Euros

Play Rice at 6, Jude at 8, Foden at 10.

TAA? At Liverpool he has a great range of attacking passes that work very often. They work because the players up front make runs into spaces and he supplies the ball. Apart from Saka, occasionally, the players ahead of him in the 2 games thus far have been wanting the ball into feet. Kane has been closely marked so into feet isn't the best idea. If the front runners aren't going to, well, run, then there is no point in playing TAA alongside Rice.

Pickford
Walker Stones Guehi and, unless Shaw is fit, although he (Shaw) hasn't played since February or thereabouts, Trippier at LB. He's too predictable as he doesn't have a left peg to cross with. Slows attacks down.
Jude, Rice
Saka, Foden, Palmer or Gordon
Kane won't be dropped

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MadAmster

... yet, despite the universal criticism, he has managed a World Cup semi final and a Euros final. Caution seems to work until you get to the vinegar stroke it would seem.

---

Indeed up to a point, though as experience shows, the luck of the draw and luck itself can play a part in tournament success. I mean Greece have actually won the Euros!

In fact if one looks back a little bit of luck may well have seen other managers do as well as Southgate, viz "hand of god" re Argentina, also Italia 90 and the Euros in 1996, the difference being I actually enjoyed watching the games at those tournaments!

Anyway I remain confident we shall not win it this time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by swaledale

Anyway I remain confident we shall not win it this time.

---

Play the same way and you're spot on Swale. I'm clinging on to the last bit of hope that, as has happened in the past, something forces the manager's hand and we stumble on a formation with round pegs in round holes, allowing us to bow out in the semi's with our heads held much higher than they currently are. With the players we have, there's even a win in there but, unfortunately, I don't see a change in either the tactics, players in the starting XI or the manager's reticence to make subs earlier combined with his apparent inability to counter changes made by the opposition...

I don't think putting Gallagher in from the start is the way to do it, but we'll see. Seems retrograde and sticking with playing people out of position it's just weird

I made the mistake of watching that

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Andy_Faber

I made the mistake of watching that

---

XD
Can't be that bad, we're unbeaten and won our group!
Sarcasm aside, Palmer was quality when he came on, too late unfortunately.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MadAmster

Play the same way and you're spot on Swale. I'm clinging on to the last bit of hope that, as has happened in the past, something forces the manager's hand and we stumble on a formation with round pegs in round holes, allowing us to bow out in the semi's with our heads held much higher than they currently are. With the players we have, there's even a win in there but, unfortunately, I don't see a change in either the tactics, players in the starting XI or the manager's reticence to make subs earlier combined with his apparent inability to counter changes made by the opposition...

---

It will all change in the knock out phase!!

He won't read this so it definitely won't happen but here's what I think we should have in the last 16 game...

Pickford
TAA Stones Guehi Walker
Bellingham as the 8 Rice as the 6
Palmer Foden Gordon
Watkins

I went for exactly the same idea when talking with my son post game. Kane is part of the problem when playing with 3 10's. No left side balance - Foden and Trippier broke up our attacking options repeatedly. Watkins will give greater fluidity. I'd be equally inclined to ditch Foden too.

Other option would be

Back 5 as you noted
Rice Mainoo
Saka Bellingham Gordon
Watkins

Palmer / Eze as impact subs, maybe Toney for Watkins after 65 otherwise why take him.

Pickford
Walker Stones Guehi
Bellingham
Palmer Rice Gordon
Foden
Kane

Rice cannot play in front of the defence, but Bellingham can and must.
Rice can control the game in the final 3rd.
Palmer and Gordon can cause problems right and left.
Foden and Kane can link and will be harder to mark.

Simple subs - Watkins can come on for Foden and play 2 up top, or simply replace Kane.
Saka will always be best as a super sub.
TAA can come in for any injuries in defence, or if he has to, to sure up a defensive midfield. BUT, someone needs to tell him to stop attempting impossible passes every time he gets the ball, he's believing the hype too much there.
Toney comes on if it starts looking like penalties, hopefully he's betted on an England win!

It's easy this management lark ;)