Czech Republic v England | Euro 2020 Group Stage

I think England will be the underdog in the next match and that is a helpful benefit.

And that defensive setup could be perfect against FRA or POR, who look for counters and won't get ANY. Walker agrees.

ET and penalties come in as additional options.

Germany though is a bit more adventurous and would even like to play at Wembley, in all respect of course.
I know I am biased as a City fan but I think Gundogan has been fantastic for Germany in this tournament. The performance against Portugal was superb. It was amazing to watch the pragmatic Germans playing with so much freedom. What pisses me off is I honestly believe that England have the players to produce the same sort of style but it will never happen.
 
The difference is the sides you mention, while having their own shit moments, have another gear to go up and often produce when the chips are down. England stumble and stutter through and that is our top gear, so when we meet a better team we're. fucked.

We've had three poor performances but won two, just and drawn one, as I said in a later post I guess you have to give credit for that.

It's the moaning that makes watching England bearable. We should always qualify for tournaments because the odds are stacked heavily in the top teams favour. It's what we do when we get there that's the moot point. We now have a great crop of exciting, technically gifted young players. This tournament is probably too soon for them to win it but we should be seeing signs of real progress in style and substance but we're not really

who knows, could be a huge amount of humble pie if we perform well and win next round.
May aswell enjoy it whilst we can.
 
And how did France play against Hungary ?

Spain.. drab draws v Sweden and Poland

Not many play such amazing attacking football in tournament football, recent Euro winners Portugal were Terrible and they won the thing , same for Greece.

international football is often tight, uneventful and defensive because so much is riding on it.

so far we’ve had one poor performance v Scotland and 2 good performances against Czech and World Cup finalists Croatia.

I’m not expecting us to win the Euros. Absolutely not. But the constant negativity against England and slagging off at players is more tiring than watching any England game.
We create very little and the teams we have faced are not top teams, I don't think the players are being slagged, more the Manager for his lack of how to set a team up to play possession based attacking football, rather than possession based defensive, dull football. There's no fluidity to England's football which isn't good enough when the manager has had as long as Southgate has had.
 
Last edited:
I don't really follow international footy. So correct me if I am wrong but if England lost tonight they would still have qualified. If so no pressure on the players, then they could have attacked and played without 2 dms . Sako played ok but under no pressure yet Foden Foden against The Scots gets shite for trying to play his normal game. Those pundits tonight are just fucking muppets.
 
Yes. You have been spoiled!
But previous tournament winners have shown that’s how you often win tournaments

I think most managers in the world set up with 2 defensive mids then the 3 behind a lone striker.
I don’t see that as negative.

I think at International football it’s just very hard to get the same fluidity that you get from the Prem, simply because players are not used to each other - rather than the managers input tactically.
He's got the entire setup wrong. How many of those players play with 2 defensive midfielders in their club side? Why is Kane constantly coming to pick the ball up near the half way line? He should be told just to stay in the box and do what he does best and be an outlet for other players and score goals.

Play the wingers on their favovered sides. Let the full backs bomb forward like they do for their club sides. I could go on but I think you see my point. Play a formation the players are comfortable with.

They look totally disjointed. My team for next Tuesday would be

Pickford
Shaw
Stones
Maguire
Walker
Philips/Rice(can't decide)
Bellingham
Mount
Foden
Kane
Sterling

We might get beat but at least the players know their positions and I would expect them to play well
 
We create very little and the teams we have faced are not top teams, I don't think the players are being slagged, more the Manager for his lack of how to set a team up to play possession based attacking football, rather than possession based defensive, dull football.
Correct, we could get through with another "nil", but with the players at his disposal the way we play is bordering on criminal. We have a good defence, and in Phillips a good sitter in front, who can also play the ball forward decisively, and the team has pace too, but he doesn't utilise it.
 
My team for next Tuesday would be

Pickford
Shaw
Stones
Maguire
Walker
Philips/Rice(can't decide)
Bellingham
Mount
Foden
Kane
Sterling
How would you play them though, given that Sterling's favourite side is the left, same as Foden ? (I'd play Philipps on his showing so far, he looks more capable of passing forward to me.
 
I know I am biased as a City fan but I think Gundogan has been fantastic for Germany in this tournament. The performance against Portugal was superb. It was amazing to watch the pragmatic Germans playing with so much freedom. What pisses me off is I honestly believe that England have the players to produce the same sort of style but it will never happen.
I agree England are playing below potential, but I think the missing link is a creative mid for the build-up, like Kroos or Gundo. Grealish is too far upfront and Rice/Henderson/Philips lack creative quality. You'll need a new Gazza ;)
 
I think with what we have seen so far and the known quality of players we need the following in the side

Sterling
Foden
Grealish
Saka

Not sure how you get those in a side with Kane Rice Mount and Phillips which waistcoat wanker will almost certainly play.
 
as already through why persist in the 2DM,show potential opponents we have different things to offer,or are we going all out against France/Germany
 
I agree England are playing below potential, but I think the missing link is a creative mid for the build-up, like Kroos or Gundo. Grealish is too far upfront and Rice/Henderson/Philips lack creative quality. You'll need a new Gazza ;)
We have three potentially, and all have something a bit different, Foden, Grealish, and Mount can all play that role, obviously only one at a time.
 
How would you play them though, given that Sterling's favourite side is the left, same as Foden ? (I'd play Philipps on his showing so far, he looks more capable of passing forward to me.
If he allows the full backs to push on Foden on the right Sterling on the left so they would cut in but he can both swap sides as we've seen Sterling do a good job on the right for us.

Philips sitting doing the Dino role and Bellingham and Mount give us energy in midfield as both are capable of box to box.

Doubt Southgate will play that tactic though. He'll definitely setup cautious though
 
If he allows the full backs to push on Foden on the right Sterling on the left so they would cut in but he can both swap sides as we've seen Sterling do a good job on the right for us.

Philips sitting doing the Dino role and Bellingham and Mount give us energy in midfield as both are capable of box to box.

Doubt Southgate will play that tactic though. He'll definitely setup cautious though
Yeah won't happen, Rice will play, Kane will play, the back 4 (keeper could be any) currently pick themselves for me, have Philips in front as he is the more creative of the 2, and seems quite good at the darker arts, then the other 5 can be any, so long as there is some balance.

Sadly I think he'll pick 3 at the back, 2 wing backs, 2 DM's, so only 3 proper attacking players next week, one of which will certainly be Kane.
 
Correct, we could get through with another "nil", but with the players at his disposal the way we play is bordering on criminal. We have a good defence, and in Phillips a good sitter in front, who can also play the ball forward decisively, and the team has pace too, but he doesn't utilise it.
Under Southgate England play like a team winning 2-0 with 10 minutes to go from virtually the first whistle, its all safety first, with players not taking risks, very much a have what we hold policy.
 
We have three potentially, and all have something a bit different, Foden, Grealish, and Mount can all play that role, obviously only one at a time.
Yeah, personally I prefer Foden's power on the wing, Mount had some problems vs tight defences but is dangerous on the counter and Grealish as I said is playing higher. Just my view.

Top form Henderson could help but he isn't there right now.

I really think Southgate's dull/cautious setup is key vs better teams. Offer anything vs FRA/POR/GER and it might be over. Favourites have to come out and you can do a "Chelsea"...
 

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top