The Official England Thread-The Team We All Support [Vol 3]
Discussion
I thought Foden had a decent game - high work rate and a real forward utility player.
I also thought in both matches, we were prepared to play a real press- be confident to the play the ball through. It is one thing I always liked about Sterling, his ability to push through the centre when the opposition were split between defending against him and potential, subsequent cross in - the latter being how we usually play.
It is like a second wind - a new round of players, like the one we had about 4 years ago, when Saka, Bellingham etc graduated from the U19.
Lukaka was impressive, but he also made a few mistakes, so those giving Bellingham grief can balance it with him cocking up a dew times.
The defence was the worry - a lack of cohesion and too much space when Belgium had a break. Donk was out of his depth. I also think Chilwell is mixed - he reminds me of a L2 player, playing hoofball - especially against Brazil - he played a clearing defender, not someone who should be working the ball forward.
I did take some comfort from the fact that yes, Pickford cocked up, but it was a stupid cock up not run of play. That said, I do think he is crap at clearing the ball.
coldel said:
No, the point was that you were trying to cite circumstance as a reason for Bellingham effectively strutting around, slow on the ball, and generally having no effect until the last kick of the game, the point was that those circumstances didn't seem to affect a lot of other players, so that point is irrelevant.
Goals matter, and Bellingham finally bothered to turn up in the box at the end instead of having arguments with the opposition or venting at officials. He needs to not lose on field focus, its clear he wasn't at the races mentally last night.
And I think I remember two massive errors costing us, what was the third one?
Excellent fell right into my trap… Goals matter, and Bellingham finally bothered to turn up in the box at the end instead of having arguments with the opposition or venting at officials. He needs to not lose on field focus, its clear he wasn't at the races mentally last night.
And I think I remember two massive errors costing us, what was the third one?
Southgate is still manager.
I guess we all have opinions, usually the England way is to blame the best player rather than the poorest. We’d have won the game if Pickford could kick and Dunk could play position…. But no, it’s JB because he ‘lost focus.
tamore said:
some very fast feet in attacking ares and good understanding br=eing built. mainoo is a prospect and has to be in the summer squad. shame the defensive options are so slim and we have a keeper who loses his head and always moments from calamity.
All true, keeper is a nutter, completely wrong mental approach to that position and ridiculously over-confident in his kicking/passing 'skills'. Gargamel said:
Excellent fell right into my trap…
Southgate is still manager.
I guess we all have opinions, usually the England way is to blame the best player rather than the poorest. We’d have won the game if Pickford could kick and Dunk could play position…. But no, it’s JB because he ‘lost focus.
Trap? How old are you, 12 or something!Southgate is still manager.
I guess we all have opinions, usually the England way is to blame the best player rather than the poorest. We’d have won the game if Pickford could kick and Dunk could play position…. But no, it’s JB because he ‘lost focus.
No thats not the England way at all, its called watching England for over 40 years and seeing personality traits in players that all too commonly become degenerative to a players performance. I personally think Bellingham has a long way to go and is not this finished article the media gushing loves to portray, and staying on point in an international is one of them, anyone with an ounce of football nous could see he wasn't mentally at the races last night.
And I agree, we lost because of two very stupid errors, but that doesn't mean others get a free pass because of Pickford and Dunk errors.
Blackpuddin said:
tamore said:
some very fast feet in attacking ares and good understanding br=eing built. mainoo is a prospect and has to be in the summer squad. shame the defensive options are so slim and we have a keeper who loses his head and always moments from calamity.
All true, keeper is a nutter, completely wrong mental approach to that position and ridiculously over-confident in his kicking/passing 'skills'. I do wonder what the players are coached to do for these games, as the tempo was way down, we didn't try to inject pace or beat a man that often, it was an emphasis on low risk low tempo possession football.
Speed 3 said:
On the occasions I see Bowen on TV he reminds me of the type of player you would absolutely love on your team at every level of the pyramid. I'd take him as backup or sub injection.
I though he was England's best player last night. The only reason people are saying use him as a sub is because he doesn't play for a Sky Six team. 2HFL said:
Given how well Mainoo has already stepped up and integrated into the first team, it’s something of a travesty that he only got this opportunity from Southgate because his bestie Henderson was injured…
Yes, but Henderson has close to 100% success rate in backwards passes. Stats don't lie bro. You can't teach that quality 
RichB said:
Speed 3 said:
On the occasions I see Bowen on TV he reminds me of the type of player you would absolutely love on your team at every level of the pyramid. I'd take him as backup or sub injection.
I though he was England's best player last night. The only reason people are saying use him as a sub is because he doesn't play for a Sky Six team. My observations from last night.
Pickford, standard performance with not a lot to do, made a huge error for their goal which should have just been booted down the line instead of kicking it flat towards the centre of the pitch.
The defence is poor outside of Stones, I feel more confident with Maguire compared to Dunk who is not international standard.
Konsa wasn't really tested but not sure where he was for the second goal.
Gomez was getting roasted by Doku, he's one of these player that looks better for club than country due to being carried by better players, when he needs to stand out for himself he gets found out.
Chillwell is just poor, I'd like to see the Luton guy Doughty given a chance. Apart from Shaw the dropoff is massive with LBs
Rice did what he was asked to do and just sit and mop things up, which he did
Mainoo made a great debut, what I liked about his goal was he had the chance to pass back but he turned and drove forward which led to the goal, it was like he was disobeying a direct Southgate order.
Bellingham, I don't think it's arrogance rather the pressure that is being built on him to be a consistent match winner, he was holding onto the ball too long or making the wrong decisions, trying to do too much. He needs to relax trust his teammates and not burden himself with expectation.
There was a passage of play on the nearside touchline where he won the ball, he could have played a simple pass but held onto it, went back then lost it.
Toney all round better than Watkins at this level.
Foden, shows flashes but doesn't work on the left wing and I don't think he's works centrally at this level compared to how he does at City with their players.
Bowen, another good performance always giving 100% but won't bump Saka out of that spot.
Pickford, standard performance with not a lot to do, made a huge error for their goal which should have just been booted down the line instead of kicking it flat towards the centre of the pitch.
The defence is poor outside of Stones, I feel more confident with Maguire compared to Dunk who is not international standard.
Konsa wasn't really tested but not sure where he was for the second goal.
Gomez was getting roasted by Doku, he's one of these player that looks better for club than country due to being carried by better players, when he needs to stand out for himself he gets found out.
Chillwell is just poor, I'd like to see the Luton guy Doughty given a chance. Apart from Shaw the dropoff is massive with LBs
Rice did what he was asked to do and just sit and mop things up, which he did
Mainoo made a great debut, what I liked about his goal was he had the chance to pass back but he turned and drove forward which led to the goal, it was like he was disobeying a direct Southgate order.
Bellingham, I don't think it's arrogance rather the pressure that is being built on him to be a consistent match winner, he was holding onto the ball too long or making the wrong decisions, trying to do too much. He needs to relax trust his teammates and not burden himself with expectation.
There was a passage of play on the nearside touchline where he won the ball, he could have played a simple pass but held onto it, went back then lost it.
Toney all round better than Watkins at this level.
Foden, shows flashes but doesn't work on the left wing and I don't think he's works centrally at this level compared to how he does at City with their players.
Bowen, another good performance always giving 100% but won't bump Saka out of that spot.
Edited by Radec on Wednesday 27th March 12:45
coldel said:
No thats not the England way at all, its called watching England for over 40 years and seeing personality traits in players that all too commonly become degenerative to a players performance. I personally think Bellingham has a long way to go and is not this finished article the media gushing loves to portray, and staying on point in an international is one of them, anyone with an ounce of football nous could see he wasn't mentally at the races last night.
And I agree, we lost because of two very stupid errors, but that doesn't mean others get a free pass because of Pickford and Dunk errors.
Point of order; we didn't lose And I agree, we lost because of two very stupid errors, but that doesn't mean others get a free pass because of Pickford and Dunk errors.
But I agree about Bellingham, and worry that opponents will try to wind him up to reduce his effectiveness. It's something he'll have to learn to deal with and I hope he does. Him, Kane and Saka are IMHO pivotal to the team. Perhaps Rice too.Only saw a brief bit of the match but Mainoo looked to be very good - but Bellingham, while good, struts around now all of a sudden - is the Galacticos thing giving him a big head? I've heard interviews with him after matches where he has sounded down to earth, but hedidn't give that impression from the bit I saw on the telly.
Couple if problems for us to solve....
Belgium did well at defending. 6 or 7 players back in the box at key times.... And we couldn't break that down. Need to find better ways.
Out defence was shocking for the two goals.
Pickford is always a brain fart waiting to happen. It feels like the defenders know this.
Dunk was foolish for the second. But who the f
k was watching play/Tielemanns. It looked like the rest of the defence were sleep walking.
They got caught out by Brazil too.
Hard to see who could play back there and give confidence.
Chilwell was poor in both games.
Belgium did well at defending. 6 or 7 players back in the box at key times.... And we couldn't break that down. Need to find better ways.
Out defence was shocking for the two goals.
Pickford is always a brain fart waiting to happen. It feels like the defenders know this.
Dunk was foolish for the second. But who the f
k was watching play/Tielemanns. It looked like the rest of the defence were sleep walking.They got caught out by Brazil too.
Hard to see who could play back there and give confidence.
Chilwell was poor in both games.
Murph7355 said:
Couple if problems for us to solve....
Belgium did well at defending. 6 or 7 players back in the box at key times.... And we couldn't break that down. Need to find better ways.
Out defence was shocking for the two goals.
Pickford is always a brain fart waiting to happen. It feels like the defenders know this.
Dunk was foolish for the second. But who the fk was watching play/Tielemanns. It looked like the rest of the defence were sleep walking.
They got caught out by Brazil too.
Hard to see who could play back there and give confidence.
Chilwell was poor in both games.
Dunk and Chilwell shouldn’t be anywhere near the England team. Belgium did well at defending. 6 or 7 players back in the box at key times.... And we couldn't break that down. Need to find better ways.
Out defence was shocking for the two goals.
Pickford is always a brain fart waiting to happen. It feels like the defenders know this.
Dunk was foolish for the second. But who the f
k was watching play/Tielemanns. It looked like the rest of the defence were sleep walking.They got caught out by Brazil too.
Hard to see who could play back there and give confidence.
Chilwell was poor in both games.
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