I don't know. I think Germany and Denmark have easier groups.
Internationals March (World Cup Qualifiers)
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
I agree. Portugal sacking Santos would be like Stoke sacking Pulis but on a much higher scale. Portugal may have players like Ronaldo, Bruno, Jota, Felix etc, but Stoke had Butland, Shaqiri etc too (worse players than Portugal’s by far of course, but still should have been too good to go down). Stoke already went down, and Portugal won’t continue to win trophies if they sack Santos too.
Portugal has one of the best 11s in the world right now but I feel like this old version of Ronaldo is going to hold this team back. He is still a great player neverthless.
This NT with a prime Ronaldo would probably be the top contender (or atleast one of the top contenders) for the Euros / World Cup.
This NT with a prime Ronaldo would probably be the top contender (or atleast one of the top contenders) for the Euros / World Cup.
I really don't get this whole 'Portugal would be better off without Ronaldo' line.
Yes they have some very good AM's / wide men, but they don't have a great #9 or prolific scorer coming through that Ronaldo is 'holding back'. He currently offers to them what the likes of Kane, Lewandowski, Lukaku, Cavani offers to their teams - and that's an awful lot.
It feels a lot of the 'is Ronaldo holding back Portugal? debate has been spearheaded by people trying to find any way to discredit the amazing achievements he's made at international level and the goalscoring record he's on the point of breaking. How can we undermine that? Let's argue he's now selfishly holding them back and only being picked so he can break the scoring record.
There's room for a teams best #9 and finisher to play alongside skilful, creative players like Fernandes, Bernardo, Jota, etc. They've got a good few wide men / AM's to start and one or two off the bench but, for balance, there's room to play a better finisher and prolific #9 with them rather than play without a lead the line striker and have a false #9.
Yes they have some very good AM's / wide men, but they don't have a great #9 or prolific scorer coming through that Ronaldo is 'holding back'. He currently offers to them what the likes of Kane, Lewandowski, Lukaku, Cavani offers to their teams - and that's an awful lot.
It feels a lot of the 'is Ronaldo holding back Portugal? debate has been spearheaded by people trying to find any way to discredit the amazing achievements he's made at international level and the goalscoring record he's on the point of breaking. How can we undermine that? Let's argue he's now selfishly holding them back and only being picked so he can break the scoring record.
There's room for a teams best #9 and finisher to play alongside skilful, creative players like Fernandes, Bernardo, Jota, etc. They've got a good few wide men / AM's to start and one or two off the bench but, for balance, there's room to play a better finisher and prolific #9 with them rather than play without a lead the line striker and have a false #9.
Yeh, I was going to say the same thing, he plays like a traditional number 9 for Portugal and his build-up and link play is still very strong. Last night he was constantly on the shoulder of the last defender on crosses which is where he got his goal and we all know he's got some of the best movement in world football. The key for Portugal is making the rest of the pieces fit, Bruno has to be in based on recent form but they then have a lot of similar players on the wings and in AM positions. I would still have them as one of the favs entering the next couple of tournaments.
Static? He keeps bailing us out many times just like some months ago vs Sweden away.
There is this idea that Portugal plays much better without him, based on some games that were very easy (and ignoring the games we also played atrociously and Ronaldo didn't play).
In fact, there is this weird agenda that João Félix has to play always, that Ronaldo ruins the team, Ricardo Pereira doesn't exist, etc
João Félix still hasn't done anything at all in the national team even after almost a year being a starter, Jota came in once in the last months and the difference is enormous.
Also note that André Silva is in fantastic form and he barely played in these 3 games, meanwhile João Félix, Rafa, etc, all got the time, and no, this is not because Ronaldo and André Silva are incompatible (new myth), some years ago they played together in the national team and the output of both of them was great.
Our team is very static as a whole, we generally play badly and that is impressive with the players we have and this affects all of them, Ronaldo included.
Also please note that this defensive style is not a recent thing, in fact we always were defensively minded first since 2004.
2006 WC? 2010 WC? 2012 Euro? 2016 WC?
Basically we stay behind and hope the many talents we have can solve the problem, we have no real offensive process.
Predicted line up for England? Foden-Phillips-Rice in the midfield most likely? Watch Foden and Mount run riots tonight.
I think he'll go with a midfield 3 of Rice, JWP and Mount.
My guess would be:
Pope
Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw
Rice, JWP
Foden, Mount, Sterling
Kane
Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw
Rice, JWP
Foden, Mount, Sterling
Kane
He could really go for anyone at right back tonight though.
I'm interested to see what Southgate does as this is our toughest match on paper (even with Lewa missing) before the Euros as it may give a clearer idea on what he's planning on doing. I have a feeling he will stick with 4 at the back for the group stages and will revert to the 343 if we play one of the big teams in the knock outs.
JWP won't play tonight, he left the squad and is with Soton medical staff
Whoever starts at LB for England tonight is a sure fire bet for first choice LB at the Euros. Shaw deserves it so much. Contrary to popular opinion, aside from the first half of last season, this isn’t the first time Shaw has eclipsed Chilwell as an LB. He’s generally always been the better player.
Even if true he didn't show it. We've come a long way from the threads on here calling him fat and slow.
I didn't realise, probably Phillips then, though I'd like it to be Bellingham instead.
Mate, we have people here saying Bruno is not technically gifted, and is a bad passer. Luke Shaw has always been a worse Denis Irwin, which is no insult whatsoever. Denis was aptly nicknamed 8/10 Denis, and Shaw wouldn’t sink much lower even during his worst performances.
Had an awful lineup prediction for the San Marino game, but he could have chucked any 11 of the 23 squad members out there and England would have won with ease. For today, I’ll go:
Pope
James Stones Maguire Shaw
Rice Bellingham
Foden Mount Sterling
Kane
Pope
James Stones Maguire Shaw
Rice Bellingham
Foden Mount Sterling
Kane
Sweden has already taken the lead in a meaningless friendly against Estonia within 3 minutes from a goal by Marcus Berg.
The best of the rest lineup all competing for a spot in the Euros squad.
The best of the rest lineup all competing for a spot in the Euros squad.
Pretty boring friendly. I think Krafth, Berg, Quaison and maybe a midfielder got a chance to start in Euros or future world cup qualifiers. The others behind right now.
Probably Svanberg and Cajuste (for the World Cup qualifiers) and possibly Ken Sema have a good chance to make it. The others are far behind.
We have been playing with C - squad line up the whole international round atm. As almost 20 of our players were out due injuries or Covid protocol unable to play.
Chilwell starting in the last competitive game against a decent side, thus confirming his place as first choice LB over Shaw, the best LB in the PL this season. Oh and of course, a Phillips-Rice midfield two of absolutely zero creativity and dynamism.
Southgate OUT!
Hungary is first. If we don't win bye bye.
Quite honestly he doesn't need to play every game and 90 minutes over 90 minutes on Tournament Football in 2021, but if things don't go right in the Summer pressure will come for him, at least if he doesn't improve his individual performances from the last 3 matches, starting to get worried it might not be temporary...
Armenia take the lead. 3-2. What a game they have played. 3 wins from 3 to begin qualification, and all this without Mkhitaryan.
Hope they make it to the World Cup!
Hope they make it to the World Cup!
I feel like the crowd really helped spur them on. Every Armenian attack had large cheers from the crowd, and the players used that energy to drive forward and be brave on the attack. Armenia were fortunate to score the equaliser with a couple of players offside, but in the end, they truly deserved the win. Romania couldn't contain Armenia's quick breaks, and the back line looked worried on every Armenian attack.
Is Mount the only one to play all 3 games? Bit annoying if you're a Chelsea fan
Took the words right out of my mouth there. The quality was genuinely very good from both teams, Armenia especially, and the crowd were incredibly supportive and boisterous. I watched this game for two reasons: to see if Armenia won (hope they finish 2nd now that they did it) and to simply witness football fans cheering their team on, something we have all missed at club level. I wasn’t let down and I hope Armenia make the World Cup.
I must say though, I was a bit confused by the Viking clap celebration the players and the whole stadium did after the game. I thought that was Iceland’s!
It is, but everyone's adopted once it got popular at the start of 2016. We see it a bunch at club level, too.
I must say though, aside from the brilliant fans, I was very impressed with the quality of your team. With Mkhi injured, I can’t say I had even heard of anyone in the 11 bar Adamyan. You’ll obviously lose to Germany (so would England, so no worries), but a few draws away to Romania and Iceland and you’ll make the playoffs easily.
But but, he wears a waistcoat.
Shaw should be starting but not a bad thing for United. If he keeps up his form until the end of the season and Chilwell continues to be rotated, I think there is a chance he starts at the Euros.
Would have liked to see Bellingham instead of Phillips too.
Would have liked to see Bellingham instead of Phillips too.
Pope, Phillips, Sterling and Stones too I believe have started all of the games.
Agreed on the Bellingham starting over Phillips considering Phillips just came back from injury and has started all three games.
Glad Shaw is being rested. That means Bruno, Shaw and Lindelof all have a week off and players such as Rashford and AWB have not featured at all.
There’s no way Southgate is going to play both Foden & Grealish in the midfield this Euro’s. Both will be considered as wide players with Mount a shoe in as the attacking option in the middle with two DM’s.
Rashford needs a strong end to the season in my opinion. Sancho has hit form and Sterling is a dead cert with Southgate.
Rashford needs a strong end to the season in my opinion. Sancho has hit form and Sterling is a dead cert with Southgate.
Remember when Southgate was lorded for playing on form players? Yeah, Chilwell over Shaw.
Happy Shaw is getting rested.
But does this mean Chilwell to start LB at the Euros do we think?
That would be criminal.
But does this mean Chilwell to start LB at the Euros do we think?
That would be criminal.
50p head Foden.
Good football until the end.
Poland's no.10 made several fouls already
Nothing new though from him, useless manager.
Absolutely no interest in international football tbh so I don't really have any bias other than hoping he doesn't pick any united players which he doesn't so that's good at least.
Maguire is playing.