Itâs the same every four years; seasoned campaigners are well used to the scheduling. The sense of occassion for each knockout game deserves the build up they get
Think Wales struck on a structure a few years back that kind of gave Bale and Ramsey free roles with a shape/solid base around them. 3 centre backs with wing backs that could become a back 5 without the ball, a centre midfield 2 of Allen plus 1 more (Ampadu) and then Bale and Ramsey ahead of that and 1 main striker that could be a cart horse (Moore, Vokes etc or a speedster James). Ramsey could drop back and make it a midfield 3 on occasion and itâd vary between 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-1-1.
Even though Bale and Ramsey didnât have too many defensive responsibilities it worked well enough, as theyâd enough around them and they carried a threat themselves, got them up the pitch and regularly produced individual brilliance. But the two lads are unfit/past it/lacking match fitness and Allenâs injury has been a big miss for them too. Wilson is midfield is a flaky enough operator and Ampadu was trying to repel a lot of attacks himself.
They used the same structure more or less but were basically treading water and didnât have the legs/energy to get around the pitch and got steamrollered in midfield again, especially with Bale and Ramsey on the periphery. The US did the same to them the other night for the first half and it was only bringing Moore on and going direct that got them back into the game.
England are expected to be unchanged tonight but the likes of Foden will probably be unleashed against Wales. I think Wales could be on the end of a hiding, if theyâre that disjointed.
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Irans long range shooting was of really good quality. Either rattled the woodwork, really narrow misses, world class save or goal were the outcomes. Nice to see fellas willing to have a pop and being rewarded.
Kenny doesnt think its a red cos your man wasnt murdered stone dead 
Kenny Cunningham is a strange bloke,
Doesnât think Hennessyâs red was near a red!
Iâve ebbed and flowed on my view of these group stages. The first half of games have been woeful in most games before coming alive in the 2nd half.
I still fear the knock out games in this WC will be very very cagey with lots going to penalties.
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There wont be a Mick Wallace effigy burned in Tehran tonight
This Doyle lad in the studio seems a bit of a stook. Heâs spent his time burbling along referring to âthis eveningâ 3 times at a minimumâŚ.
Itâs 11 oâclock in the morning here Kevin and about lunch time in DohaâŚâŚ
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The second round of group fixtures is probably the best for producing good matches. Teams are often cagey in the first game, not wanting to lose but after seeing the first round of results, the second game often is as pretty much pure knockout as they come.
For example, Wales would have thought that, for them to go through, they had to beat Iran as they looked to be the weakest team in the group. With England looking strong and 4 points minimum being required, this is the game they had to win, a draw probably wouldnât cut it. Obviously Iran had to win this or theyâd be against it because even on 4 points, their goal difference is now going to be shit.
So Wales left themselves really really open in going for the win and Iran dominated by and large. Now, maybe Wales could have sneaked something because Iran had committed bodies forward and Wales were leaving 2 or 3 up top the whole time but it never really looked likely.
Once you get to the knockout stages, some teams play not to lose and for penalties whereas the group stages, draws arenât really enough, you need to win at least one game (why 16/32-team formats are so much better than the 24 in the Euros imo).
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Ah here. Peter, Doyler and Kenny are a rock solid team. Im sure weâll have to endure sadlier the soppy prick and two bints whoâve played a lower level of football than @bandage later on
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I have Senegal -1 here
I thought the white sections were empty seats but itâs actually just lads wearing towels
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Very flappy from the goalkeeper, Senegal actually should have scored.
Mate, you cant allow such a thing to send you into a depression. Find joy somewhere else, but celebrate this for what it is.
The whole line of Welsh players falling to the ground after the first goal might be a great sporting moments photo.
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Iran deservedly won that game, theyâre ranked 20th in the world for a reason
Itâs time to turn the Page
Well this is rubbish
Very impressive. Far superior to the quislings of Wales
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