Next Tuesday. Expect the country (except Scotchland) to grind to a halt as Euro fever ramps up to another level. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the main event of the evening"...yes, this is a big one, make no doubt about it. It could go either way but maybe, just maybe home advantage will play it's part. I'm going for a home win. Failing that, the dreaded penalties...
We have been here before. On paper the teams look similar. But we are bottlers. We will play passive sideways football. Probably start ok and then as the crowd gets anxious due to Kane standing still the Germans build up momentum. 2-1 to them!
Suspect he will try and play safe and have Walker, Trippier, Jordan Henderson and Kane all in the starting 11. I would go for youth and pace. The only player slower than Hummels in the Euros is Kane. I would actually go with following: Pickford James Stones Maguire Shaw Bellingham Rice Mount Foden Grealish Sterling Not sure how that would all work up front but would be fun to see.
I think we might aswel accept sterling will play every game. At the end of the day he's got out goals. I have a feeling he'll leave saka out you know.
I don't how we can leave out Saka. Only started 5 games for England and been man of the match in 3. Sterling is difficult to leave out because he's got both goals. Personally I would though. Pickford, Trippier, Maguire, Stones, Chilwell, Henderson, Bellingham, Grealish, Saka, Foden, DCL would be my favoured side. I think if Gareth turns round and thinks I have Kane, Sterling, Sancho as the impact guys he'd be in good shape.
I can't see Southgate making too many changes to the starting XI, so I think he'll go with. Pickford, Walker, Maguire, Stones, Shaw, Rice, Henderson, Grealish, Sterling, Kane, Saka Henderson replacing Philips, Saka over Foden but he could just as easy go for the latter. If available, Mount possibly in for Grealish. He may spring a surprise or two - but, unlikely. It may not be pretty, but, if we win, who cares. 2 - 1 win
This is exactly what Southgate will do. I'd go a different way but its not in his nature really. I think he'll stick to the defensive plan. They've been very open about analysing previous tournaments and coming to the conclusion, defensive football wins tournaments. Its difficult to argue when you look at historical results. I do get it somewhat mind. I think our keeper has a clanger in him, I think we have defensive weaknesses. So the more you expose them (remove two sitting midfielders) the more those weaknesses will come to the fore.
Hopefully he will be a bit more attack focused in the knockout games, after all in a knockout game when you are 1-0 up you are only one mistake, lucky chance etc. from squeaky bum time...... I am an eternal optomist and am hoping that England did not want to show their hand in the group stages so played the way they did and will come out all guns blazing at Germany and win 3-1. Think back to Euro 96 (I am old) and the performance against Holland...... well I can dream
For me, Walker has to play. Don’t get me wrong he isn’t perfect but he’s strong & fast. I’m not James’ biggest fan to be honest. We need to have pace upfront to get at Hummels. I think me neighbours gran could outrun him. My team would be: Pickford Walker Stones Maguire Trippier Phillips Rice Foden Grealish Sterling Kane I reckon the Germans will turn it on and win 2-0.
Hungary defended brilliantly last night and turned that defence into quick forward attacking effort…. Not rewarded with too many clear chances but they took 2 of them. And yet still Germany found the 2 goals they needed coming from behind with each. I don’t think England will defend as well (as a team, Hungary had great shape and ten outfield players getting back) and Germany may have got a massive psychological boost at the same time they were teetering on the brink of exit. I expect them to tear us apart. England 1 - 4 Germany screenshot me
