Yes agee with this. Basically I think a team with a new system gets around a dozen games until the opposition figure it out and setup to nullify the team. As a team you've really got two options 1) be so good that even when they've figured you out they can't stop you, 2) have a plan B. Our issue last year is we started really well but the 433 got found out in November but we didn't really switch the system till Feb. I hope we go into this season a bit more flexibly.

Another game to chalk up to "the kids rarely let us down". Today we had 4 academy graduates (Nyambe, Lenihan, Travis, Buckley), 2 more effectively academy grads (Brereton and Dolan) as we bought them so young. Only experienced players really Kaminski, Lenihan and Ayala. Gallagher is a weird one, 25 but never really established, Pickering an established player at League One level and still only 22. All the subs were academy grads (Butterworth, Carter) or effective grads (Davenport). The lack of experience in the team is on one hand worrying, but on another was anyone out there really lower quality than Douglas, Bell, Evans, Bennett, Smallwood even Holtby? Not really sure they were... I am struggling to think of many games where young players have let us down, compared to the many where journeymen have. On the whole I have always thought we just don't play the kids enough. This year we get to find out if that is true. I think I prefer that to us bringing in a new raft of Smallwood's, Lee Willamsons, Chris Brown's etc. I struggle to think of many of those who have truly worked out.

Can we bring in Marc Anthony, Napoleon and Sun Tsu while we are at it? Would help with our both our strategy and our tactics.

Definitely has that feel.

It's hard to be sure with a very transitional squad. Only players with a proven track record at this level are Armstrong (probably going) Travis (injury prone) Johnson (34) Lenihan, Rothwell (going?), Nyambe (going?) Kaminski. If you are being generous you could throw Brereton and Gallagher in there. Only 100% solid players to plan the season on are Lenihan & Kaminski really. Everyone else has question marks or unknowns. I think making predictions almost impossible. Could end up having a weirdly good season as the kids turn out to be the real deal. Could end up stick to the bottom of the table. Only wil be able to get an inkling around October.

That's a certainty really, Ayala will do well to play 30% of games.

Quite a few sides did well with a three last season? Notably Barnsley. It was a really obvious pattern for Rovers whenever we played a side with three at the back we really struggled. Given the players we have I can see the sense in us giving it a shot, at least as an option. We were way too predictable in the way we played last season, after a good start we were found out and teams picked us off. If we had a system we could move to that would be useful.

I'm in two minds about it - I can see the sense in experience, but also there's the fact that generally speaking the kids have been at least as good or better than the experienced players over recent seasons. Amongst our best players have been Lenihan, Travis, Nyambe. Wharton had a great stint before his injury. What young player who has come in has really let us down? Whereas we've had a lot of players bought in who have struggled... Suggests to me maybe taking a few risks is worth it. Anyway we don't really have a choice!

As has often been the case turns out the kids are actually pretty good.... Always found it a bit strange how we invest in journeymen but the kids seem just as good. Massive season for Dolan, Buckley, Davenport, Carter, McBride who all will be key players I think. Garrett totally left field (and a former left back) but sort of reminds me of Travis (who was a right back) just slotting in and looking the part. McBride particularly seeks like the sort of player who will always get a goal. If you think of the likes of Brown or Vardy who have worn the shirt up top but very rarely look like scoring that is invaluable. Taking a lot of gambles but will be interesting to see how they do if nothing else.

We are left hoping Garrett comes out of nowhere and is surprisingly very good. Happened a few times with the likes of Dolan, Travis, Wharton. Have to say the balance of probablity though is he gets minced by the Leeds midfield. I guess maybe Mowbray sending a message to the owners?

Had a look on here to see what's been going on transfer wise, haven't got the the foggiest... Main conclusion I have is we need to resurrect the transfer links thread to actually see what we have been linked to? Any chance mods?

Absolutely crackers. But I can see Southgate doing it. There is a sort of "so crazy it might actually work" about it.

I can't see Henderson or Maguire playing anything but a bit part role. You can only be truly fit with 6 or 7 full games under your belt. Maguire might have more of a chance as the alternatives are not great. But still can't see it, he just hasn't played enough.

Completely agree. Bellingham has looked the part, play him with Rice. It's madness to play an unfit player. We've got 5 subs so can bring on Henderson late on if needed. As an aside I was listening to the match of the day podcast and they made a very good point that the nation's with deep squads have got a big advantage with 5 subs, especially in extra time. We can bring on 3 or 4 really great attacking quick players late in games in the heat. If teams are sitting deep Calvert Lewin could be really potent in the air too. Only a few countries can do that.

Id say it's a better team than 2014- 2018, probs on a par with 2008-2012, worse that 1996-2006. It's very weird that probably the worst squad we've had in decades, 2018, made it to the semis! Id say par for this team would be quarter finals. There's two teams (Belgium and France) who are clearly a lot better than us, and four or so teams we are on a level with (Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal). With a fair wind we could make semis. Wouldn't be shocked if we went out earlier. That's what makes football so exciting. It's a shame that it all comes down really poor centre backs. Never been worse set of options for England in my memory. Absolutely shocking. Personally in centre mid I think Rice, Bellingham, Mount is a really strong group.

That's probably the team when we play 433, except Walker instead of James I'm sure. After Mings' stinkers I can see White being dropped in.

Totally missed that White took Alexander-Arnold's spot. That is a good call I think. Seems a shame Ward Prowse missed out. I thought his set pieces were exceptional, and it feels like we need another midfielder (which is mad considering we have a squad of 26....). Hard to pick out who to drop for him though.

On the game - has to be the most bizarre set of pre tournament friendlies in history. Neither England side that played bore any relationship really with the team that will start next weekend. Not even the same formation! Absolutely mad. Most of the best chances fell to Romania and we looked pretty easy pickings at the back, especially down the left, and up front didn't look that fluent. We don't look a strong proposition tbh. Going into the tournament with no real idea on how we will line up, and looking very dodgy in defence, is not good. Croatia are a handy side as we know, wouldn't be amazed if we get well beaten. Or we could click and do well. Total mystery. It's frustrating when we are overflowing with talent in virtually every position our centrebacks are so poor.

Yes - if its about money I am sure we would eventually come to an arrangement. Keeping Rothwell on a higher wage is going to be cheaper than buying someone new (unless Rothwell's asking for mad money, which is possible I suppose). I guess the issue may be Rothwell just fancies playing for a different manager. Then I can't really see what we can do about that. He will have offers.

Love this graph! Shows our predicament very well.

Probs means we are more likely to go three at the back.

I wish I had your confidence! Even when they were utterly terrible the scots could often beat us. Standard Derby situation, talent goes out the window. Really can't wait to watch this game in a beer garden. Will be an amazing atmosphere!

Reckon the most interesting thing is Bellingham could get thrust in as a regular starter which is extraordinary turn up for 17 year old lad. Don't think we've ever seen that in a central midfield? Some strikers, wingers, full backs have started early. But centre mid and centre back are usually older heads. Gerrard, Rice etc all didn't get caps till they were 20. Bellingham totally looks the part though. Rice & Bellingham look a really fantastic all round pairing, and while the likes of Belgium and France have better at the moment not many other sides do. And so young to grow also. Also Saka looks very potent and a superb understudy for Sterling. Being able to swap one for the other when the opposition is tiring looks very promising. Grealish had a good game but I struggle to figure out where he plays. He's a number 10 really, but I don't think we intend to play number 10s as our chosen formation seem to be either 433 or 343. Also Kane has developed this style where he drops deeper into that number 10 space. I reckon we could end up with them getting in each others way. Playing a wide player like Sancho or Saka who has pace to go on the outside and can gets to the byline might be better. My current guess on how we lineup against Croatia (I think we will play 343 against the stronger teams and 433 against weaker teams) --------Sterling---Kane---Mount Shaw---Bellingham---Rice---Trippier -------Mings----Stones---Walker ---------------Pickford

I guess my point is out of 26 players surely if Mount and Rashford etc need a break others could be used rather than someone not in the squad. Just play A-A in midfield or whatever. At least then you get to see the players who are actually going.