Are we talking up Mbappe too much?

Yes we are and Bellingham as well.

They are both good players, but there will be at least 20 other players who could decide the result and of course the referee/VAR.

Gareth will be letting the players know that, which of course they know already.
 
This is all part of it though. Sometimes hyping a player like this can work for or against. Most other teams would be doing the same thing about Mbappe. I remember in 2002 we were terrified of Batistuta/Ortega/Crespo, but it worked in our favour as they didn't live up to the hype on the day. Then in the quarters we let Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo rip through us. Previously knockouts have mostly been our Achilles heel, but Southgate does appear to have made some progress on that front.
 
Angus said:
Yes we are and Bellingham as well.

They are both good players, but there will be at least 20 other players who could decide the result and of course the referee/VAR.

Gareth will be letting the players know that, which of course they know already.
Click to expand...
Beyond this tournament we need to be very careful how we handle Bellingham. Gazza 90, Owen 98, Rooney 04 - we need to learn from the mistakes we made with these players, all of whom never really repeated their early England form (or certainly not in abundance).
 
atypical_boro said:
Beyond this tournament we need to be very careful how we handle Bellingham. Gazza 90, Owen 98, Rooney 04 - we need to learn from the mistakes we made with these players, all of whom never really repeated their early England form (or certainly not in abundance).
Click to expand...
I think things will be different with Bellingham because we now have several young stars who should be key figures for England for the foreseeable future, so hopefully all the pressure won't be laid on Bellinghams shoulders.

The way the fans and media hyped up Rooney was ridiculous. People were saying he was going to single handedly win us the 2006 world cup, even though he wasn't fit.
 
He's by far their biggest threat and it's knockout football.
I think it's natural.

We were doing the same with James Rodriguez and Colombia.

Hopefully the same outcome, minor injury that keeps him out of the game and England win! 😅
 
If Southgate were to rule him out of the tie by kicking him in the plums while he's singing La Marseillaise, I would not be disappointed.
 
Maradona beat us in that QF. Mbappe will ask a lot of questions about our defence and I would expect him to score because he will break through, although I do believe we can score more. There's no point spending the game just trying to stop him.
 
Walker to do a job on him! Ashley Cole on Ronaldo esq.

I think if he plays on the left I think we should be able to do a job on him - Walkers pace, Henderson’s overall discipline and experience as well as experience helping his RB for Liverpool, assisted by the pace and energy of Saka or the extra defensive qualities of Trippier ( if we go with Trippier at wingback).
 
In my personal opinion, I think mbappe is good player but over hyped. He does good things but watching him the other day, he isn't much special. We are more than capable of stopping him and the rest of the team.
 
Heam44 said:
Walker to do a job on him! Ashley Cole on Ronaldo esq.

I think if he plays on the left I think we should be able to do a job on him - Walkers pace, Henderson’s overall discipline and experience as well as experience helping his RB for Liverpool, assisted by the pace and energy of Saka or the extra defensive qualities of Trippier ( if we go with Trippier at wingback).
Click to expand...
Don't think he'll go wingback now, although it was probably his original intention for big games. I think we're probably better of with a midfielder coming across to support (Henderson probably asyou suggest) rather than wingback. I think they'd just get pegged back anyway and we'd lose a midfielder
 
Ste43 said:
I think we would be better trying to cut off his supply rather than trying to "just" stop him...if we take Griezmann out of the game Mbappe is less effective further forward
Click to expand...
Agree with this. Griezmann’s actually their key man, you don’t start 72 international games in a row unless you’re the man.

So elusive how he just wanders around in a free role and links up all the play. Doesn’t catch the eye as much as others but he’s such an important part of how they play. I’m not sure how you counter it, because he roams around - can’t decide whether Henderson keeping an eye on him or Phillips sitting deep might be a better bet.

They’ve got a lot of other attacking weapons though. Giroud as the pivot and really good in the air, Mbappe and Dembele’s lightning pace, midfielders can create, their fullbacks aren’t great but they get forwards. The good thing is, we’ve got some serious attacking talent too.
 
Must admit, the j1zz-fest over Mbappe was irritating me since the tournament started, but watching him the other night ... I realised how much work we have to do or just hope he is off his game come the night. There are rumours he is carrying a niggle, I hope he is and pulls up early in the game :ROFLMAO: .. though even then, we would have our work cut out as I say ...

As much as I hear about Mbappe of course, I can't say I have watched a lot of full games where he has played, in the CL, etc. But he is not God, his presence alone does not mean we are knackered. :LOL:

I think we have just as exciting players almost, in the likes of Bellingham who is still so very young, and are blessed with a lot of talent in depth despite Sterling unfortunately not being able to be involved by the looks due to the incident back home ... ffs ... I thought this was a game the experience of Sterling would come in use, kinda expected to see him n the side from the off for that reason.

If we beat France, I really do not see why we can't go and win the trophy ... but it is a big if. That is the main reason there is so much pressure on this game for us .. not Mbappe ... it is being credible candidates to go all the way if we get them out the way and convincingly. I hope to God it does not go to penalties. That Morocco v Spain one the other night was entertaining, though. Crackers!

I hope Walker is on his game and we have a plan to deal with Mbappe well, though must admit I am terrified as much as I am looking forward to it. I would love to see us smash them, make a statement .. get another couple of goals, and hopefully, keep them out of our net - I fancy Harry Kane to get another in this game, let's hope it ain't just a consolation.
 
parmoboy said:
I think things will be different with Bellingham because we now have several young stars who should be key figures for England for the foreseeable future, so hopefully all the pressure won't be laid on Bellinghams shoulders.

The way the fans and media hyped up Rooney was ridiculous. People were saying he was going to single handedly win us the 2006 world cup, even though he wasn't fit.
Click to expand...
Always remember the free posters to stick in your front room window "I'm praying for Wayne"...🤣
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top