England

[roverandout]

  On 23/03/2025 at 10:06, roversfan99 said:

I dont think hes on a different planet, both are very good and probably at a similar level. But Palmer isnt a winger. Woud leave us imbalanced and sticking square pegs in round holes to try and force him in.

(As I think would having Rice as the most defensive midfielder)

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Saka's numbers are far better than palmer's.  Look I think palmer is a top player but unlike saka he's a hot and cold player.  Saka delivers season in season out

[joey_big_nose]

  On 23/03/2025 at 12:49, chaddyrovers said:

my squad for the world cup 

GK - Pickford Pope Henderson

Defenders - James, TAA, White, Stones, Guehi, Tomori, Colwill, Hall, MLS

CM - Rice, Anderson, Wharton, Jones and Gomes

Wide options - Palmer, Saka, Gordon, Rashford, Rogers

Striker/number 10 - Kane, Watkins, Bellingham, Solanke 

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Id say really our struggle is your last two categories there... We only have one proper wide player in Saka, maybe Gordon. And we have one proper striker in Watkins, maybe Solanke. Every other forward player from Kane to Bellingham to Foden to Palmer is a number 10... 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

  On 23/03/2025 at 09:52, roverandout said:

You wouldn't have saka? He's on a different level to palmer 

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I’m not a Saka fan. He very rarely shows up in the big games.

[chaddyrovers]

  On 23/03/2025 at 21:57, joey_big_nose said:

Id say really our struggle is your last two categories there... We only have one proper wide player in Saka, maybe Gordon. And we have one proper striker in Watkins, maybe Solanke. Every other forward player from Kane to Bellingham to Foden to Palmer is a number 10... 

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Kane is a number 9 by trade but has skills and attributes of a number 10 aswell. 

Kane would always start as my number 9. 

[roverandout]

  On 23/03/2025 at 23:02, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

I’m not a Saka fan. He very rarely shows up in the big games.

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He never really plays many big games lol. But his record in the champions league this season is exceptional.  He's also bailed England out of many tight situations 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

  On 24/03/2025 at 09:29, roverandout said:

He never really plays many big games lol. But his record in the champions league this season is exceptional.  He's also bailed England out of many tight situations 

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I’m talking about playing him for England as this is the “ England”  thread. People get carried away when the see us dicking fourth rate teams like Transylvania and Treasure Island these days. When we play the really good teams too many of our players just don’t turn up. Foden is just another example.

[roverandout]

  On 24/03/2025 at 10:51, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

I’m talking about playing him for England as this is the “ England”  thread. People get carried away when the see us dicking fourth rate teams like Transylvania and Treasure Island these days. When we play the really good teams too many of our players just don’t turn up. Foden is just another example.

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Agree on foden but I'll also put it down to Southgate's tactics not playing a balanced team. Being on top in big games then losing control when the opposition manager making tweaks. I think if the players are played in their correct position for England it would make a huge difference.  As for saka he's been unable to show his worth in massive games like the two finals because we've always been on the backfoot for long periods 

[roversfan99]

Tough game tonight against a side ranked lower than Madagascar and Tajikstan.

Pointless game.

[simongarnerisgod]

  On 24/03/2025 at 19:46, roversfan99 said:

Tough game tonight against a side ranked lower than Madagascar and Tajikstan.

Pointless game.

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it`s a world cup qualifier,not really pointless,but i agree in a way,it`s getting to the point of where it`s harder not to qualify these days,lots of games where the outcome is already basically decided

[roversfan99]

  On 24/03/2025 at 19:51, simongarnerisgod said:

it`s a world cup qualifier,not really pointless,but i agree in a way,it`s getting to the point of where it`s harder not to qualify these days,lots of games where the outcome is already basically decided

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There should be pre qualifiers. 

And on a seperate note, they shouldnt have increased the size of the World Cup to 48 teams and the Euros to 24 teams. As you said, harder not to qualify.

[chaddyrovers]

is it such a bad thing increasing the number of the world cup and if these nations are going to develop then they need to play at the highest level 

I'm looking to the world cup being play in USA, Canada and Mexico. I still remember watching the USA world cup in 1994 as that was the first international tournament I watched. 

 

[roversfan99]

Yes, it is a bad thing. Dilutes the quality and also makes it asymmetrical where you remove any jeopardy by having 3rd place teams going through groups.

[Gav]

Bring back Southgate. 

[RTM08]

  On 24/03/2025 at 20:08, Gav said:

Bring back Southgate. 

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We're actually creating chances. Under Southgate we'd create one or two chances all game in a tie like this.

Only criticisms so far is that a few have clearly been chosen on name value alone (Rashford, James for example) and our shooting has been poor.

[Proudtobeblue&white]

Latvia have beaten Andorra and the Faroe Islands ffs, exciting football my arse!

[Exiled_Rover]

We're desperate for out and out wingers, especially in this formation.

Also is Harry Kane playing?

[Exiled_Rover]

Rogers looks lost - why is he allowed a free role when Foden was under strict instructions to stay on his wing?

[Forever Blue]

Reese James is far more important than the national team, why on earth would he celebrate. 

[chaddyrovers]

  On 24/03/2025 at 20:06, roversfan99 said:

Yes, it is a bad thing. Dilutes the quality and also makes it asymmetrical where you remove any jeopardy by having 3rd place teams going through groups.

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FIFA and UEFA job is to spread the game around and bigger tournament, plus generate more money for FIFA and UEFA to give to these poorer countries to improve and develop. That's their job. 

The qualifying groups for England have always been easier apart from the odd game. That over 30 years of watching us played at this level. 

  On 24/03/2025 at 20:19, Exiled_Rover said:

We're desperate for out and out wingers, especially in this formation.

Also is Harry Kane playing?

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he is playing a deep defence and Latvia playing 5-4-1. What are you really 

  On 24/03/2025 at 20:22, Exiled_Rover said:

Rogers looks lost - why is he allowed a free role when Foden was under strict instructions to stay on his wing?

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Rogers isn't playing on the wing but as box to box centre midfielder. Bowen is playing on the right

[Gav]

Possibly one of the worst 45mins I’ve seen in years, but a goal of quality saved that tag.

Latvia were 50/1 to win tonight, a bit like Man City playing Mill Hill St Peter’s.

 

[RTM08]

  On 24/03/2025 at 20:47, Gav said:

Possibly one of the worst 45mins I’ve seen in years, but a goal of quality saved that tag.

Latvia were 50/1 to win tonight, a bit like Man City playing Mill Hill St Peter’s.

 

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You clearly didn't warch 90% of the games under Southgate then. 17 shots, albeit not a lot of quality in them. Gareth would have sat with 2 DMs passing it around the back 6 for 45 mins.

Things won't change overnight.

[Gav]

  On 24/03/2025 at 20:51, RTM08 said:

You clearly didn't warch 90% of the games under Southgate then. 17 shots, albeit not a lot of quality in them. Gareth would have sat with 2 DMs passing it around the back 6 for 45 mins.

Things won't change overnight.

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Tripe, but you are right on one point, things won’t change overnight.

We’re playing a side that recently lost to North Macedonia, drew with ANDORRA and got beat by Armenia!!

Edited March 24 by Gav

[Exiled_Rover]

  On 24/03/2025 at 20:35, chaddyrovers said:

Rogers isn't playing on the wing but as box to box centre midfielder. Bowen is playing on the right

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Exactly.

[Mattyblue]

England qualifying groups 20/30 years ago certainly weren’t as easy as they’ve been over the past decade.

The days of groups with an Italy or a Germany in it have long gone. The way it is now with so many small countries in Europe post the fall of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia and even the likes of Gibraltar get a slot, ergo most groups are largely cannon fodder for the top sides.

Edited March 24 by Mattyblue

[roversfan99]

I look forward to roverandout coming on saying that Latvia arent a bad side later on.