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Deleted member 1740
Guest
Southgate should’ve just said “I’ll only drop players if I’ve got a suitable replacement“ because that’s what he’s actually done.
I think he has been solid from about January onwards. Before then he has been excellent for England, had the odd brain fade for Everton. I wouldn't say littered, no more than most keepers and better than the majority in the PL. None of that for some time though.
Swango1980
Well-known member
As has been pointed out, there is no possible way to definitively say that "tackle" did NOT endanger the opponent though. IF DeBruyne had been injured in that foul, would the red card have stood? If so, does a red card depend on the outcome? As I said, there have been examples of red cards before where a player has quite clearly taken out an opponent running at speed. Not 2 footed, leg breaking challenges. But, still dangerous and no attempt to win the ball.
Personally, I'm not saying this type of challenge should be a red card, as it is often put down as a professional foul. But, I'm still surprised the VAR asked for a review, as they must have been convinced that the opponent was in never any danger from such a challenge.
Swango1980
Well-known member
Not that simple. the manager picks the team that he thinks has the best chance of winning games. Players can dip in and out of form. If Harry Kane only scores 2 or 3 goals between now and November, whilst Watkins, Calvert Lewin, Ings and Bamford all get at least 7 or 8 goals each, if not more, I can guarantee you that Kane will still be first choice striker for England at the World Cup. Ignoring some biased fans opinions who are anti-Spurs and/or pro their own players, fans are bound to agree with this decision.
Southgate obviously believes Pickford is his No.1 at this point. It also is important to show some faith and trust on players to get the best out of them. If you just chop and change every game, based on form at clubs (where players are probably playing in different systems anyway, with different players obviously) you are just going to get a mess. Probably end up with different players during each international game window, and trying to get the newbies to work on a system from scratch. Little point in that, when you have a player on the bench who knows exactly how to play in that system, and has done it well every time they've been asked to play in the past.
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Kane example is poor, since he's clearly proven world class and streets ahead of the other options. If you think that of Pickford or Maguire then your head needs checking.
Whatever, I'm sure people will keep spouting this 'he never lets England down' rhetoric until he drops a clanger in the World Cup semi final and gets us knocked out. His only 'strength' seems to be that he can kick it really far, so let's hope we can score off one of his long balls to justify his selection.
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
Like Everton did in the 88th minute at the weekend
but in fairness, if what you're saying does happen (he lets us down the semi-final) - you'll probably see him dropped for the 2024 euros. Every cloud and that.
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
We all know Southgate (and most England managers) pick their mates for the team. If he don’t like the player, he won’t pick him.
It will never change.
He has played in 45 games for England, 2 semi finals of major tournaments. and has still not let England down in any game. I'm not understanding why people are so keen for him to have a mare. Of all the places in the England team that need scrutiny, keeper really is not one of them.Like Everton did in the 88th minute at the weekend
but in fairness, if what you're saying does happen (he lets us down the semi-final) - you'll probably see him dropped for the 2024 euros. Every cloud and that.
If his form does drop then Pope and Henderson are ready made replacements. Not happened yet though.
(kick it really far, and to his own player
)
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Pope has never let England down either. It's an irrelevant point. Pickford has certainly had slip-ups for England but has got away with them. It is only down to luck that he hasn't cost us a serious game. He's not very good. What you're saying is like turning down a free Mercedes because your old budget Skoda 'hasn't let you down yet'. It's nonsense, you'd just take the better car.He has played in 45 games for England, 2 semi finals of major tournaments. and has still not let England down in any game. I'm not understanding why people are so keen for him to have a mare. Of all the places in the England team that need scrutiny, keeper really is not one of them.
If his form does drop then Pope and Henderson are ready made replacements. Not happened yet though.
(kick it really far, and to his own player
Any difference is marginal and so marginal to the manager that he is happy to leave Pickford where he is as he fits what he wants from a keeper. I'm not seeing the great disadvantage of keeping Pickford.
Pope has 8 England caps so it is not as though Southgate has not looked at him. Henderson couldn't get a game last season so there was no way he could be selected. Unless he has a dip in form, unless he lets in some howlers through the season, there is no reason to change him.
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
He has played in 45 games for England, 2 semi finals of major tournaments. and has still not let England down in any game. I'm not understanding why people are so keen for him to have a mare. Of all the places in the England team that need scrutiny, keeper really is not one of them.
If his form does drop then Pope and Henderson are ready made replacements. Not happened yet though.
(kick it really far, and to his own player
I don't disagree by the way...a bit like Slabhead, he's always performed well for England, despite having some shortcomings at club level. If anything having the likes of Pope, Hendo and Ramsdale chasing his place, will hopefully make him up his game in time for the World Cup.
Fade and Die
Medal Winner
Spoke to a mate last night who asked if I'd take Brendan Rodgers over Moyes.
I said that right now I'd take Ginger Rogers over Moyes. ?
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Deleted member 15344
Guest
Moyes out already is it ?
Orikoru
Tour Winner
I'm sure Pickford and Maguire will still be starting, unfortunately. I just hate this argument that they play well for England if not for their clubs. Just because they're wearing a different shirt it doesn't make them a different player, they still have the exact same likelihood of making a blunder. But the fact is 80% of England games are easier than a typical Premier League game, particularly for defensive players. Slow clap for not dropping the ball against the likes of Kosovo, Albania, Bulgaria, Panama, etc.
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Deleted member 29109
Guest
shall we also slow clap every time Kane scores another pen against one of those teams? Or misses a sitter?
Fade and Die
Medal Winner
It won’t happen as the board have let him spend over 100Mil (?) but he certainly seems to be trying to disprove Einstein’s quote re a fool.
I know what team, and how we will play next week and the week after and the week after that. Every manager in the league knows.
Truth of the matter is his whole philosophy is flawed, counter attacking football, allowing possession to the opposition without a hard press, well we all saw yesterday the outcome.
The man is as flexible as a re-bar and idea's outdated.
He didn't replace a striker for 18 months and is now trying to sign anyone who is stupid enough to come, the sight of Cornet whispering something to Scamacca was hilarious, "what the hell have we done " sprang to mind.
A change of formation and mindset is needed and needed now.
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Again a stupid argument because he scores against the best teams in the Premier League as well.
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Deleted member 15344
Guest
Have you all not been through this before - Moyes does a good job for you , expectations go higher , when he doesn’t reach them you demand he leaves - it’s already happened with Moyes , made the mistake of getting rid of him once before
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Deleted member 29109
Guest
We are talking about playing for England
Swango1980
Well-known member
I never mentioned Maguire in this particular discussion. However, it is the job of the England manager to pick the team of players that gives him the best chance of success over the long term. Southgate has chosen Pickford. Others may choose Pope. There is no right answer that 100% of people would agree with. But, the logic for picking Pickford seems sound.
There may well be a mistake in Pickford going forward. But, that is pretty much true for any player. You can't guarantee Pope will make none. And, given Pickford seems to have embraced the position as England's No 1, by doing a good job, I see no logical reason why Southgate would want to mess about with that
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