The on topic thread 4.0

[Frank Bunn]

Starts with no striker and Bellingham as false 9. Watkins and Solanke would’ve been happy

For the most part Bellingham as a false 9 worked well. He was dropping into the midfield to link the play like Kane often does. Palmer and Gordon missed good chances while England had that formation. It was more strange to have both Watkins and Solanke on the field for the final 25 minutes.

There was some very sloppy defending and not just for the goals. Carsley will have to work out whether his system was to blame, the players not understanding his system, his selections, or if it was down to individual errors.

 

[QuietB]

There's handbrake off and there's handbrake removed from the car. It is difficult to start all those players, could have maybe taken out Gordon and put Foden on the left with Watkins up top. That would have made a more balanced side imo and kept many of those attacking players in. I think the one thing people are missing is the use of TAA and Lewis. At times it looked like both were playing inverted into the middle and it was easy to get down the wings. I think Pep has it right most times in that style where he has 1 player who can play that and 3 proper defenders. Either Lewis or TAA does that, you put a proper defender on the opposite side.

Pep has Rodri as well. England have no one like Rodri.

Even when Kllopp was in his heavy metal phase at Liverpool he still had Henderson and Wijnaldum dropping back to defend and obviously Fabinho.

 

[Bradesmaen]

Pep has Rodri as well. England have no one like Rodri.

Even when Kllopp was in his heavy metal phase at Liverpool he still had Henderson and Wijnaldum dropping back to defend and obviously Fabinho.

Rice ain't Rodri, but he also ain't bad.

 

[Bradesmaen]

Nottingham Forest fined £750,000 by FA after questioning integrity of match officials

Nottingham Forest fined £750,000 by FA after questioning integrity of match officials

www.bbc.com

Serves them right.

 

[moomba]

Deal apparently agreed for Hugo Viana to replace Txiki.

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

For the most part Bellingham as a false 9 worked well. He was dropping into the midfield to link the play like Kane often does. Palmer and Gordon missed good chances while England had that formation. It was more strange to have both Watkins and Solanke on the field for the final 25 minutes.

There was some very sloppy defending and not just for the goals. Carsley will have to work out whether his system was to blame, the players not understanding his system, his selections, or if it was down to individual errors.

Well sounds like Carsley won’t try that again. They had one shot on target in the first half. It was a confusing mess. Palmer as a second holding mid ..sort of? Foden and Bellingham got in each others and others way. And then on the counter they were exposed completely. Can’t blame defenders for that.

Carsley said he thought of it only because he was missing Kane and that they had only spent 20 mins practicing it! Imagine what you’re thinking if you’re Solanke or Watkins? Then he goes with two strikers last 20 mins. A decent too 20 side would have blown them away.

Reminds me oddly of Matthew Knights when he was Essendon coach. Went all out attack with no defensive structure just so people, fans/journos, would like him.

In this case Carsley went too far to be anti Southgate. Bizzare

 

[typeclub]

England trying to save money or something? Why do they have this random in charge?

 

[Frank Bunn]

Well sounds like Carsley won’t try that again. They had one shot on target in the first half. It was a confusing mess. Palmer as a second holding mid ..sort of? Foden and Bellingham got in each others and others way. And then on the counter they were exposed completely. Can’t blame defenders for that.

Carsley said he thought of it only because he was missing Kane and that they had only spent 20 mins practicing it! Imagine what you’re thinking if you’re Solanke or Watkins? Then he goes with two strikers last 20 mins. A decent too 20 side would have blown them away.

Reminds me oddly of Matthew Knights when he was Essendon coach. Went all out attack with no defensive structure just so people, fans/journos, would like him.

In this case Carsley went too far to be anti Southgate. Bizzare

I didn't mind the experiment of a false 9 really. Kane had a poor Euros and there's no replacement who is anywhere near as good. Carsley could have played it safe to try to strengthen his case for the top job but I respect that he chose to be attacking. Clearly 20 minutes practise of a different system isn't enough!

They were definitely exposed on the counter. If you are pushing both FBs forward like Liverpool did under Klopp you need a mid to drop back to help Rice. None of the mids he picked were suited for that role. There were a couple of howlers from Pickford that should have been punished. Greece's first goal came when Saka was at walking pace due his injury and he failed to put on any pressure. He should have sat down 2 minutes before that and got himself subbed off.

The press reaction has been OTT. Sure it was the wrong result but who gives a shit about the Nations League? And some of the journalists have their knickers in a twist about Carsley not singing the national anthem.

 

[moomba]

Deal apparently agreed for Hugo Viana to replace Txiki.

That's been confirmed now. He'll join in the summer, Txiki will stay on until after the club world cup.

Big shoes to fill.

 

[QuietB]

Trent at left back is creative