World Cup Russia 2018

[Papas1982]

Another question is who will captain the side? Has to be someone who's guaranteed to start so you're down to about 6 options already. For my money it should be Kane, he has the winner's attitude, would lead by example, plus I think the armband would make him raise his game, which as the focal point for our attack is invaluable.

I have a horrible feeling it might be Henderson though.

I think the captains role has changed somewhat in recent times. I think calling it the beckham effect as some do is a little ott tbh as many players since him have had as much of not more say on their teams running (think Messi at Barca).

the player should be a starter I agree though as it’s still meant to be an honour for the player and calling up someone and handing over to them would be stupid imo.

I’d go Kane, quite simply he’s easily our best player and Should do well as long as he doesn’t take corners!

 

[Slime]

I'd certainly have Lallana and Smalling in the squad in place of Welbeck and Cahill.
United had the second tightest defence this season and Smalling has played more than any other United defender.
Welbeck is just not required, good enough or reliable enough and England are looking thin in midfield ............... not up front.

 

[Papas1982]

I'd certainly have Lallana and Smalling in the squad in place of Welbeck and Cahill.
United had the second tightest defence this season and Smalling has played more than any other United defender.
Welbeck is just not required, good enough or reliable enough and England are looking thin in midfield ............... not up front.

will england play (let’s put this nicely) as pragmatic a style as Utd under Mourinho? Or have a keeper as good as De Gea between the sticks?

As has bee said many a time before..... kleberson won a league and Traore a CL. Doesn’t make em decent.

 

[Slime]

will england play (let’s put this nicely) as pragmatic a style as Utd under Mourinho? Or have a keeper as good as De Gea between the sticks?

As has bee said many a time before..... kleberson won a league and Traore a CL. Doesn’t make em decent.

What's your point?
You've lost me there, or am I missing an obtuse point?

 

[Papas1982]

What's your point?
You've lost me there, or am I missing an obtuse point?

You're suggesting smalling deserves a place based on UTDs defensive record. I’m saying that I would say they have that record for a number of reasons, Mourinho’s tactics and De Geas brilliance being the main two, and that smallings ability (lack of) has little to do with it.

 

[MadAdey]

Whoever he puts in the starting 11 I just hope he doesn't play some kind of crazy formation. All the teams at the minute are playing a 4-3-3 formation. Rashford and Sterling are use to playing wide in a front 3, like Kane is use to playing the solo role between 2 wide men. Henderson is use to playing the central anchor role in the middle of a midfield 3 and that is what players like Ali are use to also.

BAsically what I'm getting at is play the formation all the players are use to playing in, in the position they train to play in all season. Too often I see the England line up and you have players playing in formations that they are not use to, playing in positions they are not use to. Yes I know people will say that they are professional footballers and should be able to play in any formation they are given. Day in day out these players are trained to play in a certain formation in a certain position, so for once set the team up in a way they already know to play.

 

[Kellfire]

England will play 3-5-2. The squad basically tells you that.

 

[USER1999]

Another question is who will captain the side? For my money it should be Kane, he has the winner's attitude,

And he has won what?

 

[Orikoru]

11 Appearances all season, most as a sub. Had he been fit and palying regualry then there is no doubt he'd be in, the same for Wilshire too probably. Leaving him out is the right descision.

Clearly fitness is the reason Lallana's not been selected, but I think rather than having Delph who I expect not to play a single minute, I would have had Lallana as the 23rd man; it's a gamble worth taking because if he did actually find some fitness, he offers us something unique that no other player has. He's in the stand-by list, so presumably if an attacker gets injured he will be in - so he's obviously fit enough to go and train with the squad?

Whoever he puts in the starting 11 I just hope he doesn't play some kind of crazy formation. All the teams at the minute are playing a 4-3-3 formation. Rashford and Sterling are use to playing wide in a front 3, like Kane is use to playing the solo role between 2 wide men. Henderson is use to playing the central anchor role in the middle of a midfield 3 and that is what players like Ali are use to also.

BAsically what I'm getting at is play the formation all the players are use to playing in, in the position they train to play in all season. Too often I see the England line up and you have players playing in formations that they are not use to, playing in positions they are not use to. Yes I know people will say that they are professional footballers and should be able to play in any formation they are given. Day in day out these players are trained to play in a certain formation in a certain position, so for once set the team up in a way they already know to play.

Well, we know for sure Southgate will be using the 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2 with wing backs, as he has in all our recent games.

The team will be something like this I expect:

Pickford
Walker - Stones - Cahill
Trippier - Dier - Henderson - Rose
Sterling - Dele
Kane​

Depending on opposition he may bring Vardy in for Dele or Sterling. Cahill & Rose might be Jones/Maguire & Young, that depends on Southgate's preference, but I think the others are mostly set in stone.

 

[drewster]

Looking at the squad surely he's going to go "sh&t or bust " and just go out City/Liverpool style and try and score more than the oppo ? If it was me I'd find a way to play Vardy, Kane, Sterling and Alli all in from the start. Add Pickford, Walker, Maguire, Stones , Dier , Rose and Henderson. Let the front 4 just play , don't stifle them with anything ...just go out and play. Gung ho for me !!!!!!

 

[Piece]

I hope he plays these:

Pope

Stones Cahill Maguire

Walker Sterling Dier Henderson Rose

Kane Vardy


Would just like to see our best strikers given a chance together, not the usual "we'll leave one on the bench for impact later" rubbish.

Shame that Tarkowski didn't make it. He would be instead of Cahill for me.

 

[Crazyface]

Looking at the squad surely he's going to go "sh&t or bust " and just go out City/Liverpool style and try and score more than the oppo ? If it was me I'd find a way to play Vardy, Kane, Sterling and Alli all in from the start. Add Pickford, Walker, Maguire, Stones , Dier , Rose and Henderson. Let the front 4 just play , don't stifle them with anything ...just go out and play. Gung ho for me !!!!!!

Ditto this. What the hell, cavalry charge until we run out of steam then hang on for grim death....if we've got anything to hang on to.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I still look at the squad and see lots of pace and lots of steel and strength ready to dig in

But the first thing is the formation- clearly going three at the back plus wing backs and I expect two guys to sit ( Henderson and Dier ) - which leaves three spots and prob some of England bests players looking to fill those spots - Ali , Vardy , Kane , Sterling - I can’t see all four being squeezed which I think means Vardy misses out

So the team I expect will be

Pickford/Butland

Walker
Stones
Maguire
Cahill
Rose

Henderson
Dier

Ali
Sterling
Kane

- the one thing that sticks out as missing is someone who can create with a bit of guile and clever passes - that’s where I would have Lallana coming on

But as Lallana is only a standby using the players he has picked this is how I would line up

Butland

Walker
Stones
Maguire
Rose

Henderson
Dier
Ali

Vardy
Kane
Sterling

Again it’s still missing the creative player but I think it makes better use of the players pace and it can move to a three at the back with Dier having the ability to drop in

For me I still don’t understand the picks of Welbeck , Jones , Delph and Young ( already got four fullbacks )

Would have replaced them with - Lallana , Tarkowski , Wilshire and the wild card Foden.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

And putting everything else aside I shall be supporting England all the way to the Final...

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Not good enough to be a regular starter for his club and when he did start he was average at best.

Yet still people are suggesting he should be in the squad.

Who? Jack Wilshere.

Can anyone tell me when he last had a a major influence on a game for club or country.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Personally I rather hope no Liverpool players play any games. I don’t wont them risking injury or not getting the end of season rest all players need.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Not good enough to be a regular starter for his club and when he did start he was average at best.

Yet still people are suggesting he should be in the squad.

Who? Jack Wilshere.

Can anyone tell me when he last had a a major influence on a game for club or country.

He has been a regular starter this season barring injury , despite his overhype he can actually play a pass and is an intelligent player , at times this year for his club he has stood out. The squad seriously lacks any sort of passing creativity and whilst Wilshire is not as good as people suggest he is still a better passer than they have in the squad. Unless you can think of someone better that has been missed

 

[Kellfire]

Ashley Young should be nailed on for the LWB spot - streets ahead of Danny Rose this year.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

He has been a regular starter this season barring injury , despite his overhype he can actually play a pass and is an intelligent player , at times this year for his club he has stood out. The squad seriously lacks any sort of passing creativity and whilst Wilshire is not as good as people suggest he is still a better passer than they have in the squad. Unless you can think of someone better that has been missed

Shelvey.

Questions over his character but the same is true of Wilshere and Shelvey has been in much better form.

I agree that the squad is short of creativity but Wilshere is not the answer.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Shelvey.

Questions over his character but the same is true of Wilshere and Shelvey has been in much better form.

I agree that the squad is short of creativity but Wilshere is not the answer.

Fair shout on Shelvey - he is another that can add a very good long passing range , and should be in the squad - Wilshire and Shelvey are both far from the answer but right now until some of the better young ones come through they are as close as England can get.