Holmes_and_Watson

Down

Inertia

I saw Maguire as a player to bring on when struggling to break team's down. You know, you're going to take a few more risks. But he's there as a threat from set pieces, proven disruption ability, and still provide defensive cover. Getting done for pace might be an issue. But a player who fits a requirement in tournaments, when you need to grind out a result.

Someone didn't get an invite. H&W from NYC!

The voice of BBC football, across the website and podcasts too. 🙂

Is that the one where you have to lob a brick through a window, while chanting abuse?

It needed some risks to be taken, just to get the numbers in attacking positions to make a difference. At least a couple of one v ones against an England defender. Not surprisingly, Rice immediately became a better right back. Tuchel then had to have Stones filled in at the end. Daft selections, as many said at the time. It's a side dragged over the line by the sheer quality of a few individuals. As a side, there's plenty of issues.

Finally getting enough bodies in there, and Kane staying put to do what he does best.

Behind Lando, is Lobot being fed Russell Martin instructions to become the perfect drone. 🙂

Tuchel's selection means he's got no full backs to try and give the attackers more options. Still, as we go into the 4th quarter, he has Maguire to push up. Oh wait, he smugly chose not to.

One angle showed the keeper make contact - hand on the ankle. But Kane was already waiting to go down, with the ball quite a bit ahead of him. Too theatrical for the official's liking. I'm still thinking it was a penalty though.

England, at least getting a few chances in. Bellingham upping the tempo. But, like Kane, is in places where others should be. Just lots of poor decision making. Madueke seems to not be able to get past his opening run, where there was no one in the box. He's trying, but Saka is the one able to compensate for England being disjointed, and turn a game. On the other side Rashford's control deserted him a few times. Everyone looks as though they need a focal point. And that's not always Kane, who can be anywhere. Bellingham hasn't then moved to take up that space often enough. England have been at their best, when he has. If it stays like this, there will be a number of E ngland defenders quick to send Tuchel a sympathy note. Spence has been a weak link.

There's no surprise in how England are playing. We've seen the same issues already in this WC. They've just also managed to concede, and look a bit rattled. Madueke looking to make an early delivery, with no one in the box. Poor decisions and delivery, when there are players in there. Forward players getting in each others way. Not the best full backs No real partnerships in the side. So, no dynamism in the play. DRC crowding the middle, knowing England will just pass it across the field.

Uh oh Acres of space. Just after the tators were bigging England up, saying DRC would give them lots of space. DRC with plenty of decent experience, so can't be taken lightly

What could be more working class than mining? Crypto mining, gold mining...