Wanted to make this thread as a separate discussion for England fans of all clubs. So England fans do you agree that at this point it would be a travesty if Shaw isn't the England left back for the Euros? If not what is your reasoning?
England's Left Back
- Thread starter kidbob
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Gareth will probably stick with Chilwell because he isn’t the sharpest tool in the box, and personally I think any chance for Shaw to not get injured is a good thing.
But for his sake I hope he does take the spot back, it would do his confidence a lot of good.
But for his sake I hope he does take the spot back, it would do his confidence a lot of good.
Has to be Shaw
Southgate will probably play Trippier out of position.
Southgate will probably play Trippier out of position.
If they go with 3 at the back and wing backs then I think Shaw will miss out.
Were I England manager, Shaw would be in my team.
Were I England manager, Shaw would be in my team.
Current form it has to be Shaw. The guy is turning into a machine
Yeah as a United fan I want him not to get it but as a fan of Shaw I want him to have the chance for his country. I'm worried Southgate will feck this up.
Should be Shaw and AWB for England's full back spots, but Southgate is dopey as they come, so it'll be Chilwell and TAA.
Upside of that is they get a good long summer break and come back next season, ready for a title tilt.
Upside of that is they get a good long summer break and come back next season, ready for a title tilt.
I really wonder what opposition fans think, hence this thread. Have they seen what we have? The lad has been incredible this season in every facet of the game.
I'd go James over AWB personally but can see the argument. On current form TAA should be nowhere near.
In a back 4 Shaw should be the first name on the team sheet as LB.
In a back 3 Shaw should be first name on the team sheet as LCB or LWB.
Surely even Southgate can’t feck up this particular personnel choice?
That wouldn't make a difference. He's a good defensive LB (in a 4) and a good attacking FB (in a 5).
The tactics shouldn't make any difference. It's just about Gareth 'Nice But Dim' Southgate and his weird selections.
I think a bigger conundrum is what to do about the right back spot. Alexander-Arnold was a no brainer just a few months ago, but since he’s been playing like a no brainer himself you have to wonder whether his spot is safe.
I mean, it probably is but it shouldn’t be. He’s had a woeful season, on form he should be nowhere near first choice.
I mean, it probably is but it shouldn’t be. He’s had a woeful season, on form he should be nowhere near first choice.
If England are sticking to 3 at the back, there's a case for Shaw at LCB and Chillwell as the LWB.
Saka would be a bolder but potentially more effective choice at LWB.
Which obviously rules it out as an idea for Southgate.
They will probably go with Walker I imagine. Reece James doesn’t seem to be playing regularly at the moment.
Has to be Shaw but Saka albeit playing slightly further forward is playing well. Also shout out for Matt Targett for Villa who has played well all season.
Based on form definitely Shaw but I wouldn't be surprised if Southgate doesn't select him.
AWB wont be picked and rightfully so. There are 3 or 4 better ones. James, Trippier, Walker, TAA atleast. Judging TAA purely on this season is a bit unfair. Would be correct to watch him for England and not Liverpool.
TAA deserves a chance in a friendly
Shaw should be rewarded, his improvement is pretty much indisputable.
Doesn't have to play every match for England, but having him in the squad surely won't damage Southgate's plan, whatever it will be.
Doesn't have to play every match for England, but having him in the squad surely won't damage Southgate's plan, whatever it will be.
Not a chance on Trippier. He's missed the last couple of months due to that betting ban.
Walker as well has recently lost his place to Cancelo and hasn't been a regular starter.
TAA has been an abomination this season. Awful.
The closest to AWB has been James, and even he's been iffy (he was crap for Lampard) and only recently gained his place in the lineup as Tuchel dropped CHO from that RWB position.
For me, AWB has been the most consistent out of the lot since the season began.
Talks that AWB will declare for Congo
I’m not so sure. I think it is also down to personnel. Having Walker as the 3rd cb is useful because he has the pace to cover for Maguire (and the other slow CBs) and the full back know how to cover for Trippier, who is basically selected for his crossing and set pieces.
Shaw could play as LWB, I agree, but I’m not sure Gareth does.
Yea, it's a shame in my opinion as he's more than good enough for the National Team, but it must be disheartening being continuously ignored by Southgate.
has to be Shaw based on this season. No one else is anywhere close. But I wouldn't mind Southgate not taking him as that would mean he'd be fresh for the next season.
Was Alexander-Arnold even getting in the team when he was The Best Right Back Ever?
Tricky one and depends on the formation too.
I think it'll be Chillwell for the LB spot if a back 4, Southgate tends to go for the players he's more familiar with rather than the in-form players. I've always been a big proponent of Shaw since he first came here but he's a weird full back in some senses, he's more a ball magnet and possession keeper than your typical get to the byline and cross full back, and as such I think teams need to get used to playing with him.
Right back is tough but if it's a back 4 then it'll be between TAA and James probably.
If it's a back 5 then it's trickier as the 2 best wide players for that are probably Saka and Trippier in terms of the attack.
I think it'll be Chillwell for the LB spot if a back 4, Southgate tends to go for the players he's more familiar with rather than the in-form players. I've always been a big proponent of Shaw since he first came here but he's a weird full back in some senses, he's more a ball magnet and possession keeper than your typical get to the byline and cross full back, and as such I think teams need to get used to playing with him.
Right back is tough but if it's a back 4 then it'll be between TAA and James probably.
If it's a back 5 then it's trickier as the 2 best wide players for that are probably Saka and Trippier in terms of the attack.
There’s no way they are all better than AWB. He’s getting very underrated now.
Shaw in a back 4. Probably Saka in a back 5.
He has but the narrative has been established now that he’s crap on the ball. Completely ignores all the progress he has made this season and also forgets that he’s the best one on one defender in world football which is a hell of a weapon. There’s no way James is better.
You pick your best players. I'm not English and if you check my posts over the last year, I've questioned Shaw. But there's no doubt he's come on leaps and bounds in the last year and Southgate should pick him first THEN worry about who else he picks as cover.
(Shaw can play as the left of a back three too. And has done).
feck it it, just put AWB, Shaw and Maguire in the same line up. Nobody is better.
Not true, like in the slightest.
Not sure why people are just starting to catch on about Shaw now. He's always been one of the best LB's in the league when healthy. Amazing how many forget that he was our player of the season just two years ago. The only knock on Shaw is that he doesn't seem to stay healthy. But when he is, there aren't many LB's in the game today who are better than him...
If Shaw continues his current form and stays fit i'm sure he will start the first Euro Game for England. Southgate isn't and idiot and he has played Shaw in the past when on form. So why shouldn't he now? Or did i miss some sort of fall out between them?
Dean Henderson as well.
He can, yes. But like I say, I think Gareth plays 3 at the back because he likes Walker there.
Whether it’a right or not is another matter.
Shaw at LB for sure if he keeps this form up. Looks like he's had a similar revelation to Gundogan and he's finally playing with confidence and without fear after all those injuries and he's really embraced the Telles challenge when many thought he'd be binned off for him. Credit to Shaw, I for one thought he'd be warming the bench all season now he's probably been the best LB in the league.
AWB though good and all as he is defensively isn't good enough going forward just yet (though he is improving) and Trent while good going forward has been abysmal. Personally I'd like to see a 4 of Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw
but I think Southgate with plump for a 5 with Trent, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw which will feck over midfield.
What I'd like to see is:
Pope, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Henderson, Foden, Sancho, Kane and Grealish (with Sterling so out of form)
What I think Gareth will do:
Pickford, Trent, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Dier, Henderson, Mount, Kane, Sterling (with Mount kinda shoehorned to the right)
AWB though good and all as he is defensively isn't good enough going forward just yet (though he is improving) and Trent while good going forward has been abysmal. Personally I'd like to see a 4 of Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw
but I think Southgate with plump for a 5 with Trent, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw which will feck over midfield.
What I'd like to see is:
Pope, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Henderson, Foden, Sancho, Kane and Grealish (with Sterling so out of form)
What I think Gareth will do:
Pickford, Trent, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Dier, Henderson, Mount, Kane, Sterling (with Mount kinda shoehorned to the right)
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And Phil Jones for a Utd/England back five
Imagine if he makes a recovery and becomes our 1st/2nd best centre back..
Or it could be Tzuanzebe.
That would be my back 4 too on current form. I'll be biased and say Henderson for GK. I think he's on the cusp of starting for United and for me he is just the best English goalkeeper there is right now.
The rest of the team is really awkward but in a good way. CM is a huge problem and England need to hope someone comes through soon that makes the position their own. A fully developed Garner would be huge as England lack that Carrick style ball player but I don't know if he'll make it. So yeah a workman midfield of Rice and Henderson is best, and can work wonders as Klopp has shown.
Weirdly I feel Mount's form makes him hard to drop. He is an excellent player for me but is the kind of guy you want when your midfield is more technical than it is. Play Grealish as a roaming 10 because of the lack of ball playing in the middle. Rashford on the left (when fit which the guy clearly isn't), Kane up top and absolutely Foden on the right is the best front 3 for me. But with Marcus being seemingly broken then Sterling is obvious but Saka would be very bold and maybe a master stroke.
In 5 years I see the front 3 being Saka, Greenwood and Foden and being utterly terrifying. I hate to say this but with the right coach I see England being very capable of winning the World Cup very soon.
It definitely depends on the formation he's looking at playing. From a personal villa bias POV, Targett has by far been our most improved player and has been deserving of an England call up.