He did assist Stones with that clever header against the keeper vs Panama. Like he was playing wall ball or something...genius, don't see Messi or Ronaldo doing that do you?
I do have reservations about Sterling, but much of what you say is correct and you categorically DON'T change a winning team at this stage.
I can only assume you haven’t watched Rashford when starting games for Man U and England. He’s not quite there yet. Particularly when you look at the Belgium game you see the difference in intelligence in the areas Sterling picks up in comparison to Vardy and Rashford. Just different types of players and Sterling is clearly a better fit for the way we want to play. I’m not a massive fan and I wish we had a Coutinho who would do all Sterling does but also deliver the end product. However we don’t and I’m sorry but Rashford is not the answer in any way shape or form to that problem. He doesn’t have the football intelligence (yet) to play that role. He’s also simply more of striker. A team is more important than individuals. To change our shape now, and make no mistake we’d have to in order to accommodate Rashford, would be absolutely crazy. Thankfully the manager, and I have to say I was not convinced by him prior to the tournament, has got his head screwed on. He is all about the team and ensuring it functions the best way it can. That is with Sterling until we produce a better like for like player. The main thing is to get the best out of Kane. We do that with Sterling not Rashford. And I can’t see where I’ve called anybody names? Suggesting that changing a winning team at this stage is stupidity is just my take on things. It’s not personal. I genuinely think the blindness to what he is bringing is a typical fans view of the game. We have a habit of simplifying everything down to he scores goals, he doesn’t. It’s interesting how much he is appreciated by teammates, the pros commenting and opposing teams. It suggests those really in the know - the professionals - see something fans don’t.
I'm fully on board with whatever Southgate wants to do. 1000% more so than Rafa in terms of dropping players.
By the way, I'm not even a big Sterling fan. His limitations and profligacy annoy me. I groan when we go through on goal and see it's him. BUT I'm not going to ignore his strengths. We have no better options with how we are set up to play and we don't want to change that at this stage of the game. Finally, his performance against Sweden was very good .
Again though whereas I like Mbemba and Mitrovic, if they don’t fit his tactical plans, surely he is right to sell and get others? Yes you can adjust plans but Rafa has had a successful career building teams in his manner. They are good players but they don’t fit his system. It’s like Perez. Jonjo made the comment earlier about Perez and Spain. I thought it was a bit silly because Sterling is a different level to Perez but I can see why Rafa quite likes Perez in terms of how he sets up tactically. Again the end product could be better but what he brings to the team is what Rafa is looking at. Same goes for Gayle. The number of times we got important goals from Gayle stretching defences in the channels was quite a few. His finishing let him down but he still gave a lot to the team. I’m a big believer that a good team always beats a lot of good individuals. Regardless what level of football. The utopia is getting great players to submit to your tactical plans as their class will raise the level again. I just think rather than changing our tactics we need to play the best players we have suited to our current tactics. In time Rashford may develop his game to be more of a 10 playing off Kane as Sterling does. However I don’t really see it. I think Rashford has talent wide, not so much at 10, but really he looks to be competing with Kane to play in his best role. I see a lot of Patrick Kluivert in him (big statement I know). I just don’t understand the clamour to change. Not only do I not think it makes us better, i think it upsets the rhythm of a team who exceeding expectations at this World Cup. I’m not really sure what some England fans want?
Rafa doesn't know what he wants, look at the linked players - its not like he's going for a Torres/Aguero type striker - He's taken Slimani, linked with Jorgensen and Rondon - none are better than Mitro but still wants to ship him out - nothing to do with tactics - neither are his buys of Gayle and Joselu.
Spain are out, we aren't. They have enough of their own issues to deal with, just enjoy our run for now.
Gayle is a poor mans Torres. Strong channel runner. I’ve said for a while his ideal striker is Jamie Vardy. Gayle but faster with finishing. Or Batshuyai. I know what you mean, Jorgensen is just bizarre. Slimani and Rondon are more mobile than Mitro though.
