England’s biggest problem is at GK and CB (with Gomez unfit), even more than the historically troublesome CM. I think Southgate recognizes this and his inclination is to protect it. That means conservative picks in CM, and the result is a selection that exacerbates our historical inability to control a game against good sides from midfield. But we’ve still got talent and goals further forward to nick some goals, even if we dont give them much to work with. It’s an uninspired approach, but you can see the reason for it.
There is another world where you can just say fuck it, ignore all your limitations and play 100% to your strengths, and that side would have the potential to go out and smash a good side like we did against the Netherlands in 96. But in a tournament setting that side would have a ceiling of glorious failure…you simply cannot win enough games in a row against even decent teams with your weaknesses so exposed.
Gomez didn’t even play that much for England, he was just on the verge of settling as a regular starter. Stones now basically replaces him alongside Maguire or Walker when they play 3 at the back. I don’t trust that midfield, it was similar in Russia, when they had Croatia basically well beaten in the first half but Croatia’s midfield took control as the game went on. Similar sort of thing happened against Colombia. I don’t think it’s enough to say “we have combative central midfielders, we’ll just play on the counter attack”. That’s actually not what Southgate tried to do since he took over, but that central midfield evolution didn’t happen. It’s too much of an important part of the field. He can try and shift more towards that now, it might bring more success, but I’m still not sure. Goalkeeper, midfield, defence and then attack are the biggest question marks for me, in that order. And then altogether it needs more cohesion. Offensive options are really nice and big in numbers. All those players though, many of them are not proper central midfielders. Mount can be a very offensive #8 in a midfield 3. Foden might be one day but this season especially he’s not, he’s been pushed more forward and off the sides. Grealish’s been pushed forward for Villa this season, hence why they looked a more balanced side. I’d be careful to get too excited about a few of those, it needs to make sense on the pitch.
I have got an interest in it though. I’m interested in seeing England fail at every tournament they qualify for, something they do with great regularity.
Anyway, what’s the weather like on planet Zog? It’s been nice here today.
There was very little analysis in that article of any substance. All he said was press, Trent plays high, opponents try to hit space behind him. I’d actually rather Trent stay at home and watch England flounder around uselessly trying to beat mid level teams while pundits and fans alike bemoan the lack of creativity. Same old, same old.
Truth is, Trent is playing a little bit deeper this season. And England will likely play with wing backs in a 3 at the back formation a lot of the time. Walker is almost surely in because he can also play RCB in a 3 (how well, that’s up for discussion, had some poor moments at WC18). And then for RWB/RB it will be 2 out of: Trippier, James and Trent. For me, it’s really down to Trippier and Trent, because I do see James going almost for sure. England don’t really have a “pacy” right winger or right sided #10 (Sterling can do a job there, Rashford as well if he needs to, but those are certainly not their best positions, hence why Southgate will likely want more pace from his RWB player). I expected Trent, but I’m not overly shocked that he wasn’t picked. Maybe he can still get in.
Which 7 are getting cut out of this then? Surprised they’ve chosen to have a look at White over Konsa who’s been great for Villa this season. Better player than Mings as well.
