Sweden vs England 15:00hrs Saturday 7th July 2018

[MK Shrimper]

It's more than 48hrs to kick off and I'm nervous again.


283 × 353 - pinterest.com

 

[South Bank Hank]

Vardy showed his class as the focal point of a team when he blasted Leicester to the most unlikely top flight win ever seen in this country. He is very much an international player. It’s up to us to use him effectively.

The stats above are interesting but need to be viewed in the wider context of where we were in the game when we brought him on - as a foil to help us off the back foot. He can’t do that single handedly and it’s hardly down to him that we didn’t use him effectively as an outlet.

That said, I wouldn’t start him. But he remains a great option for when the game needs pace against a tiring and stretched defence.

 

[South Bank Hank]

On another note, in my opinion, Sweden will be an easier game for England than Colombia. Doesn’t mean we’re odds on to win it, but it’s a style we’re far more comfortable with facing. England did unbelievably well as a young team to combat the war Colombia brought to the pitch. They’ll have grown from it. I just hope they’re not too broken by it.

 

[mattitouk]

Even Putin knows......

 

[Rob Noxious]

I gather that Vardy's inclusion (even on the bench) may be in doubt due to a groin strain. Dele has made good progress and should be fit. I think that Sir Gareth will play the same eleven who started on Tuesday but (for what it's worth) I think Rose deserves to start in place of Young. Having said that, Young played an admirable role as an old head on old shoulders in calming down some of our lads who were getting wound up by the Colombians' naughty antics.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Vardy showed his class as the focal point of a team when he blasted Leicester to the most unlikely top flight win ever seen in this country. He is very much an international player. It’s up to us to use him effectively.

The stats above are interesting but need to be viewed in the wider context of where we were in the game when we brought him on - as a foil to help us off the back foot. He can’t do that single handedly and it’s hardly down to him that we didn’t use him effectively as an outlet.

That said, I wouldn’t start him. But he remains a great option for when the game needs pace against a tiring and stretched defence.

Vardy's not the focal point of this team though and there's no point in changing the style the other players to suit him, particularly when we already have other players who can also get in behind a defence without compromising the type of attacking game we are otherwise set up to play.

Rashford and Welbeck remain better options from the bench.

 

[buffalowolf]

Until this world cup ,i had never seen Rashford play, i have now and he really does look the goods,and for a young fella of 20 i think he is going to be an exceptional talent .

 

[mattitouk]

Has any one heard any news on Alli? he was slightly limping off when he was subbed in the last game. I would imagine he would be doubtful to start, but hopefully will make an appearance at some point in the 2nd half.

 

[Rob Noxious]

Has any one heard any news on Alli? he was slightly limping off when he was subbed in the last game. I would imagine he would be doubtful to start, but hopefully will make an appearance at some point in the 2nd half.

Looking promising - as per post #25.

 

[Blueronron]

It seems so many people want England to lose .so they can say VardyS fault, Sterling ****e, Rose not good enough, Ali injured prone,Henderson bottle job and a head case, Southgate over rated and lucky just look at his Under 21 record
All I will say its coming home and you better have better excuses for semi final, and if we dream and win the cup the excuse ,we had the easy draw or it was a poor World Cup

ITS COMING HOME, ARISE SIR GARETH

 

[MK Shrimper]

It seems so many people want England to lose .

Really? I've not experienced this much positivity from Englishmen & women since Euro 96.

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

Anyway, a Quarter final game against Sweden awaits us this Saturday. (Christ, who would have really thought it at the start of this World cup?).

Actually, I think a lot of people would've expected that given the draw we had. It's more the way we've played that has surprised people.

Expecting an unchanged line-up but I'd start Loftus-Cheek ahead of Alli, who's done nothing so far and seems to be holding back because of the injuries he's picked up.

I thought Sterling had his best game of the tournament against Colombia so I'd probably stick with him. Walker at centre-back still concerns me but Maguire and Stones alongside him have been excellent. Think there's an argument for Rose ahead of Young at left-back too.

I'm predicting England to scrape a 1-0 win.

 

[South Bank Hank]

Some interesting stats on Sky Sports News this evening from the World Cup so far.

Ball possession:
Sweden 38%
England 53%

Goals:
Sweden 6
England 9

But the interesting one is this one:

Fouls committed in own defensive third:
Sweden 18
England 4

With our set-up and the abilities of Sterling and Kane to win free-kicks, that’s a stat I really like ahead of this game.

 

[mattitouk]

Best one yet!!

Even Del Boy believes!!..... Lovely Jubbly!!

 

[RHB]

This is the result of a BBC poll of team selection for today.

Yeah, I'm ok with that, but I still think Mr Southgate will go with Sterling and Ashley Young. Not so sure that Dele Alli will feature in the starting line up though.

 

[Cricko]

I don't think we have played well yet but winning whislt not being our best is always a good omen. I think this is the real test today and I feel slighty nervous. It will be close I think and maybe go to Pens again.

Come on England!

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I don’t we’ve played our best yet Cricko, but I do think we’ve played well. The first half against Panama and much of the match against Colombia were excellent in the face of some pretty rotten tactics. There’s more to come from England in this tournament I think!

 

[RHB]

Jeez, I've never known time to go so slowly. Still two more hours yet.................

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

Any help please....possibly from other exiles?.Would like to listen to the game this afternoon but I fear the old refrain on radio5, "this service is not available in your area." Could try streaming on Catchuptv but fear that won't work Well. Any ideas?

 

[Benfleet A1]

Woo hoo, we're beating another team we aren't good enough to beat.