[Football] Greece v England official match thread

[Triggaaar]

In other NL results, France could only draw 0-0 at home to Israel, currently 81st FIFA ranked.

70% possession, 24 shots, 8 of them on target, 0 goals. France had won 3 of the 4 NL games before tonight, Israel had lost all 4.

So as poor as last month's loss to Greece was, even good sides can have a bad result at home occasionally.

They can, but reading the stats you've given, France were unlucky, whereas England weren't particularly unlucky against Greece last time, we were poor.

 

[Javeaseagull]

Who would you have picked ahead of Pickford for the last several years? He’s been outstanding for England overall. Particularly in tournaments.

There’s been no real contenders for his position for ages.

Pickford has had the backing of Southgate all the way while people like Ramsdale, Butland and Henderson have fallen away it does justify the ex-Manager I suppose. It’s just his clown like performances that have always worried me but you are right, he and Southgate have been lucky. Give me a lucky manager someone once said. Last night was the best performance I can remember from Pickford so will wind my neck in now.

 

[Half Time Pies]

I know that we are not blessed with great keepers but I do think if England are to win something that they do need a replacement for Pickford. He's just not good enough with the ball at his feet for the style of play that we need to play to be successful against the top teams. He can do it against Greece, but against one of the top high pressing teams I suspect he will end up just reverting to hoofing the ball forward which then sets the tone for how the whole team end up playing.

 

[tstanbur]

Pickford has had the backing of Southgate all the way while people like Ramsdale, Butland and Henderson have fallen away it does justify the ex-Manager I suppose. It’s just his clown like performances that have always worried me but you are right, he and Southgate have been lucky. Give me a lucky manager someone once said. Last night was the best performance I can remember from Pickford so will wind my neck in now.

None of those keepers are good enough to be England number 1. Not sure why Butland is even in the conversation, his career went backwards after a promising start.

For me, one of the main attributes you need at international level is mentality and Pickford excels with that.

A lot of decent keepers on paper have crumbled under pressure when playing for England over the years. Rob Green, Scott Carson, Nick Pope etc.