supercity88
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 9 Aug 2009
- Messages
- 14,066
Southgate on Phil:
'But sometimes the discussion around just plopping him in as a 10 in every game isn't realistic because first you need the ball and there are defensive responsibilities that he isn't given at his club.
'From the wide area it is different, the responsibility is different, the role is different. At 10, you have to cover a lot more ground and be aware of the spaces without the ball. If that bit of pressure isn't right then they are through you and into your back line.
'That is why we didn't put him in as a 10 against the US. There are games where there isn't that same tactical challenge in midfield. There might be a little bit more freedom and that might be the slot he can use to express himself. But his club don't do that either, so there must be a reason for it. But he is a great option for us in two or three different positions and he will have a big impact in games.
So despite the fact Phil has played 6 times in midfield for him, because he doesn't play for us in midfield he will not be considered. I certainly haven't noticed Phil shirking defensive responsibilities either. I wonder what the reason he doesn't play in midfield for his club is? Maybe because he is competing against three of the best midfielders in world football you friggin muppet.
That shows how negative Southgate is. He likes Mount because he works hard defensively. If he's contributed nothing going forwards but made a tackle in his own half, Southgate will be happy with his performance.
If Foden had a free role in our side, the way Griezmann does for France for example, he'd just make so much happen. Having said that, he's never really shone in an England shirt. He had a great game against Iceland and has been pretty average otherwise. I don't judge any player within the England setup though. Gareth has his style and some players just will not fit it. The way he had us setup against USA was purely based on not losing. That's what Southgate is happy with.