Different tactics for different situations is hopefully what we are doing but we can't argue against Southgate as we are progressing and getting better. I'd be amazed if we didn't get to the final now and what a triumph that would be in itself for Southgate. One semi final and final would be quite a feat once the dust settles. No england manager has ever accomplished more since Ramsay in 66
Well the morning after the night before and I am still flying. Southgate got it right (I wasnt keen on his formation) with the way our wing backs pushed theirs back time and again. Sterling and Saka pushed their defence back which meant their midfield was deep. Germany still were dangerous but Jordan did his job well and I think Stones is playing really well as at the back, really composed and reads things well. More to come from us I am sure. Hopefully Kane is now flying.
If anything we are playing like German teams of old. Not much flair but solid and difficult to beat. They didn't win much did they! Disclaimer - I know we have flair players in the squad but they not being utilised properly yet.
ffs man, every game we go into 'we will get beat cos southgate is sh1te'...we just beat one of the faves of the competition, kept a clean sheet, both first choice strikers netting and STILL people are looking to bring southgate down. i was none too happy with 3 of the players he chose for the squad due to lack of form (sterling) long term injury and hardly kicked a ball in anger (henderson) and recent injury, no time to prove himself fit (maguire)...so far, two of those three have proven me wrong and southgate correct, are his tactics 'boring and wrong' or has he actually 'played a blinder' i wonder? right now i am thinking the way southgate has the lads set up may not be the most exciting to watch but it is working, also, holding grealish back looks a good idea rather than throwing him straight in although at the time i thought taking saka off was not the best move...i actually just want to enjoy this tournament while we are in it and if by some chance we even win it i will celebrate as much as anyone, why feel the need to be 'mood hoovers' and try to drag the squad and manager down constantly? if we start losing every game THEN is the time to start an enquiry, till then just feckin enjoy the ride!!
I think earlier in this thread, without any great liking for the present incumbent of the England Football Manager. I proposed.. It does seem a national sport to mock, ridicule and otherwise put England's manager down. Cos of course we have the best players in world and all it takes is the right manager and we will be world beaters. Cos naturally fans, who have never played professional football, let alone represented their country many times or have managed a football team... know what the best team is and how they should play. Do I think we will win the Euro's, I haven't a clue... but I would venture to suggest we have a better chance of winning/progressing with a manager of the experience of a Southgate than say a me, or millions of fans like me. Our problem atm is not the manager, but rather our World Class Striker.. isn't. Teams that win football tournaments, leak little or no goals... might not be the gung ho, entertaining football we would like to see... but it is winning football. I wish Sunderland will do the same in the coming season.
Must be confusing for Everton Fans. His recent form for them hasn't been brilliant, yet put san England Shirt on him and he looks World Class.
He’s been very good in 2021 for Everton mind, so much better than the previous 18 months before the turn of the year.
I think a lot of that is down to Ancellotti actually taking time to coach and support him properly, which I don't think previous managers like Marco Silva did. But once he got labled a calamity keeper it's all the media go on about, despite any improvements or good performances he makes. It's odd, because you see De Gea, Lori's, Allison and others drop mistakes but get excused yet he regularly gets pulled up.
I'm off to bed now (after having (probably) too much rum), but come on (and well done) Andy ****ing Murray . . . . yeah I know that the Jocks are out of the Euros and some of you hate the Scottish bastards (and this isn't the right thread . . . . if there even is one), but **** off . . . . I don't It's taken ages to type this ****a p.s. I know that he'll not win the tournament
I quite like Murray for his character but I can't fully get behind him. I bet he was gutted about the Germany result. Jack Draper is one to watch, got beaten by Djokovic in the first round but there's no shame in that, he took the first set so fair play. I think he'll be the best player we've produced in some time.
I’m still not a fan of Southgate, the way he’s set us up has got results and I absolutely credit him for that, I just feel that with the outstanding talent we have going forward we could set up several more forward thinking ways and be winning better. That said, we have a real chance of winning it now and if we do he will quite rightly be a national hero. My biggest concern about the way we are playing is that the plan is for the whole setup from the kids up to play in the same way, which means we are possibly going to see 2-3 generations of players setup to hold and play tight. I don’t like that. I look at Italy and there wonderful balance of being tight at the back, but explosive going forward, and we have better players than them. We could and probably should be playing that way. As I say though, we are in it and can win it and kudos to Southgate for getting us through to the last 8 with very little drama.
Tbh mate, this all reminds me of Alf Ramsay who was dour, dull and stubborn. He got dogs abuse for his tactics but especially his selections. Of course, all that was forgotten when we prised the German fingers off the trophy
Oh aye mate, I’ll be lauding the fella if he brings it home, and he nailed the Germans (with a little help from out Jordan who has been ****ing magnificent by the way..). I’d just love to see us maxing this talent, playing like Italy or Belgium and going for teams. Italy have been superb to watch, yet still rock solid at the back. It can be done. Kane is better than Immobile. Sancho is close to par with Insigne. Foden is better than Spinazzola (who’s been sensational) We have better full back options throughout. Yeah they have Chiellini and Bonucci, but we aren’t worried about our CB’s they’ve all stepped up. The only striking thing of concern, people shout up the Muller miss, but the one Havertz had saved went straight through the middle of the 2 holding as well, and Italy and Belgium’s one touch stuff final third is lethal at times. I see Italy being the finalists if Belgium are without de Bruyne tomorrow. Mind, whilst I don’t worry about Ukraine, Denmark are very tough and that Maehle the LB is player of the tournament for me. Nothing is given.
