Third Place: Belgium vs England

[Walken]

Honestly would prefer Southgate taking a chance with other players than Wilshere, he had his chances and now better to take the risk on someone younger with more long term chances ahead of them.

Wonder what would have happened the Ox hadn’t been injured, think he would have helped with at least the athleticism of the team.

possibly but he's another athlete, like alli, sterling and lingard. They are all instinct players who's clubs have a few thinkers so they don't have to. The national team needs some proper ballers

 

[LinekersLegs]

possibly but he's another athlete, like alli, sterling and lingard. They are all instinct players who's clubs have a few thinkers so they don't have to. The national team needs to proper ballers

Dowell

 

[Walken]

Dowell

that would certainly lower the athleticism

 

[LinekersLegs]

that would certainly lower the athleticism

Ooh, harsh lol

 

[ilikecheese]

possibly but he's another athlete, like alli, sterling and lingard. They are all instinct players who's clubs have a few thinkers so they don't have to. The national team needs to proper ballers

Osman in his prime would have made a big difference...

 

[roydo]

haven't a clue in all honesty, it's not even an out and out creator they need, though all across that midfield there is a lack of intelligence, but a guy in the center who finds space, keeps postions and gives the team a bit of control, because henderson is a worker who points a lot and nothing more

The players are there, in the system, but its if they get games at their clubs. Just tried to find an article I read earlier, but think its in the cat tray now, which had players at City, Chelsea, a few others, who have been in their age group sides, won stuff, progressed, but few have had a sustained PL period as yet.

Maybe England will be their finishing school, not their clubs?

 

[COYBL25]

Maybe Loftus-Cheek if he got games in the middle. He seems to be becoming more of a winger. Other than him maybe Dowell? That's a stretch but you never know

Loftus - Cheek isn`t the right man, he`s not creative enough.

Maybe Dowell.

It`s a bit sad really, but that`s what the FA want - athletic robots.

Players like Waddle, Gasgoine etc, would be classed as luxury players now and probably wouldn`t get in the team.

 

[Walken]

Osman in his prime would have made a big difference...

couldn't even make the Turkey squad

 

[Kurt.]

England..played 2 decent teams lost 3 times

 

[davek]

So a cross is a chance now? England made billions of them chances mate.

A cross that's accurate creates a goal-scoring, yes.

 

[davek]

So feckin' what? Won sweet FA and you know it....my granny could have managed them and she's dead lollollol

Hard lines mate.

 

[davek]

Even if he hadn’t been suspended the odds are greater than even Wilshere would have been injured if we’d got that far and you know it lol

Ok, Lallana could have been takern.

The point is an obvious one and a good one: he took a squad with not one creator amongst them. Good idea or not?

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

haven't a clue in all honesty, it's not even an out and out creator they need, though all across that midfield there is a lack of intelligence, but a guy in the center who finds space, keeps postions and gives the team a bit of control, because henderson is a worker who points a lot and nothing more

Kinda makes me sad watching Kante for France. Not a creator as such, but a huge upgrade on anything England have.

 

[davek]

I've no odea what Foden is like, not sure city is the place for him with that arrogant beaut pep picking 6 subs instead of giving him minutes. I understand the argument for not taking Wilshire but in hindsight yeah he's pretty much the only ball player. England need to hope Barkley and Wilshire can get their careers back on track, but I'm not sure Southgate likes that style of midfielder anyway, seems to be athletes over intelligence which is odd as he has gone with good footballers at the back, maybe he just doesn't rate his options right now.

Two words:

Dowell.

Euro2020.

 

[davek]

We must have different views on route one Dave. England did not play a long ball, Hoof, game. Sure, at times, like any team, they played long, but the main pattern of their games was a passing game.

Plenty who;d disagree with you that England didn't focus on dead balls for goals and long balls as a susbstitute for having no one further up the pitch to pull strings. That's pretty much the accepted assessment of the England WC campaign now I think.