As we all know, being a Spurs fan at the moment is not exactly fun. The Big question today is can the Euros and England in particular lift our spirits over the coming month? I am not convinced that Southgate is the man to oversee a winning or even marginally successful tournament. We are weak in defence and whereas I think that this should make us focus on our strength in attacking areas, Gareth is likely to play extra defenders and 2 defensive midfielders, but we will see. I am interested to know who you are looking forward to seeing and how far you think we can go. My predictions It’s hard to look past France as potential winners, but I do think that Italy and Portugal are well placed to make progress and that 2 of these 3 countries will contest the final I think that we will scrape through the group, but will be surprised if we win a knock out match. As an Englishman I have no interest in Scotland or Wales, though I expect Scotland to be very competitive and get the furthest of the home countries.
I was an advocate of Southgate when he was appointed and thought he did an excellent job at the World Cup. Since 2019-ish though I feel his management has regressed a bit, he’s become too preoccupied by our defensive failings and doesn’t always play the midfield and attacking combinations he should (or at least the ones I agree with ) I think his problem now is reminiscent of the England managers of the noighties - most of our best players want to play in the same positions, in this case as a 10 or on the left of the attacking unit. This means he needs to make a hard decision or shoehorn players in. He’s also become too wedded to players like Sterling, who deserves to be in the squad but not as a starter on form IMO. If Maguire and Henderson are fit I’d want something like: D. Henderson Walker Maguire Stones Shaw Henderson Rice Mount Sancho Kane Foden Sancho is the only one who really plays on the right and AFAIK finished the season strong. He also gives you the pacy option in the forward line. Grealish is an excellent player but too many people sleep on Mason Mount IMO. I think England will get out of the group and then it’s anyone’s guess. International football is pure tournament football and anything can, and probably will, happen. Scotland will be a tricky game for us and I see them causing problems for all the teams in our group. Wales I think might be in a bit of trouble this time round, I don’t see them replicating last Euro’s heroics. My probable winner is France and my dark horse is Denmark. I also think Italy will be stronger than many think but it’s hard to say that they’re a dark horse, because it’s Italy. If Belgium are without KDB and Hazard then they’re a totally different proposition too. The Turkey team will be an interesting watch too I think, so the Turkey/Italy game today will be a good one to start the tournament with.
I love our squad but have zero faith in the manager. As more or less both TCM and Hudd have said, I thought Southgate done great with a limited squad in the World Cup but now more talent has come through in recent seasons I think he’s shown to be extremely limited and unwilling to really tap into that quality we have. I hope to see: Pickford James, Coady, Stones, Chilwell Rice, Mount Sancho, Foden, Grealish Kane If Maguire gets fit enough then he’s in over Coady whilst the LB one is a tough one. Shaw’s had the better individual season but I think Chilwell is an overall better player. Though I’m expecting 5ATB and probably playing two DMs in Rice and Henderson/ Phillips. Two DMs will play in a 4231 as well I’d imagine. France to win it. Lukaku golden boot. Portugal to crash out in the group of death. Sweden as dark horses to do well, got some tasty players.
Cue the pervy cameramen/directors having long lingering close ups of the female supporters. I always look away as a mark of respect
