Two one down. Keeper needs to go. Odd flash of quality but looking well short of being Europe's top team.
Attacking wise we look decent, defensively we look woeful. But there are no first choices playing at the back so no need to panic
I only watched the highlights, but overall looked a good game, and we look good going forward, just poor defensively. Bowen, Mainoo, Foden & Toney in particular looked to have very good games.
Chilwell is absolutely dog muck. Can’t believe a country as big as ours in footballing terms can’t find a better left-back than him if Shaw is not playing. I’d rather have a right-footed player like Livramento or Gomez there or a centre-half like Colwill.
It's been a problem for ages. Other than the odd spell of Shaw being fit and in form, such as the 2021 Euros, we've barely had a good left back for all of Southgate's tenure. In 2018 we played Ashley Young there (Danny Rose was the only natural one in the squad, but wasn't great) and often it's been Trippier. I think there's a good chance we'll see Trippier play there again this summer if Shaw isn't 100%.
I had a look at this earlier and there's surprisingly few option, Gomez has played there quite a few times for Liverpool this season, but playing out of position in a major tournament obviously isn't ideal. Rico Henry might have been an option if he hadn't done his ACL and the only other one that was a possibility is Tyrick Mitchell, who came on for Shaw against Switzerland. I suspect it's going to be Shaw and Chilwell at the Euros and we'll just have to pray Shaw stays fit, which seems unlikely given his recent track record.
Only thing to come out of watching there International friendly games is the fact we are still defensively brittle without all first choice players across the back four. IF we can put out our strongest starting eleven in games that really matter in Germany with the talent we have I see no glaring or obvious reason why we cannot make the Final again to be honest.
That’s one for Southgate. Experience wise our back 4 should pick itself really. Only question marks for me is left back simply because I doubt he’s seen anyone good enough replace a fully fit Shaw. On the plus side the talent we have going forward and especially up front should allow us to get away with making a blob or two at the back. Thoughts?
Read a BBC report of “ No more excuses now re winning a tournament” The reply’s to it are completely on a downer of doom and gloom to not good enough, no idea never going to happen etc. For what it’s worth with a full team on the park there is enough exciting talent to win the euros IMO. Just wondered what every one genuinely thinks after giving it some real thought.?
Honestly, I agree with a lot that Southgate just doesn't seem to have it in him to manage a team to a tournament win. Our record against top 10 sides is really woeful, and the 2 tournaments where he got us to a semi and a final, we had very favourable draws.....WC2018 we actually lost all 3 games (Belgiumx2 and Croatia) against half decent teams and drew with Colombia.....Euro 20/21...you can't imagine an easier run to the final than Ukriane and Denmark at a Euros for the quarters and semi....fair play for beating Germany though. On the flip side though, I look at the squad he has, and whilst the attacking options and midfield options are class.....that back 5....wobbly as ****, no one but Walker has any pace, which means playing a high line is incredibly risky, the keeper has got a permanent blunder in him and at left back it's all a bit meh. He can't just go out and buy new defenders, so maybe that's why he's always played it safe with 2xDMs in centre mid, maybe that's why he has to be a bit more cautious.... England manager, money aside always been a thoroughly thankless task.
