What did we learn from today: Grealish should start (He probably won't), Mings probably shouldn't start (He probably will). Henderson was out of order taking the penalty kick and Southgate needs to clarify the penalty takers (maybe he will). Also players who will not even be taking part in the competition got good gametime. Finally, some England supporters are complete blanks. It has been explained why they take the knee, don't boo your own team for doing so.
Grealish should start not only on the basis that he's one of the only players we have who can make things happen in the final third, but he'll also win you plenty of free kicks and potentially the odd penalty. In tight games you need someone like that in your team.
If we start with him, Foden and Kane we've got a chance against anyone.
Why does Sancho always look bang average for England!?
Henderson clearly isn’t fit, JWP should go in his place
We should have made 2 of the extra 3 players back up for Maguire and Henderson if taking them.
We can correct one now at least with an extra CB or JWP.
I'm not sure about going into the tournament with our centre backs being Stones, Maguire who's not fit, Mings who is poor, and Coady who is used to a back 3.
Almost forces us towards 3 at the back when I'd rather we stuck to 433.
Why does Sancho always look bang average for England!?
Henderson clearly isn’t fit, JWP should go in his place
We should have made 2 of the extra 3 players back up for Maguire and Henderson if taking them.
We can correct one now at least with an extra CB or JWP.
I'm not sure about going into the tournament with our centre backs being Stones, Maguire who's not fit, Mings who is poor, and Coady who is used to a back 3.
Almost forces us towards 3 at the back when I'd rather we stuck to 433.
4-3-3 has to be the way to go. If Southgate drops Grealish to accommodate a back three he can join the illustrious list of useless England managers.
I just want a Grealish Mount Foden interchangeable front 3
That would be filthy.
Part of me worries that he's going to start with Rashford and Sterling alongside Kane.
That doesn't worry me even if it might not be how I would go. I think Kane and two others where there are good options is not an issue and can be changed if it isn't working. I'd love to see Grealish, Mount and Foden, but it is too attacking. You need to have a holding spot for Henderson or Rice. Grealish would be a definite starter for me though.
If Henderson was fitter, I'd put him in a centre half. But he isn't. You can get away with it more in internationals. Rice has played there for West Ham but has not looked good there I understand. Mings was poor today but again, we might get away with it. I'm not sure playing three at the back will help if you have to sacrifice key parts of your threat and it can still be subject to individual errors.
I'm not sure why it was decided the Champions League players couldn't play at least some part a week after their final. Stones could have had a half with a possible partner surely rather than throw it together cold!
I don't necessarily blame southagte but it is all feeling very disjointed. Hopefully the first game with the full(ish) squad to pick from shows we have a plan, but if it all goes to shit I think you could easily make the case the signs are there already. Don't want to be a negative Nelly but not feeling too confident about what I've seen over the last week.
I think it has been a bit shambolic. You want to see some of the team coming together for some of the last friendly at least. Not loads of players that won't even be in the squad.
I’d go with that. Although I’m starting to think maybe Walker alongside Stones would be better than Mings. Not sure we can afford an error in every game that Mings seems to present.
IMO sterling and rashford should not be starting given their form. So it's 2 from Sancho, foden, grealish. As much as foden + grealish are fantastic, I think it lacks pace to get in behind , so would start Sancho + Kane + foden or grealish in front three.
Reckon we won’t see Grealish start against Croatia as we will play a back 5. I reckon he will come on against Croatia, make the difference and then he will be the main man for the rest of the tournament. My friend backed him to be player of the tournament at 75/1. Currently 40/1. If England win the tournament, Jack Grealish will be the star of it. World class player who could walk into any team in the world.
Has any other team been playing people who are not even in their squad?
I've not paid enough attention to the final squad, so while I knew Watkins, Ward-Prowse and Lingard hadn't made the cut, I hadn't realised that White and Godfrey also weren't in it, so that makes 3 starters and 2 subs today not in the squad
A bizarre match really, if Adkins in the final pre season match before the start of the season played a team which bore NO relation to the one we would actually play, people would be very confused. Yes the Champions League players need a rest, but if, for example the CB partnership for the Scotland game is Mings and Stones, surely they should have had some time together on the pitch today
With Foden and Grealish changing roaming the pitch and Mount given a free role to be a playmaker.
For me RB is a hard one to call.
And having Rashford, Sterling, Sancho, Bellingham to call off the bench is a luxury.
I didn't understand Southgate's decision not to take Ward-Prowse, not only is he a world-class set piece taker, he is extremely fit not injury prone can hold his position or go box to box able to score/assist. Is captain of a premier League side with over 250 league apps and has previously captained the England U21's to success in a tournament.
Bellingham is a extremely talented youngster but I felt Henderson and Phillips being called over him is a gamble and bit harsh.
Reckon we won’t see Grealish start against Croatia as we will play a back 5. I reckon he will come on against Croatia, make the difference and then he will be the main man for the rest of the tournament. My friend backed him to be player of the tournament at 75/1. Currently 40/1. If England win the tournament, Jack Grealish will be the star of it. World class player who could walk into any team in the world.
In the semi-final against Croatia they pushed up on our wing-backs and we had absolutely no reply. So if we do start with 5-3-2, I hope we've sorted that out.
I'm fully expecting Southgate to pick Henderson and Rice (which is a bit like Bowyer picking Pratley and Watson) as he'll want to protect the defence, and I'm not expecting both Foden and Grealish to start (they should!).
Expecting a boring, pedestrian performance, the same as England have been for much too long.
Comments
If we start with him, Foden and Kane we've got a chance against anyone.
We can correct one now at least with an extra CB or JWP.
I'm not sure about going into the tournament with our centre backs being Stones, Maguire who's not fit, Mings who is poor, and Coady who is used to a back 3.
Almost forces us towards 3 at the back when I'd rather we stuck to 433.
Pickford
James Stones Mings Chilwell
Rice Bellingham Mount
Foden Grealish
Kane
Mings literally because we have no one else.
Mings is minging.
Grealish won't start shamefully. Mount, Rice, Bellingham should start. I fear Calvin Phillips will instead of Bellingham.
Kane with I guess Sterling and Rashford unfortunately.
Woeful management of the squad there.
Pickford
James Stones Mings Chilwell
Rice
Grealish Mount
Foden Sterling
Kane
Rashford is a good player to bring on against tiring defenders.
Southgate cannot NOT pick him
Surely.....
This is what I'd go for but put foden on the left and sancho in for sterling. I'd favour Shaw at left back as well but both are quality options.
A bizarre match really, if Adkins in the final pre season match before the start of the season played a team which bore NO relation to the one we would actually play, people would be very confused. Yes the Champions League players need a rest, but if, for example the CB partnership for the Scotland game is Mings and Stones, surely they should have had some time together on the pitch today
Mings is a defender who relies a lot on his physical presence but needs to read the game better.
If going with 3 at the back then for me Walker, Stones & Coady with Tripper and Shaw as wing backs. If Maguire isn't fit in time.
Stones and Maguire at centre half if it's 4 at the back.
I know 4-3-3 is the Plan A but wouldn't mind seeing a 4-2-3-1.
Kane
Grealish, Mount, Foden
Ward-Prowse, Rice
Shaw, Maguire, Stones, ??
Pickford
With Foden and Grealish changing roaming the pitch and Mount given a free role to be a playmaker.
For me RB is a hard one to call.
And having Rashford, Sterling, Sancho, Bellingham to call off the bench is a luxury.
I didn't understand Southgate's decision not to take Ward-Prowse, not only is he a world-class set piece taker, he is extremely fit not injury prone can hold his position or go box to box able to score/assist. Is captain of a premier League side with over 250 league apps and has previously captained the England U21's to success in a tournament.
Bellingham is a extremely talented youngster but I felt Henderson and Phillips being called over him is a gamble and bit harsh.