Posts: 1078
Date: Tue Jul 3 11:36 2018
Colombia v England - Match Predictions Special
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Tonight's match, said to be the biggest game for England for many years, is a puzzle for most soccer pundits and supporters alike. I'm not sure it will be a walkover for England. Will we be held to a draw after ninety minutes of play against the Colombians? My guess is that it will go to extra time. We will then go on to a penalty shootout. Can we win? It's a bit like asking, 'Does Alan Shearer stop talking if he isn't twiddling a pen between his fingers?'

Maybe? Maybe not?

I don't know the answer to the question. I'm still puzzled. Has anyone got any other ideas? Your help would be much appreciated.

Pickford did his job, made a save from not that well taken a penalty. He's obviously got the goalkeepers shirt for the next game. As I've already said Butland isn't that reliable. Don't know that much about Pope.

As George Formby said it all came out in the wash last night. Is that last we see of Sterling starting. I questioned Vardy & Dier coming on but Dier came good in the end but was only brought on to get us through to the end of 90 mins but him & Henderson together to win a game won't work. Impressed with Trippier, along with Kane been our standout players. Changes for Saturday. Sterling can't start. Loftus-Cheek if Dele Alli whose done nothing yet but got the feeling could is not fit. Rose for Young? Young hasn't let us down so that's a matter of opnion. Rest of the players are battling well, as English do.

Agreed GlennMiller, Sterling has never shown his club form in an England shirt & I'd play Rashford ahead of him in the Sweden game.

Trevor Likely wrote:

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It would be helpful if Saturday's kickoff at Parkgate could be brought forward an hour (or should we ask FIFA to delay the kick-off against Sweden by an hour, shouldn't be too difficult for them).

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 That's now been sorted out between the Millers and the Steelmen. Kick off is now 12 noon. 

So pleased for Maguire, said to my lad when we played blades at New York, he'll play for England one day, so composed on the ball and such a threat in the opposition box.

Gotta say the game as a whole though was only played at 40% pace by both teams, heat obviously being a factor. Nobody was outstanding but several players played well, Maguire, Pickford (important saves at crucual times), Walker, Trippier, Henderson.

Semi will be an epic occasion up and down the country. Even had the Exeter cathedral organist playing 3 lions after - whaaat!

yes it was plain to see Maguire was very different and possessing a huge frame and good brain. He certainly caught the eye at the lower levels and then it seemed the english league suddenly got wind and off he went. I wouldnt be surprised to see him become the most expensive defender soon.

I have to say that he may well have made the difference to England thus far and might be the most pivitol player. its very rare to have such an usual play maker. His shape, strength, brain and power are very unique in Football.

He worried me in the first game but since then has been essential.

There have been others of course and the style is perfect for england. It isnt too slow and it isnt too fast.

sterling who most of us dislike more than we love is crucial also. His pace is frightening and no matter the end product in personal goals the defence has to go with him and that pace and naivety shreds defence organisationally.

overall England have played well and should be good enough to have a more than evens chance of beating croatia. I dont think we are quite at the races Vs France or Belgium, but like being a miller one can definitely feel the growing belief.

and finally, I am praying the dreadful Mrs May who is balsing up Brexit has sent secret service to protect the team. I kid you not.

When in doubt get Yorkshire defenders. Really looking forward to tomorrow. Will need a really big performance and I hope after 70 minutes Croatia's legs start to go and we can hit them with pace, 2 extra times and pens must surely take its toll.

Watched back the 1990 semi earlier, only remember it vaguely, but England were the better team for the large part against the West Germans. I don't want to come away and say we didn't deserve that, we were the better team. Performances count for nowt at this stage, just get the job done to get to the final.

Just waiting for Sterling to score the winning goal in a World Cup final, now that would fill a lot of column inches!

Bitterly disappointed @ England's exit. We could maybe should have had the game won in the first half & would have had at least a two goal lead if it wasn't for Kane's greed when going for goal instead of passing for a Sterling tap in.
We have had a really good World Cup for all but the last 75 minutes as the second half AND extra time England were truly awful, the occasion definitely got to the team. This young side will get better though & hopefully learn from their mistakes.

We were never as bad as some said before the tournament and never as good as some said during it. We are probably about the sixth to eighth best international side. We beat teams we should have beaten (one in the last minute and one on penalties), lost a reserve team game against Belgium and lost last night to the first other top ten team we came up against. It is disappointing to miss out after getting a relatively easy ride in the draw but we got further than most expected (in part because of the draw)and we have a young side. We also conducted ourselves well on and off the pitch. All in all, many more pluses than minuses.