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Post by JoeinOz on Mar 27, 2022 6:17:40 GMT
Friendlies are just that. At least GS hopefully got some benefit, the wing backs playing 5 at the back is dull and the creativity is nil. Shaw passed back every time he got the ball bar his goal. No new player showed enough to be encouraged they could offer something to challenge the probable squad for the World Cup. Only when both teams made multiple subs and England changed the system did we have any control in midfield once Rice supported the invisible Henderson got on the ball. The awful bored crowd and the mexican wave for tourist is one reason i have not been to an England friendly in about 15 years. We have an amazing aray of talented young players however I’m not convinced GS is the man to get the best out of them. He’s more of a statesman than a manager / coach and always plays it safe. I don’t think Henderson’s a bad player but there’s no way he should still be a factor in CM especially when there’s so many other options around. Handy is one of the underrated players of this era. Someone has to do the things nobody notices. At this point in a tournament I'd much prefer to have him in than not have him. Not a flashy player or one you have down as a game changer but he's rock solid reliable and contributes quietly.
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Post by lancashirelad on Mar 27, 2022 7:16:07 GMT
We have an amazing aray of talented young players however I’m not convinced GS is the man to get the best out of them. He’s more of a statesman than a manager / coach and always plays it safe. I don’t think Henderson’s a bad player but there’s no way he should still be a factor in CM especially when there’s so many other options around. Handy is one of the underrated players of this era. Someone has to do the things nobody notices. At this point in a tournament I'd much prefer to have him in than not have him. Not a flashy player or one you have down as a game changer but he's rock solid reliable and contributes quietly. I know what you mean Joe and Henderson is a decent player, but in my original comment above he only came into the game in an effective sense once Rice was on the pitch, for the first hour he was invisible by not breaking up any play or organising the midfield and not one effective touch.
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Post by mrcoke on Mar 27, 2022 9:03:34 GMT
In tournaments it is always our defence that let's us down. We have qualifying matches in very weak groups, play friendlies, use second string players etc. so when we get to a proper competition and meet a really good team we get found out because of lack of stiff practice by our defenders. The last Europeans was the first time we went all the way, and came back from a losing position for a very long time, which showed some character. Southgate is brave enough to keep trying different players, but he has to be brave enough to drop those who are not producing no matter how big a name they are. Ramsay and Clough worked on the principle of picking the strongest team, not necessarily the best players. Furguson could be harsh in dropping and getting rid of players. To be fair of that back five only one was first choice That is what I am trying to say in my clumsy way. We go through all the qualifying and and practice matches without the final defence players actually playing together for any length of time against top class opposition. Consequently when we get to the tournament, we have a defence that is not fully prepared to take on the best teams in the world.
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Post by maninasuitcase on Mar 27, 2022 9:16:08 GMT
Had a dilemma yesterday.
Either watch the game or go to Scarborough to watch the skids.
I did the latter.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Mar 27, 2022 9:19:16 GMT
Had a dilemma yesterday. Either watch the game or go to Scarborough to watch the skids. I did the latter. Wise move
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Post by lancashirelad on Mar 27, 2022 9:26:31 GMT
Had a dilemma yesterday. Either watch the game or go to Scarborough to watch the skids. I did the latter. No dilemma at all, hope you got to the rowdy front and enjoyed the show at least you would have come out buzzing unlike the bored Mexican wave crew at Wembley.
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Post by maninasuitcase on Mar 27, 2022 9:32:39 GMT
Had a dilemma yesterday. Either watch the game or go to Scarborough to watch the skids. I did the latter. No dilemma at all, hope you got to the rowdy front and enjoyed the show at least you would have come out buzzing unlike the bored Mexican wave crew at Wembley. One row from the front. Jobson was on fine form. For a man of 61 he didnt stop dancing and singing. The guys a machine. Made me feel like a creaking old man and im 10 years younger.
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Post by zommbee on Mar 27, 2022 23:25:14 GMT
In tournaments it is always our defence that let's us down. We have qualifying matches in very weak groups, play friendlies, use second string players etc. so when we get to a proper competition and meet a really good team we get found out because of lack of stiff practice by our defenders. The last Europeans was the first time we went all the way, and came back from a losing position for a very long time, which showed some character. Southgate is brave enough to keep trying different players, but he has to be brave enough to drop those who are not producing no matter how big a name they are. Ramsay and Clough worked on the principle of picking the strongest team, not necessarily the best players. Furguson could be harsh in dropping and getting rid of players. In the modern game I really don’t think defenders are that important anymore. Teams win stuff despite having a poor defence. It’s all about forwards being in form Not sure when the modern game started but teams don't win the big trophies without good defenders and goal keeper. Internationally the last two Euro tournaments and World Cups have been won by teams with solid defences and not always great attacks, Italy 2021, top keeper and two of the best centre backs to have played the game, France 2018, solid back four and keeper and one of the best holding midfielders in the game, Portugal 2016, top keeper and a ridged back four with two holding midfielders, Germany 2014, world class keeper and top defenders. Even in the Champions league finals recently defence has been key, Chelsea 2021 1-0 v Man City, five defenders, a top keeper and two holding midfielders kept City's six forwards out, Bayern Munich 2020, 1-0 v Paris, top keeper and four defenders with two holding midfielders stopped PSG's three top class forwards, Liverpool 2019, 2-0, it was only Tottenham but they had arguably the best centre back in the world at the time in Van Dijk and a quality keeper, the year before when they lost to Real Madrid they had a reserve keeper in goal and Madrid's best defender did a hatchet job on Salah in the 3-1 win.
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