Garbatellamike

no I think they formed a ladies team as there was media pressure on them to do so, it'll lose money not make it so doesn't fit the Yernited business model of making maximum profit from the fans

Garbatellamike

well that was exciting if error strewn.

Not sure some of that England side are up to international footballl tbh.

Chilwell was decent, Kane very good, Sancho,Barclay and Sterling mixed, Henderson a hard working water carrier as ever, Maguire looked ok. Keane struggled and Rice and TAA showed they should continue their development in the U21s rather than play at this level. I think Kane, Rashford and Sterling are a good front 3 but we don't have any creators to play alongside Henderson in the middle 3. Need Trippier or Walker to come in at RB, another CB to partner Maguire to solidify things.

BristolUK

And find a goalkeeper who doesn't look panicked so often and, ideally, can keep the ball on the pitch when kicking. One in each half, straight out.

Scamp

I take it all back.
The betting odds were terrible, until you stacked them and threw in the odd Icelandic U19 league match.

Think I've made about 400 quid over the internationals. Lovely when there's no surprises.

DaveLovesDee

I guess the misssus will be happy down the mall then....

Scamp

No chance bud!
It's going straight in the 'property fund' (it's what I call my Rolex savings pot).

jam25mack

What app you using? I can't get on 365 anymore here?

Scamp

365. Only works when on WiFi. Not tried with mobile data and VPN though.

Garbatellamike

yeah agree with you there

DaveLovesDee

I'd have thought your 'property fund' was to pay for playing golf on other people's property

And candidates?

Any candidates?

BristolUK

For a long time our (as in England) problem with keepers has been picking the outstanding one - nothing wrong with that of course - and then sticking with them, never preparing a replacement.

There are always candidates for a replacement but they've never really been bedded in. Just named in the squad, never actually playing, never developing any sort of familiarity with the defenders.

Then suddenly, the main keeper is injured, suspended or woefully off form and a reserve is drafted in and under pressure. Like with Robert Green in 2010.

The two obvious candidates are already in the squad, but Heaton is already 33 and has all of 3 caps and Pope is 27 with only one.
One might say Pope was unlucky getting injured when it looked like he was finally a regular but Heaton has played all through different England levels as well as several seasons in the Prem. Three full international appearances. Ridiculous.

DaveLovesDee

I think 25-30 is a good age range for a keeper. At that age range, they should have the experience while still having the agility. Some keepers have still played well up to age 35+ England managers have always had their #1 keepers and that's unlikely to change, but I agree, the #2 and #3 should be playing more actual first team games.

Given recent England performances, maybe it's time to give Championship players a run of games in the team.

BristolUK

Except Ron Greenwood who alternated Clemence and Shilton
Just looking at England squads over the last few years. Butland, Foster, Forster, Heaton and Pope have all been understudies to mostly Hart and then Pickford.

So they've all been in a situation where they may have been called upon in tournament finals but all had so few appearances to have got them ready while Hart (and now possibly Pickford too) was virtually ever present despite regular dodgy appearances.

zargof

It's not like this is a phenomenon unique to the England team. At club level it is very rare that a manager will rotate goalkeepers. In most cases it makes sense as the defence are aware of what the keeper can do and know instinctively what the keeper is going to do.

I watch a lot of Pickford and his main problem is he can get too cocky and then will get overconfident which can lead to mistakes. Generally, he is a very good keeper, great shot stopper and his distribution is second to none.

JamesM

A recent Sky article claimed England were on the cusp of a Golden era for Goalkeeping.

Pickford is ok and I still regard him as the pick of the bunch but I certainly don't see depth in the position.

England have improved in terms of quality and depth but we'll need team spirit and a good game plan to win a tournament as we are still not quite producing the talented technical midfielders to control a game that other countries do. In an era of declining grass roots and kids preferring eGames I don't think England will ever be able to rely on talent depth.