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Last 16: Romania 0-3 Netherlands; Austria 1-2 Turkey


Yorkie

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8 minutes ago, Cronky said:

This England team is looking disturbingly like the previous 'golden generation'.

 

A recurring problem is that the players who look technically good enough seem to lack pace. As a result, we're unable to press or hit teams on the break. Our attacks seem very one-paced. 

 

Contrast that with Spain, all of whose players seem to be very nimble whilst also possessing the skill to work the ball in tight spaces under pressure. 

 

The two apparently undroppable players who define the structure of the team - Rice and Kane - are holding the team back. I'd put in Mainoo and Watkins in their places.

 

 

 

 

 

Mainoo's already in the team, so who else are you playing alongside him? I think he's great when playing against teams like Slovakia but a decent side will play straight through him (that's where you need a Rice in there).

 

Just play Anthony Gordon instead of Foden. We'd see a huge difference then.

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19 minutes ago, Shearergol said:

 

Mainoo's already in the team, so who else are you playing alongside him? I think he's great when playing against teams like Slovakia but a decent side will play straight through him (that's where you need a Rice in there).

 

Just play Anthony Gordon instead of Foden. We'd see a huge difference then.

 

I'd put Mainoo in Rice's place, which I know is a risk. In time I think he'll play that anchor role very well, and perhaps he's not ready. But I just can't see any alternative that will improve things. I've not seen enough of Wharton.

 

Rice and Bellingham are both best suited to be box-to-box, and only one should play, as would be the usual practice. That's Bellingham.

 

Foden, Saka and Eze, with Watkins up front.

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Posted (edited)

I still can't quite get my head around how bad we were/are.  We peaked after half an hour or so against Serbia in the first game.  I said after that game that the concern was that we won't build on that and grow as the tournament goes on and that we will stay the same.  But we've somehow managed to get worse with every game :lol:  

 

How he persists with the same 'tactics' with the only change seemingly the one centre mid spot next to Rice, is baffling.  Every fan, pundit, coach, pro, animal, vegetable and mineral can see it isn't working.  The possession is so slow, ponderous and meaningless.  Rice and Bellingham want too many touches.  We play it safe all the while, scattered in with Pickford booming it long.  Players in the front 4 and the midfielders pushing on all get in each others way.  We have elite level players looking like League One standard on a regular basis.  There is one constant here.  They can't all be having bad patches of form at the same time.  It's too coincidental.   

 

The lack of ideas when we went a goal down was really bad and all.  Shunning the hard pass to try and get through the lines, not looking for the early or long shot until really late on with Rice.  Then suddenly going from our possession based approach, to panicking and chucking in aimless cross after aimless cross in every minute or two.  

 

I'm hoping with Trippier possibly missing out through injury and with Guehi suspended.  That we might go to 3 at the back.  I'm not a huge fan of it.  But it feels like the only way we will make any meaningful changes to the team.  Just to get some width and a naturally left footed player at LB/LWB would massively help for a start.  Our attacking outlet from full back has been woeful all tournament.  Trippier won't go down the line and teams know that.  Walker has been playing like he's pissed and has never been great on the ball or in the attacking third, anyway.  Saka at LWB and Trent RWB is what I'd go with.

 

Not massively thought about it and I'm trying to second guess Southgate here.  But something like the below is what I think we might go with and wouldn't be that upset with.  Although I think we could look to play Watkins or Toney up top if we did go 3/5 at the back:

 

Pickford

 

Walker

Konsa

Stones

 

TAA

Rice

Mainoo

Bellingham/Foden

Saka

 

Foden/Bellingham

Kane 

 

 

Edited by Lush Vlad

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Christ lads, how are we still saying “can’t see any alternative that will improve things” or 3-5-2? Just put Gordon on the left and Saka/Palmer on the right - we’ve seen it work before the competition start and we’ve seen it work during the competition (for at least a minute, maybe two). Let‘s try it, eh?

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