Lille's Angel Gomes likely to start against us acc to Irish Times. I've never even heard of him.
A quick Wiki search tells me he's eligible for three countries at international level. Can see England using their stint in League B as an opportunity to do some serious cap-tying. If Delap knocks in a couple more for Ipswich it wouldn't surprise me if they throw him a few minutes off the bench before the year is out.
Gomes was quality at times for the U21s. A ball playing number 6 under Carsley so not surprised he got called up.
On the team selection, we brought four CMs so can't see us starting three of them in the starting XI. Think only two of Smallbone, Browne, Knight, and Molumby start.
I think it's a case of Carsley calling up players he's familiar with and worked with. Quite clever on his side. Has all the stalwarts but has a core group of lads who he's worked with at U21 level and already buy into him.
A competent manager should breeze through these 6 Nations League games with the quality they have. Bring in the players you know will back you, win comfortably and you'll have to be in contention for the job then. He's called up 12 players he's capped at U21s by my count and 4 of those are uncapped. Wouldn't be surprised to see uncapped Livramento start at left back too.
Originally Posted by JR89
I would say its Smallbone anyway ( he did well under JOS) so he will be recommending him. then its between knight and molumby for the work horse role. I would go with Knight he is a smarter player and not a complete lunatic
I really hope he doesn't waste Sammie Sz by playing him anywhere else apart from through the middle
We have good (or good enough) options in the forward / wide / creative roles.
Szmodics, Parrott, Ogbene, Ferguson, Idah, Robinson with Cannon, Johnston, Obafemi, Keane etc. not picked/available.
It’s difficult to have 4 of these on the pitch at any time or even 3 of them without causing a weakness somewhere or playing at least 1 out of position.
Of these I think Szmodics and Ogbene have to start.
Parrott is one that I’d also like to see start.
I have about a dozen credible selections in mind, 3 or 4 possible formations, 2 roles for Coleman, 3 roles for Ogbene….
I’m not happy with our left back options – I’m veering towards picking Dara O’Shea there. I like Scales but not as LB. I don’t like Doc there anymore.
I hate playing Ogbene as wing back, but I think I’m forced to do it.
Doherty might be playing but he’s had a critical error in him in recent Ireland games. O’Brien may not be fit, so maybe Coleman as RCB.
Browne deputised well at RB against Belgium(?)
My head is hurting! But I think something like this (with about 50% conviction):
------------Kelleher----------
------O’Brien-Collins-Scales
Ogbene-Knight-Molumby-O’Shea
----------Smallbone-------
------Szmodics – Parrott-------
If 4 at the back:
-------Kelleher
Coleman – Collins - O’Shea—Doherty (and pray)
---Browne--- Molumby ----Knight
----Ogbene-- Szmodics –Parrott
If I was betting, I’d say it’ll be a 5-2-3, just given the lack of midfielders in the squad. I just can’t see 1 player on the bench to cover three slots.
Kelleher
Coleman
O’Shea
Collins
Scales (O’Brien?)
Brady
Molumby
Smallbone
Ogbene
Idah/Parrott?
Szmodics
Not the team I would play, but it’s what I think the squad suggests.
It could be 4-4-2 / 4-5-1
One reserve CM, doesn't rule that out
If you start Szmodics off the front man and have two behind him you should have two in reserve? Start Smallbone and Molumby behind Szmodics, for example, and then Browne and Knight are in reserve?
But we can only use 5 subs regardless per game.
I think 3 CMs is ok per game ( 2 starting and one on the bench)
Don't think you'd get away with O'Shea at LWB. You'd have one really defensive WB whose likely gonna offer nothing going forward.
Would probably end up being a 442 with O'Shea staying deep and Ogbene supporting midfield. Wouldn't mind Browne RWB and Ogbene LWB but that means having all four of your CMs on the pitch unless you go 5-2-3.
See Kasey McAteer talking in the press conference about all the positions he's played and WB was one of them. Says he's played CM too but talk he's been training as a winger and 10 during camp.
Going by James McCleans Instagram story either he's on his way to Dublin as a late call up, has a day or two off and visiting, or just trolling and actually isn't flying into Dublin tonight. Wrexham have a game on Saturday also.
Foden, Palmer, and Watkins have withdrawn from the England squad.
I’d prefer O’Shea to be marking Saka though.
He could be on tv duty if he's injured, but it'd be a bit early to fly in for that
Its really not that complicated!!!
I know formations are flexible, but do we not need at least four in midfield for this one to avoid being overpowered in that area? Quite like the look of Stuttgart's first team. realistically, I'm expecting a 2-0 defeat and will be looking more at the performance than anything. Hope Molumby brings his pepper spray.
Jimmy Mac against the English, what could go wrong…
I see Palmer, Watkins and Foden have pulled out. Glad that we won’t have to play Foden or Palmer… still a pretty strong team to pick from:
Pickford
Trent
Stones
Guehi
Livramento
Rice
Mainoo
Saka
Grealish
Gordon
Kane
-
It’s not a bad side anyway…
Not convinced Grealish will start but that No.10 slot would normally be Bellingham and Foden is the obvious choice to replace him and Palmer the next in line. So it’s probably Grealish or maybe Eze
Maybe he gives a debut to Angel Gomes or Gibbs-White - or plays Conor Gallagher - but that would seem like a needlessly conservative midfield for a team who should dominate possession and perhaps need a degree of creativity that Grealish could provide when there’s 11 men behind the ball…
Thats a very good team, but I dont think its a terrifying team either. Palmer and Foden are the type of playmakers that always give us problems so Im delighted they are missing.
I've no clue what to expect from us on Saturday. Im hoping its not a carbon copy of the O'Shea teams, but even if it is I hope that our in game adjustments will be far better. O'Shea set us up in a 3 4 3 formation but in McAteers presser today he said he had been training in the 10 position as well as out on the wings. O'Sheas shape didnt have room for a 10 so hopefully thats a sign that things will be a bit different.
Usually by the time game day comes around I convince myself we will get a result, I dont think that will happen this time but a little of the dread is starting to lessen.
Its really not that complicated!!!
I’m also pleased that Watkins won’t be involved - there’s a lack of a genuine No.9 apart from Kane and as good as he is, at times it doesn’t really work with England. The lessening of his physical attributes and his propensity to drop deep - he has games where he’s very playable.
Watkins or Toney would offer a really threatening alternative. Right now they have Gordon, Saka, Grealish, Eze, Madueke and Bowden - I don’t see another natural striker there to replace Kane.
Perhaps a bit of unique moment where Toney hasn’t played due to his transfer, Nketiah too, Watkins and Solanke are injured. So probably the next up is someone like Dominic Calvert Lewin or Callum Wilson who is behind Isak and doesn’t really play. Rashford could probably do a job there but ****ing hell, he’s out of form…
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