So we may aswell say, Kanes in bad form, Fodens in bad form. Walkers in bad form and so on… all the England players except maybe 1/2 have been very bad. Can’t string a few passes together. You saying all them players aren’t in form? I put it down to the tactics/system.
37
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 32
- Goals
- 5
- Assists
- 1
- Yellow cards
- 4
You seem to think that these are either/or situations? I think they affect each other.
Really wish ex-United pundits would stop talking about him as if he's the second coming of Christ for England.
Irrespective of his talent, he's 19, and he doesn't need the added pressure from the media.
They should know better.
Irrespective of his talent, he's 19, and he doesn't need the added pressure from the media.
They should know better.
Agreed but that's not gonna happen. Their favourite sport (even more than football) is building players up quickly and knocking them down.
I don’t get this way of thinking. If he’s going to make it he needs to get used to the pressure of playing for a big club like United and England, and that comes with a lot of negativity unfortunately.
If he’s good enough to start and win us the FA cup final against the best team in club football he’s good enough to play for England.
If anything the state of England this tournament will help him because even if he doesn’t perform to his best I feel that how shit everyone else has been and Southgate being pilloried will take the heat of him.
They'll never know better. Its how the media works - the old build them up to knock them down.
I've heard Fergie say he was always tougher with youngsters because they'd never hear any negatives about themselves anywhere else as all youngsters hear is praise and their faults overlooked. That's until they reach a certain age, then it's reversed while the next generation of youngsters get raved about.
All top players have to learn how to deal with that - the ones that don't might well be the ones that fail to kick on the most. Hopefully Kobbie will be one who deals well with the initial overhype before the inevitable OTT criticism further down the line.
it's alreay starting with Bellingham. A couple of average games and the critics have started.
Changed the game for England by the mere fact that he was being man marked for the first 10-15 minutes of the second half, which meant Slovenia could no longer surround Rice and cut him off from the attacking mid trio. Absolutely nuts for a 19 year old in his first appearance in a major international tournament. It's not a coincidence the second half was the first time in this tournament England looked anywhere near controlling a match. It really does defy belief how good he is right now.
He could impose himself on the match more, but it's a lot to ask of a 19 year old after his very first season of senior football. What he did do was pretty much impeccable, and the few occasions he got the ball in dangerous situations he created openings.
Meanwhile, his teammates should learn to trust him more. Yesterday he was asking for the ball in tight spaces a lot in the middle third, but he doesn't receive the pass because they're not used to players being comfortable receiving the ball under that kind of pressure. But no-one ever broke through a defensive block by receiving the ball in space. You need your midfielders to turn and half-turn their opponents. Receiving it with the opponent close to you is how you do it.
Meanwhile, his teammates should learn to trust him more. Yesterday he was asking for the ball in tight spaces a lot in the middle third, but he doesn't receive the pass because they're not used to players being comfortable receiving the ball under that kind of pressure. But no-one ever broke through a defensive block by receiving the ball in space. You need your midfielders to turn and half-turn their opponents. Receiving it with the opponent close to you is how you do it.
Should be one of the starting midfielders
Figure some won't see this in other areas of the site:
I wanna see Bellingham do this
This was Luka Modric-like finish. Quaresmaesque... Love this kid.
(1) ’
on X: "Kobbie… you are HIM. https://t.co/CgBzjshgZ0" / X
(1) ’
on X: "Kobbie… you are HIM. https://t.co/CgBzjshgZ0" / XI'm probably wrong but I'm old enough to remember Gazzamania. I have a feeling today might be the start of Kobbiemania. It's all perfectly set up for him.
Has there been the usual leaks about the team yet? Is he playing? I assume it’s just him and Foden is in again ahead of Gordon?
This interview confirms that we should let him grow organically into the best version of the player he wants to be, should not attempt to stifle him into a playmaker metronome no.6, but a dribbling ball carrying midfielder, a no.8, a Mousse Dembele type if you may, who was an absolute joy to watch and could make things happen on his own.
Delighted Kobbie is ours, what a great lad and a unique talent.
Delighted Kobbie is ours, what a great lad and a unique talent.
Starts against Slovakia 
Either going to get praised over the top or be labelled not good enough in a couple of hours.
I fear for him. If this turns sour the English media will have their scapegoat.
I want Mainoo to score a hattrick but England to still lose. One can only dream.
Whenever Eng go out of tournaments the blame tends to fall on Utd players. For once I thought it may not be case in Euro 24 due to lack of Utd players in first 11 so I hope for Kobbie's sake the scum media don't round on him!
He will be fine. He oozes of confidence
This kids trajectory has been simply amazing. So happy he is our.
Do yourself justice Kobbie son!
Do yourself justice Kobbie son!
He’s either our saviour or Southgate’s scapegoat
Technically he is just on another level. Incredible for an 18 year old
Let alone a 19-year old.
He’s absolutely class
How the fcuk is that a yellow card I’m still annoyed
Hehe then it is not impressive anymoreLet alone a 19-year old.
Different gravy. He will be first to be subbed though and we will be worse for it.
Some baller
Can't believe Southgate went into the tournament with Trent and Gallagher ahead of him in the pecking order. Well, actually I can because, well, Southgate.
England's best player.
Another reason I’m glad Erik is staying. Didn’t fancy another manager coming in and ditching him.
Keep him away from that England side, only been shown the respect he deserves when desperate. So happy that he's ours.
Brilliant first half from him, been involved in all the good bits.
I’m pretty sure whoever would become our manager they’d have Mainoo in the starting eleven.