It's not so much who he picks, as how negatively he has them play. If we win it's despite the instructions of the coach, not because of them.
Whi should we play as the centre halves if Stones is out and Harry M is dropped? As for Henderson, Liverpool retired him off, playing now in ‘non-league’ as still gets picked. Now here we do have many options.
Annoying thing is that the apologists will spout about him being the most successful manager since Alf Ramsey. I see it as two missed opportunities against two ageing sides ( Croatia and Italy) that were there for the taking. Leading in both then started to panic and.hold onto the lead with 70+ minutes remaining. We have the best crop.of players since I was born yet he sticks to old has beens like Maguire and Henderson. Most frustrating and negative England manager ever.
Why about a minute before we scored were the Ukraine fans booing our fans singing the national anthem? Imagine if England fans had booed theirs....I don't get why some of our players are getting booed too like Saka and Rice.
This forum whenever England play is embarrassing. Stones is injured, Coady’s dropped to the championship & Dier’s been worse than Maguire whenever he plays. Why on earth would he drop his only recognised centre back who knows how he sets his defence up & can organise at set pieces for him? I don’t even rate Maguire but use your brains, he’s not going to completely change his defence unless he has to it would be madness. Surely Barnsley fans of all people know how important it is not to lose a load of defenders in one go. Henderson wouldn’t start for me as I’d play Foden there but even Guardiola is reluctant to play him in central midfield so it’s hardly crime of the century. Phillips doesn’t play for his club, Trent’s injured. We’ve not exactly got 6 or 7 world class central midfielders ready to take Henderson’s spot.
Do you not think it has something to do with the system and tactics though bud? Bellingham won player of the month, 4 motm games, 4 goals, and Southgate decides to play him deeper than he does for Real Madrid. Maddison has been one of the most electric players in the prem, Southgate has no tactical nous what so ever.
They don't need to be world class to replace Henderson. Herbie Kane could do what he does. Edit: I'd also play Tomori ahead of Maguire
Apparently Henderson asked Southgate if his England place would be safe if he went ti Saudi. "Bomb-proof, mate" (or something similar) was the reply!
Rushford got away with one there. Definitely free kick and yellow card. Weve managed to get a corner from it though !
Southgate is a dull tactically inflexible manager who stifles great players like Bellingham. Maddison had a constantly poor touch and looked out of his depth.
Lego head shouldn't have been booked for that. Nothing in it and the ball was there to be won. EFL standard this ref.
To me an England manager should be looking to bring in youngsters and have a system where those in form can slot in. Then if they get sacked they're playing the best current t players so the transition is easier. The whole team has experience now, there is no need to play Henderson or Maguire when they are nit playing club football at the top level
If southgate had 12 holding midfielders he would pick 10 in a team and reluctantly a goalie. Anyone who sees Henderson as someone who will take the game on over Bellingham clearly shows the intent. the players have been woeful today but they have been selected and set up as such
Too much in the image of the manager, boring again, safe pass after safe pass instead of taking men on and driving for the area.
The fact Maguire felt he could turn down a move to West Ham because he didn't need game time to ensure selection says it all. Rice, Bellingham and Ward-Prowse would be a decent midfield trio but probably too attacking for Southgate.
Picking Maguire I had no problem with. Henderson - seemed a bit negative. Didn’t need him and Rice. But shouldn’t have mattered. But the constant dreary, backwards and static performances, bereft of any attacking intent, any pace, any quickness of thought. That’s what boils my piss. He’s absolutely shocking as a head coach, he’s frightened to death of having a go, he needs to go. He’s ruining the chances of the country when we have the greatest depth of talent we’ve had. We had a great eleven twenty years ago, but the backup wasn’t there. The talent we have now should be going deep and challenging to win tournaments, but he shackles them to the point they’re frightened to pass the ball forwards. Tonight Harry Kane had to drop to central midfield and ping a ball over to the right back as the rest were like rabbits on the headlights - yet against much better opposition every week in the premier league, bundesliga or la liga they’re excellent. He’s head and shoulders the weakest link in the whole England setup Southgate. And before the ‘best since Ramsey’ gobshites start spouting, we got to a semi final and then final despite him, not because of him. We lost them both when both should have been won comfortably. Should have beat France last year as well. Though ironically that was probably the best performance of the tournament losses. That tonight was an absolute abomination. The fact he left it until nearly the end before taking off Saka, who as good as he’s been had the worst game I’ve seen and looked injured for most of it - he beggars belief. Bellingham wasn’t great but he was looking to try things at least. So, so very bad. We have so many world class players - and a manager who I wouldn’t want at our division three club.
