Comedians Corner and Final Thoughts

This is the Guardian He's dribbling the ball with everything on the line. He's driving down the pitch. He's facing price hikes and cuts past him. cararrier contracts, drives the blockem. Oh, he leaves him in the dust. He's at the edge of the box. He cuts past the nonstop group chat trash talk. he clears on goal he shoots T to your local Boost mobile store today to get unlimited data with a price that never changes. Boost mobile. After thirty GB, customers may experience lower speeds. customers will pay twenty five dollars a month as long as they remain active on the boost twenty five dollars unlimited plan This episode is supported by Boss, former weear provider for the US men's national soccer team. For soccer's biggest event this summer, the US is playing on home soil and Boss will be dressing the US players and coach Mauritiia Poicino in Boss performance businesswe for their off pitch appearances. 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Every time you looked up Barola, Dbell, Eise and Mmbapee were streaming forward, like Mark Langdon going past Swedes like they weren't there. andbape's quick feat for the first and then two perfect assists from Elise for Barcola And then Aba again. It'll be some Paraguayan bus in the last sixteen. England have a long way to go before worrying about France. If they beat DR Congo, then Mexico at the Azteeca looks pretty tricky if tonight there's anything to go by. They battered Ecuador from the first minute, Him and' hammering home the goals in the first half before they shut up shop. and then Erlingh had left it late for Norway against the Ivory cooast getting just enough on it to see the ball roll home like a perfectly weighted putt It wasn't a classic, but the goals were all great, Nusa and Ahmed with brilliant individual strikes. We'll go back to Comedians's Corner. There's some advice on melons, your questions, and that's today's Guardian foootball Weekly anel today with me in L. Barry Gleny. welcome.y, Max. Hello are't you in Tut? Hey Max. And on the night shift in Birmham, Dan Bardell. Hello Max. All right, let's start then with Franance's three nil win over Sweden in a hot New jersey. Flyy Barry Is there any point They look so much better than everyone else. Are you scared, Mac? A are you? Listen I was saying to you, I think I'd r lose to Di Conger than have to play that French team They were so impressive was the standout display of this tournament so far, they're sort of playing this otherworldly different sport to anything we've seen from any other team Thus far in the tournament, it's intricate passing, just mesmerizing, hypnotic play It's lightning fast Their front floor is just quite frankly terrifying Michael Elise It's between him and Mba, I think at the moment for best player in the world and they're both on the same team and for a French team They seem remarkably ego free seem to have a real collective spirit and a real togetherness and If they can keep that up, And there's no guarantee they will play that well again me get pressure Yeah. you might as well hand them the trophy right now. but I have noticed people are drawing a lot of comparisons being drawn with the The Brazil side, the story, Brazil side, that played in the nineteen eighty two World Cup and didn't win it. So there's that. There is that. I mean, I don't know An How many times commentators have said it's been coming. but when Mba scored, a goal has never been more coming in the history of the game. Yeah, it was ridiculous, wasn't it? I didn't think they started brilliantly maybe for the first twenty minutes or so, but when they kind of clicked, they really clicked. they've just got silk swagger, firepower that can hurt you from every angle possible. penetration. Eliseite is just absolutely ridiculous. I think everybody knew he was a good player but I don' think anybody knew that he could he could get to this level and I think Sweden held on for as long as they possibly could didn't know, but it happens so often that when a team concedes right on half timee and the kind of halftim team tour goes absolutely out the window. They then come out in the second half and concede straight after halftime as well it happens so many times in in football that they could have scored six, seven eight and you know, they're taking players off at the end and bringing on other excellent players. They are just a Absolute handful in Do you remember they Probably was a while ago now there was a point where Front Frs, I think they won in the World Cup and they were accused of being a little bit negative, but they got the job done and they won in the World Cp in that way. I think they might win the World Cup in a more sexy way this time Michael Elises five assists at World Cup the most by a player at a single. ition of the tournament since Thomas Hessler for Germany in ' ninety four. you've watched a lot of Eis. This season Achie. And I think a lot of people who haven't really studied his gamees just wouldn't necessarily have passing has perhaps is great I mean, he's got a lot of great attributes, but his passing is unbelievable It's how he's adapted his position during this tournament as well That first half against Senegal. We weren't sure about France In fact, everything was pointing towards that image that Dan's been Speaking of there that This is the French team that Can they click together? It doesn't seem quite right with the balance, but Don't look at me and Barry we cannot remember the twenty minutes of. S It's this it's this trickery and disguise that Michael Elise has. Watch how he continually drags the ball back with his studs, as if almost to invite them, as if to bait the opposition and say, Come and get it But you never can get it. He has become such a clutch player for Byeon And whilst the second leg of the Champions League semis That happened not too long ago,. That was a disappointing game. He's shown up so many other times and actually when Byon have been in peril You notice who do we give the ball to? We give it to Elise feels wrong, I cannot just stick with one player here. and that for me is the scariest thing is We're told so often you can't have your cake and eat it with attacking players. You need certain players to be doing certain other jobs France can They can have all that quality and everyone plays for each other There's only been one bad murmur that I've seen come through, which was of Ryanne Churkey looking a bit snippy with Didier Deschard after the game. It does only get three minutes a game to be fair, but How can he complain when that is what is happening? I saw the way that France started this game not so much as slope but more just studying the opposition and going H, what have you got? And then slowly they raised the pressure cooker more and more and more until Sweden just couldn't cope. and it's difficult to really accuse Sweden of doing too much wrong here because France was so good I mean, they keep p right the page I mean friends sccore three thump two against the pul. I mean that over scissors kick from Eisa on the edge of the ridiculous. Just one thing on that. Max, what were you doing when Elise did that scissor kit? Oh I can't remember. Oh I remember. you were watching the Mark Langdon vegetable. Of course I was. It's on Instagram. I mean, they're both equal pieces of art They'dve oneon disallowed for really tight offside. And Zchterstrom made Five big saves Big saves like good important saves as opposed. So it could have been so much worse for Sweden Who? I don't think wrong. I we ha I mean there was that moment where Barle had sort of dropped the shoulder and these two Swedish players just fell over. like exact like synchronised. and we haven't even talked about them Baes yet for the first goal down It's interesting we talk about, you know, him being a real team player and everything working compared to Ba at Realm Madrid, well often he gets the criticism for, you know, wanting to play in a certain position. and I don't know what that says about Real Madrid, but that doesn't really matter right now. Like his feet So that first goal are so good Yeah, I've wrote down Mbape feters is the is what I've wrote down are my notes I mean, we could talk about France all day and we probably should talk about them all day. I think we want to deconstruct a feer beastes Does it make any sense? I've heard somehere before I've grabed it from somehere I've definitely for myself. I'm definitely not that intelligently Yeah, his feet for the first goal again, we keep using the word ridiculous but how the whole game transporered in terms of howont fronts playied on he was kind of a Isac passing him over to Yacarez, which probably wasn't the ideal bit of defending the Sweden one. but you can't take anything away from him like that' so quick. I don't think I've ever seen a player move his feet So so quickly and drive at defensees It was absolutely ludicrous and a great goal and Ba. That's what he is. I's thinking weiter beaks for feet,'s not It's not a good. I mean, I know it rhymes. you know apart from rhyming it actually know they're either really dry or really soggy. Dan was quite sleepy more I am wh Yeah, Colin Miller writing since twenty eighteen, France have scored more World Cup knockout goals than England, Portugal, Netherland, Spain, Germany and Italy combined. Killian and Bape that's twenty four goals. The combined total for the other countries is twenty two. Killy and Bap has got ten, he score more Worldup knockup goals in that time than any of those leading European nations ions Cin throw it Italy in there, wasn't he? last time they qualified. You're right. But yeah, I mean beyond that, I suppose there is a question. could you say, Archie that those four can work And is that because Guman and Rabo are doing such a Job Or too the ball doesn't really get back to two m rubby for them to worry about it loveving really impressive with Rabio given that I for some reason have a preconceived idea of what Rabio is Everyone is functioning. and There is a similarity to what Killian and Ba' doing in this context in how there was in how it was for Paul Pogba with France how best version of Pogbur was with France, not at club level There has been a precedent that suchuch is the pressure applied by that front floor, Rabio and Chueni only have to do so much. They only have to hold their positions and then it's let's take the debt chairs out and watch what unfolds here. That's the most exciting thing. When DDA Dhaw Bowing down to Killian and Bapee as he comes on. Yeah, we don't need that ye I think that is a message because it plays into all those dictator memes about Killian and Bafe for a start, but not on a serious level. I think that is some recognition and All parts of this French steam are functioning. and even when Mike Magor had to make a save. he looked pretty sharp as well. And actually when Sweden did break through, then you barry you've got Uper Macano and And Saliba, Pretty useful, right Yeah, I mean, if you're going to tryry and nitpick, I would say Yocarez gave Saliba a bit of a toorrid time. a fellllow obviously he knows well U early in the first half And he was, you know, it was a good battle between them, which I think Locarez was winning In so much as it was any kind of battle because Sweden didn't get forward too often, but We're all going to look like chumps now in Paraguay Hul them score us and then beat my penalies say how deep How deep are Paraguay going to be? Eactly It's going to be amazing. Anyway. Well done to France, that was really quite good and that'll do for part one, part two. We'll do the game. We've just seen Mexico beating Ecuador in Mexico city Hi pod fast, Max here, Barry here too. Hello Weekly is supported by Gradient FC. 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So for example, a completed pass that leads the receiver into danger is graded negatively, while one that puts the receiver in on goal is graded positively Now I know you hate making match predictions, Barry, but maybe all that could change at the World Cup with Gradient FC with head to head player comparison tools that show who's best across more than a hundred grades and metrics. It's easy to build and defend any prediction. And here's something else that will appeal to you Barry, It's free Fantastic. Explore it for yourself at gradientFc. com or download the grradientFC app from the Apple Store or Google Pay. He's dribling the ball with everything on the line. He's driving down the pitch. He's facing price hikes and cuts past him. Carrier contracts, drives the block him. Oh, he leaves him in the dust. He's at the edge of the box. He cuts past the nonstop group chat trash talk, he clears on goal, he shoots. Visit your local Boost mobile store today to get unlimited data with a price that never changes. Boost mobile. After thirty GP, customers may experience lower speeds customers will pay twenty five dollars a month as long as they remain active on the boost twenty five dollars unlimited plan Welcome to part two of the Gardian F foot Wek, Meico Ecador Neil. And actually Archie, you spotted this first. we're on the fourth floor of the hotel, but we looked out the window and it' got we'ort quite high in the Hollywood Hills. that it looks down over LA and all these fireworks are going off everywhere because obviously it's a huge number of Mexicans In this city their first knockout win s itince nineteen eighty six, first time they've had four clean sheets in a row at a World Cup And for forty five minutes, Arch, they were relentless and that's all they needed. The fireworks reflected the performance and I'm sure the atmosphere at the Aztecca because they came out with such a bang and Fireworks is alsoso a theme for this game because of what the Mexican fans were doing outside the Ecuadorian Hotel on the night before as well. And Ecuador were're not happy about that, filed an official complaint And yet On the p complaint do. You're pretty awfully tired, people C you do what? They did delay the game for an hour, I suppose, know true but You could have posed a legitimate question after the group stages and gone, okay We saw the worst of South Africa against Mexico We saw South Korea and Czechia both sinced had their coaches step down from their positions. How good is this Mexican team? And this delivered an answer. JulianQuignonees who has been such a staff for them this World Cup is it's such a turnaround as well because in january twenty twenty five, Javier Agire, the coach was saying, lookook, nobody watches the Saudi League, noobody and as a message to King Yonas to say, look What are you doing out there? I mean, it's a factual point essentially, but He he starts the gold cup for Mexico last year, but he doesn't start any of their remaining games And now he comes into this tournament where now being compared to Hugo Sanchez The goat of Mexican football and Quite sweetly as well, if sweetly iss the right word Cignonos has been talking about, lookook, I want to to Mexico what they gave me because he moved from Colombia when he was seventeen and That was his aim. He has more than achieved that. was Not just from him. you could pick out Rak Him and as well, even though we missed that early chance, but Just the way that the pressure grew Eric Lera again in central midfield for them was superb Gilberto Mora who became the youngest player since PellA to start a knockout game in the World Cup, I think it was He looked so, so good. and even Raul Ranel in goal for them Two excellent sayays from John Y Boa Zamora The way that they managed the game in the second half, this was Almost a perfect display from Mexico. Yeah. I mean him and he almost got a Keith outuchchin. I mean he probably should have done Barry, but both their goals hadad a real sort of Mexico eighty six feel to me just wallopet home Yeah, they really stayed the move for the second And just Short, sharp, quick passes And Hanes is put through and Yeah, just wet leathers and It' the goalkeeper didn't get near either of them as far as I can remember Um Hugely impressive. I mean, I was very unimpressed with Ecuador's effort and They just seemed to be totally overwhelmed. I don't know if it was the crowd, the occasion the fact that they didn't really sleep last night but Mexico just tore at them like the hounds of hell and or barely got a touch for the first fifteen minutes of the game I think the only two shots of note theyhe were your bos, which his uncle Tony would have been proud of both of them. even if they didn't go in and As I already said, Mexico just controlled the second half and saw it out with E you wouldn't expect really Ecuador had nothing Is he is Uncle Tony? No I didn't think it I've checked so many times. I can't tell you how many times I've checked. It is late. I'm as tired as the Ecuadorians. Yeah, it is such a great championship manager, regen, name, is it Jhn Yaboa Zamora? U yeah, I thought, I mean, all Ecuador did really was just notothing until the ninety third minute and then they were just annoyed. So wanted to kick somebody. I mean, you have said Barry And if England beat the al Congo, and they may not, we don't know. that the Mexico at the Azecca is the game that you're penciling for. It's done. and It will not be easy if that happens On the evidence of tonight, I think Mexico would tear England apart On the evidence of tonight and on the evidence of what I've seen from England so far. Mexico I haven't conceded goal yet in this tournament and England have been They've done just about the bare minimum. they haven't been impressive . This was a very impressive display but u you know, we're getting ahead of ourselves in a number of levels Mexico againain, Mexico might not play that well again. Even if we are gettinghead ofselves or we say England or Dio Congo down with the hotel and thus the noise. I mean, I don't know if you've seen those the footage of Ecuador, you know, the team being kept awake all night. If you werese, let's say it's England. wouldould you do like hotel. Would you like book three different hotels, like get some lookalkes? L how are you gonna try and smuggle them into somewhere that Means you could actually have a night's sleep. Beause look you're not sleeping. you are five months old. You know, you know what it's like. It's hard to perform at this level. I've got to shock you here, Max. Most Mexican hotels are probably staffed by Mexicans who let the cat out of the bag. But there's disguises. There's this mission impossible masks. I don't know, Dan the dear England cast, they could they could go and get a few and they get them involved. That's the best way forward that I can think of. I mean, without the hotels touff taken into account, I think sometimes a host nation can just get some serious momentum And I think that's what Mexico have got. USI and Canada have both had it to an extent, but not to the extent that that Mexico have got it in that game if England do get through it The atmosphere will be like probably nothing those England players have ever experienced and they would have applied in some hostile atmospheres that havelied in atmospheres all over the world, but that will be else and a true test of where this England team is that if They be they are honger. Yeah, it will just be will'll be relying on who can put in I was thin, who can put in a reducer U in the ninety third minute just so we can feel like we got something out the go. Hincaappio the second player to get sent off for covering his mouth Disappointingly, the referee didn't give a good good as good a VAR review as Ivan Barton and u feel like it's probably muscle memory within Capier I don't know. they were desperate for something to someomeone was going to get snd off for Ecador, weren't they? Anyway, the other game, Norway being the Iivory cooast, very late goal from Erling Harland U And Dan it was it was a It was an interesting was off classic Harlland game, right? didn't re touch the ball, but he did what he had to do seeing his dad choking up in the stands was pretty emotional. but that finish was It was kind of not perfect, but I do like a slow finish It's not the type of finish I think we've ever seen from Harlams almost like a heavy first touch, wasn't it? that just trickled over the line. You could see the kind of angst on his face as well that there wasn't enough on it and it wasn't going to get over the line, but you're right to say it's a It's like the typical vintage Harlm performance where he's not involved low. He had a couple of headers soft headers again in in the first half, but I don't remember him doing too much else doesn't need to because he's just got that knack of when when he his team that he's playing for need something. he is in the right place at the at the right time and it certainly wasn't the most beautiful goal out the goals that were were in that game last night, but it was it was definitely the most heading and the and the most important. he's just inevitable earning earrning Highland. I just want to know why he wears Brout Highland on the back of his shirt for Norway, but not for Not for Manchester City. if it feels like the kind of thing Archie wouldn't know It's not Okay tried you I mean you look you looked at who was in the room. It's okay. we know our place. Lars said Lars who would know. He posted I love that today was about more than Harland and Erdegard. Berg lost his place just before the tournament, won it back. instead of sulking for this game was Man of the Match. Ny and constantly doubted by just about everyone including myself coming up with a huge save at the end and actually Berg Barry for that Harlland goal Like it's a lovely little pass from Oscar Bob, but that little dinked cross from Berg was erfect, wasn't it? Yeah, just a perfectly squared ball to Hland. You know, he's very much one of these guys. Well I suppose they all play second fiddle to Harland, but He's one of the more anonymous not Highland, not and Oerguard yeah I'm really undermining my own point One of the the blokes the nine other blokes. He's very much one of them. It was a bit of a miskick by Iland. I mean, this game was bit odd inso farar not much happened before the first drrinks break and then Norway Nsk scored lovely finish by him by the way That was very much against a run of play because Dande and Nickola Peppe had been causing Norway all sorts of problems with their pays down each wing And then Norway missed two very good chances for halfime So I thought the Ivory call Mike come back into it they duly did When Amadeallo came on, he scored a beauty. probablyrobably the goal of the tournament until Frs took to the field. And he also blocked one on the line that a certain goal for Norway but u Yeah, Hallen stepped up to score in his thirteenth consecutive international. He was Bout for his mum, Gy Marita Brout her maiden name, former Norwegian hep tutlete. Thank you, Joel. veryy kind of you for Googling Midpod. it means they've got Brazil. Nor wayay that feels quite intriguing to me. They've beaten Brazil at a World Cup before in nineteen ninety eight in the group stages. Oh, that's right. Fans were dancing on the streets outside Norwegian Parliament, I was told today. And that I'd like to just add to that point about Harland and it not being about everyone else because My memories of recent tournaments gone by is seeing teams turn up like Poland and before that latanyy Bhhevic, you see a big shiny number nine and your mind wanders too wow Imagine what could happen if this all clicks together, but I think We've seen what the real difference is is having such a strong supporting cast because the strength and depth that Norway have with Oscar Bob, that ball that he plays in to Patrick Berg It's such a narrow corridor of time that he has to play that and the weight of it is superb. Patrick Berg actually did a mirror assist of of the one he did today against Senegal as well, it was with his left foot. So the technical ability that he has is wonderful And vindication for Starus Soulbacon as well After all those rotations again against France. Yeah. Let's be honest, there be team Okay Fronts a pretty good game. considering the circumstances That they also have improved defensively since the opening game against Iraq. I think there were some worries in Norway about How good is this team really if this is how we're getting on, but They have allayed those fears at each turn and Antonio Nusa for Abi Leipzig this season has been out shone by Yandiia Monday who is his opponent today, but it was Nusa who had the upper hand on this occasion. Yeah. And actually the slo replay from behind the gof and Nusa's goal is great. And while we're throwing people under the bus As Ahmad was running through, Archie said, I don't know why people are so worried about the Norwegian defense. Ahmad went Bing, binging Bing goal. All right. someome really good co coms competition here. I mean, when Harlan scored, Warren Barton said, You're going to have to pay your taxes, you're gonna to die and Harlland's going to score a goal. You know All right, Warren. I mean, we all know we're aware of our mortality, but I wasn't I wasn't, you know, I wasn't thinking about it at that exact moment. But you had the BBC commentary, Dan which included Danny Murphy when Oscar Bob came on We used to have a cat called Bob He jumped into the back of a royal mail van and we lost him. Sad really. Perhaps the greatest bit of of commentary of the World Cup so far I was expecting to be a film made of that story or something It was an incredible piece of commentary from Danny Murphy. I don't even know how to even begin to comment onn. I mean some investigations take place now that it's been brought to the kind of the mainstream of what happened to Danny Murphy's cat, Bob And is Bob a good name for a cat? I don't think it is. Oh, I think it is quite a good name. I misheard it And I thought he'd said Bob, the cat jumped in front of him or I that I was Danny Mury and his suicidal cat And now he's bringing it up in the midd of a game between Norway. I mean, either way, bringing it up is interesting. The thing is I want to make clear, I'm not having a go with Danny Murphy. It was brilliant. It was was just ress is total non secretary. He heard the name Bob and just went into this eline re You know when commentators they're obsessed with showing you their notes. they're like I don't care about your notes. And you think Danny Murphy's notes were Bob. H a cat called Bob. Steven writes, someone tellld Danny Murphy that if the cat was black and white and its real name was Jess and she was going just where she belonged, which is a good point It does remind me, yes, no, I'm a big fan of Danny I And I've said before, the best phoning I've ever done on Tksport was with Danny Murphy And the phon in was, have you ever seen Danny Murphy out and about. ot ask for a photo because he looked so miserable. the phone lights were absolutely wild. He just said when you paid for Liverpool, you had to have a rest and go away face. Otherwise you couldn't get anything done. I mean, he does have a resting callway, but you know there's no doubting it. Anyway, I love to Danny. I that's why he's c went away. And he looked so pissed off. he was like, I just I just want to go to a sorting office. That's what I want. Anyway, that'll be for part two, part three. We'll look ahead tomorrow'sames, including England versus DR Congo Hey, this is Publicory from Publicatory F findinds out and today I want to talk to you about boost mobile In sports, there's always pressure to chase the next big thing, but sometimes the smartest play is sticking with what's already working for you Wh's bubble gets that If your phone is running fine, you should not have to buy a new one just to get a better deal. Bring your phone to Boost moobile and get unlimited wireless for just twenty five dollars a month forever. Contracts, no price hikes Visit Boost Mobile Unlock your phone. twenty five dollars forever requires customers to remain active on the Boost mobile Unlimited pl. At my bank, I was literally getting pennies using Wealthfront. Ching There's this much that I'm getting an interest and I didn't have to do anything. Clients like Angela earn up to four point two percent API on their cash with the Wealthfront cash account. Get started at wealthfront dot com C cllients paid one thousand dollars for their testimonial creating a conflict of interest outcesary. three point three percent b API as of january thirtieth twenty six is represented viable and earn on funds swep to program bank. point five percent new clients whos for three months and up to one hundred fifty thousand dollars Directposit one thousand dollars a month fund invest account for a point five percent increaseash account offered by Wealthfont brokerage LLC mem Fin ICn a partart three of the Guardian foootball weekly so tomorrow England Eo Congo, Belgium Segal, USA versus Bosnia, Herzegovina. England then I mean, the general feeling is actually that Dio Conga will set up more like Ghana than Panama, right? This is England against a low block. so Deep breath, everybody. It feels that way Eespecially having watched Dial Congo's performance against Portugal. in their group opener. where despite going behind pretty early in that Do Congo's plan did not change. Sebastian de Sabga been renowned for how team orientated their approach is, they've had problems with individuals taking the limelight before, but this is definitely not the case. And the thing that impressed me most about that performance was with Portugal, why not weren't taking any of the bait They just stuck to their plan and thought, we are going to get our chance here. It doesn't matter what happens and what's thrown at us and It's not just the patience of the England players that There is a question mark over. It's Thomas Tule as well because Seeing the way that he jumps up and down if you are not following his plan. to the exact detail Through a tournament, you can imagine that that is going to grind. against certain players. It was surprising to see him do it when Harry Kaine sprayed that long ball early against Panama because I thought that Kaine might have special status with him Apparently not. and it's quite a harrrye thing to do It's something that he does usually very well It's going to be about patience. This is not going to be an open game. It will not be pretty We all need to buckle up What's the vibe back home, Dan A little bit of a trepidation. I think in a weird way, I'm more worried about this type of game than it would be if we played Brazil because I agree with Toule that I think England will play better against better teams. but this is this kind of game is England's cpt tonight and we've already been frustrated by by Gharana who as we say, we expect Congo to set up in a similar way. and there was periods in the first kind of hour where Panama it was the same. So this is out more now, you know, youre get into towards getting towards the businessus end so England need is a group you can get away with it, but England will need to come up with something tonight in that game. and I just I feel like Tule' making a few too many changes on a game to game but basis on the evidence that we've had so far, like he clearly doesn't know he's best team. there's noise that Cer is going to play right back, which you know against a nation like Brazil where you want to shut someone down. I think that's absolutely fine. But if it's against a team like Dar Congo who are going to sit in like you kind of need all the creativity and all all the forward momentum you can get and that isn't going to be Eri Konser. roll it back he'll sit in and make it more of a more of a back three. So I think I've I think there's more questions than answers right now. Although if Conert plays right back Stones play centre back and is better at passing the ball, I guess. Right? That's that's the trade off than if you play Sence right back then he play he played the first game and then then has disappeared and then you bringing him back in for the fourth game. L I just think too qu especially at the back. I know he's had injuries about I'm not sure he's sure what the right combination is. and in that first game when you put stones into the back four just looked like a back four that'd never played together before because that's what they were What do you recckonn Easy England win Are you saying that? because then you covered yourself What is that? Is that reverse That' one I think and I think it'll be an easy England wind anymore? They need to move the ball quicker. They need to get better crosses into the box And if it's Nil Nil bit ten years ago Cy onross and They need to up their game. They really do. 's been very unimpressive so far P from one half against Croatia. and Yeah, if they don't get up their game, they won't sniffer win in this tournament. J to say I think Kwaner and Reese James both missed final training, didn't they? So So it could be console, it could be Spence Probably Spence. Yeah. I think Also really important that the wingers properly turn up That hasn't happened in the first three games in people who We're calling for the inclusion of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer will look at that and go why what's happening here. But the key difference is these players fit toookles. system in he wants He wants players who can run into space more who are more willing to do that, more used to doing that It's just that we need the space to run into it. We need to beat these teams to play the teams that have the space. other you think Folden Wharton and Palmer meeting up for in the games just to have laugh almss big buckets of popcorn and fizzy popn. You wouldn't want them to win jiggle. I think you'd want them to do well, but you wouldn't want them to win depends how depends how great a guy you are If you your feel phone I reck Jack Gredis wants him to win Yeah But Chack Rrigishw wasen within an ass get I know in that spot. Although Dan did say, you know, this game is England's Kryptonite. I mean, I England have quite a few different kryptonites from my experience of watching World Cups. Belgium Senegal, that feels nicely poised Achie Eespecially because Belgium haven't really found their feet. Okaykay, they did against New Zealand, but they have been really poor in front of goal how many shots it's taken for them to score their goals in this tournament so far And if we're judging that France are the team to beat then The best performance against them so far was by Senegal in that opening game and even though they were in the league table of third place finishes the worst of the eight I think they're the strongest of the eight So Intrigued to see if Edwin Mondi is back in gol. He's been he's flown from the tournament back to Jedda in Saudi Arabia for some treatment on his knee and then flying back again in the hope of being fit for the game 's a little way to go for the museum. and sureurely there's a doctor in America. This was something that How good is that Crossed Its Jedi? It's a Jedi and Jeddi, isn't it? It has to be. Also cross my mind, but yeah, I think Senegal are a fun team to watch and they've been They were unfortunate with the group that they drew. so Pro make them like favorites Yeah. It is hypocritical For an England fantasy feels like the U.S are sort of looking ahead looking beyond Bosnia, but that's sort of vibe you get from the coverage here occasionally they stop themselves and go Bosnia are pretty wily But you'd imagine the U.S. Apart from that report chamed not to be able to pick it out on a map. Although to be honest I don't think I could pick up Bosny out in a map either, but that's entirely down to my own lack of Geographical knowledge and Nothing to do you know, not in any way disparaging of. Yeah, they are definitely looking ahead of that game and that's a dangerous game to play Bos