Post by Gas Go Marching In on Jul 15, 2018 10:53:24 GMT
I'm not sure what to think now to be honest. The vibe before the tournament was good. The start of the tournament was good. We started every game well (bar yesterday) but we often looked poorer in the 2nd half of games. Our stats from open play are startling and the majority of the game vs Croatia and the game vs Belgium was very poor. It reminded me more of the older England. Backwards passing, sideways passing, long balls, lack of movement.
We have made progress this tournament definitely. Team spirit is miles better. We have a manager who wants the job more than any England manager I have ever known (OK Venables would run him close).
I don't think Southgate had a plan B.
Our central midfield is absolutely shocking at the moment. Henderson had a decent tournament on the whole but the fact that he is by far our best option in that position at the moment says it all. Don't want Eric Dier near the team again.
Our future looks bright with so many young talents coming through but that midfield really needs strengthening. I've seen a lot of criticism of Walker but I think it is harsh considering that was his first time playing CB, I think he has done ok overall really. I was more disappointed with Alli and Lingard. Kane's tournament was not as good as his goal record will suggest. I don't want to fault any of the backline too much, I think they were a big plus overall. Maguire was a revelation, Pickford exceeded expectations, Stones did too. If you count Trippier as a defender, he was outstanding. Our best player and Young did fairly well overall.
Loftus-Cheek did quite well, Phil Jones isn't good enough especially for how we want to play. Rashford has lost his way a little bit over the last year and seems a bit of a headless chicken at times (maybe Mourinho's fault?).
So yeah, our midfield is what less us down in the end I feel. I was disappointed he took Welbeck over Lallana to be honest. I think Lallana would have been a much more useful option. Shame Oxlade-Chamberlain was injured too as he could have offered us something.
We have made progress this tournament definitely. Team spirit is miles better. We have a manager who wants the job more than any England manager I have ever known (OK Venables would run him close).
I don't think Southgate had a plan B.
Our central midfield is absolutely shocking at the moment. Henderson had a decent tournament on the whole but the fact that he is by far our best option in that position at the moment says it all. Don't want Eric Dier near the team again.
Our future looks bright with so many young talents coming through but that midfield really needs strengthening. I've seen a lot of criticism of Walker but I think it is harsh considering that was his first time playing CB, I think he has done ok overall really. I was more disappointed with Alli and Lingard. Kane's tournament was not as good as his goal record will suggest. I don't want to fault any of the backline too much, I think they were a big plus overall. Maguire was a revelation, Pickford exceeded expectations, Stones did too. If you count Trippier as a defender, he was outstanding. Our best player and Young did fairly well overall.
Loftus-Cheek did quite well, Phil Jones isn't good enough especially for how we want to play. Rashford has lost his way a little bit over the last year and seems a bit of a headless chicken at times (maybe Mourinho's fault?).
So yeah, our midfield is what less us down in the end I feel. I was disappointed he took Welbeck over Lallana to be honest. I think Lallana would have been a much more useful option. Shame Oxlade-Chamberlain was injured too as he could have offered us something.