FT: CROATIA 2 - 1 ENGLAND. Match thread

[thehumblegringo]

Do you think it was a midfield three? It always struck me as a midfield one - Jordan Henderson was faced with an impossible workload once England started playing against sides who were contenders to win the tournament and I presumed one of the more attacking players would be left out to accommodate a "proper" central midfielder. In Southgate's defence, he's hardly spoiled for choice in that part of the field (although Der Kaiser is right to point out that may well change in the not too distant future) as is proved by how close Jake Livermore got to making the final twenty three - would Aaron Ramsey and/or Joe Allen have started last night if they were English, I reckon they would have, but possibly Southgate was so wedded to the system he played that I'm wrong?

Having tipped France and England to progress against opponents that were more tired than them, I was congratulating myself halfway through the second half for getting things right. I don't agree with the argument that Croatia were England's equal, or better, in the first half and I thought they were pretty comfortable until they conceded the equaliser, but once that went in there was only one team in it. Huge credit to Croatia for being the fitter, bolder and committed side for the last hour of the game, but Modric and Rakitic and the rest were helped because they suddenly had so much more room in the middle of the park as England's lack of specialists in there finally told against them.

As for England, I was surprised to feel quite sorry for them at the end, but that didn't last too long because, in essence, what was being said about them by some beforehand (things would look different when they faced a team of true quality) was proven to be the case - England were probably one of the weakest teams to have made a World Cup Semi Final in truth.

The midfield was a definite game changer. I think Southgate was right to stick with the tactic that has worked so far this world cup in playing with pace in behind Kane on the counter.

A bit of composure in front of goal in a few occasions would have put England into the final, but in truth the problem runs deeper than that. For whatever reason England never ever produce midfielders who can control the tempo of a match. If they had a Xavi or a Pirlo in their ranks last night they would have won the game but they tend to play with one pace and that is panic mode.

There have been some encouraging signs from an English point of view and they have centre backs who are far more comfortable on the ball now and won't give the ball straight back to the opposition which you can't do at the very top level, however I commend Southgate in that he seems to (unlike the English pundits) have his finger on the pulse and his comment about "we are where we are" indicated to me that he knew they were currently punching above their weight.

There are definitely some good players on the horizon for England to supplement a promising squad but the truth is unless their given opportunity to flourish in the cut throat premier league they'll never reach their potential.

[the other bob wilson]

The midfield was a definite game changer. I think Southgate was right to stick with the tactic that has worked so far this world cup in playing with pace in behind Kane on the counter.

A bit of composure in front of goal in a few occasions would have put England into the final, but in truth the problem runs deeper than that. For whatever reason England never ever produce midfielders who can control the tempo of a match. If they had a Xavi or a Pirlo in their ranks last night they would have won the game but they tend to play with one pace and that is panic mode.

There have been some encouraging signs from an English point of view and they have centre backs who are far more comfortable on the ball now and won't give the ball straight back to the opposition which you can't do at the very top level, however I commend Southgate in that he seems to (unlike the English pundits) have his finger on the pulse and his comment about "we are where we are" indicated to me that he knew they were currently punching above their weight.

There are definitely some good players on the horizon for England to supplement a promising squad but the truth is unless their given opportunity to flourish in the cut throat premier league they'll never reach their potential.

Completely agree with this, as, incidentally, does Harry Redknapp who sounded doubtful though as to whether it would happen - truth is, managers like Arri are the reason there's a problem because, from memory, he was hardly the sort who would only resort to splashing the cash once he had given the best young players at whatever club he was with a chance to prove themselves in the senior team first.