The England Thread

[bubble07]

Kane is like an ex I just can't shake off as much as I want to

 

[PCozzie]

Stones and Maguire have struck up a solid decent partnership, much like Rice and Philips.

I know people don't like it and yes Southgate has gotten stale, but I don't think you make wholesale changes or changes that disrupt the cohesion until after a tournament. That is unless you are forced into it by injury.

Funny how those players did well tonight eh? Maybe Gareth isn't a total idiot after all.

Stones makes a big difference to the side, and no complaints about either him or Maguire tonight. Both looked comfortable despite having very few minutes between them this season.

 

[SlotBadger]

Kane is like an ex I just can't shake off as much as I want to

I honestly love him as a player. Part of me wishes we’d held out and took our chances by keeping him, but I know it would have been a huge risk to lose him for free, potentially to a Premier League rival.

 

[McFlash]

Jesus wept, can we not just park that chat in any literally any other thread than football ones for a bit?

I'm only taking the piss mate, maybe in bad taste but the Udogie thread was so wrapped up in it all I thought I'd have a laugh in here.

That being said though, that second goal from Kane was brilliant. Showed strength, a little bit of pace and his usual fantastic finishing.
He should do that shit more often because too often he's sat back for England, seemingly trying to create things for others.
I still don't think we play to his strengths, or maybe it's just that the players around him don't.

Madders should play more with him for England.

 

[Chinaspur]

If Rashford was able to get his head up Kane would have had a hattrick. Must be a frustrating player to watch every week.

 

[Rocksuperstar]

Highlight reel really demonstrates what an incredible talent Bellingham is. He's astonishing; and he's only 20!

 

[1882andallthat]

Much better performance. I've been waiting a long time to see England dominate a top tier team and kill them off. Frustratingly we've seen them be far too cautious in trying to sit on and protect narrow leads and they can't and don't manage to soak up pressure and shut out top teams. I was pleased we kicked in and went in for the 3rd to put the game to bed rather than hang on at 2-1. Maybe just maybe the penny is finally dropping with Southgate tgat thus is what we must do to win the biggest of prizes.

On another note Kalvin Phillips needs to leave Man City if he wants to get regular England games, those late tackles IMHO were as a direct result of being a small fraction behind the play which comes from not being totally match sharp.

The trouble with Guardiola is that he wants perfection and Phillips ain't that. I don't think Phillips will ever get to the level Guardiola wants to be his first pick so he will always be a bench warmer 2nd or 3rd in Guardiola's pecking order for the position he plays.

I believe Phillips is good enough to get regular games for quite a few Premier League teams tgat are not at Man City level and be a decent first team starter which will improve his match sharpness for England, so he needs to push for a move in Jan.

As for Bellingham what a top quality player we have there so mature and already world class at such a young age. If he stays fit the levels he could reach are phenomenal....

 

[Kirito]

Didn’t watch the match, I find international football outside of major tournaments really boring but I checked the Italy lineup and I’m not sure Italy can be classed as a “top tier” team anymore. Their front 3 wouldn’t look out of place playing for Everton

 

[Gassin's finest]

The most hilarious and obviously bollocks part of what Southgate said the other day, was how Henderson had taken Bellingham "under his wing". Bellingham is already about 10 times the player, and is playing on another plane of reality. I very much doubt he needs any pointers from Jordan fucking Henderson.

 

[Huddlestone22]

Disagree on Pope tbh. Also not convinced about Tomori, he had one good season at Milan but hasn't been very good recently.

Definitely agree on Dunk.

Left back wise it's not easy when Shaw, Chilwell and Rico Henry who would be the obvious backup are all injured. Who else is there?

Fair enough. What do you disagree about with on Pope? I do feel his distribution lets him down. But I feel his basics of controlling his area and retrieving the ball from crosses is superior to Pickford. I would say the current crop of England goalkeepers is definitely lacking right now.

Tomori has at least consistently played for Milan, also hasn’t been as disastrous as Maguire. I would say however a pairing of Stones and Dunk would be the way to go.

Not sure what his status is but Mitchell from Palace would be an option. Colwill for Chelsea has also played consistently at left back. Trippier on the other hand doesn’t look comfortable. I could understand if the intention was to play him inverted and come into the centre but it doesn’t seem to be the case. He plays effectively the same as he does on the right, whilst being heavily exposed by Rashford.

 

[rossdapep]

The most hilarious and obviously bollocks part of what Southgate said the other day, was how Henderson had taken Bellingham "under his wing". Bellingham is already about 10 times the player, and is playing on another plane of reality. I very much doubt he needs any pointers from Jordan fucking Henderson.

I Said before Southgate made that nonsesnse that Bellingham has an elite mentality. I mean, he is bossing it at Madrid every week and looks like he owns the game.

He doesnt need anyone guiding him unless that person has walked his path before and as you say, Henderson is not that guy.

I think we have big problems if this group is relying on Henderson to drag them forward. But Kane, Stones, Rice all have big mentalities and are experienced enough so that renders Henderson useless anyway.

 

[Gassin's finest]

I Said before Southgate made that nonsesnse that Bellingham has an elite mentality. I mean, he is bossing it at Madrid every week and looks like he owns the game.

He doesnt need anyone guiding him unless that person has walked his path before and as you say, Henderson is not that guy.

I think we have big problems if this group is relying on Henderson to drag them forward. But Kane, Stones, Rice all have big mentalities and are experienced enough so that renders Henderson useless anyway.

It's not... Southgate was just trying to cover his own arse for selecting him in the first place. All he did is reduce himself to another person in football who quite quickly compromises his values when money or pride gets involved.

 

[spursfan77]

Kane is like an ex I just can't shake off as much as I want to

His scoring record is just fabulous. Over 60 goals for England and no evidence of slowing down. Knowing him he’s targeting 100 international goals. A huge ask though.

 

[Marty]

Fair enough. What do you disagree about with on Pope? I do feel his distribution lets him down. But I feel his basics of controlling his area and retrieving the ball from crosses is superior to Pickford. I would say the current crop of England goalkeepers is definitely lacking right now.

Tomori has at least consistently played for Milan, also hasn’t been as disastrous as Maguire. I would say however a pairing of Stones and Dunk would be the way to go.

Not sure what his status is but Mitchell from Palace would be an option. Colwill for Chelsea has also played consistently at left back. Trippier on the other hand doesn’t look comfortable. I could understand if the intention was to play him inverted and come into the centre but it doesn’t seem to be the case. He plays effectively the same as he does on the right, whilst being heavily exposed by Rashford.

I think Pope's distribution lets him down to such an extent that he just doesn't work for what England want from their goalkeeper. Pickford is by no means perfect, and you're right that the current crop of keepers is lacking, but he's consistently played well enough for England to deserve to be first choice for the last five years and there's no reason in my mind to change now.

Stones and Dunk would be my pairing as well tbh. I rate Marc Guehi as well who you've omitted, and he came on last night and did alright. Maguire should be at best emergency fourth choice, and yes I'd ideally have him behind Tomori as well.

Mitchell I'd completely forgotten about but he does have two caps so I agree it feels strange to not include him if he's fit. Trippier at LWB can work, as LB in a four he just doesn't.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

His scoring record is just fabulous. Over 60 goals for England and no evidence of slowing down. Knowing him he’s targeting 100 international goals. A huge ask though.

39 goals over the next 5 years is defenately possible if he maintains himself at the very top, which looks very likely. He's hardly pushed for competition at the moment.. Wilson, Watkins and Nketiah couldn't lace his boots.

 

[Marty]

39 goals over the next 5 years is defenately possible if he maintains himself at the very top, which looks very likely. He's hardly pushed for competition at the moment.. Wilson, Watkins and Nketiah couldn't lace his boots.

I'm assuming Kane has three tournaments left in him and retires from internationals at 35 after the home Euros in 2028.

If he stays injury free 100 goals is absolutely within reach in that time. He'll also beat Shilton for caps as well if he plays another five years. Only 38 caps to go to equal him.

 

[spursfan77]

39 goals over the next 5 years is defenately possible if he maintains himself at the very top, which looks very likely. He's hardly pushed for competition at the moment.. Wilson, Watkins and Nketiah couldn't lace his boots.

Hopefully he gets it back in our colours. Him in our current set up would just be crazy.

 

[TheChosenOne]

‘Arry who ?

Very well thank you .

 

[djhotspur]

Highlight reel really demonstrates what an incredible talent Bellingham is. He's astonishing; and he's only 20!

Yeah. Sad reality is he’ll be the starter and maddison on the bench. Bellingham is a generational talent

 

[djhotspur]

His scoring record is just fabulous. Over 60 goals for England and no evidence of slowing down. Knowing him he’s targeting 100 international goals. A huge ask though.

Yeah. He was so so so good last night almost saddened me remember how good he is.