Maguire hopes to be on bench for the last group game. I just can't see how he is going to be able to play at all. Maybe the 5 subs helps https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...s-to-training-with-england-in-euro-2020-boost
I can only assume that they took him because the larger squad meant he was basically just a freebie, same with Henderson. If he recovers then great, but if he doesn't he's not really taking anyone's place. The management should be operating under the assumption that he won't play a part in the tournament, and build the team accordingly.
I listened to the Guardian football podcast and everybody on the panel were certain that Southgate will install a back 3 against Croatia despite nobody reporting about about Gareth switching it up. Frankly, they all were very cautious and frightened of Croatia with the defensive options we have and even preferred to play Rashford over Grealish in order "to stretch the field." I think they also pretty much agreed we should have Rice and Phillips or Henderson as DMs with no Mount. Basically just batten down the hatches until the storm passes through. Absolute jokers! Btw, I don't think the players want to go back to a back three or the very least 3-4-3. Look where that got us in the Nations League. Might as well do the same against Scotland and the Czech Republic because you have to respect your opponents, eh? How about play to our bloody strengths, play our type of game and win! If not then fine. Win the next two matches and get second place, which is probably our best scenario to advance the furthest (a quarterfinal against Spain is looking more enticing by the day isn't it?). Don't play for a fecking draw and invite pressure against Croatia. We literally beat them with a 4-3-3 at the very stadium we'll play them in 2 1/2 years ago. Who was in our midfield? Barkley, Delph, and Dier who are nowhere near the squad anymore. Imagine what a midfield of Mount, Bellingham/Henderson, and Rice will do.
Here's my dream XI with who we have available (4-3-3). GK: Pickford LB: Chilwell CB: Stones CB: White RB: James CDM: Rice LCM: Mount RCM: Foden LW: Grealish ST: Kane RW: Sterling Probably unrealistic against Croatia, but I don't see why not against the rest in our group. That would absolutely terrify the Czechs and Scotland. I can live with Mings starting, but also wouldn't mind the possibility of Shaw at LCB. Mount and Foden will be our free kick takers.
If we go with a back 3 the. Shaw- Stones-White is pretty decent although Walker might be trusted over White.
Mourinho's just picked his team on Talksport. He says he'd go: Henderson Walker-Stones-Mings-Chilwell Rice-Phillips Foden-Mount-Grealish Kane He was comically dismissive of Luke Shaw and compared Grealish to Luis Figo. Also loved Bellingham
Won't happen. Southgate will stick with tried and trusted. Sterling and rashford. Which isn't bad but he will miss a trick if he goes with the old heads
Doubt he will go with both Rashford and sterling. One is needed if I’m honest, to run in behind, but 2 would be surprising as both are out of form
Barkley worked for England as he was able to run with the ball and bring it up the pitch. It relieved some pressure. Is there any one of our CM who can do the same?
Going to be hot for our game - The heat is on this weekend. Weather stat lovers are looking at Sunday with real interest. The 13th June is the only date in meteorological summer (June, July, August) never to haved reached 30C somewhere in the country. The date record is only 28.3C ... can we? Looking close... pic.twitter.com/OsCXTvd1Sy— MetDesk (@metdesk) June 11, 2021
I would love to see a front 3 of Kane, Grealish and Foden but they all work best with pacey runners to play off / thread balls through to so I still think it's 1 of Grealish/Foden and then 1 of Sterling/Sancho/Rashford. Maybe Foden or Grealish can play deeper but that's not their best position at all. You could also argue that with Mount deeper you can afford Grealish, Foden and one of the pacey ones but we know Southgate won't do this, especially against Croatia, and I'm not sure he should. Mount probably could do a job deeper but it's not really his game, he wants to break the lines which would leave Rice seriously exposed.
It will be interesting to see how this factors in, at least with 5 subs we can keep it fresh if we play with a high tempo which you feel will be important against a technically sound but not particularly quick Croatia side. I'm at the game Sunday and I'm absolutely buzzing now with the weather, odds on a drab 0-0?
england official euro 2020 song [2021] pic.twitter.com/mJdjfKrOul— matty hutson (@MattHutson) June 11, 2021 I give you "Trevor Mcdonald on a unicorn"
In that formation and against Croatia I wouldn’t go with that tbh, think we need more pace out wide to hit on the counter because it will be needed against Croatia in my opinion so I would take out Phillips and play Mount alongside him, move Grealish to number 10 and bring in either Sterling, Sancho or Rashford out wide. Fwiw, Sancho is great when you need to counter, seen him punish many teams playing that way for Dortmund when they needed to. I would also still keep Pickford in goal.
Predictions? I can convince myself from going out in the group stage to winning it. With everything in between. Heart - Winning Head - Extra time lost in 2nd round
My guess at Southgates team for Sunday. -------------------Pickford Walker---Stones---White/Mings----Shaw -------------Phillps---------------Rice -------------------------Mount Stirling--------------Kane-----------Rasford
I keep thinking we got away with getting a lot wrong tactically in the WC. That might come back to bite us in this tournament. The route to the final is daunting but we have gone advantage. Quarters is what my head is telling me.