Match Day Thread England v Scotland 18/06/2021 20:00 ITV

Mount Rice

 

Shhhhhhh!!!!

 

Don’t know if it’s been posted - i’m not going to trawl through all the posts - why play Grealish if you’re going to stick him out on the left wing and not allow him to get into the centre …..
Also - and a friend of mine has already commented on this to me before - what’s going on with England’s ball control? Grealish hit a couple of passes to players (Rashford was one) expecting a return (which they must do in training) and the ball was either miscontrolled by the player or the return was way too hard for him to play on. In one of the friendlies, James hit a cracking cross-field ball to Walker (the sort he hits to Nathan - who brings it down beautifully ….) - Walker miscontrolled it and it went out for a throw. What is it with these players?

 

KWP never gets mentioned probably because we have so many RBs already. Is he as good as them? Maybe, and if not he's not far off them. But unless we have a RB injury crisis I don't see him getting selected ahead of any of the others. They all play in higher level competitions more frequently for and against bigger clubs. Maybe in a few years when Trippier and Walker are too old, but then the also not selected Wan Bissaka is ahead of him too, not to mention TAA, James and Wan Bissaka are all young too. Think if KWP has any real ambitions of playing international football he may need to find some Scottish ancestory.

 

Kyle McWalker-McPeters - that`s got a nice ring to it.

 

Hey Libby, it seems you have another match thread to do!

 

Would rooting out qualifying ancestry be known as 'doing a Jack'. Mr Charlton was a pass master for the Republic.

 

On the game last night, it strikes me that Southgate isn’t really the issue. I know it’s easy to blame the manager for a team’s shortcomings but when you have, supposedly, the best players in every position that the country can offer, surely the responsibility has to be on them once they cross that white line? I know it’s a young team but they all have enough experience in the Premier League or other senior leagues in Europe as well as having plenty of Champions League games between them. I can’t believe that Gareth specifically told that team not to give Harry Kane any crosses or long balls into the box, or one-twos he could lay off to Foden, Sterling or Mount running from deep. Surely he didn’t tell them not to try and get in behind the fullbacks?

I think the main problem last night was that the players were terrified of losing to the Auld Enemy, and that made them bereft of attacking threat for most of the game. The talent is undoubtedly there, but Gareth has to somehow free them of those shackles for Tuesday and further into the tournament. He did it 3 years ago, no reason why he can’t do it again.

 

@Libby

 

Thanks, it doesn’t work if I tag people!

 

I remembered you have mentioned it before, happy to help

 

I think Shearer got it right just now when he questioned why Kane is making it easier for the defenders by coming towards the ball when, for Spurs, he spins and runs behind.
I’m still convinced he’s not fully fit and I’d be tempted to start with Calvert-Lewin vs Czech.

 

I’d go with that, but if Gareth picks a player who isn’t fit that is most definitely down to him!

 

Ngolo Kante has obviously decided that Mbappé, Griezeman, and Pogba get far too much attention, and he is the true star of the side. Incredible skills and pace.

 

Yes and give instructions to get the ball whipped into the box at every (almost, do need some variation) opportunity. Something that was missing from our game last night.

 

It doesn't work with anyone as I've got the notifications switched off

Sat in A&E currently so will get it up later/tomorrow.

 

You OK?

 

Yeah just a precaution mate.

****ing bored though so might need to start an argument on here.

@fatletiss @tomw24

 

A five minute argument, or the full half hour?

 

Probably because right back is England’s strongest position and there is probably 5 players ahead of him