England games

[Tonge moor green jacket]

2 hours ago, DazBob said:

I'd say it was a bit worse.

... But ultimately, yes, he'll be judged after a tournament.

What I've seen so far doesn't fill me with confidence though.

Straight after the season, I wouldn't have expected a scintillating display.

However, one showing more desire and application of ability. 

Southgate's style was identical to what we saw, and he'd have had the same level of post-season lethargy to deal with.

We'll see what they produce in later games once fresher and mid-season, but the style has to be changed or be more flexible and subtle.

A poor man's Bolton display.

[tomski]

It’s a poor time to have this type of fixture. I have no idea why we are playing Senegal on Tuesday (I’ll openly admit I’m missing football and BWFC.) We will see this more and more as the season is extended. They couldn’t be arsed. 3 points collected. Job done

[ianofcleveleys]

A lot gets said about our talent pool and Tuchel will no doubt get the same levelled at him as Southgate, 'should have got this pool of players to win a trophy, it's more than good enough'.

But is it? England remind me of our squad last season in a way, overloaded in certain areas, short in others.

We're stuffed with blokes who can do the same thing in the same areas, but weak in others. Umpteen left sided players who want to play on the right, floaty No10s and right sided players who play on the left, but still only one world class striker, weak at left and right back, no more than alright in central defence and nobody other than Rice for screening the back 3/4. 

Spain looked in that final last year like the sum of some good solid parts, maybe not spectacular in some positions but solid and well balanced. 

[Ratwhite]

zero interest 

seriously couldn’t name half team 

[Cheese]

10 minutes ago, Ratwhite said:

zero interest 

seriously couldn’t name half team 

Same here. Didn't even know there was a game yesterday.

[ianofcleveleys]

1 hour ago, Cheese said:

Same here. Didn't even know there was a game yesterday.

I only remembered when it popped up on the socials in the morning, didn't rush to finish redecorating my porch for it, good move. 

[frank_spencer]

46 minutes ago, ianofcleveleys said:

I only remembered when it popped up on the socials in the morning, didn't rush to finish redecorating my porch for it, good move. 

Team line up pop up in my notifications, I carried on playing Xbox.

No interest in footy til Bolton friendlies start up. I try to pretend they don't matter but I'll be reading far too much into them despite that.

[gonzo]

I love Jordan Henderson, he's a great captain and has had a fabulous career.

I've no idea what him being in the sqaud is meant to be achieving though.

 

[tomski]

Just now, gonzo said:

I love Jordan Henderson, he's a great captain and has had a fabulous career.

I've no idea what him being in the sqaud is meant to be achieving though.

 

Weirdly I reckon he was selected for mentality (though it could be argued to those who watched) sort of pro that wouldn’t switch off etc. He won’t be going next year. 

[frank_spencer]

3 minutes ago, gonzo said:

I love Jordan Henderson, he's a great captain and has had a fabulous career.

I've no idea what him being in the sqaud is meant to be achieving though.

 

Having him the squad as a senior head and leader makes sense, Him being in the first XI doesn't.

[Zico]

26 minutes ago, gonzo said:

I love Jordan Henderson, he's a great captain and has had a fabulous career.

I've no idea what him being in the sqaud is meant to be achieving though.

 

 

24 minutes ago, tomski said:

Weirdly I reckon he was selected for mentality (though it could be argued to those who watched) sort of pro that wouldn’t switch off etc. He won’t be going next year. 

There's probably room for a player like him in a 26 man squad to bring a sense of experience, the right attitude and discipline to the team environment 

I wouldn't want him starting though 

Coming on with 10 left to help a protect a lead is fine too 

[Tonge moor green jacket]

10 hours ago, ianofcleveleys said:

A lot gets said about our talent pool and Tuchel will no doubt get the same levelled at him as Southgate, 'should have got this pool of players to win a trophy, it's more than good enough'.

But is it? England remind me of our squad last season in a way, overloaded in certain areas, short in others.

We're stuffed with blokes who can do the same thing in the same areas, but weak in others. Umpteen left sided players who want to play on the right, floaty No10s and right sided players who play on the left, but still only one world class striker, weak at left and right back, no more than alright in central defence and nobody other than Rice for screening the back 3/4. 

Spain looked in that final last year like the sum of some good solid parts, maybe not spectacular in some positions but solid and well balanced. 

Rice is by far and away much better suited to the role he plays for Arsenal. 

Getting about the pitch as an all round midfielder, winning tackles where necessary, but getting into the box and scoring too. 

We've seen him stifled previously, when being used to screen the back line.

[ianofcleveleys]

53 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Rice is by far and away much better suited to the role he plays for Arsenal. 

Getting about the pitch as an all round midfielder, winning tackles where necessary, but getting into the box and scoring too. 

We've seen him stifled previously, when being used to screen the back line.

I'd agree with that, when he was the 'double pivot' with Phillips it worked well as he could get forward more while Phillips was happy to sit. Rice is much better in the role you set out, no danger, we just need a quality DM

[Tonge moor green jacket]

1 hour ago, ianofcleveleys said:

I'd agree with that, when he was the 'double pivot' with Phillips it worked well as he could get forward more while Phillips was happy to sit. Rice is much better in the role you set out, no danger, we just need a quality DM

John Stones did that sort of role previously. 

He's just never fit.

[Johnnyrotten]

 

1 hour ago, ianofcleveleys said:

I'd agree with that, when he was the 'double pivot' with Phillips it worked well as he could get forward more while Phillips was happy to sit. Rice is much better in the role you set out, no danger, we just need a quality DM

I'd forgotten Phillips.  Pep paid £142mil (£150mil plus including salaries) for Grealish and Phillips.  And we think we've got problems getting shut of contracted players to clubs willing to pay their wages!

[Super Bock]

If anybody needs a ticket for tomorrow at Forest let me know. A friend has dropped out, so I have a spare. I will be at the ground from 6ish. Not looking to make anything from it, just stop it going to waste.

[wanderer1984]

21 hours ago, ianofcleveleys said:

we just need a quality DM

Adam Wharton 

[gonzo]

That's 3 interviews I've heard Tuchel lambasting the players and hanging them out to dry.

Never bodes well all that.

 

[deeane Koontz]

Lurch needs to focus on how he sets the team up. You're not a genius playing players out of position, you're just a bit of a div.

[Dr. Feelgood]

1 hour ago, gonzo said:

That's 3 interviews I've heard Tuchel lambasting the players and hanging them out to dry.

Never bodes well all that.

Correct. But for that performance last week fully deserve to be hung out to dry.

If you don't want to be there say so. Don't turn up &, barely, go through the motions.

[tomski]

Long shot but anyone going tonight with a spare ticket 

[gonzo]

On 09/06/2025 at 17:00, Super Bock said:

If anybody needs a ticket for tomorrow at Forest let me know. A friend has dropped out, so I have a spare. I will be at the ground from 6ish. Not looking to make anything from it, just stop it going to waste.

@tomski

[tomski]

3 minutes ago, gonzo said:

@tomski

Cheers mate

[gonzo]

Stuart Pearce talks fucking shit.

[Didledee]

This could be a high scoring game

Edited June 10, 2025 by Didledee