Holmes_and_Watson

I've found that the difference in physicality already gives it USP's. The tactics are adjusting for the differences. So, you get different passing options, positioning. Lots of intelligence being used to try and exploit the spaces, where there isn't the raw power to recover. The first USP's I remember noticing were that play had continued through a half dozen crunching tackles with no feigning injury, no endless throw ins and no lip taken by the ref.

It's that ability to instill standards across a multi-club model that makes him irreplaceable for SR.

Thanks Christophe! Looking forward to Friday night football and a successful season. Allez VA!

Diane Abbott..again. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwye24vjnn8o

From the first pen, you could see what Falk was going to do. The players are told that whatever you do, make the keeper work for it. Get it towards a corner. But with placement and not the power, it made it easier for Falk. Russo's best, as you'd expect. James' was nonchalant, which was wasted considering what Falk was doing. Bronze got the power, and that made the difference. Sweden, like you said, just lost their cool. Although credit to Hampton for pushing them into that pressure.

Just what I shouted when I saw Hampton. "Scott Sterling!" 🙂

I've seen shootouts on the women's game where one miss at the end has made the difference. Our first had power and accuracy. But Falk still went the right way. Others went for accuracy and Falk was too good for that, making saves and forcing errors. Hampton made her saves too, but Sweden should have finished it off. Why Falk took a kick was a mystery. Great game though. England gifting Sweden an early opener, and nearly a second. Sweden nullifying Walsh, and forcing England into longer, riskier passes. One of those lost by Hemp, who had hit the bar, and with no cover, Sweden burst forward for a second. They've been excellent on those counters all tournament. It didn't look as though England were coming back. But the subs show the strength, not just of depth, but in style. Carter had been run a bit ragged, but Morgan offered fresh legs. Agyemang's first touch was sometimes lacking. But her presence, strength and running made a huge difference, as did Kelly coming on for Hemp, who had worked so hard as England's best outlook. Wiegman kept Hemp on the side opposite Bronze this time, which was a lesson from an earlier game, and that pushed Sweden back. England have fought for results before. That fitness and interchanging attack got them to penalties. Bronze's header to get back into the game and showing that power gets it past the keeper in penalties, topped a proud performance.

Surely cheaper to put the squad through some Shouty Assertiveness courses than to pay Cap'n Jack's salary?

The smaller size has been really good. England losing their first put pressure on the other games, and you can see the closeness of it in other groups. I have seen England leave just the sort of gaps that Sweden exploited in their group games. But will they be able to do that against England's really varied attack? Looking forward to it.

Not at all bad.

Arrest

A late header gives Italy the win over Norway. There were a fair number of touches, before the cross for the goal. But the passage of play started after the ref had stopped the game, with Norway about to go over half way, in some space. The reason was because an Italy player was on the end of a fair challenge, that didn't involve a head injury, and wasn't serious. Norway got the drop ball, but Italy had repositioned, eventually leading to the goal. Lots of drama in the game, including a missed Norway penalty. But a harsh way of conceding the winner.

Block

Prison

Random internet gov source says that a fixed term contract that is not renewed is classed as a dismissal. If they are between series, and contracts are negotiated per series, then it's not even renewed. But saying he's been dismissed, or sacked, is also valid.

Unfortunately no judges around to tell us if it was well done. 🙂

And now his production company is not renewing his contract, with the Beeb looking for them to take action. Tim Davie on saying that a line has been drawn in the sand. On the beach, behind his line in the sand, you can see all of the previous lines in the sand. Right beside all the lessons learned groves.

Tropical

Sainz on a 5 year deal to Porto for 14.5 million. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c62gng6j421o

CBs are the new LBs. 🙂

To her credit, by volunteering to invite as many asylum seekers until saturation point at her own property, she's saving the taxpayer on hotel costs.

A much quieter second half, even though England got another 2. There were different tests. To see if England could break down a reorganised Wales, and to test that the strength and depth of the squad could still produce results. Wiegman's first eleven is a balanced shape and she makes her subs well. But there were still things worth looking at. Park isn't quite at Toone's level of influence. And with Hemp off, Mead and James offered two similar outlets. Wiegman returned to the earlier balance of bringing on more direct Kelly for James, and like for like with Beaver-Jones for Russo. England push Bronze up, which isn't so useful with Kelly on that side. When Wales scored, Wiegman immediately switched Bronze for Charles. That might have been coming anyway, but brought fresh legs on to bring some solidity. The Wales goal involved an absolutely cracking run and assist from Fishlock, and a good finish from Cain. It's always a shame that we're seeing talents at the end of their careers, just as Women's football is progressing so far. Mead took her goal really well from a Beaver-Jones assist, and the two reversed for Beaver-Jones' header. Both made sure to get their efforts on target, with nothing rash. England will look to those moments when they are pressed, or caught on the counter. It asks a lot from Bronze to run the length of the park to support attack and defence, and there are gaps when others cover. That's something to watch against Sweden. They make good use of the width for passes in behind, driving runs and crosses.

I was hoping Rowe would blast that one in before half time. A dominating performance, against the tournament underdogs. Bronze pushing forward, shifts England to a 3. But James is comfortable in that whole area to the right. So, as the half progressed, Bronze supported all over the pitch. James is playing within herself (possibly resulting in that miss before halftime) but just makes England so fluid. It's balanced with with the two excellent, but more traditional roles filled by Hemp and Russo. Toone had an early impact, but such is the dominance, has again done a quieter, supporting role, popping up with key runs and passes. It's a shame that the first goal wasn't even a free kick, and yet ended up being a penalty. While it looked initially to be a foul, Stanway tripped over herself. The VAR check had to have seen that. I can only guess they then only looked at the position of the incident, rather than whether it was a foul, and determined it to be in the box. Wales' heads didn't go down, but it had to knock confidence from them. They changed 'keepers after some defensive issues, but that continued for the second. A d their defender could have done better for the third. England created other chances, but it was Wales who ended the half well. Hopefully, they'll continue to test England. As it stands England get Germany, and if past that, Spain.

There were 9 subs and a coaching team on that. The pic is of the investigative team making notes, after the departure of the ambulances.