The International Break

Indeed, doesn't look good for him though.

I've not posted pic or video btw as it ain't for the faint hearted...

 

Been a few really bad ones this season, that can all go into 'worst in years' category.

Obviously this one, Agueros against Chelsea earlier in season and there's one more awful one that i can't think of off the top of my head...

 

How many club managers, indeed clubs are going to clamour for the International season to be radically reformed after the latest batch of injuries? For clubs in the PL, there is very little benefit to these breaks as players are whisked on a plane to some part of the world, and could be away for up to nigh on two weeks at a time of the season. And this at a time when the seaon is coming to a climax. I can see a valid reason to have the international break compressed into the month of December each year so that half a dozen matches could be played, friendlies as well as qualifying matches. The international sqauds would then be together for 4/5 weeks, with the players able to develop a cohesion and unity that is often lacking in these shorter breaks. Then have a two week club break in early January for the PL and Championship before resuming the season again.

 

TV didn't show replay, so must have been horrific.

Edit: seen replay and pictures. Shocking.

 

Dele Alli in Europa?

 

It has been revamped, nations league starts soon to replace friendlies doesn't it?

Ahh, cheers Qwerty, that's the one

 

http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/mar/...-qualifying-round-england-4-0-slovenia-250317

England U17s beat Slovenia 4-0 to qualify for the summer competition.

 

Bertrand starts, Defoe gets first start for 3 years, looks like we've gone to a back 4 for this:

Hart
Bertrand
Stones
Keane
Walker
Dier
Chambo
Sterling
Alli
Lallana
Defoe


Should be very straightforward this, 5-0 England

 

Bertrand really need to take this opportunity. I doubt he'd be starting if Rose was fit, and the fact that Shaw still makes the squad despite hardly kicking a ball for Utd suggests that Southgate is a big fan (so if Shaw can starting getting a kick at Utd, or move somewhere in the summer, then no doubt he becomes even more favoured by Southgate). So if Ryan wants to become a regular, and ultimately start a the World Cup next year, he needs to be staking his claim. Especially in games like this one.

 

I'd suggest that to even be in the squad he needs to. If Shaw starts to play and impress then I'd say that him & Rose will be Southgates first choice.

 

1-0.

Defoe

 

Defoe scores.

 

Can see floodgates opening now...

 

Despite the media love-in for Southgate's new brand of football, I'm still finding England's approach to this game quite slow and laboured.

Part of that comes from Alli and Sterling's insistance on trying to do something individually impressive before moving the ball on, rather than looking for a quick pass that the opposition are less likely to be able to deal with.


And Hoddle defends them every time for being 'positive'

 

Yep it's pretty dull, though most gmaes against these sorts of teams are to be fair.

Roll on next week eh?

 

Absolutely.


Agreed, and part of that is the weaker team setup, which you cannot blame them for.

But knowing that's the case, why don't England go with an attacking formatino, and try to replicate a situation where they need to get a goal (pretend they're 2-1 to iceland in a quarter final or something!).

Go 3-5-2, and really push to see if they can score if they had to against a team who are all out defence.


Wheras at the moment I think Southgate / England would be more than happy to win 1-0 with no injuries and no cards.

 

Bloody hell Hart!

 

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

I always get the impression that England players 'robotically' take players on as instructed by England coaches. It all feels a bit programmed rather than organic. One of the reasons why I give Boufal for Saints an enormous amount of slack is, 1] he's obviously getting used to the pace of the PL, but more importantly to me, 2] because he takes people on because he bloody well wants to and knows he can do it. [keep at it Sofiane] Nothing feels programmed about it.

 

Spot on mate, I would have quite liked to see the back 3 again to be honest, I think it would suit Stones better so would of been nice to give him a game in one too.