pass across the back four with occasional taps to midfield, who then dribble back and continue the kick about across the back line. Whilst this charade plays out there seemed to be bugger all movement infront of them. I know Ghana had parked the bus, but if our forward ie Kane, started to move out of position rather than stand in amongst the back line of defenders, then cracks appear.

I am reminded of the Danish Air Force base attack, it looks chaotic but is designed and aims to confuse


View: https://youtube.com/shorts/cTS-4OoqQ0E?is=J97oYo-dR-1XRxXI

Well, that looks like an accident waiting to happen!

 

[hobbsy]

If we top our group I think (think!) we play 3rd place from Group K if they qualify as one of the 3rd place teams. If they don't it starts to get very complicated!

No, we play the best 3rd placed team from AEHIJ

 

[Fish Bee]

Not just you, but why can no-one apparently spell Madueke's name correctly?

...and why on earth would you insert an apostrophe into Rogers?

 

[Edmundo]

...and why on earth would you insert an apostrophe into Rogers?

I wouldn't.

 

[Untouchable]

If we top our group I think (think!) we play 3rd place from Group K if they qualify as one of the 3rd place teams. If they don't it starts to get very complicated!

I’m putting blind faith in the BBC ‘as it stands’ for the knockout stages. Seems to be accurate with the changing possibilities!

 

[Rob-BEE]

No, we play the best 3rd placed team from AEHIJ

That's not correct

 

[Rob-BEE]

I’m putting blind faith in the BBC ‘as it stands’ for the knockout stages. Seems to be accurate with the changing possibilities!

It's a useful starting point but I think Group K as it stands does not have the 3rd place going through, so it gives a slightly misleading picture.

 

[Gazza Bee]

That's not correct

Round of 32 - Match 80: Group L winners vs Group E/H/I/J/K third place, kick-off 5pm - Atlanta, USA - this is from Sky Sports website. Not that useful as it doesn't say how the exact team is determined from the 5 options

If we finish runners-up we play either Columbia or Portugal next which would be a horrendous tie in either scenario

 

[aawharris]

Not disagreeing, I thought it was a penalty too, seems like the players all thought the flag went up at the end of that phase of play (like it always frustratingly does) so the player running through was offside.

I think if the flag went up for an offside against the player running through, it was probably an even worse decision than not giving the penalty

 

[Rob-BEE]

Round of 32 - Match 80: Group L winners vs Group E/H/I/J/K third place, kick-off 5pm - Atlanta, USA - this is from Sky Sports website. Not that useful as it doesn't say how the exact team is determined from the 5 options

If we finish runners-up we play either Columbia or Portugal next which would be a horrendous tie in either scenario

There's a huge number of permutations but it's more straight forward if Group K's 3rd place team gets through. Beyond that I believe our most likely opponent would be Senegal.

 

[brentfordfc4ever]

Ghana were given a direct order anf executed it superbly. England played alright and the point will do just fine. I would swap Gordon and Madaweke for Rashford and Saka.


I suspect Panama will adopt the same tactics as Ghana but they're certainly not at the same level.

 

[LongLostBee]

I think we're capable of getting better as the tournament goes on, with Tuchel working through the issues and problems, so getting an easier game or two in the knockout rounds will be critical imo. The longer Tuchel has to work with the players the better we'll get.

 

[lanzabee]

Ghana were given a direct order anf executed it superbly. England played alright and the point will do just fine. I would swap Gordon and Madaweke for Rashford and Saka.

Agree, would rather start with those two

 

[LongLostBee]

Ghana were given a direct order anf executed it superbly. England played alright and the point will do just fine. I would swap Gordon and Madaweke for Rashford and Saka.


I suspect Panama will adopt the same tactics as Ghana but they're certainly not at the same level.

Agree, would rather start with those two

I think Tuchel would prefer Saka too but it's all about nursing his injury so he's got a higher chance of being able to play every game in the knockout stages.
If it helps to rest Saka, I'd keep resting him for now, as we really should be able to get 3 points against Panama without him.

As for Rashford. That's a tougher call. I'm inclined to agree....especially if Tuchel can find a way to motivate him into playing with energy for 90 mins. Remember there was that year people were claiming he was one of the few best players in the world....the ability is there....just need to tease it out!

 

[Bizzy Bee]

I hope Barcelona have retained their receipt and invoke the 14 day refund rule with Newcastle for Anthony Gordan.

 

[Gazza Bee]

I think we're capable of getting better as the tournament goes on, with Tuchel working through the issues and problems, so getting an easier game or two in the knockout rounds will be critical imo. The longer Tuchel has to work with the players the better we'll get.

I think we'll be better against teams that want to come and play - I can see our last 32 game being similar to last night and then you play the 'on paper' better teams who won't just sit in a low block all game

 

[TW3Bee]

I see the 'We should have taken Foden and/or Palmer' brigade have already piped up after last night - always the same, if we don't win it is because of the players that were not selected who clearly would have taken us to a 5-0 victory instead... really annoys me

On last seasons form, and even the season before, neither deserved to be picked.

 

[LongLostBee]

I think we'll be better against teams that want to come and play - I can see our last 32 game being similar to last night and then you play the 'on paper' better teams who won't just sit in a low block all game

Definitely - although a double edged sword as we'll face more challenges at the back - which is where we've looked fairly ropey so far.

 

[JANORAK]

...and why on earth would you insert an apostrophe into Rogers?

Roger’s what?

 

[LongLostBee]

I see the 'We should have taken Foden and/or Palmer' brigade have already piped up after last night - always the same, if we don't win it is because of the players that were not selected who clearly would have taken us to a 5-0 victory instead... really annoys me

Foden would have been kicked into row Z or picked up and put in the big strong chaps' pocket!

 

[mhead bee]

Not just you, but why can no-one apparently spell Madueke's name correctly?

Its a tricky one, and can't be bothered to keep googling it before each post,

 

[mhead bee]

I hope Barcelona have retained their receipt and invoke the 14 day refund rule with Newcastle for Anthony Gordan.

He will have a field day in the farmers league.

 

[Lush55]

Reading this, glad I done the right thing.
Turned it off at halftime,said to the Mrs, we will be lucky to get a draw.

 

[mhead bee]

Would anyone start Bellingham next game?

Yes, 100%, after the first game. He was hardly the only one struggling out there.

We have some very good functional players, but what we don't have is the Fernandez, Silva, Olise type players who can jink in out and out and create something out of nothing.

The low block is a huge issue for us, especially with inverted wingers who consistently turn back onto their better foot only to be blocked out. We are not the only team to struggle against this and historically we have broken them down with a set piece, but we have no Maguire who can score from a corner against this kind of team and every corner was easily headed out or headed over by us if we did win it. Rather than bring on more inverted wingers who face the same problem, we should have brought on Toney and Burn and attacked the crosses and all those late corners we got.

At the end of the day, we got the late chance, hit the bar and then HK blazed over, got lucky with a penalty decision at the other end, many a world cup winner has been through games like this. No point over dwelling on it and turning on the team, we are top of the group and face a reasonably easy route to the last 16, then Mexico, who aren't actually that great, but will be a really hard game in the Azteca which will be a huge advantage to them. If we get through that, this will be a really good campagn for us. I am not sure we have got what it takes to go further as the South Americans will have more energy than us i nthe later games and Spain and Portugal will keep the ball away from us and wear us down.

 

[mhead bee]

Foden would have been kicked into row Z or picked up and put in the big strong chaps' pocket!

Or would have jinked into the gaps and slid cheeky passes behind the defenders. Everyone else in our side last night were too predictable, too obvious and had nothing up their sleeve. Very functional.

 

[mhead bee]

Reading this, glad I done the right thing.
Turned it off at halftime,said to the Mrs, we will be lucky to get a draw.

The right thing for me is to support your team to the bitter end. If we get to the final I hope you do the right thing and turn the TV off as you won't deserve it as you never went through the pain and angst to get there.

 

[Banana]

The low block is a huge issue for us

Can you name a team that the low block is a piece of piss to score goals against?

 

[LongLostBee]

Or would have jinked into the gaps and slid cheeky passes behind the defenders. Everyone else in our side last night were too predictable, too obvious and had nothing up their sleeve. Very functional.

It's nice to dream...but sadly his history of performances in an England shirt show that's incredibly unlikely....hence he wasn't even taken.

 

[A Real Mysteron]

I’ve had a chance to reflect on last night, and it seems that employing Tuchel after Southgate was a bit like changing your shirt after you’ve sh*tted your trousers.

 

[Brentford 4 Life]

I’ve had a chance to reflect on last night, and it seems that employing Tuchel after Southgate was a bit like changing your shirt after you’ve sh*tted your trousers.

Or maybe international tournament football isn’t quite as easy as we collectively as a nation expect it to be

 

[A Real Mysteron]

Or maybe international tournament football isn’t quite as easy as we collectively as a nation expect it to be

Please.
I’m referring to the over cautious style and complete lack of any flair.

Ghana were the lowest ranked nation England have ever faced in the World Cup.

 

[jlove]

Its a tricky one, and can't be bothered to keep googling it before each post,

TIP If you’re using Chrome (many other browsers have the same feature), you can add a Custom Dictionary extension, then add the correct spelling (so you need to check-copy-paste once) so the spell-checker will auto-correct them.

 

[brentfordfc4ever]

Please.
I’m referring to the over cautious style and complete lack of any flair.

Ghana were the lowest ranked nation England have ever faced in the World Cup.

They sat 10 good players behind the ball and made it super tough. There was zero space for us to play lovely fast, football. Ghana disrupted the game very well. Unlike Spain, we don't have the players to play tiny, tappy football to get out of tight little spaces. Its clear we've gone for two wingers in this tournament yo burst down the channels and they had zero space to run into. Against Croatia, where there was an abundance of space, we look brilliant.

Only a few teams on maximum points so far tells its own story. Any team that takes us on properly will see how good we are.

 

[aslan]

Despite the fact Spain had all the players for tikitaka football they still drew 0-0 with the mighty Cape Verde, yet used as example for the "look what we should aspire to" shtick.
Last World Cup Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in the group, still went on to win the thing.

Liven up you lot

 

[VML87]

Can you name a team that the low block is a piece of piss to score goals against?

Brentford

 

[gbems92]

Ghana were given a direct order anf executed it superbly. England played alright and the point will do just fine. I would swap Gordon and Madaweke for Rashford and Saka.


I suspect Panama will adopt the same tactics as Ghana but they're certainly not at the same level.

Panama have nothing to lose unlike Ghana, hopefully they don't park the bus the same way

 

[SmiffyBee]

I’ve had a chance to reflect on last night, and it seems that employing Tuchel after Southgate was a bit like changing your shirt after you’ve sh*tted your trousers.

If it helps England and Ghana are the only 2 countries at this World Cup with a capital on the Prime Meridian Time Line.

 

[A Real Mysteron]

If it helps England and Ghana are the only 2 countries at this World Cup with a capital on the Prime Meridian Time Line.

That explains everything.

 

[allanfinnie]

I’ve had a chance to reflect on last night, and it seems that employing Tuchel after Southgate was a bit like changing your shirt after you’ve sh*tted your trousers.

Brilliant

 

[mhead bee]

The low block is a huge issue for us,

Can you name a team that the low block is a piece of piss to score goals against?

Who said it is a piece of piss, your words not mine?

We don't have the jinky little fussball players the South Americans, Portuguese and Spanish produce that seem to be able to tip toe into the box with tikka takka to create chances. Sterling was good and dribbling into the box to force challenges, but we don't have many doing it now.

 

[Isleworth_Bee]

Frustrating, but who cares, we will top the group.

Gordon and Spence shouldn't be anywhere near the starting 11.

Also Rice looks knackered. I would play Rodgers in there.