England 6 Panama 1........what a refreshing change from the dull dross served up under Roy Hodgson.......I actually look forward to England’s games now. Thank you Gareth Southgate and your young squad ;ok
Jay which group are you thinking of? First and second place are in different parts of the draw after last 16. First will be in the Mexico part and second in the Brazil or Germany part.
Defence looks a bit shaky periodically but I think we're definitely a work in progress in the way Southgates set us up to play. I like Stones and Maguire. Not particularly sure about Kyle Walker at CB. However, as per my comment above, he's also a work in progress there. Trippier is good on the right and whilst I would've taken Bertrand, I'd try Trent Alex Arnold (who will surely force his way into the team in the near future) on the left over Ashley Young. I dont think Rose is the player of a year or two ago. I dont know if its because he was out for a decent amount of time but our left side is definitely the weak spot for the better teams to exploit.
I was really hoping Sterling would score today just to build up his England confidence. I appreciate his threat and the room he makes for Kane but I also think that on current form that Rashford should get in.
Lastly, on the defence... As mentioned the other day, we know most of the Belgian players and I think we'll be more switched on and wary. Of course knowing/playing against regularly doesnt mean its easier to stop them but that familiarity and respect will help.
Until we win a knockout game I am not getting too carried away, both teams we have played are will both be packing there bags after the next game and we all know how all the Spurs players crumble in big games
BBB, it's funny you should say that about Maguire, I thought the same thing when I saw him playing for Hull. I was surprised to see him go to Leicester and even more surprised to see him in an England shirt, but I thought it was just me not seeing something that others saw.
Cahill, Maguire's likely replacement, is even slower and uses the ball a lot less intelligently. Delph is there as a 'close the game down' midfielder. We have no alternative (that I can think of) The answer is to keep scoring in the first 10 minutes! ;wink
I'm already booking a flight out to Moscow for the final. Its coming home.
Any case,
Rashford for Sterling (deserves his chance) Rose for Young (needs game time) Alexander-Arnold for Trippier (would like to see what he can offer) Loftus Cheek for Ali (is there a point risking Dele Ali ? let Loftus Cheek get more experience)
Keep the rest of the team the same. (Back 3 and Keeper must remain the same its definitely not Englands strong point and getting as many games as they can together is important)
Pickford
Walker Stones Maguire
Alexander-Arnold, Loftus Cheek, Henderson, Lingard, Rose
I've been doing a lot of 'what if's' around who will qualify to the next stage.
If Portugal win by more goals than Spain tonight there would be a big chance, imo, that the top half of the draw would contain France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Russia, Japan and whoever wins our Group.
Kane needs to play so he can score. I want him to outscore CR7 and Lukaku. Germany and Brazil could easily meet in the next round so one of them will likely be eliminated soon. I don't think England are half bad this time around and there is a chance we could end up reaching the semis.
England v Belgium is last game so all other teams in the draw will be decided - it may be obvious that both teams would prefer to lose - which would be a farce - Is there any scope for an intervention to give the winner of Group G the choice of draw - so that a competitive tie could be properly contested?
Comments
Who knows how that group will finish...
Casey has a 4 stroke lead in the US golf at the moment.
I think Carlsberg do make sporting Sunday's.
Thank you Gareth Southgate and your young squad ;ok
I was really hoping Sterling would score today just to build up his England confidence. I appreciate his threat and the room he makes for Kane but I also think that on current form that Rashford should get in.
Lastly, on the defence... As mentioned the other day, we know most of the Belgian players and I think we'll be more switched on and wary. Of course knowing/playing against regularly doesnt mean its easier to stop them but that familiarity and respect will help.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/44071079
The map of where the England team grew up.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-44495550
I was surprised to see him go to Leicester and even more surprised to see him in an England shirt, but I thought it was just me not seeing something that others saw.
Also Steptoe for Sterling ;ok
Pickford
Walker - Stones - Dier
Trippier - Alli - Henderson - Lingard - Rose
Rashford - Kane
Think Maguire is just about doing enough, but i agree that I think belgium will think they can get at us, particularly down our left
Pickford; Walker Stones Maguire; Trent Alli Dier Loftus-Cheek Rose; Rashford Kane
Any case,
Rashford for Sterling (deserves his chance)
Rose for Young (needs game time)
Alexander-Arnold for Trippier (would like to see what he can offer)
Loftus Cheek for Ali (is there a point risking Dele Ali ? let Loftus Cheek get more experience)
Keep the rest of the team the same. (Back 3 and Keeper must remain the same its definitely not Englands strong point and getting as many games as they can together is important)
Pickford
Walker Stones Maguire
Alexander-Arnold, Loftus Cheek, Henderson, Lingard, Rose
Kane, Rashford
If Portugal win by more goals than Spain tonight there would be a big chance, imo, that the top half of the draw would contain France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Russia, Japan and whoever wins our Group.
See where I'm going here?
COME ON YOU BELGIANS
Germany and Brazil could easily meet in the next round so one of them will likely be eliminated soon.
I don't think England are half bad this time around and there is a chance we could end up reaching the semis.