Englands fixtures in the Nations league

[Mr Popodopolous]

Italy were a much different side for 2-3 years under Mancini tbh @Swede they generally went at sides, and generally dominated most opposition, nick a goal and win is fairly misleading for then, albeit more accurate for now.

Tonight was poor yes, although we don't win over there often to say the least. We have sharply declined last 6 months however.

Think 4-3-3 and handbreak off would suit us quite well are we just s bit risk averse atm? Bit flat certainly.

Edited September 23, 2022 by Mr Popodopolous

[pillred]

1 hour ago, Limey said:

Total Dog S$%T, looked like us last season. Slow deliberate build-up with no attacking intent, no penetration, and absolutely lazy at times. Foden looked the most attacking-minded, and Dier got forward quite a bit. Otherwise, there was no work ethic, no press, and kane was nowhere (Tammy would be way more mobile). Time to blow it up now before we're embarrassed in the world cup. NP for England manager..

 

Hard to disagree with any of that, sat in the duke tonight watching and thought we are one of the favourites in the world cup, how has a team that nearly won the Euros recently and got to a semi-final of the world cup in 2018 sunk so low, tonight was bloo*y embarassing.

Edited September 23, 2022 by pillred
Spelling

[maxjak]

2 hours ago, Sheltons Army said:

Southgate post match thinks

The  ‘ performance was close ‘

‘ We used the ball well ‘

’ Just lacked that final bit of quality ‘

 

Jesus wept - utter bulls***

He morphs into a LJ clone day by day 

A little bit of honesty from him  wouldn't have gone amiss?  To say we used the ball well, and we just lacked a BIT of quality, is completely delusional.  He should have admitted that playing Saka as a wing back was a poorly conceived idea, and that he should be picking players in their right positions, and players in form.  Not experimenting with new formations with only one game left before the World Cup?  I'll be supporting Ghana anyhow....Ha!      

[Oh Louie louie]

A international manager with 2 relegations on his cv. That for me says it all. 2 relegations from 2 jobs

[Oh Louie louie]

Gutting booed off and he's stood there clapping his hands above his head for 2 minutes 

[TV Tom]

34 minutes ago, Oh Louie louie said:

A international manager with 2 relegations on his cv. That for me says it all. 2 relegations from 2 jobs

He was a crap league manager who should never had been near the England job, his extreme luck has finally ran out, I find it impossible to understand how he could start Maguire last night, Webster anyone?

[Taylor10]

We could lose heavily to Germany on Monday and it will make little difference.  It’s too late to make a change now for the sake of it. Granted we have been poor of late but as Southgate has a good tournament record he will obviously be given this WC. 
 

Personally I have never been his biggest fan but you have to recognise he has done a good job. However for all the good, tactically in the WC semi & Euro final he was found wanting. He hasn’t learnt or evolved from that either and it now looks as though this side needs a fresh face to take us in a different direction, which I think will happen regardless of what happens at the WC.

[Oh Louie louie]

He's out his league tactics wise at national level watch the Hungary game this is turning into a  farce and getting embarrassing 

[Oh Louie louie]

Can he not get a tune out of kane and Co? Or simply they ain't playing for him I suspect many players dislike his regime hardly edge of the seat stuff the last year 

[Taylor10]

44 minutes ago, harrys said:

He was a crap league manager who should never had been near the England job, his extreme luck has finally ran out, I find it impossible to understand how he could start Maguire last night, Webster anyone?

I am really surprised Webster hasn’t had a look in. Not saying that through City tinted glasses but I think his style & ability would be very suited to international football. I think the issue at CB goes way deeper than Maguire though & Southgate’s over the top loyalty appears part of the reason why this side is stagnating.

Do I think Maguire should be playing? No, but his involvement is easier to argue given his strong tournament displays for England. Personally I find the inclusions of Dier & Coady pointless.

We know all about Dier. He’s not up to the level so why go back? Why not have a look at someone different? He’s simply not going to be part of a future England defence. Same with Coady, he’s been in and around the squad for a while, has never broken in to hold a regular starting place, likely never will & couldn’t get in at Wolves but because he’s good around the squad he’s included? Surely that’s just stopping others getting a chance. Seems so odd. The likes of Guehi, Tomori, White & of course Webster should be getting a look in.

Edited September 24, 2022 by Taylor10

[Never to the dark side]

Maybe the our BBC points west didn't help when it spells England as engand

Not to mention Clevedon when it should have read Cleveland

[Alex_BCFC]

Thought Foden, Kane and Bellingham did well.

Now for the negatives…where to start. Clearly all has to go back to Southgate. He has seemingly lost the plot and taken us backwards over the past 6 months. What I liked about him on the tournament runs was that he was able to get the players and fans to care about international football again after the shambles of 2016. But he has always been out of his depth in the big moments - tactically outclassed. Nice guy and clearly managed to motivate (until now) but lacks a lot in other departments as a manager. Problem we now have the is the timing. They won’t get rid of him before the WC due to how close it is and the 2 previous tournaments. Real shame we have to write off a tournament with the players we have so late. 

On the players…was Sterling drunk? Couldn’t control it. Saka looked uncomfortable. Pope couldn’t kick the ball to any of our players. Dier did ok but he’s not the level we need. Maguire looked ok too but he is way off any kind of 2018-2020 form. We missed Stones a lot. Rice was ok but not as good as he has been. James didn’t offer anywhere near enough which was frustrating as the ability is there. Thought Grealish looked good when he came on but that’s the same every time with him - never offers anything when he starts sadly. 

Feel depressed after that! At least we weren’t held in the ground too long after. 

[MC RISK77]

Death, taxes and Italy beating England

[Oh Louie louie]

Did anyone else think the Italians over celebrated a bit

[johnheadbcfc]

6 minutes ago, Oh Louie louie said:

Did anyone else think the Italians over celebrated a bit

After our euros smugness leading to the final they will take any chance they get to gloat. We don't to Cardiff every game (long may that continue)

[Oh Louie louie]

That suit mancini had on blimey where did he get that?A car boot sale?

[WarksRobin]

He start out picking players on form, and putting the best players in their best positions and slowly regressed to the mean

[Oh Louie louie]

Look at all the names in the england team. How on earth can you get relegated and embarrassed by also rans?

[Sir Geoff]

1 hour ago, Taylor10 said:

I am really surprised Webster hasn’t had a look in. Not saying that through City tinted glasses but I think his style & ability would be very suited to international football. I think the issue at CB goes way deeper than Maguire though & Southgate’s over the top loyalty appears part of the reason why this side is stagnating.

Do I think Maguire should be playing? No, but his involvement is easier to argue given his strong tournament displays for England. Personally I find the inclusions of Dier & Coady pointless.

We know all about Dier. He’s not up to the level so why go back? Why not have a look at someone different? He’s simply not going to be part of a future England defence. Same with Coady, he’s been in and around the squad for a while, has never broken in to hold a regular starting place, likely never will & couldn’t get in at Wolves but because he’s good around the squad he’s included? Surely that’s just stopping others getting a chance. Seems so odd. The likes of Guehi, Tomori, White & of course Webster should be getting a look in.

Should have started. In form, pace, playing in his home stadium. The whole squad, team is looking 'tired' (not physically / mentally). Too late now but fresh ideas were needed leading up to the WC

[The dastardly red]

43 minutes ago, Oh Louie louie said:

That suit mancini had on blimey where did he get that?A car boot sale?

What are you on about? Mancini oozes the kind of style that someone like you can only dream of. The suit was a classic summer book end look. As an ensemble his outfit successfully harnessed the wistful and bittersweet reflections that are so often carried on the last few breezes of the warmer months. 

[Bas's perfect hattrick]

Grasping for positives - at least we won't win the WC in Qatar. It would be tough to celebrate with all the human rights abuses, slavery and corruption involved. 

[Swede]

8 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Italy were a much different side for 2-3 years under Mancini tbh @Swede they generally went at sides, and generally dominated most opposition, nick a goal and win is fairly misleading for then, albeit more accurate for now.

Tonight was poor yes, although we don't win over there often to say the least. We have sharply declined last 6 months however.

Think 4-3-3 and handbreak off would suit us quite well are we just s bit risk averse atm? Bit flat certainly.

I think his loyalty to some players is now costing him big time.

Early on in his regime you had to be in form and continually playing well to get into his team. Now its a case of picking names he thinks he can rely on because he himself has run out of ideas.

Considering the central defenders he has at his disposal for the three positions, he decided to pick a right back, a converted midfield player and an out of form reserve centre back, hardly inspiring!

Added to that two wing backs who were frustratingly poor all night and a keeper who's recently moved to a new club so still finding his feet who continually played short balls that were closed down easily and you have a recipe for disaster.

All Italy did was hit long balls over the top because of Dier's & Maguire's lack of pace and Walker's lack of spacial awareness playing centrally.

I will be surprised if we get out of the group in Qatar.

[2015]

Regarding 2018 WC and Euro 2020 I'll start..

It was easy for England in 2018. I think it was the lowest expectation the Nation had towards the national team since the 1980s, we had a relatively easy group which we succeeded from and we rode the underdogs luck and crest of a wave.

Euro 2020 we played 6 out of 7 games at Wembley and did quite well, we got the job done but when it came to when it mattered it was Southgate's negative approach which cost us. He is a reactive Manager.

I know fans like to point out previous but this is the now, he aint good enough and his squad selections and team selections are quite simply baffling at times. Raymond Domenech got France to a World Cup final and is regarded the worst France manager ever. We need to stop reminiscing on the last two tournaments as sadly they were also failures, no matter how you look at it, we didn't win and that was down to Southgate.

[phantom]

10 hours ago, Midred said:

Can't understand why this is being held just a month before the world cup!

If it wasn't these games it would be unnecessary friendly fixtures 

Which ironically is exactly what England are in desperate need of after we play Germany 

[And Its Smith]

Three at the back doesn’t work at all.  Just play this team which should be quite exciting.  Only position I’m  not completely sold on is who partners Stones.  Could be Tomori, Webster, White….many options there.  Can’t see much to argue about with the rest of this team though. 

              Pickford/Ramsdale
James. Stones. Tomori. Chilwell 
        Bellingham. Rice. Foden 
       Sterling.  Kane. Grealish.

[Guest]

Cant see no big deal really, the team that started v Italy will be nothing like the one that starts the WC. With Kane and Sterling and maybe 1 or 2 more from last night starting the first game imo.

[MarcusX]

12 hours ago, Red Army 87 said:

Sadly I fear an Iceland moment coming up at this World Cup 

I expect more of a 2010 tbh, bore our way through the group stages just about but face Netherlands and crash out.

It’s not beyond possibility to go out in the group stage tbh - wouldn’t fancy us if we needed a result against wales, especially as they should get 4 or 6 points from first 2 games

[Mr Popodopolous]

20 minutes ago, phantom said:

If it wasn't these games it would be unnecessary friendly fixtures 

Which ironically is exactly what England are in desperate need of after we play Germany 

It's actually not a bad concept in itself IMO, teams are playing against opposition more of their level and in bottom and 2nd bottom, occasionally the 2nd tier trams can develop.

Squeezing it in with this crazy schedule is another thing of course but in general it has merits I think.

When we did teach the semi final in 2018-19 v Holland, we started well but steadily faded especially in midfield. Then again that's nothing that new is it.

[2015]

2 minutes ago, MarcusX said:

I expect more of a 2010 tbh, bore our way through the group stages just about but face Netherlands and crash out.

It’s not beyond possibility to go out in the group stage tbh - wouldn’t fancy us if we needed a result against wales, especially as they should get 4 or 6 points from first 2 games

This is what I foresee too. I can see us really struggling in the Group to be honest and I think Iran, USA and Wales are all capable of beating us. We really do look out of sorts. Similar to City in the last 3 months of Holden's reign

[MarcusX]

11 hours ago, Midred said:

Can't understand why this is being held just a month before the world cup!

Why? If it wasn’t it would be friendlies. Perhaps that would have better to play teams outside of our continent, but at least these are (semi) competitive games

[robin_unreliant]

5 minutes ago, gl2 said:

Cant see no big deal really, the team that started v Italy will be nothing like the one that starts the WC. With Kane and Sterling and maybe 1 or 2 more from last night starting the first game imo.

Our opener at the WC is against Iran, who beat Uruguay last night. Might be worth a bet on them. I'm expecting at least one Iceland moment and Southgate to go after we don't qualify. 

[MarcusX]

3 hours ago, Alex_BCFC said:

Thought Foden, Kane and Bellingham did well.

Now for the negatives…where to start. Clearly all has to go back to Southgate. He has seemingly lost the plot and taken us backwards over the past 6 months. What I liked about him on the tournament runs was that he was able to get the players and fans to care about international football again after the shambles of 2016. But he has always been out of his depth in the big moments - tactically outclassed. Nice guy and clearly managed to motivate (until now) but lacks a lot in other departments as a manager. Problem we now have the is the timing. They won’t get rid of him before the WC due to how close it is and the 2 previous tournaments. Real shame we have to write off a tournament with the players we have so late. 

On the players…was Sterling drunk? Couldn’t control it. Saka looked uncomfortable. Pope couldn’t kick the ball to any of our players. Dier did ok but he’s not the level we need. Maguire looked ok too but he is way off any kind of 2018-2020 form. We missed Stones a lot. Rice was ok but not as good as he has been. James didn’t offer anywhere near enough which was frustrating as the ability is there. Thought Grealish looked good when he came on but that’s the same every time with him - never offers anything when he starts sadly. 

Feel depressed after that! At least we weren’t held in the ground too long after. 

Think this closely sums up my thoughts.

Ive always been pro Southgate, and I don’t think everything tonight was down to him - players should be able to move the ball quicker, 3-4 touches instead of 1-2 is too long at this level and passing lanes get blocked.

I like Maguires forward passing, he’s brave and beats the press / breaks lines. However he’s a shadow of his former self defensively and some of his decision making is wild (that header back pass and that corner he gave away are two examples)

Sterling looked awful. It’s a worry that the “nailed on” starters are so out of form. Even more so we’re one game away from the WC with no idea of our best 11 or preferred shape as he changed it tonight.

Saka is not a LWB.

Grealish excites but he’s an absolute idiot. Potentially a starter for Monday but picks up a stupid booking and now he’s suspended!

I’m always over positive about England, but that was terrible last night - and I thought Italy were poor too, gave the ball away a lot it was a low quality game.

 

[MarcusX]

17 minutes ago, gl2 said:

Cant see no big deal really, the team that started v Italy will be nothing like the one that starts the WC. With Kane and Sterling and maybe 1 or 2 more from last night starting the first game imo.

Really? Maguire, Walker, Rice, Sterling, Kane, Foden will probably all start. Bellingham and James quite likely too

Pope, probably not. Dier, didn’t do anything wrong but would like to hope we’ve got better quality. Saka not in that position.

[southside]

12 hours ago, johnheadbcfc said:

 Beg Wenger

Arsene's needy brother?  

[Phileas Fogg]

I think there’s basically 0 possibility that Southgate won’t be our manager this WC.

I’ve always been very sceptical of him, and I fully concede that’s perhaps unfair given tournament results. 

I’d like to think the FA would be seriously considering a change, but they won’t be. There’s a few good managers out of work who I think would do just as good if not better than Southgate.

[Engvall’s Splinter]

40 minutes ago, gl2 said:

Cant see no big deal really, the team that started v Italy will be nothing like the one that starts the WC. With Kane and Sterling and maybe 1 or 2 more from last night starting the first game imo.

God help us. He’s another Southgate has played when out of the team / form. 

[Super]

48 minutes ago, gl2 said:

Cant see no big deal really, the team that started v Italy will be nothing like the one that starts the WC. With Kane and Sterling and maybe 1 or 2 more from last night starting the first game imo.

Really? Walker Maguire Saka Rice Bellingham Foden Sterling and kane will all start.

[And Its Smith]

1 hour ago, gl2 said:

Cant see no big deal really, the team that started v Italy will be nothing like the one that starts the WC. With Kane and Sterling and maybe 1 or 2 more from last night starting the first game imo.

If everyone is fit for the first game then the team will likely be

                    Pickford

       Walker. Stones.  Maguire

James.  Rice. Phillips.  ??????

      Sterling. Kane.  Foden 

7 starters from last night. 

[ORANGE500]

4 hours ago, Oh Louie louie said:

Look at all the names in the england team. How on earth can you get relegated and embarrassed by also rans?

Overrated most of them, poor defence no creativity in Central midfield and a striker whose goals have mainly come against weak opposition(easy qualifying groups) and via penalties. England are an average side nothing more. 

 

[Alex_BCFC]

1 hour ago, And Its Smith said:

If everyone is fit for the first game then the team will likely be

                    Pickford

       Walker. Stones.  Maguire

James.  Rice. Phillips.  ??????

      Sterling. Kane.  Foden 

7 starters from last night. 

Bellingham will start ahead of Phillips. 

[Engvall’s Splinter]

5 hours ago, Taylor10 said:

I am really surprised Webster hasn’t had a look in. Not saying that through City tinted glasses but I think his style & ability would be very suited to international football. I think the issue at CB goes way deeper than Maguire though & Southgate’s over the top loyalty appears part of the reason why this side is stagnating.

Do I think Maguire should be playing? No, but his involvement is easier to argue given his strong tournament displays for England. Personally I find the inclusions of Dier & Coady pointless.

We know all about Dier. He’s not up to the level so why go back? Why not have a look at someone different? He’s simply not going to be part of a future England defence. Same with Coady, he’s been in and around the squad for a while, has never broken in to hold a regular starting place, likely never will & couldn’t get in at Wolves but because he’s good around the squad he’s included? Surely that’s just stopping others getting a chance. Seems so odd. The likes of Guehi, Tomori, White & of course Webster should be getting a look in.

Slightly tinted as last year I don’t think he featured as regularly through injury. 
 

The season or two previous though, yes I’d agree. 

[Robbored]

1 hour ago, Engvall’s Splinter said:

God help us. He’s another Southgate has played when out of the team / form. 

Southgate has previously selected in form strikers but no sign of Toney in the squad yesterday………..  That really irritated Simon Jordan on TS yesterday and I reckon most people were in agreement. Pundits were complaining post match that England ‘lacked options in the final third’………..jeez…………

Southgate is waaay too defensive. He rarely starts with flair players like Grealish  only brining him on with 15mins to go. England have always been dreary and incredibly boring to watch………….  but even more dull under Southgate. - you wouldn’t think that’d be possible.
 

 

Edited September 24, 2022 by Robbored

[And Its Smith]

20 minutes ago, Alex_BCFC said:

Bellingham will start ahead of Phillips. 

Possibly but that just makes it 8 from last night instead of 7.  If Phillips is fit I still fancy him to start personally but it’s certainly very close 

[Abraham Romanovich]

3 hours ago, The dastardly red said:

What are you on about? Mancini oozes the kind of style that someone like you can only dream of. The suit was a classic summer book end look. As an ensemble his outfit successfully harnessed the wistful and bittersweet reflections that are so often carried on the last few breezes of the warmer months. 

Missed the suit was hypnotised by how uniformly black Mancini’s hair was.

[phantom]

3 hours ago, gl2 said:

Cant see no big deal really, the team that started v Italy will be nothing like the one that starts the WC. With Kane and Sterling and maybe 1 or 2 more from last night starting the first game imo.

I'd disagree because there's no way financially England would want to be out of the top division. 

Southgate would sadly have been going all out last night 

[Sheltons Army]

3 hours ago, gl2 said:

Cant see no big deal really, the team that started v Italy will be nothing like the one that starts the WC. With Kane and Sterling and maybe 1 or 2 more from last night starting the first game imo.

And who are these 6 or 7 mystery players who didn’t play last night that will be in ?

Pickford & Stones I’d suggest , probably Shaw or Chilwell 

I make it 3 

[Guest]

3 hours ago, MarcusX said:

Really? Maguire, Walker, Rice, Sterling, Kane, Foden will probably all start. Bellingham and James quite likely too

Pope, probably not. Dier, didn’t do anything wrong but would like to hope we’ve got better quality. Saka not in that position.

Maquire/Walker over the hill imo can hardly get a start in club games; Bellingham/James more likly subs Foden to not banker starter...imo. That leaves Kane, Sterling and Rice but we will see eh?

[And Its Smith]

1 hour ago, gl2 said:

Maquire/Walker over the hill imo can hardly get a start in club games; Bellingham/James more likly subs Foden to not banker starter...imo. That leaves Kane, Sterling and Rice but we will see eh?

Walker and Maguire will start first game. Not sure who you think will start at centre back if they don’t.   I’m trying to work out what team he will pick with your 3 and nobody else. Can’t see it at all

                            Pickford

           Stones.  Coady.  Tomori 

      Trent.   Rice.  Phillips.  Trippier

          Sterling.  Kane.  Grealish

Is that what you are thinking?  

[LondonBristolian]

2 hours ago, gl2 said:

Maquire/Walker over the hill imo can hardly get a start in club games; Bellingham/James more likly subs Foden to not banker starter...imo. That leaves Kane, Sterling and Rice but we will see eh?

You're making some valid reasons why certain players shouldn't start but the fact there is one game before the World Cup and Southgate hasn't really experimented with alternatives makes me skeptical of your idea that he's suddenly going to chuck out the line up and start again.

 

I reckon Southgte went into last night's game with 6 players in mind as definite starters (Walker, Maguire, James, Rice, Kane and Sterling) and two more (Bellingham and Foden) in a tight race with one or two players for a starting spot.

The major question is what Southgate does now. One more game before the tournament and he has to decide whether to

 

a) stick with the tried and tested team from 2021 and hope their form returns at the key moment

b) tweak the formation and hope that makes a difference

c) rip up the plans and start from scratch with untested players

 

None are great options. @Taylor10hits the nail on the head with the issue with Maguire in particular. He is seen as a lynchpin of the defence due to his tournament performances in 2018 and 2021 but has done nothing for club or country in the last year to justify the confidence shown in him. There are no tried and tested alternatives but, if Southgate sticks with him and he has a bad tournament, it looks like a terrible decision.  

[Oh Louie louie]

Yep il never hold a candle Roberto's fashion style.  But in my defence I've never worn a snood in autumn.

[Oh Louie louie]

Better man than me have mocked robertto on his clobber 

[rednotblue]

My biggest frustration with Southgate is he never tries to win the game.

Against Italy he has Tammy on the bench who plays in Italy and scores goals. Why is he not brought on and given half an hour as we needed a goal?

What is the point of the bench if you aren't going to use it?

 

3 at the back with no left wing back? 

A poor WC and he is gone.

 

We look slow and ponderous all the time. 

[MarcusX]

18 hours ago, gl2 said:

Maquire/Walker over the hill imo can hardly get a start in club games; Bellingham/James more likly subs Foden to not banker starter...imo. That leaves Kane, Sterling and Rice but we will see eh?

Walker’s started every game for City until he got an injury.

[MarcusX]

17 hours ago, And Its Smith said:

Walker and Maguire will start first game. Not sure who you think will start at centre back if they don’t.   I’m trying to work out what team he will pick with your 3 and nobody else. Can’t see it at all

                            Pickford

           Stones.  Coady.  Tomori 

      Trent.   Rice.  Phillips.  Trippier

          Sterling.  Kane.  Grealish

Is that what you are thinking?  

Exactly, Maguire and Walker are nailed on starters, like it or not and the alternatives without those said players don’t seem to be favoured by Southgate 

 

[BUTOR]

Is Webster injured? The back 3 are crying out for a quality ball carrier. Crazy he hasn’t been selected if available 

[Lew-T]

On 23/09/2022 at 21:35, Red Army 87 said:

Sadly I fear an Iceland moment coming up at this World Cup 

Sooner the attention draws to the domestic leagues the better. For me anyway…

[Super]

Sounds like Toney won't be involved tomorrow. What a complete waste of time calling him up.

[MarcusX]

On 25/09/2022 at 16:04, Super said:

Sounds like Toney won't be involved tomorrow. What a complete waste of time calling him up.

What makes you say that? he’s in the match day squad.

Got tickets to tonight and really struggled to find motivation but I’ve found someone else who’s going and dragged myself out.

I’m as pro-England, glass half full as it gets and I’m dreading this WC at the moment. Really hope we do something tonight to show some hope or potential for November. I can’t believe how much we seem to have regressed since the Euros, and this was the one the FA targeted doing well in…

[Super]

1 hour ago, MarcusX said:

What makes you say that? he’s in the match day squad.

Got tickets to tonight and really struggled to find motivation but I’ve found someone else who’s going and dragged myself out.

I’m as pro-England, glass half full as it gets and I’m dreading this WC at the moment. Really hope we do something tonight to show some hope or potential for November. I can’t believe how much we seem to have regressed since the Euros, and this was the one the FA targeted doing well in…

If you heard Southgate yesterday he was indicating he wouldn't be involved. Hopefully he is.

[phantom]

Starting line up 

Pope in goal 

Stones, Dier, and Maguire as central defenders

James and Shaw as wing backs

Bellingham and Rice in central midfield 

Sterling and Foden on the wings

Kane up front 

Subs

Ramsdale, D Henderson, Trippier, J Henderson, Walker, Coady, Guehi, Saka, Mount, Tony, Chilwell and Abraham 

[Super]

3 minutes ago, phantom said:

Starting line up 

Pope in goal 

Stones, Dier, and Maguire as central defenders

James and Shaw as wing backs

Bellingham and Rice in central midfield 

Sterling and Foden on the wings

Kane up front 

I'm guessing apart from Pickford that's the starting line up for the first WC game if everyone is fit.

[Sheltons Army]

6 minutes ago, Super said:

I'm guessing apart from Pickford that's the starting line up for the first WC game if everyone is fit.

Think Walker will play ahead of Dier

[Bris Red]

On 25/09/2022 at 10:20, Bouncearoundtheground said:

Is Webster injured? The back 3 are crying out for a quality ball carrier. Crazy he hasn’t been selected if available 

Forget Webster Tomori won the serie A last season with Milan playing at the heart of their defence and just signed a 4 year extension with them! 

Absolutely ludicrous that dopey Southgate thinks the likes of Maguire should start ahead of him.

[phantom]

Playing in red tonight in recognition of Queen presenting the world Cup to us whilst wearing red 

[Sir Geoff]

What is it with 2 in midfield ? England and City do and both get over run in there. Would love to know what these top managers see that I am clearly missing. BTW Bellingham is used to playing in a 3 at Dortmund.

[Sheltons Army]

15 minutes ago, phantom said:

Playing in red tonight in recognition of Queen presenting the world Cup to us whilst wearing red 

I thought it was more a pale lemon 

[One Team]

Watching Southgate give bland answers to even bander interview questions did remind me how entertaining NP is. Be great to see him field some of this rubbish! 

[2015]

That side  

[The Original OTIB]

38 minutes ago, phantom said:

Playing in red tonight in recognition of Queen presenting the world Cup to us whilst wearing red 

Looks like orange to me.

[Northern Red]

41 minutes ago, phantom said:

Playing in red tonight in recognition of Queen presenting the world Cup to us whilst wearing red 

I do like that away shirt, very nice.