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World Cup Qualification (Europe) - Group F


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Another ponderous, dour England game which the score flatters us massively in. To be honest the game was a procession, we were never fucking that one up, but we're just the same old.

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6 minutes ago, ScoRoss said:

If England could just please win on Monday, Scottish people will have to be nice to you people. For at least a day or two.

I wonder if being 1 point behind the Slovaks when they come to Hampden would put more pressure on us or them.

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41070207

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Gareth Southgate is keen for his England players to excite the Wembley crowd during Monday's 2018 World Cup qualifier with Slovakia.

England were underwhelming in Malta on Friday when three late goals gave them a flattering 4-0 victory.

They lead Group F by two points and a win over second-placed Slovakia will leave them on the cusp of qualifying for next summer's finals in Russia.

"We have some exciting players and we want to show that," said Southgate.

"We have a responsibility to get the Wembley crowd on their feet but equally, everywhere we go in the world the home crowd give the team a lift. It will be great if we can get the level of support that stadium can bring.

"The whole country wants to be at the World Cup. It is a great opportunity for us.

"We are playing good opposition so we have to make sure we are tactically prepared, which we will be, but also have belief in the team we have got."

Victory for England on Monday will take them five points clear of their opponents with two games left to play.

Southgate felt his side put on a "professional" performance in the game against Malta, who put up a resilient display until they tired late on to allow England to exert their authority.

However, they were criticised for the display, with former national captain Terry Butcher suggesting that they lacked the kind of gifted individuals capable of unlocking the best defences.

Southgate expects a much sterner test on Monday, against a side who have won their last five World Cup qualifiers and have Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik and Dinamo Bucharest striker Adam Nemec.

In their opening game of the group, England required a 95th-minute Adam Lallana goal to beat the 10 men of Slovakia in Southgate's predecessor, Sam Allardyce's only game in charge.

"They are a good side with players we respect. The last couple of games we have played against them have been 0-0 and 0-1 in the last minute against 10 men," Southgate told BBC Sport.

"We are all aware of the challenge they pose but we also feel they are a team we can beat.

"It is an opportunity. We have a home game to put us within touching distance of Russia, which is exciting. Qualifying groups come down to these type of games."

Southgate revealed that he would make some changes for the Slovakia game but that the core of the side would remain the same.

All 26 squad members trained in the build-up to the match.

Tottenham's Eric Dier is back from suspension and the England boss said the midfielder's return to the starting XI was one option he is considering, as is a first Wembley start for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.

"He is a talent with high potential and we really like his mentality," said Southgate. "He has been playing very well for Manchester United this season and we wouldn't hesitate to start him.

"Starting him was a possibility in Malta but he missed some of the training, not only with us but the week before with his club. We have been looking after him a bit.

"I have a lovely dilemma with regard to our attacking positions. We made three excellent changes the other night and got a very positive reaction and I also had Daniel Sturridge and Jermain Defoe sat next to me."

One thing that will not change is the captaincy, with Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson retaining the armband.

Southgate also confirmed that Joe Hart would remain in goal.

 

 

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16 minutes ago, Storts said:

Na the Scots will bail us out :ph34r:

I fully expect you to blow it and then decide later that you gifted the points to the Slovaks on purpose just to stick to us. 

 

Nah but seriously I'm hoping that the relentless negativity around England recently drives the team to prove a point, offsetting the motivational disparity, in that Slovakia desperately needs the points and England really doesn't. 

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Jesus, I've seen a bit of England prior to this and I'm not even joking when I say we could smash England. The passing on this team is utterly pathetic.

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3 minutes ago, Chaaay AFC said:

When is the last time Jones started for United? Should never be starting tonight...

He's started the last 3 games :ph34r:

 

Maybe if Londoners could be bothered to turn up to the game England would have some supporters to cheer them on :ph34r:

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