So, we've heard a lot about balance, and lack thereof, in the last couple of weeks. There have been simplistic theories put forward. People talking simply about a left footed full back, or playing Mainoo next to Rice. The problem is that no one change is the solution to the problem.
Why is balance important? Well, basically, it is the key to defence and the platform for turning defence into attack. If you have a left footed full back who plays that position weekly, they naturally give you width, they support the left sided forward, many times overlapping and underlapping to create options and space, always giving an option wide to receive passes, not always cutting back in or passing in-field with the right foot.
Just as important is having a midfield partnership. Here positional sense is important as both midfielders cannot vacate the central areas because we leave ourselves open to counter-attacks. It's important that the midfielders understand eachother and cover eachother's runs. These midfielders must feel the freedom to be aggressive in their passing and movement, try and break lines and create a balance in defence and attack.
We also have an inbalance in attack. In these championships, none of Foden, Bellingham or Saka are actively aggressivein making space, dropping into pockets, running in behind. I like each one of those players, but at present there is no creativity, flair or understanding. Noone drops to receive the ball in space. Nobody runs to create space for the other to utilise. Saka is very good when we've got possession and we are threatening, but we have been so passive in these games that his role has been nullified.
This is why we look more threatening when Palmer comes on. He's not a winger like Saka, his skill set is different. But what he does is come and get the ball and look to go forward every time. This opens up spaces, and moves the opposition defence. Likewise, Foden is null in the way he plays left wing. He drifts inside and robs Bellingham of his spaces. Gordon would actually run at the defence and he also likes to play with width.
None of these players are bad players, in fact they are all excellent players, but the system we are playing together with the lackof balance is stifling them. Despite this, Bellingham, Foden, Saka and Kane can all produce that moment of magic to see us through matches, even when our displays are as awful as they have been. But my argumment is that with proper balance, we can actually break through the lines of the opponents and create chances for our team.
Will it happen? Inexplicably, in his wisdom (or lack of) Southgatehas not picked another left footed defender, so unless Shaw becomes miraculously fit it can't happen. I think Mainoo did okay last night, he was the most aggressive of the midfielders and tried to go forwards. Do I think Southgate will pick Palmer and/or Gordon and drop Saka and/or Foden? No, I don't think he understands why his system is not working, or maybe he's just happy to squeak through with dismal performances and negative football. He's a hang on to a goal lead type manager. Survive. What's for sure is that just one change is not enough and a change in mentality is needed to go with the change in personnel.
England and the problem of balance
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Scouse (U9675)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 5 minutes ago
I can see why Gordon or Eze need to start on the left, but the Palmer thing is weird. Has he really been that good when he's come on? Barely did anything in a hour on the pitch against Slovakia (no take-on or chance created), but had one good late cameo in the group stage against tired legs. Whether that should hand him a starting spot is another matter.
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He's still done as much as Foden
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Twice as much as Foden and Saka, in fact. But it's the fact that he wants the ball all the time and when he gets it, he looks to influence the game going forward, for me at least.
posted on 1/7/24
The left side and Kane are the biggest problems imo.
Trent in midfield didn't make sense and Mainoo has improved that area a little but as you say, you can see that changes in midfield aren't the one size Fitz Hall answer.
Not only do Bellingham and Foden want to play in the role, but Kane, for some reason, wants to play that role too.
Foden on the left might work if Shaw is fit enough, but whether Shaw is ready for the latter stages of a major tournament is another problem. Southgate decided not to bring another LB but refuses to adjust his tactics accordingly in favour of relying on moments from big names.
posted on 1/7/24
Too late to introduce Shaw now.
He should have given him some minutes in the group matches when we were coasting through easy matches.
posted on 1/7/24
Twice as much as Foden and Saka, in fact.
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These Palmer fanboys are something else.
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Zein Mayassi (U21076)
posted 19 minutes ago
The left side and Kane are the biggest problems imo.
Trent in midfield didn't make sense and Mainoo has improved that area a little but as you say, you can see that changes in midfield aren't the one size Fitz Hall answer.
Not only do Bellingham and Foden want to play in the role, but Kane, for some reason, wants to play that role too.
Foden on the left might work if Shaw is fit enough, but whether Shaw is ready for the latter stages of a major tournament is another problem. Southgate decided not to bring another LB but refuses to adjust his tactics accordingly in favour of relying on moments from big names.
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Got some sympathy with Foden and Kane though as if they stay where they are, they never get the ball as the gap between the midfield two and Bellingham, where ever he decides he wants to be at any particular time, is too big.
Southgate won’t change it as he does moments like he did yesterday but whoever plays on the wings is going to struggle, as they have done when they’ve come on too. To play Bellingham in that role really needs us to have a creative midflelder behind, which we haven’t got.
Just got to hope we keep having moments like Bellinghams goal yesterday as the overall football isn’t going to change.
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Tu Meke (U3732)
posted 11 minutes ago
Twice as much as Foden and Saka, in fact.
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These Palmer fanboys are something else.
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I think I said on more than one occasion, I think Saka is a very good player but how we are playing at present nullifies him. Palmer actually wants the ball and looks to break the lines and isn't afraid that it may not come off. It's a dimension missing from the team right now as 8s width on the left.
posted on 1/7/24
Palmer actually wants the ball and looks to break the lines and isn't afraid that it may not come off.
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So explain how he's done twice as much as Saka then. That was your initial comment.
It's a good thing Palmer isn't afraid of things not coming off, because they aren't. You're just describing somebody playing chit. Just admit your bias and move on.
posted on 2/7/24
Meke still jealous and trying to put Palmer down at every opportunity again pathetic cretin get a life
posted on 2/7/24
I don't think any player has reproduced club form for England, none of them a bad players but they often look so for England. Fear? Or coaching?
posted on 2/7/24
I haven't accused anybody of being bad. I am talking about how we can change the attacking and defensive balance and platform. I really do like Foden and Saka, but what Southgate is doing doesn't benefit them or the team. We need players to try and break the lines. Mainoo tried the other night but was the only positive player of the starting eleven. I am not averse to putting TAA in place of Walker - especially if Walker is as bad as he was the other night. We need more players who look to break the lines from deep and what we don't need is Foden, Kane and Bellingham all in a 3 yard space, and Saka out wide waiting for the ball.