England National Team

[cassius]

Except we fucked both of those tournaments too. Never mind

[Escalator]

I think most managers would give an organ to have that squad, plus plenty decent players that didn't even make it.

If you gave Southgate a Ferrari he would drive it at 25 miles per hour up the M6 in the middle lane.

[Toffee1]

[Bluedylan1]

It's definitely a better balance. Would be concerned it might turn into a bit of a rabble, because they haven't used the formation and trained it properly.

But if it functioned well and Saka and TAA are able to get forward, rather than getting pinned back into a 5, it should win the game.

[AjaxAndy]

It's a thousand times more balanced and exactly what I said to my kid during the first half of the Slovakia match that we should be lining up as.

At the end of the day if it doesn't work and we go out it's no different to turgidly limping out anyway playing how we have been... Except we've actually tried to do something proactive about trying to win a game.

[Shogun]

My only concern is does that transition for periods into a back 4 of Konsa-Stones-Walker-TAA? Because that's pretty woeful.

Overall I don't mind it, but like BD says I doubt enough work has gone into it for it to be a success.

[cassius]

At least he's trying something.

[Toffee1]

[Toffee1]

He is not MATCH FIT though!

[Cods]

Seems odd that it has taken so many games and all that training time to work out it wasn't working, that's assuming he changes the team.

Maybe it's the surprise up his sleeve that I think he still has, but then again France, Germany, Portugal have been pretty average and not far beyond the likes of Austria, Georgia & Romania so maybe the gap is narrowing significantly, and with Gareth WYSIWYG.

[Bluedylan1]

I've seen some suggestions that it will be Trippier at RWB not TAA, which is just mad if it's true. I hope it's not.

[AjaxAndy]

I've seen some suggestions that it will be Trippier at RWB not TAA, which is just mad if it's true. I hope it's not.

It's Southgate, he'll always go the most pragmatic route.

By all accounts we'll at least have addressed the formation and balance issues, but free flowing football it won't be. It'll be a grind and try not to lose with the hope Bellingham, Foden or Kane come up with a moment of magic to win the game.

[Shogun]

As long as the wing-backs actually provide runs in behind then that should see a much improved performance. Still have issues with this two number 10s meaning Bellingham, Foden and Kane are all going to be trying to get the ball in the same part of the pitch again.

I think Kane is class but Watkins suits this team more imo.

[AjaxAndy]

As long as the wing-backs actually provide runs in behind then that should see a much improved performance. Still have issues with this two number 10s meaning Bellingham, Foden and Kane are all going to be trying to get the ball in the same part of the pitch again.

I think Kane is class but Watkins suits this team more imo.

I don't think Watkins is international class though unfortunately, but we lack pace up there and someone running in behind so can see the argument for him. I just don't think he scores the goals we'd need.

[Shogun]

I don't think Watkins is international class though unfortunately, but we lack pace up there and someone running in behind so can see the argument for him. I just don't think he scores the goals we'd need.

What does that mean? Premier League is a significantly higher level than international level? If he can score 19 and assist 13 for Villa last season then he can play against Switzerland mate.