Off Topic International Break Thread

No proper LB and no Sancho even in the squad are my main complaints. Also would much rather see Ben White start than Mings, who I’ve never rated.

 

Pathetic, typical Southgate. Leaving a lot on Mounts shoulders and Harry's at least he picked Foden.

 

Well you can certainly rely on Gareth................................to pick a different team to anyone else.

It will either be genius or disaster - take your pick

 

Who is the third player not in the squad. Sancho, Maguire and ?

 

Never known you to sound so harsh. You’re really not a fan of Southgate are you

 

I haven't seen Trippier recently but he must have improved enormously if playing him out of position is preferred to Reece James.

 

Chilwell - which may explain Trippier LB

 

King I have watched a succession of English managers **** it up over the years. I would single out Robson, Venables and Mercer from that who were the best IMO. But the FA always pick vicars who will make the kind of noises that won't upset the Women's Institute and ruin whatever talent we produce.

 

Harsh on Luke Shaw

 

Very and not good for his confidence if he is required, but he recovered well from Jose so that may not be an issue

 

When Walter Winterbottom (I kid you not) was England manager he was in the position for years and had no previous managerial experience, yep none He wasn't allowed to pick the team that was done by FA committee. England managed to go to South America with some of the best players in the world at the time and get knocked out by the USA who in those days hardly knew the rules. When you have witnessed the arrogance and ignorance of the FA time and time again and we manage to get to the 21st century and they pick ****ing Southgate following a glittering managerial career for Pizza Hut and Middlesbrough and then you here his sanctimonious nonsense. I know exactly why he was chosen. Then they all push the nice man as a great coach.

Sorry ...................... just **** Off

 

Get off the fence Spurf

 

I tend to agree. I don’t particularly rate Southgate as a manager but I think the squad is young and strong so I’m hopeful they can do well despite his cautious nature.

 

Starts Trippier at left-back, benches Shaw and leaves Chilwell out entirely!

 

Greg Clarke, the FA chairman when Southgate was hired, famously had to resign for being too woke

Like Hodgson, Southgate had the right connections. Good enough managers but there are plenty of those.

Anyway, all positivity from me now(we'll see how long it lasts). Come on England!

 

England are talented and fast enough to scare almost everyone into playing on the back foot, including Croatia. But Southgate seems determined to put England on the back foot first. Trippier on the left, Sterling starting, Grealish on the bench and Sancho not in the squad are just wrong. "There are times when a Field Marshal cannot lose his nerve."

 

It’s a team picked to try to nullify the threats posed by the opposition. It is negative looking on paper but the perceived wisdom is to avoid defeat in the first game against the best opponent in the group.

As I type, Foden hits the post!!

 

To be fair you win international tournaments by being boring and solid. Croatia want to dominate the ball so denying them that makes sense.

 

England have made a bright start here

 

Of the four right backs originally picked, Reece James is left all alone on the bench. Who would have thought that?