#england most complex scouting mission ever, ahead of the World Cup last 32 tie against DR Congo. Teams of analysts working through the night at St George’s Park.
Ahead of England’s first knockout game against DR Congo, The FA have mounted their most complex and thorough scouting mission ever for a World Cup, with a team of analysts at St George’s Park working through the night to deliver the latest information and support to Thomas Tuchel and his coaching staff.
Because the tournament was expanded to 48 nations for the first time, with many teams who finished third in their group progressing to the knockout stages, it has been the most logistically-demanding World Cup ever.
As such, it has been impossible for The FA to do what it would normally do for a men’s major tournament and send large numbers of analysts over to the US to watch all of England’s possible opponents.
Instead, a team of specialists, including some of the coaches from England’s junior teams, has been studying live World Cup games on television back at the National Football Centre in the UK, compiling statistics and identifying defensive and attacking patterns. That was then used to deliver a comprehensive pre-match report by video link to Tuchel and his assistant Anthony Barry, in the buildup to the first knockout game.
Before England’s players step on to the pitch in Atlanta on Wednesday, Tuchel will have used that information to brief them on his tactical plan for the game.
Ahead of England’s final group match against Panama, it was still possible that they could finish top, second or even third in the group. That led to a huge logistical headache.
If they finished top, their opponents could have been Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Cape Verde, Uruguay, Senegal, Algeria or [as is now the case] DR Congo. If England had finished second in the group, that brought into play the possibility of Colombia or Portugal. Had Tuchel’s team finished third in Group L, that would have opened up a still wider array of possibilities.
And so England’s analysts had to prepare comprehensive dossiers on at least nine different teams in preparation for whoever they might face in the round of 32. As soon as it was known that DR Congo would be the opponent, eight of those dossiers became worthless.
Unseen pics of when Jude visited us last year as part of our 150 year anniversary celebrations, including seeing plans for our new stadium. 💙
Couldn’t be prouder of how you continue to shine on the biggest stage, @BellinghamJude.
First time trying @goustocooking and our first box arrived today… safe to say I’ve cancelled already. If you think two new potatoes is enough for mashed potatoes for two you’re mad
(AirPod case for size reference)
Gary Lineker set to make a shock appearance on ITV's World Cup coverage for Germany vs Ivory Coast tomorrow. The former MOTD host will appear as a pundit for the BBC's rivalling broadcaster. @IndyFootball
Partey loses Canada visa appeal - incredibly court documents show he (or Ghana) initially declared 'No' when asked if he had any outstanding criminal charges
https://t.co/h1GmcB8SPl
The Rams have made two first round draft picks since taking Jared Goff first overall in 2016. And one of those players was Jared Verse who they've just traded away.
Feels like a more successful strategy than the Browns.
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Bombshell: The #Browns are finalizing a trade of Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the #Rams in a shocker, sources tell me, @TomPelissero & @AdamSchefter.
Cleveland would send Garrett to LA in exchange for star edge Jared Verse, a first-rounder, and more.