England Senior National Team General Discussion Thread

So lets change half the team because we're not four nil up.

 

There isn't much coming from the right. Rice makes occasional runs in, Palmer hasn't really got the ball and Walker has tried to make line breaking passes but failed.

 

I don't see how making three changes after a stale performance against a very poor level of opposition is a controversial suggestion. A 1-0 lead against Finland in the Nations League isn't something to try and hang on to.

 

We just look so soft at the back. It's like there's as much a free form approach to defending as there is to attacking.

 

Better than Thursday but that was the easy bit. Actually looking good is the challenge that hasn’t quite been reached so far today

I’ve said it before but the team still look divided and cliquey - Grealish scored and some players seemed to run across the pitch to celebrate with him while others didn’t seem to go anywhere near him

 

it’s easy to look good as a sub running at players late in a game

Saka is seemingly playing injured

I just find it annoying how underrated he is and people are obsessed with palmer who has less qualities imo

 

No one makes 3 changes at halftime when they are in the lead.

 

We’re better balanced than the other night but still not playing great. Not a fan of Trent at left back.


Like to see after 55-60 mins Colwill for Walker so Trent can go to right back, Watkins for Kane who hasn’t been great and probably isn’t fully fit, Madueke or Gordon to give us some direct wing play. Maybe Foden at some point to see if he is more effective off the bench than starting.

 

I don’t but he’s a right inside forward

he played lwb because arsenal was a squad of dysfunctional players and Arteta had to play a 3 at the back formation

as soon as we went full strength and challenged Saka was always a rw

 

Yeah, said something similar on another thread. We just seem to have a general lack of awareness when actually defending.

 

Also Grealish and Foden being at the same club is annoying from an England perspective because it means the possibility of one player being the better fit at club level while the other is the better fit internationally.

 

It sounds like they were worried Stones was injured a bit before half time so it’s more likely Stones will be Replaced by Colwill at some point.

 

Marcelo Bielsa has done more extreme things than that on countless occasions. That's what being proactive is. A 1-0 lead against Finland is not evidence of a good performance or a vindication of a tactical plan. We've created literally one chance all half.

 

Lovely goal and a better balance but something just seems off to me, maybe a lack of confidence and the shirt is weighing heavily on them once again. I just always find it staggering that with our supposedly superior players, we just can’t control these games like say the Germans, French or Spanish would.

 

Bielsa? Carsley has lost his lets do something mental card after losing to Greece.

 

It's a lot of things, a lack of movement off the ball is still an issue, a lack of dynamism and directness in the forward line too. Too little aggression in the play both on and off the ball. No counter pressing in an attempt to win the ball back, can't pin teams back.

 

Foden is warming up.

 

Yeah, lack of movement is something I’ve often seen, just always pass and then admire the pass instead of reacting. Quite staggering that this hasn’t been addressed.

 

This is a bit better.

 

Not learnt much from the Greece game. The midfield can't look after the ball and is far too frequently hussled off it, and once they lose the ball Finland is collectively in on goal.
Also, wish Alexander Arnold would use his left foot more.

 

I really want to know a good reason as to why Walker should still be in this squad. He very clearly should have played himself out of it, regardless of how experienced he is.

 

We have some serious issues in defence, that should have been 1-1.

 

No way carsley should get the job. Don't see any improvement on Southgate

 

Finally Baldy making some subs

 

Taking off Kane for Watkins makes sense, but I'm not sure taking off the guy most likely to feed him at the same time makes as much sense.