Poppa Out

[patjennings]

We have a very young team with no superstars (maybe a couple of potential ones) and have only gotten to the last 16 in modern times twice. A loss in the round of 32 isn't a failure.

Depends on who we face - but it is not an automatic failure. NZ still an option in the Rd 32 - if we lose to NZ in R32 it is a failure. TBH Woud should have started for keeper for them both games - Crocombe was and still is a poor keeper and Paulsen has gone downhill since his early ALM form

If it is Germany if we finish 3rd then no disgrace losing to them.

 

[Barca4life]

I'd rather we play Belgium than Germany, the former are there for the taking given how poorly they have played at this World Cup so far plus Lukaku and De Bruyne have not played great.

 

[Barca4life]

A failure would be not getting out of the group, unless something drastic happens against Paraguay I think we will be ok.

 

[patjennings]

A failure would be not getting out of the group, unless something drastic happens against Paraguay I think we will be ok.

A 2-0 loss is not dramatic but leaves us close to elimination - anything more becomes even more problematic .

 

[Barca4life]

A 2-0 loss is not dramatic but leaves us close to elimination - anything more becomes even more problematic .

Once you start relying on results from other teams that it becomes a nervous wait, I'd rather avoid that problem which is why ironically a risk adverse approach is the best way to go in this game which would suit Popa's tactic and selections.

 

[riquelmes_laces]

An interesting comparison between 2022 & 2026(so far).

 

[zimbos05]

I don't disagree with the sentiment. But nobody was questioning what he is trying to build after the Turkey match. Defensively disciplined, combative and lightning quick on the break.

That's because no one expected to win against Turkiye. That is a game where you can expect to see the defensive block. In games where you should be challenging or winning, you need to see the growth. The idea is that Turkiye was not expected win, we scraped it. Now lets see what we can do against teams on similar levels or where we can actually go for it.

Just looking at those stats and how many of them we are in the bottom ranks is shocking, especially accurate passes per game