Saddleworth2
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 27 Jan 2014
- Messages
- 21,704
Its clear as day why Phil struggles in the England set up. When he came on as sub vs Ukraine he was in his favoured central position but when he plays it with city, he plays with players that aren't frightened to pass the ball to him in tight spaces. They know they can trust him. We also have wingers that can invert and find him in the pockets of space he loves. He has Rodri/Kova/Bernie round him. In that environment he can excel.
Contrast that with England where he is in acres of space with nobody (other than Jack and John if they play) that understands how to get the best out of him. Waistcoat looks set to play Rice and Bellingham in every game from now and Phil will not flourish with those two players unless they are coached to use him (coached by waistcoat? what a joke). Play him alongside Madison supported by Jack wide and John as a cb/dm and we may start to see him shine but that is way past Southgate's risk threshold.
Contrast that with England where he is in acres of space with nobody (other than Jack and John if they play) that understands how to get the best out of him. Waistcoat looks set to play Rice and Bellingham in every game from now and Phil will not flourish with those two players unless they are coached to use him (coached by waistcoat? what a joke). Play him alongside Madison supported by Jack wide and John as a cb/dm and we may start to see him shine but that is way past Southgate's risk threshold.