Group D: England, Croatia, Czech Republic, Scotland

[Les Beeavinu]

Follow here

 

[BFC1997]

On paper we should win the group but it’s also tough to see us winning every game. Tough one IMO.

In the World Cup we had low expectations and when we lost to Belgium but it didn't change the general positive mood as a result. It also didn’t case serious doubts over our ability to go far in the tournament as they were one of the favourites.

Whereas a draw or defeat to any of these, Scotland in particular, would face tougher criticism. Not sure how the group will handle that.

 

[badgerbee]

Need to finish 2nd......or 3rd......

 

[SpiderBee]

CZECH v Albania here - Czech Republic vs Albania - HesGoal.Com Sports News

 

[JCMcBee]

....dont think Scotland we be humiliated....but I do think our only hope of upsetting England is our big two up front pulling centre backs apart....creating holes for McGinn and midfield through middle....anyway......i'll wake up in a minute.....and sorry Stevie if i've spoilt your plan.

 

[The Joker]

I think England will coast this group.

But my bold (biased!) prediction is for Scotland to take four points...

 

[Alan D]

I've watched both Czech's warm up games against Italy and Albania and apart from odd moments truthfully Czech have been really poor. Can't really see them causing England any problems.

 

[Shamrock_Bee]

As a neutral good luck to England and Scotland. My opinion is England's biggest problem in the tournament will be Southgate's tactics. He is too defensively minded with a squad who don't have a lot of genuine world class defenders.

If England had a head coach with an attacking mindset the current England team would be scary and I think could win a EC or WC. Southgate got lucky with the draw in Russia but when they played a team of attacking footballers it wasn't a surprise Croatia beat them.

It would be good to see England allowed to show their attacking talents but I don't see that happening; tactics will be very cautious sitting very deep, which will have a negative impact.

Scotland are stronger than many will think and I can see them and Croatia getting results against England. Czech Republic are poor at the minute so it'll be close with the top 3 places but some very even matches ahead in this group.

 

[Gazza Bee]

As a neutral good luck to England and Scotland. My opinion is England's biggest problem in the tournament will be Southgate's tactics. He is too defensively minded with a squad who don't have a lot of genuine world class defenders.

If England had a head coach with an attacking mindset the current England team would be scary and I think could win a EC or WC. Southgate got lucky with the draw in Russia but when they played a team of attacking footballers it wasn't a surprise Croatia beat them.

It would be good to see England allowed to show their attacking talents but I don't see that happening; tactics will be very cautious sitting very deep, which will have a negative impact.

Scotland are stronger than many will think and I can see them and Croatia getting results against England. Czech Republic are poor at the minute so it'll be close with the top 3 places but some very even matches ahead in this group.

100% agree with this as I posted on the Romania thread - we have some top class attacking talent that will be wasted if Southgate sets us up in his normal fashion. We should qualify easily from this group but on paper finishing 2nd would be no bad thing - would rather Poland than France/Germany/Portugal

 

[nick logan]

Wheres all this cautious stuff coming from , we scored about a zillion goals in the last few qualifying campaign

 

[Gazza Bee]

Wheres all this cautious stuff coming from , we scored about a zillion goals in the last few qualifying campaign

Against a load of guff - stick us against a top team and we struggle to score many generally and the friendlies didn't exactly whet the appetite for what is to come. We have the players just not convinced Southgate is brave enough to let them off the leash.

 

[nick logan]

Against a load of guff - stick us against a top team and we struggle to score many generally and the friendlies didn't exactly whet the appetite for what is to come. We have the players just not convinced Southgate is brave enough to let them off the leash.

We scored 2 against Belgium , 3 away at Spain . I haven't seen this cautious approach tbh

 

[Shamrock_Bee]

Wheres all this cautious stuff coming from , we scored about a zillion goals in the last few qualifying campaign

Again as a neutral looking in from the outside England due to their seeding tend to play nations further down the rankings, who mainly set up defensively. The major nations in friendlies, that league competition or qualifying mainly go through the motions. The only time all major nations are at peak is major tournaments. Against mid to lower rank teams England are fine, when a team turns up and attacks a defensively minded England team with average defenders then it doesn't usually end well. Columbia and Sweden suited England in Russia but Croatia were one of those attack minded sides.

England's best form of defence with their average players in that department is to attack; using their genuinely world class attacking players. Yes their games might end 4-2 or 3-2 for example but I'd fancy England to outscore nearly every international team at the minute; sitting back trying to win 1-0 against the best won't work.

With the games at Wembley Southgate might just let England go at it this tournament but when you look at his squad selections that is unlikely.

 

[Aussie Bee]

Well here's hoping for the 3 points tonight to settle some nerves

 

[TW3Bee]

Can see either a draw or a narrow England win.

 

[Gazza Bee]

Can see either a draw or a narrow England win.

Agreed - Croatia are not as good as they were in 2018 but still going to give us a difficult game. 1-1 draw is my gut feeling.

 

[badgerbee]

England 0-0 Croatia
Done this on a couple of the free bets I’ve had this week. (8/1)
(Well “no goal scorer“ to be precise, based on previous advise by @nocoat and @wibs )

 

[JCMcBee]

....as an honorary Englishman I want England to win every game in this tournament....starting today....3-1 England... but next Friday...well...neighbours of mine be aware....if Scotland beat England....you have an evening of Andy Stewart....Kenneth McKellar....and the Scots Guards pipes and drums to look forward to......think they might be safe mind.

 

[mhead bee]

Need to finish 2nd......or 3rd......

It is our best chance if we come second, today is the one game we probably want to throw so hopefully he starts Sterling and Rashford. If he starts Grealish, Foden and Mount we could win and then put the reserves out in the third game.

 

[mhead bee]

As a neutral good luck to England and Scotland. My opinion is England's biggest problem in the tournament will be Southgate's tactics. He is too defensively minded with a squad who don't have a lot of genuine world class defenders.

If England had a head coach with an attacking mindset the current England team would be scary and I think could win a EC or WC. Southgate got lucky with the draw in Russia but when they played a team of attacking footballers it wasn't a surprise Croatia beat them.

Southgate was tactically inept versus Croatia in the semi final, we should have been 3.0 up at half time and HK got unusually greedy but second half Croatia completely changed their tactics. They went to wing backs and attacked our weak flanks and took over, we just sat there and watched them and didn't react and waited for the inevitable equaliser. Good managers spot the danger and react to it making subs and formation changes, Southgate didn't have that in his locker and hasn't been tested since so we don't know if he has improved.

 

[JCMcBee]

It is our best chance if we come second, today is the one game we probably want to throw so hopefully he starts Sterling and Rashford. If he starts Grealish, Foden and Mount we could win and then put the reserves out in the third game.

....you think 'plotting' your way to winning this tournament is a good plan....good luck with that Gareth.

 

[wibs]

England 0-0 Croatia
Done this on a couple of the free bets I’ve had this week. (8/1)
(Well “no goal scorer“ to be precise, based on previous advise by @nocoat and @wibs )

Proud!

 

[wibs]

Btw betvictor are paying out on an England win at 10/1

Fiver max stake

 

[Bristolian Bee]

Whatever the situation Gareth please just go for it today. We don't have a central defence especially with Maguire injured so might as well release the hounds. No problemo if we finish 2nd in this group. With all the virus related sh*t hitting the fan right now the country really needs an exciting 90mins of hedonistic escapism to pick us all up.

Sadly though I fear a dour 0-0 incoming

 

[wibs]

Ahead of today's game. I thought I'd post a clip of possibly the greatest Euros game. The passion in Motson's voice when the fifth goal goes in makes you feel ALIVE!!!!

 

[mhead bee]

....you think 'plotting' your way to winning this tournament is a good plan....good luck with that Gareth.

Obviously I was just being silly, but looking at the starting line up I think Southgate might be doing just that,

You take 10 defenders to cover all eventualities and then start a right back at left back. If the left backs aren’t considered good enough to start then take a third centre forward instead.

And don’t play your best player, always a good tactic, play Sterling instead who has been bang out of form all season.

 

[Gazza Bee]

Trippier at left back is odd when you have a CL winner and Shaw who has been outstanding this season. Sterling on paper is also strange but I guess it is tricky if you try starting 3 players with zero tournament experience behind Kane so can understand it just about.

 

[Travel Tavern Bee]

That ream looks very average on paper , Don’t rate Mings at all .

 

[Raybfc123]

Trippier is just so wrong, how on earth do you even come up with that after the season shaw and chilwelll have had it's just bizarre and it's so so defensive.

 

[Ruislip_Rich]

It feels like normal again. People moaning before the game. I've missed that.
Come on England.

 

[nocoat]

That ream looks very average on paper

Great punning!

 

[David Brentford]

Strange team. At least Croatia won’t be expecting it…

 

[TW3Bee]

It feels like normal again. People moaning before the game. I've missed that.
Come on England.

Just like when a Brentford team is announced, on twitter especially.

 

[Guildford Bee]

Obviously I was just being silly, but looking at the starting line up I think Southgate might be doing just that,

You take 10 defenders to cover all eventualities and then start a right back at left back. If the left backs aren’t considered good enough to start then take a third centre forward instead.

And don’t play your best player, always a good tactic, play Sterling instead who has been bang out of form all season.

You take Sterling out of that team for Grealish and there’s no one to run in behind Kane.

Kane and Grealish were getting in each other’s way in the Austria friendly. Kane drops back and fair bit now and Grealish was getting in the space he normally occupies.

There’s no way Southgate doesn’t want to win this group and keep us at Wembley for the last 16

 

[wibs]

Has Souhgate gone mental!

Shaw on bench but Trippier at LB!

And Mings?!

 

[Indian Bee]

Has Souhgate gone mental!

Shaw on bench but Trippier at LB!

And Mings?!

Unless Shaw is carrying an injury this is a bonkers decision. Shaw has been outstanding all year for United and Trippier I don’t think plays left back for his club.

Still fancy England to win. I predict 2-0.

 

[gamidov]

Very underwhelming. Mings!! Shock result incoming

 

[Mark H]

I worry more about Stones. He is prone to at least one big mistake per game.

 

[Banana]

@Matt_Furniss
I make it that Kieran Trippier has only ever started four professional matches at left-back:

Spurs v Barnsley (EFL Cup) - 19/09/2017
England v Iceland (UNL) - 05/09/2020
England v Belgium (UNL) - 11/10/2020
England v Austria (Friendly) - 02/06/2021

 

[TW3Bee]

Just get behind whoever pulls on the Three Lions.

COME ON ENGLAND

 

[LostBee]

Shall we save the mugging the manager off until after the final whistle at least?

COME ON ENGLAND

 

[wibs]

It goes without saying we al support England but unless there is an injury the whole Shaw Trippier thing is very odd. People are understandably expressing their surprise.

 

[liverbee]

Croatia are not a bogey team. They often just play better. Can't see it this time. Give Stones the Modric job- it will be good for him. .

 

[wibs]

What's the point of booing the Croatian anthem? Apart from the fact it is shows a lack of class do you really think grizzly old campaigners like Modric and Perisic give a toss!

 

[TW3Bee]

Got away with one there.
I know it's in the rules now, when it hits the referee, but Croatia were in there.

 

[TW3Bee]

Good start from England.

 

[Silly Hat]

All over this lot.

 

[TW3Bee]

Brentford Flag right behind the goal.

 

[Mark H]

Walker has given the ball away 3 times now.

 

[Mark H]

All over this lot.

For the first 15 but gone really flat now. We need to very careful Modric getting time on the ball