They were unlucky the goal came from a deflected cross. Apart from that England created nothing.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Lone Gunman
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They were unlucky the goal came from a deflected cross. Apart from that England created nothing.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Lone Gunman
Are England too much of a collection of very gifted individuals when it comes to attacking play? I don’t watch them very often these days, but, when I do, I end up thinking they should be better than this - I thought that the best part of the team last night was the defence which was meant to be their weak point.
If he plays TAA in midfield against a team like France, Spain or Germany it will cost them. He looked like a chicken with his head cut off when Serbia had the ball, positioning all wrong which isn’t surprising considering he doesn’t play there usually.
Bellingham is an incredible player. Tired a bit in the second but in the first half was the one player demanding the ball and dragging them upfield.
Foden genuinely might as well not have been on the field… Rob Page level tactics and awareness to not take him off on the hour mark. Southgate is a shocking manager stuck in the mid 2000s, probably wishing he’d taken Henderson with him after all.
It certainly doesn’t seem to work as constructed Bob, Kane likes to drop deep from the 9, Bellingham likes to drop very deep from the 10, Foden and Saka completely isolated, he’s got a full back in midfield and two full backs who very rarely get forward to support. You wonder exactly how he’s trying to have them play.Quote:
Originally Posted by the other bob wilson
Look no further than Southgate, and they'll probably give him knighthood too!Quote:
Originally Posted by the other bob wilson
England started very well for twenty-five minutes, but after that, they got weaker and weaker as the game went on and allowed them back into the game. They are in the weakest group and are probably just about in the top ten based on that overall performance, a mile behind Germany and Spain who battered their weak opponents.
Apart from Kane having his header pushed onto the bar by the keeper...Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfresco
He was largely anonymous, unless touching the ball 20 times was part of the plan?Quote:
Originally Posted by The Lone Gunman
MONDAY 17th JUNE
FT: ROMANIA 3 - 0 UKRAINE
FT: BELGIUM 0 - 1 SLOVAKIA
FT: AUSTRIA 0 - 1 FRANCE
A bit like us with Bale :hide:Quote:
Originally Posted by the other bob wilson
if I was England manager the first thing I'd do would be to drop Kane.
I honestly think he makes them a worse team these days.
you want your line leader to be leading the line, not winning defensive headers and fancying about in midfield. the number of times Saka best his man in the first half and delivered a shit cross to nobody because Kane had dropped deep and doesn't have the pace to get back in the box in time.
I wonder given that if he’d try Kane in a hybrid 10 role with Toney or Watkins and Bellingham dropping back to play with Rice. At least give it a try in the third game if they beat Denmark to qualify.
There is zero chance they drop one of the best strikers in the world but I don’t disagree with the tactical sentiment though… same thing for the Dutch who were crying out for a center forward all game and then Wieghorst comes on and scores with his first touch in an area nobody else was getting into.
Drop the record-breaking top scorer in the Bundesliga - makes sense to me...Quote:
Originally Posted by Rjk
It's competitive this year, some really good teams, and running mostly to form so far, I'm looking forward to the rest and the next round of games which may give us a better idea of the best eight teams.
:hehe:Quote:
Originally Posted by The Lone Gunman
Ukraine are poor up to now (52 minutes)
2-0 as I was typing
Terrible keeping
Was expecting a tight game between Ukraine and Romania. Certainly didn't expect 3-0 Romania.
Ukraine were actually heavy favourites for this game, 10/11 Ukraine and 7/2 Romania. Hope no one piled in on Ukraine
Ah, but they don't want to peak too early mind!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuerto
Yup, it's all part of the master Plan, all cliches are welcome as are other lazy anecdotes :thumbup: England were awful in midfield yesterday, they just couldn't get hold of the ball or play with any fluidity. There best ball player (Foden) was awful, and he didn't look comfortable. If people want to dismiss it then fine, to me, it's a problem for them and a balance that needs addressing quickly, because at this level good players will capitalise upon it. I'm sure that we will see a different England in the next game, a much improved performance. I hope not, but it's pretty bloody obvious that they need to play through that midfield with more fluidity.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gofer Blue
Slovakia. Another side according to some we should’ve walloped.
I said in my blog last week that Slovakia were nothing special against us, but they’re worth their lead against Belgium - not sure how there’s only been the one goal so far mind.
To be fair this is par for the course for the perennial underachievers of major international tournament football
England can lay claim to that title, perhaps more so than Belgium given the populations of both nations.Quote:
Originally Posted by LA Bluebird
Yup, but look at the players Belgium have had over the past ten years. They're soft, they remind me a bit of Kevin Keegans Newcastle.Quote:
Originally Posted by splott parker
Belgium trying to score the “perfect goal”, just whack it :hehe: