Philosopher

I agree in regards to Bailey and Traore. Just to point out tracking back is not the same as pressing. Tracking back is following the runs made by the fullback (in this case) they're up against. Pressing is pressuring the player with the ball. It's a real art to be able to effectively press high and track back, as they're somewhat counter intuitive. Takes great teamwork and organisation, as well and discipline and defensive awareness. To do one only takes effort, to do both is almost an art in itself.

Bailey would be great as the 10. Drifting right as Buendia drifts inside. And looking to get in the right channel, and in behind. That would be scary, as Watkins likes to work the left channel and links up well with Jack. Left, right, centre defenders buried everywhere.

I'd say Leicester have usurped Tottenham and Arsenal to become the 5th best team on the league. They're a bigger draw than us. They have also been been building up their scouting network and knowledge at this level longer than us. One of the reasons why we have been as successful with scouting the championship, and the number of championship players we have sign is down to the time we spent in that league and scouting for players at that level. Give us 2 or 3 more seasons and we'll be up there.

Hopefully we have a sell clause!

I loved him. He'd have thrived in this team.

We ideally need someone who is both big athletic and tough in the tackle, with good technique and passing.

Well Leeds were off the charts , so I can't see us competing with that. Our Fullbacks were used very conservatively (for the modern game), Jack wasn't really required to track back, Traore and El-Ghazi aren't exactly the hardest workers. I'd be interested in how Doug and MacG's stats look. I suspect they're lower also because they for the most part had to sit in front of the defense. The 4-2-3-1 particularly with how we used our fullbacks was always going to have less distance covered. The midfield in such a system don't need to cover so much ground as they have smaller zones. Targett lacks pace and Cash was a winger converted to wing back, whom we were converting to a fullback. So the conservative use of them was very much required. This is why I'd like to see a 4-3-3 with Jack and Buendia wide, and a proper 6. Then everyone else bar the centre backs and goalie being runners, covering lots of ground, pressing high and supporting both defense and attack.

I agree with everything you said. As I see it ESR would more likely be wanted in order to have a rotation option for Jack and Buendia as much as to play 10. I know the common consensus is to play as the 10, but Jack seems to have an issue with his shins and given how much he gets kicked, I can see it being something he will have manage for at least another season given he simply hasn't had enough time to rest. Throw in that Buendia (while highly rated) has only just joined and we don't know how well he'll do for us getting another playmaker in is necessary if we really want to seriously make a play for European football. The other option with ESR is to play him left and Jack centrally. This way you have wide players more focused on passing, through balls, and ball retention, Jack carrying the ball out and then playing one twos off them, as well and dictating the tempo. Fullbacks will provide the width and Ollie will work the channels mostly by himself. Then the wildcard McGinn breaking from his DM position and ghosting forward late. Although we played most of last season with a 4-2-3-1, Smith favours a 4-3-3, so I think he will make the choice of which formation to play based on the opposition and their strengths and weaknesses. As we basically have a team built around Jack, if we lack an advanced playmaker on the pitch we look lost. So Bringing in both Buendia and hopefully ESR will mean we don't have to worry so much there. Also I think their thoughts are that most of our threat comes from the left and so does most of our forward play. So I presume the idea is also make the most of the right hand side. There is a a lot of space there to be exploited, so getting in a player like Buendia who will look to pass into the space, with Cash who will look to overlap, plus McGinn or Sanson on that side if centre mid means teams can't focus their defense on Jack on the left. I too would love a shadow striker type for the 10 position. I don’t think McGinn has the predatory instincts to play that role. It requires very clever movement as well as quality finishing. McGinn basically plays playground style, chasing the ball. The SS need to make decoy runs, drag player out of positions, peel off their marker, and ghost into space in and around the box. They could do with pace as well. This Alvarez kid looks more like a shadow striker or a false nine, certainly not an out and out striker. But he also has playmaker qualities with his eye for a pass and dribbling ability. I actually think Traore would be a great shout for the shadow striker role too. Certainly better than McGinn. In short getting in another playmaker, will unlock a multitude of formational and tactical possibilities, which will make us a terrifying attacking force, with depth in the case of injury, suspension, or exhaustion. In short the goal is to create a world class attack to form a platform to get into and stay in Europe for the next 3 to 5 years.

You seem to have forgotten that one of a box to box midfielders jobs is to arrive late into the box. McGinn simply isn't skilled enough to play as a creative 10. His short passing isn't good enough, and he simply doesn't look up enough when dribbling. He also lacks the predatory instincts to play as a shadow striker. Box to box 8 is McGinns best role, however I do feel he can play as a deep lying 6 as his second best role. This is because his medium and long range passing is good enough, he Shields the ball really well, and loves to get stuck in. Box to box is where he excells though. As his energy and tenacity make him perfect for chasing the ball across the pitch (the primary job of a box to box player). This is a little wasted if you ask him to hold a higher or deeper position (which is what is being asked if he plays 6 or 10). He's a decent tackler, decent passer, and decent finisher. He doesn't really excell in one area in term of technical skills, but he can do a bit of everything. These traits I mentioned show that he is quintessentially, tailor made to be a box to box midfielder. If we play Jack and Buendia in freeish roles off the wings and put not just Mac-G but Sanson as box to box with a proper holding 6 (to allow them the freedom to get beyond Jack and Buendia) those two should be good for 10 goals each. Playing 6 as one of two 6's, particularly if the other 6 is Nakamba (or his type) gives McGinn a but of license to get push further forward and make use of his desire to follow the play. So if he is to be played as a 6 then this is the best way for that.

I agree, throw in Eze, and that young left back they have coming through and there is good talent to be developed. If they can defend well, keep Zaha, and get the best out of Benteke they will be fine.

A 34 year old being given a 5 year contract. MADNESS!

Sorry but if you know anything about twitter and the aftermath of a big game, then you know all the racists and trolls target the losing teams black players. So when 3 black players miss penalties in the Euros final, it is bound to be a s***show! Unfortunately it's just the current state of play. But you want to criticise when he made a comment that has proved 100 percent correct. I find it insulting, because that is the the head in the sand behaviour that allows that crap to continue. People are free to say what they want, so long as their racism doesn't manifest in the physical. And yes the we show be thick skinned and ignore the idiots. But people with racist views are at the very least ignorant, and people that say the racist abuse isn't that bad, or deny it are ignorant at the very least also.

Penalties are a lottery. When you play as negatively as England did, you expect to have to play the lottery. If you want to take matters into your own hands, you have to show true ambition and play to win, not play to not get beat!

Unfortunately he may be right! The scapegoating around penalty misses is never pretty.

It's a shame, ultimately Southgate was too cautious. Italy played the best football in the this tournament and deserved to win. England with better attackers played uninspiring football, got a great draw and blagged their way to a final. So while I'm sad and disappointed, I'm not heartbroken or distraught in the way I have been in previous penalty defeats.

Well if he was on his way he'd be a superstar now. I personally think he always looked better as an attacking 8, than a proper 10. Apparently he doesn't train hard enough, so if true he will never achieve his full potential. I never felt he'd be a top number 10. However I did feel he could become a top goal scoring box to box like Lampard. Dele Ali simply doesn't have the technique and touch to be a top number 10. I if doesn't matter if Dele Ali came to Villa and flopped, because we have Chukwuemeka, then why sign him in the first place? Dele Ali is on over 100k per week, and would cost at least 40 million. Levy will wring out as much money as he can get. Not keen. If the deal was cheap and we got a hungry Dele Ali and played him as one of two 8's with Mcginn that would be quite tasty however.

Wow you're optimistic!

Tribute to Gazza Euro 96. Funny how everyone was comparing Jack to Gazza, and then Foden copy's Gazza's most memorable hairdo. I really feel like Jack is being frozen out. Like not just the manager, but the players are trying to 'put him in his place'. In fact it may becoming from the players than the manager. Shaw 100% doesn't pass to Jack unless he has to. Same with Kane and Rice.

This

If Denmark equalise I will laugh my head off!

I'm done with England. The Cu**ing players don't pass to Jack and the **** manager disrespects him. F*** England.

Both defenders made contact with Sterling but not the ball, so while it is a bit soft, that's a pen in the modern game.

Too much Sterling hate on this thread!

Yesss

It was a pen for me.