Orikoru
Tour Winner
I was just making a whimsical comment about how people had discussed Henderson for five pages. Feel free to save your tears for something more serious.
Tashyboy
Please don’t ask to see my tatts 👍
Gareth Southgate questions why Pep does not play Phil Foden in the middle of the park 
.
He says ask the best manager in the world ( Pep) why he does that. Seriously. Let me have a guess. KDB.
.He says ask the best manager in the world ( Pep) why he does that. Seriously. Let me have a guess. KDB.
Bdill93
Undisputed King of FOMO
Right - another Southgate moan.
Mr. Contradiction.
In the above article Southgate claims about Foden "He doesn't [play centrally] for his club, so presumably there's a reason for that," said the Three Lions boss. - and goes on to say "You'd have to speak with Pep [Guardiola], the best coach in the world, who plays him from wide. He's always got the freedom to drift if we play him wide and that's important. It depends on the level of the game, really."
So he plays Foden wide because he does it for Pep.
However - its perfectly acceptable for him to play Trent as a CM which he doesn't for his club? He's played Maddison on a wing which he doesn't for his club.
Foden is probably the best ball playing footballer in the England squad, he needs to be on the pitch making a difference. It does not matter on "the level of the game" unless we're playing San Marino and starting kids - Foden needs to be on the pitch somewhere.
I've honestly had enough of the absolutely useless bell piece that is Southgate, he needs to go.
Mr. Contradiction.
In the above article Southgate claims about Foden "He doesn't [play centrally] for his club, so presumably there's a reason for that," said the Three Lions boss. - and goes on to say "You'd have to speak with Pep [Guardiola], the best coach in the world, who plays him from wide. He's always got the freedom to drift if we play him wide and that's important. It depends on the level of the game, really."
So he plays Foden wide because he does it for Pep.
However - its perfectly acceptable for him to play Trent as a CM which he doesn't for his club? He's played Maddison on a wing which he doesn't for his club.
Foden is probably the best ball playing footballer in the England squad, he needs to be on the pitch making a difference. It does not matter on "the level of the game" unless we're playing San Marino and starting kids - Foden needs to be on the pitch somewhere.
I've honestly had enough of the absolutely useless bell piece that is Southgate, he needs to go.
Bdill93
Undisputed King of FOMO
Gareth Southgate questions why Pep does not play Phil Foden in the middle of the park
He says ask the best manager in the world ( Pep) why he does that. Seriously. Let me have a guess. KDB.
great minds Tashy...
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
Yep team needs to be built around Foden.
sooner the better.
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
He’s been playing there while KDB is injured hasn’t he.Gareth Southgate questions why Pep does not play Phil Foden in the middle of the park
He says ask the best manager in the world ( Pep) why he does that. Seriously. Let me have a guess. KDB.
is gs watching. ?
The best teams are never built around one player or you’re setting yourself up for a huge fall.
And if the England team were to follow that path it should be Bellingham.
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Agreed. People keep saying 'he's done well' but I honestly think a lot of it is down to the generational talent he's had. He's had England's record goalscorer up top for his whole tenure. In Rice, Bellingham, Foden we have some generational talent that we've not seen in midfield since the days of Lampard/Gerrard/Scholes (who were also wasted of course). The only areas where we've been weak are at centre back and goalkeeper, but we've had enough attacking talent that playing the right way could have covered it. His useless game management cost us winning the Euro 2020(21) final and the expectation now should be to go and win Euro 2024 - no excuses. the only side that can match us for talent is France really.
Tashyboy
Please don’t ask to see my tatts 👍
Personally the midfield for me would be built around Rice, Bellingham and Foden. That leaves a front three of Saka, Kane and Grealish. There’s players in there that are massively gifted, technically superb. But work. Kane being fed buy that lot is like Haaland being fed at City.
Bdill93
Undisputed King of FOMO
It blows my mind.
See off the old guard and bed in some of the next generation now.
Start:
Ramsdale
Walker, Colwill, Guehi/Tomori, Chilwell
Rice
Foden Bellingham
Saka, Kane, Grealish/ Eze
Not hard... Absolutely ridiculous potential
Bdill93
Undisputed King of FOMO
Get out of my head....
I'll ask the question again, I have to do this every so often. Why are people so keen to get rid of Pickford. He can't help being born in Sunderland 
so once you get past that, how has he let England down?
If Ramsdale is the answer why has Arteta bought someone to replace him? Pope has wobbled at Newcastle this year. In the meantime, Pickford keeps making save after save (we do give him plenty of practice) and he continues to do a first class job for England. If you are analysing the problems with England, the GK is not part of the discussion
so once you get past that, how has he let England down?If Ramsdale is the answer why has Arteta bought someone to replace him? Pope has wobbled at Newcastle this year. In the meantime, Pickford keeps making save after save (we do give him plenty of practice) and he continues to do a first class job for England. If you are analysing the problems with England, the GK is not part of the discussion
Tashyboy
Please don’t ask to see my tatts 👍
The point is though, who as a fan would moan if that was tried. What has he got to lose.
Away from whoever he picks. What is out actual style of play. Pass pass pass. Against the poorer teams you can do that. But the top 10 teams in the world have managers and players that defend against that. They are organised.
Swango1980
Well-known member
For me, England have one of the most exciting sides in my lifetime, in terms of players at their disposal. Especially when you consider the relationship between all the players, and I'll give Southgate credit for that.
But, whilst they have some of the best players at their disposal in many a year, I think Southgate may be one of the worst managers they've ever had, from a footballing perspective. And, they've had a few managers that haven't been great.
I'd love to have seen what a 1996 Terry Venables could get out of this group. The best managers and teams don't always win, but even when they lose there is a sense of pride in their performance. At Euro 96, for example, they lost in semi but did themselves proud. If only Gazza could have stretched a bit more (ironically it was Southgate who missed the penalty I think).
With the current England side, though, there is always that feeling they could do so much more. Play in a way that actually intimidates the other big sides, instead of the conservative style that can give the opponents a bit of breathing space and time to build up momentum.
But, whilst they have some of the best players at their disposal in many a year, I think Southgate may be one of the worst managers they've ever had, from a footballing perspective. And, they've had a few managers that haven't been great.
I'd love to have seen what a 1996 Terry Venables could get out of this group. The best managers and teams don't always win, but even when they lose there is a sense of pride in their performance. At Euro 96, for example, they lost in semi but did themselves proud. If only Gazza could have stretched a bit more (ironically it was Southgate who missed the penalty I think).
With the current England side, though, there is always that feeling they could do so much more. Play in a way that actually intimidates the other big sides, instead of the conservative style that can give the opponents a bit of breathing space and time to build up momentum.
Swango1980
Well-known member
I like Pickford. He may not ever be best keeper in world, but he's a strong character that won't crumble at any sign of adversity.I'll ask the question again, I have to do this every so often. Why are people so keen to get rid of Pickford. He can't help being born in Sunderland
If Ramsdale is the answer why has Arteta bought someone to replace him? Pope has wobbled at Newcastle this year. In the meantime, Pickford keeps making save after save (we do give him plenty of practice) and he continues to do a first class job for England. If you are analysing the problems with England, the GK is not part of the discussion
And I don't see any other English keeper being easily better than him. Agree with your points on Pope and Ransdale. Actually starting to think Pope is extremely over rated, may be worse on the ball than De Gea. Seems very unsure of himself, which would make me nervous
D
Deleted member 21784
Guest
I'll ask the question again, I have to do this every so often. Why are people so keen to get rid of Pickford. He can't help being born in Sunderland
If Ramsdale is the answer why has Arteta bought someone to replace him? Pope has wobbled at Newcastle this year. In the meantime, Pickford keeps making save after save (we do give him plenty of practice) and he continues to do a first class job for England. If you are analysing the problems with England, the GK is not part of the discussion
Pickford is going nowhere for me..he never lets England down and in terms of keepers long life he is just a pup. He has another 5 years minimum as number 1
Orikoru
Tour Winner
I still think Stones keeps his place over Colwill going forward, but otherwise that's pretty much the team I would want to see.
hairball_89
Club Champion
That team is obscene. On top form I’d have sterling ahead of Grealish. But right now, can’t argue.
Young, exciting and reasonable cover in most spots. The likes of Trent, James, shaw, Jones, JWP etc.
nickjdavis
Head Pro
..and his distribution with his feet is also very good...unlike Pope, where as a Toon fan, I actively cringe whenever the ball looks like arriving at his feet.I'll ask the question again, I have to do this every so often. Why are people so keen to get rid of Pickford. He can't help being born in Sunderland
If Ramsdale is the answer why has Arteta bought someone to replace him? Pope has wobbled at Newcastle this year. In the meantime, Pickford keeps making save after save (we do give him plenty of practice) and he continues to do a first class job for England. If you are analysing the problems with England, the GK is not part of the discussion
Pope is an excellent shot stopper, very strong at coming for crosses. Ball at his feet,
. I think the Toon allow for this and so don't pressure him. England don't compromise and so it exposes him when he plays. I like him but you have to plan for his weakness.
