Manchester United Banter Archive November 16 2017

16 Nov 2017 16:44:11
{Ed's Note - we have posted a new article entitled, The Plane to Russia - An England perspective

16 Nov 2017 20:27:08
Good read, I too agree with the pointlessness of taking three goalkeepers. I wonder if any third choice goalkeeper has ever played at a world cup. Although If Butland was to be one of our keepers next summer then we might have to take three.

I'd go for Pickford, Butland, Pope for Goalkeepers. Walker, Tripper, Rose and Bertrand for full backs. Jones, Gomez, Maguire and Stones for centre backs. Dier, Henderson, Drinkwater and Winks for midfield. Alli, Lallana, Sterling, Lingard and Foden for attacking midfielders. Then Kane, Rashford and Abraham for strikers.

Go for youth, take a couple of chances and see how it goes. They certainly won't do any worse than their older more experienced counterparts, and they may just do better. Plus then they have their experience for the next international tournament.

16 Nov 2017 20:45:11
Hi Shappy. Hope i'm welcome here as this was actually written by myself (i know i'm technically a sworn enemy! )

If i could literally pick whatever squad i wanted, the only change I'd make to your list is I'd take Solanke, Young and Loftus-Cheek instead of Butland, Rose and Lallana. Aside from that I'd say i agree 100% with everything you've said. I do think Lallana is better than Lingard, but neither will start and Lingard offers far more of an impact off the bench and is a bigger goal threat which England lack at times.

As you say, i don't think any 3rd choice keeper has ever played. If they have, it was just to give them a game rather than because it was required! What are the odds on 2 keepers going down in 3-7games? Insanity to take 3 in my opinion, as it completely wastes a position in the squad. Out of 21 outfield players, nobody can tell me that at least one of them isn't an okay goalkeeper. From my experience, there is usually an outfield player who is better than the actual keeper, but just considered to good to stand in between the sticks! I know Jagielka used to be handy in goal (no pun intended) .

Just to add, i meant my bit about Phil Jones affectionately! He is a decent lad and a good player. If we play a back 4 at any stage, I'd go with Bertrand-Jones-Stones-Gomez. Jones is the only warrior type defender England have who isn't useless. He's actually developed into a good defender.

Thank you for reading and taking the time to reply though mate.

16 Nov 2017 22:15:35
good read mk. You have done some good reviews recently I take my hat off to you. I agree with go with youth and form but think Vardy should get in. I'm not convinced by Henderson and would rather see rlc.

17 Nov 2017 06:32:07
Cheers ken. I think Vardy probably will but it would be a massive shame if he takes the spot of a talented young striker who could gain much more from the experience.

17 Nov 2017 09:44:34
MK, I found it hard to leave out Loftus-Cheek, and for me it is on a knife edge between him and Lingard. Overall I just felt Lingard seems to have more impact from the subs bench and considering neither are likely to be starters then there impact from the subs bench is one of the most important features for this tournament.

I'm surprised your prepared to cut Rose out. For me he is our best full back bar none. I know he has had a long spell out injured but if he can come back to the same sort of form he had before his injury he is by far our best full back and our best wing back. With the added versatility of being able to play in midfield.

I can't decide whether we should take a gamble on Butland, he is head and shoulders above all other options we have in goal. Maybe Pickford can get to that level, but he isn't there yet. However, the problem is will he be fit and do you risk taking him as one of only two goalkeepers. For me if you take him you need to take three goalkeepers just in case, but can you really afford to go to an international tournament without your best keeper?

I'm surprised you don't rate Lallana, I think he is the one attacking midfielder we have who has a brain and doesn't rely on his physical attributes. I think he is the one who will do something clever to unlock those tight rugged defences you often find yourself up against in international football.

17 Nov 2017 13:20:57
It's a FIFA rule that you have to take 3 keepers (unless that has been changed in the last few years) . Don't know why it's there but it is. I seem to remember 1 of the teams in the 2014 World Cup ( was going to name an extra outfield player in place of the 3rd choice goalkeeper but were apparently told they would only be allowed to use him as a keeper. Stupid rule in my opinion, but then again, they'd probably just reduce the squad size to 22 if they removed it.

17 Nov 2017 16:40:57
Yeah actually now you mention it Celtic Devil that does ring a bell. I wanna say it was Costa Rica possibly that wanted to only name two keepers, but seriously don't quote me on that. Lol.

Well in that case Butland goes, and Lingard, Foden and Loftus-Cheek fight over two places.