England - Player mid-term report (5 Viewers)

[Otis]

Decided to move this from the general WC thread, as I think it deserves its own thread.

So a mid-term report. Who do we think has impressed so far for England, who has done okay and who has not quite lived up to the hype and/or disappointed?

For me....


IMPRESSED

Kane
Tripper
Henderson
MaGuire
(Pickford just now creeping in after last night. Even the error he made against Belgium wasn't that big of an error)

DONE OKAY

Stones
Walker
Lingard
Rose
Rashford
Loftus-Cheek

DISAPPOINTED

Alli (hardly made any impact)
Sterling (ditto)
Young (loses possession far too easily and I think Rose is better anyway)
Jones

 

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[lifeskyblue]

I would agree with majority of this. Certainly those that have impressed are spot on for me.
Have been surprised by how mature and calm Kane is under pressure.
Pickford what a save and then such strong hands with the penalty. I’m still a little worried when he tries to play the ball with his feet...but that might just be because I’m used to watching burge with the bell at his feet.
Maguire. What a good shout to have him in. A real revelation. Solid at back, good use of ball and a presence up front.

I am not a fan of young and would prefer rose...if for no other reason than he is left footed and young clearly isn’t. Having said that I do feel young has played well and hasn’t let himself or the side down. So I would put him in the ‘ok’ section.
Alli is clearly not 100% fit so I don’t want to judge him. Southgate should not play him unless convinced he is fit.
Dier has been dire (apart from penalty).
Sterling the biggest disappointment for me: I keep feeling he is going to turn it on and be sensational...but he never does and never is.


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[Otis]

I would agree with majority of this. Certainly those that have impressed are spot on for me.
Have been surprised by how mature and calm Kane is under pressure.
Pickford what a save and then such strong hands with the penalty. I’m still a little worried when he tries to play the ball with his feet...but that might just be because I’m used to watching burge with the bell at his feet.
Maguire. What a good shout to have him in. A real revelation. Solid at back, good use of ball and a presence up front.

I am not a fan of young and would prefer rose...if for no other reason than he is left footed and young clearly isn’t. Having said that I do feel young has played well and hasn’t let himself or the side down. So I would put him in the ‘ok’ section.
Alli is clearly not 100% fit so I don’t want to judge him. Southgate should not play him unless convinced he is fit.
Dier has been dire (apart from penalty).
Sterling the biggest disappointment for me: I keep feeling he is going to turn it on and be sensational...but he never does and never is.


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I didn't think Young had a good first half last night, but in the second half he was much better.

I know we are all disappointed in Sterling, but most of us have felt he hasn't been good enough to warrant a starting place anyway, but for me, whether it is down to injury or not, Alli hasn't shown anything at all. If it is down to injury he shouldn't be in and should be replaced by Rashford or Loftus-Cheek.

 

[olderskyblue]

Walker has always got a "lets gift them a goal" moment in him, which is a shame, as he's not a bad player.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

Walker has always got a "lets gift them a goal" moment in him, which is a shame, as he's not a bad player.

tbf to him he's being asked to play an unfamiliar role.

In many ways it's impressive how quickly he's adapted to it.

 

[Otis]

tbf to him he's being asked to play an unfamiliar role.

In many ways it's impressive how quickly he's adapted to it.

Yeah, agree. He is so calm and assured on the ball. In time he could be an excellent player in that role. So far I would say he has done very well.

 

[olderskyblue]

tbf to him he's being asked to play an unfamiliar role.

In many ways it's impressive how quickly he's adapted to it.

well, he was in the RB position when he cocked up last night....

Edited to add: It's his passing to the opposing forwards when he's under zero pressure that concern me. A new role shouldn't really affect that I would have thought.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

well, he was in the RB position when he cocked up last night....

It's more than just that though isn't it, it's having to concentrate even harder through the whole game because you're in unfamiliar territory, so not surprising if he switches off occasionally.

Now there's another argument to be made, that he's playing CB in an attempt to shoehorn both him and Trippier into the side... personally am not convinced three at the back is wholly successful so far. Whenever we get attacked, we seem shaky, and that's as much the system as Walker.

(Then again, if it saves us from Dier for more than cameos and penalties...!)

 

[olderskyblue]

It's more than just that though isn't it, it's having to concentrate even harder through the whole game because you're in unfamiliar territory, so not surprising if he switches off occasionally.

Now there's another argument to be made, that he's playing CB in an attempt to shoehorn both him and Trippier into the side... personally am not convinced three at the back is wholly successful so far. Whenever we get attacked, we seem shaky, and that's as much the system as Walker.

(Then again, if it saves us from Dier for more than cameos and penalties...!)

Although it's not his defending that worries me. it's those stray passes under no pressure. He usually makes 1 or 2 in a game. He's not alone, Stones did the same last night, as did Dier. (who offers not a lot as far as I can see - penalty an exception)

 

[Deleted member 5849]

Although it's not his defending that worries me. it's those stray passes under no pressure. He usually makes 1 or 2 in a game. He's not alone, Stones did the same last night, as did Dier. (who offers not a lot as far as I can see - penalty an exception)

I'd agree, although actually thought Stones defensively was rock solid yesterday, and I can forgive the occasional stray pass for us trying to build rather than just hoof. What does give me the heebe jeebies is when they pass it around the penalty area while forwards press... but tbf they've not been caught out yet!

 

[stupot07]

Danny Murphy thought Sterling was good last night....

Murphy: Sharp and hungry Sterling had best game for England



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[Otis]

I don't think he was bad, but surely we are expecting more of him than that performance aren't we?

 

[Gazolba]

Kane has impressed in penalty-scoring ability but little else.
Has he had a shot on goal from open play (apart from his header)?
Rashford is always a huge disappointment, promises much but delivers little.
Have been impressed with Stones. He looks very calm and assured to me.
On the whole England are a very ordinary team, with no star individuals, but who play together better than previous teams

 

[djr8369]

Kane spent most of the Columbia game having to drop deep to get on the ball.


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[CCFCSteve]

Kane has impressed in penalty-scoring ability but little else.
Has he had a shot on goal from open play (apart from his header)?

I hope you’re taking the piss ? He’s obviously not had the clear cut chances then ?!

His hold up play against Columbia was immense (far better than I thought he was capable of), drew foul after after. Ice cool with the pens as well

 

[Liquid Gold]

6 World Cup goals in 3 games and favourite for the golden boot and some people aren't impressed.