England - slovenia post your thoughts

[ChrisBx]

I'd go:

Pickford
Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier
Foden, Rice, Bellingham
Palmer, Kane, Gordon

However, I think Southgate will go with:

Pickford
Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier
Rice, Gallagher
Saka, Bellingham, Foden
Kane

[Silkscarf]

No proper left back and Trippier is not the answer so try 3-5-2. Obvious subs available for every position. Give plenty of players a run out once qualification assured.

                 Pickford

         Walker Stones Guehi

Saka Gallagher Rice Foden Gordon

                 Bellingham
                     Kane

[sedwardsdrfc]

Personally I feel that Rice is better as the all action midfielder (like an Owen Bailey). I don’t think his vision and composure on the ball is good enough to be the deep holding midfielder, which is why Arteta put Jorginho (more of a Matthew Craig) next to him.

I was listening to Guillem Balague on 5 Live. He said we (England) don’t produce players like Kroos, Modric, Jorginho etc. I think either Wharton or Mainoo have what it takes and can offer us more positive possession. I don’t think Southgate has the balls to pick them because they are young.

I don’t think Bellingham is that player, which is reflected in where Ancelotti plays him for Madrid. But he is better than Foden for the no.10 position.

Agree re the deep midfielder we just never have anyone who can do that. Carrick was probably the last but was severely underplayed.

That said if we don’t produce that type of player then we should concentrate less on dictating possession and more on playing quicker, pressing and attacking every chance we get.

At the moment we try to control the game but it just ends up the defenders passing it slowly to each other for a bit with no purpose.

[Padge_DRFC]

Looks like Shaw is probably not going to play a game. Pathetic he took no other left back.

[grayx]

Looks like Shaw is probably not going to play a game. Pathetic he took no other left back.

Madness… should have taken Chilwell, probs best left back available.

[ChrisBx]

Looks like Shaw is probably not going to play a game. Pathetic he took no other left back.

Madness… should have taken Chilwell, probs best left back available.

Another with a terrible injury record this season, although arguably would have been less of a risk than Shaw.

[Danmckay456]

Looks like Shaw is probably not going to play a game. Pathetic he took no other left back.

Madness… should have taken Chilwell, probs best left back available.

Chilwell is awful and should be nowhere near the England squad , been poor every time he’s played - we really are short of quality at left back can understand the logic behind trippier and he’s been ok this tournament it’s midfield we have been poor

[auckleyflyer]

I think he's not going to start Trent. Which will be good enough to make sure we win the game. Nothing against Trent but doesn't fit into this squad!
I'd like him to start Watkins with kane on from 60-70mins but don't think he will.
Will take our failing at another tournament unfortunately to see that Kane has lost his engine abit?? (Still a fantastic goalscorer, but England's style requires more work?(And runs))

[grayx]

Looks like Shaw is probably not going to play a game. Pathetic he took no other left back.

Madness… should have taken Chilwell, probs best left back available.

Chilwell is awful and should be nowhere near the England squad , been poor every time he’s played - we really are short of quality at left back can understand the logic behind trippier and he’s been ok this tournament it’s midfield we have been poor

Whilst i agree the midfield has been poor, the inbalance of having a right footed left back is plain to see.

[graingrover]

I do think the expectations are above the realities as to how the England squad compares to other countries .It’s the way football is fed to the public in U.K. by Sky and pundits in general .Cable TV in Belgium where I live gives us access to Belgium , Germany ! France , Italy , Spain and most other EU top football. I think that U.K. confuses Kane’s  success  in Germany  and Bellingham’s in Spain with National TEAM supremacy .So get behind them because the same pundits who were encouraging you to believe they were champions in all but name will now encourage you to destroy them in just the same way .ROVERS TID .

[karldew]

Just hoping it’s decent!, set off tomorrow morning for 2 nights in Cologne and have a ticket for the match.

Can see maybe Gordon starting, Foden dropping to a 10 and Jude dropping in with Rice. TAA dropped

[ncRover]

             Rice           Wharton

Saka             Bellingham         Gordon

                         Kane


Foden and Kane doesn’t work. They occupy the same position on the pitch when left to do their default thing. Whereas Foden and Watkins would work better - impact sub duo.

Bellingham is wasted playing deeper. He’s a goalscorer.

Kane is not Haaland, and Rice isn’t Kroos.

You have to look at WHY these players do well for their club rather than just chuck them in and hope for the best.

[LincsRover]

In reply to the original post I think we’ll probably win vs Slovenia, whilst making hard work of it, playing not great; win a knockout round vs a lesser team, and first top team we play; France, germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy etc.. we’ll revert to negative type and go home. I’d love to be wrong but have a horrible feeling it’s all v predictable! 

[Barmby Rover]

England will probably lose. The lack of any wish to actually try to play football will let them down. Hell I could stand on a field, turn round and pass back for 90 minutes, does that make me international standard? Apparently so, if they lack confidence in trying to beat an opponent then pack it in lads, you are not able to call yourself professionals.

[RoversInSpain]

It’s a qualifying match, and will be managed as such with England progressing.

[Campsall rover]

If you think Kane should be dropped you don’t know much about football.

If you don’t follow England don’t bring your negative energy here. Normal football fans enjoy watching their country play at these amazing tournaments. Your loss.

And if you think John Coleman should be next England manager, send me a bit of what you’re smoking because it must be good stuff.

Think that was said in jest. 

[Colin C No.3]

Slovenia.

Such a rich history in European football.

I think we should err on the side of caution & play 5-4-1.

A draw should see us through to the heady heights of the knock out stages.

[Padge_DRFC]

Shaw back training

[ChrisBx]

Shaw back training

Let's hope he's in a position to come off the bench tomorrow.