Target man
Striker
Get Bowen on for Saka next
Hooray, at last a sensible assessment of last night.A professional, albeit attritional by the end, performance, but really lacking that impetus we’ve seen before.
I thought Fabregas’s analysis summed it up very well - Bellingham thrives in different systems and roles, while Foden appears lost outside of Guardiola’s structure. Part of that rests on Southgate, but it’s also on Foden too.
I understand looking to see if Alexander-Arnold can work in that midfield role as his expansive passing range can be really effective, but his inclusion stifles that midfield. I’m not entirely convinced the solution is to drop Bellingham deeper to accommodate Foden playing centrally either. Unless Bellingham adapts his own game, we’re at risk of being left unbalanced doing that.
Otherwise I thought Saka played well, the defence stood up to what was actually a decent challenge, Vlahovic and Mitrovic being two really savvy forwards.
Work to do, and we’ll really have to improve and get more fluidity if we’re to trouble the bigger teams, but a solid start not too dissimilar to how we started the last Euros against Croatia.
Sorry only just seen this. Yep fans were good as usual probably 25k plus England and 15k Serbians who were very loud but they only had about 2 chants.What's the fan mood like buddy?
The thing is we have never started an International tournament at pace, we grow into the events. It happens every time and we grow as the games progress. This is not a new thing with England, previous managers have experienced exactly the same. The time to look with scrutiny will be if we get out of the group, and how we have done it.Watched all of the games thus far and it was the slowest paced game, we keep good possession but without penetrating Serbia's midfield into area's that Foden and Kane like to occupy .
even Romania just now attached with a purpose and got the ball forward and out wide quickly, have been impressed with Germany and Italy and lets hope we grow into the tournament as last night was very predictable for a half decent Serbia side to work us out
6.5/10
True. I recall Euro 96. We were woeful opening against Switzerland and went onto smash Holland before agonisingly missing out in the semi v Germany. Played some great football as we grew into the tournament. Then again, we made the final last time around and after going 1-0 up, sat back. I hope lessons have been learned, as last night didn't show that.The thing is we have never started an International tournament at pace, we grow into the events. It happens every time and we grow as the games progress. This is not a new thing with England, previous managers have experienced exactly the same. The time to look with scrutiny will be if we get out of the group, and how we have done it.
This is all true, there’s also been worse results we’ve kicked off tournaments with. I’d love to see a bit more attacking flair and send out a statement but that’s not how we play, is it. It’s about getting through, which will be a lot easier now with a win on the board.True. I recall Euro 96. We were woeful opening against Switzerland and went onto smash Holland before agonisingly missing out in the semi v Germany. Played some great football as we grew into the tournament. Then again, we made the final last time around and after going 1-0 up, sat back. I hope lessons have been learned, as last night didn't show that.