Just in case anyone wants to watch Hendo's goals again https://www.facebook.com/1000443611...qMgVaSPf1xoBN5QNtJMmrJqTFxGU5l/?sfnsn=scwspmo
That's just typical of society and social media these days. Everyone is looking to criticise. If Gazza had been around now, people would be saying he's not fit enough, he doesn't do the defensive side well enough etc. The Italia 90 side would have had ridiculous abuse for the results in the group stage and then for not putting 5 past Cameroon. We're always looking something that a player can't do, rather than look at what they can do.
And my Dad! Honestly, from our journey to the game yesterday, I think he’d have been happy if we lost!! Just so he could say “look, I was right”
I don't read newspapers these days, but I find it odd if Southgate has taken much stick. I've had my doubts this tournament re selections, but it's his call. He has also improved tactically too, so full credit where it's due, and the team are more or less one to warm to rather than put up with. Much like our lads now. Quarters is par, I'd say, so he's at least done his job here, and if you count in a semi and a final, plus a Nation's League semi, he's done it very well before that. Toughest of the teams left to play on Saturday. France look very good all over, but maybe they would rather be playing some team other than England.
all 'main' teams have struggled in these play offs, next time we get an equal side...most them have started from the off and ran out of steam, we had to change to way we play slightly and go get at them, they played a good holding game but lost it when we played more direct, then all we had to do was keep on doing whatever we wanted to do.
Some fans want us to play on the front foot all the time, because we look ten times the team we do when we're trying to stroke it about like a continental team. The last two tournaments we've had genuinely world class opposition on the ropes with our pace and movement, stepped back and they've happily taken advantage like they can't believe their luck.
That's the point I was making earlier in the thread about Southgate. I just hope to duck he gets his team selection and tactics right against the French, cos all the good things his team have achieved so far will be for nothing. Please Gareth give it a right go and don't let us leave on a whimper.
Declan rice believing he is Lee Barry Cattermole and a reducer. That's it. We have no other players to stop him. The second he runs at our defence it's over.
Mags HATE it that 2 Sunderland academy lads are the heartbeat of the national side. Around the time of the last world cup I worked for a mag who's only opinions on football were recited from The Mag or Twitter. He told me that Henderson "only plays 5 yard square passes" and the season Shelvey had no assist was that "he's often the guy who makes the pass BEFORE the assist" Ok mate
There's always a balance to be found though. Going all out attack against France is just asking for trouble. I don't believe that any side in world football wins things by completely ignoring the opposition or without having a game plan to shut them down. Maybe the right game plan isn't a back 5 and it's more about cutting the supply to Mbappe further up the field, but it's never as simple as just attacking more.
He’s an absolute idiot. Constantly using childish stuff. Then says he’s not bias. Yet says Bellingham, Foden, Kane (?) and Saka (?) we’re better than him? Not precisely sure how when Saja and Kane’s states are worse! Yet he uses this as a reason Bellingham’s better! This is exactly why I’ve put it on the “mags embarrassing” too!! He’s an embarrassment
Another day of entertaining football with plenty of goals. Roll on tomorrow… Japan v Croatia Brazil v South Korea
The key point we play against someone trying to out do us. Anyone could be a coach if it was as simple as just playing your own game. Utterly naieve to say we just play on the front foot and be done with it. Would win nowt.