England's World Cup chances

[old fart]

I can't work out why I don't care ........

[Knighter10WHU]

That's purely down to luck of the draw though Knighter. As soon as we've played anybody really good we've lost.

Germany are a good side and we beat them.
Denmark and Columbia are reasonable sides as well.

Its knockout football you have to stay in the game, not get pumped 4-1 by Germany like we did in 2010 which Southgate does perfectly, no matter how much people might find it uninspiring.

[hammers92]

I think we’ll do very well and get to the semi final at least.

And even if we did play France, Kante and Pogba are missing whilst Bellingham and Rice are probably already world class players.

Bring it on, fear nobody.

[Vic_Watson]

I can't work out why I don't care ........

Because you're Scottish?

[Westcliffspur]

Semi-final heartbreak, unfortunately

[Samba]

We either won't get out the group or we'll lose to Senegal or Netherlands in the last 16...
#Mr/Optimistic

[old fart]

Because you're Scottish?

Hardly, English,core, pips the lot.

[Vic_Watson]

We either won't get out the group or we'll lose to Senegal or Netherlands in the last 16...
#Mr/Optimistic

You seem to be forgetting who is also in Group A!

[Samba]

You seem to be forgetting who is also in Group A!

I forgot Qatar are winning the group, Vic!

[mushy]

Disagree that he's a bottler, fundamentally we will get found out towards the end of the tournament because the defenders aren't good enough.

This for me.
I simply can't see the sense in Maguire and Dier.
He's clearly going to play one of them otherwise why take them both?
Our defence is lacking in pace, these two have none and are susceptible to the odd howler.
You really don't need an old fashioned centre half type stopper in the modern game.
He may well start with a back four leading to a more fluid and attacking midfield, trouble is I fear he will go all defensive as soon as we face one of the big boys and revert to five at the back with Declan picking up the pieces.
It won't work.

[Arnold Layne]

I’d like to see the FA show a bit of class and pull the team out of the competition before their first game.

[ParkersHere]

Brazil, Argentina, France definitely stronger sides. Belgium, Spain, Germany, Netherlands all on a similar level to us.
Tournament football has so much to do with luck so we have a chance. I expect we'll go out in the quarter finals

[hammerman11]

final losing to brazil ! paqueta scores the winner!

[guineapig]

Germany are a good side and we beat them.
Denmark and Columbia are reasonable sides as well.

Its knockout football you have to stay in the game, not get pumped 4-1 by Germany like we did in 2010 which Southgate does perfectly, no matter how much people might find it uninspiring.

This

[Believer]

I think it’s written in the stars that Messi will win it with Argentina.

England will reach quarters, maybe semis. Got to agree defence is a concern. Fullbacks (Trippier and Walker) will be fine but I’d suggest if he goes with Maguire and Dier, it’ll backfire. I’d play one of them at most, both together and it’s a no-no.

I think the Wales game will be irrelevant as wins against Iran and USA will already have been secured. Be good to see Wales get through the group as well..

[Metal Hammer]

Be good to see Wales get through the group as well..

Nah

[Knighter10WHU]

This for me.
I simply can't see the sense in Maguire and Dier.
He's clearly going to play one of them otherwise why take them both?
Our defence is lacking in pace, these two have none and are susceptible to the odd howler.
You really don't need an old fashioned centre half type stopper in the modern game.
He may well start with a back four leading to a more fluid and attacking midfield, trouble is I fear he will go all defensive as soon as we face one of the big boys and revert to five at the back with Declan picking up the pieces.
It won't work.

Unfortunately, I think you are right and that's why he's taken Maguire because we are lacking a decent CB that can play left of a 3 (which we'll certainly revert to in the knockouts). Maguire fills that gap and in fairness has always done well in an England shirt.

Very harsh on Tomori not to get the call up, also on Ben White who is probably one of our best defenders but despite being in the squad wont get a game.

Conor Coady is the baffling one for me, he wont play, its well known he's out there because he's good in the squad, a glorified cheerleader, just take him as part of the backroom staff in that case and let Tomori or someone else be in the squad? Don't get it at all.

[DublinDave]

I think England have a very good chance of making the Semi's...
Whatever happens after that is down to lady luck & who has the biggest cajones...

[sussexhammer74]

Qtr finals for us.

AS others have said, it is our defense that is going to be our undoing. Dier and Maguire don't have the pace. Maguire lacks in reading the game anymore. Gets dragged in to the midfield by the forward and the other side will counter attack in behind.

Bellingham is unknown at this level and will Southgate let him have a free role or will he be told to sit tight with Rice in the middle.

Everyone (or mostly everyone) wanted Grealish to start not so long ago but that clamber has quietened. What happened? I know he falls down if the wind from a butterfly's wing hits him.

[Knighter10WHU]

Everyone (or mostly everyone) wanted Grealish to start not so long ago but that clamber has quietened. What happened? I know he falls down if the wind from a butterfly's wing hits him.

I'd start him, he performs better for England than Foden imo.