Unfortunately didn’t manage to see the game but judging on the way the Squad has seemingly developed, drawing 1-1 with France was kind of more than I expected tbh. Really no idea what is happening with these eligibility issues with certain players but it would be great if the FA could shed some light on the matter. I find the whole issue very strange tbh.
We've had plenty of foreign born players at these levels before, its strange it only appears to be causing issues with this group. F rom the success of the organisation and contact with clubs in recent years to keep everyone on the same page it does seem like a bit of complacency has creeped in within the FA. Certainly shouldn't be getting to these kind of tournaments after all this preparation and suddenly ending up with uncapped players in the starting eleven.
I don't think people can split physicality from technique as simply as they are in here. It's not that black and white. Someone like Cole Palmer is completely underdeveloped and of course if he can't get space for himself, his technique will suffer. Even Foden had rocky moments as he developed physically. Not that any of this group are on his level.
I think we did well to come away with a point against France. We were hanging on for much of the game. France look tough to beat. Are they considered to be the tournament favourites?
Don’t want to sound to negative but with all the eligibility issues with some of our players and what would seem like a few players already having a few knocks/injuries, I think we would do very well to get out of this group. Was always going to be tough anyway but circumstances seem to be against this age group for the moment. Getting to the World Cup would be a big achievement, hope we make it.
I think playing against France and the Netherlands is priceless; a chance for the players to test themselves against top teams and for Cooper and his staff to evaluate the squad. As you said, getting out of the group would be a bonus. Is there no TV coverage of the match tomorrow at all?
For whatever reason there hasn't been any coverage, not even highlights, of the earlier games so I'm not sure there will be. Hopefully there's something though. It seems daft not to show a game as big as this.
The England/France game was on the BBC and on UEFA TV. No coverage for either of our other group games though, unfortunately. You can re-watch the France game here if you like: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/48105557
Yeah, I watched it. I meant earlier games as in the first game of the day. There was no coverage or highlights of Czech Republic vs Belgium or Iceland vs Russia.
With the exception of last year ( because it was held in England ) the coverage for England at U17 and U19 has always been poor. When Eurosport had it I kind of got it because of the tv audience was mainly Central Europe but don’t get it with UEFA YouTube channel? I think we are the least shown from the Group games, maybe a few others also with only the one game but there is a few that has all their games on TV or YouTube channel. Not sure why this is happening!
England XI: Moulden; Robinson, Walcott, Harwood-Bellis (c), Roberts; Weir, Azeez; Palmer, Gelhardt, Rogers, Greenwood Once again, no Musah or Sarmiento on the bench. An even bigger blow is that there's no Noni Madueke as it looks like he's injured. Just 5 outfield players on the bench, with two of those being defenders. Going to be incredibly tough..
I just don't understand this eligibility issue. These guys have been in our squad all season. Are we leaving it to the last minute to do? Are UEFA absurdly slow? Why are we picking them at all if we seemingly have no idea how long it'll take? Be interesting to see how other countries have got on with foreign born players in their squad. Hopefully we can get at least a draw which will put us in a decent position for the last match. Going to be extremely difficult if things don't go to plan.
Disappointing that twice we have gone ahead but not been able to keep that lead longer than a few minutes. Oh well, 2-2 at this stage considering everything is better than I hoped tbh.