Sgt. Largent":2u8j4ef0 said:
JGfromtheNW":2u8j4ef0 said:
What a game. I didn't get the Croatia v. Belgium match up I wanted, but what a treat this WC has been.
A little too much "gamesmanship" by Croatia at the end for my taste. But that's quibbling, a very open and back and forth entertaining match throughout.
England should be proud, they have a very promising young roster full of talent to build on.
So i've been thinking about this, and the England team, for some time.
And i'm really perplexed if they actually do have a "good side" or was it just an easy run.
England certainly brought some young talent to the tournament. But let's look at the outcomes: Alli, Sterling and Lindegaard were very mediocre throughout and left Henderson and the back 4 to sort out the gaps.
Rashford didnt see nearly enough time. Kane was mediocre by his standards (and cost them the match last night). Yes, he will win the golden boot, but his holdup play and transitions were disjointed and he converted penalties to boost his number.
The back 4 contributed goals, but also cost them (against Belgium, nearly Sweden, certainly Columbia and finally last night) with a lack of focus and simple adjustments to their opponents.
Henderson was very good all tournament, but his limitations were brought to the fold last night. he ran with the Croatian midfield, keeping them from countering, but couldnt string attacking passes together. The manager was heaped praise for the run, but left out several CM options before the trip and it cost them late on, as Henderson himself could not defend the entirety of the middle 3rd while Alli and Lindegaard stood watching. Certainly a Shelvey or a Wilshere would have made more of a difference than bringing on Dier to play DM.
There were some standouts, but I think England was more fortunate than good, and Croatia took them to task, albeit a bit dramatically
