Round of 16: Belgium vs Japan

[The binman chronicles]

Some fans are just too bitter to give him any praise at all.

Sad to see really, he has done a good job for Belgium and could take them all the way.

Maybe your mistaking bitterness for the fact he hasn't proved anything yet and some of us are waiting to see if he can step up?

I wouldn't mind Belgium going all the way, least it would be someone different than the usual. But they have to play like WC and last night they nearly choked and it's down to what appears to be two things, their main striker's inability to score goals in important games and the manager's inability to divert from his brand of football.

I also don't think the team are completely behind the manager but that is just my own personal opinion and can be taken as hearsay. For all those saying Martinez brillantly won the game by bringing on substitutes that changed it all around, why didn't he start with Fellaini in the first place and why did he wait to go 2-0 down before doing it? The answer is instead of playing the way that would have caused most problems for Japan i.e. revert to proper old school English football, roughhouse tactics and crosses to big men in the box he played his own brand that Japan were able to match. If he wins the World Cup then I will be pleased for him, but I have my doubts unless he changes.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Nope. Mission accomplished at this WC: QF stage after 12 months in charge - now they have a bonus crunch game with Brazil...the team Southgate was too cowardly to face.

This Friday night: Roberto looking forward to facing Brazil; Baines looking forward to watching an hour long Coronation Street.

Karma.

Haha, laughed at that one tbf mate.

They both tried to throw that one btw, only Southgate did a better job of it.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Japan are not a bad side. Very comfortable on the ball and work their backsides off. Their weakness is their keeper who is pretty shambolic.

This World Cup has already seen Spain, Portugal, Germany etc dip out and the likes of Netherlands and Italy didn't even make it. Who they have played is totally irrelevant, its a results based game so that's all that matters surely?

Of course if Belgium do beat Brazil (and they very well could) it will be down to them having the best squad etc etc....

Did Dave mention Karma earlier..........

lol

 

[Papa Shango]

Maybe your mistaking bitterness for the fact he hasn't proved anything yet and some of us are waiting to see if he can step up?

I wouldn't mind Belgium going all the way, least it would be someone different than the usual. But they have to play like WC and last night they nearly choked and it's down to what appears to be two things, their main striker's inability to score goals in important games and the manager's inability to divert from his brand of football.

I also don't think the team are completely behind the manager but that is just my own personal opinion and can be taken as hearsay. For all those saying Martinez brillantly won the game by bringing on substitutes that changed it all around, why didn't he start with Fellaini in the first place and why did he wait to go 2-0 down before doing it? The answer is instead of playing the way that would have caused most problems for Japan i.e. revert to proper old school English football, roughhouse tactics and crosses to big men in the box he played his own brand that Japan were able to match. If he wins the World Cup then I will be pleased for him, but I have my doubts unless he changes.

Doesn't the fact that he chucked Fellaini on show that he actually is willing to divert from his brand of football?

He did what he had to do to win. And it worked, just about. realistically they should have had enough to beat Japan regardless but Japan stepped up big time last night and probably would have held on for the win if they didn't have a rubbish goalie.

 

[The binman chronicles]

Doesn't the fact that he chucked Fellaini on show that he actually is willing to divert from his brand of football?

He did what he had to do to win. And it worked, just about. realistically they should have had enough to beat Japan regardless but Japan stepped up big time last night and probably would have held on for the win if they didn't have a rubbish goalie.

I saw that substitution as desperation time, he had little choice. Maybe he knew exactly how it would play out but it was leaving it to the brink and you can only play chicken for so long before you get hit by the car/truck/bus/train. Much better to try and win the game without having to resort to such things. Totally agree with the rest of your post though.

Brazil will probably not fold under that kind of tactics, so let's see what he has up his sleeves for Friday to go out and win the game. I would try to stifle Brazil with a defensive performance and then try and score on the counter using the pace of Rom and KDB with Hazard's eye for a pass.

 

[davek]

Doesn't the fact that he chucked Fellaini on show that he actually is willing to divert from his brand of football?

He did what he had to do to win. And it worked, just about. realistically they should have had enough to beat Japan regardless but Japan stepped up big time last night and probably would have held on for the win if they didn't have a rubbish goalie.

Maybe Roberto learned from his mistake at Everton? Having that option saved his bacon last night. I bet if/when he goes back into club management he has a big lad off the bench as a plan B.

If only he'd punted Baines and kept Fellaini when he first arrived we could have been saved a lot of pain in his final season here.

 

[arminisgod]

Made up for Martinez. No idea why anyone want's him to fail... he tried his best here, and has NEVER uttered a bad word about Everton or our fans since he left. In fact he is the only manager who has ever bigged us up and tried to make us believe we are a Giant club again.

It's weird

 

[deipnosophist]

Maybe Roberto learned from his mistake at Everton? Having that option saved his bacon last night. I bet if/when he goes back into club management he has a big lad off the bench as a plan B.

If only he'd punted Baines and kept Fellaini when he first arrived we could have been saved a lot of pain in his final season here.

Bainesy is an Everton icon, a talisman. Bobby is waaaay too smart an operator to cause any disturbance in that force. Similarly with Capt Jags; Bobby saw it essential that his valiant figure, this totem of Everton FC, lead us fearlessly into weekly battle.
I shudder at the thought of Bainesy and Capt Jags ever not being in our starting XI....and don't even get me started on how desolate Blue Chrimbo would be without Capt Jags' blue Santa routine ...and an elf team minus chief elf Bainesy

 

[mmmmsnouts]

Made up for Martinez. No idea why anyone want's him to fail... he tried his best here, and has NEVER uttered a bad word about Everton or our fans since he left. In fact he is the only manager who has ever bigged us up and tried to make us believe we are a Giant club again.

If we’re all being honest with ourselves, this really isn’t even about Martinez anymore. I feel bad for participating yesterday.

 

[Blues Harp]

Maybe Roberto learned from his mistake at Everton? Having that option saved his bacon last night. I bet if/when he goes back into club management he has a big lad off the bench as a plan B.

If only he'd punted Baines and kept Fellaini when he first arrived we could have been saved a lot of pain in his final season here.

Blame the feckin players again ...he would have sent us down after his last 2 seasons which were appalling...billy liar wanted to keep him ....jesus wept..

 

[davek]

Blame the feckin players again ...he would have sent us down after his last 2 seasons which were appalling...billy liar wanted to keep him ....jesus wept..

Ha ha ha.
This Friday night:

'Berto versus Brazil; Baines versus his box sets.

Your side lost....AGAIN.

 

[mezzrow]

"What an example for all teams!! Privilege to work with!” - Japan = class



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/fo...pite-devastating-world-cup-loss-a3877696.html

 

[Carl O'Ancelotti]

Still can't sort a defence out though can he. If Japan had been less naive they would have won that.