The Road To Germany 2024

[Tony Towner]

Well the first time I said it you put a Wow emoji, the second time a FFS. If you don't know where he's been essentially playing for Liverpool for the last 18 months and where he played for England in the last game he started that's your issue not mine. Don't behave like a dick and I won't treat you like one

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

We always list TAA as a midfielder now on the squad list. Now you can agree or disagree with him playing there but Southgate is not going to pick him as a RB unless it's a weird stack of injuries in a tournament and he's the only one who can go there.

 

[leedswolf]

Well the first time I said it you put a Wow emoji, the second time a FFS. If you don't know where he's been essentially playing for Liverpool for the last 18 months and where he played for England in the last game he started that's your issue not mine. Don't behave like a dick and I won't treat you like one

I do know where he'a being playing for club and country and IMO (that's what this forum is about?), he is not a particularly good midfielder. You think he is, I disagree and have stated it previously.

You can treat me how the fuck you like. Just don't be surprised when you get a reaction $$$$.

 

[leedswolf]

We always list TAA as a midfielder now on the squad list. Now you can agree or disagree with him playing there but Southgate is not going to pick him as a RB unless it's a weird stack of injuries in a tournament and he's the only one who can go there.

I don't think TAA is worth any place in the squad. Stinks of square pegs and round holes, IMHO, IMV...

 

[Tony Towner]

What's with the $$$$? Are you 12? Strange anger issues.

 

[leedswolf]

What's with the $$$$? Are you 12? Strange anger issues.

No anger issues buddy. You're not worth it. Have a good life. Bye.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

TAA isn't a genuine midfielder in my eyes, I think the role he's had at Liverpool lately has been more bespoke than the caveat people use for Doherty's performances under Nuno. I don't think I can remember them using him as an outright midfielder with someone else sat at fullback but more that he's allowed to drift inside as often as he wants.

To be honest I think it's a boon for him as he seems able to avoid the most difficult aspects of either position in that role. No longer being beat by all and sundry down the channel on counter attackers and not really having to much in central either. He doesn't seem to offer any great threat through the middle compared to the alternatives either, McAllister has a better eye for a pass and Szoboszlai carries it better.

I think it's just a way to get his delivery into the game without him being an open door of a fullback.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

TAA isn't a genuine midfielder in my eyes, I think the role he's had at Liverpool lately has been more bespoke than the caveat people use for Doherty's performances under Nuno. I don't think I can remember them using him as an outright midfielder with someone else sat at fullback but more that he's allowed to drift inside as often as he wants.

To be honest I think it's a boon for him as he seems able to avoid the most difficult aspects of either position in that role. No longer being beat by all and sundry down the channel on counter attackers and not really having to much in central either. He doesn't seem to offer any great threat through the middle compared to the alternatives either, McAllister has a better eye for a pass and Szoboszlai carries it better.

I think it's just a way to get his delivery into the game without him being an open door of a fullback.

I agree with you but Southgate has definitely used him as a genuine #8 (not where he plays for Liverpool) recently. But his availability has been sketchy so we haven't seen it against anyone any good to see if it works properly.

I don't think it will but it is an unknown to an extent.

 

[MARKakaJIM]

I agree with you but Southgate has definitely used him as a genuine #8 (not where he plays for Liverpool) recently. But his availability has been sketchy so we haven't seen it against anyone any good to see if it works properly.

I don't think it will but it is an unknown to an extent.

I think it's one of those where you'll get some good outings with it, against opponents content to sit in and leave plenty of room in the middle of the pitch so he can just loaf about in there. Given opportunity like that he'll undoubtedly end up putting some good deliveries into the box and probably end up creating some good chances as a result because his delivery is very good for the most part.

Then there will also be games where the other side have a couple of solid centre halves who are content to just knock that sort of stuff away all game or teams that will get in England's faces more, and with the latter I don't think he's *that* good with the ball to be too much of a help playing around an organized press.

 

[Tredman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1781380091559170199

 

[Quirkafleeg]

I'm still holding on to 30 of his rookie Premier League cards just in the hope he gets a call up..

 

[Kenny]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1782705894691664047

 

[Tony Towner]

Answering the question, it depends what you use the deeper squad places for. You are essentially taking players who aren't getting on the pitch, if that's to give youngsters experience of tournament football that's fine. I don't see the point of just deepening your squad with someone in their late 20s/30s just because you can

 

[Templeton Peck]

If it means we've space for Henderson and Phillips then I'm here for it.

 

[Johnny75]

Left back looks like it is going to be a big issue. Ten Hag has as much as said that Shaw won't be fit enough to be first choice for the tournament, Chilwell is shit and injury prone and Trippier looks absolutely done even playing on his preferred site.

I imagine we'll take Mitchell who I do like and risk one of Shaw/Chilwell along with Gomez as a backup across the entire back four. That's not ideal, as you have to lose an attacking option, but given the injury issues we've got, I can see the sense in it.

Current best guess (with a hint of personal preference):

GK: Pickford, Pope, Ramsdale
CB: Stones, Maguire, Guehi, Branthwaite, Gomez
FB: Walker, James, Mitchell, Shaw
CM: Rice, Bellingham, Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Gallagher, Mainoo
AM: Saka, Foden, Palmer, Gordon, Eze
ST: Kane, Watkins, Toney

Eze, Rashford, Grealish and Bowen are in a battle for one spot as I have it, unless we decide not to take one of Watkins or Toney.

I'd leave Bowen behind as he'd be behind Saka, Foden and Palmer as options at RW and I can't see him playing as a CF. Grealish isn't fit, Rashford has been a disgrace all season so I've gone for Eze given the form he's currently in and his ability in tight spaces.

I think he'll take Dunk instead of Branthwaite and TAA instead of Gomez (not as a midfielder even though he can play there).

I think Livramento or Hall may get a nod instead of Shaw. And hope Trippier doesn't.

I would take Wharton over either Gallagher and Henderson but he isn't going to do that so he gets my extra midfield slot vacated by TAA in your line up.

Agree with you on AM and STR.

 

[Tredman]

Tomori not an option at CB?

 

[Tredman]

It doesn't look like Southgate has any interest in him - suspect he won't get a call-up unless he comes back to England.

That’s very poor on Southgate if that is the case.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Tbf when he has played against English teams in the CL he has looked rubbish. Proper flunking the audition stuff.

I wouldn't mind taking Dier, he's done well for Bayern, solid pro and he's a better CM than Henderson these days too.

 

[Stan Hullis]

Can’t believe you haven’t included Dan Burn for LB

 

[Templeton Peck]

I'd go...

GK: Pickford Henderson Pope
DEF: Walker Stones Guehi Mitchell Quansah Branthwaite Gomez Trent
CM: Rice Bellingham Mainoo Gallagher Wharton
AM: Foden Saka Palmer Sancho Gordon Bowen Eze
ST: Watkins Kane Toney

Ramsdale never plays so Henderson for me.

Chilwell, James and Shaw just aren't fit so I'd take Mitchell with Gomez who can cover the whole back 4.

CB is weak so I'd risk Guehi who played today with Quansah and Branthwaite. Maguire can fuck off and he's injured.