Your in hindsight England 11

[Abertawe]

What changes would you make if you could turn back the clock?

I still think going with Burnley's keeper & both centre backs would've been a good idea but the form of Pickford means I wouldn't go that way now. I'd still go Rose but the set piece delivery from Young is too good to turn up.

Kane Sterling
Alli
--RLC--------Shelvey
Young-------------------------------Trippier
Lascelles Stones Walker​

Pickford
​

I don't mind three at the back but employing a DM at the same time like Gareth the failure did is flawed because the idea is to have the middle centre back take up that role when in possession. You will not find a quicker back three than the above in world football - imagine the high line possibilities, suffocating the opposition and making it so much easier for your advanced players.

England tailed off in every game because they only had Henderson who could dedicate himself to winning the midfield battle. Alli, Linguard & Sterling were asked to serve as creater & dogs body - when they're full of beans they're damn good at it but it's physically impossible to sustain because it has to be all out effort or the obvious tactical flaw is exposed. We saw Croatia couldn't live with it and were more content with keeping the score down knowing England couldn't keep it up. By mere virtue of playing actual midfielders they knew they would win the game. RLC & Shelvey would be a dogs midfield with no liberties taken - they'd chew Kante & Pogba right up.

Trippier would make magic down the right. Young just there for the set piece and dogs work. I didn't really want to pick Alli but why would you not when Kane is your main striker. Gone with Sterling with the acceptance he's going to turn up dozens of goal scoring opportunities but can give defenders kittens both on & off the ball - surrounding Kane with pace can only be a good thing too.

The above beats every team England faced in the tournament and I'd back it to beat France.

Kane is better than Giroud. Walker & Lascelles would subdue Mbappe's most consequential strength. Young keeping it basic would deal with the naive Dembele. Matuidi is no threat. As for Griezeman he scores most of his goals inside the box so deny him the space and keep him in the unfamiliar deep position Dechampes has him playing. Their engine is no issue. Tolisso, Kante & Pogba are bitch boys in comparison to RLC & Shelvz. We would win the off the ball battle so it'd be up to Alli, Kane & Sterling to win it but we'd have the set piece threat and the amazing Trippier free kicks.

To sum up this world cup could've been won and for that Southgate is worse than Trump.

 

[Chris FGR]

Southgate knows a lot better then you or me, got the absolute best out of our team. Leaving Maguire out is ludicrous.

What would be your own countries starting xi if it were up to you?

 

[Abertawe]

Southgate knows a lot better then me, got the absolute best out of our team. Leaving Maguire out is ludicrous.

What would be your own countries starting xi if it were up to you?

What do you mean by this question?

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

No if I'm Welsh with no right to support England how does Sterling become eligible to play for England with your logic?

Are you an England fan?

 

[JimJams]

What the fuck happened here?
Offering a chinning?
Bizarre.

 

[Abertawe]

Are you an England fan?

Yes except for when they play Wales.

 

[Bobbin']

I’m bias but absolutely would have taken Jonjo Shelvey, one of the best passers we have. Maybe a bit hot headed but also something that England need as have been pushovers in previous tournaments.

I’m in interested though, Abertawe. You have one Welsh parent and presumably one English? Spent most of your life in England, so why Wales first?

 

[JimJams]

Less disappointment?

 

[Jockney]

Sterling is proud to represent England, and does a lot for the country. You spent half the world cup knocking England and our fans and are now shitting on the manager who has revitalised the nation. Luckily no one gives a fuck what you think, and Southgate will continue to improve both himself and the team to the point where we will be regular contenders and quite possibly the dominant force in World football.

What's with the Little Englander bollocks.

At least the Welsh and Scotch haven't resorted to this sort of dodgy nationalism for the past few weeks.

Props to Aber for sticking to his guns in the face of this sort of nonsense.

 

[SALTIRE]

Thread tidied. Watch it fella's.

 

[G.B]

Kane
Sterling----LinGOD
Shelvey----Henderson
Dummett-------------------------------Trippier
Maguire Stones Lascelles

Pickford​

Unbeaten with a +40 goal difference imo. Top scorers Maguire and Lascelles, both on 12 goals.

 

[Reaper]

Probably would have taken Wilshere now, the only ball playing midfielder we have close to capable of doing what Modric did 2nd half running the game.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Probably would have taken Wilshere now, the only ball playing midfielder we have close to capable of doing what Modric did 2nd half running the game.

The Wilshere of 5 years ago, certainly. Not Wilshere as he is now.