24 Jun 2026 12:17:42
Good morning comrades.
I left Istanbul yesterday afternoon, their temperature was 31 degrees. Heathrow was 36 degrees. What’s that all about?
Dashed northwards and made it just in time for the England v Ghana game and wished I hadn’t bothered. Not much different style wise to the Southgate era, despite Tommy Turtles ideas and philosophy.
Having said that, Ghana were superb. They worked so hard, strong, physical, organised, aggressive and dangerous on the counter. They were unlucky not to get a penalty.
Low block defence is very very difficult to break down. Hence Tuchel's tactic is always to take a risk, break quickly having drawn them into us, especially our battery of fast wingers. Sounds familiar, where have I seen that before?
But we were too pedestrian in transition, risk averse allowing them time to get set defensively. Also, someone seems to have convinced Pickford that he’s a ball playing GK. He’s not.
It’s a confidence thing imo team wise.
Anyway, have I missed anything?
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24 Jun 2026 12:26:01
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24 Jun 2026 11:41:42
My twopennorth for what it's worth. Tuchel's changes should have been at half time, but even then nothing would have changed. Nobody has energised the back four or led them properly - tippy tappy all the time - Maguire would have altered that. Players didn't link up with each other but looked like a bunch of strangers.
Clough used to say you needed groups of players who knew how to play in threes and fours.
So the best best there would have been Anderson, Spence and MGW who would have pierced Ghana's defence. Similarly it could have happened on the other side with Saka (came on far too late), Anderson and MGW.
I'm of the opinion Tuchel hasn't got much idea of how to play, though we should beat Panama comfortably. It was turgid stuff to watch.
24 Jun 2026 10:42:23
Scotland v Brazil will be a better game. More riding n it too.
Tartan Army!
24 Jun 2026 11:44:05
Samba Boys! 🌳
24 Jun 2026 08:54:32.
Bellingham the super star went missing again, supposed to be the England number 10!!!! He should have been subbed at half time with Gordon and Mandueke - couldn't cross a road!
It was horrible to watch, sideways, back passes, no commitment to run at Ghana.
Plus, VAR and the ref missed a potential penalty for Ghana! Tuchel got it wrong, and we still shouldn't have a German head coach!
24 Jun 2026 11:04:27
A wee bit dramatic that, i suppose all the Spanish players and management team need sacking after their draw too. 🌳
23 Jun 2026 23:27:41
Well, I made the effort and watched the game. I now wish that I hadn't. Boring, non-committal football. I'd love to see the stats comparing England's forward passing vs their backwards/sideways passing.
What a waste of an opportunity to showcase English talent.
24 Jun 2026 08:06:45
Just shows you there's not much talent to showcase in the first place, Lego. Pep has killed the game stone dead with the introduction of sideways, backwards & back to the goalie from the halfway line. I still haven't watched one second of it yet, and I'm pretty sure I won't.
Roll on August & proper football.
24 Jun 2026 08:47:52
How that wasn't a penalty is beyond me???
No VAR???
Think England got away with one there, lads, just my opinion.
24 Jun 2026 11:17:40
Balloons, I think you are spot on with the Pep comment. Too many managers trying to replicate his style. Back in the day, a side would throw another big man up top and go direct. Kane is six foot plus, Tony and Watkins also. Pickford has a pretty good long pass on him. Why that wasn't utilised is beyond me. Get players around a big man, looking for the second ball.
Gordon and Madueke have zero end product.
Both can't cross and pose little goal threat. I think that's glaringly obvious, and I wouldn't expect either to start big crunch games going ahead. As soon as Rashford and Saka came on, we became a goal threat again.
What I find worrying is Panama play a high-tempo pressing game, lots of energy. If we don't turn up for them, we'll be up 💩 creek without a paddle. 🌳
23 Jun 2026 23:00:21
Complete garbage from England.
Not worth watching.
24 Jun 2026 07:58:56
And you've only just worked that out, dtp. 🤷🏻♂️
23 Jun 2026 20:27:33
Can I change my user name? From redram. Born in Derby the wrong end of the A52 Forest through and through, now live in Spain. Any recommendations for a new monicker?
{Ed033's Note - register a new username
23 Jun 2026 22:32:52
How about Carnero Rojo.
23 Jun 2026 22:39:02
FabrizioChorizo. 🌳
24 Jun 2026 08:47:48
Oh, how about Red Bull?
23 Jun 2026 17:29:44
Come on you Three Lions. 👏🌳
23 Jun 2026 20:46:34
I just had a little cry watching Ando's prematch interview with Kelly Sommers. Fantastic young man. Your mum would be so proud. 🌳
23 Jun 2026 21:14:19
Looks like Hughton is still at Ghana.
23 Jun 2026 21:20:08
Is it me?
Or is Anderson not getting the ball when he demands it?
23 Jun 2026 21:32:25
Don't know why they start Gordon, useless. Obviously, I hope he proves me wrong.
23 Jun 2026 21:36:41
Same as last week, swap the two wide lads at half-time, because this pair have no end product. 🌳
23 Jun 2026 21:45:24
Where's 'Blackboard Betty' when you need her? 🤣
23 Jun 2026 22:44:28
Take it back watching England. Horrible.
23 Jun 2026 23:00:11
Back to watching paint dry because we canny break down a stubborn, deep, defence. 🌳
23 Jun 2026 23:01:06
Huffed and puffed, mate.
23 Jun 2026 23:03:44
So do I, Bowie.
That was utter garbage.
One word sums it up for me.... Lazy.
23 Jun 2026 23:24:38
Poor tactics, if there were any.
Gordon and Maduke aren't good enough.
Bellingham, Rice and Anderson say no goals from midfield.
Kabe hardly got a kick because of them.
Rethink needed from their Tommy.
23 Jun 2026 13:38:40
Looks like we are in for Bergvall from Spurs and Engels from Celtic for the midfield. With Sangare and Dominguez already at the club, that sounds like a good mix.
23 Jun 2026 23:05:11
Trouble is, Cyclist is not one of em good enough to lace Ando's boots.
He will leave a massive hole. Massive.
23 Jun 2026 23:36:38
But who was Anderson before he arrived, Gazz?
That's the business we are in, spotting young talent with a sell-on fee, and making us a premier club that stays there.
24 Jun 2026 10:41:14
I mean yes, it's hard to replace great players. Can't argue with that. Shall we not bother signing anyone for that reason? 🤔
The best bet is to sign the best young players who can develop into good Prem players. We have to hope they have as much Potential as Anderson had, or are a good fit.
Good to see you being positive, Gazza.
24 Jun 2026 11:21:47
Cyclist, mate, you are preaching to the wrong audience with common sense. Most of the negative comments on here are for one reason and one reason only. To get a reaction, it must be trolling season again, as most of them only come out when there has been a bad result. 🌳
23 Jun 2026 11:23:09
Honestly, now. I don't think we need much to be pushing for Europe. No European matches distracting, so hopefully players can play most Prem matches.
We have a good coach.
GK: Sels is good. Need a backup if Sels is leaving.
RB: Aina. Need a replacement for Savona if/when he goes.
LB: Williams, Netz.
CB: Murill and Milenkovic rocks, Cuhna is decent and could play back 3. Backup of Abbot, Morato and others could be strengthened.
MF: Will need at least one new MF if Anderson goes.
I think they might sign two.
AM/Wings: MGW and McAtee are decent. Wingers are average for Prem. Expect a winger and AM who can play CF.
Striker: Wood aging. Definitely need a new striker and the AM/CF mentioned above.
Shopping list:
One GK
One RB
One CD if key players don't leave.
One or two MF
Two Wingers?
One AM/CF
One out and out striker
9 players but only two first choice players needed (a striker and MF) but hopefully a top class winger or two.
23 Jun 2026 11:40:42
It should say if Gunn is leaving above.
23 Jun 2026 12:10:15
The number of signings above will go down if a couple of the signings are players who can play several positions, e.g., able to play wing, number 10 or striker.
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