Euro 2024

[ozzie owl]

England training squad for Euro 2024

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley).

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).

Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).

[thebeautifulgame]

England training squad for Euro 2024

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley).

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).

Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).

I think that is a pretty impressive squad of players- no doubt the English media will build them up to knock them down.
(If their normal tournament history applies).

I believe the squad of 33 is reduced to 26 players come tournament time.

Couple of 'tongue in cheek' questions- one for NOC in particular (though not exclusively so) and the other for all you genuine football pundits.

1. How likely can Southgate manage to smother his team so much that such outstanding talent will underperform and fail yet again in a major tournament? Namely Foden, Kane, Saka and Bellingham spring to mind.

2. I think that Ivan Toney is the most underrated striker in England, though unsure if he will make the final cut, never mind any actual game time. I wonder if he is worth an outside gamble to make the cut and even better- is he allowed to put a gamble on himself?

P.S. Hoping that Germany get off to a VERY slow start!

[Nice One Cyril]

England training squad for Euro 2024

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley).

Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).

Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).

I think that is a pretty impressive squad of players- no doubt the English media will build them up to knock them down.
(If their normal tournament history applies).

I believe the squad of 33 is reduced to 26 players come tournament time.

Couple of 'tongue in cheek' questions- one for NOC in particular (though not exclusively so) and the other for all you genuine football pundits.

1. How likely can Southgate manage to smother his team so much that such outstanding talent will underperform and fail yet again in a major tournament? Namely Foden, Kane, Saka and Bellingham spring to mind.

2. I think that Ivan Toney is the most underrated striker in England, though unsure if he will make the final cut, never mind any actual game time. I wonder if he is worth an outside gamble to make the cut and even better- is he allowed to put a gamble on himself?

P.S. Hoping that Germany get off to a VERY slow start!

He has finally bowed to fan pressure and got rid of Phillips, Henderson, Sterling, Rashford et al so that's a positive, but even very good players can look average when played out of position and asked to play the wrong way and Southgate is a master of that, so I have no doubt that he'll consign Foden to the wing instead of next to Kane where he belongs. He's also failed to pick a true left back apart from the injured Shaw.

I've never been a fan of taking players to tournaments when they've hardly been playing, especially when coming back from injury, so Ramsdale, Shaw, Quansah and the underrated Toney would be misses for me. That leaves three more to cull and I'd lose Trippier (been rubbish), Grealish (looked average in a seriously good team) and perhaps Gallagher (runs around a lot, but nowhere near as good as Rice or Bellingham). However losing Trips and Shaw only leaves us Gomez as a realistic left back, so I suspect that Gareth will do something completely different.

Locks to start would be Pickford, Walker, Stones, ?, Gomez, Rice, Bellingham, ?, Saka, Foden & Kane and, personally I'd play Branthwaite at CB and I'd love to see Eze given a go on the left wing.

It's coming home

[ozzie owl]

England's squad for Euro 2024
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).
Defenders: Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Dropped from original 33-man shortlist: James Trafford (Burnley, goalkeeper), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton, defender), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool, defender), Harry Maguire (Manchester United, defender), Curtis Jones (Liverpool, midfielder), Jack Grealish (Manchester City, forward), James Maddison (Tottenham, forward).

[Nice One Cyril]

England's squad for Euro 2024
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).
Defenders: Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Dropped from original 33-man shortlist: James Trafford (Burnley, goalkeeper), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton, defender), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool, defender), Harry Maguire (Manchester United, defender), Curtis Jones (Liverpool, midfielder), Jack Grealish (Manchester City, forward), James Maddison (Tottenham, forward).

Personally I wouldn't have taken Trippier (terrible season), Shaw (not fit) or Gallagher (not good enough at this level) but still a squad plenty good enough if the manager is brave enough.

[ozzie owl]

England's squad for Euro 2024
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).
Defenders: Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Dropped from original 33-man shortlist: James Trafford (Burnley, goalkeeper), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton, defender), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool, defender), Harry Maguire (Manchester United, defender), Curtis Jones (Liverpool, midfielder), Jack Grealish (Manchester City, forward), James Maddison (Tottenham, forward).

Personally I wouldn't have taken Trippier (terrible season), Shaw (not fit) or Gallagher (not good enough at this level) but still a squad plenty good enough if the manager is brave enough.

The match against Iceland was a real bore , the defence looks pretty porous

[Broken Glass]

All friendlies are a bore.

[Nice One Cyril]

England's squad for Euro 2024
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).
Defenders: Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Dropped from original 33-man shortlist: James Trafford (Burnley, goalkeeper), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton, defender), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool, defender), Harry Maguire (Manchester United, defender), Curtis Jones (Liverpool, midfielder), Jack Grealish (Manchester City, forward), James Maddison (Tottenham, forward).

Personally I wouldn't have taken Trippier (terrible season), Shaw (not fit) or Gallagher (not good enough at this level) but still a squad plenty good enough if the manager is brave enough.

The match against Iceland was a real bore , the defence looks pretty porous

What worries me is not the result per se, nor who he picked to play, it was a friendly after all, but his thought process.

We're playing the 74th ranked country at home and he plays two holding mids. WTF is that all about? The man is a prize champagne.

[eagleboy]

Saw this on Facebook.

Euro2024.jpg (51.75 KiB) Viewed 436 times

[Nice One Cyril]

Saw this on Facebook.

Euro2024.jpg

Aren't you Scottish?

We're all goin' with Ally's Army ......

[Midfield Maestro]

Scotland should just stick to cricket

[eagleboy]

Saw this on Facebook.

Euro2024.jpg

Aren't you Scottish?

We're all goin' with Ally's Army ......

Scottish no,Tight maybe, Aussie probably, Celtic fan definitely, .

[Rosenstolz]

Scotland should just stick to cricket

[ozzie owl]

England got the win they needed but pretty turgid performance .

Controlled first half then sat back and defended deep in the second half.

Southgate allowed the game to drift and let Serbia back in the game.

[Craíc Addict]

The Netherlands won, just sayin'.

[Craíc Addict]

The Netherlands won, just sayin'.

[Bomber]

The Netherlands won, just sayin'.

I heard you the first time.

[Nice One Cyril]

England got the win they needed but pretty turgid performance .

Controlled first half then sat back and defended deep in the second half.

Southgate allowed the game to drift and let Serbia back in the game.

Normal service resumed, back to boring, defensive football, the man is a prize ****.

Bellingham was excellent, a slightly lucky deflection for the cross, but a brave header and a fine physical presence in the middle until he tired a bit, the only thing he lacks is the pass that splits the defence, he gave almost zero to Kane.

IMO, England managers need to pick players in the positions that they play for their clubs, not try to shoehorn their favourites in by playing people out of position. Putting a wonderful talent like Foden out on the wing is nothing short of criminal and, as predicted, there's a reason that Klopp hardly ever played TAA in the middle, he's simply not good enough there.

Take the three points and on to Thursday, but that performance won't beat many of the decent teams.

[haywood djablowme]

It's laughable a national manager picks TAA as a CM & Trippier as a LB

[Bomber]

Rumania, Poland and Albania going strong in some aspects.

[haywood djablowme]

When will people stopping thinking TAA is a CM. He can't defend at RB, let alone in the middle of the park.

All the other talent he has at his disposal & he still picks him. Bye Bye Gareth

[ozzie owl]

When will people stopping thinking TAA is a CM. He can't defend at RB, let alone in the middle of the park.

All the other talent he has at his disposal & he still picks him. Bye Bye Gareth

Slow, dull , ponderous , disjointed rabble which sums up England under Southgate.

Time for up up and away with TAA ( those under 50 may not get this ), time to end this disaster of a decision now .

[Nice One Cyril]

When will people stopping thinking TAA is a CM. He can't defend at RB, let alone in the middle of the park.

All the other talent he has at his disposal & he still picks him. Bye Bye Gareth

Slow, dull , ponderous , disjointed rabble which sums up England under Southgate.

Time for up up and away with TAA ( those under 50 may not get this ), time to end this disaster of a decision now .

This manager is not for turning.

[Nice One Cyril]

When will people stopping thinking TAA is a CM. He can't defend at RB, let alone in the middle of the park.

All the other talent he has at his disposal & he still picks him. Bye Bye Gareth

I have long said that our national team should play players in the positions that they play for their clubs and should you have two wonderful players that fill the same position, don't try to fit them both in with one on the wing or something, play your preferred and the other is the understudy.

If Klopp had consistently selected TAA in the middle and GS played him there, I wouldn't agree, but would at least understand the logic.

Considering that he can only be in there for his passing ability, he hit one great long diagonal and gave the ball away with rubbish passes about 3 or 4 times.

It's a bit of a worry that GS thinks we're searching for a replacement for a headless chook like Phillips, perhaps that's why he puts Gallagher on.

I can't listen to his feeble excuses, I have to turn him off.

[eagleboy]

Not a minute of playing time for Cole Palmer? What is Southgate doing.

[Nice One Cyril]

The only time we looked dangerous was when Foden came into the middle, surely it must occur to the clown that he might be best there?

[Nice One Cyril]

Not a minute of playing time for Cole Palmer? What is Southgate doing.

I rate Saka when he's not playing for the Woolwich, but he does look a little off and I wonder if he's actually fully fit. Certainly Palmer would do a good job, but Southgate's selections and substitutions are a mystery, no idea what goes through his mind.

Our major problems are, and IMO have always been, very obviously in midfield with his ridiculously negative tactics and willingness to play Foden out in Woop Woop. Denmark played 3 big donkeys at the back, cluttered up the middle and effectively gave us the wide areas, but we were so slow to get the ball wide. Under Southgate they seem to be instructed to never take a risk, to always go sideways or backwards.

[eagleboy]

Not a minute of playing time for Cole Palmer? What is Southgate doing.

I rate Saka when he's not playing for the Woolwich, but he does look a little off and I wonder if he's actually fully fit. Certainly Palmer would do a good job, but Southgate's selections and substitutions are a mystery, no idea what goes through his mind.

Our major problems are, and IMO have always been, very obviously in midfield with his ridiculously negative tactics and willingness to play Foden out in Woop Woop. Denmark played 3 big donkeys at the back, cluttered up the middle and effectively gave us the wide areas, but we were so slow to get the ball wide. Under Southgate they seem to be instructed to never take a risk, to always go sideways or backwards.

Taking off Kane. I would think about it for a second and then slap myself awake. The guy has to be on his last legs as a coach.

[ozzie owl]

Not a minute of playing time for Cole Palmer? What is Southgate doing.

I rate Saka when he's not playing for the Woolwich, but he does look a little off and I wonder if he's actually fully fit. Certainly Palmer would do a good job, but Southgate's selections and substitutions are a mystery, no idea what goes through his mind.

Our major problems are, and IMO have always been, very obviously in midfield with his ridiculously negative tactics and willingness to play Foden out in Woop Woop. Denmark played 3 big donkeys at the back, cluttered up the middle and effectively gave us the wide areas, but we were so slow to get the ball wide. Under Southgate they seem to be instructed to never take a risk, to always go sideways or backwards.

Taking off Kane. I would think about it for a second and then slap myself awake. The guy has to be on his last legs as a coach.

It look like Southgate has no Plan B every substitution is like for like but no strange in structure.

Chelsea player of the year Palmer can’t even get a one minute .

You know you are in trouble when Southgate says he hasn’t been replace Phillips .