Ukraine only got together on Monday having not played together since the Scotland (qualifying) match (I think). Given we’ve had a World Cup and have talent and depth in most areas I think 2-0 is a bit pathetic and the second half was dull as dishwater.
What difference does "having a world cup" make? England only played Thursday and won at a canter, without getting out of 2nd gear. We also had players missing. Saka scored a world class goal too. Great start to qualifying. No pleasing some people.
Players missing, Rashford & Shaw, I would play Maddison as lads quality instead of Henderson, Rashford or Foden on left, Shaw at LB but like to see Trippier in team, that’s just my opinion
Also, Foden. Yep, I think Maddison could start alongside Bellingham, with Rice behind. Especially against lower ranked teams. Rashford on the left I agree with too. Walker has been excellent and his pace often rescues our defence. I'd keep him in. Shaw is different class to Chilwell.
I agree to a good start. Having a World Cup means we’ve played a lot together compared to Ukraine who haven’t. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. How anyone enjoyed the second half is beyond me but each to their own.
Two wins, six points, against the two strongest challengers. Why complain? Although, if he made four changes at half time and said, nothing less than a 4-0 is acceptable, we would most certainly have no complaints.
Today's game was utter ****e, made pretty much uncompetitive by the pathetic love-in beforehand. Did anyone else think the pitch was too slow?
Yes, I thought the pitch seemed slow too. The game was never going to be a great spectacle, with Ukraine, as so many teams do, coming to Wembley to try not to lose. They were well organised, sat deep, denied England space and got away with being very physical. It is frustrating that we seem to always sit back when ahead and I reckon it's more a case of Southgate saying he wants us to keep the ball and control, rather than just sitting back, but that's what seems to happen. Against Italy, we didn't even keep the ball well second half, but we did defend and battle well. Last night, England did enough to coast to victory whilst treating us to a fantastic goal by Saka, who had a great game and is becoming one of our best players. Pickford didn't have a shot to save and I suspect the players were conserving energy and trying to avoid injury, as it was so easy. England a few years ago would have lost to Italy and struggled against Ukraine.
Well … Conte says it as it is … and leaves Spurs. At least he left saying what is really happening at the club. Fair play to him for showing his passion. As he said, you can keep changing managers but the club culture remains - the staff, the management. Hence things never really change. Sound familiar?
Hmm. I have no love lost for Spurs and there is definitely something about their set up which stops them being a really big club. Or winning anything. And that is great as far as I’m concerned. But Conte has been desperate to go home to Italy for months, his family never joined him here and he lived in a hotel, hardly a massive sign of commitment. He’s another manager never to admit to any fault in himself, I wouldn’t take his word for much, he was definitely part of the problem recently.
Just read this Harry Kane 32 of his 54 goals were scored against... San Marino Albania Bulgaria Montenegro Panama Kosovo Lithuania Malta Andorra Nigeria Scotland Senegal Slovenia Add the 18 penalties... Means he's scored 4 goals in decent games.......
Bit harsh on some of those countries. Bloke has a golden boot and is our record scorer in tournaments.
I see Balogun, Laird, Richards & Willock are playing for B team v Birmingham tonight which is good news unless they get injured again!!
Lyndon starts for Scotland tonight. The Spaniards obviously don't like a bit of Glasgow rain, currently 2-0 to Scotland!