If you're picking a squad based on players you'd like your daughter to meet, it's not going to be much of a contender.
If you're picking a squad based on players you'd like your daughter to meet, it's not going to be much of a contender.
He’s a great player. I’d put him at a Grade D level cunt. And would have him as first choice right back .
How do you grade a cunt?
Sounds like it's time for a formula.
You need a bit of good old fashioned cunt in any team. Now that you are not allowed to have 'eats raw meat'.
I'm really close to Russ's team. It's TAA for Gallacher for me...and i'd really like something better on the left - would have tried to have more of a look at Gomez and Sterling. Both Squad members for me. Gomez can do either full back, and cover centre half...and is quick enough on the turn, even if he's not Walker (ironic name) - nobody is though. Sterling has regularly been player of the tournament for England, and has terrific movement (in the here and now) and experience (which has a value). Toney for an hour of working them hard, Watkins (or other pacey option - Sterling?), to exploit late tiredness. Although there's an argument for doing that the other way around (particularly if you are bringing on a Ward-Prowse to maximise set pieces to come from behind against a deep defense protecting a lead - Kane could be handy here too). I'd also want Colwill in the squad (Reece James if fit, so no). I want my centre-halves to be able to full-back (and vica versa), and if they can't I want them to be beckenbauer with the ball at their feet (Dunk, Stones).
What is criminal for me is that we haven't actually taken the time and effort to develop options, we've just flat-track bullied our way through qualifying with the same old, same old....and I don't think more of the same gets us to a tournament win....we will be there or thereabouts in the frame. It's a dilemma because you could get a better 'in game' coach in charge...but I don't think you would get to the same level because of the rare cohesion and confidence southgate has developed in the group at international level. So the choice is - get a better coach for games that you don't get to play in, or have a coach that gets you to the business end, where your obvious weaknesses are repeatedly exposed.
If we add some more arrows I think we'll go further in the tournament.
I'm not considering Toney for inclusion for the same reason Jim doesn't like Walker. We have a number of good options to play up front and Toney is a cunt.
I can confirm that I'm going to allow a real team to move in places not entirely covered by the arrows.
I just don't see a better all round option. Do you really think Watkins offers the same level of all-round threat to top international teams? Who is a realistic alternative? ( - THIS IS A TRAP )
I do, and on form he's comfortably the best England striker at the moment. You're only using him facing in one direction, but with Bellingham, Foden and Saka around him I don't really care about whether he completes a pass. Give him half a dozen touches in a game and two of them are going in the net, he's an absolute machine right now.
The biggest weakness I have up front is that we don't offer much of an aerial threat, but plenty of teams have won major international tournaments without needing a battering ram for their goals. I think that four can stand with any team in the world, and they could all be doing it together for the next decade.
You can't beat top teams (enough) just going through a low block on the deck. Even if you have a massive dominance over them. (short version) It's why manshitty didn't win the champions league until they had the threat of the Haaland monster. It's why France won with the non-scoring olivier Giroud in the side.
What Watkins brings is great..but it's not enough on it's own at elite level. Same as for Deadlegs (but different attributes, obvs). In fairness Southgate understands this, but his solution is a bit too lamp-back-posty for my liking.
If we add some more arrows I think we'll go further in the tournament.
I'm pleased to see Dunk has been given my 5-a-side role.
I'm pleased to see Dunk has been given my 5-a-side role.
No. I gave him some arrows.
I see they're using the same Nick de Marco feller that we are. Maybe he lives in Loughborough?