The big man says Thomas Tuchel has to make some big calls on Saturday
England’s World Cup hit a speed bump in the form of Ghana and their stifling defensive rearguard in their second game after rollicking victory over Croatia to open the tournament.
Never one to get too high – unless it’s to nod one in – or too low about results, Peter Crouch has his say on the Three Lions’ midweek performance and delivers a Bet Builder for Panama v England on Saturday night…
Alt Handicap: England -1
Harry Kane to have 2+ shots on goal
Marcus Rashford to score
Elliot Anderson to have 2+ tackles
Elliot Anderson to commit 1+ fouls
A Bet Builder with these selections pays approximately 4/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Saturday, June 27, 10pm
WHERE: New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford NJ
WATCH: ITV1
It’s strange with World Cups – after we win the first game we’re going to win it all, and then we draw the second and people are talking about what players the manger should’ve brought instead. It’s mad. Opinions change with every kick of the ball it seems.
Sometimes, the players left at home look like the best in the world because a team goes out of a tournament early, while leaving the same players out is said to be a masterstroke if they’re winning.
Thomas Tuchel made his decisions. I respect them even if I’d have picked a different squad, but it’s so hard to break down a team like Ghana with 11 men behind the ball that I’m not second guessing him after one draw.
They broke up the game, they made clever fouls at the right times, they were causing problems and made it very difficult for England. They had some chances on the break too and should’ve had a penalty when Ezri Konsa dived in.
But we got through the game with a point and one kick of the ball by Harry Kane could’ve won it for us. If that goes in no one is talking about the squad or any of this.
Despite the result, none of the other leading teams in the betting will want to face us before they have to either. We’ll be a tough game for anyone, and when teams open up and have a go, we’re a lot more dangerous.
It’s time to bring in Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka to the starting line-up though. I could even see Morgan Rogers coming in for Gordon on the left because Panama are going to be similar to Ghana in their approach, and Rashford needs space in behind to produce his best.
He got it against Croatia and we saw what he could do. Panama won’t give him that unless they’re chasing the game.
Saka should start on the right because he can make things happen and go past people when you need to break the game open.
This England team won’t have been satisfied with the result on Tuesday. They’ll be disappointed not to have won it.
All the noises coming out after the game were about keeping a level head, and it’s a fine result in the group, but inside the dressing room they’ll be angry that they didn’t win it.
I’m not too concerned though. It’s so tough to break a team down when they play like that. We didn’t have the ideas to break them down and that’s something we have to work on. Panama will look at that game and think, if we can frustrate England and try to nick one, maybe we can get something from this game.
Alt Handicap: England -1
And I have to expect another cagey game really. I’d love to see an early goal for England because then Panama will have to come out, I’m not sure we’ll get it but we should break them open at tsome point and I’m expecting 2-0 win for England at least.
Harry Kane to have 2+ shots on target
I’ll take Harry Kane to have two or more shots on target as well. We know what he’s like for England, he’s the focal point of the attack and is dangerous whenever he’s on the ball. If England win comfortably he has a chance to pick up a few more in the Golden Boot race too.
Marcus Rashford to score
Marcus Rashford should get a chance either from the start or off the bench and if Panama are chasing the game it will suit his style of play. He can deliver the final blow.
Elliot Anderson to have 2+ tacklesElliot Anderson to commit 1+ fouls
Elliot Anderson’s committed five fouls in the first two games and also completed four tackles. Three of those came against Ghana and I expect this game to follow a similar pattern, so backing him for a similar performance makes sense in a Bet Builder.
Alt Handicap: England -1
Harry Kane to have 2+ shots on goal
Marcus Rashford to score
Elliot Anderson to have 2+ tackles
Elliot Anderson to commit 1+ fouls
A Bet Builder with these selections pays approximately 4/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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