egg

So pointing out deficiencies in one player, and suggesting that others can an offer more, is patronising now. A cynic would say that you wouldn't say that if the player played for another club.

I'm not seeing anything in that to tell me what JWP would have added. Kane's inadequacy was down to Kane, or our tactics, not the midfield. He was dropping deep and time and time again balls weren't going in to him. That's not a Rice deficiency, they were simple passes that Rice saw and could have made but didn't. That has to be down to tactics. What Kane didn't do is offer any runs to push their back 3 back. JWP, or anyone else in midfield, wouldn't have changed that. So yep, dribblers were needed to get behind their defence. As for JWP keeping the ball moving quickly, that's what he doesn't do. He dwells on the ball, whereas better players don't. We all see it differently, and as much as I like JWP for his commitment, energy, dead balls, I can see the faults I'm his game and accept that we have better. Far too much Saints bias from many in this discussion, and not enough objectivity.

This. Good player, but the notion that JWP could come off the bench and influence a game more than Grealish, Rashford, Sancho, Calvert Lewin, or even Bellingham or Saka is daft. If this was American Football where you can bring on a kicker, I'd get it, but in real football in open play he'd have added nothing more on Friday than anyone else.

Bad

Island

You've told us elsewhere that on here you use a persona (grown adults don't do that by the way) . Flowing from that, explain what this means if I've misinterpreted your words Plus even if it was, being superficial on one forum for random Saints chat doesn't mean you are when in another role I'd put my shovel away if I were you mate.

So you're now saying that your saintsweb persona (which you've told us it is) likes to give the impression of only superficial footy knowledge, but in the real world you're a footy genius. Fvck me.

What would he know. I bet he's shit on football manager.

Matthew, I really can't be arsed with another round of your doggedness. This started over us having a different opinion on whether JWP would offer more for England than Rice or Phillips. I said "we'll agree to differ" and on it goes, via a tangent or two. I judge players on what I see on the pitch. You judge them on what you see in a spreadsheet. I believe I understand the game. I believe you don't. I'm agreeing to differ. Have a good evening.

It's the honesty you don't like. You've boasted that you've been asked to scout football clubs. I've said that I find that hard to believe because your posts over the years suggest to me that you next to fuck all about football. If you feel the need to boast, don't bleat when you get some honest opinion back.

You're confusing honesty with disrespect.

I vote pony. I mean no disrespect, but the way you post, it's clear to me that your knowledge of the game is very superficial.

Seriously Matthew, arguing the merits of a footballer based on stats is ridiculous. They don't tell anyone how a player finds space, how he picks up the ball on the half turn, how he moves when he gets on the ball, whether he looks up before he gets the ball or has to think when he gets it, how quickly he releases the ball, whether he completes a pass by recycling it or by progressing play, etc etc. You won't get any of that on a spreadsheet. Turkish is right.

Where's the stats for speed of release, runs into space in key areas, movement? I'll help you, there are none. Stats aren't everything in the real world Matthew. Your loyalty to JWP is admirable, but he's the inferior player in open play. Let's agree to differ.

1. Don't be a plank. JWP is the inferior player. It's not about the manager. 2. The speed with which the ball is released, forward passing, runs into space, movement, aerial ability, strength, tackling are all areas where Phillips offers more. You can think otherwise, but to me there's a difference in quality in Phillips favour.

It does. JWP is neat, tidy, hard working and a decent set ball man. That's it. He's too limited and that's why he's improving his golf handicap this summer.

Afro

True story. He rarely did it for England. Shame, he was a great player.

Yep. He's an inferior player to Rice and Philips. That's why they're there and he's at home.

There's Saints tainted specs, but calling for Ings on the left wing is a bit much. Grealish, Sancho, Rashford for sure, but not Ings.

In open play, what was that skill set?

The tactics, personnel and subs were all wrong. Rice was deeper than needed. Philips was too distant from Rice, and making runs into dead ends that weren't being picked out. The full backs didn't get forward enough. Sterling was just shite. Foden and Mount were trying to get us going but had the useless Kane gave them no real options. Then the subs. Grealish on too late, but Foden off for him was nuts. Sterling off in a straight swap was obvious, or even braver, Phillips and giving Grealish a free ish role from the middle. Sancho would have given us pace and invention. Generally though, we were pedestrian, lacked creativity, and generally utter shite. Players poor. Southgate worse.

Hope

Highlight of the game was the Scottish fans. Amazing noise.

FFS!! I liked that TV!! Feckin' crazy decision. Sterling has been shite.