I think it's going to take us losing to Iran, USA or Wales to get people into this tournament.
All very possible.
All very possible.
England Discussion
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
I really wouldn't be surprised of Phillips started instead of Bellingham given how Gareth is with his favourites
Can totally see him starting Phillips and Walker would have played if he was fit. My guess at the starting 11.
Pickford
TAA White Dier Maguire Trippier
Phillips Rice
Mount Kane Foden
Even if he thinks England's best chance in the knockouts is Phillips and Rice deeper in midfield freeing up Bellingham to play in the attacking 8/10 role Lampard was good at and Pogba sort of played (Matuidi wider than Phillips but provided the legs and Foden or Mount could do a passable Griezmann impression), I think that means Phillips off the bench and maybe starting against Wales or the Americans, not against Iran. He's only played 40 minutes of football in the last 2 months and Iran will sit deep anyways.
Thank you very much for all that information - really appreciate it. I know we`re supposed to be talking about football and England playing Iran in this thread but I will just say that while it is horrifying to find out the details of the response to the Iranian people`s uprising, it is incredibly moving that so many are willing to literally put their lives on the line to be treated as human beings worthy of dignity and a future in their own country.
I am not anti-USA but I pray that the govt there doesn`t decide to help `liberate` Iran the way they `did in Iraq`, the evil aftermath which is still being felt. The Iranians need their own military to turn on the government - they can`t free themselves without that factor. Not the same situation but slightly similar is North Korea. I lived in South Korea for a while and found out a lot more than the media in SK and the west tell us in their version of what goes on there. The privileged class in NK are not so uniformly in support of the regime there but unless the military decides on a regime change, there is nothing they can do.
I agree. I remember a few articles a while ago claiming England were lucky with a relatively `easy` group which I don`t see. Iran might very well fizzle out but I expect them to be happy to shut up shop and then possibly get a draw goal-less or otherwise.
The USA seems widely underestimated and that is at everybody`s peril. For at least 2 decades, `soccer` has been a very popular alternative to the wrestlefest and just about zero ball kicking skills of gridiron except for a designated team kicker - and I should say I like gridiron and watch it but it aint football. Soccer has also been the popular alternative to basketball which mostly selects for height.
American football has also benefited tremendously from the immigrant communities in the USA and because of its success among school students generally and those communities, USA football is able to choose its players from a much wider demographic than it has ever done. I think the USA is much better placed to get out of the group stage than we think. I especially don`t like England`s chances against the USA strikers if Harry Maguire plays - and we have seen the stupidity of a defender who hasn`t played much for his own team chosen over others who have.
As for Wales, they are looking good and Gareth may not have those legs anymore but he`s crafty and always a goal poaching threat.
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As I stated in the match thread Southgate is so clueless that media and fans aren’t expecting much from England yet with the likes of Kane, Sake, Jude, Foden, Rashford etc I don’t see many teams better.
If they win the WC will he still be clueless?
You're not wrong, but as Jesse March said recently, their 2026 squad is when they should rep the benefits. They have the 2nd youngest squad here and lots of players who should peak in 2026, and they literally can't be weaker at striker.
Ages in 2026:
Pepi, 23 Ferreira 25 Sargeant 26
Reyna 24 Pulisic 28 Aaronson 26 Weah, 26 Tillman 24
Adams 27 McKennie 28 Musah 23
Dest 26 Robinson 29 Scally, 23
Robinson (first choice CB but injured) 29 Sands 26, Chris Richards 26
and their keepers won't be too old and they always have decent keepers anyways.
Ream is the only player expected to start who won't be at a better age in the 2026 world cup
And obviously they'll develop more players. But that midfield should be really strong and they'll probably attract/pick a better manager too.
Just wish he could utilise them properly
It’ll be interesting to see how TAA does in a back five if that is the starting XI. Kane, Foden, Rice, White and Trippier are the automatic starters for me. Saka and Walker if fit as well. I’d prefer Ramsdale over Pickford.
Good start for ye this. Nice to see Saka and Rashford starting off with some goals too given the abuse they got after the Euros.
The upgrade from Phillips or Henderson to Bellingham could be the biggest advantage England have in this World Cup.
Will Southgate get any praise for this. Its been 3 toournaments now watching England do more than I've seen them do under any other manager. Sure its not quite impressive outside the tournaments, but you have to admit he takes care of easier teams than managers before him.
It’s coming home, I can’t see how it possibly wouldn’t at this point.
Shaw, Bellingham, Maguire, Saka, Rashford, Rice all very good.
Trippier and Stones were shocking.
Trippier and Stones were shocking.
Let's be honest, I think England is very strong. So much depth on the bench too.
Straight through to the final, I'd say. Easy enough route unless one of the bigger teams fumbles or England somehow come second in this group.
MissEd this live 
Nice one
Winning this easily
Piece of piss
Piece of piss
Why does Shearer remind me of a police officer?
I'm so jealous that Arsenal have Saka, what a wonderful player.
This is also the best and most balanced England team we've had in a looong time.
Can’t they meet Arge in quarters?
I've never seen anyone with more of a copper vibe in my life.
Bellingham is everything Paul Pogba thinks he is. Probably the most complete midfielder in a long time.
I was expecting that game to be a complete bore fest, to be honest.
Was good to watch. Some very good goals.
Was good to watch. Some very good goals.
France in the quarters?
Good start, Southgate let the handbrake off there was some good football and they got up the pitch and pressed Iran high alot.
Be interesting to see if we know stick with the 4-3-3 or will Southgate resort to the back 5 if we get through and play some better sides.
If we stick with 4-3-3 and play with the bravery we saw today, we have a real chance at this world cup, if though we resort to the defensive drab stuff I think better sides will just pick us off.
Best form of defensive is a good offence and we have plenty of talent and depth in that area.
Be interesting to see if we know stick with the 4-3-3 or will Southgate resort to the back 5 if we get through and play some better sides.
If we stick with 4-3-3 and play with the bravery we saw today, we have a real chance at this world cup, if though we resort to the defensive drab stuff I think better sides will just pick us off.
Best form of defensive is a good offence and we have plenty of talent and depth in that area.
If we win the group as expected, it'll be France or Denmark. We can only face Argentina/Brazil/Spain/Germany in the semi's.
Unlikely. It'll be Senegal or Ecuador in ro16 (should be easy), France or Denmark in quarters (whoever tops group, not easy but easier than Arge/Brazil/Netherlands/Germany/Spain IMO), and then it'll be Spain/Germany (whoever finishes 2nd, or Portugal) in the semi.
So easy route to quarters at least.
As soon as we're up against a top team though - we'll go all defensive again.
Tournament Luke Shaw is a beast, feels like he gets an assist every game.
It won't happen but Rashford on the left would really be their best option IMO. At least he took his chance today and will probably get more sub time!
I don't see France being that great this tournament. I'd bet Denmark in the quarters
Semi's. Only way for quarters is if either team come second in the group.
I thought Trippier was poor as was Stones and Mount did his usual complete nothing performance for England.
Very good going forward though.
Iran were rubbish but we've struggled badly against rubbish teams plenty of times, like Scotland for example.
Very good going forward though.
Iran were rubbish but we've struggled badly against rubbish teams plenty of times, like Scotland for example.
Did what we needed to do today, never really got going in a weird way. Felt like a friendly.
Mount shouldn't be starting, and Dier is crap.
Great attacking options though.
Mount shouldn't be starting, and Dier is crap.
Great attacking options though.