Harry Maguire

[ElephantBlade]

They just can't fucking stand it that a player in an unfashionable squad who graduated form an unfashionable academy can usurp their favourite pampered ikkle top 6 players. Harry was in the top 3 performers last night, is at least the equal of Smalling and Keane in the defending stakes, with the added bonus that once he embarks on one of his surges up the field (which he is timing to perfection by the way and not leaving the side exposed), it takes a Kodiak bear or a sniper to bring him down. Not our players any more I know but I'd love to see him and Walker in starting XI in Russia.

Loved seeing Harry getting on the ball and moving forward last night. Love his confidence, if Smalling ends up in the squad ahead of him then it's a travesty.

 

[Pedro's Winger]

Harry doesn't look like how an England footballer should and some will never get past that. A bit like old Traianos who ended up winning the European Championship.
In reality he was excellent in both games which was definitely acknowledged on Radio Five with I think Waddle singing his praises in particular.

 

[Fanny magnet]

Been listening to talk sport and Maguire has been roundly praised as has stones and gomes
Not heard one criticism of any of those 3

 

[Ron_Justice]

He played well in both games. Hoddle remarked on his positivity, quality and ability to pick a pass. Those surging runs are a breath of fresh air and defensively I don't remember him coming any real pressure last night at all.

England's main issue, for me, is they don't have Duffy, Coutts and Fleck in midfield. Dier was just that at times, dire and Livermore is, at best stable but absolutely nothing special. If Southgate can put a decent midfield together, l think there's enough quality upfront and defensively, throughout the ranks, to have a good go next summer.

 

[dc_blade]

England's main issue, for me, is they don't have Duffy, Coutts and Fleck in midfield. Dier was just that at times, dire and Livermore is, at best stable but absolutely nothing special. If Southgate can put a decent midfield together, l think there's enough quality upfront and defensively, throughout the ranks, to have a good go next summer.

Dier's a funny one because he seems to have regressed over the last year. Before that he looked a quality player. Maybe it was losing his midfield berth to Wanyama at Spurs? You're dead right, though, about the midfield. I was just thinking the other day "who is going to be England's Duffy?" They're missing that guy who can pick the lock and create chances for other players. I'm not sure Lallana is good enough at that level, although I do like him as a player.

 

[bromtom]

He played well in both games. Hoddle remarked on his positivity, quality and ability to pick a pass. Those surging runs are a breath of fresh air and defensively I don't remember him coming any real pressure last night at all.

England's main issue, for me, is they don't have Duffy, Coutts and Fleck in midfield. Dier was just that at times, dire and Livermore is, at best stable but absolutely nothing special. If Southgate can put a decent midfield together, l think there's enough quality upfront and defensively, throughout the ranks, to have a good go next summer.

Nail on the head, if only an England manager could see it. We're crying out for someone with a bit of character, they don't even have to be that talented technically, just be a good playmaker and have belief and inspire those around them, Henderson and Dier is like putting wallpaper paste on your bacon butty instead of brown sauce, we have talent in defence (excluding Hart, who is wank) and up front as you say but in between is constantly disappointing.

Even Lallana isn't enough on his own, Alli is poor for England too often for him to be a definite starter - easily knocked off the ball and prone to runs that go nowhere, give me players that want to have a go, get stuck in and play for each other.

 

[SwissBlade]

Nail on the head, if only an England manager could see it. We're crying out for someone with a bit of character, they don't even have to be that talented technically, just be a good playmaker and have belief and inspire those around them, Henderson and Dier is like putting wallpaper paste on your bacon butty instead of brown sauce, we have talent in defence (excluding Hart, who is wank) and up front as you say but in between is constantly disappointing.

Even Lallana isn't enough on his own, Alli is poor for England too often for him to be a definite starter - easily knocked off the ball and prone to runs that go nowhere, give me players that want to have a go, get stuck in and play for each other.

Its ok England playing 3 centre halves, but the midfield in front of them need to then be more attacking and dynamic. Our back 3 wouldn't work if the midfield weren't up to it, which in the first 2 away games of this season I thought would be our problem when both Boro and Cardiff bypassed our midfield and dragged our centre halves into making errors.

England can be happy with clean sheets in friendlies and a successful qualifying campaign, but the back 3 (or should that be back 7 against Malta, i think). However, that back 3 still needs to be tested.

Come the world cup, sides will be attacking Englands back 3 and the combination of Smalling and Jones will be back to their disastrous best whilst the likes of Maguire sits on the bench or beach.

 

[moDtheGod]

H has played two games for England and he's being written off already.

To be picky, he's played in three games, and all three were clean sheets. The latter two were, much like Harry's head, all square (0-0 both) and the former was a 1-0 win over Lithuania.

I think it's fairly clear where England's problems lie, and it's not with the likes of big H.

 

[Houston_Blade]

I did. He didn't do much wrong. He could have perhaps tried to attack a bit more but so could the wing backs and some of the movement in front of him wasn't great so he didn't have many options.

Brazil were very good at retaining the ball, England weren't and it meant Brazil could push their wing backs onto ours, forcing them back. You can't bomb forward unless you have full control of possession.

I thought all three centre halves did well and our weaknesses were up front and in centre mid. Very little stuck up top because we kept having to clear it, Vardy and Rashford didn't work well together, Vardy really isn't a very good footballer, and Livermore played like the mid table player he is.

What were the critics saying about H?

He runs like he’s wearing lead on his feet.

 

[Jan Age]

I think Harry has looked quite accomplished over the last few games. However, as with all players until he’s tested at the highest level in a tournament we will never truly know. But he’s certainly been no worse then those that have gone before him.

In the system that Southgate seems to be playing I would drop Carrick in to the ‘Coutts’ role, Alli in to the ‘Duffy’ Role but I can’t think of an English player that could play the ‘Fleck’ role.

Really liking the fact we are comparing our tactics to that of the national team.

 

[Dnblade]

At least Southgate has noticed what a lot of us already knew...Taken from a recent article....
Asked whether Smalling struggles playing the ball out from the back, he responded: "No, I think he can. We have players like John Stones and Eric Dier and Harry Maguire who are even better."

Hopefully that suggests the end for the likes of Smalling as farcas first choice,he just needs to see the light on the likes of Henderson now.

 

[Harrisblade]

he shouldn't be in the squad ahead of Smalling or Keane

Who does Smalling play for again?
(Quite like Keane though)

 

[Roygbiv]

Who does Smalling play for again?
(Quite like Keane though)

Keane was excellent at Burnley but has been awful this season at Everton