• Astrealix@lemmy.worldOPMEnglish
    5·
    11 months ago

    Both times we’ve played Luton it makes me wonder how they’re in the relegation battle at all. They are pretty good for their position — and this without Lokonga today as well

    • sensiblepuffin@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      11 months ago

      Good going forward maybe; they’ve conceded over 62 GA and have only scored 43 (outperforming their xG by 7, no less)

        • hangonasecond@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          11 months ago

          Yeah I think they play football the way they got promoted, not just hamming up to force the point of staying in the league. The positivity could attract some better talent, or even some more money, even if they ultimately have to fight for promotion again. I hope the effort isn’t seen as a failure.

  • Astrealix@lemmy.worldOPMEnglish
    4·
    11 months ago

    Didn’t realise that this didn’t count as a DGW, my fantasy is suffering without Saka Walker Haaland or Watkins lmfao

    • mercEnglish
      1·
      11 months ago

      I hope he can use that to get more starts.

      • Astrealix@lemmy.worldOPMEnglish
        2·
        11 months ago

        after the Euros maybe, still need to see how Southgate does tho tbh. My main gripe with Southgate is just the Ben White stuff honestly, he’s not done too poorly imo. Not great sure but not as bad as some think.

        • hangonasecond@lemmy.worldEnglish
          3·
          11 months ago

          Nah I saw a clip recently of someone putting it in perspective. Of something like 24 games against top 10 opposition, southgates England have managed only 4 wins with (maybe 2?) of those coming against a German side that hasn’t made it out of the groups at the world cup twice in a row.

          I don’t watch enough of England’s games to really say whether the team plays well, and you can only play the team in front of you, but I think the general perspective that Southgates success is buoyed by fortunate draws in tournament play isn’t completely unfounded.

          It’s not like England has had any dearth of talent over the years, and similar to the now-aging-out Belgium side of the mid-late 2010s, theres a feeling they really “should have” won something.

          The good news is, assuming good quality management, they’re on the right side of a possible golden generation. Foden, saka, Bellingham, rice all 24 or younger is a great place to be.

          • Astrealix@lemmy.worldOPMEnglish
            2·
            11 months ago

            That’s not unfair. But at the same time he has also managed us to the best results in my lifetime (however short that may be), and brought us to a final like it or not. Can’t really plan around Harry Kane missing a penalty against France, can you.

              • Astrealix@lemmy.worldOPMEnglish
                2·
                11 months ago

                I really really hope we fucking win something. England’s the closest thing I get to a successful ish national team lol. (though to be fair Hong Kong has been getting better! Give Andersen everything he needs imo)

  • Astrealix@lemmy.worldOPMEnglish
    3·
    11 months ago

    oh that’s good pronunciation for Takehiro Tomiyasu there from TNT, never thought I’d see the day.

  • hangonasecond@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    11 months ago

    ESR has a lot but I think he can lack a bit of urgency. That comes with match fitness often, as he develops instinct, so hopefully he builds it up.

  • Astrealix@lemmy.worldOPMEnglish
    3·
    11 months ago

    TNT talking about the Aguero and Michael Thomas titles and they’re right, this title race has been strong