Southgate has had two chances handed to him. In the WC he even throws a game to get easier 1/2 of draw. He gets a virtually home tournament in the Euros. On neither occasion could he deliver. This ia down to negative tactics and no plan B Two holding stifles creativity. And his obsession with mount is baffling. If two hold, he needs Grealish, Foden, Saka behind Harry. And we need another scorer or two and no Maguire or Mount
The one thing we've learned from Southgate is he doesn't learn from his mistakes, just like waiting to change things against Italy in the Euro's final, he waited until it was too late exactly as he did against Croatia in the World Cup Semi's prior to that. While I'm not saying we have suddenly become a bad team I'm also unconvinced we were a great one beforehand. We had incredibly fortunate draws in 2 major tournaments and tge 2nd one was on home soil. The only decent sides we played in tge World Cup were Belgium who we list to twice and Croatia who beat us in the Semi's. In the Euro's we beat a bang average German side( one of the very few they've had), Ukraine, who we should be beating and scrambled past a decent Danish outfit before losing on pens to Italy, who we should've beaten. I'm still to be convinced we can get past teams such as Brazil, Argentina, Belgium, France and an improving Germany. Love to be proved wrong, but I don't believe Southgate has the nous to do it. He has alot of artillery at his disposal, but will be pick the right players, again I'm not convinced. The centre of defence is a great concern with Maguire in particular looking like a disaster zone every game. Let's hope he can surprise me and pull off a miracle !
Chill. This is the international version of something like the Texaco Cup. A pointless event just for the benefit of Sky. Bit silly at the end of a long hard season to play to the max with the real tournament starting very soon. I suspect all the players and Southgate really can't be arsed about this competition and are saving themselves trying new things out for the real event. If England fail to get to the quarter finals then by all means let's start the inquest and search for the next guy in to the hot seat. Perhaps he has learned a master class from our successful gaffers like Warnock. Did he ever win a Cup game for us in our promotion season? It's all about priorities John.
I've once again got to the stage where I don't even bother watching these games, not even arsed about the results. Was in Barcelona on Saturday with 26 mates for a get together. The majority big football fans. Not one of us was interested in watching the game v Italy.
The problem at centre back is that we don't have anyone remotely near world class in that position. Stones is the best on the ball, which helps, but had a mare defensively last night. On their best form, Stones and Maguire are probably our best pairing. Therefore we need to be prepared to outscore opponents rather than trying to be solid, which we'll never be. Rice is now the only choice for the holding midfielder role if we only play one, which is what I'd do. In a 4-3-3 something like: Pickford Trent Stones Maguire Shaw Rice Bellingham Foden Grealish Kane Saka That would concentrate the minds of any team defensively. They'd fancy their chances of scoring though.
Start of the Women's Euros tonight with England playing Austria at Old Trafford or as it's been branded by UEFA "Trafford"....... Still a full house, seems to have captured the imagination of the paying public which is great...... England currently lead 1-0
I’ve moaned about women’s football before. I can moan for Hertfordshire says my Mrs. In the absence of much else on I’ve been watching the last 20mins of England women vs Austria. Time to eat humble pie, it’s entertaining and the ladies seem to be playing with a passion that wouldn’t go amiss in the blokes team.
Have to say the technical aspect of the game is very high, both sides are attempting to play in a style that some men's teams would do well to emulate....... good game so far......
England with lots of possession, but moving the ball so slowly. Must move it quicker. Hang on now and get the 3 points.
