England squad announcement - Euro 2020 qualifiers 07/11

[Guest An Sionnach]

3 minutes ago, RumbleFox said:

To be fair, Ox looked really good. He's technically superb. If he keeps fit and nails down a role he's a very good player. Stick Hamza and Maddy in next to him and Vardy up top and we'll be world beaters. X 

Only a bench player for Liverpool , never ever judge a player by international football , millions have been wasted on players who looked good against teams like Montenegro and utterly crap against Watford.

[brucey]

33 minutes ago, davieG said:

Henderson and Gomez both out of the next game.

Not suspicious at all 

[Sunbury Fox]

22 hours ago, Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot said:

Henderson has to be the pivot with Madison and Ox ahead

Sadly, there is zero chance of Maddison starting in the Euros. In Southgate's mind he is 5th choice behind Henderson, Ox, Mount and Barkley for a starting role in one of the two number 8 positions. It's possible he won't even make the squad if Foden starts playing regularly in the PL for Man City. Southgate clearly doesn't like and/or rate Maddison. If he doesn't even select him when Henderson and Barkley are both out what chance does he have? It's frankly insulting that a reserve at Liverpool and a promising yet inferior and less experienced player got in ahead of Maddison, who is in the form of his life, on Thursday. But that's where we are.

 

It is of course typical of England to waste its most talented midfielders. We've always done it. Even Gascoigne, arguably the greatest midfield talent that England have had in my lifetime, had to wait too long to start games for England. There are loads of other examples including Hoddle, Scholes, etc. It's why I've lost any enthusiasm for England. I find Southgate biased and totally uninspiring and I'm certain we will lose again when we face decent opposition with him in charge. 

 

Rant over!

[RumbleFox]

1 hour ago, An Sionnach said:

Only a bench player for Liverpool , never ever judge a player by international football , millions have been wasted on players who looked good against teams like Montenegro and utterly crap against Watford.

I'm genuinely not sure what you mean? I didn't advocate buying him? Just saying he's a decent player? Good point, well made though. X 

[RowlattsFox]

No surprise to see a couple of Liverpool players pull out, especially now we're qualified. Surprised Alexander Arnold and The Ox haven't too. 

[Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot]

Ox has been injured a long time, he was heavily involved with England before his injury, is one I'd certainly keep in mind to be starting at the Euros, offers a lot compared to the others under consideration in this system.

[UniFox21]

2 minutes ago, Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot said:

Ox has been injured a long time, he was heavily involved with England before his injury, is one I'd certainly keep in mind to be starting at the Euros, offers a lot compared to the others under consideration in this system.

He offers something in that formation 100%, and is a talented player. His injuries have hampered his development, but I understand the frustration of him starting over a player such as Maddison with consistent game time. But, as was said, it's a single game against a lower class team. Lets see if he can continue to produce quality over a longer period of games. 

 

Have to say though, did anyone really notice Mount in the game, seemed fairly absent to me.

[Dan]

Just beyond me that they allowed this Sterling / Gomez thing to get out.

 

It's all pathetic.

[UniFox21]

 

Mings set to start, deserves it anyhow. Hoping Wilson or Tomori get some game time as well 

[HybridFox]

Just realised we'll be seeing the legend that is the Kosovo manager again today 

[Corky]

Apparently Southgate was "frustrated" that Maguire was playing every game for Man United and needed a rest.

 

So he picks him for both matches, it would appear.

[HybridFox]

7 minutes ago, Corky said:

Apparently Southgate was "frustrated" that Maguire was playing every game for Man United and needed a rest.

 

So he picks him for both matches, it would appear.

Remember when he was linked with the Man United job last summer. Match made in heaven 

[Foxxed]

18 minutes ago, TK95 said:

Remember when he was linked with the Man United job last summer. Match made in heaven 

They sack ole, the glaziers stay and they appoint southgate  They'll end up like Everton, mid table and playing on their history and fading big club status. Unlike now where...

[UniFox21]

Looks like Pope and Hudson-Odoi set to start tonight.

[purpleronnie]

It would be nice to ease to a win today, its one of only 2 slightly difficult matches we have in this group, we lost the other one.

[HybridFox]

Wow massive respect from Kosovo

 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158293360355982&substory_index=0&id=8585725981

 

[davieG]

Kosovo v England: Excitement for final Euro 2020 qualifying game
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50448139    
By Phil McNulty

Chief football writer

From the sectionEngland 240
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Banners of England players can be seen across Pristina
Banners of England players can be seen across Pristina
The neon sign towering above one of the main squares in Pristina reflected the excitement and anticipation surrounding England's arrival in Kosovo for their final Euro 2020 qualifier.

It shows Raheem Sterling in action, in full England kit, accompanied by words that lit up the night in this bustling city: "Welcome, brother."

This has been a theme of the build-up to a game regarded as one of the most important showcase moments in the history of this country, with other posters echoing the same message and banners stretching across streets here emblazoned with "welcome and respect" flags - with the red poppy helping to make up the word "welcome".

This is a very Kosovan demonstration of the fact England's players will be welcomed here in a way they were not in Montenegro and Bulgaria, where members of manager Gareth Southgate's squad were subjected to racist abuse.

The hashtag #equalgame is also seen around this vibrant, emerging place once you navigate through the rush-hour traffic logjam that clogs the routes into the centre, where those populating the many bars, restaurants and cafes have waited eagerly for this game since the draw was made.

It is also a reminder of the gratitude still felt in this city and in the rest of Kosovo for the United Kingdom's involvement in the country's liberation after the Kosovo war.

The England party were greeted with flowers at Pristina airport and by British troops based in Kosovo - and Southgate revealed some locals were out to greet them on the route to their hotel.

"It has been a really warm welcome," said the Three Lions boss. "I think this game is a celebration for Kosovo. It is a shame they were not able to qualify. I know for the players the pressure is off to an extent and they will put in a really strong performance.

"They have the chance to create a historic result and we are very confident we are going to receive a brilliant reception."

The compact Fadil Vokrri Stadium, named after the country's greatest player who also became a key administrator, will be the place to be on Sunday night, with 300,000 applications to find a place inside this 13,500-capacity stadium bringing the ticketing system crashing down.

Facebook was still awash in Kosovo on Saturday evening with pleas for tickets, offers ranging from exchanging a kidney to an apartment - light-hearted but a graphic illustration of the fever and demand here.

It is also understood Kosovo were happy to vacate their usual hotel base on the outside of the city to allow England to make it their headquarters - although the evidence from their first meeting at Southampton in September suggests life could well get more uncomfortable for Southgate and his players when the action starts on Sunday.

England fans have been the focus of fond attention in Pristina, including from the media
England fans have been the focus of fond attention in Pristina, including from the media
England recovered from losing an early goal to lead 5-1 at half-time. Kosovo threatened an unlikely comeback before Southgate's side ran out 5-3 winners.

Kosovo defender Amir Rrahmani explained the wider significance of this game, one that stretches far beyond simply football - and why there is a palpable sense of anticipation here in Pristina.

"We are friendly people and of course our relationship with England and English people is very good. This is not only political but also we like the people," he said.

"I know there has been racism at England games. I don't know the reason but in our country that cannot happen, not just because we are friendly but because these players are idols to our people.

"Everyone is fans of Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and other Premier League clubs. The people here have idols in those teams - so that will not happen here."

There will be disappointment this game now has nothing riding on it for the home team after Thursday's 2-1 loss in the Czech Republic ended their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2020, a game Kosovo were leading with 19 minutes left.

Despite this, there will also be a sense of celebration surrounding this game as Kosovo's team - exciting, positive and ambitious in that loss at St Mary's - can measure its progress against one of the main hopes for Euro 2020 in front of their own fervent support.

England will want to finish off with the victory that will ensure they are a top seed for the Euro 2020 draw on 30 November and avoid a hazardous group, with Thursday's 7-0 win over Montenegro at Wembley confirming qualification for a tournament in which all three group games will be at home - with the semi-finals and final also on their own turf.

A point will also do that particular job but Southgate will want to end the campaign in style.

Southgate's aim was to ensure the momentum and feel-good factor engendered by the surprise run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals was not wasted - and they arrived here in Pristina on Saturday night with that mission accomplished.

It has not been without its difficult moments, such as that racial abuse in Montenegro and Bulgaria and the disturbance at St George's Park last Monday that saw Manchester City's Raheem Sterling dropped for the Montenegro game after his confrontation with Liverpool defender Joe Gomez.

Sterling returns here although Gomez stayed behind after suffering an accidental knock to the knee in a tackle with Kieran Trippier.

England have had no problems scoring goals, as proved by the tally of 33 in seven games, but it was Kosovo's bold approach at St Mary's that once again exposed the defensive frailties, probed further in the defeat by the Czech Republic in Prague the following month, which will snuff out their hopes next summer if they are not addressed.

Kosovo's animated and charismatic coach Bernard Challandes underlined the difference in experience between the countries as England prepared for their 1,000th game - "we have only played 29" - but Southgate will still want to learn further lessons in their final competitive game before Euro 2020.

In the absence of Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson through illness, can Tottenham's Harry Winks build on his good impression? And how will Southgate eventually weigh up the respective claims of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Trippier at right-back?

Harry Maguire's place in central defence looks assured, despite his own moments of discomfort in this campaign, but Southgate will want to monitor the rehabilitation in form and fitness of Manchester City's John Stones and discover if Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings can build on the excellent impression he made in extreme circumstances in Bulgaria, with a mature performance on and off the pitch after he was one of the players subjected to racial abuse.

Southgate may even be tempted to ponder experimenting once more with a back three, a system he used so effectively at the World Cup in Russia to improve England in possession.

He knows he has a potent attack and must now work out how best to serve them, while also bolstering that suspect defence.

For now, the immediate priority is finishing with a flourish on Sunday in a city where England's every move is followed with intense interest and their players are sporting icons.

This will be a night all Kosovo's population has been waiting for - for more than just footballing reasons.

[UniFox21]

 

Pope 

TAA Maguire Mings Chilwell 

Rice Winks Ox 

Sterling Kane Hudson-Odoi 

 

 

Don't see why he wouldn't play Rose and Trippier, no point callong them up to not play them. Same with Tammy and Wilson, we've qualified, given other players a start and game time. Same goes for Tomori in central defence.

 

[foxfanazer]

Boring boring England. Think I'll watch the F1 instead 

[HybridFox]

Think we'll have to accept Maddison the sub

[TheUltimateWinner]

Was listening to Rob Green on 5L who said he thinks Maddison needs one more season of performing consistently before he can become a starter... what a joke...

[Hammo]

3 minutes ago, TK95 said:

Think we'll have to accept Maddison the sub

Leave him on the bench. Can’t get injured there 

[Ric Flair]

Would he have started if he wasn't carrying a knock? It would be astounding if he didn't, but this is Southgate we are talking about.

[Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot]

Madison will be behind mount again so won't get a look in tonight. Can't wait for Southgate to pack his bags, problem is by then Madison will likely be elsewhere and I won't really care anymore.

[RowlattsFox]

If Maddison is carrying a knock then if rather he not be risked, even it is shit for him. There is not many more chances for him to show Southgate how stupid he is.