England vrs Croatia chat [I Love Football]

@Burnley123 Can't complain when we've never won the first game before 😄

Not sure about the fullbacks, but everyone else played OK

@SW-User They both defended well defensively and Croatia never looked like scoring.
I think he will play Shaw in games that we expect to dominate the ball.

@Burnley123 The problem with Trippier at left back is that Stirling is also always going to cut in from the left.

@SW-User I think that was the strategy too, with long balls to Sterling in behind. Against a team that plays deeper and you need width, he will start with Shaw.

@Burnley123 The best thing about tournaments is when players come from being fringe squad players to key players. Kalvin Phillips made himself difficult to drop today,provided he avoids yellow cards.

@SW-User I'm as big fan of tactics; play certain players for certain games....if it doesn't work, then bugger.....but when it does work, it works...

Mr G is a great tactician.

😋

@SW-User Definitely. If he plays that well, he is undroppable.

@SammyJo I hope so. I haven't been convinced of his plans in the lead up to the tournament, but look at the leader board, I know nothing 🤣

@SW-User Where it counts, in competitions, he seems to know his onions....

☺️

@SW-User @SammyJo The thing I like about Southgate is that he has a plan and picks the players to execute that plan.

I remember all those times when Hodgson, Erikkson, and McClaren just picked the biggest name players and hoped it would work out. Lampard and Gerrard were played together in midfield time and time again but it was never successful.