Wharton should play with Rice snd allow the full backs to bomb forward and the front 4 to play without restraint. The Trent experiment is a real failure.
Not a chance. They will definitely get to the QF, possibly further. We will get beaten by the first good side we play.
Looking at the odds of winning it, bookies have France and Germany at 4/1 joint favourites with England just behind on 9/2.
Southgate has basically got one more chance to prove that he can manage at this level. He failed today, big time. He played the same team in the same way as G1 and got exactly the same outcome. One scrappy goal from a lucky bounce that wasn't really deserved based on the team performance. We are not asking any questions of the opponents. We are not being brave, we are not allowing players to turn and run. We are playing 10 static footballers who all want the ball to feet facing their own half for an hour until we get desperate and then bringing on some energy. Saka has been the only creative forward player the rest don't deserve to start the next game. Tournament football is ruthless and nice guy managers who dont have the balls to stand up to players like Kane, Bellingham and Foden will not go through. The body language when TAA was on the pitch was terrible and it changed as soon as he left, that tells me everything I need to know. Kane needs to be dropped, Watkins made an immediate impact with his runs behind. The best finisher in the world is useless if he's not working off the ball. I would bench Kane, TAA and one of Foden or Bellingham and start either Wharton/Mainoo, Watkins and Gordon.
Your optimism is impressive but it feels a bit blind. We have been very poor against mediocre sides and the only reason we are still even in it is Stones/Guehi who have been excellent. Time has moved on and the squad is different and he's not getting the best out of it.
Group stage is just about getting through, preferably in 1st place. No point playing your best football at this stage. Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia at the World Cup. Today was a very rough watch but at least it showed us where are weaknesses are etc. We can afford to change the line up slightly against Slovenia, see if we can find something that works better. This team can step it up several levels in the knockout games.
Except we all learned those lessons after the first game. Why has it taken Southgate a second one? And let's not assume he won't do it again. Also, Argentina beat Mexico 2-0 and Poland 2-0 in the group stage. They didn't spend 60 minutes of either game not being able to pass the ball and being battered.
Portugal didn't win any of their group games in 2016. Needed extra time to beat Poland and Croatia in the knockouts.
Not questioning that teams can struggle and do well. It is also true that team can struggle and not do well. On average, teams that play badly tend to do badly and teams that play well do well. Anything else is just reverse logic designed to reassure you we will win. I still think we will do okay, but before the tournament (and before those friendlies) I thought we should reach the final and might win. We don't look like that team at all.
I think the tournament record actually suggests exactly that - beaten by the first top team we play. Only top side we have beaten in tournament football is Germany. Fwiw I actually think Southgate has done a great job for England, just look at how we were before him. His man management is great but I think he has taken England as far as he can with his limited tactical ability and after the Euros it is time for a change.
Sure. I know I'm being very glass half-full. But look at Saints last month. Gobsh*te at the end of the season. Realised we needed to tweak things tactically; played great in the playoffs when it mattered. England have the players. And we've played very well at times before. So it isn't totally hopeless. Just need a couple of changes, and we'll look much better. (In theory of course. I know I'll probably be looking a fool when we lose 1-0 to Slovenia).
Just need someone to get injured so Southgate has to tweak things then, based on comments I’ll go for TAA
This is without doubt true. I don't think anyone is doubting that it is possible to get this group to perform. The question is whether or not Southgate is tactically adept and able to work out what changes are required.
I’m just going to repeat big Meeks Bellingham at 8 where he influences the game more Foden at 10 where he’s involved Plus A left winger on the left wing, Eze or Palmer Start with Watkins and press the defence Possibly TAA at LB No way GS will do all that though
Is it tactical nous or bravery he needs? He likes to play safe and the toxicity when an England mgr tries something new and things go wrong is always lurking Come on England
