Holmes_and_Watson

Tactical, by the looks of it. Cautious back line, always able to get back. Relying on those further up to unlock a defensive team. But it also had a lack of passing and/or penetration to push through the middle, even with Foden moving in to give more numbers. No pace in passing out wide to allow Saka to move into space (so deep a lot of the time as was Kane) and no one there at all in Foden's case, when he cut in. Trippier out left limits him as well.

I was hoping that it would allow Rice more freedom. That between them, they then be able to string some passes together. It was actually Mainoo who got that freedom, but England did nothing with it. And yes, it was crying out for Gordon for most of the game.

Had to bring on TAA at some point. 🙂

So glad I was there for that great closing moment. England getting a shot. Slovenia's defensive line remained solid. England utterly failed to get past it, preceding a risk free passing it back and forth in front of it. Mainoo was mobile to start with, popping up to get things going. But there wasn't much else going on around him. Foden and Bellingham faded more and more. Palmer livelier. But not really until Gordon, did we get someone willing to run and stretch their full back. Foden's cutting in, just made no difference up until then. Better sides are going to be a bit more expansive, which may well suit England, giving them more space, while keeping that risk averse set up. But if they concede first against anyone capable of putting up a decent block, they are in trouble. The player with the best eye for a forward pass was Pickford tonight, urging the team forward.

Mainoo on. Should have come for TAA in the last game and for this one. Southgate got there in the end.

Slovenia organised, with no nonsense, structured passing moves. They've not picked up a few good runs too. England got better, but that was really because it followed Slovenia possession and there was a bit more room. Some sloppy passing. Neither Rice nor Gallagher ever choosing to push through the middle, when they could. Instead, always out wide and then back. Saka is marshalled out there. Kane dropping deep, but Bellingham not pushing up. Foden more involved. Has license to go infield. But only the one move where Bellingham then moved out from the centre to give more link up options, did that really work. Foden not best pleased with right footed Trippier at times. Yet Foden did a nice run for the offside effort. And a Foden run allowed Trippier to come in on his right foot to put in a good ball. Patient and with lots of possession. But lacking the drive and incisive passing as yet.

Yeah... I was reaching for some alternatives, there.

It was good to see Stu's hair get the international big tournament exposure it deserved. I imagine there will be an award for that at the end of it.

We had Livramento and KWP for a while. As mentioned KWP might switch for a while. Could also be being brought in as a WB if we're switching to a 5. That might mean, it's someone like Bree who wants to move on.

Adams dropped deep to get anywhere near the ball. Didn't/ Couldn't do much with any of the longer punts upfield. Also gave away a few freekicks in good positions for Hungary. Going in, he'd have been hoping for a tournament that would increase his value to interested clubs. That's really not happened.

Passing around the back with no midfield out ball. Then hitting it long. Since the passing about gave Hungary time to reset, they just lost possession. Gilmour dropping far too deep. Even when he got the ball, there was little movement. A few bright moments from individuals. None of them in the final third and none of them together showing that they could work as a team. Stu was bright when coming on. And it was a penalty. But Hungary hit the post and looked far more likely throughout. Another group stage exit. Beeb said the Hungary player was conscious and stable.

"Ever since I saw Bazunu doing so well, going up late in a game, I've dreamed about being a striker," revealed Pickford. Perhaps the discussion was more around which position they wanted to play, to better support TAA and Foden? 🙂

Lost

Launch

"Saints thrilled at buy one, get one treble price deal."

Signing

Yeah. Thanks for posting that Alex. It underlines just how key that DM role is. A role Southgate seems to have built for Phillips and has been unable to move away from in all the time Phillips had been pants. Not having seen much PL this season, interesting to learn that it had been tried with Rice at Arsenal, and failed. So putting out a side that has one player who can't do it, and who is also supporting a player, in TAA who doesn't want to even be in the middle. Despite having taken players in poor club form, Phillips' plummet was too much even for Southgate. Mainoo and Wharton relatively untested, and it falls apart. I was surprised at Henderson not going. Sure, lots of negativity but Southgate has dealt with that before. After game 1, Foden certainly was invited to cut in. We've watched our team deal with counters down our flank with our inverted fullbacks all season. We offer a lot more organisation and structure to it than England did, because we identify the risk involved.

I don't know who she is. I don't know what background she has. But she's knowledgeable about something, raising her way above the rest of the team. 🙂

Mast

Soon to be revealed as the mastermind that sent them all off to the bookies. 🙂

I did put in a smiley! I did! Now I can't use my "I'm surprised he's in the picture, and not taking the knee." follow up. 🙂

Sponsor

He'd fit right in with Baz's intangible hands. 🙂

Nige is wearing the 3 lions. Everyone else in Starmer's picture is wearing 3 lions. Starmer is not wearing the 3 lions. Clearly embarrassed about his country and a betrayer of it's values. 🙂

Weird quoting the quote your last post quoted from you...ow...head hurts... 🙂 In tournament mind, that's a heck of a risk. What if just having the 1 DM means England go behind? Southgate would have to rely on one of the best attacking line ups in world football, to try and claw his way back into the game. 🙂