Needless to say that Harry Maguire got far more of a game against the Netherlands than he was expecting due to the injury to Joe Gomez. And now with an unfortunate hamstring injury it seems that he won't get the game he was expecting against Italy. But it was interesting to watch him on Friday, particularly considering him against potential opposition to his position.
Regular followers of the Leicester forum will know that I've been critical of Maguire, generally for being overly attacking and positive, making mistakes, getting caught out of position and the like. To an extent, those issues were still present against the Netherlands. He made a mistake that led to a breakaway in the first half, albeit trying to handle a bad throw from Rose, and he dashed under a couple of long diagonal balls as he worried about a man in front of him instead of judging and attacking them, leaving space in behind him for the unsuspecting left back to mop up.
However, for those faults, they weren't catastrophic issues and we did get to see his finer qualities as well - particularly calmness and confidence on the ball, along with a willingness to step out of defence and play a forward pass. With Stones and the perhaps surprising choice of Walker alongside him in a back 3, there were no weak or even average links with the ball at their feet.
That got me wondering: If this is a prime quality that Southgate and his staff are looking for, how many better are there than Harry Maguire at playing that way? Yes, he makes mistakes, but so does Jon Stones and generally people aren't concerned about him. (Perhaps if there were more solid alternatives available, they would be.) Maybe Harry Maguire won't just be on the plane this summer, but is looking an increasingly good bet for a starting place.
Harry Maguire and England
posted on 26/3/18
I forgot about Martinez. Should be able to exploit his team shape as he almost always leaves it well too open.
would a quarter final be par for the course for England?
posted on 26/3/18
It should be the target. I can't remember who we'd be due to meet in the quarters but I seem to recall it'd be a real stinker either through first of second place in the group. But group H is relatively weak throughout so we should be aiming to win a knockout game regardless. Do that and I reckon the FA will be relatively happy.
posted on 26/3/18
Just checked, theoretically either Brazil or Germany in the quarters. So goodbye cup run at that point if we were to get that far, nation delighted if we progress.
Going out in round 2 - General disgruntlement but probably begrudging acceptance.
Going out in group stage - Media horror that we couldn't get past Tunisia and Panama, deconstruction yet again of just what's wrong with the England team, calls for Southgate to leave, fans turning to drink while stating that they only care about club football anyway, Scotsmen laughing.
posted on 26/3/18
On Maguire Dunge, I fully expect him to start in Russia, and I fully expect that he or Stones will cost us the game as soon as we come up against decent opposition.
Good to see him have a good game, but top teams will punish him repeatedly.
Just my view.
posted on 26/3/18
well we all know what happens when Leicester players play for England at World Cup finals
posted on 27/3/18
If he was playing for a ‘top team’ I would be 100% hat he’d start for England. I still think there is a good chance that he will start but almost as a consequence of very few alternatives. I am not sure that Southgate is as assertive, with regard to giving players in form a chance, as he makes out.
I personally wanted these 4 friendlies to be utilised to give pretty much the first 11 a chance to get some competitive experience prior to the World Cup.
It seems Southgate has opted to use it to still experiment which I guess is his prerogative. However, if players like Tarkowski are getting a chance I think it’s a little unfair that players like Albrighton haven’t.
posted on 27/3/18
comment by Keep_the_faith1 (U8129)
posted 2 hours, 18 minutes ago
If he was playing for a ‘top team’ I would be 100% hat he’d start for England. I still think there is a good chance that he will start but almost as a consequence of very few alternatives. I am not sure that Southgate is as assertive, with regard to giving players in form a chance, as he makes out.
I personally wanted these 4 friendlies to be utilised to give pretty much the first 11 a chance to get some competitive experience prior to the World Cup.
It seems Southgate has opted to use it to still experiment which I guess is his prerogative. However, if players like Tarkowski are getting a chance I think it’s a little unfair that players like Albrighton haven’t.
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Takowski has had a great season, and CB is a problem position. We don't really have a shortage of wide players though. I'd rather have Albrighton in the squad than Welbeck.
posted on 27/3/18
That is my point. Albrighton has had periods of playing superbly well but hasn’t been picked.
I don’t think we have that many wingers, but then we don’t really play with traditional wingers which is unfortunate for Albrighton. Still, his balls into the box with both feet at times must rival most English alternatives
posted on 28/3/18
Albrighton doesn't get picked for England because he isn't quick enough. Don't get me wrong, he's one of the first on my team list for us, but pace isn't one of his attributes.
posted on 29/3/18
As a very delayed afterthought...
Albrighton clocked the 7th quickest sprint in the premier league 28 months ago. Wondering why he didn’t get picked then for England if that’s the case...