England squad..

[Pagnell]

I've only just stopped laughing at seeing Welbeck's name on the list.

 

[GodsGift]

Haven't got a problem with that squad.

I'd have liked Wilshere and Lallana in there but I understand why they're not. Welbeck usually performs for England and has scored 15 in 37 caps.

Beggars can't be choosers.

 

[Pagnell]

Haven't got a problem with that squad.

I'd have liked Wilshere and Lallana in there but I understand why they're not. Welbeck usually performs for England and has scored 15 in 37 caps.

Beggars can't be choosers.

To be fair to Welbeck (not something I'd say often about one of the worst finishing strikers I've ever seen) those stats are far better than I thought they would be.

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

After every game Southgate laments our inability to transition out of the midfield ("we weren't as sharp as we'd like to be") and keep the ball when possession is turned over, and every time he learns absolutely nothing from it. Who in that side is going to break the press with their passing? Only two players in the entire squad have played in central midfield all season, one is a converted defender and the other is Jordan fucking Henderson.

 

[SF_]

Struggling to see an effective midfield partnership in there.

Henderson and Alli don't work, but can't see either being left out.

Loftus-Cheek was excellent in the friendly against Germany and seems to provide a good all-rounder option. Will all three play? or Lingard?

Everything hints towards a back three, so an extra central midfielder means losing an attacking option.

I can't see Vardy starting which is a shame in my opinion, he's a big asset for England.

Henderson - Loftus Cheek
Alli- Sterling
Kane
​

Basically I agree with Ebeneezer, our midfield sucks balls.

​

​

 

[Gassy]

How on earth has Welbeck made the squad? Sure he has good stats but so does Crouch ffs

Midfield is looking by far the weakest there - but you know what, that's alright. For once we don't have the obvious names of Lampard, Gerard, Rooney, Cahill, Terry, Johnson, Hart, Cole, etc getting a guaranteed first team spot. Other than Kane, Sterling & Alli - not one is guaranteed to start which at least means we might actually see a bit of fight for once

 

[GodsGift]

How on earth has Welbeck made the squad? Sure he has good stats but so does Crouch ffs

Who else would you have as a striker then? Look at the alternatives. An ageing Jermain Defoe, who is more often than not a sub for Bournemouth, Glenn Murray, Daniel Sturridge, Callum Wilson...

I could understand your argument if there were some obvious alternatives, but there just aren't any.

 

[Gassy]

Who else would you have as a striker then? Look at the alternatives. An ageing Jermain Defoe, who is more often than not a sub for Bournemouth, Glenn Murray, Daniel Sturridge, Callum Wilson...

I could understand your argument if there were some obvious alternatives, but there just aren't any.

Tbh, I'd rather lose the extra striker altogether and have someone like Wilshire or Lallana there. Rashford, Vardy, Kane & Sterling is more than enough imo.

Failing that then stuff if, perhaps even Andy Carroll - at least he offers something different

 

[Abertawe]

That midfield

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Do England managers only go and watch a handful of clubs

Every time seems like you only get in playing for a small collection of clubs.....only 4 players not at one of the top six and two of them goalies probs through a sheer lack of choice

Is the league that god damn awful outside of six clubs that no one is good enough or worthy enough

 

[G.B]

that's a hilarious squad selection. you knew he was going to do something stupid but jebus christ that's ridiculous even for him.

 

[SF_]

Do England managers only go and watch a handful of clubs

Every time seems like you only get in playing for a small collection of clubs.....only 4 players not at one of the top six and two of them goalies probs through a sheer lack of choice

Is the league that god damn awful outside of six clubs that no one is good enough or worthy enough

It's pretty shit to be fair.

 

[Nilsson]

Is it really that bad?

I'm pleased we've gone with system over individuals as individually we're the worst we've been in decades. Would having a better passer like Wilshere or Shelvey in there be the difference between a good or bad tournament? Of course not.

Against teams we should be beating we'll do what we did against Holland, have Henderson or Dier sitting in front of the back three and two attacking midfielders who can carry the ball supporting the two strikers. And against Belgium we'll probably have an extra more defensive minded player in there.

I'm pleased he's picked Alexander-Arnold and Delph. Wing-backs will be essential in giving us width and having players who are good on the ball there is a must.

And thank fuck he left Hart out. The man exudes negativity these days. I'd imagine his teammates only have to look at him to feel a sense of dread.

In Gareth we trust. Bring it on.

 

[Skinner]

We had to take one of Wilshere or Lallana

 

[silkyman]

Do England managers only go and watch a handful of clubs

Every time seems like you only get in playing for a small collection of clubs.....only 4 players not at one of the top six and two of them goalies probs through a sheer lack of choice

Is the league that god damn awful outside of six clubs that no one is good enough or worthy enough

It was ever thus. If you weren't in the top four, you didn't get picked.

 

[Skinner]

The best players tend to play for the best teams, I can't think of too many illogical, let alone outrageous omissions of players outside the top 4/6 over the years.

 

[HarvSFC]

Zaha? (Choosing to play for the Ivory Coast due to better opportunities.)

 

[Skinner]

He plays for Ivory Coast mate

 

[HarvSFC]

He plays for Ivory Coast mate

Yeah, I got a quick edit in, as I knew it would cause confusion. I meant more that he was pretty much ignored by England before going to the Ivory Coast last year.

With you being a Palace fan, he seemed a good example, as you all seem to think he's the best outside the top six.

 

[Abertawe]

The best players tend to play for the best teams, I can't think of too many illogical, let alone outrageous omissions of players outside the top 4/6 over the years.

You make a good point but I think it's bizarre Tarkowski & Mee haven't been picked. You've got the option of three guys who have played in a team that have conceded the fewest outside of the top five with all the benefits that familiarity brings and you don't choose it. A goalkeeper & your two cente backs knowing each other inside would be invaluable at a tournament - shithouse from Southgate.

Shelvey should be in too considering his form and skillset that no one else is bringing.

 

[Skinner]

Yeah, I got a quick edit in, as I knew it would cause confusion. I meant more that he was pretty much ignored by England before going to the Ivory Coast last year.

Yeah, I got a quick edit in, as I knew it would cause confusion. I meant more that he was pretty much ignored by England before going to the Ivory Coast last year.

With you being a Palace fan, he seemed a good example, as you all seem to think he's the best outside the top six.

With you being a Palace fan, he seemed a good example, as you all seem to think he's the best outside the top six.

He was ignored by England (Hodgson at the time as well funnily enough) because at the time he was rotting away in the stands at Old Trafford and then went out on loan to a rancid Cardiff side. He didn’t actually get his confidence back until a good 12 months after his return here, so he probably thought he’d never get a look in anyway, he’s very much a confidence player.

He is the best player outside of the top six, I would have him over Mahrez. I also believe, had he still been eligible, he’d be going to Russia with England, no doubt.

 

[Skinner]

You make a good point but I think it's bizarre Tarkowski & Mee haven't been picked. You've got the option of three guys who have played in a team that have conceded the fewest outside of the top five with all the benefits that familiarity brings and you don't choose it. A goalkeeper & your two cente backs knowing each other inside would be invaluable at a tournament - shithouse from Southgate.

Shelvey should be in too considering his form and skillset that no one else is bringing.

I don’t disagree with them going, but goalkeepers and defenders is as much about concentration levels than defensive ability. We are going to be on the front foot in at least half our games in the World Cup (I’m using 2/4 here as is my expectations), we need to consider how regularly these Burnley players are used to standing on the half way line watching their mates keep possession for 10 minutes. How many counters do Burnley have to face per season for example? I bet it’s less than anybody else, or not far off.

 

[Nilsson]

You make a good point but I think it's bizarre Tarkowski & Mee haven't been picked. You've got the option of three guys who have played in a team that have conceded the fewest outside of the top five with all the benefits that familiarity brings and you don't choose it. A goalkeeper & your two cente backs knowing each other inside would be invaluable at a tournament - shithouse from Southgate.

Shelvey should be in too considering his form and skillset that no one else is bringing.

I think Tarkowski could end up being a really good CB but don't you think the reason he and Mee have looked so good this season has more to do with the compact way Burnley play rather than individual ability? Everyone was raving about Michael Keane last season in a similar fashion, hasn't looked anywhere near as good at Everton.

 

[Abertawe]

I don’t disagree with them going, but goalkeepers and defenders is as much about concentration levels than defensive ability. We are going to be on the front foot in at least half our games in the World Cup (I’m using 2/4 here as is my expectations), we need to consider how regularly these Burnley players are used to standing on the half way line watching their mates keep possession for 10 minutes. How many counters do Burnley have to face per season for example? I bet it’s less than anybody else, or not far off.

I think Tarkowski could end up being a really good CB but don't you think the reason he and Mee have looked so good this season has more to do with the compact way Burnley play rather than individual ability? Everyone was raving about Michael Keane last season in a similar fashion, hasn't looked anywhere near as good at Everton.

Fair points but if England struggle with the lesser nations irrespective of who plays at CB they obviously don't deserve to get out the group. I'd have thought in the knockouts against the likely suspects the disciplined & organised compact at the back approach would be ideal - that's where they'd excel. They have proven over a PL season they prevent goals being scored against them. It's a huge gamble hoping a different trio of players who don't play together at the same club can form the kind of understanding that Pope, Tarkowski & Mee will have. When the heat ramps up it's those fine margins that can be the difference. For a tournament you should gamble up top where you can win the game - not at the back where one mistake can knock you out.

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Fully expect this squad to go out and absolutely murder these fucking foreign sort.

And by that I mean Panama.

Tunisia has 0-0 written all over it as we fail to break them down but dominate the play, Belgium are stronger in every area minus centre forward. Really it's going to come down to who loses the least against Belgium/ beats Panama the most, isn't it? Either way England or Tunisia are going out in the second round.

IMO massive mistake not to take Wilshere, I'd also have taken Tarkowski, but beyond that, it is what it is. Weak in defence and midfield imo, remember when we had Terry, Ferdinand, Campbell, pre injured(ish) King and Woodgate?

 

[Skinner]

Works both ways, hence why I Dont disagree

 

[Abertawe]

Fully expect this squad to go out and absolutely murder these fucking foreign sort.

And by that I mean Panama.

Tunisia has 0-0 written all over it as we fail to break them down but dominate the play, Belgium are stronger in every area minus centre forward. Really it's going to come down to who loses the least against Belgium/ beats Panama the most, isn't it? Either way England or Tunisia are going out in the second round.

IMO massive mistake not to take Wilshere, I'd also have taken Tarkowski, but beyond that, it is what it is. Weak in defence and midfield imo, remember when we had Terry, Ferdinand, Campbell, pre injured(ish) King and Woodgate?

I remember

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Looking very light in central midfield. 3-4-3 the only possible formation with that squad. Gives our hand away and gives us few tactical options. If plan A doesn't work we're screwed.

But still, there's enough in the attack to get interested by. Picking a front 3 from that is nice.

Not quite the squad I'd pick, but Im still gonna have a few beers watching it over the summer and enjoy games that I imagine will see goals at both ends. The next few years are more important for us.

 

[SALTIRE]

If TAA or Hendo get injured I swear I'm jetting south of the border (wearing a protective mask of course) and smashing Southgate's head into a pulp.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

That sounds a reasonable and proportionate response.