ben_the_beast

It seemed pretty simple to me. USA had 3 very athletic players in the middle. We had two athletic players in the middle. They inevitably won that battle. Mount can play a bit deeper, but he was a complete passenger in the number 10 role. For me Southgate should have switched by getting Mount to drop after about 25 minutes. Personally I'd have been taking him off for Gallagher. We simply lost that midfield battle so we never even got into their final third. It was a poor performance and that's on Southgate. I've no reason to think he'll adjust. Either before a game and especially mid game. Croatia 2018 - outnumbered in midfield Italy 2021 - outnumbered in midfield Last night - outnumbered in midfield The only difference was the quality of the opposition. Southgate has never played a 3 man midfield in all his time as England manager. Without elite ball playing players we always get overrun there. It's obvious. Very clear what a lot of people have said previously. He's a steady eddy of a manager who will see us progress through group stages, but he lacks any tactical noise which will eventually see us achieve nothing. And I've not even mentioned the attacking talent on our bench he always fails to utilise.

My thoughts exactly. 1 point is as useless as 0 points for USA tonight.

I thought he was superb against Iran. Even though he didn't score he linked up play really well and allowed our wide forwards to become a threat. He even managed this with a couple of fairly aimless punts up towards him. On his injury. It was an absolutely ridiculous tackle by the Iran player. Kane had broken past him. If he wanted to foul him all he had to do was trip him, not lunge with his whole body. There's always a chance a foot will get caught underneath falling bodies. I think it was way back in 1998 there was a big message about tackles from behind being outlawed for this very reason. I don't think it was malicious, I don't think it warranted more than a yellow, but it was bloody stupid. There were a few of them in the game and in other matches I've seen. If Fifa are dead set on increasing the number of teams in a tournament, we're going to see more nations who are international 'minnows' and more of these types of tackles and injuries to big name players. They try and mix it up (rightfully so) but lack the technique. The result is clumsy tackles.

I have to add Ronaldo Nazario to this list. Injuries curtailed his career at a young age. Up until his knee exploded he was, like Maradona not just up there with the best, but head and shoulders above. BBC iplayer has a great documentary about him at the moment. A genuinely brilliant watch. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001ffsj On the subject. Two others who stick in my mind are Ronaldinho and Neymar. Both players who never quite reached the levels of those already mentioned due to their mentality. But in terms of insane natural ability, absolutely astounding.

I actually thought this when I was typing. But couldn't be bothered to keep going 😂

Allow me to live in fantasy land for a moment. First preference of course would be for Brereton-Diaz to sign a new contract. But if we did sell him. Gyokeres, JpvH on loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season and then a ball playing battling midfielder. Our core would be set for the future. We'd be in a position in the summer to look at players who give us an edge. Pace and trickery. Rather than continuously having to work on filling holes in our squad.

I do question whether Qatar will be silently regretting hosting the World Cup. As far as 'sports-washing' goes it's having the opposite effect. The whole world is talking about their abhorrent human rights record, corruption and then the general irritation of its timing. They've obviously spent a fortune in preparation, though for an oil state I imagine any amount of Billions is a moot point. The motivation must have surely been to put them centre stage in a positive light. Once the games start with an atmosphere and attendance reminiscent of lockdown, as a nation they are going to look like a joke. Literally nobody is happy they're hosting. Its a shit show for everyone. (Yes I'll be watching btw)

This messageboard, this thread, social media, the LT. Everywhere I look people are incredulous. Rightly so after something we could all see coming. I have a strong feeling JDT had no idea just how much this game meant to the fans. He said he did, but actions speak louder than words. I hope that he's aware now, reflects and works logically to right the wrongs. When I say logically, you only need to look at comments from 90% of the fanbase to understand what that means.

I'm sure there has been a conversation between JDT and Brereton. And he's privately expressed that he's tired and needs a break. He would struggle to withdraw himself due to the reaction in Chile so JDT is happy to play the 'bad guy' and take the flak. It's good management. And the friendlies are ridiculous considering the schedule all players have been having to go through prior to the World Cup. A rest is the best thing for the player. Chile should see this too. A fit and healthy Brereton isn't just good for us, but them too.

Does anyone know if JpvH signed a new contract in the summer? I know his deal was up at the end of the season and a loan for him hinged on it being signed. If he didn't I imagine he's very available. Centre back isn't the priority right now but sometimes if the right player comes along for the right price you have to seize the moment. Bring him in and our Ayala succession planning is sorted. Hyam, JpvH, Wharton, Carter and Phillips sees us sorted there for years to come and all have resale value.

Why do you insist on playing the same way regardless of the players on the pitch? Do you not think that asking less technical players to be brave on the ball is a recipe for disaster? I would add in that I am supportive of plan A. But there is seemingly only a plan B when defending a lead and no plan B for when we are losing a game, either in scoreline or territory.

To hear JDT talking about the pace of Mola being a reason he started is maddening. We were so deep there was no space for anyone to run into.

Even if we play it short from Kaminski, one pass wide to the left/right centre back or the wing backs, then float a ball over the heads of the opposition full backs. Do that with Gallagher and Diaz knowing that's the tactic and running full pelt it puts pressure on the opposition. They don't have many options. Back to the keeper who in turn can be quickly closed down or put it out for a throw in. That's not rocket science. But it gets us up the pitch quickly and will get us in behind. I was looking at Championship stats the other day and we've actually played more long balls than any other team in the division. But they're mainly floated down the middle which is easily dealt with or hoofed under panic. Simply because we play so many passes across the back and invite pressure. Most of the time though, that's more appealing than the alternative which is suicidal passes into the central midfielders who are being hounded and lose the ball in horrible situations. We tend not to play well because of things we are doing, but play well when we face a team that don't press.

1. Mola for Scott Wharton - many expressed their concern before the game and turned out to be right. Those saying they thought Mola played well first half I'm sure are basing it on the one crunching tackle he made. Positionally he was all at sea. 2. Garrett and Travis - They don't have a pass between them. We were always going to struggle to retain possession so you need someone who can pick a killer ball through ball in an instant and hit them on the counter. 3. Playing out from the back - similar to the second point. Without A. Wharton we aren't keeping the ball. We have 2 big strikers. If you only have battlers in midfield go long and rush to get the second ball. 3.1 Players have different skill sets - if you want to play out from the back you have to play the players capable. If you want to change the personell you have to change the philosophy/style. 4. Outside the obvious players who didn't fit the philosophy: - Morton who I think is a good player has been off the boil for a while now - Ayala for someone who is supposedly old school was bullied by Barnes - Brereton-Diaz. As good as he is coming in off the left he's begun to play wider and wider this season. If we've got 2 up top I'm certain getting him slightly more central and closer to Gallagher would benefit the team. All the above seems pretty obvious to me. And is pretty damning on JDT. No calling for his head etc on my part. We're third which is brilliant. But I do think it's based on a lot of luck at the moment. So many games have been such fine margins when we've won, but abject when we've lost. To his credit he can set up a team defensively, but if he's going to succeed there needs to be a big turnover of players. Ones who are comfortable on the ball. They aren't cheap which means recruitment wise we'll need some real unpolished diamonds.

Plan B didn't have to be a switch in formation but a simple single for Gally and Diaz to start playing on the shoulder of the last defender and going long. That should have happened halfway through the first half. All we did was switch formation and have one less player to tap it around at the back making us more likely to lose it. Change the pattern of play, not just where players are standing on the pitch!

Says it all

Offered absolutely nothing until they scored. Then proceeded to piss about with it at the back and gift them the rest of the game. That was an atrocious performance. Clinton Mola was terrible. If we were going all out defensively why start him above Wharton. All out defense then tapping it around the back line doesn't work.

Mola has been absolutely woeful.

John Buckley on for Garrett for me at half time. Buckley is the type of player we need in this situation. Need to put trust in him that he'll help retain the ball better.

I'm well nervous

Huge responsibility being put on both Mola and Garrett. Shows that JDT truly trusts the youngsters. Wharton brothers will be gutted! Biggest concern is only having one ball player in the middle of the park. We've seen time and again when we can't make it stick in the middle, we struggle to link the defence and the attack. Think Hedges is crucial. The only time we've seen inverted wing backs work is when he was on the pitch as he was able to offer something going forwards. Against Coventry Brittain at left back resulted in 100% of our play going down the left. Hedges has to offer an outlet on the right. Hopefully with Burnley looking to dominate possession Garrett and Trav can disrupt and we hit them on the counter. Time for players to make themselves legends today. Diaz to make himself an immortal.

Is it plausible to sell Brereton for £12 million and sign Gyokeres for £8 million?

I think Grealish is a quality player but absolutely does not fit in at City. His game is holding the ball and aggressively pushing forward at every opportunity. With City constantly rotating the ball with fluid attacking players make him a really confusing signing. He's by no means the world's best in his position but the way he plays is so different, especially if there are no other players on the pitch, taking responsibility. I'm happy he is in the squad. Maddison is very similar in that he takes responsibility but in a different way. If we're chasing a game there's certainly creativity there. I'm fairly happy with the squad. Centre back is slightly weak and the back up to Kane is a big drop off. Southgate is the weakest link though. International success does tend to favour more defensively minded managers so I don't have a problem with that philosophy. The big issue is time and again he's shown himself to be slow or incapable of reacting during a game.

Brilliantly sat on the fence there Chaddy. Saying you're a fan but that he just misses out. If he wasn't selected, you are right. Now he has been you've said you're a massive fan. No doubt had he not been selected you'd have been saying he's just not quite shown enough to justify selection.

What are your thoughts on James Maddison being picked. England's most in form attacking player.