Dave Ewing's Back 'eader
Well-Known Member
Yeah, keeping those three at bay is not quite a ringing endorsement of solid defence.
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England v Slovenia - Tue 25th June, 20:00 | Euro 2024 Group C
- Thread starter MCFC1993
- Start date
bobbyowenquiff
Well-Known Member
It's all about opinions. I think the way Southgate wants to play is the biggest problem. It might work if we had Kante/Rodri and Gareth Barry in defensive midfield positions. It can't work with Rice and Gallacher. England have to play on the front foot with pace and creativity. The front three should be Palmer, Kane, and Grealish with Foden at 10. This is not hindsight. Most fans I spoke to said this before a ball was kicked.Having slept on it, I think the system Southgate wants to play is fine. For all that England aren't creating that much - which deserves to be criticised - they're giving almost nothing away to the opposition. I saw a stat yesterday that said England are among the teams who've given up the least XG in terms of chances conceded, and Slovenia really did create zilch last night. So, as a unit, England have a good structure and know how to control games.
But the problem Southgate has is that the front four are just a bunch of square pegs in round holes. It's stifling everything. Foden's playing out on the left where he's too far away from the action, Bellingham is playing as a #10 which is causing him all sorts of bother because that role is the antithesis of his best attributes, and Kane is barely the striker because of how close Bellingham is getting to him. Saka just looks tired and could do with a rest.
Going forward, I think the same back four with Rice in front of them is fine. But it might be time to give Bellingham and Saka a break. They both look tired and Bellingham can't bring his best with Kane there - and I'd rather have Kane. Bring in a couple of the lads who came off the bench and looked bright last night. Palmer, Gordon, and Mainoo. Get a bit of energy and creativity out there. The defence and midfield is solid, the attack just looks uninspired and unbalanced.
Pickford
Walker, Stones, Guehi, Shaw
Mainoo, Rice
Palmer, Foden, Gordon
Kane
Eccles Blue
Well-Known Member
Then, safety in numbers, they should go either mob handed or send him a round robin signed by everyone.I get the strong impression that if any of them "step out of line" by criticising Southgate or his shitty tactics in any way, or cast any doubt on what they're being asked to do, at least to his face, their reward will be being dropped. And I think the players all know that.
Or just down tools and let the media know why. It can’t go on like this surely?
bobbyowenquiff
Well-Known Member
I think Pep would win the World Cup as England manager. He always gets the best out of his players.I had this thought watching the first half last night - take out Kev, Ruben, Eddie, Bernardo, Ake, Haaland, Rodri et al, and sub 'em with English players and Pep wouldn't touch it!
Dave Ewing's Back 'eader
Well-Known Member
Didn't they have a 'sit down, heart-to-heart' before the Slovenia game? That turned out rather gruesomely!Then, safety in numbers, they should go either mob handed or send him a round robin signed by everyone.
Or just down tools and let the media know why. It can’t go on like this surely?
Bluesince1979
Well-Known Member
Wank
mrbelfry
Well-Known Member
I've decided to adopt the bluehammer extreme positivity attitude to my life today. Fully expect to have Scarlett Johansson in a headlock by tea time
Eccles Blue
Well-Known Member
Oh I didn’t know about that. I’m just getting frustrated. I watched us win the World Cup in 1966 and I’d like us to win something else before my time is up!!! *lol*Didn't they have a 'sit down, heart-to-heart' before the Slovenia game? That turned out rather gruesomely!