Popular Post mjmooney Posted July 5, 2021 VT Supporter Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2021 He's in London, not Timbuktoo. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmooney Posted July 5, 2021 VT Supporter Share Posted July 5, 2021 Quote Gareth Southgate has finally made the Jack Grealish problem disappear. Or rather, Jadon Sancho has. Sancho lit up England’s victory over the Ukraine with a display that combined derring do with discipline. His presence on the right gave England width and a willing target in advanced areas. Sancho mixed simplicity with dexterity, rotating possession neatly when little was on and injecting pace and trickery at the flick of a switch. The clamour for Grealish was always about the desire for flair over utility. In the context of the one dimensional displays that characterised the group stage of this tournament, discontent found an obvious outlet in Grealish, a player flush with insouciance and imagination. We just wanted to be entertained by an England team sold to us by Southgate as something new and invigorating, untouched by our minimalist past. Southgate retreated from that romantic vision on pragmatic grounds, placing a greater value on outcomes than aesthetics. Grealish came on to great effect when the last-16 encounter with Germany became stretched. He was involved in Raheem Sterling’s opener and provided the cross that eased Harry Kane’s suffering. For reasons not laid out explicitly by Southgate that wasn’t enough to earn him the starting spot against Ukraine. We can speculate, as Alan Shearer has, that Grealish might not offer enough defensively for Southgate’s tastes, that England’s shape is compromised out of possession with him in the side. Southgate has spent too long cultivating a supportive, protective environment to start detailing publicly what players cannot do. It’s all about praising the stuff they are good at. It is therefore left to us to infer why Grealish does not tick the box for the gaffer. However, the selection of Sancho demonstrates that Southgate is not deaf to criticism and that he is genuine about his desire to see England play a more expansive game. Back in the more familiar 4-3-3 formation England bore no relation to the tentative bunch hurried out of their stride by Scotland at Wembley. They were stationed higher up the pitch in Rome, operating at a quicker tempo with the midfield two of Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips more advanced. Thus did England resemble a powerful Premier League team on the front foot. The Champions League final told us how successful a model that can be. The early goal helped of course. Whilst you cannot guarantee the fecundity of any masterplan, a goal is far more likely to follow from an attacking premise. The licence to go after Ukraine was ultimately rooted in the trust of a coach who felt he could rely on his front three to maintain defensive disciplines as well as run at the opposition. Sancho was a delight with the brakes off, shifting the ball quickly off either foot, insinuating his way through gaps with an eel-like quality. The former members of England’s golden generation in the commentary box, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard, cooed over his contribution. It does not take much for Ferdinand to engage his Manchester United reflex. Needless to say United have signed the answer to Ferdinand’s prayers, a kid, like him, from south London’s fertile football boroughs. Wisely, Sancho stood back from that tangent, slapping his own anti-disclosure clause on the United conversation. After managing just six minutes in the tournament before the quarter-final, he squeezed every drop from the opportunity against Ukraine, playing not only the full 90 minutes but arguably into the team against Denmark on Wednesday irrespective of Bukayo Saka’s fitness. As Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland remarked before a ball was kicked, the make-up of teams that finish tournaments is frequently different to starting line-ups. Southgate has already cured himself of the confused idea that Kieran Trippier is a better option at left-back than Luke Shaw. The spine of the team picks itself. It is around the attacking shape that Southgate seeks to optimise his selection. The Ukraine contest was a significant upgrade on what came before. England looked plausible favourites to win the thing, adding genuine forward thrust to the solidity upon which they relied against Germany. With Southgate showing himself to be a capable steward in charge of a talented group, perhaps it is time to share the belief the manager has in his methods and the players have in themselves. Indy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post villa4europe Posted July 5, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2021 Why is it always grealish vs someone else in the press and social media? Wheres the foden vs sancho debate? Or Foden vs Mount? Its usually someone who plays in a different position too, sancho was OK on the right wing so that's justification for not playing grealish at 11 or 10...hows that work? And Sancho was just OK, he didn't do anything that special vs Ukraine and again its saka has a decent game "has to start" sancho has a decent game "has to start" grealish has a decent game "he's a great sub option" I'm not in any conspiracy mode or even gone in to pissed off teenage girl fan club mode, it's all just a bit **** weird 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okonokos Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 Just now, villa4europe said: Why is it always grealish vs someone else in the press and social media? Wheres the foden vs sancho debate? Or Foden vs Mount? Its usually someone who plays in a different position too, sancho was OK on the right wing so that's justification for not playing grealish at 11 or 10...hows that work? And Sancho was just OK, he didn't do anything that special vs Ukraine and again its saka has a decent game "has to start" sancho has a decent game "has to start" grealish has a decent game "he's a great sub option" I'm not in any conspiracy mode or even gone in to pissed off teenage girl fan club mode, it's all just a bit **** weird Because Grealish generates clicks and clicks are all they care about. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarryOnVilla Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 3 minutes ago, Okonokos said: Because Grealish generates clicks and clicks are all they care about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacketspuds Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 Not being funny, but I reckon most right wingers in the PL would have looked good against that Ukraine team. Fair play to Sancho for taking his chance, but they need to put it into context. Grealish deserved to start and I’d like to think the only reason he didn’t was because he’s still coming back from injury. However, gut feel says it is because Southgate likes players to stay in their position. Apart from Kane, but if he carries on scoring now, who cares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ_Villain Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 39 minutes ago, mjmooney said: He's in London, not Timbuktoo. Best comment ever! Its gone over people’s heads completely that the team have barely had to leave the country during this whole tournament Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomav84 Posted July 5, 2021 VT Supporter Share Posted July 5, 2021 4 minutes ago, DJ_Villain said: Best comment ever! Its gone over people’s heads completely that the team have barely had to leave the country during this whole tournament even if they didn't, it would have all been largely agreed in principle either way. it would just be the formalities that get finalised. all it would take would be a call from the agent..."jack...villa have come back with 150k p/w...you cool with that yeah? alright, leave the details to me" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCJonah Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 Just now, tomav84 said: even if they didn't, it would have all been largely agreed in principle either way. it would just be the formalities that get finalised. all it would take would be a call from the agent..."jack...villa have come back with 150k p/w...you cool with that yeah? alright, leave the details to me" Exactly. I highly doubt Jack is the one involved in the negotiations. I'd imagine the discussions started before he left anyway. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post WHY Posted July 5, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2021 (edited) 43 minutes ago, mjmooney said: Indy That’s unbelievable. Genuinely can’t believe what I have just read. Sancho was bang average against the worst team we have faced so far. I’m not knocking Sancho, he’s great for Dortmund but was average against a slow and pedestrian Ukraine team who looked like a team who had played 120 mins in the previous round. Why even mention Grealish, it’s Foden who plays in his position. Not sure what the reason is but for a few weeks now there has been a lot of negativity about Grealish in the media and pundits in general. They were all calling for him to start prior to that. Something doesn’t add up here. Edited July 5, 2021 by WHY 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHY Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 22 minutes ago, jacketspuds said: Not being funny, but I reckon most right wingers in the PL would have looked good against that Ukraine team. Fair play to Sancho for taking his chance, but they need to put it into context. Grealish deserved to start and I’d like to think the only reason he didn’t was because he’s still coming back from injury. However, gut feel says it is because Southgate likes players to stay in their position. Apart from Kane, but if he carries on scoring now, who cares. Taking his chance, he was bang average. He did one run in the first half that was decent and that was it. Shaw contributed far more from an attacking point of view than Sancho did. He ran into defenders constantly in the second half. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jas10 Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post birdman Posted July 5, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted July 5, 2021 1 hour ago, mjmooney said: Indy "The clamour for Grealish was always about the desire for flair over utility" How about the desire for end product or did they forget that bit lol 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddywhack Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 1 hour ago, mjmooney said: He's in London, not Timbuktoo. He's not even that far away, he's in Burton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villa94 Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 im hoping that all this squad rotation bs has opened his eyes about a move away…….his talent is deserved of being the first name on a team sheet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 (edited) Sky Sports saying Man City won't try to sign Grealish if they sign Kane or Haaland and that striker is their top priority. But we knew this already. I just wish Villa would announce the new contract yesterday. Edited July 5, 2021 by maqroll 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHY Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 4 minutes ago, maqroll said: Sky Sports saying Man City won't try to sign Grealish is they sign Kane or Haaland and that striker is their top priority. But we knew this already. I just wish Villa would announce the new contract yesterday. Would rather we casually drop it in at the ESR and JWP press conference! 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat Kendrick's Dentist Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 8 minutes ago, maqroll said: Sky Sports saying Man City won't try to sign Grealish is they sign Kane or Haaland and that striker is their top priority. But we knew this already. I just wish Villa would announce the new contract yesterday. Any link mate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanBalaban Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 4 hours ago, MachoFantastico said: There's claims he's signed a new contract but I doubt it considering he's on international duty. Unless everything as been done remotely which I personally doubt. Sounds like typical Twitter BS. Nothing to do with Grealish per se, but I work with a lot of law firms on the financial side, and very few 'talent' contracts are wet ink these days. Agent would review and simply pass to the player to sign on his phone. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maqroll Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 13 minutes ago, Mat Kendrick's Dentist said: Any link mate? Can't find it now, but it was on Villa News Now. Embedded video with the reporter with the West Asian sounding name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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