Andorra v England

[Barnfred 55]

I was going to bump the Foden thread to post this, but it's been locked for some weird reason.

Surprised nobody has really mentioned Foden's performance against Andorra. I know the opposition was really poor, but it wasn't just the quality of his performance that pleased me, it was the type of performance and the position he played. He played in a deeper play making role and I was surprised by his vision and range and accuracy of passing. He really was exceptional completing 72 out of 76 attempted passes, with a large percentage of these being key and chance creating. I thought it was very Pirlo-esq and dare I say some of the cross field passes from right to left reminded me of what we saw last season from the early days of Mr Rodriguez.

He added an extra dimension to England's play and I believe his emergence in this position will this young England team to another level. He was exactly what was missing in the euro final against Italy.

Let's see if Southgate reverts to 2 holding midfielders for tonight's game against Hungary. I think he will but I think that'll be a mistake. Foden, after his performance at the weekend, has earned himself the right to see if he can replicate it against slightly better opposition.

 

[Billy Dean]

I was going to bump the Foden thread to post this, but it's been locked for some weird reason.

Surprised nobody has really mentioned Foden's performance against Andorra. I know the opposition was really poor, but it wasn't just the quality of his performance that pleased me, it was the type of performance and the position he played. He played in a deeper play making role and I was surprised by his vision and range and accuracy of passing. He really was exceptional completing 72 out of 76 attempted passes, with a large percentage of these being key and chance creating. I thought it was very Pirlo-esq and dare I say some of the cross field passes from right to left reminded me of what we saw last season from the early days of Mr Rodriguez.

He added an extra dimension to England's play and I believe his emergence in this position will this young England team to another level. He was exactly what was missing in the euro final against Italy.

Let's see if Southgate reverts to 2 holding midfielders for tonight's game against Hungary. I think he will but I think that'll be a mistake. Foden, after his performance at the weekend, has earned himself the right to see if he can replicate it against slightly better opposition.

Re tonight I could imagine a 4-2-3-1 with Foden as the 10. I don't think GS will relinquish his 2 holders.

I agree on Foden. When City bought Grealish I was speculating he might foresee a longer term role in the centre for him as a Pirlo type. But maybe I was wrong and it was in fact Foden he saw that for.

 

[duncs pigeon]

I was going to bump the Foden thread to post this, but it's been locked for some weird reason.

Surprised nobody has really mentioned Foden's performance against Andorra. I know the opposition was really poor, but it wasn't just the quality of his performance that pleased me, it was the type of performance and the position he played. He played in a deeper play making role and I was surprised by his vision and range and accuracy of passing. He really was exceptional completing 72 out of 76 attempted passes, with a large percentage of these being key and chance creating. I thought it was very Pirlo-esq and dare I say some of the cross field passes from right to left reminded me of what we saw last season from the early days of Mr Rodriguez.

He added an extra dimension to England's play and I believe his emergence in this position will this young England team to another level. He was exactly what was missing in the euro final against Italy.

Let's see if Southgate reverts to 2 holding midfielders for tonight's game against Hungary. I think he will but I think that'll be a mistake. Foden, after his performance at the weekend, has earned himself the right to see if he can replicate it against slightly better opposition.

Good post mate. He is an exceptional player and I think both Southgate and Pep are both protecting him and keeping the pressure off. Still a young side this England team and hopefully get to play with more freedom.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Re tonight I could imagine a 4-2-3-1 with Foden as the 10. I don't think GS will relinquish his 2 holders.

I agree on Foden. When City bought Grealish I was speculating he might foresee a longer term role in the centre for him as a Pirlo type. But maybe I was wrong and it was in fact Foden he saw that for.

Southgate likes Mount in that role and I can't see him getting dropped for Foden tbh.

Hungary were incredibly negative in their home game against us and I can't see them doing anything but parking the bus again at Wembley. I'd just play Rice as holding midfielder with Mount and Foden in a midfield 3 and Grealish, Sterling and Kane ahead of them. I actually don't think there's many better front 5s around in International football. Still a question mark defensively for me, despite our excellent recent clean sheet record. Can't put my finger on it.

 

[Billy Dean]

Southgate likes Mount in that role and I can't see him getting dropped for Foden tbh.

Hungary were incredibly negative in their home game against us and I can't see them doing anything but parking the bus again at Wembley. I'd just play Rice as holding midfielder with Mount and Foden in a midfield 3 and Grealish, Sterling and Kane ahead of them. I actually don't think there's many better front 5s around in International football. Still a question mark defensively for me, despite our excellent recent clean sheet record. Can't put my finger on it.

Yeah I read something recently that GS likes his 2 holders because he doesn't fully trust the CBs. Which I think is fair enough as they've got the odd error in them. I could imagine a future midfield 3 of Rice, Bellingham and Foden. Personally I prefer Mount further up the pitch than midfield but yeah you're right it's an embarrassment of riches