Can we do it? I'm getting more optimistic each game that passes.
We looked a good team last night, and I don't fear anyone now.
Still not conceded a goal and we are taking chances.
I'm not going to give 'my' team, I'll leave that to Gareth who seems to be getting everything right.
Come on England or as my.other half says Allez les blancs.
England
posted on 4/7/21
But if Sven could have made the team (potentially) more defensive and didn't do it, there must have been a very good reason
posted on 4/7/21
Yeah that’s true. He never would have done it as he’d have been slaughtered for playing Beckham as a wing back and he would have had to drop a midfielder.
Plus I think Sven would have struggled to get the players to buy into it. That’s one of the big problems he had, that wasn’t a united team that was buying into everything the manager did. This one is different, and you get the impression these players genuinely enjoy playing for, and being away with, the England team. Which is why talking about shape and line ups under Sven isn’t as important, it was clearly lacking this fundamental part of the team.
And that iis just so important, and obviously one of the strengths of this side. You aren’t doing well at international tournaments without that, look at France over the years.
posted on 4/7/21
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 1 hour, 38 minutes ago
Think you'll find you are wrong in your assumption
……
Then I will stick to my earlier comment that you need to take your head for a wobble.
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You are free to stick to what you like.
The rest of us will carry on having a decent discussion.
Thanks for your input
posted on 4/7/21
comment by Scott The King McTominay (U10026)
posted 1 hour, 37 minutes ago
We’ve a bit more depth now in attack and full back. But the overall quality of the starting team back then was stronger, especially in centre mid and centre back.
The experience at the highest level is an important one, and something Southgate’s actually mentioned. What is good for him is that bar Kane and the cb’s there’s not a massive drop off in quality when it comes to subs and rotation.
In a way that might actually suit us better when it comes to going far in international tournaments, as there’s competition for places without compromising quality too much, and the ability to keep players happy, fresher and motivated.
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Yeah that's why I think as a squad we are potentially better.
As I said it's hard to argue certain things because people are entrenched in certain views, but arguably a fit Kane and rashford and dcl as back up is better than an unfit Rooney and crouch as back up.
Just the fact that Gareth can leave Sancho on the bench and give Grealish limited time in itself is imo a true representation of where we are at now.
In the past the player may have been bigger (arguable for me for becks tbh) but were rushed back from injury.
posted on 4/7/21
Oh and dazza one thing we can't underestimate imo is that although this squad doesn't have the tournament experience for England more players are coming back from big game experiences in their respective leagues or even CL, Europa etc.
posted on 4/7/21
I would have played Gerrard as a RWB, to accommodate Scholes, Becks and Lampard. Cole as LWB and Terry, Ferdinand and another as CB. Play Scholes in front and have Becks and Lampard in front, with Rooney and Owen up front.
posted on 4/7/21
I think those teams had more top, top players. While quite a few of these players have played at the top level, it didn’t have nearly the same experience of winning and competing at the very highest level of club football, for a number of years in many cases.
But there was a pretty big drop off after them that isn’t there in as many positions in this team. And ultimately this is a better organised and better motivated team.
Winning this Euros could be massive for this group of players because most of them are at a good age to take the experience into further tournaments.
posted on 4/7/21
I think those teams had more top, top players.
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Hope you're not counting Gerrard there
posted on 4/7/21
Of course not.
posted on 5/7/21
No reason why we can't really, the final becomes a one off game anyway and I don't think we are that far behind Italy or Spain, if at all, during this tournament. Of course either would be a tough game should we get there and Denmark will present a challenge for sure but a performance like Saturday and I expect us to beat them.
As Portugal proved 5 years ago, it's just a game at the end of the day.