England Discussion

el diablorojo

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To be fair there goals to minutes ratio in the PL is almost identical... Don't think there's really much between them (though I do think Toney is better), this betting scandal stuff with Toney probably didn't help his cause.
We all agree, unfortunately the betting thing must've influenced the decision.
The betting thing Southgate would have known about when he called him up last time as it has been investigated for months by the FA! Conveniently it has come out in the press now which provides a nice excuse for Southgate to have in his back pocket to not pick him up. Not that I am cynical you understand but the timing of the story coming out stinks to me. He should have picked both of them tbh.
 

Lee565

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How is dier and coady there over dan burn, smalling, tomori? Dier has been awful for spurs
 

Lecland07

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How is dier and coady there over dan burn, smalling, tomori? Dier has been awful for spurs
Ben White is there.

Maguire would be the one I would have issues with. Dier has been good for Tottenham this season.
 

Annihilate Now!

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How is dier and coady there over dan burn, smalling, tomori and Ben White? Dier has been awful for spurs
Ben White is in.

Smalling he obviously doesn't like, Tomori I think he's also just not convinced by for whatever reason (and hasn't had the push like Maddison has to pick him) and Dan Burn I don't ever really had a chance (and if he did it would be as LB).

Dier is terrible, even worse then Maguire for my money, but Southgate likes him.
 

Stadjer

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Maguire is a horrendous player for any team that doesnt want to defend or play like aEnglish team of 30 years ago but i hope he has a good World Cup and fools someone into buying him.

Most wouldnt even select Maguire but im 99,9% sure he will start England their first game :lol:

Go Harry go… dont let Southgate down!
 

the_cliff

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The betting thing Southgate would have known about when he called him up last time as it has been investigated for months by the FA! Conveniently it has come out in the press now which provides a nice excuse for Southgate to have in his back pocket to not pick him up. Not that I am cynical you understand but the timing of the story coming out stinks to me. He should have picked both of them tbh.
The timing is extremely suspicious tbf. Just the fact that Toney is a brilliant penalty taker is reason enough to take him imho.
 

groovyalbert

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Probably the best we can put together given injuries/form to be honest.

Only 2 recognised strikers isn't ideal given how tired Kane looks. Don't love the defensive options either, but that's a bigger issue.
 

WeePat

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He's just not that keen on calling up players who play in other countries. There have been a few who have done well but Bellingham is the only one in and even then Southgate took a while to play him regularly despite the plaudits.
Sancho ended up being a regular as well towards the end of his time in Dortmund. Seems odd to persist with mediocre players who are either just not that good or over the hill. I don't think Tomori has been wow this season, his form has definitely dipped compared to last season but it's still miles better than Maguire who quite literally isn't playing any games, and when he did they were disastrous performances at the start of the season before Ten Hag steadied the ship.

People laughed a few weeks ago at Loftus-Cheek potentially being included, but he's been good this season, certainly better than Henderson and Phillips.
 

Toblerone92

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Coady over Tomori is a crime. At least he’s playing weekly in the CL while Coady remains marginal even at fecking Everton. Weak from Southgate as usual but at least he included Maddison.

We’ll crash out in quarters and he’ll be gone by Christmas.
 

sincher

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The thing with someone like Coady is his mentality is good and he will be good for the group. He is about the same level as a player as Tomori anyway IMO.
 

saivet

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Coady over Tomori is a crime. At least he’s playing weekly in the CL while Coady remains marginal even at fecking Everton. Weak from Southgate as usual but at least he included Maddison.

We’ll crash out in quarters and he’ll be gone by Christmas.
Talk is that Coady was a valuable squad member during the Euros when he didn't even get on the pitch. Not followed his Everton form but apparently he's been alright so seems enough to get in the squad, more from a team morale perspective than to play an active role.
 

Jippy

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While miracles happen from time to time, if England win World Cup it would be just that. Miracle. Except forwards where I can see talent, that is one poor team.
More dull and average than poor for me, depending on Southgate's team selections. Defence weak in the middle and lacks creativity in midfield, but forward line has quality if Kane is on form. Southgate needs to use in there though or we'll struggle for goals (unless we get stacks of pens again).
 

Mockney

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It feels a lot let leas exciting than the Euros squad, despite (perhaps because of) being largely the same. I think a lot of people have realised Southgate’s schtick now and are a lot less forgiving of it.

Quarters are probably the best we can do as a last hurrah and then we need some reinvention.
 

Steven Seagull

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It’s the best squad we could’ve picked. I don’t know why people get so annoyed about some players who aren’t going to see a minute anyway. We aren’t going to win a World Cup because Dan Burn got called up instead of Coady

There’s only been 40 odd games since the euros so less chance for young players to come onto the scene. In other years you might’ve had somebody like Harvey Elliot finish the season strongly and get called up
 

Andersonson

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If Southgate ends up winning arm chairs managers in here would still not give him any credit. That squad is fine. Tomori hasnt been that good either. You lot just love to whine
 

Dancfc

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If Southgate ends up winning arm chairs managers in here would still not give him any credit. That squad is fine. Tomori hasnt been that good either. You lot just love to whine
That's the problem with managers like Southgate, it's always "if he does this you'll have to do this".

But all the hypotheticals rarely if ever come to fruition.
 

90 + 5min

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More dull and average than poor for me, depending on Southgate's team selections. Defence weak in the middle and lacks creativity in midfield, but forward line has quality if Kane is on form. Southgate needs to use in there though or we'll struggle for goals (unless we get stacks of pens again).
Centerback as you say are weak. Central midifeld is weak. Goalkeepers are weak. I get that quality might not even be there to be picked from first place. What Southgate need to do is pack starting 11 with lot of defenders otherwise there will be freeway through that team. Still that would not be enough. If he goes with Bellingham and Rice as he has done before, he needs 3 central defenders because 2 is not good enough. If he plays with 3-5-2 (5-3-2) with wingbacks there will be tactical problems in the team because there aren't lot of these players playing that system. However you twist and turn, there will not be any gold medal. Or medal at all.
 

MUFC OK

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While miracles happen from time to time, if England win World Cup it would be just that. Miracle. Except forwards where I can see talent, that is one poor team.
To think this was supposed to be a golden generation according to some. I really don't see it at all.
 

Cantonagotmehere

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I get Phillips being in the squad because the midfield is so weak.

I just really dislike the way Southgate handles things and sets up the team. I hope England does well but it will be in spite of the manager, in my humble opinion.
 

GMoore23

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Maguires inclusion doesn't surprise me. He's always been decent for England and there's slim pickings at cb. Dier though, sweet feck he's a terrible footballer and brainless as well. Southgate's a clown for taking him over Smalling.
 

MUFC OK

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Can anyone think of an era where England have had worse options at CM? (not attacking mid). Hard to stake a claim for anyone else except maybe JWP.
 

chris123

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While miracles happen from time to time, if England win World Cup it would be just that. Miracle. Except forwards where I can see talent, that is one poor team.
I... don't agree with this at all. I think it's one of the best squads in the tournament. I don't trust Southgate to maximise that talent but the front 6 is really as good as anyone's.
 

AnotherLondonManc

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While miracles happen from time to time, if England win World Cup it would be just that. Miracle. Except forwards where I can see talent, that is one poor team.
Is it?! Of course, there are weaknesses but overall this has to be one of the stongest teams in the world on paper. Top striker and wingers, midfield full of players that play week-in-week-out at the top level, and a few marquee players in defence. Nothing really wrong with the team at all. The only downside is that they're all English
 

ThierryHenry

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The betting thing Southgate would have known about when he called him up last time as it has been investigated for months by the FA! Conveniently it has come out in the press now which provides a nice excuse for Southgate to have in his back pocket to not pick him up. Not that I am cynical you understand but the timing of the story coming out stinks to me. He should have picked both of them tbh.
Why does Southgate need an excuse to pick Wilson over Toney? Even without the betting story I don't think anyone would really care. :lol:
 

ThierryHenry

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Phillips? How the hell is he in the squad. Literally getting in based on being at City and being one of Southgate's chums.
What madness is this? Why wouldn't you pick one of our best players from the Euros in a 26 man squad? Particularly in a position where the competition is so limited.