England delivered a dominant 7-0 victory over Croatia, showcasing a high-press, energetic, and well-organized performance that highlighted exceptional teamwork and individual brilliance. Alex Scott made a compelling debut, displaying composure and tactical awareness that signals his future role in the squad. Jude Bellingham was lauded for his confidence, technical skill, and all-round game, with many viewing him as a potential England great. Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall demonstrated strong defensive and offensive synergy, with their partnership seen as a key strength. The discussion underscores the need for England to gain experience against top-tier nations to build confidence and belief in their tournament potential. The episode also emphasizes the inclusive, respectful culture of football dressing rooms, contrasting with divisive political rhetoric about race. Performance statistics reflect elite levels of efficiency from key midfielders, reinforcing their quality. Ultimately, the analysis calls for more consistent high-press tactics and experience in major tournaments to elevate England’s standing in international football.
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Hello and welcome to the rest of football with Alan Sheeran, Micah Richards and me, Gary
Lennyka.
England of one by seven goals to nail away from home from a top 15 team in the world.
What a wonderful place it is.
Well, he's just a football at the moment, but Alan, where are you?
Yeah, I'm still in Portugal, guys.
Still playing terrible golf.
Do you know what?
I was on the reins of the day, right, and I was hitting it so well, I think, yeah, I've
got it.
I've nailed it.
And I walked to the first T-Box all cocky thinking, yeah, I've got this.
I pushed my ball that far.
I lose my fucking ball on the first T. I was like, I hate this game.
Did you know in America, they have like, well, I think they call it a breakfast ball.
You get another goal on the first T, I think that's what they call it.
Breakfast ball.
I mean, you've minimized my whole golf inquiry in one of the reasons why I had to get my
mental health wasn't good, so I had to give up because I would absolutely stripe it.
And I know this is the rest of the football, not the rest of the golf, but I would absolutely
stripe it down the middle on the range, 15, 20, 20 drivers at first T. I'd either block
it completely right, I'd cook it most times.
I know.
I never pushed one on the range, never pushed one right on the range.
No, no, Michael, let me give you one piece of advice in life.
Go on.
Whatever people say, don't start playing golf.
Yeah.
I won't, I've not got a time, I've not got a patience.
I've got nothing to do about it.
There are good things about it.
It's a lovely walk, but I think it's a lovely walk, looking for your ball in the rough
all the time.
What have you been up to, big mix?
I actually was doing some work with Kevin Sinfields.
You know, running seven ultramarins in seven days for M&D.
How much every day?
I think you did seven ultramarifans, seven ultramarifans in seven days.
You have.
Not me.
Not me.
Kevin Sinfield.
I'm going to say how did you miss that?
I saw you cycle, did you cycle a mile, Michael, did you?
Honestly, I felt so embarrassed, so they get the email down there and you say, oh, would
you come and support Kevin, great course, Rob Burrows.
Yeah, this is a good course.
So I go down and start, come on leads, lad, started it headingly.
The sponsor manager said, oh, is he going to run it?
Is he going to cycle it?
So I said my knees bad.
I've obviously got a cycle.
So then I get in the dressing room.
And I see all these inspirational humans about to take on some unbelievable task.
And I'm on an electric bike and I never, I have fucking lying like, oh, it was so embarrassing
and then dripping and sweating and doing it all for the cause.
And I'm just there smiling and to make it even worse.
So I'm not, when I ride a bike, I don't wear a normal helmet.
So back in the day, you know, like Mo Peds.
So for whatever reason, you just have a quad, years and years ago, but I've got a quad
at helmet.
So I've gone there.
I've gone with my Harley Davidson gloves.
I've got my motorbike helmet.
I just looked a shambles to ride on an electric bike.
Honestly, I just, I had to question myself, all these men do an inspirational thing.
And can I ask you a question?
Obviously, when they asked you to do it, they must have said, we'd like you to, you know,
if you could join in for a little, did you get all precious to say, I'm only doing it if,
if I get an electric bike.
It's that, it's that, it's that.
I can't believe you've got there.
They've given you, you should have just said, no, I just, I just, I just, I'm madder about
my knees.
I'll just have to run it.
And there's nowhere I'm getting on an electric bike when you guys are running.
But the thing is, so they start different places, so they do 7K in one part of leads.
And then they ended up in Bradford.
And I've seen the time that they was doing the 7K.
So I thought, if they're just plotting, maybe I couldn't just plot along with them.
But when I saw the time that was doing, I was like, there's no chance, honest, I've never
been so embarrassed in all my life.
Alan, why are you in a sauna?
Sorry about that, but it's not that holiday, it's fun.
What did you do, Gus?
Come on, what have you been doing?
You knew kitchens often running, so I've been cooking a bit and look, well, I don't
know where you can see it, but I managed to burn myself quite badly.
I had an argument with a deep fat fry here on a drop the chips in and they've bounced
up.
And as I went to protect my face, it went all over my hand, which is probably preferable.
But it was quite a bad one.
Ouch.
And watching England.
England, I mean, absolutely battered them really.
I mean, obviously Croatia were really poor on the night, particularly defensively from
any cross that came in.
They didn't seem to have anyone anywhere near the middle of the goal, which was quite
baffling.
Having said all that, it was an experienced Croatian team and it's, I think, it's pushing
their experience a little bit now.
Yeah.
They're really good.
The energy was high, they pressed and pressed the whole game.
They won it back very quickly each time.
So yeah, much to enjoy, I thought.
I agree.
I thought they were outstanding from start to finish.
I thought the energy, everything about their game, I thought was brilliant.
We said it the other day, you know when you're going into tough places that it's not always
easy to get a result, but they made it look very, very easy last night.
They were comfortable in everything they would do and scored some great goals.
They scored seven, could have been 10, 11, 12, couldn't it?
They missed some chances as well, but I thought it was impressive from everyone.
This is a performance where yes, it was against Croatia.
Some of their players are coming to the end, especially moderate at times.
You looked a little bit old, but he's still a top quality player and I've got some really
good players, Croatia.
Batteriena, I really like him, who's that coma, but he couldn't really get into the game.
You know when we talk about England being on the front foot out, this is exactly what
we're talking about.
I'm not just talking about midfield and forward, talking about the defence as well.
The first goal, you see where G-E-E is, that is being brave.
It allows a team to go up the pitch and then they're going to score the goal.
I just thought every player was outstaffed in.
How many times have you said that about England?
Every single player on the pitch was amazing, even pickford, there was one time when it went
through, it's time to come out and the position that he showed, it filled me with confidence
and I'm not going to say, "Oh, we're going to go win the Euro's."
But if they play like that in the Euro's, they will cause teams problems.
I can't remember the last time we played as well as that over a sustained period of
a match.
It's very rare, in fact, where you can see it was almost the perfect performance.
I thought every player more than played their part, did their job, every player was an
eight or nine out of ten.
Seven nil away from home, it's quite a staggering result.
We did a bit of research.
England's biggest wins under when we've actually played.
What was yours?
How do you know it?
Was there a seven as well?
I mean, I'm assuming you're not making it away from home, home or away, I think.
No, it's a home or away.
Did we, I think we scored seven once, did we, England at Wembley?
Six against Luxembourg and someone, how did you get out?
Was that you want to know only England, Patrick, wasn't it, against the mighty Luxembourg?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Mica, your biggest win, four nil, probably.
You had a five nil against Norway for the under 21s, and I mentioned that because you
pulled out of the squad with injury just before the game.
On a plus note, you were in a side that won three nil against Israel and of course, I scored
in that gap.
Of course, you scored, yes, that's right.
Mine was eight nil, actually, for England.
England against Turkey. And it says here on the notes that I scored four, I didn't,
I scored three. That was in 1987, way back when, way back when. So this was a really impressive
performance. I think possibly that we should maybe start with one of the newcomers making
his first start for England. Alex Scott, who I thought was as an impressive debut as you
could possibly show his mic is to. Oh my god, give me a flower. I want my flower. I mean, I don't know
how you spotted that out of Scott's a good player. Right. Whenever I was talking about the England squad,
everyone was talking this player, that player, go back, get the receipts. Do your research as a famous
Tierra Reset. Do your research. I said, Alex Scott would be my wild car. I said that six months ago,
I said that age, John, I mean, it was on the max. Literally, well, all else is on this. I
leave the evidence because I feel like I feel like a broken record. I keep delivering, but the
evidence is not there to back me up. Well, I tell you what is there to back you up, the fact that you
are a broken record because you seem to say this about an awful lot of plays. I wouldn't say
just he said it, guys, that's all you got. I'll be honest with you. This is what I mean. People
think I'm deluded. No evidence, boys. Yeah, Mike, they don't think you're deluded. They think you
are the oracle of football. And we know that, but what an assured performance. I watched him quite
closely because, you know, we can argue it's one game. It's against the team that didn't play very
well on the night. And England were really good, but he was very much part of that game. And the
one thing I think we've, you can look at perhaps the great teams that win competitions. They have
control in a game. And I think that is a player that I don't think we've necessarily seen within
that England midfield. Now, rice has his strengths and he's brilliant and he's, you know, he's
delivery and he's, he's bombs up and down. He's a box to box player. Jude's, Jude's everything.
Then you've got Elliot Anderson, who is real energetic plays all over the pitch. You know,
he win tackles, he wins a ball back. And I thought he was excellent once again. He's very,
very consistent. But the kind of player that can, there's a calmness and a little bit of control,
never gives the ball away. Always he's always scanning. I noticed a lot of that and in the right way.
So I was, I was really impressed and I mean, what a very, very confident start.
You know what I would just say before you go out. I think Alex Scott, what's worked for him,
I was working for him. He's 23. So normally when you get these players who make the debut,
there might be two young and the expectation level is too much, too, too much too soon. But because
he's 23. I remember him when he was at Bristol City. I think, I think it was 2003 season. He got
young player the year and he got Bristol City. I got a team in the year, I think it was Eiffel,
team in the year, 2020. Because everyone was raving about him. I remember when I was back on Twitter.
I thought it was just you that was raving about him. No, no, no, no, not back then. That back then,
but then it was Twitter. And Alex Scott was always trending, trending for years and years. I was
thinking, what was this? Alex Scott, everyone keeps talking about, presents football focus.
That's what they thought. I don't know if I see him. And the way he moved is control. Is that
what you said there, guys? I was like, he's going to be a top player. Then it goes to, to
ball, my thinking, can he do it at this level? And it's the little things exactly like you said,
guys, I don't think he played to the best of his ability. I think he's got way more. But what he
did need to do and keep the ball, keep it moving, dropping his shoulders, awareness of what round him
is just magnificent, right? He's going to be England's future for sure. I think he's that good.
The first goal epitomised it really. I thought he had one little look. He knew exactly where
everyone was. He had another look and then got the ball on the half turn in a fairly crowded area
and just put the ball into Jude's path. He was then obviously laid it on for Harry Kane.
But he knew what he wanted to do with it. It's all well, get it into that position.
So you know, I wouldn't feel this received the ball. Some received the ball,
they might play it back to the defender. Then to get it ball back again and then pass the ball.
The interesting thing, he knew exactly what he was going to do when the ball was coming before
the ball was coming to him. He'd already scanned where he wanted the pass to go and that is the
subtle difference where if you're watching it, I might think he's put there the differences and that's what
the great Spain teams do. So I just think he's, I think he's marvellous. I do.
What does Tuckle do though? If you've got a player that has that sort of control on again,
now Declan's a totally different player. Does it give him a different option? Does it mean now that
that perhaps, you know, Declan's place is not always as sure. Maybe he wants to play slightly
different way with someone like Alex Scott, but early I know, but it's a conversation to be had.
Yeah, I mean, that's what that's what I was going to say. I think it's very early. He was brilliant.
It all be against an age and Croatian side, but when you take all that into account,
you was superb and it gives the manager another option. I think that's a good thing. And I don't
think he's had too many in those positions. It was always going to be Anderson and Rice,
but now he's got options, doesn't it? Well, I mean, there's a lot of options as well. Don't forget
that, you know, Miles Lewis Scully played to do him really well. He got Nico Arali that could
play midfield or left back. So there are options. You could, obviously, you could play Alex Scott
with Declan Rice and rather than Elliot Anderson. And obviously players get injured and lose form.
I think it's quite encouraging. I think he needs to probably, and I think one of the things
you would have learned from the World Cup is that you can't just depend on 14, 15 players
in a squad. And I think I don't think for one moment that he'll bring in one or two of the
players with all due respect that he thought would just be happy to be in the squad and not perform.
I think that probably will change. And also, I think competition for places is really important.
Absolutely. Always has been in any team. It, you know, the best players will be driven on.
And talking of best players, dude, Bellingham, man. I mean,
he wasn't me. Every single game that he's playing now, obviously, he had a little deeper
year or so ago, but he had his shoulder problems and he had operations and event. And now, I mean,
from towards the end of last season onwards, he's been absolutely breathtaking. It's so good.
He's actually gone to another level. You just see the belief in everything in him is he has
taken his performances for a sense, I don't know. June, I guess, he's just gone to another level,
isn't it? It's just, it's super. Be watching for Real Madrid and how you do Champions League as well.
It's something that I've not really seen with the player. And it's more so because of his confidence.
I don't think he maybe has the flair of a cold parmer. I don't think maybe he has a touch
of a full fold in personally, but I think he's a nine out of ten at everything else.
He's just, he had everything, nine out of ten, but then his confidence is ten out of ten.
So whatever he does, he just believes in, and I probably agree with you. I think, I think
it's best I've seen in play. He's sort of taking the game, each game we watch by the scruff of the
neck and saying, I am the main man. Obviously, the World Cup enhanced that. He had a really good
World Cup, but now it's just, it looks like he's from a different planet. If he carries on like this,
you got on one of the best English players ever. I said on the exclusive Netflix little show
that we do on Sunday evenings, I said to, to has that I think if he avoids serious injury or
something crazy that he could end up being England's greatest ever footballer, because he's,
he's all right. I mean, I actually disagree with you slightly, Mike. I think he has got the touch
and the almost of cold Palmer. I think he's definitely got the, you know, he might not,
I think he's got the set certainly with Phil Foden. No, he was, he was flaring flaring Palmer
in terms of the Palmer. And then the touch of, Phil Foden has touches like, I don't know,
but it's soft. It's soft. Jude's touches unbelievably good as well. I mean, the way beats people,
the way turns and all that, and he turns on the ball. He's, yeah, I mean, there's not a lot in
it in those areas, but he's all, he's all round package. I mean, even in the last 10 minutes,
he dropped back and he hit a ball for Morgan Rogers's goal. I mean, unbelievable pass with one
foot and then he hit another ball through after, where I think someone was offside with his left foot
when he dropped deeper because he'd made changes and he could, how many could play, he could play
absolutely anywhere on the pitch. And he's driven, he's a winner. And I absolutely, I love watching
him play. He's got, he's just, he's just, he's got the wild factor. When you come to think,
when Tukel came in and he, he left him out, didn't he? He left him out and there was a big
discussion. Yeah. How he managed him and how
handle them and what have you.
When you look at him now, incredible.
Yeah, he's a superstar without a wheel and all that.
- I think Thomas has got away with it a little bit
in terms of the way he's treated Jude.
I think it's a bit off-ish.
Or maybe you'll claim that that's helped him.
I don't think he needs any motivation, though.
He's just, you can tell he's just driven that way anyway.
You know, even that little kind of spat
they had in the post-match interview
is a bit of misunderstanding, but nevertheless,
you can say, I mean, Jude's a strong personality.
And he's got a deal with him.
And now, Thomas took us completely to turn.
And I did a huge praise for him after every game.
And that sort of thing.
He also had Jude's played praise.
It's worth saying, but it's gone after the game as well.
So, which I thought was interesting.
What is it?
He's still very young.
He's just coming absolutely into his prime now, Jude.
And it's probably a little bit too early,
but I said we'd do it anyway.
But where does he stand in all-time midfielders for England?
Because I said, I said, has.
I said, I thought he's got, and I put him top, right?
And we were only talking about perhaps this century.
So, I think he's got the power and the pace
and the ability of Gerard.
I think he's almost got the passing ability of Skulls,
but not quite.
And he's definitely got the finishing
and the arrival in the box of Frank Lampard.
So, he's close on all those three
of the primary strengths of all three players.
He might, you know, he might be slightly behind on each one,
but overall as a package, he's got all three.
Gerard, Gerard, young Stephen Gerard.
I'd not seem, you've got to also take into account
achievement in a with England.
We were talking about with England specifically last night.
Obviously, you know what I was saying?
Yeah, with England, he's done better than all of them.
All three of them, but he's talking about
what they did domestically.
So, he's like, he's a tough, he's a tough way to say it early.
It's early, yeah.
But we like tough debates.
Ask us to get it three years.
I'll ask you every season.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
You have to say for England,
you, you, Benning was the more than them all.
We have to say that.
That's, it's not controversial to say.
You're saying that consistently, he has.
Yeah, exactly.
If you take it to domestic,
which we're not talking about right now, Gerard,
I've not seen a player from England in my era.
I'm not talking about you guys, Error.
That could do anything like Stephen Gerard.
When I was in training, I was in all,
I was the thing, he's passing.
You don't think Jude Bellin could do everything that Stephen Gerard does.
Steve, Stephen Gerard had more than just the technical aspect.
Oh, I know, I love Stephen Gerard.
I think he's a wonderful player,
but if we're talking about the two of them,
I would agree with that.
There's similarities, I think, between the two.
But Gerard could turn a game on its head by just a tackle.
I'm not talking, I'm not talking about.
So, can Jude?
Yeah, it's, it just had some aura.
And the press is Jude.
Yeah, but I'm talking about my era.
It's difficult because I'm a play with Jude.
But internationally, yes, I would say Jude.
And he's that real Madrid going to Real Madrid.
So, Jung, winning the Champions League.
So, Jung, all those things, for sure,
I, it will be a debate to have.
But I just remember Stephen Gerard as a young player
and I'd not seen anything like that.
But then Jude's, don't forget, it's different times as well, guys.
It's, it's so, it's so hard, isn't it?
No, you can, you can, but it's just a fun thing to debate, I think.
It's not, because you can never,
because obviously you've never played the,
they're not playing in the same era
and football changes, rules change, all sorts of different things.
So, understandably, but I just think it's,
I think it's quite, it's quite an interesting one, I think.
There are similarities between the two players.
What, where's you stand, huh?
At the minute, I'll probably, with Gerard.
I think my answer in two or three years,
or even 12 months, it would probably change,
because yeah, he's a, he's a, he's a superstar,
he's an unbelievable talent.
But at the minute, I'd probably just side with Gerard.
Yeah, but the only thing is, and this is, this is part of the debate.
So, it's hard because Steve, he stayed at Liverpool
at times where there wasn't winning much.
Yes, the one the Champions League got,
the Champions League final, but in terms of the league.
He could have went to Real Madrid and played
in one of the best Real Madrid teams in, in my, in my history,
with Ronaldo and all them boys.
Our name, we're talking about Raúl and Bertol Carlos.
Right, let's go on.
But he stayed at Liverpool and that made it harder for him.
So, when people are having their judgments,
it's very difficult to judge Stephen Gerard
because he was loyal to Liverpool at the time,
which obviously hindered what he could have won, too, you know?
Yeah, and I guess that's something you have to take into account.
Let's, let's take a break there
and discuss one or two of the other England players when we come back.
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Welcome back to the rest of his football.
Where is Michael Richards, Alan Shira, me, Garelinica?
Talking about debates.
What about a Riley and Lewis Hall?
Lewis Hall's comment had to leave this one to you.
You had a little discussion in the previous episode.
Well, if you actually listen to the episode,
I'd say play him half each.
But I would.
I would have gone with O'Reilly.
However, however, however, however.
There we go.
O'Reilly started against Spain.
Not so come on.
We're comparing apples and oranges to the A's.
It's completely different.
It was up against L'Aminia Mall.
And I do recall a certain game at St. James's part
where Lewis Hall hardly gave L'Aminia Mall a kick.
What are you all talking about?
I've had nothing to do with my pocket.
Does that mean I was better than Ronaldo?
It just made you better than Ronaldo.
I mean, you were better than another fullback
that was playing at that particular time.
What do you know what I mean?
I'm in the Derby's, in the Manchester Derby's,
when I used to. I wouldn't want to say pocket Ronaldo.
I don't want Ronaldo fans on me.
But when he didn't score or do anything against me in those games,
I wasn't saying I was the best fullback in the world at that time.
Was I?
You probably were.
I think what stands out more than anything.
There's no doubt.
I like O'Reilly.
And you can't not like him because he's. Yeah, they're both incredible players.
The big thing for me is how Gordon and Hall
sort of understand each other, know each other's game.
And if you remember during the World Cup,
when there were changing fullbacks so many times,
that understanding was never there,
whoever played in that left-back position,
that understanding really wasn't there
with Gordon when to go, when to pass, when to move.
But I think the link up,
I think the last two games that link up with those two
has been outstanding, Hall and Gordon.
I think Louis Hall is exceptional. I really do. I think O'Reilly is probably better with the ball at his feet to a degree. I think he's got a real ability and his young, he's very young, still O'Reilly and I think he's going to get, I think he's a really talented individual.
I think Hall's probably better defensively one against one, you know, I think he'd edge it there. O'Reilly is more likely to get you a goal from set piece of stuff like that.
And again, I say it's really encouraging that you've got two players in the same position.
And you talked about that relationship he has with Anthony Gordon and I thought a Gordon again, really good, great pressing, takes people on. That's what I like about him.
When he gets it, he doesn't like regurgitate the ball outside ways. He's got that, he knows he's got the full back and he absolutely takes him on, he gets the ball in the box.
Do you think he's cemented that place pretty much now?
I mean, I think that goal, he scored against Argentina and the summer and he's moved to Barcelona, he's gone up another level again and you're seeing the best of Gordon now. There's no doubt he's a threat, he's got his pace.
There's a nightmare for defenders and as he can go both ways and he has gone to another level since he's gone to Barcelona, I think.
I've got some of the stats in Michael before you go and just quite interesting, England's front four since World Cup knockouts began.
This is the amount of time it's taken on average with goals and assists.
Jude Bellingham's got ten goals and assists since the knockout World Cup began every 59 minutes either a goal or an assist. Anthony Gordon, every 60 minutes he's got eight goals or assists. Harry Keynes, nine goals and assists in 68 minutes and Bacayasaka, six goals or an assist in every 83 minutes.
They're pretty impressive numbers. Then numbers are great guys, but ultimately in the World Cup.
If they were to took this form that they're producing now into the World Cup, I mean, absolutely buzzing.
And we've talked about nations leave before and friendlies and all that sort of stuff.
If these guys can keep what they have now, they honestly, they can challenge for the horrors. I think what they've got to do to convince themselves probably, which is really important, is do it against the big teams.
Correct. We don't beat the big team and the good thing is now, that's why I think it's also really important that England qualify to get to the quarter final.
So, they will continue to play because they're not over the barrier. We've gone into tournaments without hardly ever playing the big nations.
We've not beaten them. We've not beaten Spain's and Argentina, countries like that.
When it went France, when it really matters, not done it, even in the final against Italy, who have struggled a little bit, but they are a kind of big football in nation.
That is England's next step. I think they need not only to do that to make the fans and us believe, but to make themselves believe, because once you get that winning experience, then confidence.
They can do it. They can. They've got the players to do it. They've got the mentality to do it, because all the players are playing at top clubs who are weak and weak out, challenging.
They've just got to believe. And I know it's easy saying that. And the reason why we talked about the World Cup. And I was, I was like, well, maybe players, depending on the form or what not.
Take this form, two years, they can do it, because France are going to have an off day. Spain are going to have an off day. And sometimes when England have an off day, it seems to be going out of the competition.
You know, but they can. They can compete now. If you look at the front freeze, yes, France, Alice, looks good, and Bappé looks good, they're better. They will all Cherokee.
They'll always have. But if you look at the overall team, especially with the likes of Bramphway coming through in two years, I expect him to be there.
Gaye will still be there. Conzo will have more experience. And also, maybe you'll have a few more league titles. Louis Hall, who's come from Chelsea now at Newcastle, and he's playing weak and weak out of more experience.
I just feel like in the euros, it'll be the time. It'll be the time to be really competitive, because although we was going into the World Cup, it was more hope than belief.
The goal set is probably going to be Spain or France, but actually in the euros, if they continue to keep improving and believing, then they can do it.
I think overall the three games that we've seen, even though Spain did us, there were still plenty positives, wasn't there?
Yeah, played really well, I thought.
Two, they've played Czech Republic and Croatia. I think there's, yeah, even the three games has been plenty to be really, really positive about defensively. I know against being in the air isn't that we saw, and they were punished for that.
But I think even that game, there was lots to take out. So it up to now. I know they play again Tuesday. It's been a really good international break for England.
Tomas took a word of learnt a lot from that World Cup as well, the way I just wonder if that game against, obviously, Argentina, that last half an hour, if they get in a similar position again, I think they'd probably approach it very differently.
So you learn from, from your mistakes or I'll just ask you there on then what you've watched all the games, what's impressed you the most about England?
The press, the high press. Exactly. The only thing I would say about that is that can you do that in a summer tournament, gaming, game out?
I think with a little bit of possible rotation, if you've got the strength in depth, I think it's, it's doable. I think Spain show two degree, but Spain's different because when they get the ball, they don't give it, they keep it.
But I, I see in this team, England can, they're not that far off in that sense. They can do that. I've enjoyed some of the football that they've played. It's been forward thinking, but, but, you know, really good passing in midfield, keeping the ball.
I still think there's a vulnerability, but there always will be with every team that plays high at the back.
But I think overall I've been really encouraged, but what I do love is the high press energy, and I think that's the way we've got to find a way to play that more consistently, and particularly in tournaments because we're not very good at sitting back and counter attacking.
We're not, we don't, we don't do it very well. Totally agree. I think you've absolutely nailed it. And that's why I asked you because every time you've said, you've been excited by the press.
And it's not just the press. It's everyone backing up as well. Yeah.
And then getting the ball at one, one stage in the first half of creation, 85% possession.
It was like watching prime pet Manchester City. Yes. That's exactly what it was like. That first half, I thought it was incredible. They could not get out. They couldn't keep the ball at all.
They just kept winning it straight, Matt, which very encouraging. I just want to finish on a slightly more disconcerting note because I saw some Jürgen Klopp quotes after the Germany games.
And he was asked to respond to the debates to whether the national team were not German enough or not white enough.
I raise it because obviously we've had, we've had the thing with one of the reforms, so well a brother and send same sort of stuff that if you, if you, if you've got a different skinkily, you're not, you're not English, and it's, and I just wanted to read Klopp's words out really.
He said, there is absolutely no reason to pay attention to these people. You won't get my thoughts on this.
I have little time in everyday life for idiocy and even less on social media. The great crux of our lives is that everyone is allowed to express their opinion.
It's insane when something like that exists. The world would learn a thing or two from a sports changing room. Everyone is respected based on the facts and not discredited based on false opinions.
I would also say by skin colour, I mean, it's, I mean, I take, it's scary time. I mean, I don't really want to move into politics because I'm always a bit nervous about talking about politics, but when it kind of shows itself in football like that, that, you know, because football for me is great about human beings that we can, we all get on to get in the dressing room.
No one's thinking about what the colour of someone's skin is. They're just thinking about whether you can get a cross in or a through ball.
Are there words about it? Because it's absolutely, I think, you know, sometimes, you know, we focus sometimes on a racist chant or something at a football game or the occasional problems we have.
But, but in the actual dressing rooms themselves, the harmony, whether, you know, you can be, you can be a Christian, a Catholic, a Muslim, any kind of ethnicity, you can be, you can be black, you can be brown, you can be white, but it's just all comes together and it's so harmonious.
And, and yet, you know, politicians and people speaking out in that way, I just, it just depresses me a little bit.
I saw someone put a graphic up of all the, of all the players of various colours that have played from represented England over the years. I mean, come on.
I know, I know it's, it's done to divide and rule. That's, that's the whole thing.
plan, but it's worth calling out occasionally. I really do think that, but anyway, so let's
end the episode there. That's it from us. Goodbye from me. Goodbye from me.
Goodbye from me. Have a great week.
Podcast Summary
Key Points:
The episode highlights England's impressive 7-0 victory over Croatia, showcasing a dominant, high-pressing performance with strong defensive and attacking cohesion.
Alex Scott makes a standout debut, demonstrating composure, awareness, and control that signals his potential as a key future midfielder for England.
Jude Bellingham is praised for his confidence, composure, and all-round excellence, with many calling him one of England’s greatest-ever players if he avoids serious injury.
Anthony Gordon’s development at Barcelona and his defensive and attacking threat are seen as pivotal, with strong team synergy noted between him and Lewis Hall.
The discussion emphasizes the importance of competitive experience against top nations to build confidence and belief in England’s ability to compete in major tournaments.
A critical point is made about football culture in dressing rooms being inclusive and respectful, contrasting with political rhetoric that promotes racial division.
Performance stats highlight England’s midfielders—Bellingham, Gordon, and Harry Kane—delivering high goal and assist rates in short intervals, indicating elite form.
The episode calls for more consistent high-press, forward-thinking play, especially in tournaments, to build long-term competitiveness.
Summary:
England delivered a dominant 7-0 victory over Croatia, showcasing a high-press, energetic, and well-organized performance that highlighted exceptional teamwork and individual brilliance. Alex Scott made a compelling debut, displaying composure and tactical awareness that signals his future role in the squad. Jude Bellingham was lauded for his confidence, technical skill, and all-round game, with many viewing him as a potential England great.
Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall demonstrated strong defensive and offensive synergy, with their partnership seen as a key strength. The discussion underscores the need for England to gain experience against top-tier nations to build confidence and belief in their tournament potential. The episode also emphasizes the inclusive, respectful culture of football dressing rooms, contrasting with divisive political rhetoric about race.
Performance statistics reflect elite levels of efficiency from key midfielders, reinforcing their quality. Ultimately, the analysis calls for more consistent high-press tactics and experience in major tournaments to elevate England’s standing in international football.
FAQs
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FC27 is a new football game introducing 'The Grounds' where streets meet stadiums. It launches on September 18th.
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The high press strategy shows intense energy and control, with England maintaining high possession, especially in the first half, indicating improved team cohesion and intensity.
Alex Scott made a strong debut for England, showing excellent control, awareness, and passing, and is seen as a promising future midfielder with potential to influence the team.
Jude Bellingham has consistently delivered with goals and assists, and his confidence and performance suggest he could become one of England's greatest ever players if he maintains this form.
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