TBH MOST internationals are meaningless for me as:
a) England friendlies are treated like an excuse to avoid work by big clubs. Half the players cry off with nothing wrong with them and certain clubs are big offenders in this. I wish LFC was one of them. So these games are at BEST half paced and at worst a waste of time.
Other teams seem to treat these games differently and more important to them.
b) Qualifiers are in the main piss easy. There's a case that ok we are playing slovenia or whoever. I don't care the result is most likely a dull 2-0. this takes the gloss off. As more teams have been added to the european pool for world cup and euros qualification has gotten easier and easier. There will be just two games in 2 years to decide top 2 in group.
c) tournaments. this is the only time were things get serious. but for me the english press ruin it with arrogance and false pride and jingoism. Some countries like croatia really care and they all pull together and try real hard. England starts waving the flag and saying they are the greatest ever when patently they are not.
By the time you get by the bullshit and settle in for the game every jock, sheepshagger and paddy wants england to be smashed to a pulp and humiliated.
The thing is germany should expect to win every game too.. and they built the team to do so. france should as well. They all have had nightmares but the weight of expectation is based on ability not on some mythical construct that we invented the game and cos we ruled half the world nearly 100 years ago.
My view preworld cup was england had a good chance of getting to QF and then would meet a decent side and lose. Actually the thing worked out great and england got to a SF before a decent side came along and even then england were in with a big shout.
Nobody disgraced themselves. Pickford was brilliant in particular. The back 3 i nthe end did let in the goals they were expected to leak but it was a beter effort than expected.
Already the euros are being hyped to hell. England will cruise through qualifying easily but in the end sterling, lingard, alii... meh... stones walker as CBS? meh. We all know it.
In 2 years time this "young side" won't be any better par se. It could be but only with new players coming in.
e.g.
Pickford - he's made the no 1 shirt his won and raised his game to a level of almost anger. IF he can maintain that focus he might be ok (but short
)
Gomez? RCB.. i don't like 352 at all but will he come back into this slot?
CB? I'd personally move maguire there as he's big and thick and might do a better job there.
LBB? will be crucial call?
RWB: tripper was impressive. walker as back up.
LWb: real issue. Rose can do well here. Need another.
DCM: dier and henderson yuk
CM: huge hole in team. Harry winks? Whilshire? its an issue
ST: kane
Kanes supporting cast (2 off) alli and sterling. YUK
I would still take one CB out of the team and play another CM but thats me.
england need to develop 2 CMs over the next 2 years.
He looks mildly ******ed
