The England Thread

[tototoner]

I'm not English but with the talent the England team has I think they could walk the Euros with a half decent manager in charge, unfortunately I don't think that is Southgate.

He's too cautious and too slow to change things during the game if things aren't going as planned.

 

[Frank Blank]

I'm not English but with the talent the England team has I think they could walk the Euros with a half decent manager in charge, unfortunately I don't think that is Southgate.

He's too cautious and too slow to change things during the game if things aren't going as planned.

It's the old adage that you need to outscore the opposition. More so when we have the likes of Maguire at the back. I really do have sleepless nights at the thought of him starting. But start he will, because Southgate values loyalty. Which is precisely why he is a mediocre manager.

If we do win the Euros, which we should, it will be despite Southgate.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

England bookies favourites just ahead of France.

Not surprised by that given our team but the defence is a tad weak especially at LB and CB.

The rest of the team and squad is very strong.

Question is will Southgate take the handbrake off enough to let our creative players thrive or not.

On paper the core of the team is very very strong:
Pickford
Walker
Stones
Rice
Bellingham
Foden
Saka
Kane

Add to that serious talents the likes of Mainoo and Palmer and Watkins etc, if there was ever a time we should win the Euro's on paper it is now.

 

[matty74]

England bookies favourites just ahead of France.

Not surprised by that given our team but the defence is a tad weak especially at LB and CB.

The rest of the team and squad is very strong.

Question is will Southgate take the handbrake off enough to let our creative players thrive or not.

On paper the core of the team is very very strong:
Pickford
Walker
Stones
Rice
Bellingham
Foden
Saka
Kane

Add to that serious talents the likes of Mainoo and Palmer and Watkins etc, if there was ever a time we should win the Euro's on paper it is now.

Well can’t seem to win it on grass so maybe playing on paper will suit us more

 

[Kingellesar]

Our best chance to win the Euros was a home final against Italy….and we sure as hell messed that up.

We are a better team now on paper but lets see how we set up when the tournament begins.

 

[leffe186]

I'm not English but with the talent the England team has I think they could walk the Euros with a half decent manager in charge…

I hear this constantly. I agree that there are a hundred managers out there who would do a better job than Southgate, but that statement ignores the stark paucity of top-level defensive talent.

We have a very good RB. We have nobody at LB of the right level. We don’t have one really commanding CB at this level, and a handful who might be OK but never stay fit enough to build a partnership. Our GK is…OK.

More importantly though, even in the Euros you’re up against some brilliant players and teams…and coaches. Nobody can walk any international tournament. We have so much talent going forward that if we get on a roll, keep a solid back four together and get the breaks we could absolutely steamroller some teams - Southgate or no Southgate. I just see people get over-excited then start losing their temper when the defence gets taken apart. It’s not a good defence. That is a problem.

 

[Frank Blank]

England bookies favourites just ahead of France.

Not surprised by that given our team but the defence is a tad weak especially at LB and CB.

The rest of the team and squad is very strong.

Question is will Southgate take the handbrake off enough to let our creative players thrive or not.

On paper the core of the team is very very strong:
Pickford
Walker
Stones
Rice
Bellingham
Foden
Saka
Kane

Add to that serious talents the likes of Mainoo and Palmer and Watkins etc, if there was ever a time we should win the Euro's on paper it is now.

Given we arguably have three world class players in the team, it would be an act of the worst criminality from a footballing perspective if he doesn't.

 

[tototoner]

I hear this constantly. I agree that there are a hundred managers out there who would do a better job than Southgate, but that statement ignores the stark paucity of top-level defensive talent.

We have a very good RB. We have nobody at LB of the right level. We don’t have one really commanding CB at this level, and a handful who might be OK but never stay fit enough to build a partnership. Our GK is…OK.

More importantly though, even in the Euros you’re up against some brilliant players and teams…and coaches. Nobody can walk any international tournament. We have so much talent going forward that if we get on a roll, keep a solid back four together and get the breaks we could absolutely steamroller some teams - Southgate or no Southgate. I just see people get over-excited then start losing their temper when the defence gets taken apart. It’s not a good defence. That is a problem.

I think Luke Shaw is decent, albeit very injury prone

 

[leffe186]

I think Luke Shaw is decent, albeit very injury prone

Yeah that’s fair. Wish he was available though - he’s only played three times for England since 2022.

 

[Marty]

I think Luke Shaw is decent, albeit very injury prone

But he probably won't go to the Euros per Southgate's own words, and if he does he'll be at best half fit. So the likelihood is England play the entire tournament without a proper recognised left back, and with CBs who are no more than OK. That is a big problem.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

But he probably won't go to the Euros per Southgate's own words, and if he does he'll be at best half fit. So the likelihood is England play the entire tournament without a proper recognised left back, and with CBs who are no more than OK. That is a big problem.

Very odd why he’s not taking Mitchell

 

[Yid-ol]

I know this is Scotland and not England, but can't see a euro 2024 thread yet, but too good not to share.

 

[TheChosenOne]

I know this is Scotland and not England, but can't see a euro 2024 thread yet, but too good not to share.

View attachment 141313

UEFA EURO 2024 .. June 14th - July 14th

Getting closer. 24 teams playing throughout Germany. Groups & Fixtures to follow ASAP.

spurscommunity.co.uk

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Its going to be interesting to see how Southgate sets up this team.

If it was me - I would start with Kane, Foden and Bellingham as the focal points. Then the other 3 attacking/midfield players would be there to support those 3 - so, not necessarily the "best" players - but the players best able to support Kane/Foden/Bellingham - and do a lot of the dirty work.


So, maybe something like this:

Kane
Foden Bellingham Palmer
Rice Gallagher​

Maybe Mainoo in for Gallagher or Gordon for Palmer (and swap sides with Foden)

I think Saka probably is more "talented" - but I am not convinced he will do the support work - and if you have too many people who demand the ball to be productive, it won't work. Similar with Bowden - though both became great options to bring in late.

 

[Westmorlandspur]

But he probably won't go to the Euros per Southgate's own words, and if he does he'll be at best half fit. So the likelihood is England play the entire tournament without a proper recognised left back, and with CBs who are no more than OK. That is a big problem.

Definitely. That’s why he will prob play two holders in midfield. It’s ok being attacking but not with our defence. Rather have Gomez at left back than Trippier. Trip has probably had the worst season of his life at right back, not sure he’ll be much better at left back .
Worth taking Shaw if he’s somewhere near fit. In a squad of 26 there will be 2 kprs who never get on and at least 5 outfield players who never get a kick.

 

[Shanks]

Alexander Arnold is not a centre midfielder

 

[PCozzie]

This isn't great is it? Eze looks lively, but other than that for a bunch of players who should be trying to force their way into the first team it's all a bit sideways and backwards

 

[Mr Pink]

This isn't great is it? Eze looks lively, but other than that for a bunch of players who should be trying to force their way into the first team it's all a bit sideways and backwards

I was stunned by the line up.

He should know who he wants to take, but instead throws a team together who are never going to play as a team when it all starts

Whats he learning ffs?

Should be playing the first eleven, with a tweak here or there, and building rhythm going into a major tournament.

Yet he's still experimenting massively.

 

[Shanks]

This isn't great is it? Eze looks lively, but other than that for a bunch of players who should be trying to force their way into the first team it's all a bit sideways and backwards

Really don’t get it, tbh, it’s pretty lively until it gets to that Alexander Arnold , who either does a big Hollywood pass, or passes it backwards once he has it under control.

that’s pretty much England in a nutshell under Southgate, some phenomenal players who are quick, technical and play their best at a fast pace, but instead we hinder them by playing slow

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

Alexander Arnold is not a centre midfielder

Both him and Gallagher have absolute engines, but both have been so passive in CM. Southgate really is going to ruin this generation of talent. Doesn't have a clue tactically.