Posted March 26, 20241 yr Tonight we have got England v Belgium at 7:45 on Channel 4, England welcome Belgium to Wembley later today in the final game before Gareth Southgate names his squad for Euro 2024. What do you think the score will be? What do you think the starting XI will be? All comments and opinions are welcome.
March 26, 20241 yr If we play like we did against Brazil then it's an easy win for Belgium. That’s why I’m being optimistic by voting for a draw.
March 26, 20241 yr Author That was some assist from Lukaku. Hopefully this is England getting errors out their system.
March 27, 20241 yr Thought we were much better against Belgium than Brazil. I think there are some real positives to take through, we played OK over the games and we were missing some key players. There’s not any to class international teams out there, I do prescribe to the theory it’s all about who reacts the best in the tournament. But a few clear weaknesses for us imo. Our defence is very vulnerable, mistakes all over the park. Dunk is just not good enough and Chilwell hasn’t really done anything. Mainoo was technically impressive but not sure it’s a brilliant idea, think Southgate will still take Henderson. I much prefer Toney up front as the 2nd striker to Watkins.
March 27, 20241 yr Southgate is 100% gonna line up against Serbia with Henderson and Kalvin Phillips in midfield.
March 27, 20241 yr Phillips will be no where near the squad. I think there are about 13 players who's places are nailed on (if fit), and the other 10 come from about 17 players. Pickford, Ramsdale Walker, Trent, Shaw Maguire, Stones Rice, Bellingham Saka, Foden, Rashford Kane Johnstone or Pope Watkins or Toney 3 of Trippier, Chilwell, Gomez, Guehi, Konsa 2 of Henderson, Mainoo, Gallagher 3 of Maddison, Bowen, Palmer, Grealish, Gordon Dunk has played himself out of contention in these two games. I think Toney is probably above Watkins. Edited March 27, 20241 yr by RabbitFurCoat
March 27, 20241 yr I don’t know why but I’ve been getting a feeling that Sterling will put on the England shirt again someday, but I wouldn’t say for certain it’s going to be in 2024. I could even see Eze also being lined up as backup if all goes wrong with any of the other existing forwards.
March 27, 20241 yr Phillips will be no where near the squad. Dunk has played himself out of contention in these two games. I think Toney is probably above Watkins. I'd like to think that but this is Southgate we're talking about. And re the Toney vs Watkins debate, you have to take them both in my opinion. Palmer is a absolutely essential if he's fit. And how Grealish's stock has fallen over the last year :lol: Edited March 27, 20241 yr by Dobbo
March 27, 20241 yr I'd like to think that but this is Southgate we're talking about. And re the Toney vs Watkins debate, you have to take them both in my opinion. Palmer is a absolutely essential if he's fit. And how Grealish's stock has fallen over the last year :lol: The criticism of Southgate picking out of form players is so overblown though. Phillips and Maguire (and more latterly Henderson) have been picked so often despite not playing or playing poorly for clubs because they've consistently proven themselves for England and rarely perform poorly, and there being a complete lack of competition. If he doesn't pick them who was he going for? There have been calls for Dunk (not at the level), Tomori (poor whenever he gets a chance with England), Ward-Prowse (not at the level). There's been so few realistic options to take their positions. Southgate has proven with Sterling that when England performances and club ones drop no one's place is guaranteed. Phillips England performance had certainly dipped in the last year and his move to West Ham has gone worse than if he'd stayed on City's bench, I'd rank his chance of being in Germany as tiny. The rules are back down to 23 man squads, England are only ever going to play with one striker, and Kane will play 80%+ of minutes in a tournament. I just don't see how there can be room for three out and out centre forwards, especially when others in there have played centrally for their clubs (Rashford, Bowen, Palmer, Gordon). Toney was better last night than Watkins was against Brazil, and his pens edge it for me. Edited March 27, 20241 yr by RabbitFurCoat
March 27, 20241 yr I'd like to think that but this is Southgate we're talking about. And re the Toney vs Watkins debate, you have to take them both in my opinion. Palmer is a absolutely essential if he's fit. And how Grealish's stock has fallen over the last year :lol: I think we only take one striker. I think Watkins is the better player, but Toney suits the way England set up a lot better. Taking both would be a waste imo as Kane is going to play every game. Think the only reason you take both is if Kane is carrying an injury in to the tournament. I reckon he takes Trent purely to play him in midfield. I also think we’re asking for trouble if Shaw goes, not sure he’s even due to be back before June? I think a specialist position like that is where you can’t afford risks. Would mean Chilwell definitely goes, and probably Gomez too.
March 27, 20241 yr Yeah you take both in case Kane gets injured in the first match. Not likely but we can't be left with one striker in such an scenario. If he does only take one I think it should probably be Watkins over Toney but can see the arguments for both sides.
March 27, 20241 yr Based on this weeks fixtures, I’ve had a think and decided on the 23 man squad I would pick. This is based on everybody being fit and White being convinced to join back-up. 1. Jordan Pickford 2. Kyle Walker 3. Luke Shaw 4. Declan Rice 5. John Stones 6. Harry Maguire 7. Bukaya Saka 8. Jude Bellingham 9. Harry Kane 10. Phil Foden 11. Marcus Rashford 12. Kieran Trippier 13. Aaron Ramadale 14. James Ward-Prowse 15. Ben White 16. Ben Chilwell 17. Jarrod Bowen 18. Trent Alexander-Arnold 19. Ollie Watkins 20. James Maddison 21. Kobbie Mainoo 22. Jarrad Branthwaite 23. Nick Pope And if it would have still been 26, my extra 3 would have been 24. Cole Palmer 25. Joe Gomez 26. Kalvin Phillips Goalies were hard to pick with Ramsdale hardly playing and Pope being injured most of the season. I just think that no-one else has really shone and it’s been confirmed today that Sam Johnstone is going to miss the tournament. With Stones, Shaw & Maguire been injury-prone, I prioritised extra defensive cover over a third centre-forward. This is why I gave the edge to Bowen over Palmer as Bowen has played well up top on his own for West Ham at times this season. He’s the de facto 3rd choice striker. Watkins over Toney was an easy choice for me. Ward-Prowse gets the nod above the experience of Phillips and Henderson because he has that set-piece gambit. I’d were losing towards the end of the game, he can give us something different when teams are sitting back. I think it's funny how quickly the public's opinion of 'Grealish' has changed from 'must-start' to 'no-chance-of-being-in-the-squad'. :lol:
March 27, 20241 yr I think it's clear Grealish has already completed football now in his head so it's no surprise Pep is done with him already. Probably still drunk from the CL final last season.
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