The Euro 2024 Thread

[SNSUN]

 

On 04/06/2024 at 07:55, SNSUN said:

Yep, positive.

I guess it depends on injuries but at the moment my list of the 7 players that will get cut is:

Trafford

Quansah

Dunk (or Guehi, undecided but Guehi is more versatile which we may need)

Wharton (he looked promising yesterday but I don't think Southgate takes him yet).

Jones

Gordon

I'm glad I'm not the one making the decisions though! Gordon I chose to omit over Bowen - his time might yet come but Bowen is the more experienced option with goals in him if it comes down to use needing him (and Bowen can also play as a striker if something happens to Watkins or Kane. There are also arguments as to whether Toney goes over Watkins but I think I'd take Watkins as the other striker. I tried to make the argument to take all 3 strikers but it would mean leaving o ne of Eze or Maddison out and I favour taking them over a 3rd striker (with Bowen as the possible 3rd striker if needed).

Put it this way - we're lucky the squad was extended to 26 players as cutting another 3 from that would have been REALLY difficult! 

James Maddison has been cut from the England squad. So that's one of the 7 decided. I thought we'd take him. So now I think we might be taking Wharton - so we have more CM options and it means Bellingham can move forwards into the 10.

[Lighthouse]

Is there a reason why only Maddison has been cut now, with the final squad not being confirmed until this weekend? Seems a bit odd to announce this separately from the other six.

[hypochondriac]

5 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Is there a reason why only Maddison has been cut now, with the final squad not being confirmed until this weekend? Seems a bit odd to announce this separately from the other six.

Maybe he isn't playing in the next game whilst the others are and so have another chance to force themselves in? 

[notnowcato]

Can’t help but think we’re sacrificing creative talent because they’ve failed to create a central defensive pairing due to the ridiculous loyalty shown to Maguire, therefore we’ll be overloaded with defenders some of whom have a handful of caps between them. 
 

Southgate has dug this hole. 

Edited 6 June, 2024 by notnowcato

[goodymatt]

Jones and Quansah also cut from the squad. 4 more to go.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Is there going to be a public vote round?

 

[SNSUN]

58 minutes ago, goodymatt said:

Jones and Quansah also cut from the squad. 4 more to go.

I would say those two were expected - both have too many players in front of them. Jones looks decent though, he's one for the future - I haven't seen much of Quansah so I don't know if he's the real deal or if he was selected because he's played a few games for the best team in the world.

[Jeremy Corbyn]

5 hours ago, notnowcato said:

Can’t help but think we’re sacrificing creative talent because they’ve failed to create a central defensive pairing due to the ridiculous loyalty shown to Maguire, therefore we’ll be overloaded with defenders some of whom have a handful of caps between them. 
 

Southgate has dug this hole. 

I expect at least 2 more CBs to be dropped, possible 3 and a keeper, that'll even things out.  Going in to the tournament with Kane, Watkins, Toney, Saka, Foden, Gordon, Bowen, Bellingham, Palmer and Grealish (as the moral guy) as attackers is very strong, not sure Maddison improves that pool by much.

[hypochondriac]

Seems absolutely crazy to lose Maddison and Grealish from the squad. Where is the bit of magic and creativity going to come from off the bench of we are struggling to break teams down? Southgate is so uninspiring. 

[S-Clarke]

I can understand why Maddison was dropped, if it was based on the first half of this season he'd be a shoe in - but since Christmas (and his injury) he has been dogshit for Spurs, even their fans are wondering what happened to him. I was surprised he was initially called up really.

I think with the likes of Saka, Foden, Eze, Palmer, Gordon we have more than enough in those attacking wide areas - so losing Grealish and Maddison makes sense to me.

[SambaMaverick]

11 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Seems absolutely crazy to lose Maddison and Grealish from the squad. Where is the bit of magic and creativity going to come from off the bench of we are struggling to break teams down? Southgate is so uninspiring. 

Seems Southgate is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. Those two have been shite for months, so he's going with players who are bang in form for the smaller sides (Eze/Gordon). Makes sense to me.

[SambaMaverick]

Not sure about dropping Maguire though, blimey. He's not put a foot wrong for England at a tournament.

He's injured, nevermind.

Edited 6 June, 2024 by SambaMaverick

[AlexLaw76]

22 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Seems absolutely crazy to lose Maddison and Grealish from the squad. Where is the bit of magic and creativity going to come from off the bench of we are struggling to break teams down? Southgate is so uninspiring. 

Palmer is way a head of both of them 

[hypochondriac]

20 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Palmer is way a head of both of them 

Agreed. Is jarrod bowen? 

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

Agreed. Is jarrod bowen? 

this season...probably..Eze would be in the mix also.

Grealish has done nothing this season, and Maddison has been poor for a few months.

[SNSUN]

Maguire out? 

[Saint Fan CaM]

Funny, I watched the game thinking England looked like Saints with better players, but actually not as entertaining. I don’t rate our chances unless they improve their game by 20%.

[SNSUN]

35 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Palmer is way a head of both of them 

And he's earned his slot.

TBF Southgate has been making the right calls so far IMO... Grealish I'm on the fence about but Eze offers us something different. Put it this way... if Foden, Saka,  Bellingham and Kane stay fit, nobody is getting a look in (unless we win the first two games and put a scratch squad out for the third group game).

[SNSUN]

20 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Agreed. Is jarrod bowen? 

It looks as if we may be taking Watkins and Toney as back up to Kane but Bowen can play striker as well as anywhere across the 3 attacking midfield positions. His versatility could be crucial - and his domestic goal record is also good.

[AlexLaw76]

6 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

And he's earned his slot.

TBF Southgate has been making the right calls so far IMO... Grealish I'm on the fence about but Eze offers us something different. Put it this way... if Foden, Saka,  Bellingham and Kane stay fit, nobody is getting a look in (unless we win the first two games and put a scratch squad out for the third group game).

Agree. Bowen, Gordon and Palmer are miles ahead of Grealish, and to a lesser extent Maddison. Eze would the one in the conversation between them two.

Grealish needs to leave Man City IMO. His numbers are consistently terrible

[SNSUN]

13 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Agree. Bowen, Gordon and Palmer are miles ahead of Grealish, and to a lesser extent Maddison. Eze would the one in the conversation between them two.

Grealish needs to leave Man City IMO. His numbers are consistently terrible

There is quality there with Grealish - that ball to Trent (copyright) on Monday showed it. It was a decent finish by Trent (copyright) but the vision from Grealish was excellent. The issue with him is consistency and lack of game time. He's only played 1000 minutes all season (or equivalent to 11 games). (Edit... in the Prem....)

Not good enough when we only have potentially 7 games to win a tournament.

Edited 6 June, 2024 by SNSUN

[whelk]

8 hours ago, goodymatt said:

Jones and Quansah also cut from the squad. 4 more to go.

Neither of whom should be in it. Madison and Grealish far harsher

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, whelk said:

Neither of whom should be in it. Madison and Grealish far harsher

Agree with you. I'd have taken one of them at least. Everton fans spitting feathers that Branthwaite hasn't made it. I've no idea what he's like. 

[whelk]

Gomez should be cut

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

Agree with you. I'd have taken one of them at least. Everton fans spitting feathers that Branthwaite hasn't made it. I've no idea what he's like. 

Braithwaite's omission will get added attention as he has been linked heavily with Man United, and many journos picked him in their squads and they will not like being wrong

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, whelk said:

Gomez should be cut

I can only imagine that his inclusion is that he is half decent at LB.....but you are right, does not deserve a spot at all.

[whelk]

3 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Agree with you. I'd have taken one of them at least. Everton fans spitting feathers that Branthwaite hasn't made it. I've no idea what he's like. 

So unbalanced in have so much talent in some areas and in defence and centre forward got very little apart from Kane. Toney and Watkins been shit in internationals but can’t say anyone better but sad state of affairs when we had eras when likes of Fowler, Wright  were 5th choice 

[SNSUN]

3 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Braithwaite's omission will get added attention as he has been linked heavily with Man United, and many journos picked him in their squads and they will not like being wrong

TBF I had him in my squad over Dunk or Guehi (before we found out Maguire was out). Particularly Dunk. But then Dunk is a specialist CB and with Maguire out, I can see why Southgate has selected him. In fact I believe I picked Braithwaite for my starting line up on that BBC picker thing. 

Shows what I know about football. We all know THB should be going...

[whelk]

There is no player called Braithwaite!

[AlexLaw76]

3 minutes ago, whelk said:

So unbalanced in have so much talent in some areas and in defence and centre forward got very little apart from Kane. Toney and Watkins been shit in internationals but can’t say anyone better but sad state of affairs when we had eras when likes of Fowler, Wright  were 5th choice 

The balance of the team/squad means little, when we have the greatest player ever(tm), Trent, lording it up

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, whelk said:

There is no player called Braithwaite!

Auto correct 🤪

[whelk]

Odds on Luke Shaw being fit?

[AlexLaw76]

However, a Squad without Maguire, Phillips, and Henderson.

Is Gareth OK?

[whelk]

1 minute ago, AlexLaw76 said:

However, a Squad without Maguire, Phillips, and Henderson.

Is Gareth OK?

And Rashford and Sterling

[SNSUN]

12 minutes ago, whelk said:

There is no player called Braithwaite!

Been typing about Adrian Mole's girlfriend much?

12 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

The balance of the team/squad means little, when we have the greatest player ever(tm), Trent, lording it up

Trent (copyright)

3 minutes ago, whelk said:

Odds on Luke Shaw being fit?

Risk worth taking? We have no other specialist left backs.

2 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

However, a Squad without Maguire, Phillips, and Henderson.

Is Gareth OK?

As long as people don't clamour for them when we're knocked out, I'm very happy with that! 😁

[Turkish]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

Agreed. Is jarrod bowen? 

No. I’d have hard Grealish in there he’s got that bit of class to open teams up, keep the ball and draw defenders in, plus he wins lots of free kicks. Very surprised he’s not in it. Cole Palmer deserves to be there, been very good this season. 

[S-Clarke]

Only one I'm surprised by is Dunk or Gomez for Jarrad Branthwaite - he should have been in ahead of one of those two.

The rest kind of makes sense. Picked on form for a change rather than past endeavours. (i.e Sterling/Henderson)

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Surprised at Grealish, for much of the same reasons as @Turkish. He gives a number of options to get past defences.

But then, I've not seen much of the PL this year, and have heard more than seen good things about Eze and Palmer. Gordon has looked good whenever I've seen him. Some of the others are stand ins for Kane. Tough choice to make.

Lots of talent, but a little bare in some places.

[AlexLaw76]

[Midfield_General]

Gomez is in because he can play all across the back and if Shaw doesn’t get fit we’ll need him as cover for Trippier at left back.

Dunk has been an absolute liability every time he’s played for England and I’m stunned he’s in, even without Maguire. God help us if he has to play against any of the big boys, he’ll get torn to pieces. 

Wharton’s a weird one. Loads of potential for sure but is someone as risk-averse as Southgate really going to trust him when the pressure’s on in a major finals? Got Walcott 2006 all over it, that one. 

Edited 6 June, 2024 by Midfield_General

[Turkish]

37 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

“Trent” down as a midfielder FFS

Look very light in midfield to me Wharton and Mainoo come in from no where with very little experience. Shaw hasn’t played for months so big question mark there also who plays alongside Stone

[notnowcato]

Have I missed something? Why are we announcing the squad before the final friendly?

[hypochondriac]

5 minutes ago, notnowcato said:

Have I missed something? Why are we announcing the squad before the final friendly?

He said during the press conference that he can bring in other players should someone get injured tomorrow. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

2 minutes ago, notnowcato said:

Have I missed something? Why are we announcing the squad before the final friendly?

The deadline is 11pm tomorrow. (Why yes, I did just have to look it up 🙂)

Southgate going to be using only those with a chance of playing.

That would lead to a load of noise around those not starting, or not involved. And those players would want to know too. So, Southgate has told them before hand. Which is decent enough. Pretty rubbish to not start, then see the subs go by, and then not get picked.

I guess scheduling the reason why the friendly is on the eve of selection. But odd from an injury point of view. Although they can bring folk in.

 

 

[Turkish]

35 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

Gomez is in because he can play all across the back and if Shaw doesn’t get fit we’ll need him as cover for Trippier at left back.

Dunk has been an absolute liability every time he’s played for England and I’m stunned he’s in, even without Maguire. God help us if he has to play against any of the big boys, he’ll get torn to pieces. 

Wharton’s a weird one. Loads of potential for sure but is someone as risk-averse as Southgate really going to trust him when the pressure’s on in a major finals? Got Walcott 2006 all over it, that one. 

For me it’s Wharton or Mainoo, can’t take both. Defence is a big concern looks very light and if Rice gets a knock we really don’t have anyone who can step in. Lots of quality going forward and at right back, a real lack of it everywhere else 

[Midfield_General]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

For me it’s Wharton or Mainoo, can’t take both. Defence is a big concern looks very light and if Rice gets a knock we really don’t have anyone who can step in. Lots of quality going forward and at right back, a real lack of it everywhere else 

Yep. With the attacking options we've got I think we'll breeze through the group and the quarter finals just outscoring the weaker teams without really having to worry about the defence, then we'll get schooled by the first team who have the quality to exploit our weaknesses at the back, which will almost certainly be France in the semi final. Defences win international tournaments, and no way does that squad have enough in defence or defensive mid to win it. 

[Midfield_General]

18 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

The deadline is 11pm tomorrow. (Why yes, I did just have to look it up 🙂)

Southgate going to be using only those with a chance of playing.

That would lead to a load of noise around those not starting, or not involved. And those players would want to know too. So, Southgate has told them before hand. Which is decent enough. Pretty rubbish to not start, then see the subs go by, and then not get picked.

I guess scheduling the reason why the friendly is on the eve of selection. But odd from an injury point of view. Although they can bring folk in.

 

 

They're also only allowed to name a 26-man squad for the Iceland game, rather than the 33 for Bosnia. So if he already knows who he's taking and he just wants to use the last friendly to try a few things, there's no point drawing it out and keeping the ones around who he knows aren't going to feature in that match or go to the tournament. 

[egg]

Some interesting choices there. I'd have taken Grealish ahead of Eze or Bowen, and Branthwaite ahead of Guehi who's been out for too long and looked shit the other day. Shaw's a risk, but a risk worth taking for me. 

[whelk]

2 hours ago, Turkish said:

“Trent” down as a midfielder FFS

Look very light in midfield to me Wharton and Mainoo come in from no where with very little experience. Shaw hasn’t played for months so big question mark there also who plays alongside Stone

If you went by fantasy football categorisation 7 of our 10 forwards are midfielders 

[whelk]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

For me it’s Wharton or Mainoo, can’t take both. Defence is a big concern looks very light and if Rice gets a knock we really don’t have anyone who can step in. Lots of quality going forward and at right back, a real lack of it everywhere else 

That is why Wharton is in. Only plays if Rice doesn’t