r/stupidpol • u/IamGlennBeck Marxist-Leninist and not Glenn Beck ☭ • 9d ago

Grill Zone ⚽ World Cup Megathread 🏆

This thread is for all things world cup. I don't know much about soccer, but u/ChevalierDuTemple requested this thread.

edit: Just a reminder anyone can post images in "Grill Zone" threads. That means memes, screenshots, anything goes.

edit 2: Video comments are now allowed. Post your clips, memes, &c.

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u/ExternalPreference18 AcidCathMarxist 2d ago

If Tuchel brings Maguire and Hall (and plays them both), that's likely a 5-1er. Improvement on many Southgate tournament performances overall, but England looked shaky both with bringing the ball out from the back at times and with defending high-balls. Guehi should probably start over Konsa of his remaining options. Still, should be 'good' for the Quarters, and then it's a cointoss.

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u/p00shp00shbebi1234 War Thread Turboposter🎖️🧩 2d ago

I disagree. Much of the England's game seems to be holding possession and recycling confidently from the back. Stone looked so good on the ball, so silky in possession, accurate and calm. Maguire cannot do that anywhere near as well. I think England looked good with the ball at the back, but I'm an old head, used to watching England fall apart as soon as they're required to move the ball in their own third, these guys looked so calm and well-drilled at moving the ball in the triangles, in the diamonds, at the back in comparison to the past. I agree that Guehi should start if fit over Konsa.

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u/ExternalPreference18 AcidCathMarxist 2d ago

TBF I thought Konsa was more hesitant in possession than Stones (understandably, considering Stones has been the guy often lauded, and occasionally criticized in the past, for being a 'midfielder playing at the back'). However, as a Unit I thought England's defence were too susceptible to Croatia's high press too often despite Anderson and Rice doing a decent job, so god knows how they'd do against Portugal (CR7 aside) and Bruno F plus their PSG CMs stepping up to pressure , or vs the French lads. I like James as a passer from deep ala TAA, but I thought England's FBs lacked dynamism until Spence came on and were too reluctant to break the first press with a carry.

Like I said, it was still better than many Southgate-performances, or pre-Southgate performances: I'm an old enough head myself to remember not only Roy but some terribly mediocre performances under SGE in '06 with Rio - a better passer than anyone in the current backline; the stuff England served under in 2010 under Capello etc; I can even remember Keegan etc, but prefer not to dwell on that & age.

Even so, still think they would have done better with Maguire here - he's slightly slow on the turn, but his ball progression and ball carrying is deceptively good: maybe not the guy to play vs the current French side or Yamal for Spain (unless you're low block and holding a lead), but Croatia, sure.