Post by paulc222 on Jun 19, 2021 12:34:59 GMT
The three discussion points on BBC Radio 5 606 post-match seemed to centre on 1. Can you celebrate a draw (i.e. Scotland did), 2. under-performing England and tactics etc, 3. Kane.
Personally I feel Kane cannot start Tuesday; it would send the wrong message out to the squad and country. Yes very capable player and that cannot be disputed BUT these last 2 matches he hasn't been good enough for the squad never mind the starting line up!
My thoughts:
(1) celebrating a draw seems a bit premature when the Scots still need to beat Croatia in order to probably qualify. If anyone should be content with a draw it would be England, because it probably means they've done enough to enter the knockout phase (even if they end up third, there is a strong likelihood of a couple of other groups having teams on three points in third place).
(2) Yes, we should be doing better. We aren't creating enough chances or taking enough of those we do create.
(3) Yes, Kane has looked out of sorts. I would be reluctant to drop a top goalscorer just because he hasn't done the business for several games: remember, while defences focus on him it can allow someone else in. But having him in reserve on the bench would be a tidy weapon. I've mixed feelings about this, but benching might be good as we would probably be able to get away with losing the next game.
I reckon the game against the Czech Republic will be 0-0 or 1-1. First job done, but don't get too excited.
IIRC, the last time we met the Czechs (then Czechoslovakia) in a final group game was the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. We won 1-0 with an Alan Clarke penalty. The game was as boring as hell but it was played in a hot climate, albeit an evening game local time.