England’s impressive World Cup win over Croatia has left fans dreaming of ruling the world for the first time in 60 years.
But the 4-2 victory in Dallas has also stirred considerable debate as to how Thomas Tuchel should navigate the competition, with contrasting views as to who should play a leading role for the Three Lions.
On Thursday morning, Daily Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele responded to your comments following the impressive win.
Readers were asked: If you were in Thomas Tuchel’s shoes, who changes for the starting XI against Ghana? Do you stick with John Stones and Ezri Konsa and give this defence another opportunity to gel, or is it already time to freshen things up?
Here’s what you had to say, and Lewis’s own take on the Three Lions.
Luke8 wrote in: Easy. Guehi and Konsa as the defensive pairing – they have a general shut-out in terms of conceding goals and shield an increasingly shaky Pickford. LB and RB were fine, the only swap needs to be Guehi in for Stones.
Steele replied: I was a bit baffled to see that Marc Guehi wasn’t starting, to be fair. I think he’s England’s best defender and, aside from one catastrophic error that cost Manchester City the title, has had an excellent season.
But I see why they have gone with the current duo: Ezri Konsa is big and physical whereas John Stones is still one of the best ball-playing defenders in the world. As much as I have tried, I am struggling to put aside my love for Stones so I wouldn’t drop him.
Daily Mail Sport’s readers were asked if they would stick with Ezri Konsa and John Stones as England’s centre-back pairing
Expert football reporter Lewis Steele was on hand to respond to your opinions
COYP wrote in: Guehi to start together with Dean Henderson. Pickford is looking more and more shaky and his distribution is shocking.
Steele replied: I presume the P in your ‘COYP’ username stands for Palace. But I won’t let that cloud my judgment. I’m actually only joking because you make a fair point. I would start Marc Guehi and stick with Jordan Pickford for now. No one for James Trafford then? Shame really.
Ollie Burton said: Wish they’d stop the short passing nonsense in their own box from goal kicks which usually end with Pickford thumping it long anyway under pressure.
Steele replied: It’s the way football is now, I’m afraid. You will concede a goal from it but over the course of the tournament, Tuchel will think the positives outweigh the negatives. It does not fill me with confidence at all seeing them mess around with it. Pickford thumping it long is more frustrating, though!
Ianesra10 said: Every time Pickford has the ball at his feet it makes me nervous. It must also have that effect on the players around him?! The whole defensive unit was poor. We hardly won a header, awareness of danger was woeful, lack of speed is concerning, didn’t understand the dropping of Guehi.
Steele replied: I’m not the only one that has my heart in my mouth when Jordan Pickford has the ball, then? You’re talking to a man that has spent months arguing on WhatsApp groups that James Trafford should start ahead of Gigi Donnarumma for Manchester City! I think Croatia are a strong team and this was just England settling into the tournament, they will improve and settle as it goes on.
Readers expressed their reservations over Jordan Pickford having the ball at his feet
Headgardener2 wrote in: Send for Maguire.
Steele replied: After hearing how Harry Maguire and his family have reacted to his omission, I think we can see exactly why Thomas Tuchel didn’t pick him. A sore loser.
Yarm David said: The left-back played like a frightened lamb, he made Pickford the man with the most possession.
Leaving Lewis-Hall behind was an utterly stupid decision, he would have moved the ball down the left wing, teaming up with Gordon that was left useless during this match! Crazy. Others teams will take us apart.
Picking Kane to take the penalty was also a mistake, he has history of bungling it. Gordon has the arrogance of the younger man and does not mess. The keeper would not have seen his shot. Wake up Tuchel, or we will be taken apart.
Steele replied: I won’t be having any Nico O’Reilly slander in this comments section thank you very much. But I agree he looked nervous. He’s so good at bombing down the wing and arriving late in the box but I didn’t see any of that yesterday. The left side was bang average until the substitutes were made.
Andy P2 chipped in: It’s a real shame Branthwaite isn’t fit, a left-footed centre-half is what is needed.
Steele replied: I agree actually. Covering Everton in the club season, I can testify that he is a classy defender. Would’ve been perfect for Thomas Tuchel if he could keep himself fit. Maybe for the Euros…
Some readers felt that Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite would be good for Tuchel’s team
Bottleofpop said: A few of their chances came from Kane dropping back and losing the ball. How about telling Kane to stop. He continually did it at the last few tournaments leaving us without a striker for those on the wing to pass to, and still he’s doing it. This was one of the main criticisms of Rooney in his final games for England, yet Kane gets a free pass.
Steele replied: Fair point but that’s what makes Harry Kane special. Him dropping deep and Jude Bellingham running off him, I really like it. But I agree that sometimes you glance into the box and think “where’s Harry?”.
WilliameLiMareschale wrote: Let them have another go. It takes time to settle a defence. They are good players and will note the crticism.
Steele replied: Bang on. It’s like when I come out of the cinema, I normally list everything I don’t like about the film and then give it a four out of five. It’s the same with England. There were things to improve, sure, but they played better than I thought they would for an opener. They will grow into the tournament. It’s better than some of the borefests we have been served up over the years…
TeamLimeFalcon said: I think we caused problems for ourselves first half. Defensively shaky especially on the left, Guehi would have been a better choice as left CB. Also not enough of an outlet going to Gordon because we never had the right balance on the left.
Steele replied: Yeah I agree, first half was a bit all over the place. Guehi is our best defender in my opinion but I can see Tuchel’s reasons for going with the two he picked. As for the left, I think O’Reilly and Gordon got in each other’s way. I’d be starting Rashford on Tuesday..
Marc Guehi was a popular shout to replace John Stones in the four-man England defence
Stephen Aldred wrote in from Italy: Instead of 4-2-3-1 with BOTH Rice and Anderson, Start 4-1-4-1 with Anderson in front of the back four and replace Rice with Rogers.
Steele hit back: I’ve been quite nice to most comments this morning. This one, however, I have to disagree. Replace Declan Rice with Morgan Rogers?! That would be the worst managerial decision since Pep Guardiola dropped Fernandinho and Rodri for the Champions League final in 2021.
DoomspiritHaze said: No team ever wins the World Cup in the first game, but it can be lost in the first game. Let’s see how they progress and grow into the tournament. Win against Ghana and then maybe rest one or two key players against Panama?
Steele replied: My pre-match prediction last night was actually that England would slip up. Either that or win with a really uninspiring performance. They always seem to start slowly so I was pleasantly surprised by it all. I agree about resting players against Panama. As long as we top the group and avoid the side of the draw with France and Spain, it’s job done…
Nickenglishfarang commented from Thailand: Anderson was the unsung hero. Hardly put a foot wrong and his work rate was phenomenal. At the top level there is no substitute for pace – it frightens defences – in the second half when England went at Croatia they pulverised them. If it wasn’t for the Croatian goalkeeper England could’ve scored 6 or 7.
Steele replied: I really rate Elliot Anderson. Thought he was a bit quiet last night but it was his first big tournament outing. Agreed that he has a top-notch work rate. He always looks to pass forward or control the tempo. Whether he’s worth £125million or whatever City are about to pay for him, I don’t know, but he’s class and maybe just what England have been missing in the last few tournaments.
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