England v Colombia

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Yep, if Alli was in form and fully fit, him behind Kane (as he does for Spurs) is a no brainer in place of Sterling. But he has been poor for Spurs for too long, even in this position to make me wonder if he deserves selection anywhere. Strange to see such a talented player look so subdued for club and country. Maybe his mojo has gone??

Both Sterling and Alli are being played on the basis of what they might do which works in league football but dodgy on knockouts.

It's not as though we don't have suitable replacements, we do have them.

As for Alli playing out of position, well where's the sense in that? Sometimes you have to do it when other players are injured but that's not the case here.

Dele Alli seems to be a manager's favourite playing in a mates team.

[BigLadonOS]

Both Sterling and Alli are being played on the basis of what they might do which works in league football but dodgy on knockouts.

It's not as though we don't have suitable replacements, we do have them.

As for Alli playing out of position, well where's the sense in that? Sometimes you have to do it when other players are injured but that's not the case here.

Dele Alli seems to be a manager's favourite playing in a mates team.

Alli is not playing out of position he is just taking up a deeper role which is also natural to him. He is more stable in that role than Dyer is and thats the only reason he is playing there.

It's actually a good strategy if you think about it as it gives Southgate more room to maneuver with the formation and make seamless changes to the team.

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Alli is not playing out of position he is just taking up a deeper role which is also natural to him. He is more stable in that role than Dyer is and thats the only reason he is playing there.

It's actually a good strategy if you think about it as it gives Southgate more room to maneuver with the formation and make seamless changes to the team.

So for both Sterling and Alli we keep picking them on the promise of a decent performance ?

Seems a good way to get knocked out of the tournament

[BigLadonOS]

So for both Sterling and Alli we keep picking them on the promise of a decent performance ?

Seems a good way to get knocked out of the tournament

Alli is playing well in the role he has at the mo so I don't see where people are coming from saying he is playing badly as he is just playing a different role to normal. Sterling on the other hand I agree with you and I would much rather have Rashford playing that role because it makes more sense than having Sterling playing there. 1 substitution can take the place of 2 by moving Rashford to the left and pushing Alli up and bringing Dyer on but with Sterling that is a poor option because he just runs in to nowhere doing nothing other than giving the ball away.

If Sterling reproduces the form he has shown with City he is some player and a game winner but he has not shown it yet in an England shirt so far. Hopefully things might change on Saturday because that is the type of game a player with the skills of Sterling should be relishing.