The World Cup Finals now have more teams in meaning essentially “easier” games. So the fact he’s beaten Iran in the World Cup Finals doesn’t make him any better than his predecessors. The early 2000’s team were not and never were a golden generation. They were simply over hyped by the media. As an example Lampard was never World class, nor was Gerrard. If they were they would have been able to play together when in fact they obviously couldn’t. The 1990’s and the 1970’s teams were much better man for man than the 2000’s lot. We do potentially have the best set of players for many a year with the likes of Bellingham, Foden and Rice coming through to back up Kane, Walker and Maddison. Trouble is Southgate in previous tournaments bottled it by going defensive when leading against Croatia and Italy and constantly messing up his substitutions such as putting Sterling and Mount on in place of Saka and Henderson(?). I would happily give Potter a chance though he probably won’t want the job. On that basis we’re probably stuck with Southgate but he’s only doing an average job with some really good players.
Actually I’d be happy enough with Southgate as the mouthpiece if only he got extra help from people who can read the game better. His assistants should be recommending a change in the 60th when it’s blatantly obvious Foden is having a shocker. Then it’s Rashford in his place because there’s simply no way Sterling should be getting on the pitch. Then the next change should be Maddison on for Henderson, Mount shouldn’t even ****ing be there. He should also be using players like Wilson more when Kane starts wandering or looking tired. Maguire is another who had one decent game but looked average the rest of the tournament and shouldn’t ever be the starting CB for England. This isn’t isolated either, it’s very repetitious, he’s been doing it since 2018. Too slow to change, poor game management. Steve Holland and Chris Powell need changing first, maybe for up and coming team managers or assistants like Beale, Tindall or Cooper on a part time basis? Maybe there should be someone with a bit of experience in there with him? I like how Southgate come across, I like what he’s done for the feeling in the squad but someone at the FA needs to realise he is a very poor game manager and get him help. Then I’m ok with him staying.
I think this could be the way to go. It’s clearly not a perfect set up, but we’re doing well and the plan of “rip it all up and start again” rarely pays off.
She does have a point, Rice and Grealish played for Ireland at youth level before declaring for England
I thought Kane should have come off at the 70th minute mark, just one thought that I have had is that with Pickford being a short arse if Southgate had played Pope who is taller and has a longer reach would he have saved the first goal.
Listen to Simon Jordan and read what I wrote earlier, our game management under Southgate is borderline abysmal.
Have to say I'm hoping France win tomorrow, especially having seen the Argentine players' celebratory song when England were knocked out. Filthy twats. Everyone has fans like that, but for the players to do it is sonething else. Any of them based in England should be kicked out if their clubs.
Southgate staying. Hope to God he isn’t immune to the comments - it’s literally everybody saying the same things about in game management. Bad news is he’ll keep picking Pickford, Mount and Maguire, because whist there might be hope for the game management side, there’s not a chance in hell he will suddenly pick players on ability instead of loyalty.
I want France. Just because they beat us. The Messi love in needs to stop. Don’t get me wrong I have loved watching him play over the years but this World Cup has almost been all about him.
I know all the TV / newspaper talk is about Messi vs Mbappe, but I can see this final get heated at some point, maybe even a red card or two. Both teams often try to con the ref into giving fouls and even cards to oppo players - and both can lose discipline a bit when they go behind.
