Weird, most people I know really dislike him. Don't know why, seems a pretty likeable fella. I said elsewhere that this is a big season for him, he's always been good but was just a cut below that top, top level of player and is getting towards that age where he isn't the 'potential' boy anymore. But he's really stepped up through KDB being injured, great talent.
Don't agree, but probably the wrong thread for it. We don't have a Jorginho/Pedri/Rodri type to dictate against the best sides. Certainly enough talent to hurt them and beat them, but this squad is not really able to do what Spain did for example. Need to set up a bit more defensively to exact that bit of control needed to win bigger games.
Jesus Christ what? A massive game against a top 4 challenger to stay in touch with the top of the table, and the ground is half empty. Blasé it off all you like, it's a bit sad. And like I said, it's why your ground has the name it has.
Rice, Trent (yes, in midfield) and Bellingham in a midfield 3 is the way we should go. Three exceptionally talented players. Then you have the likes of Saka, Foden in front of those, Kane up front...best managers on the planet would take those six and make them world beaters. CB's is an issue as besides Stones there isnt much there.
We have a shedload of good right backs and Stones, CB wise we struggle, I mean Maguire gets games there ffs. Fear not, Quansah will be a regular next season lads absolute class. Goalie too, think Pickford is a liabilty. We could do with a better one.
Fair enough, but the Trent CM thing is about as recent as it gets and England barely have enough games until the Euros to make something like that work to the required standard. He's also been injured. Stones probably would have been the obvious answer but as you say he's probably our only top level CB so we can ill afford to move him. We've had a top level squad since post-Euro 2020, so by my own slightly spurious reasoning that means we only really have had the Qatar World Cup to judge Southgate's top level credentials so far. I'm also not confident he's a top level international manager, but then I also think England would have the same deficiencies regardless of who's in charge and while we can win a tournament with these players, we are not far and away the best out of France, Portugal, heck even Spain and Germany.
Trents rumoured to be on the verge of returning, possibly Sunday v United. Hopefully he can keep fit and get some decent form going. How many friendlies are there left before the euros? Crikey? Just 2? by the looks of things? Bosnia and Iceland. Sorry City/Villa fans for hijacking thread although it did start off about Foden being one of the first on the teamsheet
Yes after the seasons end . Trouble for Foden with England is he gets put out wide and probably gets told to stay there and not have a free role .
1) It’s called the emptihad because we have no fans, not coz people slope off to the bar a few mins early (myself included) 2) It was literally half-time 3) This is the only ground in the country where this happens, I’m sure 4) the ground was virtually full
Nah he drifts inside a lot, its why Southgate is absolutely bricking it about our left back options, we have very few that are capable of playing 'box to box' to maintain the width Trent has played more games in CM than right back for England since the WC, we were clearly trying it but his injury has somewhat killed any further preparation with him there. It will be one of him, Mainoo or Henderson.
Yeah, it's sad that he hasn't had the oportunity, I've wanted him there since around the Summer but the opportunities just haven't been there. I still think we could see him in a similar role at the Euros though, given the absolute lack of options generally.
Apologies, I did mean CB. I think if we had a couple of real good options in there I'd be confident for the Euros but in the latter stages (should we get there) the lack.of good options will really let us down. On Pickford, club form I agree but I feel he steps up for England in the tournaments.
Never thought we would get a thing out of this due to the amount of first choice players out , but happy we still tried to play football.
Yeah by all means he is. But get the impression there's been a few times the pundits have made a point to say he is a big favourite for POTY and I haven't heard it about any other player really in the same way. A lot of "build the team around him" talk too. But in the end I don't think there's any real shoo ins this season. I think VVD has a good shout, I think Rodri has a shout, I think Rice has a shout, I think Salah would have had a shout without AFCON/injury, I think Palmer would have a shout if Chelsea weren't so wank. But as far as I've noticed only Foden has been getting those consistent mentions. It feels strange that it is realistic that City could finish 3rd, Foden could win PFA POTY... and it isn't even unanimous that he's even been City's best player this season.
