Quarter-Finals 4: Sweden v England, 7th July, 3pm(GMT)

[Leewilson]

The only thing Abertawe says that I agree with is the worry about the lack of goals from open play. Even in friendlies, we've had a few 0-0s. I like the system but the players ahead of Henderson (Kane aside) need to improve. I'm not convinced it's the system itself but more the fact that Sterling, Alli and Lingard are underperforming in it. They all have their moments but there isn't the fluency between them that there potentially could and should be.

 

[mase]

Nah the social media traffic was nothing like it is today.

 

[GTFCfish]

Right I'll start the 'war of words' with Sweden to build up the atmosphere:

Ulrika Johnson is a slag.

Whoop whoop!

 

[Bilo]

Nobody in Sweden knows who that is.

 

[mase]

Sven Goran-Eriksson has not very good hair.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Sven Goran-Eriksson has not very good hair.

He said Sweden are going to be harder to beat than Brazil, arrogant bastard.

 

[JimJams]

The greatest Swedish player in history currently has the same scoring record in the US retirement league as Bradley Wright-Philips...

 

[Super_horns]

High profile European ref for the game:

https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/...ees-and-10-video-assistant-referees-appointed

 

[Dirk]

He said Sweden are going to be harder to beat than Brazil, arrogant bastard.

German Footy Legend and "amateur philosopher" Lothar "Loddar" Matthäus just stated in a german footy mag that England will reach the final ( "Loddar knows" ). I read only the headline though while waiting in the supermarket queue.
So nothing to worry about Saturday

 

[Railway Blue]

How can we lose with Kane and Sterling up top!

 

[Bilo]

Mate we got the mighty Toivonen, benched for Tolouse, and Al-Ain STAR STRIKER Marcus Berg up front.

Just saying that we've got our own guns is all.

 

[Railway Blue]

Mate we got the mighty Toivonen, benched for Tolouse, and Al-Ain STAR STRIKER Marcus Berg up front.

Just saying that we've got our own guns is all.

My post was ironic re. Sterling, lol.

 

[Fedora Dale]

The Snork Maiden has more puppy fat than the drip trays of a Pyongyang kebab house...

 

[WilsdenBantam]

German Footy Legend and "amateur philosopher" Lothar "Loddar" Matthäus just stated in a german footy mag that England will reach the final ( "Loddar knows" ). I read only the headline though while waiting in the supermarket queue.
So nothing to worry about Saturday

Well I always said Matthaus knows football.

 

[Bartonyellow]

They will be burning ikea flat pack furniture in the streets if we lose this

 

[TomPNE94]

Sorry Bilo but you're getting smashed 5-0 by the mighty three lions and there's nothing you or that fat fuck Granqvist can do about it

it's coming home

 

[Chris FGR]

We can play without fear, we've won a knockout game AND won on pens, the Germans are long gone, EVERYTHING IS GOING OUR WAY.

Just wanna see Rashford start, much bigger goal threat then Sterling.

 

[SF_]

I must be the only person who thinks Sterling has done a decent job for us in this tournament.

Involved in all our good play in the final third, constantly draws in two defenders and his movement is superb.

 

[TomPNE94]

I must be the only person who thinks Sterling has done a decent job for us in this tournament.

Involved in all our good play in the final third, constantly draws in two defenders and his movement is superb.

Agreed.

Rashford had his chance vs Belgium and did nothing other than put a one on one about 9 yards wide

 

[Bobbin']

Agreed.

Rashford had his chance vs Belgium and did nothing other than put a one on one about 9 yards wide

Clearly under instructions from our Gareth.

 

[JonBCFC]

Clearly under instructions from our Gareth.

I can just imagine Gareth communicating to him via ear piece saying “don’t you fucking dare Marcus, don’t you fucking dare!”

 

[SF_]

Agreed.

Rashford had his chance vs Belgium and did nothing other than put a one on one about 9 yards wide

Sterling is doing a similar job to what Alan Browne does for us.

 

[valefan16]

Sweden players moaning that we are arrogant by saying "its coming home"...

Either don't get English humour or its mind games from them!

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Sweden players moaning that we are arrogant by saying "its coming home"...

Either don't get English humour or its mind games from them!

We as in the Fans, or players and staff? I've only seen the players and staff saying how hard the game will be. If it's fans, then what the actual fuck. Pathetic if that's the case, like fans have any baring what so ever, they should be focused on going onto the pitch and performing, not moaning about opposition fans been confident, it's a new one on me.

 

[Bilo]

Sweden players moaning that we are arrogant by saying "its coming home"...

Either don't get English humour or its mind games from them!

Horrible from them. They should be grateful that they can tell their grandkids they were on the same pitch as the champions elect.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

I bet it's actually Southgate himself who is responsible for all the silly pictures and videos. He's not sat in his office planning team selection or plotting tactics in how we could beat Sweden. Oh no. He's really sat in a Repino basement churning out #itscominghome twitter memes at all hours on a laptop under dozens of pseudonyms. The blokes a genius.

 

[mase]

Horrible from them. They should be grateful that they can tell their grandkids they were on the same pitch as the champions elect.

Finally, someone gets it.

 

[valefan16]

We as in the Fans, or players and staff? I've only seen the players and staff saying how hard the game will be. If it's fans, then what the actual fuck. Pathetic if that's the case, like fans have any baring what so ever, they should be focused on going onto the pitch and performing, not moaning about opposition fans been confident, it's a new one on me.

Seem to be inferring the players are cocky... other than Lingard with the tweet as a bit of fun I would argue whats made this squad perform so far more better and be more likeable than the Golden Generation is the modesty of it.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Seem to be inferring the players are cocky... other than Lingard with the tweet as a bit of fun I would argue whats made this squad perform so far more better and be more likeable than the Golden Generation is the modesty of it.

Didn't see the tweet, and haven't seen any of the players been cocky. But that should add as motivation to Sweden not make them want to winge about it, bless.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Some Important pre-match punditry: Skynet gives England a slight advantage. Meanwhile the goat prefers Sweden.

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/07/06/ai_predicts_england_victory_over_sweden/

https://twitter.com/x/status/1015115988134658048

Being serious and thinking about our as yet slightly dysfunctional attacking midfield: I want RLC starting tomorrow instead of Ali, being fresher. I'd keep Sterling and Lingard alongside in there. Save Rashford and Ali for later, as it will be hot and impact subs will be needed. I just have a feeling Sterling will improve on a big stage like this.

If Sweden are going to let us have most of the possession, we need these lads to be committing the Swedish ranks into challenges to create gaps that other runners can exploit. Loftus-Cheek usually takes some stopping when he gets running with the ball. Hopefully Kane will keep one or two defenders busy the whole time, also creating some gaps. Unless we can get that area working better from open play, we'll be hitting our head against a brick wall.