Def-Mel

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@ESPNFC Irrelevant data point. Kane and Rashford spent a combined 21 seasons in the PL.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@seeley_nigel True, but Kane and Rashford spent a combined 21 season in the PL.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@AndyBranton84 True veteran move. Slows up play first then willing to concede the wide angle and rely on the keeper from distance while cutting off the passing lane to the real threat until reinforcements arrive. Well done.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@1977champs @utdrobbo False. He was subbed on for Jude to protect the lead against Serbia. He started and was on the field for both goals in the 2-1 win over Slovakia. And he started and was key in Watkins’ 2-1 semi-final winner against Netherlands.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@commissionase How about putting the right players in the right positions instead of continuing to start and sub your superstars who…aside from Jude and Harry…are massively underperforming? Yeah, you were lucky. You were lucky Jude is around to save you from your own arrogance.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@sistoney67 He also excelled at Euro 24 alongside Rice. Makes no sense. He’s made for the role they’re missing right now, yet Tuchel is playing injured backs in midfield and moving people all over the place instead of putting him on. Winning or not, the performances haven’t been convincing.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@superTekka Better? Anderson and Rice have been nonexistent. ENG tied Ghana (ranked 65) 0-0 and took 62 minutes to score on Panama (ranked 70+). Now we’re bringing on injured backs to play midfield and dropping Jude deep instead of playing the guy made for the role. Not a good look.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@samuelluckhurst The midfield has been objectively poor every game while Tuchel grasps at straws and plays people out of position. ENG has been consistently unconvincing but for Harry and Jude. Makes no sense he has a great player from a big club who played a Euro final and won’t use him.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@angel_elixir Amorim said the same thing while Playing Ugarte. Didn’t work out too well. Carrick knew better. So did Southgate when he played Kobbie with Rice in the Euros. The debate is nonsense. He’s a fantastic player with loads to offer a midfield that’s been horrific every game.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@MufcBuzzLive Spain’s two goals were similar. Both keepers blocked shots and left rebounds in dangerous areas. The defenders didn’t react either time and left the forwards unmarked. Plenty of blame to go around for the finger-pointers. Belgium has two of the best keepers in the world.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@golz_tv 2d elite coach with similar results. US Soccer must change recruiting/development to get better. At the group stage Poch had a huge impact on our technical setup/tactics. We looked a proper team for a minute. Against a top team the recurring gap in talent/mentality was exposed.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@Sandeman52 No, they lost because Spain is better, Belgium’s best player is 127 years old (ok, he’s 35, but close) and had to come off, and the two Belgium defenders were having cocktails while Spain’s forwards were attacking the rebound.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@SharpFootball Yikes…big word and all caps. Actually a tougher save than it looks given the spin and short bounce. He’s a great keeper with a bright future but should have covered the shot or pushed it wide. That said, the two defenders were asleep and beaten to the rebound.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@hugoknowsbaII Kobbie earned his place based on talent and accomplishments for club/country. Performances win trophies, and the midfield so far has been a mess (except Jude). ENG has struggled to dominate games as a result. Multiple opps called out for Kobbie’s skill set yet still he sits. SMH.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@JimHansonDC Well said. It was a simple “coming together” foul unworthy of any card. The ref got it right. VAR overstepped and breached protocol in the process. Proper result. Two full teams compete and the best team prevails. End of story. Go USA!!!

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@FabrizioRomano Bellingham without question. Everyone contributed, but what Jude just delivered for 102+ mins was an absolute masterclass at both ends of the pitch. He was everywhere. Unbelievable performance when it mattered most. What a beast.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@pillarprojectX @UtdFaithfuls The consensus is clear that they have been awful. They gave up 2 shambolic goals to Croatia, tied Ghana and couldn’t score, took 62 minutes to score against Panama (not exactly a world football powerhouse), and barely beat DR Congo thanks to Kane in the 87th min.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@HendrickD82 Oh that’s right, passing accuracy isn’t one of the most significant measures of DM effectiveness, especially for pivots and against low blocks. 🤔 There isn’t a single WC data point that justifies Anderson starting…or any midfielder besides Jude…other than his transfer fee.

[Def-Mel @tradinchips]

@owosenisamuel82 @UtdFaithfuls Kobbie started every game under Carrick and was one of the primary reasons they went from 7th to 3d in the table and secured UCL. It was Amorim who sat Mainoo and he paid dearly for it.