Well Done Gareth and the Lads!

[monkeyman]

First half was a bit nervous, but we took our chance when it arrived. 2nd half, I thought we were brilliant. Even Sterling put in a really good half. So far I think his movement has been really good, but when the ball has got to him he has been poor. 2nd half I thought he worked his socks off and ran the channels well. Alli got a goal, and grew into the games afterwards. 

That 2nd half was the best I've seen us play in a knockout game. We were superb. Before the tournament, I wasn't being facetious, I honestly thought we wouldn't get out the group. I was satisfied with that, getting to the quarters, I thought we haf done pretty well. Semis is absolute dreamland. I am starting to believe we have a chance, but whatever happens; well done to Gareth and the lads. We have developed an identity as a team for the first time since I was 10, and I am absolutely chuffed. No matter what happens, I love this team. Well done!!

[bubba]

Dreamland,  realised yesterday it's been longer since we last got to a WC semi than it had been since we'd won it when we got to the semis in 90,  jeez I'm old.

Sterling MOTM for me and thought Ashley Young had his best game even though I've always felt I'd start Rose ahead of him I learned to appreciate him today.

Thought we started slowly and gave them far too much respect,  I don't care how they qualified to get this far we are comfortably better than them.  Despite that still needed 3 very good Pickford saves which is a tad concerning.

One other thing,  I'm not a gerritforward merchant and understand we're playing a possession game but lost count how many times we had the ball wide in the last third and CHOSE, not were forced to but CHOSE to not put a cross in and ended up passing back all the way to Pickford.  Sorry,  I don't care what style you're playing,  when you've worked the ball to that position you DO NOT pass up an opportunity to swing the ball in.  You're not going to be in that position 20 or 30 times a game and even if there's only one in the box you put it in there,  anything can happen.

Apart from that though,  right chuffed.

[Deleted]

I wasn't as disappointed by Southgate's appointment as some, He'd done well with the under-21s and it was clear that another 'high profile' manager was never going to bring us success. I always thought that this world cup was going to be more about preparing the younger players for the next Euros, so to get to the semis is a great achievement, even if we've been fairly lucky with the teams we've faced.
On the evidence of tonight so far, both Russia and Croatia are very beatable in the next round.

[coopobot]

Im the same as Bosch. When southgate was appointed i was actually happy about it. If a manager has had reasonable success with the under 21s, then makes good sense to bring him to the full set up as those players come up aswell.

I thought QF and then the inevitable knock out by the Germans. Nothing to greatly be in fear of from Russia or Croatia. No more so than we were about Colombia or Sweden anyway.

[Deleted]

Now I'm not spreading negativity as we have got further then we ever have in my lifetime.

We haven't really played anyone who's all that good but we have been dealt a good hand as a lot of the perceived better teams have been knocked out - I hope Russia beat Croatia because I see that as a more winnable Semi Final but I think Belgium will win the World Cup - I think we will find a way to screw it up.

[Deleted]

It's true that we haven't played any of the top teams at full strength, but England of old would have huffed and puffed in most of those games. This team has a clear plan against each opponent and executes it well enough. I still thinks it's a work in progress but this is an excellent foundation to build on for future competitions.

[bubba]

Would much rather have played Russia who are pretty poor and amazing they got this far.

Croatia didn't impress,  as they haven't in a couple of other games but they do have the talent to move up several gears.

My football superstition is in overdrive having tipped Croatia at the outset,  I'm dreading being even half right.

Think they'll prefer playing England than sides that have defended in numbers against them,  hopefully that works both ways though.

[bluepeter]

Just been to the Sweden game - what an experience. Staying out for both semi-finals and, hopefully, the final. Got to say that the organisation and friendliness has been incredible throughout, can't fault anything.

[bluepeter]

Shirt seen in the Nike store in St. Petersburg today!

[Deleted]

Ha, awesome

[monkeyman]

What a shirt! Good find. 

[Deleted]

The Fred Perry concept kit better be real because it looks awesome!!