that’s what I’m expecting. Any front three we put out is excellent to be fair but that’s very harsh on Coady given his form. Chilwell looks to be out but that is so unbalanced having tripper on the left.. just play Saka FFS. Midfield also predictable. So Rice will sit their and not be able to pass, what is the purpose of playing him if Henderson also starts? I don’t get what Southgate is trying to achieve with that.. a CM pairing that can’t pass forward? I would prefer a 4-3-3 but part of the reason why I would is because at least it forces Southgate to play one midfielder that isn’t unimaginative.. Henderson- Mount, Henderson-Winks or Henderson anyone but please please not Rice. He has never looked up to international standard but keeps getting picked. F**k Southgate, wasting our best talent in generations
He's going to continue with the 3-4-3, that much is obvious and seems a case of him becoming too conservative. We will not beat weaker but solid teams like the Czech Republic and Denmark with 2 defensive midfielders in a 3-4-3, and better teams than us will take us apart in midfield and we'll be stuck playing in our own half. I find the fact he says this is because we have better options in a 3-4-3 particularly odd - centre back is undoubtedly our worst position for depth I would say but now we are going to be taking 5 centre backs to a tournament at the expense of some exciting attacking talent. Plus where exactly this leaves someone like Foden I do not know.
Yeah, I mean I don’t really know how Southgate & more surprising Steve Holland are really thinking about this formation and how they think playing so conservative will work playing against a Germany, France, Italy, Spain etc. Hell I think we will struggle against second tier Nations and truth be told and I will boldly predict we won’t get out of Euro group. Maybe after this round of International’s the penny might drop as I wouldn’t expect encouraging performances. Sorry to be a doom merchant but it’s just how I feel about these tactics, nothing to do with the players as I think with the right tactics and formation we would be fine competing.
What's particularly odd is since playing 4-3-3 our record is played 14, won 11, drew 2, lost 1 (in extra time). Scored 46, Conceded 12. I have absolutely zero idea why these doubts have apparently suddenly crept in over the past year. The only other game in that time we changed formation was the loss to Czech Republic where in the 4-2-3-1 our midfield 2 got woefully isolated and outnumbered. Particularly worrying that essentially anything that happens bad in 4-3-3 seems to be put down as a system failing, but an absolutely dire performance like Denmark is attributed to teething issues.
Why does everyone think he will change his ways after one nothing match ?? Surely that was just a one off - nothing to lose situation.. I’m thinking he will go back to the old 4:3:3 or 4:4:2 ..
And talked about it in any number of interviews. And called up players who are specifically suited to the system. He's sticking with it.
Eh. Wait and see. You don't play it for 3 games and just go into a tournament with it. The players will be probably 343 against Belgium and 433 against Denmark. He's trying to get them to have 2 formations. One very clearly defensive - we haven't conceded anything in our last 6 games now remember, and one more positive. I get the feeling once both formations are learnt, he wants them to be interchangable. We've always struggled from transition in defence and attack, then to a different formation. (Personally I don't like it, but I do get it.)
Still it was very concerning how we struggled for the first 25 minutes or so ... I feel he will fall back into what he ‘knows’ - he’s renowned for keeping faith with players that he feels have done well for him so I think he will keep faith with his tried and trusted formation .
Just a little bit of fun. I was on the Welsh forum and one poster said that England could stick out three different sides that were capable of beating Wales. It got me thinking, do we actually have the depth to do that? Would be interested to see what people's three different squads would look like.
C squad never play .. 442 Pickford Trippier Walker Maguire Shaw Rice , Ward Prowse , Dier , Dele Tammy & Ings
We could could probably pick 6 or 7 teams that would be favourites to beat Wales. Ramsey is obviously a very good player, and Bale has declined but likely still good. But beyond that most their best team is back up premier league players or championship level. Giggs has actually done a pretty underrated job with them when you look at the squad. Bringing in their next generation who aren't quite there yet and getting results while many of their players from the 2016 tournament have declined a lot.
Absolutely! As much as it pains me to say it, the Welsh really do punch above their weight and they're doing a really good job of it. Hopefully, for their sakes, they don't regress after the bales and Ramseys leave. Hopefully, their younger players can follow on.
Pickford chilwell stones coady walker barnes winks Henderson sancho Abraham ings Henderson Shaw maguire gomez trippier sterling rlc mount rashford kane dcl Pope saka dunk tarkowski trent grealish maddison rice foden odoi Greenwood Still room for Ali Chamberlain lamptey tomori James awb dier philips Keane mings
Yeah I'd say all them 3 could beat Wales easily. And just look at the players you left out. Wales would kill for just one of them.
You say I'm being ridiculous then claim Southgate is acting like a 12 year old child! He is a grown man, a professional man that wants to win things, he isn't going to cut off his nose to spite his face! You seem to think Grealish is some kind of demi-god Messi reincarnation! He's not THAT bloody good! And I'll tell you something else - he would be a better player if he didn't flop around like an Argentinian every time somebody brushed up against him! Maybe it's that what Southgate doesn't like in his game?
I would if he won us a free kick on the edge of the area in a semi final euro 2021 game and trent or maddison scored
Many people in the footballing world happen to think that he IS that good and they’re all far more knowledgeable than me or you or anyone else in here for that matter. Well I certainly didn’t say anything about Southgate acting like a 12 year old child but I do happen to believe that Southgate IS being petty / stubborn .. there’s clearly something about Grealish that he doesn’t like . Please don’t suggest that he’s a diver that’s simply not the case ...
Awful centre back choice and central midfield but bags of quality everywhere else. I just fear Belgiums midfield win completely overpower ours and dominate the game. Shame because our attack is pretty awesome
There’s talent upfront But the team will be disjointed. Hope this isn’t the 11, we’ve been there several times it does not work.
I agree with Southgate that I don't think the euros will go ahead next year. Sad because this is our best chance for years. Probably the worst dutch side in my living memory. The worst Spanish team for a while. Germany are rebuilding. Italy are nowhere near the level they were. Really only Portugal France and Belgium who I would fear and even this Belgium team is on the wane a bit.