England Thread - 2022/23

[supercity88]

Well that wasn't good was it! Foden the only bright spark in the first half, Walker abysmal. I don't know why Southgate thinks playing a RB at RCB and a player that has played a lot of games at RCB as the RWB makes sense! James should have been right side of a three with Trent as the more attacking player with less defensive responsibility. The switch to a back 4 was much improved, lots of chances came for Italy too but more because we were chasing the game. Grealish-Bellingham-Rice-Foden with Sterling allowed the freedom to float into space or in behind is a much better game plan with a natural RB and LB on the pitch. Dier was...dire when we went to a back 4 though!

He's committed to trying to keep the ball and play patient build up but we can only do that with technically proficient players in a fixed system and we have neither. The GKs he prefers can't pass for shit. The CBs are a real weakness and when he plays a system James and Trent could play in he still doesn't use Trent who is one of the best attacking full backs in the world. We're better off accepting we'll be without the ball for the majority of games (I know we had more possession tonight) and counter attacking. A 4-2-3-1 allows us to have more outlets for the GK and CB rather than passing it out wide and then giving it away. It also allows us to get someone closer to Kane for any long balls.

Still more questions than answers unfortunately but he has to get the basics right and that is playing people in the right positions. Do that and we'll instantly be better.

 

[blue moony]

Here comes the resident chirpy cheeky cockernee England fan wrapped up in his Bobby Moore 66 duvet lol.

As if by magic southgates love child appears complete with three lions duvet

 

[Eccles Blue]

So this is why there is no football this weekend. No football at the San whatchamacallit either I hear. Thank goodness I didn’t waste 2 hrs of my life watching it!

I thought the England ‘manager/coach’ (huh) said he doesn’t use players who are not playing for their club?

Ah well I suppose relegation means nothing to them!

If I could do emojis I’d have a sad face one there! New person in charge needed?
:-(

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

As if by magic southgates love child appears complete with three lions duvet

He had already disclosed he wasn’t watching tonight in the matchday thread as he was having a Lamb Dhansak.

You could also suggest that it was magic that people would call him out tonight too.

As you get older, you crave the familiar, so it’s no surprise that the same things are said about him repeatedly.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

So this is why there is no football this weekend. No football at the San whatchamacallit either I hear. Thank goodness I didn’t waste 2 hrs of my life watching it!

I thought the England ‘manager/coach’ (huh) said he doesn’t use players who are not playing for their club?

Ah well I suppose relegation means nothing to them!

If I could do emojis I’d have a sad face one there! New person in charge needed?
:-(

Which picture of Mr Stones did you look at for 2 hours instead?

 

[MCFC1993]

That midfield is shocking. Henderson Rice and Bellingham are all very similar players. England wouldn't create nothing with that. They need someone in the midfield who can pick a pass, take players on and be confident on the ball under pressure. I'd like to see Rice Foden Bellingham in a midfield 3. Rice sitting.

Bellingham is nothing like Henderson or Rice. He was class against City when he played as the furthest forward in a 3.

You can't have him as one of the 2 that needs to sit, it leaves too much space in behind and unfortunately England can't play with 1 defensive midfielder because nobody is good enough to do it.

Henderson and Rice protect the centre backs and the rest go and play football.

Foden hasn't played in a midfield 3 since he was 17, he's 22 now. Could he do it? Probably. Do you trial it in a World Cup? Probably not.

If he does play him central then it's Foden or Bellingham, not both.

 

[melrose40yarder]

Surely it is time for Southgate to go.

I understand that there is little time for a new coach to install his philosophy and system before the WC. But I think we have very little chance of getting out of our group with him in charge and we could at least use a new manager boost ahead of the tournament. If nothing else, allow them to play more attacking football.

I reckon we would all rather watch them go out trying to score goals rather than play that banal drivel Southgate has them playing.

Even utd would get out of the group

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Bellingham is nothing like Henderson or Rice. He was class against City when he played as the furthest forward in a 3.

You can't have him as one of the 2 that needs to sit, it leaves too much space in behind and unfortunately England can't play with 1 defensive midfielder because nobody is good enough to do it.

Henderson and Rice protect the centre backs and the rest go and play football.

Foden hasn't played in a midfield 3 since he was 17, he's 22 now. Could he do it? Probably. Do you trial it in a World Cup? Probably not.

If he does play him central then it's Foden or Bellingham, not both.

He wasn’t class. He did ok and deflected a shot in.

What does Bellingham do that other midfielders can’t?

 

[Barcon]

That’s the criteria now?

Should have said, the "Nobody gets sacked for defeats in friendlies" group.

 

[MCFC1993]

He wasn’t class. He did ok and deflected a shot in.

What does Bellingham do that other midfielders can’t?

Mobile, makes good runs, tidy on the ball, probably needs to add more end product but the best of a bad bunch there.

I suppose with Rice and Henderson sitting, Sterling might be able to do that role but he looks miles off of his best at the moment.

Could bring Grealish inside but then Saka and Sterling look way off it to play on the left, even Grealish isn't tearing up trees but he might buy us time on the ball.

Mason Mount is crap.

Maddison doesn't appear to be getting a look in but then Leicester are bottom.

We just don't have that many great options.