England - the future....

[South Coast Royal]

At world cups countries often take one or two younger players for the experience

Original/fat/R9 Ronaldo was at World Cup 94 as a 17 year old unused sub.

Did Walcott the power of good too, any time now he's going to burst through on the international scene.

Ronaldo did ok for himself didn't he?

So the principle may well be right even if the individual isn't although 47 appearances and 8 goals for England is perhaps not that shabby for a winger..

[Conservative_dad]

No great surprises.
A lot of iffy selections of injured or injury prone players and whatever back 3 or 4 is chosen it will be weak but, apart from Guehi and Tomori there aren't too many options open than those selected.

Media pressure and injuries have made Southgate pick Maddison and TAA, neither of whom I expect to play much.
No back-up target man striker such as Toney or Abraham so let's hope that Kane stays fit.

A squad where the better players are forward looking players so we can only hope that the plan is to go on the offensive more than we sometimes do.

I think Maddison has more than earned his right to play considering his contributions to Leicester seeing as he has 6 goals and 4 assists in 12 games this season, rather than any media pressure, but I would tend to agree that he might struggle to get into the XI.

Would imagine the XI to start v Iran would be:

Pickford

Trippier
Stones
Maguire
Shaw

Bellingham
Mount
Rice

Sterling
Kane
Saka

The media pressure that I spoke about arose because of those excellent performances.
I would play him but I suspect that Southgate won't.

That is probably the starting back 4 but what a poor line of defence that is for so many reasons.

Won't be playing a back four for starters. Shaw has really found his form of late

Maguire was the worst CB on the pitch tonight and Tyrone Mings was playing (let that sink in)

[South Coast Royal]

I think Maddison has more than earned his right to play considering his contributions to Leicester seeing as he has 6 goals and 4 assists in 12 games this season, rather than any media pressure, but I would tend to agree that he might struggle to get into the XI.

Would imagine the XI to start v Iran would be:

Pickford

Trippier
Stones
Maguire
Shaw

Bellingham
Mount
Rice

Sterling
Kane
Saka

The media pressure that I spoke about arose because of those excellent performances.
I would play him but I suspect that Southgate won't.

That is probably the starting back 4 but what a poor line of defence that is for so many reasons.

Won't be playing a back four for starters. Shaw has really found his form of late

Maguire was the worst CB on the pitch tonight and Tyrone Mings was playing (let that sink in)

Can't agree on Shaw.
Last Saturday he gave away a free-kick on the edge of the box from which Villa scored.
He got a yellow card for the tackle which was described in my paper as a Sunday League challenge.

Ok going forward but one of many English full-backs that can't defend.

[Conservative_dad]

The media pressure that I spoke about arose because of those excellent performances.
I would play him but I suspect that Southgate won't.

That is probably the starting back 4 but what a poor line of defence that is for so many reasons.

Won't be playing a back four for starters. Shaw has really found his form of late

Maguire was the worst CB on the pitch tonight and Tyrone Mings was playing (let that sink in)

Can't agree on Shaw.
Last Saturday he gave away a free-kick on the edge of the box from which Villa scored.
He got a yellow card for the tackle which was described in my paper as a Sunday League challenge.

Ok going forward but one of many English full-backs that can't defend.

That's one game in about 10 where the whole team was poor

But you can see why Gomez, Trent and Henderson shouldn't be anywhere near the team

[South Coast Royal]

Won't be playing a back four for starters. Shaw has really found his form of late

Maguire was the worst CB on the pitch tonight and Tyrone Mings was playing (let that sink in)

Can't agree on Shaw.
Last Saturday he gave away a free-kick on the edge of the box from which Villa scored.
He got a yellow card for the tackle which was described in my paper as a Sunday League challenge.

Ok going forward but one of many English full-backs that can't defend.

That's one game in about 10 where the whole team was poor

But you can see why Gomez, Trent and Henderson shouldn't be anywhere near the team

I can see why re-Gomez but, with obvious bias ,I would play TAA ahead of Walker or Trippier because I don't think either of those are that much better at defending and both are knocking on and a bit injury-prone.

[Sutekh]

So, then, why isn’t Tomori in the squad, what exactly is the justification to keep Coady or even Maguire ahead of him? Is it because AC Milan aren’t top of Serie A or because of his red card v Chelsea or just because Gareth “I won’t pick favourites” Southgate has picked favourites?

[Royal Rother]

So, then, why isn’t Tomori in the squad, what exactly is the justification to keep Coady or even Maguire ahead of him? Is it because AC Milan aren’t top of Serie A or because of his red card v Chelsea or just because Gareth “I won’t pick favourites” Southgate has picked favourites?

At least he's had Tomori in his squads (I think) - Smalling has been getting rave reviews from Italy for the last 2 years and hasn't even had a sniff.

[Sutekh]

So, then, why isn’t Tomori in the squad, what exactly is the justification to keep Coady or even Maguire ahead of him? Is it because AC Milan aren’t top of Serie A or because of his red card v Chelsea or just because Gareth “I won’t pick favourites” Southgate has picked favourites?

At least he's had Tomori in his squads (I think) - Smalling has been getting rave reviews from Italy for the last 2 years and hasn't even had a sniff.

had totally forgotten about Chris Smalling but then he is 32 now so perhaps that’s why he gets overlooked these days.

Honestly though if the media are giving regular “rave” reviews to someone then, whatever their age, they should be on your radar to at least go and watch play - does GS go to watch games abroad, not as if there wouldn’t be loads of opportunity?

[YorkshireRoyal99]

I was surprised that Tomori was overlooked, personally think he's a better defender than both Maguire and Coady. If we have specifically picked Coady for the back 3 (reminiscent of his Wolves days), then why not Trevor Chalobah who has, by and large, been a very consistent young player in his breakthrough seasons at Chelsea? Understand he is still raw, but he has quality.

If I was picking England's defence, based on who is available, I'd have gone for: TAA, Trippier, White, Stones, Dier, Chalobah, Tomori, Shaw, Sessegnon.

Risky to include the one's with little international experience, so maybe not for a World Cup, but in terms of performance levels, quality and suitability to style of play, I think that's the best we've got, and I'd argue significantly better than what we've chosen.

[bcubed]

We'll have to be really fortunate to get anywhere with the lack of quality in our defence.

I know he's always actually played pretty well in an England shirt but Maguire should never be first choice. And nor should Dier.

[Conservative_dad]

We'll have to be really fortunate to get anywhere with the lack of quality in our defence.

I know he's always actually played pretty well in an England shirt but Maguire should never be first choice. And nor should Dier.

England are gonna play on the counter, Maguire is pretty good at that. He's just v slow and can't play a high line

(possibly the same with Dier)

[Royal Rother]

I was surprised that Tomori was overlooked, personally think he's a better defender than both Maguire and Coady. If we have specifically picked Coady for the back 3 (reminiscent of his Wolves days), then why not Trevor Chalobah who has, by and large, been a very consistent young player in his breakthrough seasons at Chelsea? Understand he is still raw, but he has quality.

If I was picking England's defence, based on who is available, I'd have gone for: TAA, Trippier, White, Stones, Dier, Chalobah, Tomori, Shaw, Sessegnon.

Risky to include the one's with little international experience, so maybe not for a World Cup, but in terms of performance levels, quality and suitability to style of play, I think that's the best we've got, and I'd argue significantly better than what we've chosen.

Sessignon? Blimey, that surprises me. What I’ve seen of him has been Championship level.

[bcubed]

We'll have to be really fortunate to get anywhere with the lack of quality in our defence.

I know he's always actually played pretty well in an England shirt but Maguire should never be first choice. And nor should Dier.

England are gonna play on the counter, Maguire is pretty good at that. He's just v slow and can't play a high line

(possibly the same with Dier)

Yep I've witnessed this first hand at the Euros. Was hoping for something a step up from that. But you're probably right

The other issue with Maguire is that he is so slow you have to play Walker alongside him to cover him.

[Sutekh]

See that Hudson Odoi has turned down a WC approach from Ghana as he is hoping to break into the England squad for the Euros.

[Franchise FC]

At world cups countries often take one or two younger players for the experience and IIRC we once took Walcott.

With the massive number of 26 it would be easy to do that and maybe Gallagher falls into that category.
I would like to have seen Eze or Harvey Elliot go as they may well have a future at England level.

I’ve been thinking there’s not much else that could’ve changed the squad but Elliott is a good shout. His current issue would be the list of those in similar positions (Foden, Saka, Mount, Maddison, Grealish and even Sterling)
I do think he’s got a real chance for the next tournament, though

[Sutekh]

Not much to argue about in the squad. As above, if Toney is currently under investigation for gambling shenanigans then he was never going to go. Please to see Maddison in, and Wilson has earned his spot with his form for Newcastle. Two odd picks for me. Gallagher hasn't looked the same player for Chelsea as he did Palace. And I won't understand Coady over Tomori, ever.

And if it was Kane not Toney under investigation, would Kane have been left out? I’d like to yes is the answer but have my doubts.

[Loafer]

Not much to argue about in the squad. As above, if Toney is currently under investigation for gambling shenanigans then he was never going to go. Please to see Maddison in, and Wilson has earned his spot with his form for Newcastle. Two odd picks for me. Gallagher hasn't looked the same player for Chelsea as he did Palace. And I won't understand Coady over Tomori, ever.

And if it was Kane not Toney under investigation, would Kane have been left out? I’d like to yes is the answer but have my doubts.

No and Toney proving why be should have gone

Who cares if he's 'under investigation'?

Not like he's actually done anything wrong ffs, its just a race thing from the media

[Winston Biscuit]

Maddison off injured

[Franchise FC]

Maddison off injured

I like Maddison but at best he’s 4th choice in that sort of role

Feel for him, if he’s out of the squad, but I don’t think it’ll make too much difference to how we play or fare

[Loafer]

Hope toney will get the call now