PRE-MATCH THREAD - EURO 2021 Czech Republic v England- Tuesday 22nd June 2021 8pm

[RHB]

Last group game coming up and England sit in second place with 4 points. A draw will see both teams through to the next stage, so do we stick or twist?

I think the majority of England fans would like us to give it a go with some of our more expansive players given a sniff at the start, but after hearing Southgate say that we we don't win then we mustn't lose after the Scotland game, it suggests safety first again. The player certainly owe us a more attacking display, so maybe, just maybe...........

So, normal pre-match stuff followed by official match thread stuff when the whistle blows.

 

[kaymac]

Should go for an attack-minded starting XI and take the game to the Czechs straight from k/o. Cut out the unnecessary passing between defenders and keeper and up the tempo, it’s a young team so no reason for a lack of energy levels.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Think It'll be a draw.

 

[dcblue]

I thought momentum was a positive quality in football. From what I read the performance against Croatia wasn't particularly good and after watching the performance against Scotland I would suggest that there is no momentum whatsoever. The confidence must be low, either in their own performances or in their manager. A good win in this game could change that and stand the team in good stead for the knockout stages.
Being a Scot I don't particularly care but a good showing by the national team will boost the whole UK and that is badly needed right now. So I hope they go out to win and win well.

 

[Swiss Tony]

If England lose this one Southgate will be thrown to the lions(press) but they might scrape a win,ditch the politics gaffer and play ball.

 

[blueblueblue]

I've gone for a draw, it will suit both teams also.

 

[Flinty]

Bore Draw….both teams will qualify and nobody will want to lose

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

This’ll be an interesting one. I think Chilwell will get a run out and probably Trippier at RB but again, I just can’t see Southgate doing anything drastic. Pressure will be on the players and traditionally that’s where we slip up. Looking at the laid back, but hard working approach of the Welsh was sobering .. they’ve got nothing to lose and the nation behind them. We should try it. We build ourselves up to fail, why do we do it to ourselves?

 

[southendkid]

Think how much we try here will depend on the results tonight, there's still a risk of Scotland overtaking us and leaving us 3rd if we lose to Czech Republic. The 4 best 3rd place sides go through whilst the other 2 get knocked out.

If in Group B Belgium beat Finland (or failing that Russia don't get at least a point against Denmark) and in Group C the Ukraine - Austria match isn't a draw then two 3rd place teams will have finished on 3 points, meaning we'll have already qualified before kick-off and we can rest some players. If that doesn't happen though then there's a risk of a 3rd place team on 4 points getting knocked out if the GD isn't good enough, so we'll need to play for at least a point.

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

I think he will go 3-4-3 with Maguire coming back, he will drop Rice probably and have Phillips and Mount in the middle with Trippier/Shaw as the wing backs. Same front three I suspect.

 

[pottster]

Both teams will stick 11 behind the ball with neither wanting to concede. It will be the most boring game of the tournament so far. No bothering to watch

 

[blueblueblue]

Both teams will stick 11 behind the ball with neither wanting to concede. It will be the most boring game of the tournament so far. No bothering to watch

It can't be any worse than our last game.

 

[stewart]

It can't be any worse than our last game.

It could but i hope England go all out for a win ,show some guts Southgate play an attacking game,give your supporters something to shout about.

 

[southendkid]

So with tonight's results we're through no matter what happens. Given there's no incentive to finish top we may as well heavily rotate.

 

[Southminster Shrimper]

Just seen we have qualified, It means tonight's game is going to be even more boring

 

[RHB]

Just seen we have qualified, It means tonight's game is going to be even more boring

Not necessarily. We might, I say might, put some of our very quick youngsters in and go for it big time.

 

[pottster]

I guess it depends who we want to play next. Second might suit us if its Slovakia

 

[Swiss Tony]

I reckon the Czechs might get 3 or 4 on one knee oh and the score, well does it really matter their both through but i'll say 2-0 either way.

 

[londonblue]

This could be a really bizarre match with both teams trying not to win, and the Czech team actually trying to lose. Now both teams are guaranteed to qualify they might both be trying to ensure 2nd place!

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Surely time to give Kane and Sterling a much needed rest, so they are better for the next stage.
Kane is not only knackered, he also has an ankle that has to be treated before and after every game. That's why he gets hacked so much by defenders in the Premiership, on his ankle. They try and put him out of that game. Give that ankle a rest, could be another reason he's looked so slow. Southgate has said he has some young explosive options, but they lack big tournament experience. Put them in now then FFS, when we don't have to win. He might find someone to make us more dangerous in attack. It worked for Belgium last night when they unleashed 19 year old Doku.