This is bizarre. Dunk just isn't good enough and should not be in the squad. Branthwaite looks a much better player.
I've backed Southgate on most things but I'm not sure I can agree with this
Not saying I agree with it but 5-6 of the players won’t step foot on the pitch. Perhaps he values the older head of Dunk who he can be honest and say you’re in the team for morale and to keep the younger guys grounded. Don’t think you can underestimate stuff like in any tournament especially on foreign soil.
Honestly I think it's probably a height thing - Maguire is absolutely deadly in the air, and having all 6ft 4 of Dunk goes some way to filling that gap.
Shit, hadn't realised that! I rate Branthwaite ahead of Dunk either way personally, especially given he and Pickford will understand each other - but guess Southgate has seen something.
Getting rid of one of the only fit left footed defender we have left in the squad is certainly a choice
Maybe Gareth thinks the squad was a bit too Communist for his liking...
It's daft, but I'm not that surprised. I don't understand why Tarkovski wasn't considered. Those 2 in front of Pickford, with all the experience they have as a unit at Everton, seemed a great opportunity.
So I guess it’ll be:
- LB: Shaw, Trippier
- LCB: Guehi, Dunk
- RCB: Stones, Konsa
- RB: Walker, Gomez, Trent (if needed, as he plays in MDF for England)
But he only had his first cap on Monday. Dunk has 6 - so with Maguire out injured, he's gone with experience, though admittedly, there's not much in it.
I imagine Southgate has decided Guehi will 100% start next to Stones, therefore Dunk/Branthwaite would play little to no minutes, and he values Dunks experience and leadership qualities in and around the camp
Although I would prefer Branthwaite I think Southgate is looking at worse case scenario - now without Maguire if Stones were to get injured 10 mins into 1st game & is out for the tournament do you have (for as long as England are in) Guehi & Brainthwaite with a combined 150 PL games & no European experience or Guehi & Dunk with Dunk having 250+ PL games (400+ career) & a season of Europa league. My guess he wants one experienced CB & that is Dunk if Stones is out. My two cents I would have gone with Dier as that experienced player instead - he should be in the 26.
I think he's gone for Dunk as an older player with a but more experience. I think Branthwaite is the better player personally but if I had to guess why Southgate's made that choice that'd be the reason.
This is bizarre. Dunk just isn't good enough and should not be in the squad. Branthwaite looks a much better player. I've backed Southgate on most things but I'm not sure I can agree with this
I even rate Branthwaite higher than Guehi, I really don't understand this decision man
It's so bizarre that it's possible there's been disruption in training like White, the only rationale I can think of.
I've not sure I've seen them both enough to judge but from what I have seen, Dunk is not good enough.
Why Dunk is anywhere near the squad is mad. Even Quansah would be better and make more sense
Not saying I agree with it but 5-6 of the players won’t step foot on the pitch. Perhaps he values the older head of Dunk who he can be honest and say you’re in the team for morale and to keep the younger guys grounded. Don’t think you can underestimate stuff like in any tournament especially on foreign soil.
Doesn't really matter, either Dunk or Branthwaite would have spent the entire tournament on the bench
We will see…
How delusional are you? Dunk has more experience and I’m my opinion is a much better player. Calmer on the balls etc.
Dunk has been absolute horse shit in an England shirt in my opinion.
Branthwaite should have gone ahead of Dunk for sure.
That is an idiotic decision .. I knew Southgate making these was too good to be true. Lewis Dunk over Branthwaite is actually stupid
Southgate loves dunk. For reasons I do not know.
Can't be having any CBs with pace now
Honestly I think it's probably a height thing - Maguire is absolutely deadly in the air, and having all 6ft 4 of Dunk goes some way to filling that gap.
Branthwaite is 6 foot 5
Shit, hadn't realised that! I rate Branthwaite ahead of Dunk either way personally, especially given he and Pickford will understand each other - but guess Southgate has seen something.
Guehi hasn't exactly looked commanding in the friendlies and he's our starting CB?
And if he messes up it’s Dunk next.
Getting rid of one of the only fit left footed defender we have left in the squad is certainly a choice Maybe Gareth thinks the squad was a bit too Communist for his liking...
I haven't been impressed with Dunk for England. Let's hope he doesn't start at least.
He’s taking Lewis Dunk??
Yes
Dunk has nudes of Southgate. It’s the only rational explanation.
Sad, I see him as a starter for the WC
Promising ✅ Young✅ Talent✅ Nah lets leave him behind, he’s not a contender in the spot for 10+ years
I would have dropped one of Toney or Watkins for Branthwaite. Guehi has been injured for a long time and Dunk doesn’t convince me
Sounds like Southgate is worried about Kane’s fitness.
I genuinely think both branthwaite and quansah are better than dunk/guehi already
The only high quality Dunk we’re seeing at the Euro’s is what France Germany and Spain are going to do on our heads
Dunk is awful
It's daft, but I'm not that surprised. I don't understand why Tarkovski wasn't considered. Those 2 in front of Pickford, with all the experience they have as a unit at Everton, seemed a great opportunity.
So I guess it’ll be: - LB: Shaw, Trippier - LCB: Guehi, Dunk - RCB: Stones, Konsa - RB: Walker, Gomez, Trent (if needed, as he plays in MDF for England)
Awful decision man. I don't understand why Southgate isn't taking Branthwaite. He's probably the best CB out of those right now.
But he only had his first cap on Monday. Dunk has 6 - so with Maguire out injured, he's gone with experience, though admittedly, there's not much in it.
6 caps doesn't feel like enough experience to really matter.
In the overall scheme of things, no. But if your hand is forced because Maguire is injured, it seemed (to me, at least) to be the decider
If he starts Trippier, Stones and Walker that's an insane amount of experience. Can absolutely afford a youngster in that four.
Gomez at LCB/LB surely? I don’t think Southgate will play him at RB at all.
No left footed player in the backline, unless Shaw is fit every game, is a bit of a worry.
Who is left footed in our defence?
Shaw.
Only Luke Shaw.
Stupid decision, he's better than any other fit defender we have
Should be starting in the absence of Maguire, ludicrous decision
this little manoeuvre is gonna cost us 57 years
I imagine Southgate has decided Guehi will 100% start next to Stones, therefore Dunk/Branthwaite would play little to no minutes, and he values Dunks experience and leadership qualities in and around the camp
But stones is so injury prone and gushing and only just come back as well.
That’s probably knocked about £20million off his inevitable summer transfer from Everton.
https://preview.redd.it/0c63dcon3z4d1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ebff38ed580add2db6f077075f6b1858000c880d
Remember when everyone was claiming Dunk is better than Maguire not so long ago..
Remember when everyone was claiming Dunk is better than Maguire not so long ago..
Remember when everyone was claiming Dunk is better than Maguire not so long ago..
Poor decision this. Branthwaite should have been partner to Stones in my eyes.
Although I would prefer Branthwaite I think Southgate is looking at worse case scenario - now without Maguire if Stones were to get injured 10 mins into 1st game & is out for the tournament do you have (for as long as England are in) Guehi & Brainthwaite with a combined 150 PL games & no European experience or Guehi & Dunk with Dunk having 250+ PL games (400+ career) & a season of Europa league. My guess he wants one experienced CB & that is Dunk if Stones is out. My two cents I would have gone with Dier as that experienced player instead - he should be in the 26.
Can’t even get in even when maguire ain’t in there too lol
I think he's gone for Dunk as an older player with a but more experience. I think Branthwaite is the better player personally but if I had to guess why Southgate's made that choice that'd be the reason.
If things like this that make me question Southgates judgement!
Awful, should go instead of Dunk. Southgate's conservatism coming through as always.
Would've taken Chalobah or Tomori over both Branthwaite and Dunk based on recent form and experience.
Fuck them