I understand picking Henderson with his leadership and experience. It's the 4 right backs that crack me up.
I don't have a problem with Henderson being picked despite his long time out injured. He's a good captain and an important player and person to have around. Even if it takes him a few games before he can play I think that's fine especially as it's a bigger squad than normal. I also think taking Bellingham is fine because his age doesn't stop him being a quality player and exciting prospect, and being in the squad for this tournament should help him and England in future tournaments. I'm not taking it as JWP isn't being taken because Henderson and Bellingham are. To me its because of the 4 bloody right backs that JWP isn't going.
The only way Southgate gets sacked is if we get knocked out in the group stage, I reckon we will go out in the Round of 16 though. But then you remember Hodgson kept the job after that horrendous effort in 2014, which removed the illusion that the FA have any standards whatsoever.
Controversial but no team with JWP in is going to win the Euros. I mean he is English so no ****ing chance.
I am amazed and disappointed with the squad as while it has versatility there is a large inbalance in the squad: surely a third centre forward (Bamford/Watkins/Ings) is necessary. You also have to question if we have enough cover in central midfield. Time will tell if this is a good selection, however I am not convinced!
Bloody hell I didn’t even look at the strikers as I assumed you can’t really go wrong there considering our options. But he’s picked only Kane and the overrated DCL. Let’s hope Kane doesn’t get injured then ffs.
TBH I gave previous England managers a bit of slack as there were obvious flaws in previous England sides - we were miles behind the likes of Spain and Germany in previous tournaments. I really didn't expect much from these sides. This time I look at the players at Southgate's disposal and I believe there's no excuse for not getting deep into the tournament. Our main weakness is definitely CB and if I was being picky we're lacking a Kante type player but those players don't come along very often. I honestly believe we've got the best attacking players in the tournament, on par with France. I just don't think Southgate will pick the right players to go behind Kane. Sterling should not be in the first team on current form but we all know he will start every game. I would love to see Foden and Grealish play behind Kane regularly.
Honestly, with Stu and McAdams in their team, I'm only half joking. I've always found England irritating, and though I like Southgate as a man generally, he can do one as a manager. I just can't muster any enthusiasm for them.
Well it saves the frustration of waiting all the match for a Saints player to come on for England except a few measly minutes at the end of the match to try and save it.
Agree. So much quality at his disposal. A better manager would do alot more with the squad. The whole grealish thing is a case in point. He is clearly up there with some of our best players yet Southgate didn't want to pick him last time . Says it all really
My issue isn't the selection of Henderson. Or even the four RBs. It's that Southgate's reasoning for leaving out Ings was that he wasn't in the March squad, and Southgate was happy with his March squad. Now if that's really true (as opposed to being total bull), then why not apply it more wider? JWP, Dier, Lingard and Watkins were in that squad, but all have been left out despite being available. Whereas Henderson, Grealish, Trent and Sancho all weren't, but duly return. As far as I can see, Southgate has applied such reasoning exclusively to Ings. But all means leave Ings out, but either be honest about the real reason for it, or apply this supposed reasoning more wider.
Frankly with what little interest I had with this tournament anyway, that's probably a fun thing to do. Basically I'm past caring how most England managers operate, all I know is over recent decades they have had, in the main, a complete blind spot to any Saints player wearing an England shirt. We did get that rush of enthusiasm for Ricky, Lallana and Rodrigues but that's about it. Basically going to have a rest from this season and hope our Scottish boys do ok.
I have about as much interest in the England team as do in Portsmouth FC. In other words far less than zero.
Which previous managers? This group of players are still miles behind the early-mid 00's team imo. Or you meaning more recent? Central midfield and centre half bang average which is ultimately what will cost us.
Amazing how so many people have decided Southgate is sh*t and that England will be sh*t at the euros before a ball has even been kicked. So ignorant.
