I was just going to say that the worst group I have ever seen was England’s in the 1990 WC. However, looking at it, it’s more or less identical to this one. 7 goals across all matches, with England topping the group with a 2-1 goal difference. Only one match won in that group as well (England 1-0 Egypt).
England Euro 2024 Squad and Discussion
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I was just going to say that the worst group I have ever seen was England’s in the 1990 WC. However, looking at it, it’s more or less identical to this one. 7 goals across all matches, with England topping the group with a 2-1 goal difference. Only one match won in that group as well (England 1-0 Egypt).
3 games in and Southgate while being paid 5m a year, have yet figure out how to put out a balanced team to the field.
You mean 8 years...
One of the positives tonight was Trippier. Thought he was much improved today.
"but we have topped the group, we topped the group, but we have topped the group!"
And also travels to untold matches to watch players yet doesn’t play them.
Have you watched the netherlands? they are dreadful. it could be one of the worst games of all time.
1990 World Cup group F and Euro 2024 Group C exact same results in both groups
Love how the United pundits have jumped on "Mainoo has to start" 
God, he's so weak.
The way they (he and some players) have to slip in about what other people think and the "pressure" in every interview speaks to that too.
This England camp is clearly out of steam, he has dragged them down. All that "I might leave" after the WC has done this too, he should have fecked off then. I've said it time and time again, after this job, he's fecked as a manager.
The way they (he and some players) have to slip in about what other people think and the "pressure" in every interview speaks to that too.
This England camp is clearly out of steam, he has dragged them down. All that "I might leave" after the WC has done this too, he should have fecked off then. I've said it time and time again, after this job, he's fecked as a manager.
Mainoo changes the midfield. Actually comfortable on the ball and in tight areas.
Palmer I genuinely think might be the most talented English player. Has to start.
Palmer I genuinely think might be the most talented English player. Has to start.
He'll need to be even better next round with Dumfries + Frimpong potentially down his side.
Whenever Southgate talks, I hear nothing.
He’s just a nothing.
He’s just a nothing.
It doesn't matter who starts. Zero difference. Southgate is Southgate.Love how the United pundits have jumped on "Mainoo has to start"
So much chopping and changing in qualifiers and friendlies, it’s no wonder the players look like strangers when it matters. How can a manager at this level not see the importance of building up some understanding between players BEFORE a major tournament.
-Saka/Gordon--------------------------Kane----------------------------Palmer
---------------------------Bellingham
---------------------------------------------------------Mainoo
-------------------------------------Rice
Walker-------------------------------------------------------------------------Trent
-----------------------------------Stones-----------------Guehi
----------------------------------------------Pickford
???
Does he have the balls to do this, if Shaw's not back?
---------------------------Bellingham
---------------------------------------------------------Mainoo
-------------------------------------Rice
Walker-------------------------------------------------------------------------Trent
-----------------------------------Stones-----------------Guehi
----------------------------------------------Pickford
???
Does he have the balls to do this, if Shaw's not back?
We're a singular moment team. He wants one goal out of a bit of brilliance and sit on it. We had 2 decent chances that game and he just needs one. Really really poor
That's 12 players so probably not.
Why did he pick Shaw. That man is made of glass.
I think Southgate draws his inspiration from the way Greece played twenty years ago. The problem is that there are other teams who can play a low block system far more effectively than we can as witnessed tonight.
Yeah I tend to agree on Palmer. I also think Southgate is too much of a pussy to actually start him
Still amazed he only took one LB and that one LB is being rushed to get fit.
Him starting Gallagher tonight was a fecking appalling decision.
It was obvious to everyone but him that it was a stupid thing to do but Southgate did it anyway.
It was obvious to everyone but him that it was a stupid thing to do but Southgate did it anyway.
Mainoo about him and Palmer getting on:
"we are here, we are ready, we have to go at it".
So much better than "oh no, Lineker has hurt my feelings!"
"we are here, we are ready, we have to go at it".
So much better than "oh no, Lineker has hurt my feelings!"
He not only took one LB, but he failed to have a backup system in place to compensate for if Shaw wasn't available. No 3 ATB. No swapping wings or a diamond midfield. Nope, just sticking a slow/creative passing RB on the left where he can't even use his top trait.
Just shows how out of his depth he is, and how much a few fluke tourney runs saved his tenure.
I was shocked when Gallagher was first off the bench in that first match. Thought the TAA experiment was stupid, but was convinced that if it wasn't working he'd just slide Kobbie in like normal. Nope
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Best thing out of these three games is that Guéhi has been properly able to establish himself. Stiffer tests to come, but he has seemed more than capable.
To not even have the option to have an overlapping player on the left side unless Shaw returns is just mindnumbingly stupid and a sackable offense by itself. You have 26 players and you can't select a single left footed fullback? He'd be better off playing Saka there especially in a game like this, but he is too much of a coward to not have 5 or 6 behind the ball at all times.
I should be shocked but I wasn't because it's just what I expect with Southgate.
He doesn't trust creativity. He was pining for Kalvin fecking Phillips the other day, this is just who he is. He's always been overly defensive and cautious but it's now tipped over into him just being straight up cowardly.
Whatever it looks like on your phone, is how it'll probably turn out on the pitch. Your phone is essentially using AI to show the reality.
Imagine watching these midfield performances an inability to build any cohesive attack and thinking any version of Kalvin Phillips is what you need. I genuinely think he is the worst manager I have ever seen at a "top" club or national team level.
Arsenal fans are upset with Wrighty for suggesting moving Saka to LB to accommodate Palmer.
Very likely Netherlands in the next round.
They've had better teams but on paper potentially facing Netherlands (R16) and Italy (QF) isn't 'easy' on paper. I think Southgate should go after the tournament even if we win it, but not making the final would be an underachievement given the squad and draw.
They've had better teams but on paper potentially facing Netherlands (R16) and Italy (QF) isn't 'easy' on paper. I think Southgate should go after the tournament even if we win it, but not making the final would be an underachievement given the squad and draw.
Care less where Saka plays. Make zero difference. If Southgate wants him to play GK then just do it.
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While I generally agree, I hope everyone can realise that it was a less stupid thing to do than start TAA in midfield. Either way it's stupid though yeah.
Mobile users suck, as the kids say.
He might get close to it, but the issue isn’t the players per se (the England squad is pretty strong), it’s the pace and mentality of them. Whether it’s by managerial instruction or players choice, they’re too cautious and Southgate has to tell them to speed things up and have an slightly more attacking intent… get the best out of players like Bellingham, Foden, Kane, Palmer
Yeah that Philips comment was worthy of being sacked on the spot if I'm honest.
But it's strange how cautious he naturally is, yet seems to want to have England attack like a pseudo Pep/Arteta side with a bunch of half space players and quick interchanging. The two things don't mesh, either you look to do that and overload teams with the classic Pep positional play with extreme width and the forward players finding pockets, or you play the defensive/cautious role and look to drill teams on the counter. But if you're going to counter/transition teams to death, you need a bunch of wingers that can run in behind and midfielders that can distribute the ball to them.
Reminds me of how I thought ETH was caught in two minds with his plan vs. personnel and execution, but this is on an entirely different level of terrible.
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