[Football] Does Grealish START on Saturday?

[Bry Nylon]

Up until JG's introduction on 70 minutes, that match resembeld that feature from It's A Knockout! where 2 competitors dressed in oafish giant suits clumsily lumbered around a slippery podium trying to knock each other over whilst Stuart Hall (are we still allowed to mention him?) shrieked with laughter.

Then on 70 minutes Grealish came on and injected pace, invention, trickery and penetration into our foward play. Five minutes after his introduction he had role in the first goal and 10 minutes after that he popped a cross onto Kane's head that even he couldn't miss, for the second.

So does Grealish get a start on Saturday, or is he best used as an impact sub? He won us that game in 15 minutes (notwithstanding an honourable mention for Pickford who saved our skin a couple of times) - so you kind of wonder what Grealish could do if he was given the full 90?

Personally, I think after that performance Grealish has 100% earned the right to start but can see the counter argument that he's a great option to bring off the bench to change a game.

 

[Stat Brother]

No.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Tough one.

Mount was very very good against Croatia I thought, Foden wasn’t bad either.

If we go back to 4-3-3, it certainly gives us a chance to try bring in an attacking player for a defender, Grealish would be my selection.

 

[Mancgull]

I agree, no. I think he's better coming on when the game opens up a bit.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

He has to start.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Bit early to start before then

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Isn’t he carrying a slight injury? If so, he’s better coming off the bench.

 

[SK1NT]

I loved the 1990 team and 96 team but none had the depth in squad we have now... what decisions to make. Mount, Foden, Sancho left on the bench for a knockout game against ze germans... incredible.

I'd start him for Rice or Phillips btw

 

[AmexRuislip]

Surely he's earnt the right to start.
If he comes on as an impact sub, then starting a game he'll have a similar impact.

 

[beorhthelm]

and drop Saka? i think either, or Foden, switching to another second half is the plan, there isnt much in central midfield. im not sure Grealish would be as effective first half.

 

[Icy Gull]

Not a chance, we’ll go with what has worked so far. Flair creative players will be held backs.

Hard to knock it when it works but it’s gonna be a witch hunt on Southgate when it doesn’t. I’ll be there with my pitchfork too

 

[Weststander]

Yes.

Sky’s analysis by their in-house not ex-player experts this evening was that this was an astonishing masterclass by GS, in bringing on Grealish later in the game.

We could quite easily have been losing 2-0 by then.

Play our strongest team and in form creator from the off.

 

[Coldeanseagull]

Start him? send the **** home and ban him from driving for life......and give him some big boy socks the diving ********

 

[The Lemming Stomper]

.

Yes

 

[golddene]

No, he seems much more effective coming on when legs are tiring, one of Southgates decisions i agree with.

 

[Sheebo]

Both teams set up the same. We’ll never know if it was right or wrong - but it is proven right by an X % I guess. I think he should start Sat yes, as lesser opposition than Germany on paper…

 

[Deanbha]

Hate Grealish for Villa but he really is a wonderful footballer.

 

[Sheebo]

Hate Grealish for Villa but he really is a wonderful footballer.

Totally the same. England shirt is different. Back to giving him shit next season

 

[Pint of Ale and a Burger]

I think we may need grealish to help unpick Ukraines defence.
Quality passes and getting a few free kicks are what will be needed rather than pace.

 

[The Fits]

No need. Coming off the bench suits him.