Have they? Last 16 likely to be against France, Portugal or Germany if we win the group?Cool. Someone lock the thread
The fixtures have fallen well for England. They will be massively targeting a win in that first game, knowing it’ll almost take them through.
England - Euro 2021 Discussion | FA chairman: Southgate to be offered new contract until Euro 2024
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People need to get over the idea that we've selected 4 RBs.
Southgate has actually picked 2 RCBs and 2 RWBs.
We're not going to be playing a back four, so talking about RBs is redundant.
Southgate has actually picked 2 RCBs and 2 RWBs.
We're not going to be playing a back four, so talking about RBs is redundant.
I'm no big fan of Southgate but I think there has been a massive overreaction here. The only play that I think has been hard done by is JWP and frankly him not being in the squad doesn't impact England's chances.
If Maguire isn't fit, I think going 3 at the back is sensible and if he's available I hope we go with a 4231/433.
With the attacking options, I just hope Southgate is brave enough to drop Sterling or Rashford. Foden, Mount, Sancho, Grealish are better options right now.
If Maguire isn't fit, I think going 3 at the back is sensible and if he's available I hope we go with a 4231/433.
With the attacking options, I just hope Southgate is brave enough to drop Sterling or Rashford. Foden, Mount, Sancho, Grealish are better options right now.
Agreed on Rashford being dropped. He's had a difficult season with United due to his injuries and I honestly wish he wasn't in the squad so he could either get some proper rest or the surgery needed to fix the issue.
Stupid of Southgate not to take the best English player this season...Jesse Lingard. He has been among top 5 players in the world 2nd half of the season.
Lingers starts the warm up game but not in the squad. Make it make sense.
Half the squad are not available to play in the game.
I hope pigs can be brave enough to fly one day
I just meant the order that the group games are being played. I agree that it’s probably going to be tough after. Imagine if it was Croatia last game, after dropping points against the easier team like normal.
Henderson
TAA - Stones - Maguire - Shaw
Rice
Mount - Foden
Sancho - Kane - Grealish
TAA - Stones - Maguire - Shaw
Rice
Mount - Foden
Sancho - Kane - Grealish
This is probably how the likes of France/Germany/Spain would have lined up if they had England's talent pool. I don't get the obsession with playing 5 at the back and having 2 defensive minded players in the pivot when you have so much attacking talent at your disposal.
Good squad. Not convinced by centre-back pairing strength if Maguire is out. But agreed regarding Rashford shouldn't be starting as Foden, Sancho, Grealish more in-form options. Many players in that squad that are comfortable on the ball and have good technique, moreso than I can remember any previous England team having.
Germany maybe but no way would France line-up like that. Look at their lineups for the past two major tournament finals and they had Sissoko-Mutudi-Pogba-Payet in the 16 final and Greizmann and Giroud up top. In 2018 they Matudi, Kante, Pogba and Mbappe with the same two up top. They do not play champagne football by any stretch of the imagination. Neither do Portgual, in fact they're an entirely pragmatic side with a style informed by Mourinho. Deschamps actually faced the same criticisms as Southgate for his style but then he won the big pot so he gets to write history.
He wants the opportunity to do so at least. I think it would be a big mistake and much too conservative with such a squad not to prioritize another attacking spot for Sancho/Grealish/Mount/Sterling/Foden.
Very underwhelming.
Happy Jack is starting but he's another that has been injured for months so if I'm saying Henderson shouldn't be involved given he's hardly played since Feb then Jack shouldn't be starting really.
Mount is cert to start anyway and national scandal if Foden dosen't start so don't think squad numbers are that accurate.
A year ago that line up would've looked good but simply too many players out of form or injured in that 11.
This is more or less exactly what I'd go with. No International squad is ever properly balanced so you just have to go with what you have and try your best to play to your strengths. England have one of the best strikers on the planet and then a wealth of young, exciting attackers. Why not get as many of them on the pitch as possible?
I think in games against the better sides you'd sacrifice one of Mount and Foden for Henderson. I don't know how good Scotland or the Czech Republic are as the England games are the only International football I watch but against them I'd even be tempted to play Phillips over Rice with the expectation that England could be dominant on the ball and press high up the pitch without it.
For me the right back depends on who the wingers are, Alexander-Arnold is at his best when he can hit that early through ball for Liverpool's wide players. Salah and Mane are constantly on the move as soon as he gets it, whereas I think Sancho and Grealish will come short more often to get on the ball. I think this is why Alexander-Arnold has never really been as good for England, if you play with Rashford and Sterling wide and have them keeping making those out-to-in runs then Alexander-Arnold is the one I'd go with. If they did go with Sancho and Grealish (or Foden wide) then I think James would probably be my first pick.
That makes sense.
If you look at the squad numbers that the XI numbers have gone to the experienced players mostly. It doesn't mean they're first choice I don't think. I think Grealish is the interesting one as he's really inexperienced, both at club level having never played in Europe and with number of caps for England.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him go 343 just given the make up he has in the squad. More attacking forward and outside back options than good quality center mids.
4 right backs? He obviously didn't want to take Alexander-Arnold but felt under pressure to do so, makes no sense having Trippier and him in there.
Yeah injuries and form are a big thing right now, Maguire, Henderson, Grealish and Rashford all struggling for fitness, Sterling with form. Doesn't take much to get back in though if they are fit. If not, Phillips, Mount and Foden slot in.
Thing with Foden is that he's undoubtedly a very good young player, but as a non englishman, I really do think he's getting the overrated treatment (in terms of his current level) because he's young and starting in the absolute perfect set up for him - and playing as a forward. The position and situation will be a world of difference for England, and IMO one he's not ready for, and individually he isn't better or more proven (and certainly not more effective) than Sancho, Grealish, Rashford or Sterling if all are fully fit. Playing in the front 3 for Pep is a cheat code, and not something he can replicate for England under Southgate.
There's a good chance that Southgate keeps things tight and plays on a few moments. That's what France did, that's what Portugal did in the last 2 competition wins. They let individual quality win the day with the rest being organized. Rashford/Sancho/Grealish are far more suited to that than Foden is. And then there's the whole age and experience thing, which matters when you play in the most stacked position in the team where you can't really go wrong.
Wow I'm surprised he really went for it. Fair play to him. A shame Mason couldn't make it as that would of been one hell of an exciting squad with him.
It's incredible that Pickford is the undisputed number 1. 
3-5-2 or 3-4-3? Going with 7 potential fullbacks and only playing 2 feels very stupid.
Absolutely spot on, my biggest concern is deciding to take Saka over Watkins who would have given us a different type striker to Kane & DCL. I will admit that we still really lack that playmaker in CM like KDB/Modric and haven't had since Scholesy but if that player isn't coming through then need to focus on our strengths which are talented wide players like Foden & Grealish.
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I know it smacks of anti - Scousers but Jordan Henderson. Seriously.
Simply cannot fathom how he is in the squad.
Injured since February with plus Groin surgery On what basis does he make the squad?
Surely not match fit, let alone a whole tournament.
Strangest decision for me.
Simply cannot fathom how he is in the squad.
Injured since February with plus Groin surgery On what basis does he make the squad?
Surely not match fit, let alone a whole tournament.
Strangest decision for me.
Grow up ffs.
Group stage exit for England so our players can rest longer would be idealMy post was in jest, however, I think England will struggle in this competition. Southgate is not a great manager, even though England have a lot of talented players, they just arent as good as a France or Portugal as a team.
I think most of you will underestimate Scotland, who will give yous a tougher match than yous think.
Mon the Scotland
Why is Lingard playing tonight if he isn’t in the squad?
Ever so slightly over the top there.
And his form had dropped quite significantly the last 4 or 5 games.
It's incredible that Pickford is the undisputed number 1.
Southgate is a massive gobshite when it comes to picking on form.
Pickford is better than Henderson though, at least for now. Next year's World Cup Dean should be taking the number one spot
Jadon Sancho has been given the time off to finalise his move to United so Lingard agreed to cover his shift.
Because there's ten players missing who were involved in the Champs League/Europa League.
Also Southgate can make changes to the squad before the first game if anyone gets Covid/injured.
I like this logic.
I suppose that makes sense Duffy.
The players that played in the European club finals are not available for this game, about half the squad. He's probably first reserve in the attacking positions too.
edit: sorry Duffer had covered that.
And you would have?It's incredible that Pickford is the undisputed number 1.
He should at least have been challenged by Henderson or Johnstone but everybody knows Southgate loves Pickford and wouldn't drop him despite him being shite for ages. England's GK choices are poor at the moment though.
He's their best midfielder.