Hi all.
So, England are out of the World Cup. Being knocked out the way we were has left feeling of bitterness in me. Not because Harry Kane missed his penalty because that can happen to anyone but the way the officials officiated the game. A foul on Bukayo Saka moments before France opened the scoring, the rotational fouling of the same player and other challenges which were deemed acceptable. If France had totally outplayed England and won the game fair and square, so be it but I think Gareth Southgate and his players can feel pretty hard done by today. The good news of course is Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka will be on their way home or to Dubai to join up with their teammates. The only Arsenal player left in Qatar now is William Saliba and he’s unlikely to play much, if at all, in the final two matches.
There’s been headlines about Ben White since he left the England camp which suggest he fell out with Steve Rowley so went home. Personally,I’m think that story is poppycock because if it was something as simple as that, surely he’d be in Dubai with his mates, but he isn’t. Whatever is going on with him, I hope he’s fine in two weeks time when Arsenal take on West Ham. Everyone barring Gabriel Jesus should be fit for that one. That is unless things go horribly wrong in the next couple of friendly fixtures.
Not always will an injury be the reason for a footballer missing a game and at times like these, as and when countries get knocked out of an international tournament, players can be pretty downhearted. Brazil were expected to reach the final at least, so how will Gabriel Martinelli feel being out already? Expectations for England were high too, so Bukayo Saka is bound to feel dejected, Aaron Ramsdale too after not making it onto the pitch. This is likely to be Granit Xhaka’s last World Cup so getting thumped and knocked out by Portugal won’t be a happy memory for him. Japan limped out after perhaps some of the worst penalties in a knockout ever. Takehiro Tomiyasu has already spoken about how that felt so no wonder Mikel Arteta has talked about their return.
First we’ll assess them and see how they are psychologically and physically after the tournament they’ve had. Some of them are still disappointed with some of the results. Then we’ll try to get them back as quickly as possible in the rhythm and routine they’re used to, to start performing again.
A couple of weeks should be enough surely? In any case, there’s a Premier League and Europa League Cup to win and both are more important. Wining anything with one’s club teammates must be pretty special.
Snow is on its way…..
Yep, due some snow overnight around here in Essex.
Ben White will be fine now that he’s back in the bosom of a club that coaches it’s players properly.
Unless it’s something serious..
Ben White is back training apparently.
Glad to see you back Rico. I’ve been getting a warning that my connection to the house was unsafe die to hackers.
Glad that Ben White is back too. Should put an end to the fake news in the tabloids.
Probably the gremlins that run the internet went on strike . Why not ? everyone else has.Still Rico must have offered them something in excess of their regular veggie sandwiches and we are up and running again.
There’s even more fall out from the world cup with Qatar now implicated in bribery scandals in the Belgian courts , Messi at odds with the ref who gets sent home , Arsenal upsetting the world and his dog by picturing Saliba and saying congratulations on reaching the semi finals whilst |Spurs invited their supporters to see Harry and his England team in the semi finals .
Southgate is playing down the White rumours probably realising that if he keeps the job he may well need him.
It’s a laugh a minute down the Rose Bowl.
Morning Rico and all.
It’s amazing how players get fined for complaining, yet Messi complains and the ref gets sent home, how rigged is the World Cup
Ha ha Potter.
Morning Geoff, all. New post up now