New International Football thread

[Durhamfootman]

Who starts at left back now do we think? With lewis-skelly left out the squad...I'm assuming djed Spence?

Well, Spence got his first start tonight and did well, I thought.... even when he was switched to the right for MLS to come on. Interesting to see Konsa play RB. Didn't do at all badly in that position either

POM for me was Anderson, I think. Given that he's a junior squad member, he spent the game demanding the ball, pointing where he wanted others to play it, breaking up Welsh play and snapping up every loose ball going. I thought Wales' best period in the game came after Anderson was subbed out.

Gorgeous goal from Saka.

I still have no idea how Watkins failed to score his second and England's fourth, but the collision with the post looked nasty

My only real criticism of England is that I'm not sure any of the England substitutions improved anything, tbh

Kane had a rare night off with his feet up

[Gingerfinch]

Does anyone really care about these friendlies? I know it's a good opportunity for Tuchel to look at his options/tactics but there nothing more than glorified training sessions.

[Durhamfootman]

people definitely cared when England lost to Senegal

[Durhamfootman]

Tuchel had a dig at the Wembley fans too. No energy from them, he said. It struck me that there were a lot more empty seats in the second half.... and of course the paper planes started flying around (yawn) even though this was a far cry from the tap it around defender triangles before passing it back to the keeper approach favoured by SG

yes it was Wales, but this side won the game in 20 mins and still played positively afterwards. Under the previous regime they would have been instructed to defend that 2nd minute goal and the game would have meandered along nervously, with corners played back to the keeper, until somebody scored a second... probably with 5 mins to go.

These players know that everyone has the chance to nail down a slot if they play well, regardless of who else is in the frame for that berth and I think it shows in the way they play. Again, under the old regime, the England starting XI consisted of the manager's favourites regardless of whether they could get a game for their own club.... Phillips, Maguire, Foden et al. Players in good form, if they even made the squad, were just there for the ride and to swell the numbers.... Crikey, you didn't even have to be fit or have played any football in the previous 6 months to have a left back spot waiting for you in case you were ever fit enough to start a game at a major tournament

I wasn't sure about the appointment of Tuchel, nor would I say that I'm beginning to warm to him, but I am beginning to approve of what he's trying to do. Feels like the sort of thing Alf Ramsay would have done

[Gingerfinch]

people definitely cared when England lost to Senegal

Something to moan about!!!!

[Gingerfinch]

Tuchel had a dig at the Wembley fans too. No energy from them, he said. It struck me that there were a lot more empty seats in the second half.... and of course the paper planes started flying around (yawn) even though this was a far cry from the tap it around defender triangles, before passing back to the keeper favoured by SG

yes it was Wales, but this side won the game in 20 mins and still played positively afterwards. Under the previous regime they would have been instructed to defend that 2nd minute goal and the game would have meandered along nervously, with corners played back to the keeper, until somebody scored a second... probably with 5 mins to go.

These players know that everyone has the chance to nail down a slot if they play well, regardless of who else is in the frame for that berth and I think it shows in the way they play. Again, under the old regime, the England starting XI consisted of the manager's favourites regardless of whether they could get a game for their own club.... Phillips, Maguire, Foden et al. Players in good form, if they even made the squad, were just there for the ride and to swell the numbers.... Crikey, you didn't even have to be fit or have played any football in the previous 6 months to have a left back spot waiting for you in case you were ever fit enough to start a game at a major tournament

I wasn't sure about the appointment of Tuchel, nor would I say that I'm beginning to warm to him, but I am beginning to approve of what he's trying to do. Feels like the sort of thing Alf Ramsay would have done

I went to watch England - Belgium in a friendly, I think last year and it was in truth boring. Most of the players, apart from the ones trying to impress, looked like they were playing within themselves and this resonated in the crowd. I'd rather watch Wycombe in a competitive match than any type of friendly.
If we do have to play these games, play them at a smaller venue!

[Durhamfootman]

against better opposition too

although maybe that's more appropriate just ahead of the actual WC and this was about building confidence and giving players the chance to play with a little more freedom

[sussexpob]

England have a proper manager and absolutely frightening amount of attacking depth compared to anyone else. Harry Kane is so hot atm, I worry he doesn't spontaneously explode. And we have a proper manager... like one that has won big games, in fact THE BIGGEST.

Going to be crushing when Switzerland knock us out on penalties in the QF

[Durhamfootman]

oh no

[Durhamfootman]

I'd rather watch Wycombe in a competitive match than any type of friendly.

funnily enough, I was thinking about what you said when I was watching Farnham T v Sutton U earlier today.... what a cracking cup tie

[bigfluffylemon]

Serbia lose to Albania, so a win on Tuesday away in Latvia will see England qualify with 2 games to spare.

[sussexpob]

Serbia lose to Albania, so a win on Tuesday away in Latvia will see England qualify with 2 games to spare.

I always thought that Serbia v Albania was one of the handful of games that are banned by UEFA, and they manipulated the draws to make sure it never happened?

[bigfluffylemon]

Apparently not. Kosovo-Serbia is still prohibited though.

[Gingerfinch]

I'd rather watch Wycombe in a competitive match than any type of friendly.

funnily enough, I was thinking about what you said when I was watching Farnham T v Sutton U earlier today.... what a cracking cup tie

So much better when there's something to play for!

[Durhamfootman]

Scotland made hard work of Belarus tonight.

Before the game I imagined it would be a walk in the park for Scotland, especially given that Belarus are not allowed to have any home ties and had lost their previous 10 matches by a combined score of 35-4. I think I imagined they would turn up at Hampden with the lowest of low blocks hoping to grind out a nil-nil, but it wasn't like that at all, they attacked Scotland at every opportunity, had 20 shots on goal, a goal disallowed for the softest of fouls on the way, a fairly decent penalty appeal turned down and only just lost 2-1. Despite scoring early, Scotland were wetting themselves, so when they got their second goal with 10 mins to go the relief was palpable and they needed that second, because halfway through stoppage time they were carved to pieces by Belarus to make the beads of sweat stand out again for the final couple of minutes.

Belarus were battered 6-0 by Denmark a few days ago, I think