Qatar 2022 kill the slave labour World Cup

[AndyPaul]

The increase in added time is a total success. Time wasting has disappeared. It needs to be brought into all leagues.

Which is why, of course, when asked by a couple of journo's the FA immediately ruled it out.

Playing against Villa would last days.

[AndyPaul]

The early Holland goal has killed this game so far.

[H-Bombs]

Game on now.

[the flying pig]

Brendon the game changer

[the flying pig]

[Devi]

Suppose I have to go with our ex-colonial bredrin today.

I think it's time our players came home, after all we are playing Monaco on 21st Dec. At least Aaronson has had a good rest.

On reflection, it’s been a good WC for LUFC. No injuries*, Kristensen improved by playing better teams, Aaronson used only a little, but confidence building performances, and Adams’ value up substantially.


* although I fully expect to hear about Bamford breaking his leg as he trips up on his way to the lav at some WC final party or other.

[H-Bombs]

USA had a good run at them, game didn't go their way, but ultimately the Dutch do have a bit more about them.

[Mustafaster]

USA had a good run at them, game didn't go their way, but ultimately the Dutch do have a bit more about them.

Aye, fair play to the yank, gave it their best shot.
Just don't quite have the chops against the best opposition.
No way are we keeping Tyler next season, but he will be a cash cow.

[Bobbycollins]

Holland deserved their win but without looking a huge threat. At the risk of being treasonable, I thought Adams could have done a bit more on the first goal, as unusually he was just jogging back towards the defence, whereas a positive run might have brought him to the edge of the box in time to interfere with the pull back.

[AndyPaul]

Thought the Dutch managed the game well. Looked like they played within themselves and stepped it up when they had to. Whereas as the US were plsying as well as they could. I expect the US will be a bigger threat in 4 years time as they grow.

[Terre Harte II]

All comments to this point are on it, we were just second-best and that early Holland goal played right into their hands. (And having watched the replay, I agree that Tyler should have done better.)

When I say we were second-best, it’s from a forgiving place. We’re young and going this far was probably our ceiling. This was a teeth-cutting World Cup. Our window is 2026, playing on home soil.

We just don’t have the class to break down a team sitting back. We don’t have a striker to speak of. We get pulled out of position too easily, especially on their third goal, which looked like it was straight from a Leeds lowlight reel. (Though it was more Robinson pulling himself out of position rather than the style of play compromising the fullback.)

In fact, we’re remarkably similar to Leeds in both our strengths and weaknesses.

Holland were lethal when given the chance to be. Credit to them. We really needed to score first, but alas …

[dirty leeds]

I thought Pulisic was a big disappointment today. Should have buried that early chance and his shooting all match was poor.
Tyler maybe operates better as part of a twosome.

[Quiffy]

All comments to this point are on it, we were just second-best and that early Holland goal played right into their hands. (And having watched the replay, I agree that Tyler should have done better.)

When I say we were second-best, it’s from a forgiving place. We’re young and going this far was probably our ceiling. This was a teeth-cutting World Cup. Our window is 2026, playing on home soil.

We just don’t have the class to break down a team sitting back. We don’t have a striker to speak of. We get pulled out of position too easily, especially on their third goal, which looked like it was straight from a Leeds lowlight reel. (Though it was more Robinson pulling himself out of position rather than the style of play compromising the fullback.)

In fact, we’re remarkably similar to Leeds in both our strengths and weaknesses.

Holland were lethal when given the chance to be. Credit to them. We really needed to score first, but alas …

the dutch seemed to follow a similar pattern tactically to what us england attempted; stretch you forwrd to get you to press in areas where you didn't want to press, happily conceding a lot of possession and ground but nullifying your energy, and then hit you on the break. the big difference being they properly hit you on the break.

clever by the dutch who won a lot of their individual battles, they're dangerous if not at all exciting.

[jackos]

* although I fully expect to hear about Bamford breaking his leg as he trips up on his way to the lav at some WC final party or other.

That wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, at least the club would be forced to buy a forward if that happens. We've been waiting 1.5 seasons for Bamford to sort himself out, we can't afford to wait for a another six months.

[Mustafaster]

Once again with the Argie stream.
El futbol es tu amigo. Tu jefe un cabron, los vecinos necios, el sacerdote un pederasta, tu presidente un ladron ...
Pero el futbol es tu amigo, da igual el resultado, el futbol, siempre amigo.
¡AUPA ALBICELESTE!
Football is your friend. Your boss is a bastard, your neighbours are fools, your priest is a pederast, your president a thief...
But football s always your friend, win lose or draw, football is always your friend.
This is Messi's 1000th professional match.

[H-Bombs]

Happy for Messi. Keeper was unsighted maybe but didn't cover himself in glory.

[Quiffy]

* although I fully expect to hear about Bamford breaking his leg as he trips up on his way to the lav at some WC final party or other.

That wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, at least the club would be forced to buy a forward if that happens. We've been waiting 1.5 seasons for Bamford to sort himself out, we can't afford to wait for a another six months.

surely there's a recall clause on tyler roberts?

[Matt White]

* although I fully expect to hear about Bamford breaking his leg as he trips up on his way to the lav at some WC final party or other.

That wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, at least the club would be forced to buy a forward if that happens. We've been waiting 1.5 seasons for Bamford to sort himself out, we can't afford to wait for a another six months.

surely there's a recall clause on tyler roberts?

Hopefully we've lost the receipt

[the flying pig]

the BBC's Messi wankfest is a bit embarrassing. he was as good as anyone who's ever played the game but so far short of his best form now that it's not funny - just a decent player at the very top level. rolling in a decent finish against Australia doesn't change that.

[H-Bombs]

Yeah, he's still good and very capable of scoring or seriously impacting the game if they can get him on the ball in the right areas but he's a million miles off the player he was 10 years ago. Back then, he was capable of winning games nearly on his own. Now, Argentina might win the World Cup and he might be a big contributor, but he's not going to carry them to glory in the way the story would be written.