I think if you spend no more than about 10 mins playing in the opposition half, the likelihood is that the remaining 80 played in your own half will cause more pressure and opportunity of loss. This is what happened tonight. The harsh truth is that we have been poor for the whole tournament. It’s merely a serendipitous draw, pitting us (yet again) with a less challenging route through together with a penalty that never was, which have contributed hugely to our being in another final. I’m 56, my national team, playing our national sport, allegedly hosting the best league in the world, has won nothing in my lifetime. Greece have won more in that time. I think the country needed a boost. A great and frankly undeserved, opportunity missed again. Surely time for a new national manager.
3 times now Southgate has ended up with the dream draw and only lost to top teams when we eventually had to play 1. Twice that came in a final and once in a Semi. He's tactics are awful and our football has been terrible. Surely he should step aside now. Please
I think that I read before the tournament that Southgate's record for England against teams that are/were in the top 10 when you played them is something like 6 wins in 27 matches - make that 28 matches after tonight. With the talent in the squad and the high calibre of players available, that’s not good.
Our big disappointment was not Spain today who were excellent, but losing to a poor Italian side in the past final
I thought it was actually worse than that. People will say he's done great to get us to 2 Euros finals and World Cup Semi, but we didn't play a single team in the top 10 of the world in getting there apart from Holland in these Semi's and they aren't anything special. The 3 times England have had the lowest ever possession in games are the 3 games we've lost in the Finals and Semi v Criatia. The Italy team wasn't even a great side, it had great defenders but we should've beaten them. This Spain side are certainly a good side, but Southgate's tactics are negative and mind numbing. They'll get you through (just) against lesser teams, but against well drilled top teams who know how to use possession your always gonna come up 2nd best, despite having individuals who can conjur up magical moments. I hope he realises the time has come to step aside cos the FA still want him to continue. Nothing will change if he stays cos he only has one style of play in his armoury !
Definitely felt more gutted after that one, the poorest side we're likely to face in any final. Spain were class, level of ball control unreal
If a Klopp or a Guardiola had been in charge, I think you’d have beaten Italy, made the World Cup Final and who knows could have won tonight had the team been going into the match with that pedigree and experience behind them
Disappointed, but it was the right result. Spain were head and shoulders above anyone else in the tournament and deserved to beat us today. Still think Southgate is too negative, though. Bring on Jurgen.
We just run out of steam. Kane was really poor throughout the tournament. Our 2 self anointed world class players Foden and Bellingham really did not stand up to the billing. Bellingham seemed to have an injury or cramp or just couldn't be bothered. If these two had played with more energy and speed ...we would have matched Spain... The positives:...Pickford is a good goalie ( and his pass out started our goal) Stones and Gheui played well.Rice worked his socks off. Shaw did too until he tired...which was understandable The subs Watkins and Palmer were excellent . Why Watkins or Toney didn't get more time on the pitch is beyond me. But the bottom line for me was Bellingham and Foden did not live up to their club form in any way .
Which only begs the question, why did he start them or why didn't he sub them off at half time ? Palmer was the most in form player and the one player that continually made something happen whenever he came on. Kane wasn't fit before the tournament started and was just poor throughout. Toney or Watkins should've started and tried to stretch the Spanish defence. Wharton should've definitely started this game or at least have come on at half time, to try and get some control of a midfield that was being overrun. These are all calls a top manager could've and should've made, you have to stand up and not be afraid of making the big decisions and dropping big name stars if its the best thing for the team to triumph. Over and over again, I'm afraid Southgate has failed to make these calls or wait too long to change the inevitable things that transpired. I've got nothing against Southgate as a person, but surely everyone worth their salt can see he has limited tactical ability against the best teams in the world. We have the players to beat the lesser teams , no natter who's in charge, but when it comes to the crunch games against the very best , he's been exposed as not being up to it. It may sound harsh, but unfortunately those are the facts. I don't know who will take over, but as long as long as Southgate is in charge we won't ever win a tournament where we have to play a proper team !
