The International Break

[Mike Oxsaw]

Day one of the international break and already I'm as bored as a bored, no, listen, really fucking bored, bored person. I'm more bored than I am boring.

Why can't the suits just fuck off and let everybody enjoy club football?

[Council Scum]

What this has proven is, he should be no where near the Under 21's either. 

[Russ of the BML]

I think, much more than the football we have played under Carsley, he has proven himself not to be a good candidate just through his handling of the press. His press conferences have been an absolute fucking disaster. Talking in riddles, lack of charisma, lack of inspiration, basically in about 500 words stating "I don't want the job". Saying the job deserves a top successful manager and then not ruling himself out. Absolute fucking car crash. 

You know what he is? A fucking sap. A fucking I-Pad coach. Never without that fucking I-Pad. Its like his little comfort blanket. You can imagine him getting upset and frightened if he didn't have his little I-Pad under his arm. Fucking helmet. 

As I said before, I advocated his appointment for valid reasons. But now I have seen the mark of the man I wouldn't touch him with barge pole. No back bone, no bollocks and a bullshitting northern slug. Fuck off. 

[zico]

Bored to tears watching England 100 passes just to reach the half way line nothing inspirational turned it off like watching Man City.
Not for me that style of football 

Exactly this.  Sideways and backwards whilst the opposition gets back in position.  Felt quite refreshing watching Finland when they lumped a few forward!

[Percy Dalton]

Bored to tears watching England 100 passes just to reach the half way line nothing inspirational turned it off like watching Man City.
Not for me that style of football 

[Takashi Miike]

is Sullivan running the FA? they seem to have a similar, unimaginative cheapskate approach to coach/manager recruitment

[Sir Alf]

Kane should be an impact sub at best. Another picked on reputation. Simply too slow to lead the line.  

Pick players that best fit tactics and system of play not try to fit all the “best” players from the rich 6 and other high profile teams in to the detriment of team effectiveness.  Creating team “balance” sometimes means picking more players from less glamourous teams that have a better team and work ethic.

Media and pundit pressure, ex players and managers would be appalled if Foden, Bellingham, Kane, Palmer, TAA etc werent starting most games though.  Sure the time and space they get against minnows in qualifying games gets results soon as we meet a real top national team we come up short.

Croatia now ageing but their small nation beat us several times in top tournaments because they were a better team with a players picked for a clear tactical approach.  Individually England had the better players but it dont always win you games. 

 

[Lee Trundle]

I really, REALLY hope we don't give Carsley the job full time.

Which means the FA probably will.

[Lato]

In the good old days the players that were picked by the England Manager played for their clubs on the Saturday and joined up with the squad the following day. Two days of training then a game on the Wednesday and then back home the following day. None of this bollarks of missing a domestic Saturday. And we only had one substitute for League games. Fings ain't  want they used to be!

[Texas Iron]

Yet another unimpressive performance by Carsley and players…

Finland rated 64 FIFA…

Need an experienced successful Coach..

[Mex Martillo]

Elsewhere...

Callum Marshall started as Northern Ireland maintained their hopes of promotion from UEFA Nations League C with a 0-0 away draw against Belarus on Saturday.

Andy Irving was an unused substitute as Scotland were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Croatia in Group A1.

Nayef Aguerd, on loan with Real Sociedad, started in Morocco's 5-0 win over Central African Republic. 

[cholo]

I thought we lacked pace and directness down the flanks with Grealish and Palmer on both sides. We'd have benefited from Saka or Jarrod occupying the right as Palmer was missing for most of that match.

[Ladysmith]

Kane benefitted at Spurs by having Son flying past him and England don't really have that sort of player.  Watkins/Toney may have the pace but they aren't the sort of player Son is, you would need someone very direct in their running, although for me maybe Kane is past his best and we need to look elsewhere for a forward although none really look absolute top class international wise.  As I say, tough decisions, Alf Ramsey had to make one on 66 whether to go with Greaves or a raw Hurst and that turned out ok!

You have to either drop Kane or put another forward with him to do the runs.

Southgate did neither and that is what cost us!

[the coming of gary]

Mitchell of Palace is the best LB
 

[Mad Ferret]

Would’ve been better off with AWB at LB.

[Iron Duke]

Is Alexander Arnold really playing left back?

[cholo]

We have no one consistently looking to get in behind and no real pace on the wings. Palmer been nigh on invisible first half.

[Gaffer58]

Pleased to see Henderson in goal, at least he’ll be calm, not sure what Trent is in the team as a full back, his defensive attributes are basically non existent.

[zico]

Youth is good but you need experience as well and I think the squad is too young and inexperienced. Don't even recognise a couple of names on the bench. Seems you only need to play one or two games for a big club these days and you get a cap. And T Arnold at left back? Can't even defend at right back!

[happygilmore]

I can vouch for how bad Finland are, we beat them!

Perfect game for Kane to come back in and bag 2/3 goals and the Media to fawn over him as the greatest ever England striker.

[Takashi Miike]

North London Mong back at 9,  a midget next to Rice and Terrence Trent Darby at left back. Give the bald cսnt a ten year deal

[SurfaceAgentX2Zero]

Without being surrounded by all of Man City's superstars, Foden actually isn't any good.

[zico]

Kane benefitted at Spurs by having Son flying past him and England don't really have that sort of player.  Watkins/Toney may have the pace but they aren't the sort of player Son is, you would need someone very direct in their running, although for me maybe Kane is past his best and we need to look elsewhere for a forward although none really look absolute top class international wise.  As I say, tough decisions, Alf Ramsey had to make one on 66 whether to go with Greaves or a raw Hurst and that turned out ok!

[Sir Alf]

The best “team” is unlikely to have all the best players in it. Counter intuitive but its about the whole “synergy” / “greater than the sum of the parts” argument. You need “balance” and playing players in their best, natural, preferred position they are most experienced in.  And using tactics or systems they are most used to. 

And anyone thinking Kane is the answer as our number 9 to lead the line has probably not been watching England these last 10 years. He is suited to a system with 2 up top. He has been awful in the actual major tournaments against the better teams.  His best moments at the Euros was when Ivan Toney was up top and he sat deeper imo.

You need a manager / coach who has a system or tactics and picks players that suit them and does not cave to the media and pundits calmouring for players from the rich 6 or a “big club”.  Those players ate surrounded by a lot of very talented foreigners making time and space for them, allowing them to be in a team that mostly dominates possession. Protects some from stern examinations thry might get playing for England. There are of course some clear, stand out talents in those rich / big 6 teams but equally some that are not as good as they appear.  Alexander Trent is an example where the team and system compensates for his defensive deficiencies. Imo of course

But what we have not learnt is that playing Foden, Bellingham, Kane,  Palmer, Sako,TAA doesnt work and while these players  may be excellent going forward but leave a lot to be desired defending and when subject to counters.  Gibbs White defends well in addition to setting up and making attacking moves. He has a work ethic and may well be better suited to the number 8 or 10 role? He plays for a team that does not dominate the ball every game. Bowen’s strength over Saka and Palmer is his tracking back and work rate although he might lack their pace, shooting and overall skillset when attacking.  

Guhi of Palace was our best defender at the Euros but  will feel the need to go to one of the rich 6 to keep his place. Just a couple of examples of players at less glamourous clubs ( poorer ) that might well do a better job.  

Eddie Howe has crafted a decent team at Newcastle using some great additions but equally using a lot of the players that were already there who tend to be the most consistent. He may well be our best hope but wont be wanting the job now and would he also cave to the pundits and media “talking heads”. 

[Mex Martillo]

Elsewhere in the International world.

Tomáš Souček and Vladimír Coufal played their part as Czech Republic scored a 2-0 home win over Albania in UEFA Nations League B Group 1 on Friday evening. National-team captain and midfield 75 cap talisman Souček led his side, while 48 cap right-back Coufal provided an assist as the Czechs made it back-to-back Nations League victories at epet ARENA – home to Sparta Prague.

Lucas Paquetá started as Brazil scored a crucial win 2-1 over Chile in FIFA World Cup qualifying on Thursday night. Paquetá was withdrawn at the break, and his country went on to secure their win in the final minute, with Luiz Henrique netting the crucial winner.

Michail Antonio was an unused substitute as Jamaica moved to the top of CONCACAF Nations League Group B with a 2-0 win over Nicaragua.

 

[Full Claret Jacket]

Bellingham big ego and not the performances to match. Thought the whole defense and midfield were rubbish. Never seen Rice so bad. Miles off the pace and too much day dreaming. This whole nation league thing is a joke though. Who cares what group we are in. More caps for players who dont deserve them, more money for the FA. I couldnt give a stuff about the England team anymore and cheered on Mavropanos. Those players played like they really wanted to win.