England v Denmark | Euro 2020 Semi Final

[Phil1]

You’ve got to factor in the manager being a risk averse boring ****.

I accept the manager is but thought some blues might be a bit more adventurous.. :-)

 

[hilts]

I have to say that I really am bemused by the lack of support for Foden in regard to an England place tonight from City supporters and how he now seems ignored by the general media. If Foden was a Liverpool player you can be sure their supporters would be up in arms about the fact that he does not even seem to be considered as close to selection by the media. For example a sky website article although mentioning Foden today, includes pictures of the other 4 candidates for a place and not Foden.

I have got to say that although things have worked out for Southgate he is taking a big risk by potentially playing Saka today. If you look at where the goals could come from Phillips, Rice and Saka have a poor record. Therefore relying on set piece or Kane, Sterling, Mount. We know Sterling can be hot or cold in this regard although done well in this tournament. Contrast this with a City side where goals can come from many player's!

I hear talk about England DNA and playing to your strengths but this cautious approach has been undertaken by most England Managers over the years and has often lead to dull low scoring affairs in crucial matches. Southgate has consistently mentioned the need for pace getting behind the opposition and prefers a gritty midfield. Technical ability appears to be much less appreciated. Guardiola on the other hand comes from the opposite direction, Garcia got a chance at City even without pace or height as a centre back because of his technical qualities and midfielders have often been converted to full backs to provide greater control of possession.

Foden is small and light weight in a philosophy that values physical assets over skill . It seems to have been forgotten that he is quick. I believe that he is the best technical player that we have, even above Grealish in my opinion. As probably our best long term prospect, he is being given zero experience for the future, in terms of these end of tournament games. The media have virtually assumed that Grealish comes on ahead of Foden but he has no Champions League experience and was injured at the back end of season. It is not that I am against Grealish, it is just that Foden does not appear to be under consideration from any quarters.

I hope I am wrong and that England are successful tonight! My greatest fear is that we get a player sent off before we can bring on players like Foden, Grealish and Sancho, if they are not selected.

It's the English disease rearing it's head again.

 

[bluenova]

i think its personal between southgate the foden ? ok maybe the youngest of the 3 midfield for that role but foden form was outstand last season and was nailed on a starting player in this euro's

maybe the trouble with greenwood and foden did upset the FA and southgate. but still if you have the best young talent in world football right now why is he on the bench

Southgate played him in the first two matches, so he clearly came into the tournament as first choice. He didn't have great games, and arguably isn't as suited to playing as part of a detached front three as Rashford, Sancho and Saka. Phil has played nearly all his games surrounded by passing options, so it's not a surprise that's not quite his game.

I suspect that Foden would have come on in the last game, if it wasn't for the yellow card.

 

[MCFC1993]

Really looking forward to this, I hope the best version of us shows up tonight and gets us to that final on Sunday.

 

[Phil1]

Southgate played him in the first two matches, so he clearly came into the tournament as first choice. He didn't have great games, and arguably isn't as suited to playing as part of a detached front three as Rashford, Sancho and Saka. Phil has played nearly all his games surrounded by passing options, so it's not a surprise that's not quite his game.

I suspect that Foden would have come on in the last game, if it wasn't for the yellow card.

When you say he didn’t have a great game are you insinuating he wasn’t good?
Because his replacements haven’t done anymore or any less in the games they’ve played yet we are to believe they deserve to keep their places but Phil shouldn’t?
Nah, not having it. He did nothing wrong and had he been given the dead rubber in the last qualifying game what’s to say he wouldn’t have smashed it?
Saka and Sancho have done nothing that warrants them being held in a higher regard to Foden.

 

[mat]

Imagine if Foden was born in Salford and played for the rags....

He'd probably be named captain and undroppable.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

Southgate played him in the first two matches, so he clearly came into the tournament as first choice. He didn't have great games, and arguably isn't as suited to playing as part of a detached front three as Rashford, Sancho and Saka. Phil has played nearly all his games surrounded by passing options, so it's not a surprise that's not quite his game.

I suspect that Foden would have come on in the last game, if it wasn't for the yellow card.

Played out of position and under restrictive orders. Was very unlikely to set the Euro's on fire playing under those conditions.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Imagine if Foden was born in Salford and played for the rags....

He'd probably be named captain and undroppable.

Yeah, it's scandalous that Rashford has had so much game time.

 

[kaz7]

Yeah, it's scandalous that Rashford has had so much game time.

He came off a shit season that is why he is not playing , phil has not

 

[Didsbury Dave]

He came off a shit season that is why he is not playing , phil has not

Phil was picked for the first two games. Rashford was not. Sterling had a shit season and has been picked every game.