Talk Ukraine will give us no problem is fool hardy - too many mid-ranking teams have pushed supposed top ranked sides hard already in this tournament.
I agree that we need to pick the best side, but that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be changes. Is Maguire a better option than Mings given Maguire’s fitness pre-tournament? Is Rice and Phillips the right pairing or would a fresh pair of kegs that haven’t started every match and aren’t worried about a booking sharpen things up a bit in the middle? Do we even need both holding mids in there or could we maybe bring in someone like Mount rather than a Henderson? Or is it time to introduce Bellingham as more all round midfielder?
I don’t think anyone is suggesting we treat this like a Premier League side would treat a 3 round home tie against a league one side in the league cup and pick the reserves, it’s just about using the squad depth to our advantage to keep things fresh and everyone sharp. It could yet be a trump card - Spain and Italy have not had the luxury and have been taken to extra time. Long way to go before England are in a final, but having the less tired legs could be a massive advantage if we get there and are seriously saying we couldn’t beat Ukraine with Rice or Phillips?
Not an easy call either way, I trust Southgate to get it right. I do think one more attacking midfielder could be helpful in a game where we are likely to have take the initiative. “Resting” at least Maguire makes sense too IMO.
Don’t think that would be sensible for a game of this magnitude. Players need to focus without helping themselves to a Budweiser or Lowenbrau during the game.
Talk Ukraine will give us no problem is fool hardy - too many mid-ranking teams have pushed supposed top ranked sides hard already in this tournament.
I agree that we need to pick the best side, but that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be changes. Is Maguire a better option than Mings given Maguire’s fitness pre-tournament? Is Rice and Phillips the right pairing or would a fresh pair of kegs that haven’t started every match and aren’t worried about a booking sharpen things up a bit in the middle? Do we even need both holding mids in there or could we maybe bring in someone like Mount rather than a Henderson? Or is it time to introduce Bellingham as more all round midfielder?
I don’t think anyone is suggesting we treat this like a Premier League side would treat a 3 round home tie against a league one side in the league cup and pick the reserves, it’s just about using the squad depth to our advantage to keep things fresh and everyone sharp. It could yet be a trump card - Spain and Italy have not had the luxury and have been taken to extra time. Long way to go before England are in a final, but having the less tired legs could be a massive advantage if we get there and are seriously saying we couldn’t beat Ukraine with Rice or Phillips?
Not an easy call either way, I trust Southgate to get it right. I do think one more attacking midfielder could be helpful in a game where we are likely to have take the initiative. “Resting” at least Maguire makes sense too IMO.
Don’t think that would be sensible for a game of this magnitude. Players need to focus without helping themselves to a Budweiser or Lowenbrau during the game.
Not concerned with German officials for tonights match, in fact I think it'll work in our favour. If they do their bit to help us progress to the final and win it, then at least they can have the consolation of being beaten by the winners, rather than a team that limped out in the next round to an inferior Ukraine team
Not taking anything for granted but you have to think that in order for us to lose tonight it would need a pretty big under performance from the team and I just cant see this squad allowing that to happen they seem far too grounded and focused
So nervous, even though I received gutting news yesterday that I contracted Covid at last Tues game, so will miss attending the semi if we make it.
I would have no issue ‘resting’ those on yellows. If those replacements are not good enough, what does it say? In my mind they are more than capable and competition for spaces is always a good thing. At the very least I’d whip them off if we’re winning comfortably at any stage.
Confident it will be harder than most predict but that Southgate will just about see us home.
I’m sure they will park the bus and look to hit us on the counter whilst being more than happy to end up at pens. We often struggle breaking teams down in these scenarios, so I think we’ll need to be more creative and agile than recently.
Very mindful we have a performance like that vs Scotland in us, so am in no way complacent.
Come on England, make history!! Two semis on the trot puts Southgate up there behind Ramsey.
Ps - was at the qualifiers in Ukraine in 09 when we lost 1-0 and in 2013 when we drew 0-0 (I think). Got a kicking at the first one too, so def after some revenge but realise these games are never, ever easy.
So nervous, even though I received gutting news yesterday that I contracted Covid at last Tues game, so will miss attending the semi if we make it.
I would have no issue ‘resting’ those on yellows. If those replacements are not good enough, what does it say? In my mind they are more than capable and competition for spaces is always a good thing. At the very least I’d whip them off if we’re winning comfortably at any stage.
Confident it will be harder than most predict but that Southgate will just about see us home.
I’m sure they will park the bus and look to hit us on the counter whilst being more than happy to end up at pens. We often struggle breaking teams down in these scenarios, so I think we’ll need to be more creative and agile than recently.
Very mindful we have a performance like that vs Scotland in us, so am in no way complacent.
Come on England, make history!! Two semis on the trot puts Southgate up there behind Ramsey.
Yeah I’m in the mindset that we got our stinker out the way with Scotland. Hoping we don’t allow ourselves to turn in a similar performance.
Without sounding arrogant, I don't feel any nerves at all. This group have a better mentality and overrall are a higher skilled group than the so called 'golden generation' imo.
I reckon we will win 3 goals to nil and thoroughly enjoy it, cannot wait
So nervous, even though I received gutting news yesterday that I contracted Covid at last Tues game, so will miss attending the semi if we make it.
I would have no issue ‘resting’ those on yellows. If those replacements are not good enough, what does it say? In my mind they are more than capable and competition for spaces is always a good thing. At the very least I’d whip them off if we’re winning comfortably at any stage.
Confident it will be harder than most predict but that Southgate will just about see us home.
I’m sure they will park the bus and look to hit us on the counter whilst being more than happy to end up at pens. We often struggle breaking teams down in these scenarios, so I think we’ll need to be more creative and agile than recently.
Very mindful we have a performance like that vs Scotland in us, so am in no way complacent.
Come on England, make history!! Two semis on the trot puts Southgate up there behind Ramsey.
Out of interest do you prefer seeing England away over Charlton away? I can see why as you get to go to countries across Europe rather than Shrewsbury or Accrington or whatever. Must cost a fair bit though to see England in other countries.
Had a great day on the beach but nerves have set in now. Doesn't often happen that anyone rolls over to get their tummy tickled in a quarter final, and I expect Ukraine will hve done their homework. In Gareth we trust.
no nerves or apprehension on my part .. if we can't beat Ukraine despite the heat, hostile crowd and tough opponents, then we just don't deserve to progress in the tournament, it's that simple
So nervous, even though I received gutting news yesterday that I contracted Covid at last Tues game, so will miss attending the semi if we make it.
I would have no issue ‘resting’ those on yellows. If those replacements are not good enough, what does it say? In my mind they are more than capable and competition for spaces is always a good thing. At the very least I’d whip them off if we’re winning comfortably at any stage.
Confident it will be harder than most predict but that Southgate will just about see us home.
I’m sure they will park the bus and look to hit us on the counter whilst being more than happy to end up at pens. We often struggle breaking teams down in these scenarios, so I think we’ll need to be more creative and agile than recently.
Very mindful we have a performance like that vs Scotland in us, so am in no way complacent.
Come on England, make history!! Two semis on the trot puts Southgate up there behind Ramsey.
Out of interest do you prefer seeing England away over Charlton away? I can see why as you get to go to countries across Europe rather than Shrewsbury or Accrington or whatever. Must cost a fair bit though to see England in other countries.
Both equally as good in different ways mate. Most Eng aways the game is meaningless but the trip is quality and you see some great places you’d never otherwise visit. Charlton games usually matter more. But Carlisle away would be up there with any England trip. But if you’re comparing 3 nights in Riga, Tallin and Helsinki ( for Estonia away) with a few hours in Reading then there is only one winner. Same on the cost unfortunately.
no nerves or apprehension on my part .. if we can't beat Ukraine despite the heat, hostile crowd and tough opponents, then we just don't deserve to progress in the tournament, it's that simple
Are we expecting a hostile crowd, out of interest?
Comments
(I know Ukraine aren't used to heat either).
I would have no issue ‘resting’ those on yellows. If those replacements are not good enough, what does it say? In my mind they are more than capable and competition for spaces is always a good thing. At the very least I’d whip them off if we’re winning comfortably at any stage.
Confident it will be harder than most predict but that Southgate will just about see us home.
I’m sure they will park the bus and look to hit us on the counter whilst being more than happy to end up at pens. We often struggle breaking teams down in these scenarios, so I think we’ll need to be more creative and agile than recently.
Very mindful we have a performance like that vs Scotland in us, so am in no way complacent.
Come on England, make history!! Two semis on the trot puts Southgate up there behind Ramsey.
I reckon we will win 3 goals to nil and thoroughly enjoy it, cannot wait
Out of interest do you prefer seeing England away over Charlton away?
I can see why as you get to go to countries across Europe rather than Shrewsbury or Accrington or whatever. Must cost a fair bit though to see England in other countries.
England 3-0
I didn't even remember. We were shit, we deserved to lose, and we'd have lost the Semi anyway.
I'm all for the headless chicken approach it's my favourite way to play*, but it's not a winning approach when eventually it catches up with you.
*Sarcasm to clarify