Other Games - 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Edition (+ warm-up matches): Villa-watch

[Brend'Watkins]

Given how the game went there was no requirement for both Rice and Elliot. It reminded me of Villa games last season where we were up against a low block. The ball always ended up with Konsa. Rice is captain, he should be coming deep to take control and bring the ball forward. Bellingham could then have been the extra floating forward to assist him. Both players have a decent shot on them but neither really tried, maybe the one effort over the bar by Rice first half.

[ChicagoLion]

England have a crop of excellent creative no 10's yet Bellingham is seen as the answer. He is simply not the type of creative player needed to unlock a team that park the bus. With two wingers that come inside all the time we just have no creativity. I'm amazed more questions haven't been asked about the make up of the squad. Both Rogers and Eze would have been better options.

Exactly the situation where Palmer would have been the best option.

I thought we've spent the last x years saying how important it was to not pick the England squad based on their reputation?

I don’t see how that applies to Palmer, he has not hit the highs of last season but still the best in my opinion of receiving and moving the ball quickly

Because he's in much, much worse form than anyone else who plays in his position in the squad. And probably about three players who also aren't in the squad.

I think there is a difference between form and reputation. We don’t know what was going on with Palmer last season, injuries/ out of favour with manager -attitude?
Yet we took Madueke and Eze.

[Somniloquism]

If England top the group, they will currently play Cabo Verde unless Congo DR jump up the 3rd point table into the qualification places. If they finish second they play second place in group K which will be Portugal or Colombia.

As it stands, it could be a France / Martinez final again as they are in seperate brackets.

[Villa in Denmark]

Given how the game went there was no requirement for both Rice and Elliot. It reminded me of Villa games last season where we were up against a low block. The ball always ended up with Konsa. Rice is captain, he should be coming deep to take control and bring the ball forward. Bellingham could then have been the extra floating forward to assist him. Both players have a decent shot on them but neither really tried, maybe the one effort over the bar by Rice first half.

Isn't that Kane?

[ChicagoLion]

Would it be best for England to get second rather than the prospect of Mexico in Mexico City

[LeeS]

Would it be best for England to get second rather than the prospect of Mexico in Mexico City

. Doesn’t that just replace Mexico with Spain? And then USA in the QF. I’d hate that.

[Dogtanian]

If you are going to win the thing, I guess you have to win the hard games. Mexico in Mexico City would be a huge game.

[Dave]

If you are going to win the thing, I guess you have to win the hard games. Mexico in Mexico City would be a huge game.

It feels like the right sort of game for that time in the tournament. I reckon that games against Croatia and Ghana are far more useful experiences for England (see also France playing Senegal and Norway, or Germany playing Ivory Coast and Ecuador), than Spain or Argentina going into matches which they probably didn't expect to test them.

It would be a big, hot, difficult game - but one that probably suits England better than a third place team that has squeaked through or a bigger name.

[Brend'Watkins]

Given how the game went there was no requirement for both Rice and Elliot. It reminded me of Villa games last season where we were up against a low block. The ball always ended up with Konsa. Rice is captain, he should be coming deep to take control and bring the ball forward. Bellingham could then have been the extra floating forward to assist him. Both players have a decent shot on them but neither really tried, maybe the one effort over the bar by Rice first half.

Isn't that Kane?

Given that he was as poor as he was good for Croatia I was willing him to go deep but he didn’t so was ineffective. Neither Konsa nor Guehi should have the playmaker responsibility.

[Dave]

Neverthless, he *is* still captain, not Rice.

[UK Redsox]

Bosnia and Qatar should in theory be a lot more interesting as winner goes through. In the other group will Scotland set up for the point that will see them through.

I plan to watch....