@billy-tell said in Euros:
Can someone who knows about soccer tell me the point of Luke shaw? I see a holding midfielder with no attacking instinct whose signature move is a gentle tap backwards to the defensive line.
Am I missing something?
Yes. He is a defender. For starters. Left back tonight in a back 4.
Yeah I get that but he pushes up into midfield gets the ball and then tamely passes it back.
I suppose with Sterling doing his thing he doesn’t really need to offer much.
@billy-tell said in Euros:
Can someone who knows about soccer tell me the point of Luke shaw? I see a holding midfielder with no attacking instinct whose signature move is a gentle tap backwards to the defensive line.
Am I missing something?
Yes. He is a defender. For starters. Left back tonight in a back 4.
His crosses have been extraordinary.
Strong performance by England. Seven clean sheets in a row. Their biggest ever win in the knock out rounds of a major championship.
@billy-tell said in Euros:
@billy-tell said in Euros:
Can someone who knows about soccer tell me the point of Luke shaw? I see a holding midfielder with no attacking instinct whose signature move is a gentle tap backwards to the defensive line.
Am I missing something?
Yes. He is a defender. For starters. Left back tonight in a back 4.
Yeah I get that but he pushes up into midfield gets the ball and then tamely passes it back.
I suppose with Sterling doing his thing he doesn’t really need to offer much.
It is probably their weakest position in their 11, or maybe the goalkeeper, but that is relative, they have good players. When I lived in England they literally had no left back or left footed winger for about 2 years until a 20 year old Ashley Cole turned up on scene.
What he brings, defensive solidity and a good left foot for set pieces. Doesnt seem to have much pace, not much overlapping. Chilwell, who is other player in his position is more attacking but hasnt played a minute. In fact Trippier has been played out of position on left twice now ahead of Chilwell.
I dont watch enough football to properly answer though.
There's other factors. Whether playing back 4 or back 3 with wing backs, what formation opposition play and hence where the space is (Ukraine switched to back 4 after injury so less space to overlap into in theory, but that is 'off camera'). International v club football and whether have cohesion to high press and play ultra attacking full backs such as TTA.
@billy-tell said in Euros:
@billy-tell said in Euros:
Can someone who knows about soccer tell me the point of Luke shaw? I see a holding midfielder with no attacking instinct whose signature move is a gentle tap backwards to the defensive line.
Am I missing something?
Yes. He is a defender. For starters. Left back tonight in a back 4.
Yeah I get that but he pushes up into midfield gets the ball and then tamely passes it back.
I suppose with Sterling doing his thing he doesn’t really need to offer much.
It is probably their weakest position in their 11, or maybe the goalkeeper, but that is relative, they have good players. When I lived in England they literally had no left back or left footed winger for about 2 years until a 20 year old Ashley Cole turned up on scene.
What he brings, defensive solidity and a good left foot for set pieces. Doesnt seem to have much pace, not much overlapping. Chilwell, who is other player in his position is more attacking but hasnt played a minute. In fact Trippier has been played out of position on left twice now ahead of Chilwell.
I dont watch enough football to properly answer though.
There's other factors. Whether playing back 4 or back 3 with wing backs, what formation opposition play and hence where the space is (Ukraine switched to back 4 after injury so less space to overlap into in theory, but that is 'off camera'). International v club football and whether have cohesion to high press and play ultra attacking full backs such as TTA.
Shaw did cross to Kane and Maguire for their goals....
@mikethesnow Losing in another SF? 
Watching England the way that they play was unrecogniseable from the team of the 80-90's.
Project England might have actually worked.
Bya nd large they were so comfortable on the ball. It was their first touch that made them stand out from their predecessors and gave them the time to actually create things.
Very un Ing-ga-lund like. Albeit was only Ukraine
Watching England the way that they play was unrecogniseable from the team of the 80-90's.
Project England might have actually worked.
Bya nd large they were so comfortable on the ball. It was their first touch that made them stand out from their predecessors and gave them the time to actually create things.
Very un Ing-ga-lund like. Albeit was only Ukraine
You are right. Very little route 1 football there. Guys like Hoddle and Gazza would have loved playing with these guys
Watching England the way that they play was unrecogniseable from the team of the 80-90's.
Project England might have actually worked.
Bya nd large they were so comfortable on the ball. It was their first touch that made them stand out from their predecessors and gave them the time to actually create things.
Very un Ing-ga-lund like. Albeit was only Ukraine
Not even that far back. Just 10 years ago.
Even if it wasn't route 1 on a boggy pitch football 10 years ago, it was still high-paced higher risk miracle passes etc. Result being losing possession all the time and blowing ass chasing leather for 90 minutes with 30% possession against mediocre teams like a Paraguay etc.
Also partially answers part of the the Luke Shaw "what does he do" question from further back. Not losing possession is good when your're playing summer football at the end of a 10 month season.
Watching England the way that they play was unrecogniseable from the team of the 80-90's.
Project England might have actually worked.
Bya nd large they were so comfortable on the ball. It was their first touch that made them stand out from their predecessors and gave them the time to actually create things.
Very un Ing-ga-lund like. Albeit was only Ukraine
England is definitely producing players with mastery of the basic skills. But still with the old-fashioned threat from set pieces intact.
Potential weaknesses are as follows.
The good thing is that 2 of the other teams have plenty more weaknesses than England. Italy are favoured to reach the final and will be a real test.
@kiwipie I don't want to overstate how good England are. I think their world ranking flatters them and they have had a dream draw. I also think the defence could fall apart at any moment, but just observing that technically they're the most gifted team I can remember. Which is allowing them to express themselves on the ball much more. Ironically given my reservations it is the defence where this confidence with the ball at their feet is most obvious.
@billy-tell said in Euros:
Can someone who knows about soccer tell me the point of Luke shaw? I see a holding midfielder with no attacking instinct whose signature move is a gentle tap backwards to the defensive line.
Am I missing something?
Aged well.
I'm not soccer aficionado, but he's been my pick of the England team. Looks to be a very smart player and has featured in a lot of the big plays.
@billy-tell said in Euros:
Can someone who knows about soccer tell me the point of Luke shaw? I see a holding midfielder with no attacking instinct whose signature move is a gentle tap backwards to the defensive line.
Am I missing something?
Aged well.
I'm not soccer aficionado, but he's been my pick of the England team. Looks to be a very smart player and has featured in a lot of the big plays.
I wish someone would tell me I’ve aged well…
@billy-tell you've aged well
Watching this on German TV on Rab Island Croatia. Bastian Schweinsteiger is one of the experts. I see his wife is Ana Ivanovic. Nice work son.
@billy-tell said in Euros:
Ha ha. Italy score on the counterattack. That’ll learn Spain for being so profligate.
Great finish
Both very nice goals in their different ways but fuck the post-goal celebrations are embarrassing.
I wonder how long they spend practicing their oh so contrived slides and choreographed arm movements. /GOM
Olmo is motm. Been great for Spain and has taken his punishment like a man without rolling around.
@billy-tell said in Euros:
Olmo is motm. Been great for Spain and has taken his punishment like a man without rolling around.
Penalty effort was woeful though.
