To be honest nobody played well for England NT in this tournament including first match poster boy bellingham. Can't blame saka alone.I don't see it with Saka, in an England shirt at least
Agree re Saka. I thought he's been one of the few that's looked like he may actually create something or do something a little unpredictable instead of passing backwards or sideways to the nearest teammate. He's not been great (nobody has) but I'm not really understanding the criticism he's been getting when compared to the rest of the team.For me though, Saka has looked the most likely to make something happen among that front 3, and that's with the highly ineffective Walker (attack-wise) behind him. I don't know whether it's a Southgate thing, but Walker looks even worse than AWB in terms of supporting the attack.
Palmer did extremely well and that's probably a factor as to why Saka is the one being mentioned, but he came on against tired legs and at some point had the more adventurous TAA behind him. I'd personally keep Palmer as an impact player, especially considering the right hand side of this attack is not the perennially blunt part this tournament. The left side of attack is area that has underwhelmed the most. England's attack has been described during this campaign as lop-sided so not sure why the player on the side that at least threatens the opposition is the one under the microscope.
Why are Foden and Kane untouchable? Kane could be forgiven for pointing to his history in an England shirt, but Foden?? I genuinely don't get it. He's never impressed in an England shirt
On paper, yes. Unfortunately as a team we’re less than the sum of our parts. Conversely some of the other teams are greater than the sum of their partsMassive failure not to make the final now with how the draw has opened up.
Bold words after seeing Switserland toy with Italy yesterday.Massive failure not to make the final now with how the draw has opened up.
On paper, yes. Unfortunately as a team we’re less than the sum of our parts. Conversely some of the other teams are greater than the sum of their parts
Bold words after seeing Switserland toy with Italy yesterday.
I completely agree. I just won’t be surprised if it doesn’t happen. I reckon the lesser teams will be looking at England and thinking they’re prime targets for a scalpingI agree but it will be a massive failure on behalf of Southgate if he doesn't get the amount of quality on show to perform against Slovakia, Switzerland and then the semi-final options.
Last time I checked football was a team sportSwitzerland are a good side but England dwarf them quality wise on an individual basis.
Its not a failure. Southgate took an unbalance team to the tournament. Its a team thats good defensively with a disjointed attack bc the midfield is so defensive. Theres a lack of pace up front so theres really no threat for the opposing defense that they will get balls in behind....Massive failure not to make the final now with how the draw has opened up.
The overall squad is fine, team selection is the problem along with tactics. We do also have pace, I don't know what you're talking about with that one. Walker, Saka, Gordon, Palmer etc. We have no excuse not to make the final.Its not a failure. Southgate took an unbalance team to the tournament. Its a team thats good defensively with a disjointed attack bc the midfield is so defensive. Theres a lack of pace up front so theres really no threat for the opposing defense that they will get balls in behind....
hopefully they are good at penalties
Collective >> nervous “name” individualsSwitzerland are a good side but England dwarf them quality wise on an individual basis.
Last time I checked football was a team sport
Its not a failure. Southgate took an unbalance team to the tournament. Its a team thats good defensively with a disjointed attack bc the midfield is so defensive. Theres a lack of pace up front so theres really no threat for the opposing defense that they will get balls in behind....
hopefully they are good at penalties
Collective >> nervous “name” individuals
Plus Switzerland’s midfield is slick and cohesive. England play as they have been and that’s a potential humiliation, just like Italy received.
I wasn't blaming him. I think Bellingham has looked worse, he looks tired and lostTo be honest nobody played well for England NT in this tournament including first match poster boy bellingham. Can't blame saka alone.
Let's see how we get on later with Mainoo in the team. We looked better and half of last gameOn paper, yes. Unfortunately as a team we’re less than the sum of our parts. Conversely some of the other teams are greater than the sum of their parts
I suspect we'll score reasonably early then shit ourselves and spend the next seventy minutes defending for our lives.Any chance we can actually put in a good performance tonight and make this quite a straight forward night?
The overall squad is fine, team selection is the problem along with tactics. We do also have pace, I don't know what you're talking about with that one. Walker, Saka, Gordon, Palmer etc. We have no excuse not to make the final.
Agreed. And the frustrating thing is that him being a poor coach/manager was clear as day when he was appointed. Genuinely not sure how we got the England coach choice quite so wrong at the time.This.
The route to the final is ridiculously average. Denmark, Switzerland will provide a test, but look at the players we have to choose from.
Southgate is just making a mess of things. It's on him. He knows it.
Sure, but England are shite as a team.Switzerland are a good side but England dwarf them quality wise on an individual basis.
I've just listened to the most recent 'stick to football' podcast where Wrighty basically says that he and fellow pros don't criticise the England team as it's bad for their morale and goes as far as saying you shouldn't make a change to the starting line up as it implies that player is the reason for bad performances.
This is logical to be honest. You switch out Gallagher for Mainoo and possibly switch out Foden for a wide player. I don't think making 4 or 5 changes makes sense but two or three is not drastic
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Hearing saying he doesn’t want to lose continuity by making drastic changes implies we have been doing things well and looking fluid and cohesive.
That’s exactly that he said - you didn’t quote the part where he says:But they do criticise the England team, Ian Wright may not but other ex pros absolutely do.
Lineker and Shearer were so critical recently that the players even commented on it.
I never thought I'd say it but seeing Linekar and Shearer give the team some stick has given me a new found respect for them.
Then he agrees with me that Ian Wright is talking out of his bum hole in this instance I guess. My bad!That’s exactly that he said - you didn’t quote the part where he says:
I agree but it will be a massive failure on behalf of Southgate if he doesn't get the amount of quality on show to perform against Slovakia, Switzerland and then the semi-final options.
Switzerland are a good side but England dwarf them quality wise on an individual basis.
Hearing saying he doesn’t want to lose continuity by making drastic changes implies we have been doing things well and looking fluid and cohesive.
What he is unable to see is that he absolutely needs to break the malaise with which we are playing.
Mainoo coming on? He'll start (instead of Gallagher) without a doubt. Even Southgate isn't that dumbFor Southgate it will be about us looking solid defensively so far and he's not going to disrupt that for a knockout game.
If we're still struggling I can see Palmer and Mainoo coming on. If Slovakia are being tough to break down Palmer would be brilliant.
It was a massive failure for Italy. It would be a massive failure for EnglandBold words after seeing Switserland toy with Italy yesterday.
Which means Foden is out of position again. Happy for Mainoo, but the Cyberpunk NPC doesn't work out on the left.Mainoo coming on? He'll start (instead of Gallagher) without a doubt. Even Southgate isn't that dumb
For England sure, but you have not been very good since winning the euro's right?It was a massive failure for Italy. It would be a massive failure for England
Switzerland is a good team, but no more than that. England should 100% make the final from here, anything less would be a huge failure
He isn't really out of position though. Foden has played on the left a lot more than he has played as a 10 for City, even last season. When he was tried as a 10 for England, he struggled just as much as he does on the wing. The system just doesn't suit his game.Which means Foden is out of position again. Happy for Mainoo, but the Cyberpunk NPC doesn't work out on the left.
We should still be better than switzerlandFor England sure, but you have not been very good since winning the euro's right?