Also, hope Dier doesn't start - no offence to the lad but he'd get shown up even vs. Sweden.
Ok, he's not had the best world cup so far even I admit that but to say he'd get shown up? He's yet to be shown up in either the PL or Champions League. Have you not watched Spurs since he signed in 2014? He has been one of our most consistent performers and one of the first names on the team sheet, at centre mid or centre back.
I can't remember where I read or heard this, I think it was Barney Ronay of The Guardian, but what Sterling does for England is so drastically different than what he does for City. At City he presses high up the pitch and when they win it back he usually gets the ball with space in front of him facing the opposition goal. Or, if teams sit deep he can get the ball wide and run at players, or have little interchanges with the other attacking players.
For England he starts centrally high up the pitch and either makes runs in behind or drops off with his back to goal to lay it off for other players. The two things are worlds apart.
Now I don't think he's been brilliant, but I think he's been very good at making space for others. He's not the type to take the team on his shoulders and win it singlehandedly, he's more the type that nits things together. But I think he's done that. And I think his lack of attacking prowess is because he gets the ball either with his back to goal, or being marked by two or three players, or both. And that's often intentional. And for me there is no one else in the squad (apart from Kane) who can do those things. I think if England had a better, more creative midfield he'd look much better but Southgate can't conjure up a playmaker unfortunately.
Woke up with absolute nerves of steel this morning. You know when you just get that funny feeling of pure confidence when you just know...? Only ever had it a few times, last one was Portsmouth away last season.
Don't think I've ever felt it as an England fan before in tournament footy til now. That's not taking Sweden lightly or anything I know they are decent, but I just know it we are going to win this football match.
Woke up with absolute nerves of steel this morning. You know when you just get that funny feeling of pure confidence when you just know...? Only ever had it a few times, last one was Portsmouth away last season.
Don't think I've ever felt it as an England fan before in tournament footy til now. That's not taking Sweden lightly or anything I know they are decent, but I just know it we are going to win this football match.
I am not comfortable with this level of optimism.
I'm going for a pre match nerves jog. My prediction is 3-0 to Sweden with a Marcus Berg hattrick.
Woke up with absolute nerves of steel this morning. You know when you just get that funny feeling of pure confidence when you just know...? Only ever had it a few times, last one was Portsmouth away last season.
Don't think I've ever felt it as an England fan before in tournament footy til now. That's not taking Sweden lightly or anything I know they are decent, but I just know it we are going to win this football match.
Good luck England. You have 50/50 chance of being in the semi finals of a World Cup. Some players have to show more quality. Southgate seems to be very loyal, I hope it's paid back with interest.
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For England he starts centrally high up the pitch and either makes runs in behind or drops off with his back to goal to lay it off for other players. The two things are worlds apart.
Now I don't think he's been brilliant, but I think he's been very good at making space for others. He's not the type to take the team on his shoulders and win it singlehandedly, he's more the type that nits things together. But I think he's done that. And I think his lack of attacking prowess is because he gets the ball either with his back to goal, or being marked by two or three players, or both. And that's often intentional. And for me there is no one else in the squad (apart from Kane) who can do those things. I think if England had a better, more creative midfield he'd look much better but Southgate can't conjure up a playmaker unfortunately.
Don't think I've ever felt it as an England fan before in tournament footy til now. That's not taking Sweden lightly or anything I know they are decent, but I just know it we are going to win this football match.
I'm going for a pre match nerves jog. My prediction is 3-0 to Sweden with a Marcus Berg hattrick.
It's coming home.
I'm going down the suppliers. Ffs
Christ. This is massive.
You have 50/50 chance of being in the semi finals of a World Cup.
Some players have to show more quality.
Southgate seems to be very loyal, I hope it's paid back with interest.