leffe186

I’m not sure I follow. Don’t get me wrong btw, I think this is interesting. Firstly your line-up: “If we had to play Italy in Euro's tomorrow I'd play; Pickford/Walker-Stones-Tomori-Trippier/Rice-TAA/Bellingham-Foden-Rashford/Kane” It looked like you were playing Bellingham on the right and Foden in the middle. If you’re not, and just saying keep the same top four then fair enough, although I’d be tempted to switch Foden and Rashford. You lose the cutting inside, but gain the byline and (I think) a bit of defensive stability. And then, what is it you’re asking TAA to do? It seemed like last night Rice was patrolling the back four. Bellingham was to the left a bit, up and down the pitch and often playing as a 10. Phillips was to the right a bit but mainly just harried people. It sounded like you wanted TAA as more of a DM, but then you pointed out that it didn’t work against Australia. If he’s going to be more advanced then that leaves us even more exposed on the wings.

I agree with you over Tomori. Not sure Trippier is “by far” the best LB as Shaw is fine and more natural in that position. Trippier probably still the best option with Levi Colwill an intriguing backup. My concern is in midfield. We just saw a mediocre Italy cause us all sorts of problems in the first half down our left. Replacing Phillips with TAA and moving Bellingham out to the right just exacerbates this. Trippier will get taken apart. It also remains to be seen just how good TAA would be under the opposition’s press in CM and frankly whether he himself can press or dribble in that role. Not that we shouldn’t try it in the next two games - it’s certainly an option. You’re also taking the best player out of his best position, although I definitely do see some benefit in bringing Foden inside. Maybe Bellingham would still be dangerous on the right and dovetail with Foden…but how many times did we see Bellingham bail out Rashford and/or Phillips yesterday? He can’t do that from the right, and I don’t see Foden doing as good a job - although again, it’s worth a try.

With that guy I never know if it’s him or the parody version. I do love that he’s just one of many Arsenal fans who peddle the same nonsense.

There’s clearly a problem with how we defend against really good teams. Feels like one issue is that we don’t have one standout CB that runs the show. Another is a proper LB as consistent as Walker. That puts pressure on the midfield to provide extra cover. Then if one of the wide forwards struggles to track back that’s another hole the CMs have to plug. I don’t know how we solve that tbh. We’re so close. If you bring Saka in for Rashford that might go some way. Would love to bring a creative player in instead of Phillips (Maddison? Foden inside?) but I think that’s the step that Southgate is terrified of making. Once again it feels like we are looking at the CBs as the issue.

Was thinking this at the time - actually thought this was ideal for us. We just needed to take the sting out of the game and settle into a draw…they were the ones who needed to make it a high energy game. Not that it’s always the case, but this is part of why Southgate has been so successful in qualifying tournaments. Taking the sting out is what he does, for better or worse. We’ve got good enough players - usually Kane - to put teams away in a mundane fashion.

It’s quite funny watching that game with Watkins and Nketiah up front…and now this. They‘ve got to step up a long fucking way.

Oh fucking yes. Should have stayed with us you silly bastard.

Kane and Bellingham are classy and continually make the right moves and passes. Foden similar but is playing in a more restricted role where he’s less effective, Rashford is dangerous but his decision-making is just terrible. The bigger issue is that Foden and Rashford are being forced to track back by the Italians out wide and Rashford in particular just doesn’t know how to do it. Foden is a bit better and also has a really good right back behind him. Trippier has actually done pretty well but it’s less natural for him and he’s more exposed.

Phillips off please

Well Bellingham is quite good. Fully thought that Rashford had fucked that up. Fucking Bang! Shit!

Btw, how did Berardi not get booked for that shitty foul on Stones?

Italy have lots of height at set pieces, we need to mix it up a bit and focus on the second ball too.

First glance thought dive, second look says pen. So many cynical fouls from…oh yeah.

We look dangerous going forward, shaky at the back. Quelle surprise.

Man, I love Foden’s touch on the ball.

Lovely play by Kane.

Was more thinking about the positioning when we were defending, but yeah, Rice just seems more composed in general.

Rashford is leaving us so exposed. Not sure Rice and Phillips is working either but I can’t figure out which is the problem.

Get the fuck in.

Phew. I do kinda like this ref.

Definite penalty, surely?

Can the Italians all please fuck off away from the ref?

massively played for that

Was trying to figure out where the error was but it seemed like twrrible marking from everyone

Goal!