justsomebloke
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Well, I suppose we'll just have to disagree about that.I fail to see how Saka is better than Greenwood. Greenwood is also the far more likely to get you a goal in a crunch situation.
Well, I suppose we'll just have to disagree about that.I fail to see how Saka is better than Greenwood. Greenwood is also the far more likely to get you a goal in a crunch situation.
If you say England will bring 3 goalies, 9 defenders, 9/10 midfielders and 4/5 strikers - I can not find 4 or 5 strikers I would rather bring than Greenwood. Kane,Rashford and DCL are the 3 obvious ones for me - but I am not sure I would bring Watkins over Greenwood in Masons current form.I think it's too early for Greenwood, considering who he'd have to displace to get into that squad.
He was better for the first half of the season. Greenwood has been near on his last season form from about February onward.Because he's been a much better player than him this season, has some international experience and adds versatility as a left wing back.
I definitely think he'll have entered Southgates thinking, but not sure it'll happen... it definitely wouldn't when it was 23, but now it's 26 its a possibility.I wouldn't have said it a few months ago but surely Greenwood is a shout for one of the forward spots given his versatility and form?
Saka has literally played the LWB position for England already. On the right I'd prefer to see Mount, Foden, Sancho and Sterling. As a 9 I'd rather see Kane, DCL, Ings and Wakins.Saka isn't realistically going to play anywhere other than on the wing, so his flexibility is no different to Greenwoods; if anything Greenwood slightly has the edge here as he's more comfortable as a CF. That means Saka and Greenwood are competing for the same positions against the same players. They'd be looking at playing bit parts, mostly appearing from the bench late on to nab a goal. So really, you've got to ask yourself who you would prefer to bring in on those situations? One of the most natural finishers in the league, or Saka? It's pretty easy to make a case for Greenwood over Saka.
Crazy how much difference a year makes. About 3 of those would get into my ideal XI now. I think Ox was in solely because I hated the midfield options at the time (and I kind of still do, really).Henderson
Alexander-Arnold - Smalling - Gomez - Chilwell
Henderson - Oxlade-Chamberlain
Sancho - Maddison - Sterling
Rashford
Assuming Rashford is alive. Abraham(?) in his stead.
True, but I think there's also a difference in maturity and general impact. Mason is still a player who does certain things very well, when he's on form. When I watch Saka and he has a good game, he looks to me like he's just flat out your total attacking solution - he does everything well and has a much more general and visible impact.He was better for the first half of the season. Greenwood has been near on his last season form from about February onward.
That was such an unpleasant reading.Henderson_pope_pickford
Central defenders - maguire_stones_ben white(versatile) coady.
Fullbacks/wingbacks - walker(can play central)_arnold_trippier_shaw_chilwell
Midfield - foden_henderson_rice_phillips_mount_bbellingham_saka
Attack - kane_rashford_sancho_calvert lewin_sterling_greenwood.
Because he's played a few minutes at LWB for England that means he might be utilized there in the Euros? We'd have a significantly better player on the bench to bring on if required, but it's not as if fullback is a common position you sub off in order to impact a game. It's far more likely Greenwood/Saka will come on in an attacking sense when we need a goal, and Greenwood is far, far more likely to get one. Saka had exclusively played on the left anyway, and there's zero chance he'll see time over the options we have there.Saka has literally played the LWB position for England already. On the right I'd prefer to see Mount, Foden, Sancho and Sterling. As a 9 I'd rather see Kane, DCL, Ings and Wakins.
Personally I'd rather take Saka but I doubt either will play at all if they went.
These look like files that would auto-download from a dodgy website.Henderson_pope_pickford
Central defenders - maguire_stones_ben white(versatile) coady.
Fullbacks/wingbacks - walker(can play central)_arnold_trippier_shaw_chilwell
Midfield - foden_henderson_rice_phillips_mount_bbellingham_saka
Attack - kane_rashford_sancho_calvert lewin_sterling_greenwood.
Saka doesn't play on the left, but generally on the right. When he's not being used as a wing back.Because he's played a few minutes at LWB for England that means he might be utilized there in the Euros? We'd have a significantly better player on the bench to bring on if required, but it's not as if fullback is a common position you sub off in order to impact a game. It's far more likely Greenwood/Saka will come on in an attacking sense when we need a goal, and Greenwood is far, far more likely to get one. Saka had exclusively played on the left anyway, and there's zero chance he'll see time over the options we have there.
Watkins and Ings can't play on the left, or the right, Mount Foden and Sterling won't be playing up front. If you wanted Saka in there for his flexibility, then it's strange you'd go with inflexible players over Greenwood. Surely you'd want someone who can play on the right and upfront, and has a proven record at impacting games from the bench, not to mention someone who already has a relationship with a lot of players in the squad.
If I recall, he's only played on the left for England. Not checked it though, so I could well be wrong.Saka doesn't play on the left, but generally on the right. When he's not being used as a wing back.
Good squad, and that might well be it, except suspect Gareth will prefer Trippier to TAA, Mings to Tomori, and maybe Watkins or Lingard to Greenwood (though the latter may depend on form in the last few games).GK: Hendo, Pope, Pickford
CB: Maguire, Stones, Coady, Tomori, Keane
FB: TAA, James, Shaw, Chilwell, Saka
CM: Henderson, Rice, JWP, Bellingham
AM: Mount, Grealish, Sancho, Streling, Foden
CF: Kane, Rashford, DCL, Greenwood
26 is the size of the squad now, isn't it?
Yeah, I can see Watkins over Greenwood, as I suspect he may want the Dreamteam (Greenwood/Foden) not to team up again.Good squad, and that might well be it, except suspect Gareth will prefer Trippier to TAA, Mings to Tomori, and maybe Watkins or Lingard to Greenwood (though the latter may depend on form in the last few games).
If he picks Watkins over Greenwood he deserves to be sacked. Would be a ridiculous decision.Yeah, I can see Watkins over Greenwood, as I suspect he may want the Dreamteam (Greenwood/Foden) not to team up again.
Oh I don't know. I quite rate Watkins as it goes. I mean I would take Greenwood but am biased.If he picks Watkins over Greenwood he deserves to be sacked. Would be a ridiculous decision.
I think Grealish will play the next few for Villa before end of seasonWill Grealish, Henderson and Rice play before the season ends? I think the latter two would make the squad even if they return to fitness after the PL but before the Euros due to the lack of depth.
no Kyle Walker is a mistakeGK: Hendo, Pope, Pickford
CB: Maguire, Stones, Coady, Tomori, Keane
FB: TAA, James, Shaw, Chilwell, Saka
CM: Henderson, Rice, JWP, Bellingham
AM: Mount, Grealish, Sancho, Streling, Foden
CF: Kane, Rashford, DCL, Greenwood
26 is the size of the squad now, isn't it?
Kalvin Phillips will almost certainly go, and Keane has very little chance of going I think.Good squad, and that might well be it, except suspect Gareth will prefer Trippier to TAA, Mings to Tomori, and maybe Watkins or Lingard to Greenwood (though the latter may depend on form in the last few games).
Good point, that is a mistake. Replace either Coady, Saka or Keane with him.no Kyle Walker is a mistake
Yes had forgotten about Phillips, he will go for sure. Even though he isn't that good. I wonder if Henderson will go?Kalvin Phillips will almost certainly go, and Keane has very little chance of going I think.
Will it be too late to make the selection after the two Euro finals?
I say this because if an English player on any of the teams come up clutch when it matters then surely that alone should get them in the squad? (proven recent match winner in a tournament we're looking to win).
It was CHO cameo on Saturday that got me thinking about this.All the English players in those squads that could "come up clutch" are already nailled on to be in the squad anyway.
It's unlikely... Southgate seems to place quite a lot of weight in players who have been in previous squads and is seemingly quite loyal... the fact that you can't dismiss the idea of Eric Dier still making the squad is a testament to that.It was CHO cameo on Saturday that got me thinking about this.
At it's stands he won't be in the squad and on the basis of this season overall no one can really argue otherwise but if his performance Saturday was the start of a burst where he suddenly played a key role in us achieving our goals surely that puts him in the conversation for a last minute inclusion?
Of course I'm talking hypothetically at this point but it's still a possibility.
Surely Mount & Foden have to start? They’ve comfortably out performed Rashford & Sancho this season.Henderson
Walker Stones Maguire Shaw
Rice Henderson
Sancho Grealish Rashford
Kane
Pope
TAA Coady Keane Chilwell
Mount Phillips Bellingham
Foden DCL Sterling
Pickford, James, Saka, Greenwood filling up the remaining 4 spots.
There is zero chance Sterling doesn't start. Mount will also 100% start and Grealish will 100% not start.... so basically it'll be between Foden and Rashford for the other starting spot (unless he decides Foden and Mount can play in the middle together with just one behind them... but that would be very not conservative for Southage.Surely Mount & Foden have to start? They’ve comfortably out performed Rashford & Sancho this season.
Henderson
Walker Stones Maguire Shaw
Rice Henderson
Foden Mount Grealish
Kane
You have to start one of Rashford or Sterling, that front 3 behind Kane is not the most productive in front of goal, neither is there much pace to stretch defenses. Rashford to start IMO, bring Sterling off the bench.There is zero chance Sterling doesn't start. Mount will also 100% start and Grealish will 100% not start.... so basically it'll be between Foden and Rashford for the other starting spot (unless he decides Foden and Mount can play in the middle together with just one behind them... but that would be very not conservative for Southage.
Foden is ahead of a few of those players.I don't normally care about England teams and squads too much. But there's some serious talent available this year.
The strengths of the forwards and lack of quality and depth in defensive positions makes for some interesting selection decisions.
------------ Henderson
AWB Stones Maguire Shaw
--------------- Rice
---------Mount Grealish
Sancho ----------------- Rashford
-------------- Kane
This is what I'd go with. I really want to see Grealish play if he's fit and can show some form in the warm up games. Both he and Mount will work hard to help Rice.
I know the inclusion of AWB will be debated, even here. But I just think by playing TAA we would have to play a 2nd defensive midfielder, and the options there really aren't great.
For me, Foden was the most difficult to leave out. If Rashford isn't 100% then Foden plays. Not Sterling. But really, all four of those wide forwards are top class.
------------- Pickford
TAA Stones Maguire Shaw
------- Rice Henderson
Sterling Foden Rashford
------------- Kane
This is what I expect Southgate to go with. With Foden for Mount, or maybe Grealish being the only doubt.
And he probably won't even take AWB which will be a massive mistake against the biggest sides.
Maybe I'm being overly pessimistic. But I can just see this amazing array of talent spending most of the time on the bench while we try to bore our way to a semi final exit.