England tonight

Yes, they are. We've a squad of really exciting young players. And Southgate is so impressive.

 

Yes, it’s all looking positive, Southgate is doing really well, comes across brilliantly. Will face tougher tasks but they could’t have done much more in their opening two qualifiers. Still hope the media keep their feet on the ground, they do like to get carried away. The nations cup finals will tell us a fair bit more, some good tests coming up.

 

I like the fact he said he had dumped all the silly formations used by some and gone back to a basic 4-3-3 with a dedicated wide man staying out wide, Despite what some say 4-3-3 and the other basic 4-4-2 are the best formations and used by the worlds most successful teams,

 

we genuinely look like a team that could win something. its an exciting time.

 

The great thing is,and it is an eye opener, the young tournament winning players coming through are not getting the same game time as the spanish/italian/german players BUT it doesn't matter at the moment-
Hudson Odoi- Chelsea wouldn't sell him to Bayern Munich yet rarely gets a game, he should be playing regularly.
Same with Loftus-Cheek,Foden etc.The under 21's are loaded with talent.

The germans are actually coming over here to st. george's park to see for themselves how the England set-up operates.
Personally, i would tell them no secrets but it shows the progress made.
England v. Germany U21 "friendly" tonight at Bournemouth- dont know if its on telly as the fecking sky q box has lost its marbles again.

 

it's on BT Sport.


I would welcome the likes of Hudson-Odoi, Loftus-Cheek and Phil Foden leaving for pastures new, either on loan or permanently if their clubs won't play them regularly enough. they are all obviously good enough to be playing top level domestic football, in England or otherwise. it's worked for Sancho. follow his lead, I say.

 

Impressive start to the qualifying campaign, and unlike many other previous era's, this team look quite ruthless as an attacking force, and they look to have plenty of goals in them. There cannot be much better in the world than Sterling and Kane at the moment.

Central defence is the weak leak at the moment. I like Maguire and Stones, but dont think there is much cover beyond them. Keane is okay covering against the likes of Montenegro, but would struggle against the stronger nations I reckon.
I really rate Chilwell, but thought Rose was very average last night. Right back we are fine with 3 good options

 

I'm not sure who we were playing but my memories on facebook flashed up today, 6 years ago I posted that it was embarrasing that England were struggling to beat a team with the same population as Nottingham. We have come such a long way since then and I actually enjoy watching England play now. I don't want to get over excited but the generation coming through now are very exciting.

 

Our best young CB was playing in midfield last night

 

Nottingham has a population of 11?

 

Yeah the one born in Kingston on Thames

 

Under today s daft rules on nationality he could probably have played for Jamaica then.

 

Replying to @Idlebantam and three good options at right back;

kyle Walker,kieran Trippier, trent A.A.,joe Gomez and aaron Wan(there's only wan) Bissaka makes a very healthy five options for me.
Very impressive.
Sure, we are a little light on numbers at goalkeeper and centre back but nothing to complain about.

 

the only position I can pinpoint as maybe being a LITTLE bit weak would be centre back - but I really rate Maguire highly, I think he is a quality quality player. I like John Stones too. beyond that, Keane is decent back-up, Rice can fill in, although he does seem to be more seen as a defensive midfielder at the moment. Dier could fill in too. and Joe Gomez is capable there.

I'd like another CB specialist with the ability of Maguire and Stones to come through but we have enough to get by.

 

I love how he (Southgate) is giving players chances for their performances at club level rather than their reputation.

I'm consistently reminded of Kevin Phillips not getting a start in Euro 2000 despite scoring 30 goals in 36 premier league games that same season. Only English man to ever win the European Golden Boot and he didn't even get a start for England in a major competition.

 

He is actually giving chances to players who aren't performing much at club level too, namely Hudson-Odoi and Barkley

 

At least he was in the 22, but hardly likely to start ahead of Shearer & Owen