). Really lively, nimble and can create something out of nothing.
The best club sides scarcely have any English players anyway. If they do they're mostly on the bench.
Good post. Pickford is a weird one, I still don't think he's top drawer, but it is weird and notable that he's only made mistakes for his club so far and not really for England. I've said similar to you on Hendo - I don't always know what he brings to the table, but he's done as well as anyone.It strikes me that, in general, England fans are an incredibly negative bunch. Maybe it is mainly in forums like these, as fans like to tell the world what they feel, and it is so much better to get things off your chest by spouting negative views. But, it seems to go from normal stuff about who you think should be in a squad, in a starting 11, how we should play, etc (which all seem perfectly normal discussions), to becoming absolutely hell bent in highlighting any criticism / mistake and lambasting the players you are meant to be supporting. I wonder if other big nations are the same. Not so much after crashing out, which is bound to generate negative feedback, but whilst actually playing in the tournament?
It can't go unnoticed that, thus far, England must look impressive to other nations watching? They had one sub par game, against USA, but got a result that was very useful none the less. They have kept 3 clean sheets in 4 games, and conceded 2, both of which came when the game was already won, and one of which was a questionable penalty. They've scored 12 goals in 4 games. So, I thought I'd look at some of the positive aspects of some of the England players, mainly those that get some heavy criticism, and also those that must genuinely frighten the opponents:
Pickford: Of all England goalkeepers that I have ever seen (going back to early 90's), he seems to be best at not letting the shirt weight him down. Even if he was to make a mistake, as all goalkeepers do, I honestly don't think it would negatively impact to the same extent as it would most other keepers. Might not even phase him at all, and he'll just get on with doing what he does.
Maguire: Indeed, we all know of his struggles, and he is no Rio Ferdinand or VVD. Sadly, each time I watch him in possession, I suspect it is the expectations of the fans that negatively impact him more than complete lack of ability. He knows he'll get slagged off at any given opportunity by many England fans, even for the smallest of errors. Constant cheap shots. But, he has still done well thus far, and a good presence to have in the box when crosses are being fired in. I suspect he will only come away from this World Cup with any general credit if England win the tournament, as if they concede and go out he may well get the blame (and God forbid he actually makes a big error, as he genuinely might have to leave the country with the abuse I'd expect he'd get)
Bellingham: What can I say, he looks absolutely immense. Thankfully, he doesn't have any real critics as yet, probably because he hasn't played for Man Utd or Liverpool (or rivals of them), and most fans will be desperate he signs for them in the future.
Foden: Just another immense player, playing in a club side where he is used to very high expectations (sadly he is just at the wrong club
Kane: He just seems to get so much criticism, and I don't get it. Is it because he doesn't camp out in the opposition box? To me, he is a very different striker. He may well have made a new position. Some sort of striking quarterback, a Number 9, 10 and 8 rolled into one. He moves all over the opposition half, that it would be impossible to keep him marked. He is intelligent, has a good touch, holds onto the ball well, great vision and can play a great pass. As long as he has players around him on his wavelength, he is an incredible player to have in your team. Do people really think Calum Wilson would be better up front for England? You'd probably have to put a lot more pressure on the midfield in creating chances for him, whereas with Kane he very much a key component of the build up.
Grealish: He doesn't score or set up goals as much as people want. But, he does have a great ability of keeping hold of the ball, and drawing fouls. Excellent timing in just nicking the ball away from a defender as they think they have a chance to get the ball. I'd be interested to know how often he is actually dispossessed, I have a feeling that stat might be relatively low compared to others (weighted for dribbles made).
Rashford: Had a torrid year or so, and he still frustrates at times by losing possession. However, a lot of pace and power, and can use that to devastating effect. I am sure he is a player a defender would be nervous about facing. Even if he doesn't start, can be a very good impact sub
Rice: He just seems to be doing a very professional job thus far, seems to have a very steady head to play that role as the deep midfielder, difficult to be critical.
Henderson: Even I question Henderson's inclusion at times, and joke about his shouting. But, I certainly wasn't surprised that he made the squad, and that he has certain qualities that can be used in the right system. Good intelligent run for his goal yesterday, albeit I didn't understand what his role was in that 11, as I expected him to be sitting deeper.
TAA: Well, I can't imagine he will get any game time in the next games, unless England are winning by 4 or 5 goals. I just think he is not a great defender, certainly not compared to those around him. However, he clearly has other amazing qualities, and if he played in a side that played a different way, he'd be one of the first on the team sheet. Maybe, if England are in a losing position, he might get a chance to come on and create goals. Even though he plays for Liverpool, it would be lovely to see him score a late free-kick equaliser and then setting up the winning goal (even better if Maguire was the one to benefit from the cross, and it was the final)
Southgate: I'm still not convinced he is a manager that can maximise the attacking talent of the team (but I guess no manager is perfect in every single possible area), but it is also true that we are starting to see more attacking positives from games, so it is not abysmal. My biggest questioning of him was in the USA game, mainly because I couldn't understand not picking Foden, and the late subs when England were really struggling at the start of that second half. However, his biggest strength could be the way he manages those players. As I alluded to at the start, playing for England must be an extremely stressful situation for many players, when many will get so much abuse from their so called fans. It almost feels like the fans are more excited about saying "I told you so..." when things go wrong, than giving their support to all the players, and not lynching them when things go wrong. But, Southgate seems to have built an atmosphere within the camp that blocks this feeling of intimidation out. There is a confidence and spirit that I have never seen in an England squad before, and so there has to be massive credit to him in that. He also deals very well within the press conferences, and so he never adds fuel to the flames when the media are trying to stir things up. So, given the type of fans / media England have, perhaps Southgate is the perfect man to manage England?
The chances of England winning are less than 50%. But, the same is true for every big nation. To win a World Cup, a team needs to hope that they reach their peak for the tournament (easier said than done), but even if they do, will still require moments of luck to go their way. Before France scored last night, a pretty poor Polish team were giving them a good game, and probably should have been winning. The next game will be England's biggest test, same for France. Could go either way. But, I think there is a lot more to be positive about this England squad for the next few years, rather than being all doom and gloom.
It was a little bit weird and intenseAnyone see the celebration between Bellingham and Henderson after Henderson scored, where they put their heads together? The way VAR has gone this tournament, I am just glad VAR didn't ask the referee to review the incident, and send both players off for a headbutt
If Maguire was playing for Brighton would he be in the England team.
Just practicing for January in the PLIt was a little bit weird and intense
Will you be buying him and Bellingham?
Hendo is now chief scout.
