On the whole a very good game. Good that the match has been played outside of Wembley. The atmosphere has been fantastic - and you don’t see all those empty corporate seats after half time. That makes me especially annoyed.
Yes. More England games outside of Wembley please.
Been saying this for about 10 years. I’d rather treck up to Leeds etc than endure a Wembley experience. But ticket sales/money will talk.
On the whole a very good game. Good that the match has been played outside of Wembley. The atmosphere has been fantastic - and you don’t see all those empty corporate seats after half time. That makes me especially annoyed.
Yes. More England games outside of Wembley please.
Been saying this for about 10 years. I’d rather treck up to Leeds etc than endure a Wembley experience. But ticket sales/money will talk.
Agreed, I've never been to a stadium with such poor atmosphere as Wembley, and I've had 10 years of enduring excuses about "acoustics" at The Valley.
going well over the top on rashford here, after this season sterling should be starting all day long ahead of him
Your judging Sterling on his City form not his profligate England form of 2 goals in 38 games.
England's problem has been for years that we play the same people regardless of their club form - Stirling has had a fantastic season and is full of confidence. He is a must start for me
Pickford Trippier Walker Stones Maguire Rose Henderson Delph Alli Kane Sterling/Rashford
That team could do well
I'd be tempted to go with Alexander-Arnold over Tripper and Dier over Henderson
Whats lovely is the fact that neither Trippier or Henderson deserve to be dropped though
Hope Southgate has plenty of paracetamol - Have absolutely no expectations in this World Cup and wont be surprised if we crash out in the Group Stages yet will be really disappointed for squad and Southgate because for once you can really see everyone trying to get onboard with the direction that England are trying to move in
Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself but suddenly we actually look good and have a lot of depth
3 good goalies, 3 decentish centre backs, 3 decent utility players in Young, Delph and Welbeck, exciting quick full backs, RLC looks some player and starts for us imo, Dier or Hendo to partner him then up top we are pretty spoilt.
Maybe we just are a bit critical of ourselves, anyone other than Brazil, Germany, Spain and France fans must look at us and think we actually have decent squad depth
Other than Rashford having a great game, as well as a good handful of others impressing, overall it was just nice to watch an England game and performance that worked, flowed and you can see the direction we are trying to go in.
I like the fact that Southgate has a system, a way he wants to play, believes in that and his philosophies and the players know their jobs. The formation is adaptable with and without the ball. But to me the most important part of a coaches ideas and systems is knowing it inside out, believing in it and not changing because of pressure elsewhere. Good on him.
A couple of things about the set up tonight was interesting. One tactical element that means a specific position in the starting line up, Rose or maybe even Delph needs to play at left wing back. Preferably Rose. We are much more balanced, much more dangerous and can spread the play, making the pitch big. Playing Young means we come back into a congested midfield and slows the tempo down.
Second one was that with Henderson, it seemed we played with one pivot and this allowed Delph and Loftus-Cheek to push on and us to have a four including the wing backs in front of Henderson and behind Rashford and Vardy, and with Rashford dropping off, we really dominated the game.
I really like Delph so he has to be a serious option in midfield, he adds something different and worked well with Rose, Henderson, Loftus-Cheek, and Rashford tonight.
Much prefer Henderson to Dier. Not that I don’t like or rate Dier because I do, he’s a very good young player that plays week in, week out for a side that has been one of the most consistent in the Premier League for a few years. But Henderson showed he can pass forward and done that with great skill at times. Thought his presence really helped Alexander-Arnold too.
Sterling has had a fantastic year for Man City and on that form does deserve a place in the team for England, but at the same time, is that enough? Does he suit that position better than Rashford? For me that is the hardest call.
Would feel comfortable with both Pickford and Butland in goal. Doesn’t bother me either way, both good, young keepers that can go on a become very, very good keepers.
I would go with that team as well, but maybe one other change to accommodate Sterling and Rashford if need be, would be for Alli, as we could change to a 541 without the ball if we are under the cosh.
Pickford/Butland Walker Stones Maguire Henderson Trippier Alli Delph Rose Kane Sterling/Rashford
Pickford/Butland Walker Stones Maguire Trippier Henderson Delph Rose Sterling Rashford Kane
Comments
Wasn’t bolanos around the Dowie era?
Pope was 14 at the time
The front four of Kane, Alli, Lingard & Sterling (Rashy) looks brilliant. I really enjoy their movement with and without the ball.
It’s coming home, it’s coming, footballs coming home.
Trippier Walker Stones Maguire Rose
Henderson Delph
Alli
Kane Sterling/Rashford
That team could do well
Whats lovely is the fact that neither Trippier or Henderson deserve to be dropped though
Hope Southgate has plenty of paracetamol - Have absolutely no expectations in this World Cup and wont be surprised if we crash out in the Group Stages yet will be really disappointed for squad and Southgate because for once you can really see everyone trying to get onboard with the direction that England are trying to move in
3 good goalies, 3 decentish centre backs, 3 decent utility players in Young, Delph and Welbeck, exciting quick full backs, RLC looks some player and starts for us imo, Dier or Hendo to partner him then up top we are pretty spoilt.
Maybe we just are a bit critical of ourselves, anyone other than Brazil, Germany, Spain and France fans must look at us and think we actually have decent squad depth
I'm falling for it again aren't I?
Any Goalie, all 3 are probably good enough
Walker Stones Maguire
Trippier RLC Hendo Delph
Alli
Kane Rashford
Then that leaves a bench of attacking options like Lingard, Sterling, Vardy and Young. Not bad at all
I like the fact that Southgate has a system, a way he wants to play, believes in that and his philosophies and the players know their jobs. The formation is adaptable with and without the ball. But to me the most important part of a coaches ideas and systems is knowing it inside out, believing in it and not changing because of pressure elsewhere. Good on him.
A couple of things about the set up tonight was interesting. One tactical element that means a specific position in the starting line up, Rose or maybe even Delph needs to play at left wing back. Preferably Rose. We are much more balanced, much more dangerous and can spread the play, making the pitch big. Playing Young means we come back into a congested midfield and slows the tempo down.
Second one was that with Henderson, it seemed we played with one pivot and this allowed Delph and Loftus-Cheek to push on and us to have a four including the wing backs in front of Henderson and behind Rashford and Vardy, and with Rashford dropping off, we really dominated the game.
I really like Delph so he has to be a serious option in midfield, he adds something different and worked well with Rose, Henderson, Loftus-Cheek, and Rashford tonight.
Much prefer Henderson to Dier. Not that I don’t like or rate Dier because I do, he’s a very good young player that plays week in, week out for a side that has been one of the most consistent in the Premier League for a few years. But Henderson showed he can pass forward and done that with great skill at times. Thought his presence really helped Alexander-Arnold too.
Sterling has had a fantastic year for Man City and on that form does deserve a place in the team for England, but at the same time, is that enough? Does he suit that position better than Rashford? For me that is the hardest call.
Would feel comfortable with both Pickford and Butland in goal. Doesn’t bother me either way, both good, young keepers that can go on a become very, very good keepers.
That’s why I like @Laddick01 team so much.
I would go with that team as well, but maybe one other change to accommodate Sterling and Rashford if need be, would be for Alli, as we could change to a 541 without the ball if we are under the cosh.
Walker Stones Maguire
Henderson
Trippier Alli Delph Rose
Kane Sterling/Rashford
Pickford/Butland
Walker Stones Maguire
Trippier Henderson Delph Rose
Sterling Rashford
Kane