England team v Iran

I don't see Stirling starting tbh, as he's just been so average of late but you can say that probably about half of the England squad. I'm sure Gareth will have to rev them up somehow to get them into the so-called tournament mode.
 
We were having the same conversation about Sterling before the euros and he ended up being our best player. He has to start for me due to his international record.

I like the 4-3-3 formation if that ends up being the case, I feel like that suits Bellingham and he should be in the team after the way he's played this season. The disappointment is Foden not starting because I think he can be genuinely world class if we can get the best out of him.

The concern with that formation is our centre backs are so poor, we might get away with it in the groups but you wonder how we'll cope against the better sides if we make the knockout games.

There is an argument that if we are going to revert to 5 at the back in the knockout games anyway should we start with that formation and try and find a bit of form in the groups with it, but playing 5 at the back against Iran isn't going to go down well with the fans.

Tough decisions.
 
How do you motivate players about getting in the squad?

Doesn’t matter what they do, Southgate has the likes of Sterling and Maguire who are picked regardless of form

Personally it breeds complacency and contempt unless you are and unbelievable man manager and inspirational leader. Let’s just hope Southgate is those
 
GazC_MFC said:
How do you motivate players about getting in the squad?

Doesn’t matter what they do, Southgate has the likes of Sterling and Maguire who are picked regardless of form

Personally it breeds complacency and contempt unless you are and unbelievable man manager and inspirational leader. Let’s just hope Southgate is those
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I’ll just add that recent results could point to the complacency, in particular the Hungary ones
 
Is the World Cup even on? Just can't get excited by it, bring back the championship please, missing that already
 
Jedi boro said:
Looks like Phillips and rice with Bellingham on bench that’s what sky said.


Btw I want Bellingham to start.
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Better not be, Phillips hasn’t played at all and was leeds worse player last season, his injuries have completely F**led up his mobility.
 
Marvanelli said:
According to a lot of top sources on twitter.

Looking like 4-2-3-1

Pickford

Trippier
Shaw
Maguire
Stones

Rice
Bellingham

Mount
Sterling
Saka

Kane
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Disappointed a little with that, Maguire was expected if undeserved.

Sterling at least got a Couple of goals just before the break so maybe just coming back into form.

Mount never looks good when he starts for England, he looks decent coming off the bench against tired opposition but when he starts he just looks lost. And he’s bang out of form as well. I get he’s good at pressing from the front but we’re playing Iran.
 
www.skysports.com

England vs Iran: Harry Maguire to start in World Cup opener as Gareth Southgate set to play 4-3-3

Harry Maguire will start in a back four against Iran in Englands World Cup opener; Maguire has made just one Premier League start since September; Jude Bellingham likely to play as Gareth Southgate opts for a 4-3-3 formation; reports also suggest Bukayo Saka to start ahead of Phil Foden
www.skysports.com www.skysports.com

Sky reporting it now.

I think Saka's pace probably edges it for me over Foden.
Likewise with Sterling.
Kane dropping deep and pinging balls for them to run on to could prove successful.
 
Don't think that team is a problem, due to the fact it's Iran we're playing.

But IMO that's not our best 11, with the players that are available.

Foden should be in that 11, without any question.

Hopefully we get past Iran to avoid all the pelters Southgate may get over benching Foden and starting Maguire.
 
Priv said:
Better not be, Phillips hasn’t played at all and was leeds worse player last season, his injuries have completely F**led up his mobility.
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Phillips starting would be an insane selection from Sir Gareth. I'll put some money on a shock win for Iran if he's in the starting line up.
 
Craggsy2 said:
Phillips starting would be an insane selection from Sir Gareth. I'll put some money on a shock win for Iran if he's in the starting line up.
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This is all very similar to the Euros though. People said all this about Sterling and Phillips back then and they ended up being very competent in that tournament.
 
atypical_boro said:
This is all very similar to the Euros though. People said all this about Sterling and Phillips back then and they ended up being very competent in that tournament.
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Yes but he hasn't played all season and would really give us no creativity against a stubborn Iran
 
would of had foden for sterling , maguires lack of games is concerning as i think he's very flat footed if ran at
 
Sterling must have compromising photos of Southgate in a bank vault somewhere. He'll probably score a tap-in (after missing three sitters) and everyone will go on about what a hero he is. Then he'll come up short - continually losing the ball/choosing the wrong option - against the first proper opponents we face.
I'm not hating on the guy, just think he's way overrated. Foden is overrated too, but still way better - as is Rashford.
 
equaliser said:
Sterling must have compromising photos of Southgate in a bank vault somewhere. He'll probably score a tap-in (after missing three sitters) and everyone will go on about what a hero he is. Then he'll come up short - continually losing the ball/choosing the wrong option - against the first proper opponents we face.
I'm not hating on the guy, just think he's way overrated. Foden is overrated too, but still way better - as is Rashford.
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He scored against Germany and Croatia at the Euros.

What's a "proper" opponent?
 
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