Euro 2020 (21)

[yuppie]

First half front 4 did work well.

I did not watch the warm up games but by all accounts Grealish played well. He seems to be the best pick of Fodon and Mount. So after this performance you would think he will start.....but he wont.

I like Sakas industry and running with the ball in this match. Justified his selection. The only issue was that Walker was maybe isolated a few times. But i think this front 4 seemed to work well in the first half and is probably worth starting the next game, but they wont.

Rice went off at half time, England second half looked ordinary.

Sterling has probably been the most consistent player in the team so far for me. Having a good tournament with out much plaudits. Englands only goal scorer and going about his business quietly.

[yuppie]

Who de want next? Maybe Hungary will beat Germany and put a cat amongst the pigeons?

France seem the obvious team to miss. Germany have pace up front, which will be a test for our CB's. Portugal have guile and a certain Ronaldo.

Going to be Germany, you just know it is:))

[sussexpob]

The conversation at the final whistle on Belgian TV was enlightening on a neutral perspective.

Anchor - "Well its another game England did alright, but they havent released the fireworks yet".

Analyst cuts him off midflow - "You have seen that team right? Their C team is better than 90% percent here. I am just happy Belgium are nowhere near this lot till the final - do you want to be around when they do light the fireworks"?

Second analysts starts making loud banging noises - "Thats not a firework going to go off, its a nuclear bomb".

Analyst number one - "How good does a team need to be for Sancho to get 7 minutes in 3 games? Liverpool's Captain doesnt even start". Turns to Analyst number 3, who is French - "You fancy these boys next round".

Number 3 laughs - "You think I am crazy just because Im French? Good luck to Germany is all I say, we have to win tomorrow, I dont want a date for a funeral next week in London".

For the next 10 minutes they all drool over out team. They are all convinced England will switch a gear in the knockouts and remain the team to beat.

[Gingerfinch]

Who de want next? Maybe Hungary will beat Germany and put a cat amongst the pigeons?

France seem the obvious team to miss. Germany have pace up front, which will be a test for our CB's. Portugal have guile and a certain Ronaldo.

Going to be Germany, you just know it is:))

Penalties?

[sussexpob]

First half front 4 did work well

I am honestly yet to be fully convinced on the skills of Mount at the extent that others are. Even when Chelsea play well, I think its the movement and vision around him that makes him look slightly better. I certainly dont see Mount as an advanced attacking option; I think eventually he will drop back in the pitch to central midfield and potentially be very good, but as a weapon in the final third I think we have loads better.

Grealish for me has always had to start. I think his tendency to receive the ball and instantly turn and go is so hard to defend against. Its not the whole "take a touch, look, slow it down" thing, he takes on the first man in front, 95% of the time beats him, then looks up and goes for a pass. That movement and quick feet brings so much more space into play, it keeps defenders on their toes.

On the wings its tough. I think we can discredit Rashford, hes a good player but you need the whole team built around utilizing his pace. He isnt a great player in tight spaces, he needs open field, and he wont get that playing for England at home in a tournament knock out.

Id play Sancho personally, but Southgate clearly hates him. With that in mind I would be tempted with Saka and Sterling. Saka outplayed Foden when given the opportunity and looked so up for it. Didnt freeze, just went out and put it out there. In a short tournament, you got to pick the players that are hot.

[yuppie]

got to be;)

England not conceding so far is a fair effort.


England had a easy draw at the WC, looks like this champs will be a much harder draw.

[Gingerfinch]

First half front 4 did work well

I am honestly yet to be fully convinced on the skills of Mount at the extent that others are. Even when Chelsea play well, I think its the movement and vision around him that makes him look slightly better. I certainly dont see Mount as an advanced attacking option; I think eventually he will drop back in the pitch to central midfield and potentially be very good, but as a weapon in the final third I think we have loads better.

Grealish for me has always had to start. I think his tendency to receive the ball and instantly turn and go is so hard to defend against. Its not the whole "take a touch, look, slow it down" thing, he takes on the first man in front, 95% of the time beats him, then looks up and goes for a pass. That movement and quick feet brings so much more space into play, it keeps defenders on their toes.

On the wings its tough. I think we can discredit Rashford, hes a good player but you need the whole team built around utilizing his pace. He isnt a great player in tight spaces, he needs open field, and he wont get that playing for England at home in a tournament knock out.

Id play Sancho personally, but Southgate clearly hates him. With that in mind I would be tempted with Saka and Sterling. Saka outplayed Foden when given the opportunity and looked so up for it. Didnt freeze, just went out and put it out there. In a short tournament, you got to pick the players that are hot.

I thought Foden was our best attacking player vs Scotland.

You do need pace though and Saka is pretty direct.

[sussexpob]

Germany look a scary proposition, especially after the season Gundagon has had for city. Kroos aint the player he was 4 years ago, but hes still a lot better and more experienced than anything England can line up against him, and on their day that forward 3 will run you ragged with high pace overlaps coming from the wing backs.

But that back line has looked very vulnerable when faced with any kind of pace or space in behind.

I wouldnt be surprised to play Germany, and it end 4-3 to one team. Germany will attack and wont sit around. Might be a bit of an epic slug fest (I apologise for now guaranteeing a 120 minute borefest with no goals, and losing on penalties).

I'd much rather play Portugal. Facing a 39 year old Pepe, and that midfield that has so far moved the ball so slowly at times is a far more palatable proposition.

[yuppie]

that front 4 worked well in the first half and Kane looked better with those players around him. They just seemed to compliment each other better and had more variety. England might actually have a problem with to many choices.

And Grealish and Sterling tracked back well.

I agree with Mount, im still not sure about him with what i have watched. Grealish is just offering so much more.

Rashford to come on as a sub seems his best place for this team.

[sussexpob]

I thought Foden was our best attacking player vs Scotland.

You do need pace though and Saka is pretty direct.

Not really sure I could really single out a player for doing much in the Scotland game. I really like Foden a lot, think in 15 years time we will be talking about a player who has reached the very top. But he is still a bit raw. The main concern I have with him is his finishing - he misses a fair few chances and needs to work on that. In knockout games like this though, do you get a second chance?

I guess the counter to that would be, more often than not, he misses chances that arent chances. He makes the chance with a dribble or a run, or neat interchange.

Talking coin flips here Gingerfinch. If Foden gets the nod, I am happy.

[Gingerfinch]

I thought Foden was our best attacking player vs Scotland.

You do need pace though and Saka is pretty direct.

Not really sure I could really single out a player for doing much in the Scotland game. I really like Foden a lot, think in 15 years time we will be talking about a player who has reached the very top. But he is still a bit raw. The main concern I have with him is his finishing - he misses a fair few chances and needs to work on that. In knockout games like this though, do you get a second chance?

I guess the counter to that would be, more often than not, he misses chances that arent chances. He makes the chance with a dribble or a run, or neat interchange.

Talking coin flips here Gingerfinch. If Foden gets the nod, I am happy.

That's the (good) problem Southgate has, lots of options. I bet he has swapped and changed everyday for weeks.

[yuppie]

Off topic, Alexander Isak has been impressive for a very dull Sweden team.

Following Larsson and Zlatan would be a big task but this guy looks the goods at present. And much more a team player than Zlatan. Looks really good for me.

[sussexpob]

Off topic, Alexander Isak has been impressive for a very dull Sweden team

Was speaking about this in your last game with a friend the other day. How does that donkey Berg start? Against Slovakia, Isak came on and totally changed the game. Just the willingness to have a run at someone with quick feet changed the dynamic, pegged Slovakia back, and brought in the rest of the Sweden team. At one point he had a brilliant turn and run, cut inside, worked the keeper.

Watch Spanish foootball, but not caught a lot of him. I know he was seen as a hot prospect, but then Dortmund ended up getting rid, and he's not yet smashed it in La Liga consistently. But there have been grumbles recently of him starting to play really well.

Judging on the other day, they are justified. Surely he has to start now? Although it doesnt keep with the Swedish managers insistence on sleep inducing football.

[yuppie]

I think he will start the next game. He does do the leg work as well.

He has been well regarded in Sweden for a while. But i have not seen much of him, but he stands out in this team.

[bigfluffylemon]

Very hard to rate. England should be capable of unleashing fireworks, but Southgate still hasn't worked out how to get the best out of a line-up with a lot of quality in attack.

We should be capable of beating Portugal or Germany, but it's England. Come up against a good team in the knockouts, and we all know what happens. A 0-0 or 1-1 draw where we cling on by the skin of our teeth for most of the second half and extra time, and out on penalties.