scrubbedexpat141

I can smell the bitterness.

Anyway, I'm torn for the Belgium game, lose and an 'easier' route to the final. Win and supposedly harder to get that far. Although I'm of the opinion that last 16 / QF / SF of the world cup means you're going to be facing tough competition.
Lose and take a knock and hope to then play well again.
Win and take momentum and positive vibes that we've beaten a very good side.
Draw is probably the worst - no confidence boost, finish top, 'harder' route.

weasel decentral

If England put out a weaker team to rest the key players you can take the loss without it being a confidence knock.

scrubbedexpat141

True.
I heard Martinez has already said he'll be resting players.
Interesting to have two teams thinking about possibly throwing a game. It's kind of why I'd like us to go out there and give it a good go. The momentum, confidence and competitive 'practice' is only going to be useful.

Miss Ann Thrope

Bitter tastes better.

.....Or get an abrupt reality check like Russia????

scrubbedexpat141

Quite possibly.

Let's face it, it doesn't matter who we face in the next round...it's the last 16 of a world cup and if we beat, draw or lose to Belgium and our defenders haven't been made to look average then it's likely it'll happen then.

weasel decentral

Bit of a dark horse but England are looking like a decent shot to lift the cup, haven't seen as good a team since maybe '66.

Might lump on a few grand on the nose plus Harry Kane for golden boot just to keep it interesting

scrubbedexpat141

You won't be able to bet with that fishing rod in your hand.

Belgium's an interesting one, I stood the Mrs in front of my epic wall chart last night and explained the routes to the final. She wants us to throw the game tomorrow and take a possibly easier route. I want us to thump Belgium 4-0 and then take on everyone great and sweep them aside.

It's tough to know what's better but I think if Sir Gareth is going to be bringing football home then we may as well go the hard way.

#Itscominghome

Millhouse

I suspect both teams will be out to lose tomorrow.

britexpat76

Kind of my thinking.....

reddiva

my work colleague did the very same to all us ladies on Sunday
he loves his wall chart

scrubbedexpat141

I didn't mean to sound patronising, just FYI, she asked because she's interested and she knows how much I love that wallchart so she asks me something about it every night.

Wall charts are probably the third best thing about major football tournaments. Behind the football and beer only.

britexpat76

Ahead of the gratuitous pictures of fit female fans in the crowd?

reddiva

I didn't think you were being patronising :-)

scrubbedexpat141

Oh yeah, I mean they're top ten but they're not a wall chart.

weasel decentral

Maybe that's because you don't understand what he meant about being patronising

Just kidding