Wouldn’t say the better team won, both evenly matched, in the end came down to that penalty miss, French not that good
Yes, he was poor. I gave France the first half, evens in the second, though France scored from open play.
No shame in losing to the French, probably deserved a tad more from the game and could have got it but for the penalty miss. Taking Saka off was a mistake and why Rashford doesn't start is beyond me.
I was thinking that also Bob. Bringing him on way too late IMHO. He's a big time player/goal scorer. He should be starting or at least subbed on at half time.
I think he's our best technical player and one of the quickest thinkers we have. Have a great game, bag 2 goals and get dropped. Must have done his confidence the world of good!!
All I can think of is he must have had some minor injury and was given more rest in case they made it past France. Couldn't possibly be anything more sinister, could it?
Oh well, thought this time we had a good chance of winning the ****ing thing, we are a decent team and there are no outstanding sides in this tournament. Fine margins today and some dodgy reffing, but spilt milk etc. Anyway, back to the proper stuff tomorrow, come on you Rs!
No way did we deserve to lose that ! We were poor 1st half but still should've had a pen and their goal shouldn't have counted either after clear foul on Saka. Thought we were easily the better team 2nd half and with a bit of luck we would've been 2-1 up. Still should've drawn it and expected Kane to go down the middle with the 2nd pen. Unfortunately yet again Southgate waited too long for the subs and got them wrong. Shaw was ****ing awful all game and Trippier should've come on( superior at set plays and more in form). Taking Saka off was truly weird and Rashford should've come on alot earlier. Sort of sums up Southgate's tenure, a case of what could've and probably should've been ! Oh well, same old ! Heart had a few tremors late on. ****ing ref
I've sorted Southgate out, one of my brothers cleans his windows, they will be mucky for a while now.
Now ... breathe in and hold 2, 3, 4 and breathe out. Now doesn't that feel better? Seriously, I am with you there HB. Ref appeared to be Franco-centric on many decisions. Not saying all his calls were, but England didn't get a good run by the official. That happens in most games though, whoever is playing. I thought Mbappe would be the difference, hence I tipped France, but he wasn't as dominant as he had been in past games. Kane's missed penalty summed up the night for England. As Lord Nelson would have said, Kismet my dear HammersmithB. And so we move on ... to QPR's travails.
I’ve often wondered what a ‘better’ Manager could have done with the players that Southgate has had at his disposal over the last few seasons…. Time for a change methinks?
Possibly. I think the players might have something to say or do about a manager change. Even if Southgate doesn't get dropped soon, I don't think he'll be managing England at the next WC (if England make it).
The ref was inconsistent, fussy and not too good...but we did get 2 penalties. It is up to us score them. So no blaming the ref from me. It is a shame as the youngsters in our team are outstanding...and Henderson too had a good ( last) tournament. We need to find some good wing backs and solid CDs ( know any other teams like that?), and Euros here we come . We were chatting about Kane not taking the second penalty...but no one would have got that ball off him I am sure. It will haunt him for the rest of his days, I am sure. Not my favourite player but I feel sorry for him tonight