England go into them expecting to win the tournament, Scotland go in hoping to qualify for the knockouts for the first time. Whatever happens, it should divert our attention away from our recruitment problems.
England to scrape through the group and fall at the first knock-out hurdle but no blame will attach to His Holiness Pope Gareth I hope Man Utd then sign him Will probably stick this thread to the top of the page when the Tournament gets going...
Like many, my enthusiasm for England has waned in recent years, certainly since Steve McClaren, Fabio Crapello & now the chinless wonder. Southgate. Any manager who can’t get a tune out of Kane, Bellingham, Grealish, Rice, Foden, Saka & Cole Palmer shouldn’t be in employment, but most people understand that Southgate isn’t England manager because of his footballing attributes. Stand by for a confected “race storm” if Rashford isn’t selected, or a long sermon from Wokegate on why England players will be taking the knee before every Euro game It’s this sort of bollox that has characterised Southgate’s time in charge, and turned so many fans off.
One of the many things about Southgate I dislike is the way he manages his players - like Bert Social Worker from Viz. Fifty years ago, Sir Geoff Hurst scored a hat trick for England. Leaving the dressing room, he called out to the manager “see you next game Alf”, to which Sir Alf Ramsay retorted “if selected”. Fast forward 50 years, and that prat cannot drop a player without a long wordy explanation , his chinless face wobbling, and the need to call in therapists & psychiatrists to support the dropped player. Can you imagine the drama that his coming if Southgate doesn’t select Marcus Rashfraud. “ The toughest conversation of my life. Both of us were in tears. Marcus has done so much for free school meals and BLM, and deserved to be included. I haven’t slept for days, and have needed counselling from the FA’s sponsors Gay Pride and Stonewall”.
No Sterling No Henderson No Rashford in England's squad for Euro 2024 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c3gglr8mpzdo
The attacking talent alone wins the tournament…if Southgate doesn’t **** it up. Knowing him ..he will still play two holding midfielders because he wants to protect Maguire (another perennial favourite). Thats not just my opinion - journalists in France, Spain & Germany say they have nothing like the attacking talent that England has this time.
Engerlund find their true form on the eve of the Finals https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c3gg3694q5zt Back to 2016 I wish Royston was still posting, just to read his thoughts on Saint Gareth
Outside of his hardy band of social media woke hipsters, I don’t think anyone believes Southgate isn’t going to fvck this up. Losing 1-0 at home to Iceland is ominous. What was noticeable last night was just how slow, negative and uncreative England were again. Southgate couldn’t get a tune out of a vintage cello.
We’re supposed to have the most exciting, young, attacking talent in the world and yet when these players play for England they look so negative with all the sideways passing and tippy-tappy. You can only conclude that that is down to the managers instructions and tactics.
Whatever happened to the Scotland team which stormed through the qualifying group with 3 games to spare, beating Norway and Spain? Another early exit looms.
My wish came true! I'm very happy that I was misinformed and that you are still around here. And I'm pretty sure I am not alone in that sentiment.
