England squad announcement

robfosters said:
I have to agree, this is by far the most unenthusiastic I’ve ever been about a World Cup
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Couldn't agree more. I was just in Lidl doing a bit of shopping and noticed out the corner of my eye, Footballs, flags and other paraphernalia, all tied to the World Cup. I was like, "oh yeah the World cup starts soon". Normally, it's on my mind for one reason or another but this one, no. I know it's happening but it just doesn't feel right. I am aware of what was done for Qatar to win the hosting and also the deaths surrounding the stadiums and infrastructure construction, to me, that has put a dampener on what little bit of enthusiasm I had for this WC.

This England team is not what I would have picked. Being a Man Utd supporter, seeing Maguire in it, I mean, why, how? He's hardly played, and when he did he wasn't great at all. Hopefully he has a belter in the WC and we can sell him at a little less of a loss.
As others have said, roll on Boxing Day. My main worry is the work that ETH has done so far will get undone due to not having any games, same applies to other teams too. This break might be really bad for some teams.

Anyway, I am still in two minds whether or not to actually watch any of it. No appeal to me whatsoever this time around.
 
Kelt said:
For me, the location really puts a damper on this WC.

Never felt like this before, and I've been watching world cups since the 1966 one.
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The location and the number of workers dead equivalent to about an average attendance at a non-league match getting the thing built really takes any excitement out of it.
 
adidan said:
The location and the number of workers dead equivalent to about an average attendance at a non-league match getting the thing built really takes any excitement out of it.
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Its not just that its their treatment aswell. Horrendous conditions.

That when you add in their general viewpoints on the LGBT community it just feels wrong to celebrate this tbh.
 
Pretty much as expected. Pleased for Wilson and Maddison although I doubt they'll get much game time. I think England will win the group comfortably then be dumped out in the KO stages equally as comfortably. Same same as usual.
I'm looking forward to it. Time difference kind to me for a change.
 
Southgate is going to get slaughtered if he picks Maguire. He's so shot it's untrue - Its like watching Gary Neville's last few games except Gaz was 35 and had won everything in the game.
I fear this is going to be an ugly tournament for England.
 
scarps said:
You can add,

Walker, injured
White, Crap
Grealish, thrash
Phillips, hardly played
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I'd genuinely struggle to name an English centre back in better form than White.

I'd like to see Dan Burn have been given a chance in some of the warm up games though.


For me, you need to take a mix of players who have been decent in the past for England and have experience, young talented players, and form players, and this is about the best we'll get. The midfield is exciting although I'd like to have seen Eze there. I'd have been happy with either of Toney or Wilson. The defence was always going to be weak - all of our defenders are poor, out of form, or not playing.

I'm surprised to see Phillips going given that he's barely played since the Euros, and think that JWP deserved a chance, but as others have said we're short in that role.

Basically, at the back I see it as choosing between the likes of Guehi and Tomori who are good young players in decent form, or Stones and Maguire who have been "solid" England picks for years but aren't currently playing. Either way is a risk and would be open to criticism, and Southgate was always going to stick with his trusted options.

I'd have taken Burn, Guehi or Tomori over Dier, but think / hope that Dier doesn't play anyway so it doesn't really matter
 
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arknor said:
Imagine getting the squad to take the knee in previous games, then happily going to play football in that country....
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Its almost like its performative and wins them brownie points without actually having to suffer any sort of hardship to signal your moral superiority.
 
fez said:
Its almost like its performative and wins them brownie points without actually having to suffer any sort of hardship to signal your moral superiority.
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You'd think someone of his moral standing would step down and let someone else go there instead
 
Calpol said:
Southgate is going to get slaughtered if he picks Maguire. He's so shot it's untrue - Its like watching Gary Neville's last few games except Gaz was 35 and had won everything in the game.
I fear this is going to be an ugly tournament for England.
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I'm not one to defend Maguire, he is woefully short of pace both mentally and physically for the premier league.....but internationals are much slower in general and he doesn't look so completely out of his depth there.

He was hilariously bad last night against Villa though!
 
robfosters said:
Shocking how far Sancho has fallen. Was supposed to be the next best thing, but has barely got a mention when discussing the England squad.
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Yeah, it's a shame really as he's clearly very talented. Hopefully it's something that can be worked on... he is only 22.
 
BaZ87 said:
White who cannot get a game at CB for Arsenal. I'm not having a dig at White btw but it highlights just how poor England's CB options are.
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Tomori is playing week in week out for AC Milan and in champions league football. He was also rated as one of the best defenders in Serie A last season.

I am also surprised Chris Smalling didn't get a look in either. He has 7 goals in the two seasons he has played for Roma and played 38 games last season.

Both are better than Maguire and are in far better form.
 
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