The Three Lions

Pickford
Walker - Stones - Gomez - ???(Danny Rose?!)
Wilshere - Henderson - ????(would have been Ox but he is injured)
Ali - Kane - Sterling

Missing a midfielder and a left back. Need proper PL experts to put that in for me.

Based on the 3-4-3 that we're planning on using:

Pickford; Stones, Dier, Maguire; Walker, Henderson, Wilshere, Rose; Sterling, Lingard; Kane

Tbh, you could have Butland or even Nick Pope in goal and it wouldn't make much different quality-wise. We're really short on good centre backs, hence Dier in the backline instead of midfield. Wilshere has to go for his ability to break lines, which we won't have in Chamberlain's absence. If Lallana was fully up to speed he'd be in there somewhere. Maybe swap Lingard for Alli, but I think Lingard would take some of the creative burden from Sterling.

Absolutely tragic stuff. 0 expectations besides making it out of the groups this tournament.

No edition of this squad looks even good for a QF exit.

Lingard and Kane haven't looked decent in months which is a worry as those and a Sterling that rarely performs for England are like the only saving grace in the entire lineup. Shame about Ox's injury ffs.

dammit i forgot so many players

I don't expect much but I think this is a squad that realises its limitations and is committing to a more reactive approach, if recent games are anything to go by. It's short on quality at the back and in midfield, but the attacking options are actually very good. Between Kane, Vardy, Rashford, Alli, Lingard, Sterling and whoever else we want to bring, we should be able to nick a few goals at least.

We're fortunate that we play Panama and Tunisia first before Belgium. So we should qualify from the group at least. Maybe reach the QFs if we get a good match and don't *bleep* up like we did at the Euros.

Given how insanely weak the group is, you'll most definitely reach the knockout rounds. After that, it's Russian roulette.

Panama is nothing but a win, not gonna entertain anything other than that. Tunisia might be more challenging. Belgium, well, that is the match that'll decide if either/or finishing 2nd.

England actually have a good chance to make QF's this time. they'll likely draw Poland if they finish 2nd who are good as well but they lack international pedigree(inb4 mystats) so the tie could go either way

England vs Poland would be ufff

lot of violence in the streets as people turn on their neighbours

There's zero explanation why Lascelles shouldn't be starting, best English CB this season by a considerable distance.

Actually defends and is a natural born leader not seen since Terry retired, but Southgate will pick some bums because they can pass to their fullback one second and let their opposing striker slip by them the next.

2nd highest rated player from Newcastle on whoscored. Yeah, I like his stats, kinda. Never heard of him till you mentioned but I've been following him since his career started. Great, top lad.

Would probably not make the squad though.

Doc wrote:2nd highest rated player from Newcastle on whoscored. Yeah, I like his stats, kinda. Never heard of him till you mentioned but I've been following him since his career started. Great, top lad.

Would probably not make the squad though.

Seriously I don't hype up most of our trash.

He's an excellent defender and all of England CBs are absolutely trash.

had to verify he was english and not french after that post tbh

if we're playing Dier at CB we should be taking any half competent fit CB ffs

Hopefully we take Sancho and Sessegnon so at least there can be some excitement in our team.

Only thing going against Lascelles at this point is that he's not been part of Southgate's plans and it can be tough to introduce an uncapped defender to the team so late on. I think he's one who makes the 35-man provisional squad (which was submitted today) but won't make the final 23-man squad.

Though given the choice between him and, say, Walker as a RCB again, I'd prefer Lascelles.

Gomez and Ox will miss the WC, Lallana is not match fit enough. ATA might get called up.

Guessing no one particularly rates Stones or Gomez here. Not I personally do but still, it's gonna be Stones - Dier partnership. Somehow.

Firenze wrote:had to verify he was english and not french after that post tbh

if we're playing Dier at CB we should be taking any half competent fit CB ffs

He punched Diame in January and since he's looked Toure 2.0

We need more leaders who will grab the game by the scruff of the neck and not suffer bullshit imo.

Enough of these weak players who don't stand for themselves like Stones who weighs about 70 lbs.

Doc wrote:Guessing no one particularly rates Stones or Gomez here. Not I personally do but still, it's gonna be Stones - Dier partnership. Somehow.

Gomez is out for the WC. He wouldn't start for England if he was fit as well.

Doc wrote:Guessing no one particularly rates Stones or Gomez here. Not I personally do but still, it's gonna be Stones - Dier partnership. Somehow.

I like Gomez, but have gone off Stones a bit. It's going to be three at the back (the last trio we played was Stones/Jones/Walker iirc, maybe Cahill was in there somewhere), so that disguises Stones' weaknesses a bit and makes use of his passing, which is really the main reason he's in the side.

S wrote:England actually have a good chance to make QF's this time. they'll likely draw Poland if they finish 2nd who are good as well but they lack international pedigree(inb4 mystats) so the tie could go either way

Yeah unlike last time they are not in the Group of death. Even Belgium is winnable, Martinez is a terrible coach. Group opposite them is also the second worst in the tournament. Quarter finals is quite likely tbh.

Tbh Stones doesn't even annoy me, its understandable with how Southgate wants to play but pretty much everyone else would.

All of them are utter trash.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:There's zero explanation why Lascelles shouldn't be starting, best English CB this season by a considerable distance.

Actually defends and is a natural born leader not seen since Terry retired, but Southgate will pick some bums because they can pass to their fullback one second and let their opposing striker slip by them the next.

I thought you didn't watch football