No Henderson in the provisional squad 

50 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I'm reading rumours Grealish has missed the cut

Should have gone for a punch instead of a kick. Oh, you said 'cut'.

4 minutes ago, ianofcleveleys said:

First saw Eze play for QPR against us in Champ when he was about 16, could see within 20 minutes he'd be top level. One of those 'who the hell's this?' moments. Had movement, pace, balance and skill to die for. 

Yes I remember thinking the same, he was all over us, with such composure.  One of the few players I'd pay to see (eg if we played Palace in a friendly and I wouldn't otherwise bother).

Millwall let him go in 2016 after he'd been there 2 years and they didn't offer him a pro contract! (Neil Harris was manager) 

2 minutes ago, radcliffe white said:

Pep prefers Doku

wouldnt be surprised if they move grealish on 

I just don't see how he'd fit into our formation unfortunately for him.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13148141/jack-grealish-why-manchester-city-winger-should-have-been-in-england-squad-after-omission

 

Good piece on it.

 

Wharton making it surprises me. Bold call. Some going that from him. Only moved to palace in February. 

21 minutes ago, bolty58 said:

1) Yes 'your'.  Prince of the wokes.

2) The passport I got stamped heading into Gib on Monday suggests that I might be British. One of the smarties (  ) on here knows better apparently.

3) So he's won fuck all then including spaffing a golden opportunity on home soil using crap tactics. Get fucking rid now.

 

You assume you think you know what I think of Southgate 

Venables spaffed Euro 96 on home soil despite having Gazza at his peak as well as others like Shearer

Crystal Palace the club with the most players in the squad

Grealish & Maddison be out in Magalluf this weekend 🍻

34 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

Crystal Palace the club with the most players in the squad

RHS. Roy Hodgson Syndrome.

Don't think you'd have got odds a few weeks ago on Henderson, Rashford, Madison, Maguire and Grealish not making the final cut.

Hope Big Gaz knows what he's doing 😬

50 minutes ago, Arrested development said:

Wharton making it surprises me. Bold call. Some going that from him. Only moved to palace in February. 

He looks class. Another one who doesn’t lose the ball. Big call taking him but I’m glad they have.

4 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Don't think you'd have got odds a few weeks ago on Henderson, Rashford, Madison, Maguire and Grealish not making the final cut.

Hope Big Gaz knows what he's doing 😬

Maguire is injured isn't he?

I fear for our defence tbh but attacking wise is immense providing they gel of course.

42 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

Crystal Palace the club with the most players in the squad

Fair play to em

1 minute ago, Winchester White said:

Maguire is injured isn't he?

I fear for our defence tbh but attacking wise is immense providing they gel of course.

Reckon it's the worst set of defenders we've ever taken to a tournament.

There's only Kyle Walker with any kind of form and he will end up playing Center Half.

We won't make it past the quarters.

24 minutes ago, Winchester White said:

Maguire is injured isn't he?

I fear for our defence tbh but attacking wise is immense providing they gel of course.

On paper this team is capable of winning every game at the Euro’s 7-4, but we all know that just  isn’t Safegates way.

Heartbreak in the semi’s beckons as he fails to take the handbrake off yet again.

Edited June 6, 20242 yr by Burndens Bogs

Konsa and stones centre backs

9 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Reckon it's the worst set of defenders we've ever taken to a tournament.

There's only Kyle Walker with any kind of form and he will end up playing Center Half.

We won't make it past the quarters.

I hope you are wrong pal, but I am always glass half full at this point then disappointed later.

1 hour ago, ianofcleveleys said:

First saw Eze play for QPR against us in Champ when he was about 16, could see within 20 minutes he'd be top level. One of those 'who the hell's this?' moments. Had movement, pace, balance and skill to die for. 

Aye, not much stood out that season but he did 

Like when adama traore turned up with boro

1 hour ago, deeane Koontz said:

Konsa and stones centre backs

It'll be that carthorse Lewis Dunk alongside Stones no better than Dave Wheater ever was

 

6 minutes ago, frank_spencer said:

It'll be that carthorse Lewis Dunk alongside Stones no better than Dave Wheater ever was

 

I hope Konsa starts. Lukaku made Lewis Dunk look like a league 2 player this season. He should not be starting 

Aye, no way Dunk will be starting after that shitshow against Belgium. He embarrassed himself.

No issues with the omissions 

Is Maguire injured or left out?

3 hours ago, gonzo said:

Don't think you'd have got odds a few weeks ago on Henderson, Rashford, Madison, Maguire and Grealish not making the final cut.

Hope Big Gaz knows what he's doing 😬

Presumably Maguire is injured so that's out of his hands.

IMO, the only exclusion that is debatable is your Jack.

Heard Shaw is possibly gonna be fit for the second group game.Hopefully he can get some minutes before the knockouts.

Imagine we will play 4-2-3-1.

The only nailed on positions are:

Kane ST, Bellingham AM, Rice DM, Stones CB, Pickford GK 

 

Which leaves:

LB, CB, DM, RW, LW all up for grabs.

 

You'd be pretty happy with anyone filling those spots in the group stage, but once it gets to knockouts it'll become a tricky balancing act. Especially at DM. They all offer totally different attributes and styles. Wharton and Trent are both more playmakers but Trent more with the long passes and Wharton more fizzing it into feet. I'm sure 'horses for courses' will be mentioned a few times.

On the wings, Foden, Saka more suited to dominating possession and wriggling through low blocks. Bowen and Gordon better at being direct.

Not a clue how the back four will look but if we can make it through the group stage and get Shaw back in, it will look a lot more balanced. Hopefully one of the CBs can form a good partnership with Stones quickly, who hopefully avoids injury as he is prone to picking up knocks.

 

 

Endless combinations really.

Gordon and Bowen running in behind while Trent sprays passes over the top.

Or Wharton fizzing it into Palmer/Eze who can drive at the defence and pick the lock.

Or Saka, Foden and Mainoo just keeping the ball and wearing out the other side.

 

Just gotta hope Gareth picks the right players for the right games. We've got all the ingredients going forwards. The defence is what worries everyone most. Is attack the best form of defence with this squad? Can Gareth do that? Is that suited to tournament football?

If we've got Mbappe vs Dunk or Guehi, we're gonna need those subs to be super subs. Palmer, Eze, Watkins, Gordon, Bowen all had great seasons and they're going to have to bail us out at some point when called upon. Bellingham and Kane will tire in games and the options we have in the squad going forwards are too exciting to not give them a go.