September internationals

[Come On You Irons]

I'm struggling to comprehend what Marcus Rashford has done to merit starting for England.

[El Scorchio]

Madueke reminds me of a faster and more skillful Benrahma. Lots of possession (and he got fed a LOT) and dribbles and tricks and cutbacks and looks flashy but most of the time zero end product and loses possession. Maybe it's worth it for the couple of times he does something decisive that leads to a chance or a goal. I don't know though. He'll have a much tougher time against the left backs that the likes of Germany, Spain, Italy and France put out.

I do prefer the directness of a Gordon. The other players know what he's going to do and where to be, and he beats a man and gets the ball in quicker. Only downside is the defenders have a better idea as well. The unpredictability is a double edged sword. Whatever the case Tuchel is clearly wedded to Madueke now, to the point where he might play ahead of Saka which would be weird as I am sure he won't at Arsenal. I won;t mind as long as he's consistent in an England shirt. You can see the potential to make somethign happen any time but at the moment he really needs more end product more often. It would probably help having a more mobile and quick striker as well.

5 goal involments in 9 games isn't zero end product... We would all love Bowen to start for England but then we're all obviously biased. 

Let's face it if an older player at another club was being picked ahead of younger alternatives I think a lot would be moaning about him blocking their paths. 

There isn't much between them at all and he just favours the younger ones in front of him and maybe that's the reason.

But then he brings on HENDO 

Yeah point taken. Probably a bit of Bowen bias from most of us which shifts the lens. I think it's just that Madueke can be really frustrating to watch when we are used to seeing more clinical play down the right wing and he's absolutely getting more minutes than any other attacker is (minus maybe Kane) under Tuchel. He must just have a hell of a lot of faith in him- particularly as you'd assume he's not first choice in that position anyway for club or country. 

[fraser]

Madueke reminds me of a faster and more skillful Benrahma. Lots of possession (and he got fed a LOT) and dribbles and tricks and cutbacks and looks flashy but most of the time zero end product and loses possession. Maybe it's worth it for the couple of times he does something decisive that leads to a chance or a goal. I don't know though. He'll have a much tougher time against the left backs that the likes of Germany, Spain, Italy and France put out.

I do prefer the directness of a Gordon. The other players know what he's going to do and where to be, and he beats a man and gets the ball in quicker. Only downside is the defenders have a better idea as well. The unpredictability is a double edged sword. Whatever the case Tuchel is clearly wedded to Madueke now, to the point where he might play ahead of Saka which would be weird as I am sure he won't at Arsenal. I won;t mind as long as he's consistent in an England shirt. You can see the potential to make somethign happen any time but at the moment he really needs more end product more often. It would probably help having a more mobile and quick striker as well.

5 goal involments in 9 games isn't zero end product... We would all love Bowen to start for England but then we're all obviously biased. 

Let's face it if an older player at another club was being picked ahead of younger alternatives I think a lot would be moaning about him blocking their paths. 

There isn't much between them at all and he just favours the younger ones in front of him and maybe that's the reason.

[Russ of the BML]

Madueke reminds me of a faster and more skillful Benrahma. Lots of possession (and he got fed a LOT) and dribbles and tricks and cutbacks and looks flashy but most of the time zero end product and loses possession. Maybe it's worth it for the couple of times he does something decisive that leads to a chance or a goal. I don't know though. He'll have a much tougher time against the left backs that the likes of Germany, Spain, Italy and France put out.

I do prefer the directness of a Gordon. The other players know what he's going to do and where to be, and he beats a man and gets the ball in quicker. Only downside is the defenders have a better idea as well. The unpredictability is a double edged sword. Whatever the case Tuchel is clearly wedded to Madueke now, to the point where he might play ahead of Saka which would be weird as I am sure he won't at Arsenal. I won;t mind as long as he's consistent in an England shirt. You can see the potential to make somethign happen any time but at the moment he really needs more end product more often. It would probably help having a more mobile and quick striker as well.

Good post. You summed up why I think Bowen should be ahead of Madueke. He is more direct and will go to the by line and also allows the team to be more direct. I also think Bowen is more dangerous when he floats into central areas as he has a strikers eye. Madueke doesn't.... Although he took his goal well. 

[El Scorchio]

Madueke reminds me of a faster and more skillful Benrahma. Lots of possession (and he got fed a LOT) and dribbles and tricks and cutbacks and looks flashy but most of the time zero end product and loses possession. Maybe it's worth it for the couple of times he does something decisive that leads to a chance or a goal. I don't know though. He'll have a much tougher time against the left backs that the likes of Germany, Spain, Italy and France put out.

I do prefer the directness of a Gordon. The other players know what he's going to do and where to be, and he beats a man and gets the ball in quicker. Only downside is the defenders have a better idea as well. The unpredictability is a double edged sword. Whatever the case Tuchel is clearly wedded to Madueke now, to the point where he might play ahead of Saka which would be weird as I am sure he won't at Arsenal. I won;t mind as long as he's consistent in an England shirt. You can see the potential to make somethign happen any time but at the moment he really needs more end product more often. It would probably help having a more mobile and quick striker as well.

[Russ of the BML]

Easily England's best performance under Tuchel. And about time. Like many others I have been hugely disappointed with him and the team up to last night but that was much, much better. They looked focussed and played with intent and positivity. I think Tuchel had said to them we can't keep playing 'horseshoe' football. If it goes down one side and comes back and goes down the other side it is not to go back. Player needs to work a cross, through ball or shot. And it looked much better as there was more end product and more chances. 

Having said that, I see the media are frothing already and Tuchel is now the second coming. Fucking idiots. If we are still playing like that in 6 or 7 games then, yeah, he may have cracked it. But let's wait and see. And also worth pointing out, like others, Serbia were absolute gash. I mean, seriously bad. A sort of anti-football team. 

On Bowen, I was disappointed he didn't get longer - Madueke is a good player - But I do feel he slows us down as he stops and cuts in. With Saka out, I think Bowen should've been next in line. And when he came on, in the short time he had, he looked head and shoulders above Madueke. Some of his touches were absolute class. But it looks like Tuchel has made his mind up. Personally, it wouldn't bother me if Saka doesn't get a look in as I feel he is extremely over-rated. Maybe Bowen is just the wrong colour? 

[El Scorchio]

I see the media have gone full spastic about how brilliant the team all the players and Tuchel are after one win, after absolutely coating them all off for the Senegal game and the two Andorra games.

This is another problem. It's always either we're absolute world beaters or a load of fucking shit. The same talking heads wanking themselves dry about the players now will be calling them garbage again before we know it. I know it gains clicks and sells papers (if indeed anything sells papers any more?) and that's their aim but it's so fucking unhelpful for everyone.

[Fat, Bald n 50]

I don't think so, Barca want to send him back to Man U.
 

[southbankbornnbred]

That medal they gave Rashford, turned him into a hypercunt.

Ag ag ag!

[BRANDED]

What ever happened last night it made the team really click. It may have been playing a supposedly much better team in a supposedly tough arena. Whatever it was, they played superbly. 


OK, here's my feeling about the USA. It's going to be really hot. Keeping the ball and walking around and not conceding will be a huge part of how we will need to play. 

[Far Cough UKunt]

That medal they gave Rashford, turned him into a hypercunt.

[Massive Attack]

I'm another fan of Rashford when he's on it. Haven't seen that level from him anywhere near enough like he was capable of though. 

[southbankbornnbred]

My only real problem with Rashford is that his off-field life always leaves him exposed to the criticism that it’s affecting his football - irrespective of whether it is or not (and I think it has at times).

Stripping that noise away, I think he’s a really good player. Fast, direct and quite skilful, with an eye for goal. It seems that keeping him focused and motivated is the challenge.

I just wish he made life easier for himself. All the image-curating that he goes for, and gets distracted by, is just fucking painful.

[,]

First game of Tuchel’s reign where I have enjoyed the performance.

Bit disappointed by Serbia though because I expected more from them.

[Rossal]

Like most the Man Utd team his levels dipped under Ten Haag but then seems to be getting back to his best out on loan. As you say will only benefit England going into next summer.  He, like Bowen looked sharp last night when he came on. 

[El Scorchio]

When Rashford is ‘on’ then absolutely he’s a match winner and has been. But the trouble is that’s usually one in about five games. Other times he’s anonymous or useless. 

it’s a risk having two players like that on each flank because if they both have an off day we are in big trouble. 

[southbankbornnbred]

Gordon isn’t a patch on Rashford, I’m afraid.

We’re not blessed with options down the left, and we need pace there because neither Kane down the centre and Saka down the right are quick (Saka is surprisingly slow over anything more than 25 meters).

I know Rashford is not everybody’s cup of tea - sometimes due to his off-field life and sometimes because he became a blunt instrument when he lost confidence at Man Utd. But, unquestionably, he’s delivered more for the national team than Gordon has or will. And he’s a greater goal threat in a side too reliant on Kane.

I think Barca will put him at a decent level again. Which could help England.

Stripping away the noise around him, I think he’s a better option as the left-sided attacker than Gordon.

 

[Rossal]

I think England look pretty settled at the moment.  The problem positions seemed to be CM and LB but with the emergence of Lewis-Skelley and Anderson this seems sorted now.  There are also options like Hall or Mainoo/Wharton to strengthen us even more.  I agree we could do with another CB and Braithwaite would be my pick. Colwill will probably force himself into the side alongside Guehi for the World Cup though i think. 

Then looking at the younger groups there is some serious talent.  Dowman looks a superstar, Nwaneri i really like the look of and then you have the likes of Monga, Ndomba and Gittens all coming through. Rico Lewis is another option at RB and the likes of Bellingham, Palmer, Saka and Foden were not even in this squad. 

The future is so bright if Tuchel can make the most of it. 


As a side note, the young CB with a eastern european surname we have captained the England u19 yesterday to a win over the dutch.  He is also taking over the U21's captaincy from Lewis Orford. One to watch 

[On The Ball]

They're (DRC) looking good to qualify for the World Cup, which must have a fair bit to do with it. And he knows that England have got a LOT of right backs.

[southbankbornnbred]

Hasn't AWB just played for Congo? 

He has, you're right. Formally requested to switch, didn't he? I still can't get my head around the madness of the old "nah, I've tried that country...let me try this one now..."

[fraser]

Hasn't AWB just played for Congo? 

[southbankbornnbred]

The Bowen dilemma is obviously of big interest to us.

Like many on here, I think he should be in every squad due to his quality in his best position on the right and his ability to play down the left or centre. To me, he's a no-brainer for a squad at a major tournament. More so than Gordon, for example. Because he offers a greater goal threat.

But the interesting thing under Tuchel so far is what's happening with the defence. He's clearly trying to base his England side on being miserly. And so far, that's working. Albeit against poor or bang average sides. But now that Walker and Maguire are effectively gone from the international scene, and the likes of Chilwell and Shaw remain injury prone, Tuchel is having to rebuild his defence.

Konsa looks like somebody who has/will step up to international level - which gives the manager Guehi, Stones (when fit) and Konsa at CB. But he could do with some more depth there, and a guy who's dominant in the air. Wondering whether Branthwaite at Everton might become that fella, but it's early to tell. Right back seems well supplied even without Walker (although anybody would miss his extreme pace) because you've got a choice of James, AWB and Trent (albeit he really can't head the ball). Left back is still up for grabs, even though Tuchel looks set on the Arsenal kid.

He's still got a few big question marks about his side. And that's before you look at what to do in central midfield around Rice at #6 and Bellingham at either #8 or #10.

[Rossal]

Madueke i thought did well to be fair. Nice goal.   Shame for Bowen as he looked great when he came on.  

Maybe Tuchel won't take 11 defenders like Southgate used too and then he might have a chance.   Gordon had yet another drab performance, his place should be under threat. 

[fraser]

I've just read Madueke has made 5 goal contributions in 9 games for England so hardly no end product, I rarely watch England but after reading through this I thought he'd been useless 

[El Scorchio]

Bowen's versatility could get him a spot. he can play all three of the front positions. While you might take one Madueke or Rashford for one flank, you'd want to compliment them on the other with a Bowen or a Gordon because you know they'll always be 'on' if the bloke on the other wing is having a stinker. At least that's what I'd want anyway. The chances are too great of both Rashford and Madueke having a stinker to start them both in a big game. I feel like you can only carry one of those boom or bust players on a team in such games. The kid down the park who is really skillful and beat the odd player for fun but never know what to do with it or run into a blind alley. Bowen always will do the simple things well, change what he does according to how the game is going and still offer threat down one flank regardless of what's going on on the other. 

But yeah, he'll never be first choice despite his fabulous record for what's mostly been a pretty poor club side. 

[Sir Alf]

Qualifiers are almost meaningless nowadays for England. Its when we come up against Spain, France, Argentina, Brazil etc that we invariably hit “our ceiling”. Take Kane, scores for fun until it comes to tournaments proper. Never delivered in a major tournament and at 31 its unlikely he ever will now.  Think he still has a role of course but would like to see a younger and/or quicker striker taking over as a starter. Problem is Im not sure we have any English ones coming thru?

Anyway, good result to win away there by such a margin but ultimately it proves little. We need to see an England team that can beat the Spanish, French etc when it matters and I suspect we will come up short again.

Bowen? Doubt he will even go to the WC now unless one of Saka or Madeleke get injured. He’s clearly 3rd choice. His finishing is a strength and all round team play. He needs to score a few to get noticed but suspect his chances will be limited. 

Btw, best player or most influential for me was Rodgers.  Strong and powerful and set up the second goal beaitifully