[Alf]

God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen:
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the Queen.

[MTVN]

Let's stick it to Brussels again!

[Shaun]

A nice 1-0 I think.

[parmnion]

Team sheet please

[Jack_]

So as someone who only takes an interest in football at the World Cup and Euros, what's the tea on how we should (and likely will) approach this match? Colombia playing the second placers has spoiled things, but other than that...surely the right-hand side of the draw is a lot weaker on paper?

Spoiler:

[parmnion]

Has he rested everyone?

[Jack_]

Originally Posted by parmnion

team sheet please

[James]

England making 8 changes. Is Southgate trying to chuck it?

Or if it's not to rest players, it is a typical managerial cop-out: getting his ready-made excuse for losing in, that it was an understrength team.

[Alf]

No pressure on, you don't get many opportunities in life to play in a World cup, go out and enjoy yourselves boys.

[bitontheslide]

the only easy game in the draw is potentially against japan, all the other teams on either side of the draw could be a challenge

[parmnion]

Originally Posted by Jack_

Im chuffef he has done that. The energy should be high.

Hungry players and probably the best way to go for the win like he said he would...go gareth.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Jack_

So as someone who only takes an interest in football at the World Cup and Euros, what's the tea on how we should (and likely will) approach this match? Colombia playing the second placers has spoiled things, but other than that...surely the right-hand side of the draw is a lot weaker on paper?

Spoiler:

It is but you either prioritise that view or think that the most important thing is to keep the momentum and winning mentality going and you can over think these things too much really, I think it's a bit dangerous to try and engineer an 'easier' draw and sets the wrong tone

[bitontheslide]

i think it is a mistake to field that england team, it loses fluency

[Alf]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

the only easy game in the draw is potentially against japan, all the other teams on either side of the draw could be a challenge

They fear us more than we fear them.

[bitontheslide]

Originally Posted by Alf

They fear us more than we fear them.

i disagree there

[Vladimir]

Perched for the incoming snooze fest!

Though facing Japan in the next round should somewhat motivate the teams to try and win

[Vanessa]

Right, pizza ordered. I'm all set!

[parmnion]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

i think it is a mistake to field that england team, it loses fluency

I think they will come out at 200mph...go for it for 90mins

[Northern Monkey]

Come on lads!

I agree with MTVN.We need to keep momentum going(Not the communist faction of the Labour party)

[Jack_]

Originally Posted by MTVN

It is but you either prioritise that view or think that the most important thing is to keep the momentum and winning mentality going and you can over think these things too much really, I think it's a bit dangerous to try and engineer an 'easier' draw and sets the wrong tone

That's a fair point, and I guess the flip side of all of this is the argument that we haven't yet had a win against a decent team...so all of the excitement may well be for nothing

But *if* Belgium take the easy route and made say the semis or final while we lost to Brazil in the QF, aren't some people gonna be a little bit pissed?

[parmnion]

Jeez, you come into a footy thread to chill out from other forums, and its all politics....AHHTRETKYVJJ

[Alf]

Both teams have earned the right to rest players, and both have chosen to use that option. Game on!

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

Right, pizza ordered. I'm all set!

You can't take the Italian out of the girl.

[Vanessa]

Come on England

[Denver]

Ready to be wigged