I'm a fan of what he's done with the England team in terms of the team spirit he's brought in and the organisation in the set up, but I can't say I've been a fan of his substitutions, or lack of them.
Against Colombia I felt he was being too negative bringing on Dier when attacking players to finish the game off would have been better, which he did eventually, like a few minutes from the end.
Then tonight bringing Rashford on earlier seemed like a decent choice only he took off Sterling, who should have stayed on as he was working well and causing them issues and would have been the support Rashford needed, while Kane was nowhere to be seen up front.
Southgate, despite all the praise he'll receive, needs to know when to manage games better.
Southgate
posted on 11/7/18
I'm more annoyed than proud right now.
posted on 11/7/18
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 11/7/18
Although I’m disappointed after tonight’s game what we have to remember is how young this England team is .
I for once will be looking forward to Euro 2020 with a sense of we can win this , rather than the usual bollix of getting beat by the likes of Iceland. Southgate has again given the England fans a reason to get excited and will build a team to be proud of.
posted on 11/7/18
comment by Ace (U18814)
posted 9 minutes ago
I felt he should've brought Lingard off formRashford, not Sterling. Also should've added Dier to the middle with Henderson, not swapped them. By the time he brought Vardy on it was pointless as Croatia were defending what they had so there was no space in behind, shoudve made that move when the game was more stretched. Also was too slow to react to their goal, we were lucky not to concede again while he sat on his hands.
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I was thinking Lingard or Alli could have come off for him. Both again never really influenced the game the way they should. Kane was so deep in this tournament, for whatever reason, that there may as well have been another forward brought on.
posted on 11/7/18
comment by Edward Elizabeth Hitler. (U14393)
posted 9 minutes ago
Although I’m disappointed after tonight’s game what we have to remember is how young this England team is .
I for once will be looking forward to Euro 2020 with a sense of we can win this , rather than the usual bollix of getting beat by the likes of Iceland. Southgate has again given the England fans a reason to get excited and will build a team to be proud of.
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Yeah but it 2020 we may end up having to play a big team earlier.
Despite the optimism we still haven't proved we can beat a big team yet.
posted on 11/7/18
When you look at who we have beaten and how we have done it, I`d say Southgate has done ok and no more.
Most of our goals have come from set pieces, but I suppose Southgate has found a way to get a tune out of our group of players, some of whom are fairly ordinary it has to be said.
He did well considering our very limited central midfield, but the cupboard is quite bare in that position sadly.
posted on 11/7/18
I think that's pretty fair Billy.
Given as well the lack of quality finishing in this team, it's probably lucky that we did work on our set pieces.
posted on 12/7/18
One of the truths that became obvious in this match was that we don't have any really great midfielders.
We're not going to win these tournaments without them.
posted on 12/7/18
The tournament was great, really enjoyed it and England did amazingly well to get the this far.
The only downside was the lack of creativity and ability in areas. Following a process is all well and good but it makes you one tracked, we rely on set pieces and percentage football (knock downs and second phase play)
Croatia stifled the midfield, we couldn’t play through them, had we changed the system second half we would have held on. Real shame but still one game to go.
posted on 12/7/18
We've looked rubbish whenever Sterling has been subbed this tourney. Only player who can progress the ball up the pitch