The whole hosting thing, holding it a year late, restrictions...

Having such an uninspiring squad with Luis Enrique in charge doesn't help either.

I'm still really looking forward to it but I'm a lot more downbeat about our chances now.

United being so poor to watch on a regular basis had me even more excited for England and the Euros.

It's soul destroying to have a team stocked with attacking talent and a manager who's timid as a dormouse.

Our biggest problem is midfield. It’s either unbalanced on lacking quality.

What shape do you play in attack?

We’ve played with a few different shapes under Southgate. And it changes depending on what players are available. It’s usually a 343 or a 4231. When we’ve played with players like Grealish, Mount and Foden in the 3 - of either formation - the shape is different than when the likes of Sterling, Sancho and Rashford play. They don’t play high and wide like those wingers can, and do. I suppose the attack isn’t actually that balanced given how often the team has changed over the last year or so.

Do you think we'll switch to a back three against Croatia?

I’ve no idea. We’ve played four at the back for the last few internationals, so would be odd to change it for the first game. But then there’s this whole idea of Maguire being crucial to the back four, so maybe we will.

I’m not sure it’s a good idea to go with two midfielders up against Croatia’s midfield. It’ll be hard enough with three anyway.

Something's telling me we will if Maguire doesn't play but all it'll do is invite Croatia onto us even more and we probably won't have much to feed off in attack.

It's hard to guess what half the team will be.

What I'd like to see if Maguire can't play is:

Pickford
James/Stones/Coady/Shaw
Bellingham/Rice/Mount
Sterling/Kane/Sancho

I could've easily gone with Rashford or Grealish to start in Sancho's place tbf. He's the only one I debated over.

Not that I think we'll play 4-3-3 but we should play Mount a bit deeper.

I think Sancho will be behind Grealish and Rashford in the pecking order. Rashford being made captain today does give an indication that he may start against Croatia. Not sure if Southgate’s going to want to drop too many Chelsea and City players straight into the starting line up. I really have no clue what we’ll go with against Croatia.

With Sancho I thought even though he didn't set the world alight again today, he is probably the most in form of our wide options.

It's what I'd like to see anyway, rather than what I think we'll see.

I wouldn't be surprised if Southgate sticks with Sterling and Rashford wide of Kane because it's what he knows and they're more reliable scorers than anyone else, regardless of form.

I've seen people leaving both of them out but at least one of them has to start as without them there's nobody to stretch the opposition, run in behind or put the ball in the net bar Kane.

I'm not sure I can remember as many things being up in the air before a major tournament.

did u guys play good?

Yeah that’s why it would be a bit risky to leave both of them out, despite their form. As much as I like Sancho he’s just not that influential for England, even an out of form Rashford looks more dangerous. I’d probably go with Grealish on the left and Sterling on the right. But yeah it’s never been so up in the air. We usually have a good idea of what we’ll see in the first game.

Forza, nah not really. Though we did miss some good chances, hit the bar twice and missed a pen. But we’ve not really had our first choice players - based on who usually plays - in either of the friendlies, so it’s not surprising we’ve failed to put in good performances.

Not that friendlies mean anything before a tournament. We’ve looked good in friendlies loads of times just before one then have been shiiiit.

y did u not have something close 2 ur furst choce team 2day?
last warm up ant it?

Because the City and Chelsea players have only just started training with the England squad after the CL final. None of the United players played in the last friendly due to the Europa League final. The schedule of the season has messed with our preparation.

Jorginho n Palmieri played 4 Italy the other day tho

Maybe the Italian FA have different rules then. I read that we had to give them a certain amount of time off before they could join up with the England team after their last game.

not sure a couple extra days rest will help in any way

not enuff time too recover or rejuvenate much physically n just gets them a few days behind in the fitness regime.

My understanding is that it’s less to do with rest and more to do with the players having time with their family before the tournament.

BREAKING. Spain captain Sergio Busquets has tested positive for COVID.

Oh dear

oops

How long does that put him out for?

2weeks isnt it?

comment by Constantinople (U11781)
posted 21 minutes ago
BREAKING. Spain captain Sergio Busquets has tested positive for COVID.

Oh dear
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they gonna cancel the Euros rnt they?

ffs