The England Thread

[luRRka]

Guess fucking what? Who wants to bet me one shiny pound he starts against City having had a nice week's rest?

I'd just withdraw these pricks from the euros squad. I know it's knee jerk and detrimental to England's chances but you don't see players like kane doing it

(Also I'm aware of how hard it would be to prove they don't have injuries and they won't get removed from euros, it's just me overreaching)

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Southgate doesn't have the gravitas to deal with these players.

 

[ItsBoris]

You don’t win these tournaments by playing attacking football with a bunch of young players. Spain won the World Cup in 2010. They were the best international team since Brazil 1970. Lost first game 1-0, won the rest 1-0. Our defence cannot be relied on, therefore I am sure he will play a defensive player with Rice.

I think you've got a point there. Even that Spain team played Xabi Alonso next to Busquets and put Iniesta out wide, and Sergio Ramos at right back

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

 

[luRRka]

At least he actually got injured. There's video evidence and he went off injured

 

[ItsBoris]

I think Southgate did tremendously well to turn the culture around at the time, but England still tend to exit a tournament when they meet a decent team.

The 2018 WC and 2021 Euros were great in terms of everyone being really excited and England getting beyond the quarters. But I think if we’re being honest you would expect England under normal circumstances to win most of the matches they won on the way to the semi and final in those tournaments - Colombia, Sweden, Ukraine, Denmark.

Germany stands out as being the one special result even though they were not the Germany of the past.

Then England have also lost two of their three knock out rounds to teams who haven’t won the tournaments- Croatia and France.

It would be good to see England start beating the likes of France, Brazil, Italy etc in these big knock out games and not just the matches everyone expects England to win.

Interesting looking back to the 11 that played against France. Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Henderson, Bellingham, Saka, Kane, Foden

I think most people agree that England were the better team in that game. We would probably play the same team today just with a different midfielder replacing Henderson, and most of those players, particularly the younger ones, have improved quite a bit since the World Cup.

Knowing Southgate we might even play the EXACT same team at the Euros.

 

[ItsBoris]

Hardly an issue, front 3 becomes Foden-Watkins-Palmer I'd say

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

At least he actually got injured. There's video evidence and he went off injured

And he showed up to training with an eye towards being able to play.

 

[luRRka]

And he showed up to training with an eye towards being able to play.

And he will probably stay at the england camp

 

[RuskyM]

I know this happens to every team and there's no way to control it, but shit like this should reflect badly on the club. Just outright say "we don't want you considered" before to save everyone the hassle: this just puts the player in a difficult position.

It's fun that the same Arsenal fans who yesterday were claiming Ben White would love to play for England are now also supporting Saka withdrawing because why should he have to play for England? Shameless.

 

[JamieSpursCommunityUser]

Maybe Steve Holland mentioned his untied shoelaces and he stormed out?

 

[spursville]

I think Southgate did tremendously well to turn the culture around at the time, but England still tend to exit a tournament when they meet a decent team.

The 2018 WC and 2021 Euros were great in terms of everyone being really excited and England getting beyond the quarters. But I think if we’re being honest you would expect England under normal circumstances to win most of the matches they won on the way to the semi and final in those tournaments - Colombia, Sweden, Ukraine, Denmark.

Germany stands out as being the one special result even though they were not the Germany of the past.

Then England have also lost two of their three knock out rounds to teams who haven’t won the tournaments- Croatia and France.

It would be good to see England start beating the likes of France, Brazil, Italy etc in these big knock out games and not just the matches everyone expects England to win.

A good post that is screaming out for the old optimistic rating!

 

[spursville]

Hardly an issue, front 3 becomes Foden-Watkins-Palmer I'd say

We have to see what Toney can do and Toney needs to understand what is expected.

 

[Marty]

We have to see what Toney can do and Toney needs to understand what is expected.

I think Toney is firmly third choice behind Watkins. Watkins has had an almost Kane 2020/21 season this season, his game has come along so massively. 16 goals and 10 assists in the league for Villa is serious numbers.

Watkins deserves way more a chance than Toney.

 

[UncleBuck]

I think Toney is firmly third choice behind Watkins. Watkins has had an almost Kane 2020/21 season this season, his game has come along so massively. 16 goals and 10 assists in the league for Villa is serious numbers.

Watkins deserves way more a chance than Toney.

Think I’d rather play rashford through the middle than Toney, we’ve got enough options on the flanks.

 

[Hazelton]

Just scrap this stupid international break once and for all, it's bad enough that there are about 50 qualifiers per season but these friendlies mid-season are ridiculous and are part of the reason why so many players are getting injured every year. Nobody cares, waste of fucking time.

 

[JSpurs1]

I see Nike taking some stick for the new kit. It’s nice and I’m not really arsed about the cross but £70 for a kids top is ludicrous.

 

[Gbspurs]

I see Nike taking some stick for the new kit. It’s nice and I’m not really arsed about the cross but £70 for a kids top is ludicrous.

I think it's more the changing of the St George's flag on the back. It raises some interesting questions about whether a kit designer should be able to do this. I certainly imagine if a UK company made the USA kit and change the colours of the starts and stripes that there would be hell to pay.

German national team also catching flack for moving away from Adidas to Nike. I wonder if national teams should have national kit manufacturers too rather than selling themselves out like the clubs do?

 

[UncleBuck]

I see Nike taking some stick for the new kit. It’s nice and I’m not really arsed about the cross but £70 for a kids top is ludicrous.

I took a punt about four weeks ago on what is now soccer04, white one turned up today and it’s great, especially for £11, not so sure about the small fold down collar though.
They’ve finally decided to do kids spurs tracksuits as well for £20, highly recommended!

 

[UncleBuck]

I think it's more the changing of the St George's flag on the back. It raises some interesting questions about whether a kit designer should be able to do this. I certainly imagine if a UK company made the USA kit and change the colours of the starts and stripes that there would be hell to pay.

German national team also catching flack for moving away from Adidas to Nike. I wonder if national teams should have national kit manufacturers too rather than selling themselves out like the clubs do?

Really good point actually, I’ve been looking back at some of the old Umbro kits and they were pretty good.
What with the resurgence of the Umbro brand the FA could quite easily save themselves a few quid and take a few quid off the shirt sale price when the Nike contract is up…..in 2030.
Seriously, who signs up to a ten year kit deal, classic FA….