EPL Winter Break - I have nothing to do this weekend

[SocrManiac]

Klopp wins his fifth manager of the month award (this year). Seemed like Klopp was arguing against it, but look at the club’s fixture list and results. LFC’s run is absolutely insane.

Raheem is out for a few weeks. His form hasn’t been the greatest, so a break isn’t the worst thing in the world. Might be seen as karmic retribution for the Dele Alle tackle that should have earned him a three game ban in the first place. That leaves England with three injured strikers on the eve of the Euros.

 

[Kliq]

Klopp wins his fifth manager of the month award (this year). Seemed like Klopp was arguing against it, but look at the club’s fixture list and results. LFC’s run is absolutely insane.

Raheem is out for a few weeks. His form hasn’t been the greatest, so a break isn’t the worst thing in the world. Might be seen as karmic retribution for the Dele Alle tack that have earned him a three game ban in the first place. That leaves England with three injured strikers on the eve of the Euros.

I am very interested in the England team for the Euros. Assuming everyone is back and fit in time, they will have plenty of forward options with Kane, Sterling, Vardy, Rashford, Sancho, Abraham and even depth guys like Ings and Wilson. Really, when it comes to the sheer number of players scoring goals against top competition, they might have more depth than any other country in the Euros. They are also pretty strong at fullback with TAA, Ben Chilwell and Wan-Bissaka.

They are so soft in the middle though, CB lacks any really strong option except for maybe Harry Maguire, with a bunch of either unproven or underwhelming options (Stones, Mings, Joe Gomez, Tarkowski) and the midfield is basically just Dele and a bunch of question marks. Does Henderson have the legs to play 90? Young guys like Maddison, Mount, Rice will probably have to step up. Lingard is a pumpkin again. Barkley and Delph are not real players at that level. If Ox can play well over the next few months that would give them a critical piece to the puzzle. Their undoing in the World Cup was that Croatia had a midfield that was light years ahead of Englands. I think they will score a lot of goals but could also give up a ton as well.

 

[67YAZ]

I am very interested in the England team for the Euros. Assuming everyone is back and fit in time, they will have plenty of forward options with Kane, Sterling, Vardy, Rashford, Sancho, Abraham and even depth guys like Ings and Wilson. Really, when it comes to the sheer number of players scoring goals against top competition, they might have more depth than any other country in the Euros. They are also pretty strong at fullback with TAA, Ben Chilwell and Wan-Bissaka.

They are so soft in the middle though, CB lacks any really strong option except for maybe Harry Maguire, with a bunch of either unproven or underwhelming options (Stones, Mings, Joe Gomez, Tarkowski) and the midfield is basically just Dele and a bunch of question marks. Does Henderson have the legs to play 90? Young guys like Maddison, Mount, Rice will probably have to step up. Lingard is a pumpkin again. Barkley and Delph are not real players at that level. If Ox can play well over the next few months that would give them a critical piece to the puzzle. Their undoing in the World Cup was that Croatia had a midfield that was light years ahead of Englands. I think they will score a lot of goals but could also give up a ton as well.

Henderson is going 90 every week for Liverpool, he's got the legs. I think the problem is if you plan to use The Captain at the base of the midfield with Maguire and Stones combo behind him. That's not a lot of steel in the middle of the defense, especially when international squads don't really have sophisticated, coordinated pressing schemes. If RLC is healthy by this summer, he could be a key cog with his strength and all-around box-to-box skillset.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

I am very interested in the England team for the Euros. Assuming everyone is back and fit in time, they will have plenty of forward options with Kane, Sterling, Vardy, Rashford, Sancho, Abraham and even depth guys like Ings and Wilson. Really, when it comes to the sheer number of players scoring goals against top competition, they might have more depth than any other country in the Euros. They are also pretty strong at fullback with TAA, Ben Chilwell and Wan-Bissaka.

They are so soft in the middle though, CB lacks any really strong option except for maybe Harry Maguire, with a bunch of either unproven or underwhelming options (Stones, Mings, Joe Gomez, Tarkowski) and the midfield is basically just Dele and a bunch of question marks. Does Henderson have the legs to play 90? Young guys like Maddison, Mount, Rice will probably have to step up. Lingard is a pumpkin again. Barkley and Delph are not real players at that level. If Ox can play well over the next few months that would give them a critical piece to the puzzle. Their undoing in the World Cup was that Croatia had a midfield that was light years ahead of Englands. I think they will score a lot of goals but could also give up a ton as well.

This is how I would line up.

--Sterling------Kane------Sancho
-----------------Grealish----------------
---------Henderson--Foden-------
Chilwell--Maguire-Gomez--TAA

That's a really good team.

 

[Kliq]

This is how I would line up.

--Sterling------Kane------Sancho
-----------------Grealish----------------
---------Henderson--Foden-------
Chilwell--Maguire-Gomez--TAA

That's a really good team.

During the Croatia game, England used Kane as a False 9, which might be an interesting option. Kane can hold-up play and hit passes to the speedy forwards, and it allows to England to use its surplus of forwards to cover for its lack of playmaking from the midfield position. Assuming he is healthy, of course.

 

[SocrManiac]

I'd be quite interested to see what Gomez looks like when VVD isn't next to him. Matip and Lovren look competent (even good?) when paired with the guy. Is Gomez currently a product of that, or can he stand on his own two feet?

 

[Zomp]

Grealish over Maddison?

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

During the Croatia game, England used Kane as a False 9, which might be an interesting option. Kane can hold-up play and hit passes to the speedy forwards, and it allows to England to use its surplus of forwards to cover for its lack of playmaking from the midfield position. Assuming he is healthy, of course.

I like that, especially if flanked by two of Sterling/Sancho/Rashford, all of whom can run behind the defense and score goals.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Grealish over Maddison?

Some might disagree but I'm super high on Grealish, who has really impressed me in the (admittedly limited) games I've seen him this year. I think he is a more skilled and well rounded player than Maddison.

 

[OCST]

I am very interested in the England team for the Euros. Assuming everyone is back and fit in time, they will have plenty of forward options with Kane, Sterling, Vardy, Rashford, Sancho, Abraham and even depth guys like Ings and Wilson. Really, when it comes to the sheer number of players scoring goals against top competition, they might have more depth than any other country in the Euros. They are also pretty strong at fullback with TAA, Ben Chilwell and Wan-Bissaka.

They are so soft in the middle though, CB lacks any really strong option except for maybe Harry Maguire, with a bunch of either unproven or underwhelming options (Stones, Mings, Joe Gomez, Tarkowski) and the midfield is basically just Dele and a bunch of question marks. Does Henderson have the legs to play 90? Young guys like Maddison, Mount, Rice will probably have to step up. Lingard is a pumpkin again. Barkley and Delph are not real players at that level. If Ox can play well over the next few months that would give them a critical piece to the puzzle. Their undoing in the World Cup was that Croatia had a midfield that was light years ahead of Englands. I think they will score a lot of goals but could also give up a ton as well.

I'm down on Maguire. Don't believe the hype.

Sneaky option: Mason Holgate is quietly having a very good season. Has run Keane out of the starting lineup and Keane's probably out of England now too.

 

[SocrManiac]

I’m glad OilCan said it...

Maguire defies my eyes on a sporadic basis, but more often lives up to my low expectations. Given his price tag, he is a disaster playing out of the back. Ole must rip his hair out every time Harry carries the ball forward and gives it away with a stupid short pass. A parent could have trained an 8 year old out of the habit by now, but it’s still a key part of Maguire’s game.

He scores goals, but he provides the opposition with assists. He makes incredible last ditch tackles, but he gives away silly free kicks. All I can conclude is that the guy has impressive talent but is dumb as a goddamn stump.

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

Err .. I would like to point out that there are games this weekend ..

Everton vs Palace
Brighton vs Watford

and Sunday features ..

Sheffield vs Bournemouth
City vs. West Ham

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

As for England at the Euros

im sure Henderson will want to go and will probably start .. but he’s going to be pretty knackered after doing the Treble

I agree with Socrmaniac’s view of McGuire .. vastly overrated .. and one hesitates to infer he’s stupid .. but he plays stupidly and even looks like a cement head.