If Maguire does get fit in time I’d put him in a back four alongside White who’s got pace to burn - the Chelsea full backs Midfield of Bellingham , Mount and Phillips . Front three of Grealish , Kane and Sancho on the right .
I could be wrong but I’m sure I’ve heard that Shaw has played on the left hand side of a back three for Utd before but I’m sure an Utd fan can clear that up. I’m not totally against the idea as Scotland do a similar thing with Robertson and Tierny which apparently works very well with Tierny the left centre back. If we play a back three then I think I would feel more relaxed with Shaw playing there over Mings who scares me.
people in this country get too hung up on age, if they are good enough they are old enough, he plays Champions League football not u18s
I think Southgate mentioned Shaw as a possible LCB in a three previously, and he has played there on occassion this season. I don't think you'd want Walker or James on the other side, but White/Stones/Shaw, or Stones/Coady/Shaw could work.
Agreed. Also, Bellingham doesn't look or play like your typical 17 year old. He's got two full seasons under his belt, and if he can hold is own physically for a season in the Championship at 16, I don't think there should be too many worries about his age.
I think it's unlikely any injury doubts will be anywhere near the first XI on Sunday, it's forecast to be 28 degrees so we need to prioritise fitness to some extent and subs will be important, luckily we're pretty flush with attacking options. I hope we can maintain a high tempo because a slower game will suit Croatia and if we end up chasing shadows (like the WC) we will tire and it could spell trouble. I'm still hopeful considering how young are team is and they have effectively been doing warm weather training in sunny England.
The last thing I will say, you cannot be racist to white people racism isn’t just slurs and name calling it’s to do with oppression and being kept down white people will never not get an opportunity due to skin colour Also someone asked if Diane abbot is a gammon? No, not because she’s black but she believes in the opposite views also, black people have their own words for people of their own race that have specific views etc it’s all the same anyway onto the football. Croatia are old, we have to take them to the sword but I fear Gareth will be over cautious and we stumble into a boring draw
Semantics. If you define "racism" in a way that excludes certain forms of racial prejudice, that doesn't make those forms of prejudice justifiable or even morally neutral.
I personally don't rate him that much either, although he has grown on me this season. It's just that he's really the only one in that position so is always nailed on to start. Pickford, Stones, Rice, Mount and Kane will play every game they are fit for, could maybe add Mags and Hendo to that category when fit. Rest are up for grabs.
Exclusive: Gareth Southgate could start four full-backs in Euro 2021 opener with Luke Shaw at centre-back https://t.co/ksBRjoC3vj— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) June 9, 2021
I think the nub of the issue is that every team at the tournie has 'holes' in it's side. That's normal and it's how few you have and how much you're made to pay for them in the games. Rice is a 'serviceable' midfielder but no more. Will the flaws in his game be outweighed by the attacking flair of Grealish and/or Mount and/or Foden.
I think Rice has come on leaps and bounds this season. His performances for England have been good. Hes like a younger version of Paul ince. All action
Well, hang on, that was my thinking so that's clearly an insane idea which must be immediately scrapped before disaster strikes
I've been reading that there have been talks of him signing for CFC and, I have to say, I was a bit surprised but, tbf, I haven't seen that much of the guy to comment. From what I have seen he seems a decent player if slightly uninspiring. Frankly, in his role, 'uninspiring' is probably a desired trait.
It is basically saying I don’t rate quite a few of the CB’s I’m taking. It would certainly have been interesting to see it in a friendly.
That’s why many are suggesting it’s better to finish second in the group .. It’s kinda pointless overthinking though given all the possibilities in the other groups
I see him being a fairly mobile , robust midfielder who puts his foot or shoulder in when necessary.. He wouldn’t have even made my 26
Rice is ok next to mount imo at least mount can contribute to the attack when rice sits thenissue is who plays ahead is it a 433 or a 4231?
Portugal don’t faff around ... pretty much playing their best eleven in this last friendly... quite the opposite approach to Southgate Decent subs as well View attachment 197877