Switzerland weren't poor opposition. It's disrespectful to say so. People always try to reduce things to the most simplistic answer. Given the way the tournament has panned out, you could say the only good opposition in the entire tournament is Spain. Unless people are focussing on the big names rather than the actual performances.
I totally agree about Kane, but to be fair to Southgate the reality is that it is impossible for him to drop him. The fans and the media make it so. It’ll only happen a year or two past the point, when it becomes bleeding obvious to the last remaining holdouts. That’s just England - and it’ll be the same for Potter or whoever comes next. England will always be overwrought. Just look at the clamour for Palmer (who was decent but also gave the ball away very dangerously at times) or Gordon (a more humdrum player I’m yet to see).
But most fans on here want him benched. Most of the lads I go drinking with do. He has been an unbelievable goalscorer but he hasnt deserved the shirt at this competition.......up to now. As I said I hate knocking anyone in a SAFC or England shirt but if a player isnt performing he's out as far as I am concerned and that is the managers decision. Fk the media as they would be the 1st on his back if something went wrong. I do agree though unless we get a strong manager there will always be some control/pressure exerted on the manager to play certain personnel.
if you try and work out football and what the actual winning formula is, it could drive you mad. France - Zero goals in open play. Semi Final on Tuesday.
Just watched the penalty shootout again, apart from Pickfords save, 9 very good penalties. Our 5 were perfection. Zero fear in any of the lads taking them and you can pretty much guarantee Pickerford will save at least one.Not sure how long the staggered run up is going to stay mind, back in the day it was supposed to be a continuous run up before striking the ball.
Not really. There is a reason why the likes of France, Spain, Holland etc make it this far. Big nations. We havnt faced one yet.
What do I like about him? I like the way he has brought a team based mentality to the national side. Even those who were part of the so called golden generation admit it was a two clique mentality with a few on the periphary. It hurt us badly as a squad and the coaches such as Sven and Capello and Mclaren failed to remedy it. Southgate has remedied it and not allowed it to build again. When I look at England now I never feel like some dont want to be there, or dont want to scrap it out for their mates. He has instilled a mentality into the squad that is a never say die one. I like how he has approached that side of his job. I like how he balances loyalty to those players he knows can deliver with a ruthlessness when needed. Dropping Grealish took some balls. Same with the likes of Sterling and Rashford. We as fans all want x players dropped or y players starting. That is easy to do as a coach. What is hard to do is find the balance and trust what you see in training and how you think the opposition will play. Last night many were up for dropping Saka in place of Palmer. Many wanted Foden out. Saka was man of the match for me. I thought he would play Saka left to allow Trippier to look after Vargas. Instead he pushed Saka much higher and had Vargas out of the game in an attacking sense. I think that is clever tactics. I think he is more flexible than some say. A switch to 3 centre backs in a quarter final is quite a risk. He took it though. And if you look at how well Konsa played I will give credit to Southgate for the environment he has created where players can come into big games without indue pressure. I dont think Southgate is a panicker. Some coaches are. He doesnt get carried away when we are under the cosh and rant and rave on the touchline. He tries to make sure folk respond properly on the pitch. It would be easy to keep hoofing it long but he wants them to keep playing. His calmness helps the players in my opinion. International coaching is not like club mgt. You get a very small amount of days to get your players doing what you want. Listen to what is coming out of Sunderland now. Regis talks about hoping by pre-season the players will understand, but it might take a bit longer. International managers dont have that time so are naturally limited in terms of how they can work on patterns of play etc. I dont look at any national team and see one with great patterns of play, or loads of domination of the ball. Then you have the different levels jeopardy involved in international football. It isnt a 38 game season where you can afford to lose games. One mistake and it could be curtains. That is pressure for coaches and players. I think Southgate is excellent under pressure and his players look to be too. Deschamps is the same, never flustered, never panics, always has his plan. The Spanish fella looks very similar, always in control. Compare that to the Germany coach who was like a jack in the box on the touchline. It might work over a season, but rarely I would suggest when the pressure is at its greatest. Looking panicky, means you are panicky. I do not think Southgate is the elite level coach. Nor do I think he is as hopeless as most seem to. I think over his 100 games he has done very well, in an era where international teams are getting better. That Swiss side were full of elite level players last night. We wont be winning 3 and 4. Southgate knows that and he has to have a great understanding of what the opposition will do, which he seems to have, and is part of why he keeps getting us to the business end in my opinion. Anyway, the case for the defence rests. My opinions dont matter much, but they are mine and I 100% stand behind them. Off to wash my spare pair of socks in case we get to a final, despite Southgate
Cheers mate. I will, whatever the outcome. Cant wait for the atmosphere and the banter. Also the singing. In the second half against Slovakia it was amazing. Dont take me home... First remember that one at an ashes test at trent bridge in that greatest of great series. We rolled them that day. Aussies were brilliant value. I reckon the Dutch will be too, just cant wait.
Why can't folk just enjoy the run and not over analyse it. Switzerland battered Italy and drew with the Germans but it was an easy game for England. If England win it they'll have deserved it
Everyone applauding Ivan Toney for his no look penalty, but when I have a no look p*ss in the toilet the wife goes absolutely f*cking mental..... It's one rule for pampered millionaire footballers and another for me.
Matches get massive now. Semi finals the hardest gamea to play. My nerves are starting already. What I wouldnt give to see England win a trophy Couple of choices for Gareth. Guehi has to come back in you would think. Shaw - will he start and provide that balance? Do we stay 5 at the back and let Foden and Bellingham roam again? Do we stay with wingbacks? Does he dare drop Kane and play Watkins who has the number of Van Dyke? Pickford Walker Stones Geuhi Saka Rice Mainoo Shaw Foden Bellingham Watkins Would be for me. But I daresay it will be one of the biggest decisions ever by an English manager to leave Kane on the bench. Haway England, just find a way again.
Think this easy draw thing is overplayed Yes I felt as though the group wasn’t one of the most challenging but as long as they won the group they were guaranteed a best 3rd place team (knew this before the tournament) After the round of 16 they have beaten a Switzerland who everyone was talking up and saying how good they were (and had just beaten an albeit poor Italian side pretty easily were on good form coming into the quarter final) Belgium, Portugal and France haven’t done much this tournament and they were in the other side of the draw Not saying that on paper it hasn’t been easier but still think some are going a little overboard with it.
Easy side is poor quality thinking tbh. There is no such thing, unless your knowledge of international football is superficial. What saddens me is the lack of hope and desire amongst online England fans for a win. I suspect for some it will be a disappointment, not a celebration. Genuinely hard to comprehend. Football is a chance to escape the day to day and experience moments. I have visions of lots of fans hearts sinking when Jude scores his overhead kick because their chance to wallow in misery and take glee in blaming the coaches for things they would never have done. I find it all mind boggling to be honest. Anyway, bag is packed and off to bed. This time tomorrow I will be in amongst England fans who only want to talk positive and have the hopes I have. Just one trophy for England is all I have ever wanted, just one. That raw feeling of emotion and joy that your country brings. It isnt better than that, I hope. I am going with 2 Derby supporters and meeting with 1 Forest and 1 Sheff U fan out there. Then of course it will be every other club in this country, and I mean every one. That is special, bring it on.
Predictions for tomorrow? I’ve got a feeling we’ll finally get a performance from the French… Spain 1 - 2 France
