-Removed-I think Southgate will be really tested by this one. His strategy appears to be based around defending clean sheets which is physically demanding. On the one hand Ukraine could be seen as an opportunity for a lot of rotation and resting players whilst protecting key creative players and giving others a run out. On the other hand he already has to worry that beating the Germans has left us over confident. He doesn't want pride to come before a fall so does resting players give the wrong message for this situation?
@divegeester
Yeah, I can't fault that. I think that is closer to what he will do than what I will say. I think it was Venables who said that any successful team must be familiar with two systems so I would like to think this would be a game to play a different way and rotate.
The danger of being set up for being compact with explosive counterattacks is when the other team doesn't attack. Ukraine might just sit back and say either come and open us up or it's pens.
So my more attacking England has James and Shaw as wingbacks. Same keeper. Three at the back, Stones, Maguire, Walker so Walker and James deal with the threat from Zinczenko.
I want to rest Philips and play Sterling from the bench if we need to avoid extra time.
So, Rice and Henderson in the centre of the pitch. Start Saka and Grealish on either side of Kane.
-Removed-I think international teams play a different and lower level football than top European teams. I think that is why Southgate doesn't favour Foden. This football is more about individuals who make things happen. That's why Ukraine can get this far despite all the threat coming from Zinczenko. The space will be behind him.
I think very advanced full backs or wing backs plus use the players who make things happen as individuals like Saka and Grealish.
@relentless-red saidSaka and Grealish were definitely the two stand-out players.
I think international teams play a different and lower level football than top European teams. I think that is why Southgate doesn't favour Foden. This football is more about individuals who make things happen. That's why Ukraine can get this far despite all the threat coming from Zinczenko. The space will be behind him.
I think very advanced full backs or wing backs plus use the players who make things happen as individuals like Saka and Grealish.