Men's Soccer (Football) Thread Soccer • Page 353

I agree that Walker has generally done well as the right side of a back 3, but I think we've normally played a right ring back next to him when we've done that in the past (Trippier or TAA). Saka is a far more attacking player though and last night it looked like we were playing a back three with a wingback for the left side and a back 4 for the right. Walker and Saka's roles looked a bit of a state to me, particularly in the second half.

I think we were caught in no man's land last night. Tactically, we wanted to play a 3-4-2-1, but given the players that Southgate favours as being key, there wasn't really a sensible way to field an actual right wingback (TAA would be obvious) and still keep Saka on the field.

 

Pafundi looks like a star in the making @Garrett Plays for Udinese and was the youngest player to be capped by Italy in 100 years.

 

Rosenberg was the first non Irish team I ever saw play live lol. Went to a European game of a league of Ireland competitor against them at like 7/8 years old.

 

Pafundi is off to Lausanne permanently. He was on a loan + obligation second half of last season, supposedly earmarked to join United soon. Might go to Nice first.

 

My mistake, thought he was on loan from Udinese and going back to Udinese next season!

 

this certainly looks like right back positioning to me



this is also, for me, a classic back four set up with Walker at right back. I can concede that I am not a tactico, never played, but for all I’ve ever seen this is Walker being positioned and playing as a right back in a back four

 

Thoughts on if Graelish and Maddison being left out were the best decisions?

 

Two more players who want the ball to feet. Needed runners in behind. Grealish would have given more of a reference point on the left which maybe balances the team, allowing them to recirculate the ball more easily and push up. But you can rationalize any player making the key difference if you really try. Ultimately there was more than enough attacking quality at Southgate's disposal to perform much better even if Spain had still got over the line.

 

I think there were bigger issues. Both of them ended the season in poor form, and probably wouldn’t have been there on merit.

Our issues were having no fit left back in the whole squad, Kane being unfit yet starting every game, Rice being knackered and missing a natural playmaker in midfield alongside him, Foden not fitting the system, Southgate being unwilling to drop big names to benefit the team, and his ability to make proactive subs.

It’s a miracle we got to the final. Hopefully we get a more competent coach.

 

Olise, Simons, Doue all in the same window would be silly.

 

Selling Gnabry Coman and sane would be nice tho

 

It’s amazing to me he never tried this once

Kane
Gordon - Foden - Saka
Bellingham - Rice

A physically dynamic ball carrier from deep partnered with Rice, two rapid wide men cutting in or coming short for the ball at feet. A number 10 who specializes at finding space inside the box working off of a number 9 who likes to drop deeper and could link up with Foden or find through balls to the wide men running beyond.

 

Based on form heading into the tourney the only thing I would have almost guaranteed from Grealish was him getting fouled and likely setting up set pieces in "dangerous" areas.

 

Daniel comeuppance.

 

Welcome to United.

 

Best spell of supporting England in my life during Gareth's reign (despite how maddening this Euros was).

Thanks Big G.

 

Inevitable, certainly doesn't come as a shock anyway. I see Potter is the bookies favourite.

 

Now over to the FA to find a manager who can retain all the positives Southgate brought to the role and add that extra bit of decisiveness most people think he was lacking.

I am not confident we'll build on the good work he's done. You would hope that the FA have been succession planning for a while, but given it was repeatedly reported that they wanted him to stay, I have a horrible feeling they won't have prepared for this.

 

As a scotsman, i thought he was a very professional manager for England. Having grown up around the Eriksen and Capello eras, he was night and day.

 

If they have been succession planning, it should be Lee Carsley. He's done some great work through the youth set-ups. He's also one of my favourite Everton players, though, so perhaps I'm biased lol

 

Gregg’s available. Give him a call. He’s won five continental trophies this decade.

 

Gareth did some great work. Came in at our lowest, and totally changed the feeling inside and outside the camp.

Ultimately, he stayed a tournament too long and his coaching flaws were highlighted, but he can be very proud of the work he did.

This next appointment feels pretty massive. Howe and Potter are probably the leading candidates?

 

Carsley seems almost too obvious. I also think there's a difference between the U21 gig and the main job purely in terms of scrutiny.

I'm really not sold on Potter, he needs to take on egos and we all saw what happened at Chelsea. Klopp, amazing as it would be, I doubt wants the gig. Not massively convinced Poch wants it tbh but if he does the FA should be knocking down his door. I also rate Howe.

Gerrard and Lampard should have their numbers blocked. Oh, and most importantly, Steve Holland has to go.

 

I suspect it's going to be Potter. He's been turning down jobs left, right and centre. Obviously still getting paid by Chelsea to sit at home, so can hold out for a job he really wants.

Carsley would be interesting. I don't really know too much about him as a manager, other than seeing every now and again that he's done a good job with the U21s.