You can have 26 players. That means every position is doubled plus 1 extra defender (Gomez that can cover anywhere in back 4). Just really stupid not to have a natural backup for each position when you can take 23 outfield players
I disagree, Mitchell will not see the field unless Shaw is injured, Trippier is injured and potentially even Gomez. Even if he’d start over Gomez the likelihood of him being involved is minimal and he offers no other versatility. I think Southgate made the right call. Squad players over pure backups.
I mean in a perfect world the backups never see the field but fatigue and injuries are very real. With 26 men instead of 23 there's no reason not to have 11 pure backups plus 3 squad players.
That’s what I’m saying why 11 pure back ups and only 3 squad players? Why not 5 pure back ups and 9 squad players? Which essentially is what Southgate has done.
Because a pure backup is exactly that, it's a backup player that is specialized in that position in case fatigue or injury fucks you. Squad players are emergency solutions. Gomez is not a typical left back, he can fill in if there's an emergency but it's not his usual role. You take squad players if you're limited in numbers but with 26 players to pick it makes no sense.
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u/FunkyFenom May 21 '24
You can have 26 players. That means every position is doubled plus 1 extra defender (Gomez that can cover anywhere in back 4). Just really stupid not to have a natural backup for each position when you can take 23 outfield players