Euro's thread for those who are interested... hello... hello anyone there? Buzzing for the Euro's and with our season all but over I'm starting to get excited for it. The Groups: please log in to view this image Qualifiers to be played by the end of the week with: QA Georgia (2) v (0) Luxembourg Greece (5) v (0) Khazakstan QB Wales (4) v (1) Finland Poland (5) v (1) Estonia QC B&H (1) v (2) Ukraine Israel (1) v (4) Iceland England in with a shout this year for me, decent draw in the initial group and then we will get a best placed third teams from Groups D/E/F if we win the group so should breeze through to the QF's imho.
First off, to get it going, pretty straight forward, who makes your final 23 man squad for the Euros this summer? Are you (a moron, like Southgate) taking Henderson and Maguire? Would you try and convince White to come? Has Toney done enough after his ban? For me: GK - Pickford, Ramsdale, Henderson RB - Walker, James CB - Tomori, Geuhi CB - Colwill, Braithwaite LB - Shaw, Chillwell CM - Stones, Maddison CM - Rice, Alexander-Arnold RW - Saka, Palmer CAM - Bellingham, Foden LW - Rashford, Sterling CF - Kane, Watkins How can you not be excited by that squad? Tried to balance the squad as much as possible with players who can play/cover multiple positions but the only player I had to think twice about was Sterling, lots of quality on the wings for England (Gordon, Sancho, Eze, Grealish etc) but Sterling always performs for England and has the experience so given him the nod. Lacking a bit of experience at CB but have Stones who can play in there but have him playing further ahead alongside Rice because as a double pivot they can rotate with one pushing on to support attacks and the other can cover the back 4. Not picked any NUFC players as I don't think they quite make the squad but a few would make the reserve list: Pope, Trippier, Konsa, Mings, Lewis, Ward Prowes, Dier, Bowen, Gallagher, Gordon, Toney
Lost me with Sterling. If ever there was a one word definition of over rated, over hyped, one trick pony...
Disagree, think he's a decent player, with experience. You could make a case for the others I've mentioned but if not Sterling who'd you go with? Wildcard for me would be Eze
A one legged hospitalised long covid sufferer...anyone. Sterling has flattered to deceive throughout his career. I honestly can't remember one England game where I wasn't shouting at him. And according to my wife he probably heard me too. I would happily give Eze a chance. But in reality anyone other than Sterling...well except for 'him'.
Look Trev, sorry to be the one to break it to you, but it doesn't matter how much you try to sell your qualities, you're just not going to make the squad. Sorry mate. That's just the reality.
Sterling ????? Really I suppose when you need someone to dive to win a pen maybe but we have Rashford, Kane, Maddison, and Grealish who are all top notch divers
Think he's one who can come on a make a difference. Maybe take Toney over him as Foden, Saka, Palmer and Rashford can all play wide as well I guess so you get an extra forward option in. Just think in a big pressure game you need options who can come on and aren't going to fold under the weight of it. Talking of Pen's who would your five be for the summer? Kane, Saka, Maddison, Foden, Bellingham.
Surprised Grealish isn’t on here. I think he’s class me. Also got character, a down to earth lad. Can imagine he brings the team together behind the scenes with his personality.
I'd think it'll be (4-2-3-1): GK - Pickford, Ramsdale, Henderson RB - Walker, James CB - Stones, Geuhi CB - Maguire, Colwill LB - Shaw, Chillwell CDM - Rice, TAA CDM - Hendrson, Gallagher RW - Saka, Palmer CAM - Bellingham, Maddison LW - Rashford, Foden CF - Kane, Toney Then it's two more from Mainoo, Gordon, Trippier, Tomori, Branthwaite, Watkins. I'd go Gordon and Mainoo for talent and versatility.
Back to 23 man squad for this tourney so that's you lot I'm afraid. (minimum 3 keepers and 20 outfield). I think Southgate will take Maguire and Henderson but for me I'd be banging the drum for the wolrd cup in 2 years and get the younger lads like Branthwaite experience. Amazing story for that lad - unused substitute for the entire U21 Euros win behind Cresswell and Taylor-Bellis who didn't concede a goal the whole tournament and then makes the England squad before either of them!
Didn't realise. Ok, so I'd take Toney for this one as he's not getting younger and nobody is getting minutes ahead of Kane. Watkins will then be blooded for next WC. My preference would be Branthwaite for Maguire, Gordon for Rashford and Mainoo for Henderson. All not just for the future, but currently much better players. Gordon is versatile, the other two excellent for the future. Rumours abound that Southgate is Man U bound after Euros. Be interesting to see if the FA turn to Howe.
