England v Tunisia Match Thread

Quoted from Ipswin

Errrm well there is that, I was celebrating the 1-1  

It will be more interesting next time when you are running it Swin  

I thought we did well to be honest. Yes we missed chances, so does everyone. And as for people moaning about how slow and poor we were in the second half, well Tunisia changed their game plan and sat far deeper than the first half therefore not allowing us the space we had in the first half, so you can’t play with the same speed. They played for the draw second half and that’s becomes very difficult to play against. It doesn’t mean we were rubbish, we just couldn’t find a way through. I do note though that this is not the first time this has happened and it is very difficult to get through when Alli was carrying an injury and Sterling was just running into people (has he ever had a good game for England?). It is a problem for several managers, a certain Mr Hurst had issues getting his side to break through a 10 man defence.

As for changes, prefer Rose to Young, but Young did ok last night so can’t see that happening. Imo I would change McGuire for Cahill. McGuire is a massive concern for me. I don’t think his touch, footballing skills and pace are good enough for international football. I know he set up the winner, and people will point out a couple of runs that saw him running past people into the box, but those runs were because he had no other choice or outlet, he had to make a run, but he cannot then cross the ball due to lack of technical ability. So making the run if fine but knowing what to do at the end of it helps, walker would have been much more comfortable in that position but didn’t get forward much last night.

I think though that IF there is to be a change then it would be rashford for sterling. Not sure it will happen but it should. Rashford was superb in the last friendly and made a difference last night. Sterling is just shocking. I know he has had a good season for man city, but he misses as many as he scores or sets up. You don’t get that luxury at this level, he was awful.

And my final word is for Henderson. Don’t usually rate him but thought he had a really good game. I know people go on about his sideways passing, but his job is to give it to others who can be more creative and let them do their thing. He was box to box all night and constantly breaking up attacks. Dier is a lazy git and would not have been anywhere near as effective at stopping their attacks and breaking up play.

UTFM and C’mon England!!

Quoted from Civvy at last

It will be more interesting next time when you are running it Swin  

At least I'd be certain to win it

Quoted from RonMariner

Kane apart, we have so little quality in the final third. It was embarrassing.

We had at least four great chances in the first half hour that players simply fluffed. Linguard was awful, Sterling abysmal. Neither player had a decent first touch. Just hopeless technique. We have seen better finishing than that in the Conference. Podge would have had a hat trick tonight with those gilt edged chances.

Do we really not have better players than Linguard and Sterling?

We will make it to the knock out stages but will be out the first time we come up against a half decent side. They say you can play your way into tournament, but you cant play your way into good technique,

Our players are simply not good enough at this level.

Both Lingard and Sterling regularly play in what is arguably the best football league in the world. In fact all the England squad play in that league so how you can say we are not good enough at this level is completely wrong.

I hate Sterling being singled out. Just a bandwagon in my opinion not based on his ability. There's some players that fans love to hate no matter what. The two or three occasions he lost the ball he was surrounded by three Tunisians after receiving a poor choice of passes from other players. Kane did exactly the same but absolutely no mention of that. Sterling gets hammered for his finishing but what about Lingard missing at least two sitters? There's a reason Sterling gets picked by Southgate and Guardiola, he's quick, a real handful and commits defenders which affects their defensive shape. I don't mind who plays in the three behind Kane, Rashford, Alli, Lingard and Sterling are all effective.  

If Alli is struggling I'd put Rashford in even though I see him as a direct replacement for Kane if Harry's struggling, and I'd definitely replace the ineffective Young with Rose. Other than that no changes as Cahill is hardly an upgrade on McGuire is he?

I bet Germany, Argentina, Brazil etc would have loved a win against teams with shithousing tactics yet we still want to lambast our own players..

Quoted from Roast Em Bobby

On that basis then Messi is sh$t because he misses 1 in 4 penalties? I really didn't think we saw endless hit an hope balls into the box - I must have been watching a different game

It's not just about last night though is it? Did you watch the Euro's two years ago? Or several of the last few tournaments?

Anyone can have an off night, Messi included. I am still waiting for Sterling to have a good game in an England shirt

Quoted from rancido

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Both Lingard and Sterling regularly play in what is arguably the best football league in the world. In fact all the England squad play in that league so how you can say we are not good enough at this level is completely wrong.

Yes, that is arguable    Spanish fans might beg to differ. We hardly dominate the Champions League do we? Anyway, we are talking here about international football, not club football.

The test of whether we are good enough at international level is in the performances seen in major international tournaments. It's a long time since we looked like realistic contenders to actually win anything. 1996 probably. That's a generation ago.

Quoted from RonMariner

It's just about last night though is it? Did you watch the Euro's two years ago? Or several of the last few tournaments?

Anyone can have an off night, Messi included. I am still waiting for Sterling to have a good game in an England shirt

After one game we have more points than Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Spain or Portugal ! Yes, we must be crap !

Quoted from rancido

After one game we have more points than Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Spain or Portugal ! Yes, we must be crap !

Provided the tournament ends tonight we will have done well then.

Let's see how it pans out.

Henderson did OK on the night albeit against what looked a weak team, but he wouldn't get near a starting place with the better nations.

The best midfielders move the ball on much more quickly than the English midfielders - instant control and a first time pass. With our lot, it tends to be one touch to control it, another touch to control it properly, a delay to check options, then the pass. An extra second or two which makes a massive difference in a congested midfield.

In fact, our players seem slow in thought and deed across the pitch. Not quite sure why this should be the case as they often play well alongside foreign teammates. My view is there is a lack of footballing intelligence for one reason or another which our young players just can't seem to 'get'.