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What are the problems with the England team and can they be solved? [I Love Real Football]

First of all, well done to Scotland, who played a good game and tested us in lots of ways which Croatia didn't. A test that we failed.

Its hard to see England as genuine tournament contenders based on the evidence so far. Despite a wealth of attacking talent, we have scored one goal in two games against average teams.

There is a lack of midfield fluidity, with slow passing and a lack of opinions. The long ball over the top to Sterling is effective but teams tend to suss it out early in a game.

There is also a lack of energy. England have only plated well in the first ten minutes of each half and fade after that. You can blame it on a congested fixture list: the amount of games played in Europe and the congested domestic schedule, but most of England's rivals have the same issue. Pogba and Mbappe don't play as of they are tired buy Harry Kane does. The latter has played the least games.

Kane has suffered due to lack of service but there is no getting around the fact that he himself has been poor. Rasford is not a central striker and Calvin-Lewis has nothing like the same quality so what do you do?

Maybe Southgate has overcompensated for a for defensive vulnerability by not placing enough emphasis on coaching the attack? We will get through to the next round but are we good enough to go deep in the contest?

Thoughts?
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SW-User
Expectations are built up too high, and brought down too quickly. England v Scotland games are generally close and last night Scotland played well and possibly deserved to win. Its not a disaster by any means, and doesn't really change the outcome in the group much for England. All to play for, for all four teams.

I still think England lack creativity in Midfield, fine for counterattacking but never going to break down a well organised defence. There seems to be a reluctance to shoot at times as well.

Some of the bright young stars are maybe not as good as their reputations. I haven't seen much football in the last year or so, but I still haven't seen Foden play anywhere near as well as you'd expect from the press. I've been far more impressed with Billy Gilmour, again only based on a couple of games though.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@SW-User Good points.

I've watched a bit. Foden has been superb for City in the Champions league, as has Mount for Chelsea. Rice has been one of the best centre mods in the Premiership this season.

So to an extent, I think that the reputations are deserved but they were all bad last night. When Henderson and Maguire are back, that will add much needed leadership. I was against Grealish starting before the tournament but now I think he is worth putting in because Foden has been so out of sorts.
SW-User
@Burnley123 I don't want to be too hard on Foden, he's just never done it in games I've seen. It's too early to write England off. Spain lost their first game when they won the World Cup in 2010. After two games for most countries, I think Italy are the stand out team at the moment.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@SW-User Yes, we can't overeact and the defensive mentality will help us in the knockout rounds.

I think Italy have played the best football but France is the most effective team.
SW-User
@Burnley123 Mbappe stands France apart from other teams, his pace is unreal. It could be a tournament similar to the 86 world cup when there was a group of similar standard teams, and one of them had Maradona.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@SW-User Mbappe is the best forward and France also has the best defensive unit. They really should have beaten Germany by more and the game was in Munich. I also don't think Germany played that badly.

Italy are an impressive attacking team but it remains to be seen whether they can do it against a fellow contender. Maybe they can but I think France is even stronger.
SW-User
@Burnley123 I'm looking forward to today's games. I think Germany v Portugal will be a good indicator of both teams. Possible next round opponents for England, IF we can beat Czech republic.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@SW-User Agreed