Why? Most teams play with inverted wingers these days so wouldn't they be matched better by a right footed left back?
Far too narrow. Inverted wingers generally allow the overlapping FB the space to get forward and get crosses in as they draw the opposition FB out of position. Having both looking to cut inside most times will just be a congested mess.
Which was one of the issues with playing Lee Young-Pyo and Steed Malbranque together on the left. That and our early Belgian having the engine of a lawn mower.
I think PS means defensively, though I still disagree. Defenders know when they’re up against a left footer on the right or vice versa, showing a player inside is usually not so bad as long as defenders know the move is going to happen and it should be covered by a midfielder if everyone’s in position anyway.
Crosses are known to be the most effective way of losing the ball and the least effective way of scoring though, so perhaps not a big loss.
It is a loss, crossing is still a means of creating a goal scoring opportunity, whether it has a higher or lower chance of producing a goal to another means is somewhat irrelevant. Fluidity and flexibility is needed. I’d say the only way an inverted FB would work efficiently with an inverted winger is if one or both players are ambidextrous and have the ability to still run out wide on occasions - like how Spinazzola played the other night - otherwise if both are cutting inside all the time because they can’t use their weaker foot it’ll become far too predictable, congested and likely leading to a very boring game with few (if any) goals scored.
Joel Pohjanpalo has looked pretty good for the Fins. Scored the winner against Denmark and had a goal ruled out for just being offside against Russia, was a brilliant cross and a great header. 6'1 target man who's currently on loan at Union Berlin from Leverkusen.
Another brilliant performance from him. Gonna have a lot of teams looking at him after this tournament.
Roman Yaremchuk's just bagged his second goal of the tournament with a calm finish against North Macedonia, having scored a good header against the Netherlands in the first game. 25 years old, 6'3 striker playing for Gent where he has a solid record of 47 goals in 122 league games, his scoring ratio has increased each season there too. This was also his 10th in 26 games for his country. The last Roman from Eastern Europe we signed after an impressive Euros became quite popular...
Dumfries with another goal marauding from FB, also won the Holland their penalty that Depay scored. Like Locatelli, I'd love him at Tottenham but he's going to have a lot of teams looking at him I'd imagine.
I’m with you on Dumfries, mate. He’s one to keep an eye on. He’s the exact sort of player I can see us going for, in fact.
Best players of the group stages: Dumfries Locatelli Players that have also impressed and boosted their reps: Yaremchuk Schick Spinazzola Barella (just about all of Italy’s team tbh) Gosens - not mentioned him in a separate post yet but quietly improved as the games went on. Shout out to Joe Rodon too, one of ours so doesn’t really need scouting but he’s been absolutely brilliant for Wales. If these performances don’t earn him a spot in the XI next season over any of the other three under whoever our new manager will be then the lad is doomed here.
Mislav Orsic, a player we unfortunately know a bit too much about after the Zagreb game, is having a blinder against Spain. Think he may have one or two suitors after the tournament. Surprising to see he’s 28 though.
