24 Jun 2026 12:17:42
Good morning comrades.
I left Istanbul yesterday afternoon, their temperature was 31 degrees. Heathrow was 36 degrees. What’s that all about?
Dashed northwards and made it just in time for the England v Ghana game and wished I hadn’t bothered. Not much different style wise to the Southgate era, despite Tommy Turtles ideas and philosophy.
Having said that, Ghana were superb. They worked so hard, strong, physical, organised, aggressive and dangerous on the counter. They were unlucky not to get a penalty.


Low block defence is very very difficult to break down. Hence Tuchel's tactic is always to take a risk, break quickly having drawn them into us, especially our battery of fast wingers. Sounds familiar, where have I seen that before?
But we were too pedestrian in transition, risk averse allowing them time to get set defensively. Also, someone seems to have convinced Pickford that he’s a ball playing GK. He’s not.
It’s a confidence thing imo team wise.
Anyway, have I missed anything?

1.) 24 Jun 2026
24 Jun 2026 14:43:12
No Stokey. We were very lucky not to have Pickford dismissed for missing the ball and taking down the player, and Konsa's foul was a clear penalty. So what does Tt do? Gordon vs Rashford. I am not a fan of either, but it has to be Rashford. If Barcelona want one or both, too much sun must be getting to them. Gordon, once I think, went for the byline. Spence got so fed up with him losing the ball every time he passed it to him, he gave up and was subbed with him. Or Reilly or Spence - tricky. Reilly nearly scored with his shoulder and did pass to Rashford. Konsa gives me no confidence, and if Stone is not up to it, Quansah for Panama.

The centre backs and James were guilty of back and sideways passing. James is another potential weakness in the side. Bellingham is a class player, and somehow we need to get the ball to him as Ando did several times. When Rogers came on, it made a difference. Rice - also I have a question over him, he spent a lot of time in their half. So why not replace Rice with Rogers for Panama. As per usual, our 150 M player was superb - irreplaceable. Kane might have missed a sitter, but he is the one up front.
That was my summary.

2.) 24 Jun 2026
24 Jun 2026 15:07:03
Good summary, Nuno. ?

3.) 24 Jun 2026
24 Jun 2026 15:26:46
Stokey, I think your summary was perfect. Not many are praising Ghana for their performance, but we raved about Cape Verde and others. They put their bodies on the line and got the result that they wanted. We have a pretty p*** poor record against African sides anyway.

Going into the last game, all we need to do is better Ghana's result vs Croatia. Still in it, still unbeaten, and we looked the better side in both games. There's a long way to go yet. ?

4.) 24 Jun 2026
24 Jun 2026 17:10:52
The World Cup in general so far is not worth watching.
It's too many teams, for starters, like Ghana just putting eleven players behind the ball.
Switched more games off after 30 mins, sun's out, and rather be outside than watching TV with crap on view.

5.) 24 Jun 2026
24 Jun 2026 20:24:25
For once, I couldn't agree with you more, DTP.

6.) 24 Jun 2026
24 Jun 2026 20:41:24
I totally agree DTP, spot on. Hence the jocks getting in, beating clamidea to get through. Again, Hastings had it right, putting a wall up against their football.

7.) 24 Jun 2026
24 Jun 2026 20:48:27
Hang, make that two, Hadrian. Wouldn't care if he parked his horse in our back garden. ?