England v Slovakia

Are we basically through? Most of these changes are sensible, though for me Rooney and walker have been amongst our best players. Worthy of a rest as long it doesn't dump us out if we lose or guarantee us a team in the next round we can't beat (on paper. I have been following england long enough to know we won't beat them in reality)

Very risky but ultimately if we top the group after resting these players it could pay off big time.

ValleyGary said:

I wouldn't touch the defence. Needs all the games together to improve.

On the other hand, the fullbacks have been getting up and down even more than the role normally asks for - pretty much all the width is provided by them so far. Might be worth giving them a break as if/when we do get through their going to be tested a whole lot more defensively than they have so far.

cantersaddick said:

He can't do that I have Walker and Alli in my fantasy team!

Dream on, Canters! ;-)

Good, would be the right decision. Swapping out the fullbacks is needed, as both Rose and Walker have gotten up and down in the first two matches, and had long seasons at club level. Clyne and Bertrand are the more defensively minded, and that's good against a very fluid Slovakia attack.

I think the midfield trio of Henderson-Wilshere-Dier is very strong, and has better balance than the midfield from the first two matches. Henderson was taken to the tournament to be the water-carrier in the midfield, and it's a role he does pretty well.

Will be interesting to see if Woy starts with 4-4-2 diamond or 4-3-3, but the nice thing about that team is, if accurate, he can alternate between the two formations during the match. The midfield balance allows for England to potentially press the back four of Slovakia as well, as having Wilshere and Henderson's fresh legs and engines behind the front three really helps.

Sturridge starts on merit for me, changed the game when he came on. Curious to see how Vardy does from the start, still think he's a "super sub" in the knockout rounds. Lallana has been very good, even if he only has 60 minutes in him. Would also be nice if England are in a comfortable enough position that Sterling could be brought in for the last ~20-30 minutes to run at tired legs, presumably for Lallana, in the hope of him re-finding a bit of confidence.

Just had a good look at the permatations of the Group Winners etc, and possibly finishing 2nd in the group would not be a disaster.

Unless I have read the groups wrong, then if we finish 2nd then we play the 2nd placed team in Portugal's group, which in all likelihood is going to be Iceland/Hungary/Austria (Surely Portugal will win against the Hungarians to win the group).

Winning the group would mean playing either Albania, Northern Ireland or worst of all possibly Croatia or the Czech's, which would be the worst case scenario.

No changes. Sovakia is a god side and very dangerous with the likes of Hamsik and Weiss

In Roy we twust.

Chunes said:

A midfield of Dier Wilshere Henderson has very little attacking penetration. Worried Roy is treating this game as a foregone conclusion. What a nightmare it's going to be if we're going into the final minutes with a draw. All it takes is one slip-up and we're out.

Roy isn't perfect but a man of his experience will not be taking this as a forgone conclusion. His job is on the line.

Chunes said:

A midfield of Dier Wilshere Henderson has very little attacking penetration. Worried Roy is treating this game as a foregone conclusion. What a nightmare it's going to be if we're going into the final minutes with a draw. All it takes is one slip-up and we're out.

We're already through, realistically, though finishing top or second is much better than 3rd.

I think it's a sensible decision.

Oh, and I think Wilshere adds a lot, attacking-wise.

Can't see him making that amount of changes. think Vardy, Sturridge and Wilshire will start.

All_Thaid_Up said:

Good idea, keeps the squad fresh, you can have the players on the bench if its goes wrong, you don't need your key players picking up a needless yellow card and risking suspension later in the tournament.

Are the yellow cards not wiped after the group stages? I could be wrong but thought I heard that the other day. Although it may be the QF stage?

however if you do get booked the the last group game and it's your 2nd then you would be suspended for the last 16 game. Cahill is walking the tightrope tonight, however I'm not sure I'd want him left out for Stones. Think we really need to get through as Group winners.