The England Thread

[jondesouza]

Because it's a friendly not a competitive match...its either that or continuing with Henderson and Livermore.

I don't have an issue with the principle. I just don't think Gomez and Loftus-Cheek have been that great, especially the latter. Gomez has been ok but has made a few errors - I like him as a player but I think the call up has come a little too soon. Loftus-Cheek has hardly had any games where he's looked like a decent option so don't see what he's done to move ahead of someone like Ward-Prowse for example.

 

[Shadydan]

I don't have an issue with the principle. I just don't think Gomez and Loftus-Cheek have been that great, especially the latter. Gomez has been ok but has made a few errors - I like him as a player but I think the call up has come a little too soon. Loftus-Cheek has hardly had any games where he's looked like a decent option so don't see what he's done to move ahead of someone like Ward-Prowse for example.

Fine but we can only assume that Southgate has a plan for them in the squad, whilst I think that players should be picked on merit it's always worth noting that certain players may be picked because the manager may have a role for them in the team.

 

[cider spurs]

Gomez deserves his call up. He’s been part of a very solid Liverpool defence this season.

I assume this is a joke?.

Liverpool have conceded 16 goals in the league. Bournemouth have only let in 14, and they sit 19th in the table.

 

[bomberH]

I assume this is a joke?.

Liverpool have conceded 16 goals in the league. Bournemouth have only let in 14, and they sit 19th in the table.

You assume correctly.

 

[jondesouza]

Fine but we can only assume that Southgate has a plan for them in the squad, whilst I think that players should be picked on merit it's always worth noting that certain players may be picked because the manager may have a role for them in the team.

Yes, agree with you there as well. I'd much rather we picked players that can fulfil a particular role well rather than just trying to shoehorn the 'best' players into a team or squad.

That said, if we're picking Gomez as part of a three man defence I'd suggest other players (Lewis Dunk for example) probably deserve it more. If RLC is in as more of a holding player I'd suggest Jack Cork deserves it more. As I said before, no issue with the idea, just not sure the players in question truly deserve it at this stage.

 

[davidmatzdorf]

If there's one thing that Southgate should be taking away from last night, it's that Harry Winks needs to be made an essential part of his squad. It's hard to imagine that he missed what was in front of his face.

England desperately need exactly what Winks offers: vision, precision, subtlety and calm. I can't say I'm surprised. One look at Winks in his first season was enough to see his rare ability with the weight on each ball, the way his passes arrive at the receiving player at the right angle, the way his passes roll smoothly instead of bouncing erratically.

The game slows down for him. It's the distinguishing feature of no other English midfielder who is available. The squad is full of bustle and physicality and pace. It needs that quiet centre to run the show. More Carrick than Gerrard.

 

[cider spurs]

I assume this is a joke?.

Liverpool have conceded 16 goals in the league. Bournemouth have only let in 14, and they sit 19th in the table.

You assume correctly.

Phew!...fought I was being a bit fick for a minute.

 

[kr1978]

If there's one thing that Southgate should be taking away from last night, it's that Harry Winks needs to be made an essential part of his squad. It's hard to imagine that he missed what was in front of his face.

England desperately need exactly what Winks offers: vision, precision, subtlety and calm. I can't say I'm surprised. One look at Winks in his first season was enough to see his rare ability with the weight on each ball, the way his passes arrive at the receiving player at the right angle, the way his passes roll smoothly instead of bouncing erratically.

The game slows down for him. It's the distinguishing feature of no other English midfielder who is available. The squad is full of bustle and physicality and pace. It needs that quiet centre to run the show. More Carrick than Gerrard.

Early days yet but I think Winks could possibly be the Modric type player I don’t feel we ever truly replaced

 

[SpaggyBoy]

Oh good. Another opportunity for Harry Winks to learn from the coaching genius that is Gareth Southgate, and the Zidane-esque skills of England Captain Jordan Henderson.

I wouldn't even bother turning up if I were him.

 

[Marty]

I think the Gomez call-up is very interesting - and may be signaling a change for the better.

Southgate specifically said he sees Gomez as part of a back-3, and that his skill fit well in that position. That, to me, is the right way of going about constructing a national squad. Pick a few players to build around, and select the tactics/formation that fit - then find the players who best fit those tactics - instead of simply taking the "best" players, even if they do not fit the tactics.

I don't think its any secret that Southgate is trying to emulate Spurs - given that Kane, Dele, Dier are probably the first 3 on the team sheet. So, finding CBs who can play in a 3, and finding a CM partner for Dier who can push the ball forward, become more important than simply identifying the "best" CM or CB.

Building a team around a defined tactic gives England the best chance for success in Russia. otherwise you end up with a situation where you are trying to fit square pegs into round holes.

Like this and very much hope it's true. Looking a bit further you've got a potential for this England side in Russia.

-------------GK
---??----Stones----??
Trippier-Dier-Winks-Rose
--------??----------Alli
------------Kane

Walker can of course play over Trippier against certain opponents, though Trips has come on leaps and bounds recently and his game yesterday was absolutely outstanding. But who fills in the blanks?

Lallana if fit alongside Alli and Kane. Sterling and Rashford as perfect bench options against tired legs. GK and the two CB's who aren't Stones is the problem. You can't really rely on Smalling, Jones, Cahill, Keane or anyone else. Dier can drop to CB but who fills in in midfield?

Get the blanks right and that team could do well.

 

[mark87]

Oh good. Another opportunity for Harry Winks to learn from the coaching genius that is Gareth Southgate, and the Zidane-esque skills of England Captain Jordan Henderson.

I wouldn't even bother turning up if I were him.

I know both Southgate and henderson are shit but the games are against Germany and Brazil and even if he got half hour in each game it'll give him great international experience.

 

[Mr Pink]

Like this and very much hope it's true. Looking a bit further you've got a potential for this England side in Russia.

-------------GK
---??----Stones----??
Trippier-Dier-Winks-Rose
--------??----------Alli
------------Kane

Walker can of course play over Trippier against certain opponents, though Trips has come on leaps and bounds recently and his game yesterday was absolutely outstanding. But who fills in the blanks?

Lallana if fit alongside Alli and Kane. Sterling and Rashford as perfect bench options against tired legs. GK and the two CB's who aren't Stones is the problem. You can't really rely on Smalling, Jones, Cahill, Keane or anyone else. Dier can drop to CB but who fills in in midfield?

Get the blanks right and that team could do well.

Was just thinking this.

Personally though I think Sterling is a starter. His pace and directness will compliment Kane and Dele's strengths nicely.

Be nice if we could drop Lallana in beside Winks, and Dier into the back 3. Might be lightweight, but they can both graft.

Then only need another decent CB option to slide in with Stones and Dier.

If Henderson is starting at the world cup it's quite simply pathetic.

 

[Marty]

Was just thinking this.

Personally though I think Sterling is a starter. His pace and directness will compliment Kane and Dele's strengths nicely.

Be nice if we could drop Lallana in beside Winks, and Dier into the back 3. Might be lightweight, but they can both graft.

Then only need another decent CB option to slide in with Stones and Dier.

If Henderson is starting at the world cup it's quite simply pathetic.

Certainly possible to drop Dier down and play Lallana centrally against some opponents but not sure it would be wise against the best sides. Would prefer it to Henderson starting in any game.

 

[Trix]

I think I'd actually pick Henderson on the basis I can't think of a better option. Dier is a CB for me.

 

[Danny1]

My England team at the minute would be:

Butland
Walker - Cahill - Dier - Stones - Rose
Alli - Winks - Lallana
Rashford
Kane​

Assuming everyone fit....

 

[cider spurs]

My England team at the minute would be:

Butland
Walker - Cahill - Dier - Stones - Rose
Alli - Winks - Lallana
Rashford
Kane
​

If this is for upcoming Internationals, is Lallana not injured?.

 

[WiganSpur]

I think I'd actually pick Henderson on the basis I can't think of a better option. Dier is a CB for me.

Yeah, don't see the issue with Henderson and Winks for the time being and Dier strengthens the defence.

I think our best solution is to switch between 3-5-2 and 4-3-3 with Dier switching between CB and DM roles.

Something like this for example:

Butland
Stones Dier Cahill
Trippier---------------------------Rose
Henderson--Winks
Sterling--------------Rashford
Kane
​

Or play a number 10 with Alli or Lallana in there behind two strikers.

 

[C0YS]

My team to start in the world cup

Butland
Walker Cahill Dier Stones Rose
Winks Henderson Dele
Rashford Sterling
Kane​

Its harsh on Lallana, but he is a player which for england has largely flattered to deceive. Dele would enjoy the extra space in midfield on the international stage, while Sterling has never really got going for the national side but if you get him working he could be a seriously good prospect there. Henderson is not all that but putting Dier at CB to get that back three working requires a more balanced midfield and I think he can do a job there. Lallana there would be fun but very brittle.

 

[WiganSpur]

My team to start in the world cup

Butland
Walker Cahill Dier Stones Rose
Winks Henderson Dele
Rashford Sterling
Kane​

Its harsh on Lallana, but he is a player which for england has largely flattered to deceive. Dele would enjoy the extra space in midfield on the international stage, while Sterling has never really got going for the national side but if you get him working he could be a seriously good prospect there. Henderson is not all that but putting Dier at CB to get that back three working requires a more balanced midfield and I think he can do a job there. Lallana there would be fun but very brittle.

It's a solid starting 12 that would give us a good chance

 

[C0YS]

It's a solid starting 12 that would give us a good chance

The only chance we have m8