Agree re Saka. I thought he's been one of the few that's looked like he may actually create something or do something a little unpredictable instead of passing backwards or sideways to the nearest teammate. He's not been great (nobody has) but I'm not really understanding the criticism he's been getting when compared to the rest of the team.
England Euro 2024 Squad and Discussion
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Massive failure not to make the final now with how the draw has opened up.
On paper, yes. Unfortunately as a team we’re less than the sum of our parts. Conversely some of the other teams are greater than the sum of their parts
Bold words after seeing Switserland toy with Italy yesterday.
I agree but it will be a massive failure on behalf of Southgate if he doesn't get the amount of quality on show to perform against Slovakia, Switzerland and then the semi-final options.
Switzerland are a good side but England dwarf them quality wise on an individual basis.
I completely agree. I just won’t be surprised if it doesn’t happen. I reckon the lesser teams will be looking at England and thinking they’re prime targets for a scalping
Last time I checked football was a team sport
Its not a failure. Southgate took an unbalance team to the tournament. Its a team thats good defensively with a disjointed attack bc the midfield is so defensive. Theres a lack of pace up front so theres really no threat for the opposing defense that they will get balls in behind....
hopefully they are good at penalties
The overall squad is fine, team selection is the problem along with tactics. We do also have pace, I don't know what you're talking about with that one. Walker, Saka, Gordon, Palmer etc. We have no excuse not to make the final.
Collective >> nervous “name” individuals
Plus Switzerland’s midfield is slick and cohesive. England play as they have been and that’s a potential humiliation, just like Italy received.
Last time I checked football was a team sport
Indeed, but that's down to Southgate for not making it work.
Of course it's a failure. Southgate has the quality at his disposal with attacking options that have scored bundles this season. Not getting a tune out of them is on him and would be a failure.
I agree but it's on Southgate. The quality and potential for a cohesive team is there. They should not expect anything less than the final. The experience of getting to those positions in tournaments is there and the quality in the squad is there. Anything else is a failure of management.
I've just listened to the most recent 'stick to football' podcast where Wrighty basically says that he and fellow pros don't criticise the England team as it's bad for their morale and goes as far as saying you shouldn't make a change to the starting line up as it implies that player is the reason for bad performances. Fortunately Keano puts him straight but this complete lack of any reasonable criticism from almost all pundits towards the England team and manager is pathetic and frankly they shouldn't be pundits at tournaments if all they are doing is saying nice things. I never thought I'd say it but seeing Linekar and Shearer give the team some stick has given me a new found respect for them.
Its likeky to be the same starting team with the exception if Mainoo starting instead of Gallagher.
There is nothing to suggest that Southgate will start with any forward players changes. The normally reliable team news leaks also suggest this.
The only difference we might see are earlier changes.
Slovakia will play in a low block and try and hit us on the break or through a set piece.
There is nothing to suggest that Southgate will start with any forward players changes. The normally reliable team news leaks also suggest this.
The only difference we might see are earlier changes.
Slovakia will play in a low block and try and hit us on the break or through a set piece.
I wasn't blaming him. I think Bellingham has looked worse, he looks tired and lost
Any chance we can actually put in a good performance tonight and make this quite a straight forward night?
Let's see how we get on later with Mainoo in the team. We looked better and half of last game
I suspect we'll score reasonably early then shit ourselves and spend the next seventy minutes defending for our lives.
This.
The route to the final is ridiculously average. Denmark, Switzerland will provide a test, but look at the players we have to choose from.
Southgate is just making a mess of things. It's on him. He knows it.
Agreed. And the frustrating thing is that him being a poor coach/manager was clear as day when he was appointed. Genuinely not sure how we got the England coach choice quite so wrong at the time.
Sure, but England are shite as a team.
But they do criticise the England team, Ian Wright may not but other ex pros absolutely do.
Lineker and Shearer were so critical recently that the players even commented on it.
This is logical to be honest. You switch out Gallagher for Mainoo and possibly switch out Foden for a wide player. I don't think making 4 or 5 changes makes sense but two or three is not drastic
Hearing saying he doesn’t want to lose continuity by making drastic changes implies we have been doing things well and looking fluid and cohesive.
What he is unable to see is that he absolutely needs to break the malaise with which we are playing.
Then he agrees with me that Ian Wright is talking out of his bum hole in this instance I guess. My bad!
England definitely have more depth in quality , but in terms of starting 11 , Switzerland seem to have a very strong high performing spine ( embolo the exception , but still a threat , he should've bagged 2 v Italy ) sommer , akanji , xaka is providing a solid base that can control aswell against most good opposition , Germany , Italy .
I don't think England have shown that yet
For Southgate it will be about us looking solid defensively so far and he's not going to disrupt that for a knockout game.
If we're still struggling I can see Palmer and Mainoo coming on. If Slovakia are being tough to break down Palmer would be brilliant.
Mainoo coming on? He'll start (instead of Gallagher) without a doubt. Even Southgate isn't that dumb
Kobbie for Connor is the only change I think he’ll make. Changing our starting shape up front is too radical for him.
I can already see him praising the players in the changing room at HT for keeping us in it at 0-0.
I can already see him praising the players in the changing room at HT for keeping us in it at 0-0.
It was a massive failure for Italy. It would be a massive failure for England
Switzerland is a good team, but no more than that. England should 100% make the final from here, anything less would be a huge failure
Which means Foden is out of position again. Happy for Mainoo, but the Cyberpunk NPC doesn't work out on the left.
We're going to score 3+ against slovakia.
Floodgates are about to open lads. Get your parlays in.
Floodgates are about to open lads. Get your parlays in.
For England sure, but you have not been very good since winning the euro's right?
He isn't really out of position though. Foden has played on the left a lot more than he has played as a 10 for City, even last season. When he was tried as a 10 for England, he struggled just as much as he does on the wing. The system just doesn't suit his game.
We should still be better than switzerland
Trigger happy ref today
I know you're a big proponent of luck when it comes to international football especially, and you're just assuming the next man won't be lucky like Southgate has been. Imagine if we have this luck plus a competent manager? We'd be unstoppable!All the good teams would too, somehow
But seriously, you aren't out yet. There is every chance you do make the final, again
Could be! This is also a good demonstration that for all your complaining Southgate was far from a poor manager in the previous tournament. This is what a poorly managed team looks likeI know you're a big proponent of luck when it comes to international football especially, and you're just assuming the next man won't be lucky like Southgate has been. Imagine if we have this luck plus a competent manager? We'd be unstoppable!
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