General
12 Jun 21
30 Jun 21
@relentless-red saidNice!
Fun fact, the sausages in Wembley Stadium were being sold as "British Sausages". Never saw that before the Euros. 😂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S6086Mpdnk
01 Jul 21
@divegeester saidI think Southgate will be really tested by this one. His strategy appears to be based around defending clean sheets which is physically demanding. On the one hand Ukraine could be seen as an opportunity for a lot of rotation and resting players whilst protecting key creative players and giving others a run out. On the other hand he already has to worry that beating the Germans has left us over confident. He doesn't want pride to come before a fall so does resting players give the wrong message for this situation?
I think the Ukraine game could be very physical (they are all big lads who put it about on the pitch) and we may pick up injuries and yellow cards. I was thinking today about the disaster of Sterling Silver Boy picking up a second yellow and missing the semifinal (assuming we win).
01 Jul 21
@relentless-red saidI don’t think there will be overconfidence at this stage; we needed a confidence boost if anything.
On the other hand he already has to worry that beating the Germans has left us over confident. He doesn't want pride to come before a fall so does resting players give the wrong message for this situation?
I think he will stick to his strategy of setting out a team to go head to head with the opposition and nullify them, forcing them to take risks and then, eventually, we pounce. It’s a nice strategy if we can maintain confidence, discipline and energy. Conceding first could be a problem!
01 Jul 21
@divegeester saidShould he rotate some players? I genuinely don't know what I would prefer to see.
I don’t think there will be overconfidence at this stage; we needed a confidence boost if anything.
I think he will stick to his strategy of setting out a team to go head to head with the opposition and nullify them, forcing them to take risks and then, eventually, we pounce. It’s a nice strategy if we can maintain confidence, discipline and energy. Conceding first could be a problem!
01 Jul 21
@relentless-red saidFor resting sake? No I don’t think so, for tactics, yes for sure.
Should he rotate some players? I genuinely don't know what I would prefer to see.
I don’t know what I want to see either. How interesting a little insight is that though, when usually we all have very clear opinions of certain squad members playing or not playing. I suppose it’s now a bit of a case of rabbit-in-the-headlights of our glorious success last Tuesday.
03 Jul 21
5 edits
@relentless-red saidPickford
When all else fails talk football.
Belgium went out with whimper?!?
Italy without Spinazzola are much less of a threat?
Can anybody get within one player of guessing England's starting 11 tonight??
Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw
Rice, Phillips
Foden, Mount, Sterling
Kane
Strategy:
hold the back line and be compact in retreat and explosive in attack.
Tactics:
Foden in to spread the front play and take the pressure off of Sterling who will have his card marked like a @Johnnylongwoody by the Ukrainians.
Sit back solid for long periods but hold possession in tight areas to make them chase the game.
Be patient and explode on the counter attack down both wings and Mount causing some distraction to draw flack from Kane.
Skills and competencies:
Pinpoint accuracy fast balls over the top/though the channels from deep
Rock solid back four and no sloppyiness in possession
Patience, discipline to stick to the plan, concentration when energy levels flag
Emotional control when the inevitable hard challenges arrive
Outcome:
England win by 2
03 Jul 21
@divegeester
Yeah, I can't fault that. I think that is closer to what he will do than what I will say. I think it was Venables who said that any successful team must be familiar with two systems so I would like to think this would be a game to play a different way and rotate.
The danger of being set up for being compact with explosive counterattacks is when the other team doesn't attack. Ukraine might just sit back and say either come and open us up or it's pens.
So my more attacking England has James and Shaw as wingbacks. Same keeper. Three at the back, Stones, Maguire, Walker so Walker and James deal with the threat from Zinczenko.
I want to rest Philips and play Sterling from the bench if we need to avoid extra time.
So, Rice and Henderson in the centre of the pitch. Start Saka and Grealish on either side of Kane.
03 Jul 21
@relentless-red saidYeah but he won’t rest Sterling, no chance, he’s already made it clear he’s only thinking about this game.
@divegeester
Yeah, I can't fault that. I think that is closer to what he will do than what I will say. I think it was Venables who said that any successful team must be familiar with two systems so I would like to think this would be a game to play a different way and rotate.
The danger of being set up for being compact with explosive counterattacks is when the o ...[text shortened]...
So, Rice and Henderson in the centre of the pitch. Start Saka and Grealish on either side of Kane.
Good point about the Ukrainians siting back.
Also what happens if they score first!
03 Jul 21
@divegeester saidI think international teams play a different and lower level football than top European teams. I think that is why Southgate doesn't favour Foden. This football is more about individuals who make things happen. That's why Ukraine can get this far despite all the threat coming from Zinczenko. The space will be behind him.
Yeah but he won’t rest Sterling, no chance, he’s already made it clear he’s only thinking about this game.
Good point about the Ukrainians siting back.
Also what happens if they score first!
I think very advanced full backs or wing backs plus use the players who make things happen as individuals like Saka and Grealish.
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03 Jul 21
@relentless-red saidSaka and Grealish were definitely the two stand-out players.
I think international teams play a different and lower level football than top European teams. I think that is why Southgate doesn't favour Foden. This football is more about individuals who make things happen. That's why Ukraine can get this far despite all the threat coming from Zinczenko. The space will be behind him.
I think very advanced full backs or wing backs plus use the players who make things happen as individuals like Saka and Grealish.
03 Jul 21
@ghost-of-a-duke saidNot Sterling or Maguire?
Saka and Grealish were definitely the two stand-out players.