England V Republic of Ireland - Thursday, 12th November 2020 - Friendly

[nigel-harps1954]

While I can get that alright, I still think you have to compare that to who else is in the squad.

Robinson - 1 goal in 15 caps. 5 goals last season, only 1 of which was in the Premier
Connolly - yet to score in 5 caps. 3 league goals last year. Brighton have bought Wellbeck to replace him
Idah - yet to score in 3 caps. Scored a hat-trick in the FA Cup last year and nothing else.
Collins - 1 goal in 4 caps. Solid first season at Championship level last year. Hasn't looked up to international standard as yet though.
Curtis - yet to score in 4 caps. Playing in the third tier.

And that's it. That's the worst forward line I think we've ever had. I'm not sure Long worse than all of those, even now.

Robinson - Has two goals this season so far for West Brom in the Premier League. He's had a good start to the year and in on current form.
Connolly - A worry in terms of Welbeck being signed, but I don't think he's been signed as a replacement. They needed extra bodies up front and they've simply got another option. But he's talented and young, and the future for us.
Adam Idah - One goal and one assist this season so far, despite only starting one game for Norwich. Another who's the future for us and I've no problem with him in the squad.
Collins - Our in-form striker. He's in because he's had a good start to the season with Luton in the Championship. None of our other options have five goals. If you weren't calling up a goalscoring striker there'd be questions asked.
Curtis - I can take or leave. He's in League One, but, saying that, he's scored three goals so far, and two assists, as a winger, is bang in form.

[pineapple stu]

Yep, they're all valid counter arguments alright, though none really stands out for me as anything special. I don't think it's a clear-cut decision either way for sure.

The young guys are the future alright, but that doesn't mean they're the present yet. I still think one or two of them won't make it at all. Southampton btw are going top of the league at the moment, so a squad player in that squad is probably worth the same as a few goals at a lower division (especially as Long's game isn't really all around scoring goals). Idah isn't getting his game - not sure what that says about his readiness at the moment. Curtis - League One stats aren't really that impressive tbh. Collins - maybe, but as I say, hasn't impressed at international level yet.

At pretty much any time in the past 30 years, I'd have no problems with Long being put out to pasture now. That I'm not convinced it's the right decision now is more a sign of our awful attacking options than Long's ability. And given we've scored once in five games, I think we need all the options up front we can muster for the next three games.

[Charlie Darwin]

Long has come on a couple of times under Kenny and disappeared. Even when he plays for Southampton he tends not to go anywhere near the goal. He's a willing runner it's hard to see what he'd actually offer. Maybe you could say the same about Collins but you can see more how he'd fit into the team.

[seanfhear]

Long has come on a couple of times under Kenny and disappeared. Even when he plays for Southampton he tends not to go anywhere near the goal. He's a willing runner it's hard to see what he'd actually offer. Maybe you could say the same about Collins but you can see more how he'd fit into the team.

Goal scorer’s should stay near the Goal as much as the game allows.

I remember some interviewer asking a Cork Hurler renowned for getting goals ( a butty fellow , I think his name was Charlie O’Leary or something ) how he got so many goals ~ ~ his reply ~ ~ “ stay near the goals ". Ok, hurling is a different sport but even in soccer you have to attempt to play a game that keeps your goalscorer (if you are lucky enough to have one ) near the goals. When you see your main goal scoring threat everywhere but near the goal you have to wonder how high their confidence is in their own goal scoring.

[Fixer82]

If Long had scored that header against Wales he’d be in the squad

[Bielsa´s irish]

If Long had scored that header against Wales he’d be in the squad

well thats why i said not sensible mananging, unless an argument

[Bielsa´s irish]

some might say that England will play a second string team vs the Republic, i have to disagree,,,, this is a clasico, not a random friendly with N.Z. so i expect this following team from Southgate

.................................................. ................Pickford.......................... ............................

Trent A-A--------------------------Walker------------------------------Dier--------------Chilwell

-----------W.P---------------------------------Rice---------------------------Henderson

--------Rashford---------------------------------Kane-------------------------Grealish

[Bielsa´s irish]

here you go

https://www.skysports.com/football/n...lic-of-ireland

[elatedscum]

some might say that England will play a second string team vs the Republic, i have to disagree,,,, this is a clasico, not a random friendly with N.Z. so i expect this following team from Southgate

.................................................. ................Pickford.......................... ............................

Trent A-A--------------------------Walker------------------------------Dier--------------Chilwell

-----------W.P---------------------------------Rice---------------------------Henderson

--------Rashford---------------------------------Kane-------------------------Grealish

Walker and Daier aren’t gonna play centre half when they have Gomez, Maguire, Coady, Mings and Keane to choose from...

This is Southgate’s preferred team when everyone is fit:

Pickford

Trent
Gomez
Maguire
Chilwell

Rice
Henderson
Mount

Sterling
Kane
Sancho/Rashford

-

Think it’ll be a mix of them and other guys. There are players like Coady, Grealish who have done well for England without much opportunity who could come in. Guys like Henderson, Mount, Rashford who have had ongoing injury issues they’ve been managing while playing and the likes of Gomez, Pickford, Maguire who are out of form. Then the established lads who have nothing to prove and could be rested: Sterling, Kane, Trent etc.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Walker and Daier aren’t gonna play centre half when they have Gomez, Maguire, Coady, Mings and Keane to choose from...



This is Southgate’s preferred team when everyone is fit:

Pickford

Trent
Gomez
Maguire
Chilwell

Rice
Henderson
Mount

Sterling
Kane
Sancho/Rashford

-

Think it’ll be a mix of them and other guys. There are players like Coady, Grealish who have done well for England without much opportunity who could come in. Guys like Henderson, Mount, Rashford who have had ongoing injury issues they’ve been managing while playing and the likes of Gomez, Pickford, Maguire who are out of form. Then the established lads who have nothing to prove and could be rested: Sterling, Kane, Trent etc.

I guess Maguire is suspended for the red , vs the danes
according to what i read and understood from the article from sky,,,, The vestman will play Rice, Grealish and Keane against the Republic, with all that poppy and all that farce. But listen, this is some case of chauvinism of the worst quality if u can measure this patronising arrogance in some way

[tetsujin1979]

How is it chauvinistic?

[elatedscum]

Unless I’m very mistaken, any suspensions would count for competitive and not international friendly

[Bielsa´s irish]

How is it chauvinistic?

It Stands for Nicholás Chauvin my good man! Eric Howsbawm and Émile Durkheim talked about it as well. The concept of a nation.is chauvinism,

[DCWA]

It Stands for Nicholás Chauvin my good man! Eric Howsbawm and Émile Durkheim talked about it as well. The concept of a nation.is chauvinism,

Fantastic.

[elatedscum]

Stevens ruled out through injury. Christie the replacement. Probably means it'll be Coleman on one side and Doherty on the other.

Other option is to play Brady at left back. If you're not planning to play Hourihane then there is at least some merit to that argument.

[Eirambler]

I think we're about to find out that Doherty and Coleman can technically play in the same 11 after all, as Kenny said they could.

I could see this game being a bit of a disaster for us to be honest.

[Bielsa´s irish]

coleman duffy egan doherty

[Bielsa´s irish]

Fantastic.

I know. I didnt wanna brag about Hannah Arendt.

Back to topic what about the poppy symbol,? Will they wear it? Will be anything like the games of today about the minute of silence and all that chauvinistic colonialism?

[tetsujin1979]

no, today was remembrance sunday, and poppies aren't worn after it

[Fixer82]

no, today was remembrance sunday, and poppies aren't worn after it

I wouldn't bank on that.