Germany have not been able to defend all tournament and rudiger should be out. 2 germans have cold like symptoms. With respect that's covid delta plus and the 2 must self isolate. End of. Gundogan has a bruised cranium whatever that means. England have got to push through this and go play like they did v Croatia. This german side could pass them off the park if they dont press hard on the playmakers.
I can't believe I switched the ****er over when the frogs went 3 - 1. I only found out the ****s got knocked out this morning
So any thoughts on who will win the tournament? I haven't watched many games but the way results have gone, it looks like a pin in a list of those left is as likely as an informed and observational opinion.
It's really close now. QF1. France were red hot favourites but have messed about and really have no excuse. 3-1 up after absolutely killed the swiss in 10/15 mins second half. so now the swiss get to play spain. Spain would be unimpressive but crawled through there after messing up their back line. I would have had them to beat croatia but they were very unimpressive. Both teams have 120mins in their legs and play friday. You would have to think that's a bridge too far for the swiss? QF2: Belgium would be a favourite now i guess. However this game also has Italy in there. I could not separate these two teams. the winner will play Spain in the SF. QF3: Denmark should be make weights, that's a should though, Czech republic should also make weights really, again that's a should. One of these will be in a semi final though and from there anything could happen. QF 4: This will be england or germany. I can't call it right now. i think its 60/40 germany if southgate goes negative. The last game is Sweden v ukraine. also both should be makewieghts. So spain v belgium/italy. Yeah right about now with KDB njury you could stick in pin in a list to pick one. On the other side england really have no excuse not to be in the final as the entire thing has opened up in front of us. Germany are the major road block but couldh av e3 players out and have been poor defensively but then SWEDEN and one of denmark or czechs? However wins this evening should be in the final. Italy are the dark horses imo. (if they don't have to chase a game anywhere) Belgium should be "the favourites" now. england ought to be in the final with the side they can field.
It's wierd to hear colleagues say they're worried about Sterling. Who the hell worries about Sterling? (Except England fans). I'm the one most optimistic for Germany.
I keep hearing / seeing people saying England have a great squad and i just don't buy it particularly in CM which is vital to a team .
I think it's natural to underrate your own national side especially given that in our domestic league, the stand out players are foreign (am I allowed to say that?) For me, not having watched much, if I was to go by the 'on paper' method of guessing who will win then it's Germany or Belgium, I can't separate them.
If we are positive I suppose we look at mount and say absolutely top top pressing player with good technical ability. We have a 3 times golden boot winner up top and we have many fairly good players like stones and walker those types are fairly solid. If i look back at times i've been told england has a golden generation like 1996 (****e team really) or 2006. robinson (****e) Neville ferdinand terry cole. (bit over rated imo, esp neville hargreaves lampard (forced fit of players) beckham gerrard cole rooney for me its not really about how good they are individually but more i just don't see a team there, no real style or pattern. Just a lot of huffing and puffing slowly at the back trying to sit miles deeper to take not risk as CBs, the CMs can't turn at all and we've a plile of wingers and technically good attacking cms, most of which can't play cos southgate wants 7 defenders.
I think we've got some decent attacking players but only decent, the defence is ****e. I was having a discussion with a mate the other day (mainly about Maguire but translates to all), think of the current squad and then think of the backup players to the golden generation, what would the team be? I'd pick ther lines of Carragher, King, Woodgate (when fit x2) and even Wes Brown over the current CBs!
the german formation so far has been fairly consistent but their fans are clamouring for 4 at the back. Neuer Ginter Hummels Rudiger Kimmich Gundogan Kroos Gosens Havertz Muller Gnabry If we are going to in effect try to go the same formation then jane gets to play with 3 CBS and its about midfield dominance. Can't wait to see what we do now. 20 mins to team news
Wes Brown is deffo pushing it Central Midfield is worse imo plus we have a bunch who went injured Hendo , maguire and Rashford or out of form Kane , Sterling and Walker .
Not saying Wes Brown was good, but I'd play him ahead of the current CBs. But that's focusing too much on the individuals... point is, the current crop are poor in comparison.
bbc reproting gnabry is still out and the team that was leaked is it. please log in to view this image
