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If Sweden want to give it a go, Vardy to knock it over the top and run onto..
There is absolutely no point picking Vardy, unless England play to his strengths. I'm his biggest fan (obviously) and he has the best record in the Premier League for scoring against top 6 sides*, but England won't benefit from that unless they have players who have the confidence and ability to play quick and clever passes through to him - and Henderson certainly isn't in that category. Starting Vardy also means Kane playing deeper, which just doesn't work. What he will give England more than anyone else in the squad is the energy and determination to close down and pressure defenders and disrupt opponents' supply from the back, and a willingness to chase lost causes, which might come in handy...
Tbh, for all the euphoria, I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if England go much further given their inability to create chances: set-pieces, penalties won from set-pieces, a shot deflected off Kane's arse or something and a nice individual goal. It was said before the tournament that we lacked anyone of real quality in midfield and that's turned out to be the case.
*I may have made this up, but don't think so - @Chalfie might check
Markyboy-
may be a moot point if Vardy is injured, then we're talking Rashford or Welbeck.
Agree Alli's been poor, still hold out hope for Sterling. But if Southgate has got this far on the meritocracy and in form player getting the nod, then Alli and Sterling need to be replaced, as they haven't done enough.
Reading/listening to some of the reaction to the upcoming Sweden/England match, it seems the Swede's believe we we are beatable, not as good as we think we are and that our natural arrogance and tendency to overlook opponents will be our undoing... -
The only criteria for picking Shelvey is that he could have pinged balls over the top for Vardy all night long.
Then again, Shelvey, for all his increased discipline in 2018, would probably have got sent off in the Colombia game so shrug
cornelius_blackfoot
notoriousBMT
I am with you on most of that.
Vardy or Rashford for Sterling depends on how Sweden want to set up. If Sweden defend and try and hit us on the counter, you'd want Rashford, more tricks and skill to create something.
If Sweden want to give it a go, Vardy to knock it over the top and run onto..