Match Day Thread Serbia v England

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Winner?

  • England

  • Serbia

  • Draw


Results are only viewable after voting.
one of only two english players to win the world cup and the european cup.

And, with 28 caps, the least capped of the XI who won the World Cup. But who will nevertheless go down in history.
 
But nobody has done that to Serbia in recent years. The only bad result they've had was losing heavily to Russia but they had a man sent off after 20 mins, so it's a major caveat. You weren't going to walk through them with ease.
My thoughts were not about how we played Serbia, but how we approach games generally. I think englands general approach is a bit cautious. When you look at te starting11, it should send fear into any opposition, but after tonight’s display, it probably gives hope to the opposition. I’m not saying we should have put 8 past Serbia tonight, but if we go into games with the mentality that we can put them to the sword, then we will do so more often, and will create a fear factor.
 
Any England win, any way.

Well, you got that.

Wasn't great was it. Couldn't keep the ball at all second half, we just kept hoofing it. That's the sort of thing England teams used to do, and we said it was because we didn't produce players who could take the ball and use it. Supposedly we do now, yet I was seeing people like Foden twatting it up the pitch instead of keeping it, leading to us staying camped in our own half hanging on.

Conversely, the defence which is supposed to be **** coped better than expected with the balls into the box.
 
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Started well, finished badly. Bit hamstrung by poor performances from Kane and Foden.
 
Got to be Bellingham - Rice has a midfield two, then two up top: Kane, Foden, then two wide: Palmer and Eze or Gordon. England have bundles of talent, but using that and ensuring it fires on max power will be tricky. Defence looks the weakest part of an otherwise cracking side.

..............Pickford
..Walker Stones Dunk Shaw or Trippier
......Rice Bellingham..............
..Palmer Kane Foden Gordon

England should have too much for them....2-0 hopefully, though I'd take a 1-0.
As I thought...a tight game...Not sure what the hell Southie is doing playing Foden on the left wing. Playing there he's about as much use as a deckchair on a submarine..Needs to be playing virtually next to Kane to be any value whatsoever...No width in the second half...Perfect time to bring either Gordon or Palmer on to stretch them...That said I was impressed by young Bowen....We won't win this with Southgate...No chance...Hope I am way-way-way wrong.
 
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Kane far too isolated all game, no one near him. Bellingham was playing AMC but was given a free role so was often dropping very deep and getting the ball off the defenders.

That said, 3 points in the bag and we move on. Just wish Southgate would let the brakes off with the players that we've got but he truly believes that being pragmatic wins tournaments.
 
Kane far too isolated all game, no one near him. Bellingham was playing AMC but was given a free role so was often dropping very deep and getting the ball off the defenders.

That said, 3 points in the bag and we move on. Just wish Southgate would let the brakes off with the players that we've got but he truly believes that being pragmatic wins tournaments.

Your last sentence reminds me of another manager…
 
Started well, finished badly. Bit hamstrung by poor performances from Kane and Foden.
Harsh on Foden...Played out of position, consistently by Southgate...Kane got zero service and was well marshalled, but yeah didn't do much.
 
As I thought...a tight game...Not sure what the hell Southie is doing playing Foden on the left wing. Playing there he's about as much use as a deckchair on a submarine..Needs to be playing virtually next to Kane to be any value whatsoever...No width in the second half...Perfect time to bring either Gordon or Palmer on to stretch them...That said I was impressed by young Bowen....We won't win this with Southgate...No chance...Hope I am way-way-way wrong.

My thoughts exactly. We played a right footer at left back and Foden in front of him then wonder why there’s no width.
Fair enough Foden is left pegged but he’s hardly known for beating a man out wide is he?

Gordon or Eze would have given far more balance.

As soon as Serbia worked out how to stop Saka we had no attacking threat what so ever.

Which brings me into my next point. If we haven’t got anyone who can play as left back why play a back four?
I’d rather see 3511 with 2 sitting and 2 wing backs.

Pickford.

Walker.
Stones.
Guehi.

Rice.
Wharton/ Gallagher.

Saka.
Bellingham.
Eze.

Foden.

Kane.

It would be high energy, high pressing and physically demanding for the midfield but when you’ve got Palmer, Mainoo, TAA and Gordon on the bench it shouldn’t be an issue.

If managed correctly.