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The England Thread

sparx100

Well-Known Member
Jan 8, 2007
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Truly great attacking players but mediocre central midfield and centre backs may hold us back a little.
 

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
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England played well last night but I think a better team would have scored at least a couple against us, we looked quite open at the back.
When all fit the backline probably looks more like Walker-Gomez-Stones-Shaw. Three of the four plus second choice RB (TAA) were out "injured".

So I wouldn't read an awful lot into that defensive showing, although I agree that a better team would've probably punished them.
 

LSUY

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Jul 12, 2005
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Southgate: Jack Grealish must play in the Premier League if he wants an England cap

Would rather young players playing regularly in the Championship be called up than those like Hudson-Odoi and Loftus-Cheek who don't even start at Chelsea. What kind of message does that send to young players: it's better to be a substitute at a club like Chelsea than playing regular football.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
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Southgate: Jack Grealish must play in the Premier League if he wants an England cap

Would rather young players playing regularly in the Championship be called up than those like Hudson-Odoi and Loftus-Cheek who don't even start at Chelsea. What kind of message does that send to young players: it's better to be a substitute at a club like Chelsea than playing regular football.

He is right though, young players need to play at the top level to get a call up besides Jack Grealish is good enough to start for the majority of Prem teams anyway.
 

LSUY

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Jul 12, 2005
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He is right though, young players need to play at the top level to get a call up besides Jack Grealish is good enough to start for the majority of Prem teams anyway.

Unless they are Mason Mount who is on loan at Derby and yet to make an appearance for Chelsea.
 

CoopsieDeadpool

Well-Known Member
Jun 8, 2012
18,257
70,419
Southgate: Jack Grealish must play in the Premier League if he wants an England cap

Would rather young players playing regularly in the Championship be called up than those like Hudson-Odoi and Loftus-Cheek who don't even start at Chelsea. What kind of message does that send to young players: it's better to be a substitute at a club like Chelsea than playing regular football.


I guess it also explains why Jack Butland went from being a genuine contender for the England number 1 jersey, to being forgotten about as soon as Stoke vanished from the PL.

Aren't the likes of Vardy & Pope examples of what can happen if a player from lower leagues is actually given a shot though?
 

nailsy

SC Supporter
Jul 24, 2005
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That's an odd thing for Southgate to say when he's happy to give young players who haven't got much Premier League experience a chance.
 

wirE

I'm a well-known member
Sep 27, 2005
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Southgate: Jack Grealish must play in the Premier League if he wants an England cap

Would rather young players playing regularly in the Championship be called up than those like Hudson-Odoi and Loftus-Cheek who don't even start at Chelsea. What kind of message does that send to young players: it's better to be a substitute at a club like Chelsea than playing regular football.

I agree on some level with you, but Southgate is right. Need to play at a top level. We'll fix that next season for Grealish when we buy him ;)
 

teok

Well-Known Member
Aug 11, 2011
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I forgot how spicy it was last time we played in Montenegro. Looking forward to tonight.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
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I think we're at a stage now where players need to be playing in the best conditions and competition to be called up, we can afford to be choosy because we have so many players waiting in the wings now plus it gives the players major incentive to improve and show some ambition.
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
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Just to add to this, I think the players also recognise that the fans will be on board as long as effort is shown. The ‘golden generation’ were mostly half-hearted and indifferent. This lot seem much more committed.

The whole not being able to leave club rivalry behind on England duty is pathetic too. It was always something I suspected.
 

DJS

A hoonter must hoont
Dec 9, 2006
31,261
21,760
Truly great attacking players but mediocre central midfield and centre backs may hold us back a little.

I’d hope likes of Winks and Loftus-Cheek (if he either leaves Chelsea or they start actually playing him!) can hopefully improve the central midfield area, plus maybe unpopular opinion but once fully fit again I liked the look of Oxlade-Chamberlain in there.

Centre back wise we are indeed a little poo at mo, Stones is probably our best one but he has been a little inconsistent.

Maguire is decent enough, but compared to some of the centre backs we’ve had over years he Ain’t that spectacular.

Gomez has potential but needs to establish himself a bit more fully at Liverpool.
 

LSUY

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Jul 12, 2005
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I think we're at a stage now where players need to be playing in the best conditions and competition to be called up, we can afford to be choosy because we have so many players waiting in the wings now plus it gives the players major incentive to improve and show some ambition.

Hudson-Odoi has played 119 mins in the Premier League this season. In comparison, Grealish has played over 2,000 mins in the Championship. If Hudson-Odoi wasn't at Chelsea or any of the other big six he wouldn't be anywhere near the England senior squad.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
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Hudson-Odoi has played 119 mins in the Premier League this season. In comparison, Grealish has played over 2,000 mins in the Championship. If Hudson-Odoi wasn't at Chelsea or any of the other big six he wouldn't be anywhere near the England senior squad.

And I don't think there's anything wrong with that, gives players an incentive to step up and keeps the competition more healthier. As I said unlike previously we have an abundance of players coming through and I think we can now be choosy and dictate the circumstances.

Also Hudson-Odoi is a unique talent who's hardly wasting away in the reserves at Chelsea, he should have played more games at Chelsea but his manager has been stubborn due to him wanting to leave. By all accounts he is more than ready and should have been playing first team football this season.
 

LSUY

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2005
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And I don't think there's anything wrong with that, gives players an incentive to step up and keeps the competition more healthier. As I said unlike previously we have an abundance of players coming through and I think we can now be choosy and dictate the circumstances.

Also Hudson-Odoi is a unique talent who's hardly wasting away in the reserves at Chelsea, he should have played more games at Chelsea but his manager has been stubborn due to him wanting to leave. By all accounts he is more than ready and should have been playing first team football this season.

Hudson-Odoi has zero goals and assists in the PL this season. His goals and assists so far have been against Forest, Sheff Wed, PAOK, Malmo, and Dynamo Kiev none of whom are particularly good. He's getting picked on talent and not his performances. We'll have to agree to disagree but I think it's wrong to send out the message that bench warmer with potential at a big six club is enough to get you into the national team.

Southgate should come out and explain how playing in the Championship is problematic for calling up Grealish but not Mason Mount and Jack Butland.
 
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Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
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Four changes from Friday. Hudson-Odoi and Rice both start, along with Rose and Barkley. Chilwell, Henderson and Sancho all on the bench, Dier obviously sent home.

MNE-ENG.PNG
 
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