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Can England "make history" against Albania? + Serbia Review
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England took on Serbia on Thursday night and were victorious, despite only having their clean sheet record to play for. Can England make history and go the whole group stage without conceding?
Michael Grahamslaw reviews Thursdays game and looks ahead to Sunday where England take on Albania.
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Transcript
Introduction and Focus on England
00:00:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Newcastle where today we're not talking Newcastle, we're chatting England. And it's just a brief one. I've given most of the team a little bit of time off for the international break, so it's just me today.
England vs. Serbia: World Cup Qualification
00:00:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
um On Thursday night, and we're just going to get straight into it, England broke Serbian hearts after winning 2-0 and that officially condemned Serbia to elimination.
00:00:39
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from World Cup qualification and meant that when it comes to the usa Serbia is going to be nowhere near. For England, unfortunately, English fans will be sitting up at three o'clock in the morning to watch the World Cup, or at least some of us will be, people with sense and probably those who you know might get sacked from their jobs probably won't be.
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah, keep your holidays if you care about the World Cup. But for England... Thursday night was another game without defeat and another game without conceding a goal.
00:01:15
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Jordan Pickford was forced into three saves, which, to be fair, is probably about the same amount he's had to do for the whole of World Cup qualifying.
00:01:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah, it hasn't exactly been a challenge before. For Thomas Tuchel's team. But it does have to be said. When you look at some of the other results. In the group stages. Of qualifying in general.
00:01:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
In fact it can be easy to brush England's performances. Under the carpet. um But. Just look at
World Cup Qualifiers: Surprising Outcomes
00:01:45
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this week. Republic of Ireland beating Portugal. Cameroon having qualified for the World Cup and won't because Cape Verde won their group.
00:01:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Saudi Arabia nearly didn't win their qualifying group against Iraq. Brazil lost to Bolivia. Argentina to Ecuador. Germany to Slovakia. I could go on and on, but I won't.
00:02:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
The point is, England have done pretty well so far, and whether you appreciate it or not, it is something that is going to go down in the record books. If... England can avoid conceding in Albania on Sunday, just like they did on Thursday.
00:02:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
It does have to be said, Serbia were much tougher opposition second time round because, well, to be honest, it couldn't have got much easier. Serbia were absolutely dreadful since then.
00:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've changed manager, they've changed half the squad. um But the the final score wasn't too different. but the game itself was. England dominated the first game, and although they did dominate the second game, this was at Wembley, and it took two fantastic goals from Arsenal's Bakayo Saka and Eberio Chiesi to give England a comfortable, unremarkable, but hard-fought victory.
00:03:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And a lot of Newcastle fans will be sitting there thinking, Yeah, it's England, though it doesn't really impact us too much. What will impact Newcastle more more than anything was the debut of Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly, who played at left-back and looked more than competent, just like he has all season.
00:03:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
If he plays there for Manchester City, likelihood it is he's probably pretty good. um And he is, for those that haven't watched him. ah He is a very good, solid player. And if he continues like that for the rest of the season, it is going to have major impact on the playing time of Tino Livramento in Lewis Hall.
00:03:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe even Dan Byrne, if Thomas Tuchel decides he needs a 6'6 fullback. Nah, no one's going to do that.
England's Tactical Flexibility and Player Roles
00:03:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
But One surprise that we did see during the game was Phil Foden utilised as a false nine. He came on for Harry Kane in the sixty sixth minute.
00:04:03
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But let and let me tell you, we might not have many out-and-out strikers. Callum Wilson, I think, is probably sixth in line ah how to play for England, which is quite worrying.
00:04:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Danny Welbeck's a minute away from an England call-up, but then again, he tore us apart, so why not? um But the out-and-out strikers list, it's it's pretty thin and it doesn't look good, but the central attacking midfielders who can potentially play as a false nine,
00:04:32
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England are spoiled for choice. There's no rags there. It's all riches. ah You've got Phil Fode and Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, many, many more. There's an array talents that I don't think any other country can boast, really, in that particular position.
00:04:50
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Some countries are blessed with wingers. Some with defenders. Some are goalkeepers. Some, well, England, we're just kind of blessed in that number 10 area, which... It's good, not when you you know you don't know you don't really have a left back that you trust.
00:05:06
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It's took us 10 years to have a good centre midfield partnership. um Actually, that's a bit harsh. Rice and Phillips did do a great job. um But yeah we haven't exactly been blessed with talent in those particular positions.
00:05:21
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um We've always had a good striker. Looks like that might be due to change. um But let's be honest, Harry Kane isn't going anywhere. um But end there are those central attacking midfielders that will fill in for him when he's not exactly doing the pressing.
00:05:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
By the looks of Harry Kane, he's decided that he's not really content playing striker. He wants to play central attacking midfielder. There was a moment where he was playing central defender against Serbia. Brilliant little slide tackle.
00:05:50
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um Lee Dixon on commentary saying the only negative was that he didn't get more of the man. ah Absolutely beautiful challenge. um And to be honest, it's an area of his game I wasn't aware of.
00:06:03
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ah You know, you you talk a lot about Harry Kane defensively. It's usually backing into the goalkeeper while the goalkeeper is going to collect the ball, usually causing a few issues like Kevin Shard added to Nick Pope for Newcastle against Brentford at the weekend.
00:06:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But, yeah, Harry Kane, when he does run out of steam, we do have those players there. Foden, Palmer, Bellingham, Rodgers. And it's easy to forget Cole Palmer has a fat ah ah yeah an international tournament final goal to his name.
00:06:33
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um And <unk>s no other there's no other players that have that, really. um Except from Luke Shaw. But in regards to centre-attack midfielder Foden back to the game, he didn't exactly impress But he didn't harm his chances of playing there again.
00:06:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was tidy. He was composed. And he actually got the assist for Eze's goal. Although Eze probably deserves a little bit more credit than Foden for the goal. If you haven't seen it, I'm quite clearly tongue-in-cheek. Eze does everything.
00:07:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Foden does a little nice touch to get it towards him. But I didn't even realise it was Foden that got the assist. It's all Eze. Brilliant from the former Crystal Palace man and current Arsenal player. um But ah I do think we'll see number 10s a lot more on the number 9 role going forward. I can see Foden and Palmer doing it at the upcoming tournament. Eze could be a brilliant shout to play there as well.
00:07:36
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And it sort reminds me of Spain during the 2010s whenever Alvaro Morata didn't work out. When Torres wasn't there, you know he just sort of had his spell where he wasn't really very good.
00:07:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
couldn't come in. And then you Spain were pretty much sitting there going, well, all we've got up front is Marata. um And credit to Marata, he's not a bad player by any stretch of the imagination. But he's not Spain's striker quality when you consider Raul, David Villa, Fernando Torres, etc. Yeah.
00:08:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So I could really see England doing that with Harry Kane when he runs out of steam, Foden, Palmer, etc. False nine, wingers get a little bit further forward, particularly when you've got in the wings, let's say, Marcus Rashford, pretty much a striker, but plays the left side.
00:08:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jared Bowen, uh, will come off the bench very likely sack Saka of Saka picks up a knock door later in the games. Uh, Bowen played striker for West Ham United, but mainly operates on the right. So you you have two wingers who are very comfortable in forward roles channel forwards.
00:08:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, And your Cole Palmer or your Phil Foden or Bellingham even just in behind could work very well for England. um We didn't really see it against Serbia, but then Serbia didn't really cause England any problems. um Shouldn't really come as a surprise when ex-Newcastle United striker Alexander Mitrovic has scored over half the goals in qualifying.
00:09:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's played just 30 minutes across the two games against England. Mitro is their danger man still, but since moving to Al Ryan in Qatar, they've... I don't want to say they've felt the need to lower his minutes, and but he certainly hasn't been getting the game time he's wanted.
00:09:24
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um Yeah.
00:09:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
no premer league teams came in for if you go back to our transfer podcasts in the summer i was saying after all al-haal said you know mittrovi isn't wanted here at the minute which baffling considering he scored sixty eight goals and seventy nine games for them that better than ronaldo's record um I really thought Newcastle or maybe even a Brentford or someone like that would have come in for him and took the risk.
00:09:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am glad we didn't because we've ended up with Nick Voltemar who we wouldn't have got. And I think he's in a stone he's a brilliant talent. um Astounding was the word I was going to use. And to be honest, it does make it does make sense. It didn't in my mind as I was going to say it, but he is that good.
00:10:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Just not really a striker, but I think him and Johan Wiss are together. will be fantastic. Mitrovic, he would have replaced one of them in the signings. It wasn't going to be Wisser.
00:10:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two completely different players. um But... That's all on Alexander Mitrovic, obviously. obviously Got little bit off on the tangent there. but yeah Serbia didn't cause England any problems.
00:10:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was a very, very easy game. um Will England struggle a bit more against harder opposition? We're not really going to find out until the World Cup.
00:10:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe we end up with some friendlies against tougher opposition next next year before the tournament, but it doesn't look likely, to be honest. But in the meantime, we'll get to England's game against Albania in a moment.
00:10:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
For now, and have a word from Bayern.
00:11:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good stuff. So back
England's Qualifying Campaign and Historical Performance
00:11:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
to England. The game against Albania is their chance to make England's greatest qualifying campaign ever. Which is a bit baffling when you see it actually, but that's exactly what it is.
00:11:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is qualifying. And that's after this stage. doesn't matter if they've won every game nil or if they've scraped through on goal difference.
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
At the end of the day, they qualify for the World Cup and it doesn't really matter how you do it. But it is good to see that England have put a foot down and are progressing forward. But for Albania, I really hope that Thomas Tuchel makes some changes for the game.
00:12:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
um you know When it comes to the World Cup, it is a squad competition. um and I've liked the rotation that I've seen in World Cup qualifying. If you have 25 players who are used to playing for England, um some young, some older, used to playing on the big stage at Wembley, wherever you know big stadiums, they're going be used to it for clubs.
00:12:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's let them get them used to it playing for England england as well. So, I'd love to see Henderson or Trafford start in Gola. Obviously, Trafford was called up instead of Nick Pope, who had the concussion. um Realistically, it should be Henderson.
00:13:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think Trafford... Ironically, Trafford choosing to go to Manchester City has probably hindered any chances he had of making the next two tournaments. um I think he'll probably make the squad for the World Cup. He'll travel, but he won't be in there. If Jordan Pickford gets an injury, it's going to be Dean Henderson.
00:13:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'd like to see Dean Henderson start for England, get him a bit of time between the sticks, because... Well, if you all remember what happened when we played USA the last time at a World Cup, I know we might not play them this time, but um USA and World Cup has particularly bad memories for me. 2010, I believe it was.
00:13:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Less said about that, the better. If you don't know what I'm talking about, look it up and cry afterwards. um But you don't want your goalkeepers on that stage anymore. not having experience in an England shirt and then getting really nervous beforehand.
00:13:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kwanza and Shalaba, I'd love to see in an England shirt in a game like this. I think, again, backups. We've got Dan Burnie's caps. He's going to look quite comfortable now in an England shirt when he does have to back up Stones, Gehi or Kwanzaa.
00:14:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Kwanzaa and Shalaba two younger players probably going to be in the England squad for a little while now Kwanzaa looks really good at Bayer Leverkusen Shalaba has been what one of the stands out in defence for Chelsea there hasn't really been many defensively and but he is up there and he does look good Adam Wharton, I think, well, I always said Adam Wharton would be the answer next to Deckman Rice.
00:14:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Turns out it's Elliot Anderson. and But I would love to see Adam Wharton in there as well because he is such a good player. And if your options in centre midfield have gone from Jordan Henderson to replace either, go well, Jordan Henderson or Calvin Phillips to Adam ah ah adam Wharton or Elliot Anderson,
00:15:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm aware on paper, to those that maybe don't watch the Premier League week in, week out, that doesn't sound great. But to those that watch these players week in, week out, that is an array of talent that I'm not going to say most clubs don't most nations don't have because they do, but it's so much better than England fans are used to.
00:15:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then is the attacking three. in behind the striker. I do think Harry Kane will start again. um He's after the record. He's after a number of records, really.
00:15:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So it'll be one of those where He'll want to start every game and I think Thomas Tuchel will give him that chance. But in behind, I'd love to see Eberrechie Eze, Jarrett Bowen, Phil Foden, all of those in those attacking midfield positions. Because again, World Cup is a squad competition.
00:15:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
The likes of Jack Grealish in previous tournaments has been able to come off the bench and really change things for England because he's had that sort of experience at times. I genuinely think Foden's had that sort of opportunity, so you know maybe less so for him, but Eberreche-Ese is the kind of player that comes on in a tournament and you can go from drawing 0-0 against, let's say, Algeria or someone like that, and he can come on and he can completely change the game and unlock the defence. So...
00:16:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Eber Echiezi I think is a must to get more integrated with the team. Jarrod Bowen and Foden I just really like. um And I hate the fact that Foden was just pushed out on the left-hand side last time out.
00:16:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'd love to see him in a number 10 position or even as that false nine striker and just see what he can do. um And then to be fair, one of the things that sort of got me thinking about this was Pickford holding his thigh on Thursday night. Now, it was just a tactic by Tuchel to get a little team talk together.
00:16:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I was sitting there and thinking if he's injured, it's not looking good for England because there literally you're going to end up with another Rob Green scenario um with the backup goalkeeper's But is there anyone else that you want to see play for England? Maybe a Jed Spence is there off the top my head.
00:17:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Let us know. My prediction for the game is that we're going to see a lot of changes and England are going to pick up what will be a fairly routine 3-0 victory. and Because Albania don't need anything from the game whatsoever.
00:17:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
They can attack England, see what happens without any consequence.
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00:17:25
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And their manager is going to want to test see how they test themselves. against these bigger clubs when they can't just play football.
00:17:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
um yeah It's one of those where if you're, ah i don't want to say a minnow nation, but that's realistically what they are. Like a Georgia, let's say at the last major competition, ah they ended up against Spain. They scored the first goal. Sure, they ended up losing.
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But they looked really, really solid. um And you never know where these teams were. You don't know how good you are until you can't play that expansive football. And that's exactly what Georgia did and they looked really good for it. Albania don't quite have the same quality, but their manager surely will want to see how they can do when they just attack teams and try and go toe to toe.
00:18:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
goal difference doesn't matter to them now doesn't matter at all Serbia can't catch them they can't catch England they'll want the only thing they'll want to do is potentially cause an upset but they'll want to score and end England's run without conceding all that'll be on their mind is right the English press have mentioned the entire time England haven't conceded in qualifying be the team that ruins it team talk's basically done for them So I do think they'll try and attack England with that. Pickford will have a few saves to make. It should be a fairly routine victory though.
00:18:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And England are just going to be too strong. Going to go into the friendlies in March on a high. Still don't know who we play. But it's got to be someone a bit more challenging than Serbia and Albania. ah That's all for my day.
00:19:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
just thought would be a quick England pod. Tomorrow I've got a little something prepared for the World Cup. um And on Sunday, we'll do a little double review of England versus Albania in Newcastle versus Sunderland in the women's football.
00:19:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'm getting my first taste of women's football on Sunday in England and their World Cup qualification on the very same day. So it could be a very exciting day football. And if you want a preview for the Newcastle United and Sunderland derby game at the weekend maybe you're not as familiar with women's football as our resident expert joe um i know i'm certainly not um i need to go back and listen to that because i've got no idea and i want to see like i know what i'm talking about when i go um so go back and check the last pod that we did um joe and uh joe and joe actually coincidentally she had a guest on um and i'm sure that's a fantastic pod the first one those two did together was
00:19:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm sure this one has been as well. So can't wait to listen to that. Make sure you do before the weekend. I've been Michael Grahamslaw. This is The Daily Newcastle. And me? Well, I'll see you tomorrow.