Trying not to be downbeat because it’s the opening game it doesn’t really mean much we’ve blown teams away in the group then failed in knock outs plenty of times.. but the tactics just seem more of the same of what we’ve seen for years. Most of these players play for teams who dominate matches your Arsenal, City, Bayern, Madrid etc.. yet when they play for England we struggle to do so, that has to be on the manager imo.
I wonder if switching to 3 at the back would suit the front players better. Pickford Walker Stones Guehi Saka Rice Mainoo Trippier Bellingham Foden Kane
Walker Stones Shaw would be the back 3 for me, Foden instead of Trippier and Palmer where Foden is. Obvious lack of height though. Shame Ben White isn’t in the squad probably been the best English defender this season.
Whilst we were poor barring the opening 20 mins, there was positives. We did well at the back against a side with some quality players. We should be well prepared from now on given how well Serbia pressed us into submission. I just don't see how Kane deserves to start next game. He's never been a quick explosive player, but he looks ancient right now. He never made any meaningful runs in that first half.
The best teams grow into tournaments. 3 pts pretty much guarantees progress from the group stages. What I would say to the Southgate haters - in the words of Roy Keane - Lads, just relax. RELAX!
I feel more so than tactically I think the players got very cocky and over confident the first half which made us sloppy. Some of the passing was terrible and it allowed Serbia into the game and we didn't react and set things straight after half time.
Trippier was the stand out weak link for England tonight - even fit and on form he'd be an awkward fit at left back, but he's had a **** season and is the wrong side of 33. They desperately need Shaw to be fit for the knockout stages
Couple mistakes in the 2nd half but it didnt phase him at all - sign of a very good player that Rice motm for me, hes honestly getting close to world class status
It was a big risk for Southgate to take him and not have any proper left back cover. Here's hoping it doesn't bite us in the arse later on
Problem is, there were no alternatives. Chilwell has had a **** season, Shaw isn't fit. Who else is there?
Talksport going in like we've been turned over tonight. This is how Southgate sets up and plays so I struggle to understand why it seems to come as a surprise. That's the first clean sheet of the tournament aswell. 3 points and a clean sheet, next up, Denmark.
It’s a weird one with Rice because he’s top drawer, and I’d rate him 2nd in the PL only to Rodri. But Rodri has set the bar so high I don’t think Rice is close to him, he’s something else that bloke.
Rice motm for me. Yeah we weren’t great after the first half hour but think Serbia are a bit of a banana skin and 3 points is what matters. Most teams grow into tournaments and we’ve learned some things about the team tonight. Foden lost on the left, big decision to be made on him, rices partner too is something we need to figure out. But rice was outstanding as the holding midfielder which is a huge positive. Can’t see us winning the whole thing but not downbeat tonight
On reflection, there's absolutely nothing in last night's showing that indicates this tournament will be any different from 2018 onwards. Holding what we have until we don't, and then not being able to get any more after we've lost it. We're playing last century's international football when everyone else is playing like the Premier League.
