Day 17: England vs Germany | Sweden vs Ukraine (Ro16 7&8)

[charlenefan]

Why not start Rashford over Saka? Or Sancho?

Or Grealish. Saka's a good player but let's not pretend he's better than the other options available

 

[JJ12]

Northdoor really produced that load of shite

 

[Random Task]

On one hand I get what you mean with the England lineup, but on the other this is such a pathetically negative lineup that Southgate might have overdone it and Löw's idea of dominance might work out for once as the English crowd, expecting it to come home, gets restless and puts pressure on their players.

Southgate is aiming for a goalless draw and a win on penalties. That's the extent of his managerial ability, apparently, indicating that he doesn't believe his squad is good enough to beat Germany or win the Euros.

After we go out tonight, he should be promptly sacked for adopting such a negative approach to this tournament.

 

[AltiUn]

Is this the game Kane finally turns up? Surely he won't go through the entire tournament stinking up the place.

With that line up? I don't think so, doesn't look like the ideal set up for a striker masterclass.

 

[big rons sovereign]

Is this the game Kane finally turns up? Surely he won't go through the entire tournament stinking up the place.

I don't see him doing anything other than moping around looking gormless.

 

[InspiRED]

Ugh that lineup. So spineless. Like this is the only way of defending. Just give up the midfield, hang on for dear life and hope to nick a goal on the break. A new contract. I hate our FA with a passion for their decades of bs.

How many more years of nauseating '96 montages and documentaries will we have to endure now?

 

[WeePat]

Werner is nailed on to score today after a season of missing the cows arse with his banjo.

This has been said much it has started to lose it's meaning. I thought it was all set up for him to finally exorcise his demons and catch fire in the CL final but he was missing sitters in that game too.

 

[WR]

I was hopeful before the lineup but you can just see the 1-0 loss now. And for the rest of the tournament we will be asking ‘what if’ we’d started Grealish Foden etc. Same old fecking story

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Euro 96, the media haven't mentioned it at all this tournament...

Was listening to them going on and on about it on Talksport in the build up to the game. We lost. They still see it as some glorious failure.

 

[Random Task]

What the hell is that line up from Ole Gunnar Southgate. So let me get this straight, in an era where England are blessed with an unprecedented number of attacking options, this guy decides to go with 5 defenders and 2 holding midfielders. Shambles

Why are you bringing Ole into this?

 

[Zlatan 7]

Looking forward to this now, hope it doesn’t disappoint

 

[WeePat]

With that line up? I don't think so, doesn't look like the ideal set up for a striker masterclass.

Would be nice if he hung around the box a bit more today. At least that we could at least have one effective mode of attack - go wide and cross.

 

[Dumbstar]

I was hopeful before the lineup but you can just see the 1-0 loss now. And for the rest of the tournament we will be asking ‘what if’ we’d started Grealish Foden etc. Same old fecking story

Exactly why I had/have Germany as my favourites for the cup. But would love it if England could play some good football and win.

 

[DOTA]

Or Grealish. Saka's a good player but let's not pretend he's better than the other options available

He looks a lot better on the right than Rashford at least. I can understand people wanting Grealish or Sancho there but I'm really baffled by this desire to have Marcus play there when we've all seen him be a shadow of himself for United when he does.

 

[charlenefan]

He looks a lot better on the right than Rashford at least. I can understand people wanting Grealish or Sancho there but I'm really baffled by this desire to have Marcus play there when we've all seen him be a shadow of himself for United when he does.

Move Sterling right and play one of the others from the left?

 

[Infra-red]

Surprised at the hysterical reaction towards the lineup.

Nine of the eleven pick themselves and would be in basically everyone's lineups. The decisions to make were over the remaining two (Trippier & Saka have been picked over Grealish and Foden). Given that Germany destroyed Portugal with their wingbacks, its not a huge shock that Southgate has decided to match them up with wingbacks of his own. Saka instead of Foden/Grealish is somewhat questionable, but hardly worth throwing toys out of the pram over - he was perhaps our best player vs the Czechs.

 

[do.ob]

I think the other outcome is more realistic: Germany will try to "dominate" (i.e. pass the ball from left to right 35 yards away from goal) while finding no way through the defense, then England will score via a simple counter attack within the first half hour. Then they'll really be able to exploit us.

That's of course entirely possible. But to consistently pose a threat on the counter you need quick players upfront (at least Kane isn't) and you need someone to feed them. France had Pogba running riot, but England don't have a single play maker in their team, not even Grealish or Foden.

 

[DOTA]

Move Sterling right and play one of the others from the left?

Can't say I know enough to comment on what Sterling's like there.

 

[InspiRED]

He looks a lot better on the right than Rashford at least. I can understand people wanting Grealish or Sancho there but I'm really baffled by this desire to have Marcus play there when we've all seen him be a shadow of himself for United when he does.

Agree. Rashford would be the icing on the cake of this shambolic lineup.

 

[SamVimes]

Ugh that lineup. So spineless. Like this is the only way of defending. Just give up the midfield, hang on for dear life and hope to nick a goal on the break. A new contract. I hate our FA with a passion for their decades of bs

If you look at all the teams who have progressed so far, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark and Poland, they have all tried to be progressive and forward thinking in their play. Everyone thought Switzerland were going to sit back against the French, but they didn't. England look set up to grind out a one nil. Not sure it will work.

 

[luke511]

5 at the back vs 5 at the back, thrilling stuff.

 

[BarstoolProphet]

So if England win, you will be disappointed will you.

Not really, I have a soft spot for England regardless, but hate seeing negative tactics and selection being used when you have a highly talented and exciting squad at your disposal.

 

[charlenefan]

Can't say I know enough to comment on what Sterling's like there.

He used to play there a lot at City when Sane was on the left, granted it wouldn't be classed as his natural/preferred position now but then I'm not sure RW would be Saka's preferred position either

 

[Thiagoal]

3-4-3 is not necessarily a negative line up but the selection of players makes it so. Why not start Saka in one of the wing back positions and maybe Mount or Foden instead of Phillips? Hope I’m wrong but can’t see anything but a bore and Germany nicking it

 

[DOTA]

I've an awful feeling Rashford for Saka is gonna be England's first change, by the way.

 

[Withnail]

Think this'll definitely be a second half game

 

[mitchmouse]

Southgate taking inspiration from McFred. No Foden, no Sancho, no Grealish... no ambition. Pretty f@cking ridiculous; seven defenders

 

[kiristao]

What the hell is that line up from Ole Gunnar Southgate. So let me get this straight, in an era where England are blessed with an unprecedented number of attacking options, this guy decides to go with 5 defenders and 2 holding midfielders. Shambles

Atleast now we know why he took so so many defenders and fullbacks to the Euro's.

 

[MU655]

I find it weird not playing Sancho when he is familiar with a lot of the German players. He has played against them more than anyone in the team.

 

[red4ever 79]

Southgate taking inspiration from McFred. No Foden, no Sancho, no Grealish... no ambition. Pretty f@cking ridiculous; seven defenders

Simalaraties between the two coaches are scary

 

[DOTA]

Anyway, 2-0 to England. Maguire and then Kane.

It's coming home.

 

[swooshboy]

I find it weird not playing Sancho when he is familiar with a lot of the German players. He has played against them more than anyone in the team.

It's mind-blowing...but at the same time, sadly predictable for Southgate

 

[rimaldo]

keep it tight for 120 and beat them on penalties. southgate wants to exorcise his 96 demons.

 

[Castia]

I really hope I'm wrong but that is a awful line up

That much talent in the squad and we're basically playing 5 at the back with a couple of pacey players upfront to hit a counter?

Fair play to Southgate he's either coming away from this looking like a genius or the biggest fecking idiot ever his bollocks are on the table here.

 

[Sky1981]

Southgate is aiming for a goalless draw and a win on penalties. That's the extent of his managerial ability, apparently, indicating that he doesn't believe his squad is good enough to beat Germany or win the Euros.

After we go out tonight, he should be promptly sacked for adopting such a negative approach to this tournament.

Wasn't he offered 2024 at least?

 

[bosskeano]

It's crazy that Sancho has barely featured, Grealish has barely featured and Rashford has barely featured yet he sticks with Kane, Saka and Sterling when they've produced 2 goals.

 

[red4ever 79]

Atleast now we know why he took so so many defenders and fullbacks to the Euro's.

All makes sense now. Next time he will leave Sancho at home and take Holgate. No wonder Vardy retired from international football.

 

[Infra-red]

I find it weird not playing Sancho when he is familiar with a lot of the German players. He has played against them more than anyone in the team.

He doesn't play well for England and would never have been in consideration. At least one of Grealish/Foden should probably be starting (instead of Saka/Trippier). The rest of the side picks itself, really.

 

[Sky1981]

I really hope I'm wrong but that is a awful line up

That much talent in the squad and we're basically playing 5 at the back with a couple of pacey players upfront to hit a counter?

Fair play to Southgate he's either coming away from this looking like a genius or the biggest fecking idiot ever his bollocks are on the table here.

WIn or lose it'll be despite of him.

He's no Johan Cruyft

 

[KirkDuyt]

I think there was another one more recently, maybe @KirkDuyt can help us out?

Schaaaade die Mannshaft alles ist vorbei?

Mit einen frikandel ficken wir Frank de Boer?