World Cup 2018 - Rossiya

[Rayge]

Have a look how many of those goals and assists have been this year. Then come back and we can talk about his current form.

They're this season, rather than the last two or three months. I've no idea how it splits. The last two or three times I saw him play for Spurs, his linking play has been superb, and in the absence of Kane he has been playing further forward and scoring. However he may have played in the cameo he had last night (I had some drying paint that needed looking after, so I didn't watch it), he has certainly not been 'abysmal' and 'absolutely fucking atrocious' for 'months now'. That's my only point, that and that he's used to playing with much better players in a completely different system.
And in the absence of any Everton-based nonsense to take the piss out of , 'meh' right back at you.

[Diamond Dog]

I do - he has two goals and four assists in 10 EPL games, 2 Champions League & 6 FA Cup matches in 2018. (https://www.transfermarkt.com/dele-alli ... ler/207929)
Not exactly earth shattering. And I don;t know which games you've seen but I've seen I would guess 8 of those games and have commented on how poor he has been. My brother - a Spurs fan- is even more critical of him saying that he's hardly turned up since November - make of that what you will.

Meh indeed.

[KeithPratt]

Lingard is in much better form than him right now.

[mentalist (slight return)]

So Australia have bought in a Dutch coach and he's changed the way we play completely, and we were shite. Only one game but not looking great.

[KeithPratt]

The Sun reporting that Southgate is preparing to axe Cahill, Smalling, Lallana and Wilshire.

If true, it's bold but I'm glad that he's not going to sacrifice fit players for "experienced "ones who might do something (but more likely not).

I hate this period before a major tournament - and it's always the same with England. We qualify easily, play a few friendlies where signs emerge that we might actually be quite good. Then the first game goes to shit and it's over.

The only thing I can really add is that we've not conceded in 5 games without exactly what I would call a totally settled back 3 and keeper.

[Diamond Dog]

Cahill & Smalling really don't deserve to go, based on performance this season. Lallana doesn't deserve his place, based on both injuries and performance. Wilshere would, but the injury concerns are so prevalent with him, I really do think he'd need to be completely fit from his return from this injury until the end of the season. And the chances of that are slim and, even if he did, you'd seriously question the chances of him completing the compact schedule the WC demands. As much as I champion him, I'm afraid at the moment he has to be considered a real doubt.

[Penk!]

As much as I champion him, I'm afraid at the moment he has to be considered a real doubt.

I agree. There's no question that he should be there - and starting - on form, but his fitness is simply too big a problem. If he makes it to the end of the season injury-free, then fine, but if not that's a major question mark.

[Penk!]

England ahead against Italy thanks to a quick free kick. Great refereeing I have to say.

[The Modernist]

I was impressed by England tonight, they looked a really cohesive unit. Considering the inexperience of the team, they're playing with a surprising amount of maturity. They just need to be a bit more clinical with their final ball and they could be very effective indeed. Unlucky with the penalty, but these things happen.

[KeithPratt]

They just need a fit playmaker.

[Diamond Dog]

They just need a fit playmaker.

We should all be praying that Wilshere stays fit.

[KeithPratt]

I can't see him going unless between now and May he plays out of his skin for Arsenal.

Reckon the following have booked their flights



Pickford, Butland, Hart

Stones, Maguire, Walker, Rose, Young, Trippier,

Henderson, Dier, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lingard, Alli,

Kane, Vardy, Rashford, Sterling

Leaves 2 spaces in defence and 2 in midfield.

[KeithPratt]

Also, it was only a friendly but Spain look pretty good...

[Penk!]

They just need a fit playmaker.

We should all be praying that Wilshere stays fit.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was in that role yesterday and he didn't really convince. He has been good for Liverpool recently but if he goes it should be as backup for Sterling (looked the best he has for a long time yesterday and caused Italy real problems), Rashford and Lingard (who is getting more and more impressive).

Not sure what the point of giving Cook only 15 minutes was. What do you hope to learn from that?

I am not sure there is a place in the team for Delle Alli at the moment. His form of late has been underwhelming and he isn't a midfield playmaker. If they are going with this 5-2-3 with the wingbacks he doesn't fit.

[KeithPratt]

Ox-C plays better with Henderson and Can behind him at Liverpool. I like him, but agree that he hasn't really produced the form for England yet (although in the past under other managers he has been good) under Southgate. He's more of a "burst into space" rather than "telling pass" player.

[KeithPratt]

Right now I'd be fairly confident with this side that we can get six points from the first two group games. We seem to be a lot more coherent in defence than we have, which is a good sign.

Not sure we'll have the quality to beat Belgium, but then they are managed by Martinez so anything is possible.

Beyond that it's probably Poland or Colombia, so anything can happen.

[The Modernist]

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Not sure we'll have the quality to beat Belgium, but then they are managed by Martinez so anything is possible.
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I think with them a lot hinges on the form of Hazard.

[The Modernist]

I can't see him going unless between now and May he plays out of his skin for Arsenal.
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Not sure why you say that, after all Livermore is in the squad. It's not as if he's got great competition. He'll obviously need to be fit, but if he is he'll go.

[KeithPratt]

He'll obviously need to be fit

I rest my case.

[The Modernist]

He'll obviously need to be fit

I rest my case.

..well not really. You said he'll only go if he plays brilliantly every week between now and May, which isn't the same thing as being fit for the competition.