Italy v England

[Trigger]

Re: Italy v England

England will walk this group winning all three games. Anyone who thinks differently must be deluded. Take no notice of these Nations League results, they bear no significance on what will happen out in Qatar.

Yep.

Any team they pick from those they will take is a fair few levels above our best 11 (not that we will see it). We have a chance if everything goes right of course.

I've seen little over the nations league campaign to suggest we should be anything more than big underdogs, even for the most optimistic of fan really.

Our fight really is with the other two who will equally fancy their chances.

[William Treseder]

Re: Italy v England

I’m just looking forward to seeing us in the finals for the first time in my life.
If England don’t top our group they should pack the game in. It should be an almighty scramble for 2nd between us, the Yanks and Iran.
Looking at the betting on the tournament, a £100 on both Brazil and Argentina should almost ensure a return. Can’t see past those 2 when it comes to form and the conditions.

[Cyclops]

Re: Italy v England

When I watch international competitive games, I'm struck by the difference between the quality of the international game and games between the top domestic clubs.

It's not just about better players - in fact sometimes the players in the national teams are not the best players in their country.

It's more about how international teams are set-up and the tactics they employ. You can see patterns of play and they are designed to pull defences out of position and create overlaps.This happens in domestic leagues, of course, but not to the same level. The defensive plans are exceptionally well thought out and the players know their roles comprehensively. International games are essentially team games - they have to be because of the quality of the players and organisation. This is why often the better team will beat a team with better players. And it takes an exceptional player to stand out in a match.

There is also the manager/coach's approach to matches. I think the Italian players set out to impose themselves physically on the English - bully them. Grealish was targeted, for example, and even Kane. The Italians seemed quicker, hungrier and took up some great attacking positions. They were a cut above the English defence and it was only luck and dogged defence that kept the score-line down to 1-0.

I don't think the English/Welsh group placings in the World Cup are as cut-and-dried as some suggest. Iran and USA will be professionally set-up teams and I foresee some shock results.

[PontBlue]

Re: Italy v England

And I’m sure people in America and Iran are thinking the same about us. Iran definitely and probably America will be more at home in the conditions than us and I hope there aren’t too many in Wales who share your opinion that we don’t deserve to be there if we can’t beat tAmerica and Iran, both of them are far more used to World Cup tournaments than us and the Americans are above us in the world rankings. It’s a group we can qualify from I reckon, but some cooler weather than expected would help us a lot.

Iran turned over Uruguay yesterday so they are unlikely to be pushovers

[City123]

Re: Italy v England

I agree, it’s one of the easiest groups they could have had. It’s looking more and more likely that Bale and Ramsey won’t be fully fit for this World Cup, which means we’ll be one of the weakest sides in the tournament.

We were by far the best team in pot 4 and Iran were the second highest ranked team in pot 3 so I've no idea where you're getting that from

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Re: Italy v England

We were by far the best team in pot 4 and Iran were the second highest ranked team in pot 3 so I've no idea where you're getting that from

We’d have been in pot 2 had we beaten Ukraine prior to the draw being made. We’ve had a harder group because of the delay. We are definitely the best pot 4 side. We will be a weaker side than most but I think we can get out of the group.

[fugsyphil]

Re: Italy v England

Only 1 point from 5 nations league games despite scoring in every fixture is a big worry for me.
I'd hate to be playing England still needing anything from the match so hoping we've picked up at least 4 points by then