Game 7: Serbia vs England from the Arena AufSchalke LIVE on BBC1 8pm

[kopsy101]

1 minute ago, GunmaN1905 said:

TAA obviously has all the technical qualities to play in midfield, but he looks out of place because he doesn't have enough experience playing there.
Doesn't know where to go off the ball to receive it, doesn't know which way to turn and pass as he's receiving it.

Could be great a year or two down the line, but a big risk in a tournament like this.

I absolutely agree with you, if I were Serbia, I'd be pressing as soon as he receives the ball. 

[GunmaN1905]

Serbia is just a prime example of having too many similar players and trying to fit all of them in the same lineup.
Even though these were the best 11, they lack some fundamental skills in the lineup.

[skybluedave]

2 minutes ago, Baptista_8 said:

Once I think?

It was a really good touch though

[Heartwork]

I'd be thinking about Palmer for Foden and Eze for Bellingham (just to stop Serbia from injuring him) early in the second half.

[Redshift]

GULP

[Baptista_8]

Just now, Heartwork said:

I'd be thinking about Palmer for Foden and Eze for Bellingham (just to stop Serbia from injuring him) early in the second half.

Can't take Bellingham off yet. We're only one up.

[Baptista_8]

1 minute ago, ThanatosAFC said:

Saka plays today like prime Hazard, ball sticks at his feet. 

He's almost always like that, tbf.

[TalkSport]

Fodens been good. Good pressing, good shape. Done simple stuff with ball. When Saka/Bellingham on it, don’t need him to as well, just shape. It’s when they’re not on it, you will then want him to be in form that moment.

Not going to have everyone playing 10/10 every game. Each game, just need 3 of Kane / Saka / Bellingham / Rice / Foden to turn up and we’ll win. 

Edited June 16 by TalkSport

[The Amazing Dale Watkins]

England begging for the equalizer

[Heartwork]

Just now, Baptista_8 said:

Can't take Bellingham off yet. We're only one up.

Yeah perhaps Mainoo/Wharton for TAA first. Get the win in the bag, then shield Jude.

[av3ry]

That was not the best first half but we are winning and that is the main thing.

[Smallen]

club bias no doubt but I think we’re crying out for some genuine width out left. Love Foden but get Gordon on!

[Haguey]

Dominant half really without too many chances, think we have a few more in us though

[aiston]

OK from England, absolutely nothing coming from the left side though.

[Astafjevs]

I don't really think you need to get Foden or Kane 'involved'. If get it to Saka and let him play is working, then just let it be. There'll be other games where Saka is **** and Foden/Kane are running things. That's how it is.

[Pukey]

Bellingham and Saka standing out, as everyone is saying. Good half, no idea how good Serbia are but they've come into a bit but we are the better. Need a second though.

[adhikapp]

Trippier needs binning. If Shaw's fit enough for the bench, might as well bring at half time.

[arenaross]

Stones is quietly having a stinker.

[Zeonflux]

Southgate should have taken JWP instead of TAA if he wanted someone that can pass, TAA isn’t an international Full Back and he’s been awful as a midfielder 

[Astafjevs]

I think it was a good performance but there weren't many actual chances. Beyond the goal, it was just Walker flashing the ball across goal. Can't think of anything else. Always going to be vulnerable to a corner or Serbia hoofing it to Mitrovic or something without more chances/goals

[Mr Adam]

Miserable gits I thought that was great

[Heartwork]

Just now, arenaross said:

Stones is quietly having a stinker.

Guéhi bailing him out a lot so far.

[GunmaN1905]

The most frustrating thing about this iteration of England is how Kane is still dropping all the way down in midfield as if it was still Henderson-Alli-Lingard trio playing.

The goal was scored because he pulled an extra man with him and opened space for Bellingham.

Every time England is getting into the area, he needds to be in it.

[Smallen]

Just now, Zeonflux said:

Southgate should have taken JWP instead of TAA if he wanted someone that can pass, TAA isn’t an international Full Back and he’s been awful as a midfielder 

let me guess from your avatar - you think Mainoo should be playing instead?

[Vynal Seven]

5 minutes ago, Baptista_8 said:

Hardly ever effective for England.

Foden isn't a level above Palmer IMO, other way round.

Haha, go and have a lie down. 

[Mr Adam]

Wharton can do pretty much everything Trent does but with better positional sense, so I’d be swapping them.

We do need Shaw fit because Trippier is pointless at left back 

[skybluedave]

First half of first half it was very fluid. 2nd half is kinda reverted to being quite rigid 451. 

Select the 'be more expressive' drop down and tick 'pass into space' box please Gareth

[Baptista_8]

Just now, Vynal Seven said:

Haha, go and have a lie down. 

I am lying down

[Zeonflux]

Just now, Smallen said:

let me guess from your avatar - you think Mainoo should be playing instead?

No id have taken JWP and started JWP

[aiston]

Probably biased but Gordon on for Foden. Pull the Serbs apart a bit.

[Smallen]

Just now, Zeonflux said:

No id have taken JWP and started JWP

that’s somehow worse

[Bootador]

I think it's been really good generally, they've managed to get Saka isolated against the full back which is crucial. Kane struggling to find his role in the side with everyone else occupying similar spaces, would just rather him stay forward.

I know he can do it, but we don't need him to link the play up here - in fact we're probably best he doesn't/

 

Edited June 16 by Bootador

[Darius1998]

Think TAA is better off playing at LB in this set up. Allows Wharton to sit next to Rice while Trent can come inside and play his passes.

Decent left foot too so that should be a plus as well.

[skybluedave]

1 minute ago, GunmaN1905 said:

The most frustrating thing about this iteration of England is how Kane is still dropping all the way down in midfield as if it was still Henderson-Alli-Lingard trio playing.

The goal was scored because he pulled an extra man with him and opened space for Bellingham.

Every time England is getting into the area, he needds to be in it.

Really? Are we watching same game I feel like Kane hasn't been dropping deep at all

[RTHerringbone]

Bellingham playing like a man possessed and Saka is so, so good on the right.

1-0 is a horrible score - need a second and sorry but Foden isn't working on the left. I'd like to see Gordon or Eze if we manage to get a second. 

[Carambau]

Can see this ending 1-1

[Zeonflux]

Just now, Smallen said:

that’s somehow worse

How is a player who’s actually a midfielder worse then a failed Fullback playing as a worse midfielder?

[BigV]

3 minutes ago, Astafjevs said:

I don't really think you need to get Foden or Kane 'involved'. If get it to Saka and let him play is working, then just let it be. There'll be other games where Saka is **** and Foden/Kane are running things. That's how it is.

Kane wants to get invovled, foden does too being a "midfielder" and if he was actually staying wide, he'd have so much more about him but he's pushed inside, almost to the center spot on 4 or 5 occassions. There were 2 or 3 chances where we're crying out for someone at the backpost and he isnt there to be seen. All it takes is foden out of position and central and one attack down the right side where funnily enough they've created 2 chances from crosses. 

[Haguey]

Trent has been largely fine hasn't he, covered well, made the pass for Saka's assist. Few loose passes but overall good

Edit: ignore me, it was Walkers pass  The point still stands dammit!

Edited June 16 by Haguey

[Heartwork]

Just now, RTHerringbone said:

Bellingham playing like a man possessed and Saka is so, so good on the right.

1-0 is a horrible score - need a second and sorry but Foden isn't working on the left. I'd like to see Gordon or Eze if we manage to get a second. 

One alternative option is, if we get another goal before changes are made, take Bellingham off (I remain convinced he needs to come off once we're comfortable otherwise someone's gonna break his legs) and put Foden centrally to see how he does.

[Bootador]

1 minute ago, Haguey said:

Trent has been largely fine hasn't he, covered well, made the pass for Saka's assist. Few loose passes but overall good

Mixed bag, he's done alright - I'm not convinced... Bellingham being everywhere has covered his defensive deficiencies somewhat.

(was Walker that made the pass fwiw)

Edited June 16 by Bootador

[SouthCoastRed]

3 minutes ago, Zeonflux said:

No id have taken JWP and started JWP

I don’t agree, but somehow, love you at the same time

[The_jagster]

Haven't really been looking too closely, but dull and all the good stuff is Saka-based

[Heartwork]

Walker is playing quite well, must be the motivation from the dozens of Father's Day cards he's received today

[Baptista_8]

3 minutes ago, skybluedave said:

Really? Are we watching same game I feel like Kane hasn't been dropping deep at all

Yeah hence his lack of touches

[kopsy101]

I don't think England have anything other than Saka to stretch play, which really affects the space our players get. The full backs don't really do that, Foden and Kane don't do that either. 

Shaw has to play if he's fit, Trippier does a great job considering his profile, but he really limits things. 

Why play Trent in midfield if there's nobody to hit? That is literally the point in him. If not, get Mainoo or Wharton in to keep the ball more safely.

And my god, Bellingham is a good midfielder. He moves like a dancer and is just solid. I'm gonna call it, he reminds me of Zidane sometimes. 

[Heartwork]

Pundits talking about Kane like he's playing the Heskey role - positioning himself to draw defenders away and freeing up the other attackers.

[Haguey]

1 minute ago, kopsy101 said:

I'm gonna call it, he reminds me of Zidane sometimes.

Zidane couldn't defend

[skybluedave]

Getting Joe to stand the other side now so we can't see his bad tattoos

[Baptista_8]

That shirt hides his neck a little better as well