The actual I am watching the World Cup thread. No, non World Cup watchers please. Spoilers.

crescent

They are different types of player. Both brilliant in their own right, but Griezeman has been at the top of his game since before Mbappe came along. Different perspectives maybe, but if I had to choose one over the other, I would pick Griezman. Yes, Mbappe can have displays of brilliance and change a game but Griezman just seems to be able to influence every area of the pitch for the whole duration of the game.

Just to be clear, I am not criticsing Mbappe nor doubting his obvious ability, just saying that I see some unwelcome tendencies that tend to creep into the games of some of the "genius" players.

tailwindhome

orraloon said:

Testing my Spanish here: what a silly look Or: what a look Silly?

Quien habla español? @sungod ?

'What are you looking at, stupid?'

Post match beef with the Dutch

rick_chasey

tailwindhome said:

orraloon said:

Testing my Spanish here: what a silly look Or: what a look Silly?

Quien habla español? @sungod ?

'What are you looking at, stupid?'

Post match beef with the Dutch

in the press conference

DeVlaeminck

surrey_commuter said:

DeVlaeminck said:

Really enjoyed that match, when Morocco attack they really commit to it - made me wonder if we'd had rampaging FBs to link up with Saka and Foden if we'd have done better.

I think our problem was the safety first don't lose the ball mindset rather than the personnel.

I agree - it's easy to pick up on what players do well or on mistakes but what they aren't trying to do is easier to miss. I've seen Walker underlap the wide forward and end up in the opponent's box for Man City. Another example would be Rice not carrying the ball forwards as much as he does for West Ham.

I'm backing Southgate for the Euros but I hope he just tweaks it to allow players to leave their station more to add to the attacking threat.

DeVlaeminck

Re. Mbappe, Pochettino was a pundit on one of the France games and he was very much of the opinion there was a lot Mbappe could work on - Potch has coached him of course though he's also Argentinian so may be more inclined towards Messi and Maradona's reputations.

surrey_commuter

DeVlaeminck said:

surrey_commuter said:

DeVlaeminck said:

Really enjoyed that match, when Morocco attack they really commit to it - made me wonder if we'd had rampaging FBs to link up with Saka and Foden if we'd have done better.

I think our problem was the safety first don't lose the ball mindset rather than the personnel.

I agree - it's easy to pick up on what players do well or on mistakes but what they aren't trying to do is easier to miss. I've seen Walker underlap the wide forward and end up in the opponent's box for Man City. Another example would be Rice not carrying the ball forwards as much as he does for West Ham.

I'm backing Southgate for the Euros but I hope he just tweaks it to allow players to leave their station more to add to the attacking threat.

I think that Kane should drop back into the Griezman type role and we should pick somebody with pace as the focal point of our attack as it makes us too easy to defend against.

He would be competing with Foden/Bellingham.

I would drop everybody who will be too old at the next world cup. That way the new guys will have tournament experience at the Euros

shirley_basso

Yes but also still wanna win it, so can't be to broad with the sythe - as experience of winning is also valuable - can't always build to the 'next wc'.

daniel_b

I think it has the potential to be an excellent game on Sunday.

It's a 50/50 for me, both teams have the players to turn the game.

I'm going for 3-2 to France, I hope it will be an open and flowing game.

pblakeney

daniel_b said:

I think it has the potential to be an excellent game on Sunday.

It's a 50/50 for me, both teams have the players to turn the game.

I'm going for 3-2 to France, I hope it will be an open and flowing game.

I'm hoping for that too but fear the "dark arts" will be prevalent from both sides.

DeVlaeminck

Certainly the way refs have been letting the game flow is open to abuse by a team that might take advantage of that greater leniency. Would it be unfair to suggest that Argentina may benefit more from that ?

mrb123

Players crowding round and jostling the ref is an absolute disgrace. That's at least twice the Morrocans have done that - the one in the first half after his decision was entirely correct.

Should be a straight red for laying a finger on the ref.

pblakeney

I missed a fair section of the match but heard there was a contentious penalty decision. Any details?

mrb123

Croatia could have had one, player went down having had his leg slightly clipped from behind. Wasn't as clear cut as the commentators made out.

pblakeney

Thanks!
Edit:- Seen it. Let's just say he tried too hard to buy the penalty.

orraloon

Good that the ref was one of those not buying the diving, he touch me moneyball pansy bollox. Morocco just not good enough in converting pressure and chances into on target strikes.

Dorset_Boy

Blatant dive to win a penalty by the cheats. Ref totally fell for it.

ddraver

Hmmm, les bleus have actuellement got to start playing now...

Dorset_Boy

Ref may as well put the Argie shirt on. No way a foul on Messi. Just out jumped.

MidlandsGrimpeur2

Hmmm, les bleus have actuellement got to start playing now...

Not sure they can. I had a feeling France were not the team of 4 years ago, it seemed like they were utilising their experience to find a way to win whilst playing poorly against England and Morocco. If the form isn't there, at some point your luck runs out.

Hope they prove me wrong though, would much rather a France win.

mrb123

Great goal

Dorset_Boy

Great breakaway goal tbf.

Huge challenge for France now.

dabber

First match of the WC I've bothered to watch. France are being totally outplayed so far.

ddraver

ddraver said:

Hmmm, les bleus have actuellement got to start playing now...

....And that was always going to be a possibility.

MidlandsGrimpeur2

Had to say, you could argue that Macallister has been player of the tournament.

Good luck holding on to him Brighton!

MattFalle

this could be embarrassing for les bleus

lets see how the double sub goes

Dorset_Boy

Di Maria should be on the 5m board in the pool.

Agree that McAllister has been excellent

MattFalle

Ref is a big fll. I ain't arguing with him.

focuszing723

He is incredible. They are so lucky to have him there at the World Cup, amazing.

Dorset_Boy

Argentina have been so much quicker in everything. Almost as if the French are still suffering from the virus that has afflicted them this week.
However, they dive left right and centre, are very cynical and then look in disbelief when they finally get a booking.
Better side by a distance, but are really horrible team.

focuszing723

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1604490162976698368?cxt=HHwWgMCtnazTpcQsAAAA

https://twitter.com/mn_google/status/1604490256463433728