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The England Thread

Streetspur77

Happy Clapper
Jul 20, 2017
2,792
9,404
People complain when a manager picks the same old faces, people complain when they pick new faces. What can you do?

Apart from Livermore who's there due to injuries I don't see anything wrong with any of those players, they've all been performing for their clubs
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,102
47,056
People complain when a manager picks the same old faces, people complain when they pick new faces. What can you do?

Apart from Livermore who's there due to injuries I don't see anything wrong with any of those players, they've all been performing for their clubs

You're right that it's probably the best XI that Southgate can pick.

But it does call into question the point of any of these friendlies when we've got maybe 3 players in the team who might be considered part of the first XI.

It also highlights the lack of depth in talent in England.
 

WiganSpur

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
15,974
32,682
People complain when a manager picks the same old faces, people complain when they pick new faces. What can you do?

Apart from Livermore who's there due to injuries I don't see anything wrong with any of those players, they've all been performing for their clubs
To take my point to the extreme and unrealistic then so you understand. What if only our centre backs were the only players doing well? Should we field 10 centre backs then?

You have to think about the balance of the squad when selecting players. You can't just pick players solely on form/ability and then think about how to shoehorn them into a shape. You have to have that style of play and shape(s) in mind before selecting the squad.

Why do you need 2 DMs when you have 3 centre backs? Why not just play Rashford for Livermore and go with a midfield 2 of RLC and Dier for instance? It's not ideal but it's better than the alternative imo.

I know it's Germany we're playing but we need ball players on the pitch.
 

Streetspur77

Happy Clapper
Jul 20, 2017
2,792
9,404
To take my point to the extreme and unrealistic then so you understand. What if only our centre backs were the only players doing well? Should we field 10 centre backs then?

You have to think about the balance of the squad when selecting players. You can't just pick players solely on form/ability and then think about how to shoehorn them into a shape. You have to have that style of play and shape(s) in mind before selecting the squad.

Why do you need 2 DMs when you have 3 centre backs? Why not just play Rashford for Livermore and go with a midfield 2 of RLC and Dier for instance? It's not ideal but it's better than the alternative imo.

I know it's Germany we're playing but we need ball players on the pitch.

Yeah mate I get your point and I don't want Livermore either but i honestly think if Livermore was replaced with winks, for example, then that would be a decent team considering the injuries and my point is more about the general ridicule of the whole team

In fact, I've got a sneaking suspicion this team will do alright tonight, maybe even win (funny/optimistic ratings incoming)
 

WiganSpur

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
15,974
32,682
Yeah mate I get your point and I don't want Livermore either but i honestly think if Livermore was replaced with winks, for example, then that would be a decent team considering the injuries and my point is more about the general ridicule of the whole team

In fact, I've got a sneaking suspicion this team will do alright tonight, maybe even win (funny/optimistic ratings incoming)
Funnily enough yeah I think we might nick a result too but that's only because Germany will attack us. Against the lesser sides though Southgate has looked clueless and I think even better teams will see us as a Liverpool in the World Cup because of it. For me Southgate should be setting up friendlies against lesser sides in the run up to the WC as that's where we really struggle.
 

coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
17,403
On our patch 3 starters apparantly and the captain worth a thread. Interesting to see how the new kids get on as well.
 

nailsy

SC Supporter
Jul 24, 2005
30,536
46,628
People complain when a manager picks the same old faces, people complain when they pick new faces. What can you do?

Apart from Livermore who's there due to injuries I don't see anything wrong with any of those players, they've all been performing for their clubs

Totally agree with this. I like what he's doing in refusing to pick players who aren't getting game time. I'd much rather he picked players from Burnley, WBA and the U21 squad than go for players with a reputation.

Funnily enough yeah I think we might nick a result too but that's only because Germany will attack us. Against the lesser sides though Southgate has looked clueless and I think even better teams will see us as a Liverpool in the World Cup because of it. For me Southgate should be setting up friendlies against lesser sides in the run up to the WC as that's where we really struggle.

I doubt Southgate has much say in who we play in friendlies. The FA will just pick the big sides that will make the most money for them. Saying that we've had a whole qualifying campaign playing sides that park the bus, so we should have an idea of how to play them by now.
 

nightgoat

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2005
24,604
21,898
Still cant believe Southgate decided to ignore Zaha and let him go and play for somebody else. Huge mistake IMO.

From what both Southgate and Zaha have said he'd already made his mind up to play for Ivory Coast by the time Southgate became manager.
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
46,680
104,956
So tonight we will get to see if loftus cheek is any good. Lots of chat about him for his complete lack of professional football that he's played.

Hopefully he does well though. We need more options.
 

WiganSpur

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
15,974
32,682
Still cant believe Southgate decided to ignore Zaha and let him go and play for somebody else. Huge mistake IMO.
We've got enough attacking options if you ask me so it's not a massive miss. Our problem is finding solutions in central midfield mainly.
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
46,680
104,956
Could do with the Man City players playing international football tonight getting a load of injuries.
 
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