Phil Foden

Mainoo’s performances and his career in general are on an upward curve. Now is time to exploit it. His age is irrelevant. The kid seems impervious to pressure so international stage will have no concerns. Trusting these young lads like we did with Owen brings rewards. Only other alternative is TAA otherwise you are with the old heads who are not in best form or fitness for the level needed to win this tournament
 
When I sit reading a thread like this and the uncertainties that still exist behind the front 4 or 5 shows that we perhaps don't have as good a squad as the Southgate bashers seem to think.

If we look back at other England squads I can't ever remember debating so many players for the back line/ defensive positions, usually with the core of the team generally picking itself.

The fact Henderson is still in contention given the last year, Philips similarly with little game time. Stones and TAA arguably considered for midfield or defence too but not having the depth for Stones to really play anywhere but centre back.

I dont think the front four or five will be an issue, or even that they will be the reason we don't win anything in the next tournament.
 
Cambsred said:
When I sit reading a thread like this and the uncertainties that still exist behind the front 4 or 5 shows that we perhaps don't have as good a squad as the Southgate bashers seem to think.

If we look back at other England squads I can't ever remember debating so many players for the back line/ defensive positions, usually with the core of the team generally picking itself.

The fact Henderson is still in contention given the last year, Philips similarly with little game time. Stones and TAA arguably considered for midfield or defence too but not having the depth for Stones to really play anywhere but centre back.

I dont think the front four or five will be an issue, or even that they will be the reason we don't win anything in the next tournament.
Click to expand...
There seems to be an assumption that the likes of Foden, Rice and Saka are better than anything we've had before, but we used to think the same of Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes, Rooney etc. All of whom won league titles, Champions League titles etc.

Kane and (potentially) Bellingham are probably better than what we've had in the past. But as pointed out, defensively we are arguably not even as good as some previous squads. If Southgate gets anywhere this summer people will say 'the squad was so good' etc but I think people easily forget how highly rated some of those players were at the time.
 
Cambsred said:
When I sit reading a thread like this and the uncertainties that still exist behind the front 4 or 5 shows that we perhaps don't have as good a squad as the Southgate bashers seem to think.

If we look back at other England squads I can't ever remember debating so many players for the back line/ defensive positions, usually with the core of the team generally picking itself.

The fact Henderson is still in contention given the last year, Philips similarly with little game time. Stones and TAA arguably considered for midfield or defence too but not having the depth for Stones to really play anywhere but centre back.

I dont think the front four or five will be an issue, or even that they will be the reason we don't win anything in the next tournament.
Click to expand...
That's before you get to:

GK - Pickford is experienced, but we don't have another keeper with good international experience available
LB - Chilwell and Shaw are the only specialist LBs we have, neither have been fit very much
RB - Heavily reliant on Walker, as Trippier is on the downward curve and Reece James is always injured....maybe Rico Lewis might come in
CB - Stones is comfortably our best. Behind him Maguire, Dunk, Guehi, Tomori, Konsa, Colwill.....non of these wood have got into previous squads.
CM - I get the frustration with Henderson and Philips, but Rice isn't defensively good enough to do the holding job without support against good teams. He isn't world class at that side, he's a very good all rounder, but not a dedicated CDM.
Wide & 10 - Bellingham, Palmer, Saka, Foden, Grealish, Rashford Bowen, Maddison ---- loads of players for these roles
CF - massive drop off if Kane were injured. Watkins has 9 caps, then its Wilson always injured and Toney and Nketiah with 1 cap.

We can't afford to lose Pickford, Walker, Stones, Rice, Bellingham, Kane or we are done
 
atypical_boro said:
There seems to be an assumption that the likes of Foden, Rice and Saka are better than anything we've had before, but we used to think the same of Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes, Rooney etc. All of whom won league titles, Champions League titles etc.

Kane and (potentially) Bellingham are probably better than what we've had in the past. But as pointed out, defensively we are arguably not even as good as some previous squads. If Southgate gets anywhere this summer people will say 'the squad was so good' etc but I think people easily forget how highly rated some of those players were at the time.
Click to expand...

I try not to be too bias when looking at other England teams as I think I am possibly a bit rose tinted with the teams, particularly Euro 96.

Always think of the best International 11's in the world at the time and would the players walk into them to try and see balance.

How many of our current setup would be in a world 15 squad versus our 2016 or Euro 96 squads.
 
Cambsred said:
I try not to be too bias when looking at other England teams as I think I am possibly a bit rose tinted with the teams, particularly Euro 96.

Always think of the best International 11's in the world at the time and would the players walk into them to try and see balance.

How many of our current setup would be in a world 15 squad versus our 2016 or Euro 96 squads.
Click to expand...
I think, at present, there's only really Kane and Bellingham who'd even be in with a shout. The 2016 squad none, but there'd have been a few in Euro 96.
 
TheWolfman said:
Another master class by the young magican.

That was me being obtuse but once again against a top team hes just not in the game. Gordon for me outshone him.

I don't think hes that good yet outside of a city team that controls a game.
Click to expand...
Abso fcuking lutely

Foden goes missing internationally AGAIN but his ‘lovers’ will find a way of not objectively avoiding any negative feedback
 
Pak_Doo_Ik said:
Definitely, but the conundrum will be who he plays alongside Rice (as he definitely will go with a two).

Philips has had a tough start at West Ham (early days I know) and Hendersons best days are behind him and I think that it is that decision that will be the one put under scrutiny.
Click to expand...
I thought Gallagher would be worth a look but not a great audition for him tonight.

At the moment I’d probably start Mainoo.

He’s a defensive midfielder, so at least it’s a square peg in a square hole and you’ve got someone who’s totally comfortable in that position and he does seem impervious to pressure.

If you’re good enough you’re old enough, but throwing an 18 year old into the fire isn’t a very Southgate type of move, he’s very loyal and sticks with players who have done it for him before. That position is a conundrum though because both Hendo and Phillips shouldn’t realistically be selected - one’s on a retirement tour and hasn’t been first choice for a long time, the other is woefully out of touch and keeps getting subbed at halftime.
 
jonny_greenings_sock said:
I thought Gallagher would be worth a look but not a great audition for him tonight.

At the moment I’d probably start Mainoo.

He’s a defensive midfielder, so at least it’s a square peg in a square hole and you’ve got someone who’s totally comfortable in that position and he does seem impervious to pressure.

If you’re good enough you’re old enough, but throwing an 18 year old into the fire isn’t a very Southgate type of move, he’s very loyal and sticks with players who have done it for him before. That position is a conundrum though because both Hendo and Phillips shouldn’t realistically be selected - one’s on a retirement tour and hasn’t been first choice for a long time, the other is woefully out of touch and keeps getting subbed at halftime.
Click to expand...
Totally agree. Gallagher is awful and playing out of position 🙈. Southgate for me, is a bit of a coward not picking mainoo.
I just don’t like Southgate as a manager because you have to be innovative and bold to win anything
 
equaliser said:
I've always thought Foden is a bit overrated. I'd rather have Bernado Silva
Click to expand...
100% agree. Foden was awful and his massive supporters on here know it this morning. Pep gets the best out of a one dimensional player but for England when you’re nous, class and intelligence needs to come forward to evolve your game to the circumstances and style of play but foden isn’t bright enough or talented enough to adjust and shine. IMHO
 
I said it in the England match thread. I think a lot tend to forget that at City he is surrounded by genuinely world class players who will give him that platform by virtue of the wavelength they’re on, the quality they have and the type of football they play.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s a very very good player, technically gifted and has the potential to become world class. I just don’t think he’s there yet.
 
Foden is class and will show that at the European Championship. No big deal to struggle against a team like Brazil in a friendly and without Kane or Saka in the side.
 
Ex Footy Legs said:
100% agree. Foden was awful and his massive supporters on here know it this morning. Pep gets the best out of a one dimensional player but for England when you’re nous, class and intelligence needs to come forward to evolve your game to the circumstances and style of play but foden isn’t bright enough or talented enough to adjust and shine. IMHO
Click to expand...
Perfect day for a spot of fishing isn’t it 🎣
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top