England v Iceland (3 Viewers)

[Sky Blue Harry H]

Commentator made a good point that we've lost an aerial threat, too. We never looked like winning a decisive header in their box.

 

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[Johnnythespider]

I think leaving out Branthwaite and dare I say it Grealish is a mistake.

 

[SeaSeeEffCee]

Said yesterday when it was announced by Maguire is a huge loss. Defence looks hopeless without him.

 

[Mr Panda]

My take is that it was a mistake taking an Anthony Gordon or a Jarred Bowen over Jack Grealish.

We’ve got an embarrassment of talent upfront but you need someone to compliment that by keeping the ball and bringing them into play. He’s used to playing against low blocks and stretching teams.

Bowen, Gordon and the like are good later on in a game when teams are tired and stretched.

 

[oscillatewildly]

On the bright side - Only 3 more games with Southgate.

 

[Skybluekyle]

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Had to take branthwaite for the fact he's left footed and part of the 4th best defence in the prem , taking dunk is brain dead bloke is about 39

Surprised Quansah was preferred tbh but in reality, Branthwaite is not a left back and although I’d have taken him, Konsa and Gomez are more versatile options. Dunk will probably start for his aerial ability and experience.

Disappointing night but it’s not worth losing sleep over. Iceland aren’t at the tournament, they’re going full tilt where as our lot have the tournament in mind.

 

[mark82]

View attachment 36050

To be fair, drawing with Gibraltar is a far worse result.

 

[mark82]

Why? He has far more ability than Gallagher.

I'd agree he has more raw ability. He's going to be a fantastic player, and he may yet have a fantastic tournament but I'd start with Gallagher, who has had a good season and is more experienced if not as exciting. I've no doubt Mainoo will have the better career. I'd certainly have him coming off the bench, particularly if we need a goal.

 

[oscillatewildly]

To be fair, drawing with Gibraltar is a far worse result.

Hmmmm. Between a rock and a hard place.

 

[shepardo01]

 

[PVA]

Really not sure Mainoo can play in a two, far too open with him there (as are Man Utd).

Let's hope Bellingham is going to be the difference maker because that was bloody awful tonight.

 

[mark82]

Really not sure Mainoo can play in a two, far too open with him there (as are Man Utd).

Let's hope Bellingham is going to be the difference maker because that was bloody awful tonight.

It was but let's remember our players would have had not getting injured in the back of their mind. As we saw in the run up to the semi-final, that couple of percent less commitment can make a big difference.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

To be fair, drawing with Gibraltar is a far worse result.

Nobody is touting Wales as potential European champions

 

[Nick]

It was but let's remember our players would have had not getting injured in the back of their mind. As we saw in the run up to the semi-final, that couple of percent less commitment can make a big difference.

Scared to shoot because of injury?

 

[stupot07]

England were gash, the bookies will be laughing.

 

[Skybluekyle]

England were gash, the bookies will be laughing.

At least the accas would have been ruined by Wales before they got to us, every cloud and all that

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

My take is that it was a mistake taking an Anthony Gordon or a Jarred Bowen over Jack Grealish.

We’ve got an embarrassment of talent upfront but you need someone to compliment that by keeping the ball and bringing them into play. He’s used to playing against low blocks and stretching teams.

Bowen, Gordon and the like are good later on in a game when teams are tired and stretched.

Disagree about one point. We do not need a player to ' keep the ball'. We need players who will attack the last man. That's what is so painful about watching Southgate's sides. It's the overplaying of attacking phases with umpteen passes before anybody considers committing an opponent. It wastes so much game time against lesser opponents.

 

[Jamesimus]

Find it quite strange that we’ve left out two players who can make things happen from not very much (Maddison and Grealish) and opted for fairly one dimensional pacey players (Gordon, Bowen). Both of the latter good on their day, but in terms of balance I feel unnecessary. I agree form should be a guide, but not necessarily the rule.

Also, the defence is shite so I don’t know why I care.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

My take is that it was a mistake taking an Anthony Gordon or a Jarred Bowen over Jack Grealish.

We’ve got an embarrassment of talent upfront but you need someone to compliment that by keeping the ball and bringing them into play. He’s used to playing against low blocks and stretching teams.

Bowen, Gordon and the like are good later on in a game when teams are tired and stretched.

Bowen and Gordon more likely to score some goals against inferior opposition due to being direct and making runs in behind but against the top level opponents I would pick Grealish as his ball retention and technique is better than them.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

I'd agree he has more raw ability. He's going to be a fantastic player, and he may yet have a fantastic tournament but I'd start with Gallagher, who has had a good season and is more experienced if not as exciting. I've no doubt Mainoo will have the better career. I'd certainly have him coming off the bench, particularly if we need a goal.

I'd probably pick Wharton over both of them right now.

 

[Skybluekyle]

I'd probably pick Wharton over both of them right now.

Completely agree re Wharton. Cracking player who has settled into the Premier League easily

 

[alexccfc99]

People have crowed for Southgate to pick ‘Players on form’ for years - Grealish hasn’t been playing for Man City so he hasn’t been picked and now everyone is whinging that Grealish isn’t in the squad now they realise his replacements aren’t up to international standard

genuinely could not make it up could you

 

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

It's the 16 passes around the edge of the area that ends up once in every other time with a cross, Put it in early first time (cutting out 10 of those passes) and you'll create more chances by the law of averages, It's almost as if some players think 'as long as I don't give it away, I won't get a bollocking'. It's madness not letting your flair players off the leash.

Spot on. It's boring as hell, but the name of the game is keep possession at all costs. It's the modern way of playing. We have no Shearer or Gascoigne , no players of flair who want to leg it down the wing and bang in cross, though Trent AA does it at Liverpool . The players are clearly told to try and play as many short passes sideways or backwards. Keep possession because you never know we might be able to shoot once we're in the six yard area, or even keep passing it once we're there.

 

[Otis]

I was intending to watch it on catch-up. So glad I didn't bother.

The biggest question always seemingly on my mind lately with England is, how can so many flair players end up playing without any flair?

 

[Tommo1993]

Why did it look like we forgot who Harry Kane was?

 

[Otis]

Why did it look like we forgot who Harry Kane was?

Because it was the day after the D-Day anniversary and he is now considered part-German?

 

[Tommo1993]

Because it was the day after the D-Day anniversary and he is now considered part-German?

Fraternising git

 

[mark82]

I'd probably pick Wharton over both of them right now.

Not sure on the back of a single cap. I'd be quite surprised if we see much of him this tournament. Future looking bright in that position though.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Not sure on the back of a single cap. I'd be quite surprised if we see much of him this tournament. Future looking bright in that position though.

Interesting the number of Crystal Palace players picked. Maybe Hodgson knew a thing or two after all

 

[Johnnythespider]

Fraternising git

Loose lips sink ships

 

[Johnnythespider]

Not sure on the back of a single cap. I'd be quite surprised if we see much of him this tournament. Future looking bright in that position though.

Does the future include Southgate?

 

[Evo1883]

 

[Evo1883]

Fucked then for a few days time Gareth, ya whopper

 

[Nick]

Why has he picked injured players?