can England win the World Cup again.

Claretlad · Post by **Claretlad** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:24 pm

they could...

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:28 pm

But won’t.

Tribesmen · Post by **Tribesmen** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:28 pm

Nope , next question

Claretlad · Post by **Claretlad** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:29 pm

might

GodIsADeeJay81 · Post by **GodIsADeeJay81** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:29 pm

Anyone could win it if everything lined up for them.

It's just trying to get it all lined up.

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:29 pm

Haven’t we had a thread about this before and the answer was no then

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:31 pm

If Greece can win the Euro's then why not?

How many of that Greek side were good enough to play for Burnley?

hampsteadclaret · Post by **hampsteadclaret** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:31 pm

Will you be supporting us Tribesmen, or hoping we get battered?

conyoviejo · Post by **conyoviejo** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:34 pm

Can they phook ..

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:35 pm

Claretlad wrote:might

There is simply no way we will win it because England are just not good enough as usual, won’t stop us hopeing though.

Claretlad · Post by **Claretlad** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:37 pm

its not going to be easy.

TheFamilyCat · Post by **TheFamilyCat** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:43 pm

Spijed wrote:If Greece can win the Euro's then why not?

How many of that Greek side were good enough to play for Burnley?

Greece were very much like Burnley under Dyche that tournament: limitations in quality, played to their strengths and found a way to win games.

If England approached tournaments with the same attitude and set themselves up appropriately they'd fare much better.

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:45 pm

We will go through to the knock out stages and then get knocked out...that’s how it works you see time and time again

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 11:33 pm

can England win the World Cup,yes but it's unlikely,we don't have a tournament mentality,unlike the Germans who nearly always reach the semi-finals at least,if you keep giving yourself a chance the odds are you will succeed more often then not,England don't give themselves a chance by progressing deep into tournaments.

mdd2 · Post by **mdd2** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 11:37 pm

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
But we may have the best fist since Robson's men or go tits up big time

Billy Balfour · Post by **Billy Balfour** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 11:40 pm

I've been doing my bit for England ever since Euro 2016 - I've stopped shopping at Iceland. We all have to do our bit and I've sacrificed a lot by not buying their frozen pizzas and peas. I'm so patriotic, me. Or is it frozen pastryiotic? I'll never know now, will I.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Fri Jun 01, 2018 11:47 pm

I believe a lot of it is psychological. Some of it luck. And a bit of it talent.

The media here doesnt help either. Wont be long before they start banging the penalties drum. And talking us up and knocking us down etc.

In Italia 90 we didnt have that good a team but nearly got to the final. We had some luck, but when Gazza got booked I believe the psychology part is what affected us.
In Euro 96 we had a fantastic team. We even had the luck. But again psychologically when it came to penalties we cocked up. No way should Southgate have been allowed to take the 5th penalty. So clearly someone had bottled taking it ahead of him.
98 good team but bottled it on penalties. And had some bad luck with the red card and Sol Campbell's disallowed goal.
2002 we had a pretty good team but had awful luck with injuries Gerrard, Neville missing out and Beckham not fully fit. Beckham, Owen, Ferdinand, Campbell and probably Cole were all world class at that point. And all under an excellent manager in Sven.
2004 we should have won hands down. What a team we had there. Back 4 of Neville, Terry, Campbell and Cole. Ferdinand missing because of his drugs test. Then we had Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes, Hargreaves, Owen, Rooney. Unbelievable team. But going down to ten men again and then losing on penalties is what went against us.
2006 probably last competition we had half a chance in. Penalties again.

What we have this time is a positive manager. Who believes in his squad. The talent isnt the best but I believe their mentality and approach will be. We also have a World Class striker and some extreme pace in the side. If we get a bit of luck who knows.

I dont think we will win it, but in a relatively easy group if we get a run together a la Italia 90 who knows.

BennyD · Post by **BennyD** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 12:19 am

piston broke · Post by **piston broke** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 12:29 am

Not this time but we have some players coming through and could be close next time.
I think Southgate has been a breathof fresh air and ideas but watch the press go for him when we go out. Winkers.

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 12:36 am

Spijed wrote:How many of that Greek side were good enough to play for Burnley?

Considering they played a #Dychelike system I would say maybe a few ????

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 12:39 am

In chance a not hells cat.

Alanstevensonsgloves · Post by **Alanstevensonsgloves** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 12:56 am

Anything is possible

Braindead · Post by **Braindead** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 1:17 am

We need to invoke the spirit of 1990.

Shite in the group stages, a couple of scabby undeserved victories agsinst Belgium and those footballing tyranasaurusses Cameroon and then play our best game against the Germans and heroically lose on penalties.

MT03ALG · Post by **MT03ALG** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 1:54 am

We MAY, with a lot of luck, get through the group stage......
BUT, if Popey plays, we will win the World Cup...

Woodleyclaret · Post by **Woodleyclaret** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 4:57 am

Poor done nothng manager who has picked dross suggested by the media
Best keeper in England on form and clean sheets not giaranteed a game.
We have a selection of midfielders who cant pass forward and can't pick a quick pass.Henderson haa to be one of the worst players in tbe Premiership yet gets selected .Weve no chance.

Joe14 · Post by **Joe14** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 5:06 am

Absolutely not.

Lauren12 · Post by **Lauren12** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 7:37 am

The usual suspects (Germany, Spain, France, Brazil, etc) will murder us in the latter stages, IF we get through the Group stages.

Goobs · Post by **Goobs** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 7:38 am

We have looked solid if a little unspectacular in the games I have seen under Southgate. IF we can get Kane firing and Sterling playing as he has for City then there is a (very) slim chance should one or two of the favourites have a bit of a mare.

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 7:55 am

But you don't need the best players to win the world cup, or any tournament. just a well organised team.

That's all.

Too many are looking at England's players individually when we should simply copy what Greece did in the Euro's.

It wasn't that they had a good side with good players but that they had a simple game plan. No technically gifted players. Just hard to break down.

Copy teams like that and we'll do well.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 8:16 am

Who is England's manager these days,Southgate oh right ...no ******* chance then!

Joe14 · Post by **Joe14** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 8:33 am

Goobs wrote:We have looked solid if a little unspectacular in the games I have seen under Southgate. IF we can get Kane firing and Sterling playing as he has for City then there is a (very) slim chance should one or two of the favourites have a bit of a mare.

We always look solid pre tournament. Then the bum goes

Siddo · Post by **Siddo** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 8:37 am

Pope isn't the answer. Its a ridiculous situation going into a world cup with 3 keepers that have no international experience.
We always seem to find our best side by accident. A couple of injuries and suspensions and away we go.

Put your money on Germany or Spain, but with luck we could reach the semis.

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 8:41 am

I'm normally a believer in anything is possible, but no, not a cat in hells chance.
Perhaps the next generation will be luckier.

4:20 · Post by **4:20** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 8:48 am

Yes! .... but.... I think we're going to do really well in every game we play, the momentum begins, pride in the shirt restored, we're on a roll and get through to the knockouts, we win both of those, tight games and then disaster strikes in the semis, we've nearly been caught out a few times playing it out like Man Citys keeper does, the inevitable happens and an almighty cock up from our keeper sends us out 1-0.

My only fear with this team, trying to emulate City at the back.

Barring that though, if the team is together, takes the Dyche route to success and feed into a potentially brilliant front line, we could go on and win the thing.
Imagine the high come the end of August if England are champions of the world and we qualify for the group stages in the Europa, what an amazing 2 and a half months that would be.

Dare To Suncream

piston broke · Post by **piston broke** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 8:51 am

Lauren12 wrote:The usual suspects (Germany, Spain, France, Brazil, etc) will murder us in the latter stages, IF we get through the Group stages.

When was the last time anybody “murdered” us at a tournament?

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 8:56 am

piston broke wrote:When was the last time anybody “murdered” us at a tournament?

Iceland in the Euro's ....that was murder!

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 8:57 am

piston broke wrote:When was the last time anybody “murdered” us at a tournament?

True, but over the years we've found so many ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Caernarfon_Claret · Post by **Caernarfon_Claret** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 9:28 am

Yes, but it's a bit like the West Ham way, England supporters need to stop being so precious about the way their team play and focus on getting a winning formula.

Winstonswhite · Post by **Winstonswhite** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 9:33 am

If we manage to get through a tricky group we still have to beat either Germany or Brazil in the quarters and I just can’t see us beating either of those even if we played brilliantly.

My prediction is a plucky two-one defeat in the Quarters. And that’s being mega optimistic.

CnBtruntru · Post by **CnBtruntru** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 9:36 am

Dunno

CnBtruntru · Post by **CnBtruntru** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 9:36 am

never

RocketLawnChair · Post by **RocketLawnChair** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 9:41 am

piston broke wrote:When was the last time anybody “murdered” us at a tournament?

South Africa 2010 Germany 4 England 1 and they should have had 8. They murdered us and Lampards over the line goal wouldn’t have made much difference in the second half even if it had stood they were all over us completely different class

AlargeClaret · Post by **AlargeClaret** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 9:43 am

It’s a relatively “weak” WC with 2 tough teams missing Italy and Holland ( neither we’d ever fancy playing ) the group is surely one of the easiest to qualify from as well.
On their day we have players who can trouble and score against pretty much anyone .
That said I don’t think we’re good enough overall and I’m struggling a bit to get behind these pampered millionaire poodles who represent us.

Lauren12 · Post by **Lauren12** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 9:46 am

Piston broke: 'When was the last time anybody “murdered” us at a tournament?'

Aye, fair point. I'll re-phase it then, I always feel like football's been murdered after watching us at a tournament.

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 9:46 am

Yes. Not this time but as the academies churn out better coached players and as tactics and attitudes evolve into something say more Germanic we have a chance.

bobinho · Post by **bobinho** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 10:06 am

No.

Not this time. Southgate hasn't had enough time with them.

There needs to be massive changes to the way we run our game, starting at the association. Bin it- start again. We need to limit the power that the TV and media hold over the game. We need to re-structure the leagues and reduce the amount of teams in each one, thereby reducing the amount of games per season. There needs to be a winter break (even though I wouldn't like not going to footy at Xmas) in fact, the whole game needs to change from ground roots up. Knocking young players confidence at a young age because "you're too small kid" shouldn't be part of their development - some of the best players in the world are small, but we can't get past not choosing a player because he's not the size of Terry Butcher. We also need to limit the amount of players brought in from overseas, to enable our own young stars to play and flourish. In order for that to happen, money, and the way it is distributed needs to change, but because footy has got to the silly levels it has, the big boys won't allow those changes so going back will be impossible.

Above all, we need someone in charge of the national team who will pick the right players to fit the style of play we have to play, to make us effective and in with a chance of getting something from the game, not just the players he's expected to pick by either the FA or the media. He needs to be able to coach the players to make them a better collective unit. Acknowledge what their strengths are, and factor that into the game. Instill belief in them, and get them to bleed for each other. He needs the swingers to tell his part time coaching staff that `player x` who plays for his club ISN'T the best option in that position. He needs the swingers to speak to the media about what he is trying to do, and be his own man enough to disregard the pressure from both his bosses, and the media.

Can anyone think of such a manager?

I'm not convinced Southgate is the man, but I do think he's been a bit more `edgy` than previous incumbents.

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 10:17 am

Yes. But probably not this time.

I like Southgate and like what he’s trying to do. You dont need free flowing beautiful football to win. Just hard work and team spirit it enough. We finished 7th in the “best league in the world” by doing the basics. Nothing else.

The only thing not to look forward to is the so called “fans” whinging every ******* minute and the absolute **** that are the media.

Southgate gets stick for no reason whatsoever and the medias treatment of Sterling is sad.

I recently got speaking to a guy from Bremen. He’s not a massive football fan but one of the first things he mentioned was our media and how they treated our national team.

duncandisorderly · Post by **duncandisorderly** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 10:39 am

With expectation thankfully lower, and no mentions of 'Golden Generation' and other such ********, then we probably have our best chance of winning since 1966.

Falcon · Post by **Falcon** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 10:45 am

Yes. And probably more likely to do so than all but 7 or 8 sides in there this year.

I don't think we will (I'm backing France) but it could happen.

Falcon · Post by **Falcon** » Sat Jun 02, 2018 10:46 am

ITT: People who don't understand the question