And to be honest I haven't given it much thought like may others I'm quite apathetic towards England but, it's football and I'll watch the tournament non the less. So my question for you lot is simple Will England progress to the latter stages or will we fail to get out of the group stage? I for one think we will reach the quarters And as an aside I'm quite warming to Gareth Southgate he just may have found a system that suits us.
The group will be a lot tougher than people realise. Panama and Tunisia are getting written off already. I think we'll get out of the group with four points then fail in the second round if Poland or Colombia win their group. Hoping Senegal or Japan win that specfic group and we might make the quarters against the Germans.
Having felt very similar about England for a long time I have decided to go into this one with a open mind. I like the way Southgate has approached the job, seems a honest and enthusiastic guy. If we can get off to a good start and beat Tunisia then we should go through. However with it being the first game I wouldn't be surprised with a draw. Looking at the group we are paired with I think the last 16 would be a 50/50 game. Anything beyond that would be a good achievement.
Think that's a bit harsh. Panama are poor and we've got more than enough to beat Tunisia. That Belgium side aren't as good as their squad suggests either. We'll match them, could go either way. Second round defeats to any of that group would be disappointing. Colombia aren't the side they were in 2014. We'll make the quarters then out imo. Genuinely think this is most exciting England squad at a world cup for ages, even without the quality of previous years.
It all depends on how they handle the pressure - our last competitive tournament game was against Iceland, we would have struggled to beat the Supermarket team on that performance and at least 6 of the England team that started that game have a good chance of playing the games this time round too. If the likes of Rashford and Alli are given the freedom to express themselves and play well then we could go to the quarter finals, even semi's. If we go into our shell and start with the negative football we'll not get out of the group.
England should get out the group. Winning it possibly will depend on the game v Belgium. Not sure if you have enough to go any further.
Agree with what others have said, quarter finals is where I think we’ll get. Anything more and I’ll be delighted. Looking forward to it!
I'd be extremely surprised and disappointed if we didn't get to the quarters. However, I don't expect us to get past either Brazil or Germany who likely await us there, but you never know. The usual draw to start with against Tunisia, beat Panama easily, and draw with Belgium. I can't see us having too much trouble in the second phase unless we get Poland. They'd be tough.
Quarter finals is probably where we will become unstuck. I think France will win it. It's mental the players they couldn't even find a space for in their 23 man squad. Crazy strength in depth. Neymar would be my top scorer pick. He's not played a competitive game since February so should should be fresh as a daisy and eager against tiring teams of players who have had a long season. Brazil also have a really easy group where he could score in every game. Especially having the likes of Firmino and Coutinho helping him out.
France are great going forwards but according to my French friend, their defence is a car-crash waiting to happen. He thinks they'll crack under pressure from a decent side.
We should be aiming for the Quarter finals at least but I do have an awful feeling that we will go out in the group stage. Had the same feeling in the last world cup and it happened. Our performance at the Euro's 2 years ago was pretty pathetic too and its still fresh in my mind so it must be in the players heads.
Assuming they don't crack under pressure a team that won eight and drew two of their qualifiers should comfortably get out of their group. I'll go for two wins and a draw against Belgium. Just about enough to get through the first knock out round then heavily odds on to get knocked out in the quarters.
Brazil. Free from the weight of expectation that crippled them on home soil last time. Plus a coach who has tried to focus the squad on playing to their own strengths rather than emulating the glory sides of the past.
I can believe that. Case in point the other night against USA. Pretty good when the front half of your side has Kante, Pogba, Griezmann, Giroud and Mbappe. But Lloris isn't world class for a keeper and the defence looks shakey.