comment by Blixa Bargeld✡ (U1071)
posted 3 minutes ago
Bradley Wright-Phillips deserves a shot tbh
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A shot of what?
I know he has scored 100+ MLS goals, but Kane has a 100+ in the prem and Vardy is not far off that either
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
comment by Striketeam7 (U18109)
posted 28 minutes ago
I always find the problem with England is that we don't back our own strengths and style. We have been successful when playing direct, robust football. These days Tiki Taka is all the rage, and were suprised that we are not as good at it as the French, Spanish or Brazilians.
The Italians don't change their style, they keep to cantenaccio, and win things.
The very defensive Portuguese just won the Euro's despite not winning a single group game (in a group of Iceland, Hungary, Austria), and only winning 1 match inside 90 mins (the semi against the tired Welsh team).
We need to get back to our strengths, and to hell with style, it's only 4 weeks every 2 years we don't have to be entertaining
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totally agree on your point about playing to our strengths. I was actually excited about Big Sam in charge as I thought he'd strip away the nonsense and get us playing defensive football with a quick counter attack - in my opinion this style would be most effective for our squad.
I like how Southgate has announced a tactical system early and committed to it. I don't like his refusal to commit to a first choice goalkeeper, and I think he's been absolutely spineless in not naming a captain yet.
For those praising his results, we've barely scored any goals and it's a big worry. In our last 6 games we haven't scored more than 1, including 1-0 wins over the mighty Slovenia and Lithuania. All this while Sterling, Kane, Alli, Vardy and Lingard have been banging them in for their clubs.
I don't think he's the right man for the job, but we're not ready to compete yet so it doesn't really matter. As long as he lays the groundworks for the next guy that's fine with me.
comment by Striketeam7 (U18109)
posted 21 minutes ago
comment by Benched (U7195)
posted 23 seconds ago
comment by Giröulski Alt-153 and Alt-160 forever (U14971)
posted 2 minutes ago
On paper England don't have a half bad team. It's a shame Wilshere hasn't kicked on for us over the years because if he'd developed properly there might be enough to get us a surprise result or two.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
England's midfield and attacking options are woeful. I can make a side that didn't make the 1998 World Cup Squad that would beat any current England side put together.
-------------------Ian Walker-------------------
Dixon------Carragher------Wes Brown------P Neville
-----------Redknapp---------Butt--------------------
Gascoigne-----------------------Le Tissier-----
-------------A Cole------Fowler-------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ian Walker was pants, remember that goal he conceded against Italy.
Phil Neville was never cut out for that level, as he proved 2 years later.
Gazza was long past his best at this point, and A Cole was useless for England/ didn't suit England's set up.
On Paper
Pickford
Walker Smalling Cahill Rose
Wilshere Henderson/Dier
Sterling Alli Lingaard
Kane
Is a better team. There is also quality on the bench, Butland, Clyne, Bertrand, Maguire, Dier/Henderson, Rashford, Vardy.
That team, managed well, should make the quarters before bowing out to Germany/Brazil.
Hoddle is a better manager than Southgate though
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There's still a whole world of averageness in that current England side.
I like what he's done so far tbh, but as always, the proof will be how England perform in the upcoming tournament.
I like that he's experimenting with different players in different systems and having the awareness to know that there is no definitive England World Cup XI, which the media harp on about before each tournament and personnel and tactics will need to be fluid during the groups and hopefully the knock-out stages.
He hasn't made a big deal of the captaincy, again, I think we get bogged down with who wears the armband, on the pitch is a more ceremonial role, off it, all the experienced players will (should) be guiding the less experienced.
I don't think he's an FA "yes man," whatever that even means, they wanted him to be interim coach after Hodgson, and he said "no" he also turned down the opportunity to be technical director with Dan Ashworth when the FA wanted him to.
I hope he does away with this Walker as a third CB thing though, makes no sense at all.
I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for a few years, let's see where it goes. Well used to being a plucky also ran...
comment by rosso is facking happy (U17054)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 (U18109)
posted 21 minutes ago
comment by Benched (U7195)
posted 23 seconds ago
comment by Giröulski Alt-153 and Alt-160 forever (U14971)
posted 2 minutes ago
On paper England don't have a half bad team. It's a shame Wilshere hasn't kicked on for us over the years because if he'd developed properly there might be enough to get us a surprise result or two.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
England's midfield and attacking options are woeful. I can make a side that didn't make the 1998 World Cup Squad that would beat any current England side put together.
-------------------Ian Walker-------------------
Dixon------Carragher------Wes Brown------P Neville
-----------Redknapp---------Butt--------------------
Gascoigne-----------------------Le Tissier-----
-------------A Cole------Fowler-------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ian Walker was pants, remember that goal he conceded against Italy.
Phil Neville was never cut out for that level, as he proved 2 years later.
Gazza was long past his best at this point, and A Cole was useless for England/ didn't suit England's set up.
On Paper
Pickford
Walker Smalling Cahill Rose
Wilshere Henderson/Dier
Sterling Alli Lingaard
Kane
Is a better team. There is also quality on the bench, Butland, Clyne, Bertrand, Maguire, Dier/Henderson, Rashford, Vardy.
That team, managed well, should make the quarters before bowing out to Germany/Brazil.
Hoddle is a better manager than Southgate though
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There's still a whole world of averageness in that current England side.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh yeah definitely, which is why I think making the quarters would be success/an achievement. We've been lucky with the draw this time, our group is doable, we drew one of the weak seeded teams, and only Germany and Brazil are miles better than us in our half of the draw.
I would put England on a similar footing to Belgium and Colombia. Belgium, despite the talent at their disposal, cannot seem to get going. Colombia have a good team, but have weak areas in that 11. 2 of those 3 should make the quarters.
Mexico could have been a dark horse, but if they finish 2nd to Germany like I suspect, then they will likely play Brazil in the round of 16.
comment by WorcesterSpur (U1678)
posted 20 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 (U18109)
posted 28 minutes ago
I always find the problem with England is that we don't back our own strengths and style. We have been successful when playing direct, robust football. These days Tiki Taka is all the rage, and were suprised that we are not as good at it as the French, Spanish or Brazilians.
The Italians don't change their style, they keep to cantenaccio, and win things.
The very defensive Portuguese just won the Euro's despite not winning a single group game (in a group of Iceland, Hungary, Austria), and only winning 1 match inside 90 mins (the semi against the tired Welsh team).
We need to get back to our strengths, and to hell with style, it's only 4 weeks every 2 years we don't have to be entertaining
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totally agree on your point about playing to our strengths. I was actually excited about Big Sam in charge as I thought he'd strip away the nonsense and get us playing defensive football with a quick counter attack - in my opinion this style would be most effective for our squad.
I like how Southgate has announced a tactical system early and committed to it. I don't like his refusal to commit to a first choice goalkeeper, and I think he's been absolutely spineless in not naming a captain yet.
For those praising his results, we've barely scored any goals and it's a big worry. In our last 6 games we haven't scored more than 1, including 1-0 wins over the mighty Slovenia and Lithuania. All this while Sterling, Kane, Alli, Vardy and Lingard have been banging them in for their clubs.
I don't think he's the right man for the job, but we're not ready to compete yet so it doesn't really matter. As long as he lays the groundworks for the next guy that's fine with me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah big Sam would have got us back to basics. It would have been like Mike Bassett England Manager.
Harry Redknapp would have been a good fit also.
On paper we are a long way away from doing anything at a major tournament, and must learn to win knockout matches against decent teams - something we haven't done at a world cup since Italia 90
It seems a lot of people think that showing passion and coming across as charismatic in media appearances are the most important qualities in a football manager.
Southgate has impressed me so far. He has introduced modern ideas about how to play football and we've occasionally seen England playing with an unfamiliar coherence. I don't think the problem of serial underperformance was lack of motivation on the part of the players. It was lack of confidence based on lack of a coherent approach to playing. Perhaps because there were so many players who got picked based on who they played for rather than how they fit into the XI.
It seems as though Southgate may have shifted the emphasis towards fitting roles into a system.. It certainly looks as though the players understand what they are supposed to be doing and where to find each other. England doesn't have a world class collection of players, so exceeding the sum of their parts seems like a better strategy than crowbarring the best players into the team.
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 2 hours, 48 minutes ago
As a lot have said he is doing a lot of the right things. Can he inspire good performances from the professional footballers of today though? He doesn't seem the type to me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agree, Busby - I think this is the key point. Southgate is surprisingly intelligent and eloquent for a footballer, but he lacks any kind of character. I can see him setting up very sensibly for games against Panama and Tunisia, and no doubt we'll be pretty solid. But I'm not convinced he has the character to inspire intense and creative football. I suspect we will just about make it out of the group stage (which shouldn't be sniffed at, based on our recent performances), but not confident we will win any knock out games - or any new fans with our football. I'm hopeful - but realistic.
The key for Southgate is to stick with his guns. Alli hasn't been brilliant for England (or Spurs this season) of late and Lingard + Sterling have linked extremely well.
A front three of Sterling, Kane and Lingard could be frightening.
Gianfranco Zola didn't play much for Italy despite his great technical ability and Matt Le Tissier was similarly unlucky not to play for England.Sadly current English football team lacks superstars even like Euro 2004 squads and World Cup of 2006 but still might surprise many by reaching semifinal of this year's World Cup or at least its quarterfinal.
Southgate.
We, are Reds. With the charismatic manager who we have, with his instant appeal to each and every Red, to a vast majority of non-Reds too, he is a star. Everybody wants to meet him, be with him, be his friend, and are probably jealous of those who are.
Since the day he arrived, he's lit up every pre and post match interview with his joyful quips and gentle put downs. He's got the Press eating out of his hand, hanging on his every word. During games, he's like a sloth that's suddenly discovered the benefit of Peruvian marching powder such are his antics, a behaviour, a commitment that no other manager displays.
The result? We are spoiled.
How could Southgate or anyone else live up to the billing? He's got to be seen in th shadow of Jurgen, no matter what he achieves. I hope he does well, and that's all that can be asked.
JimmyTheRed did you see Jurgen Klopp as Borussia Dortmund manager in a little detail when he was there?He was great there as well and you can go on to youtube and search it with these words 'Kloppo du popstar' to just estimate how people and Borussia Dortmund fans used to love him there.I even wanted him to win UEFA Champions League with them against Bayern Munich but they lost in the final.He is a great manager and I want him to finally win UEFA Champions League this season with Liverpool.
I thought he was a bad choice as he didn't do that well when he managed the youngsters and played players out of positions to fit his style. But he has done a decent job.
The issue is, we've bee qualifying easily since the McLaren debacle.
I don't think you can credit him much with phasing out Rooney. This was a player who failed to leader the line at United under Van Gaal in his first season and was faded out of the side quite early in under Jose. He was give his excuse to not use him.
I think it would have taken a lot of balls if Rooney was still playing and the Media still being up Rooney backside and drop him the rather than credit him for not picking a player not playing for his club due to poor form.
comment by Bobby Dazzler (U1449)
posted 5 hours, 17 minutes ago
Dinghy lipped plank who cost England cos he can't take a pen
Then had the audacity to laugh about it while making money off Pizza Hut
----------------------------------------------------------------------
so...you're a fan then bob
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 1 hour, 2 minutes ago
The key for Southgate is to stick with his guns. Alli hasn't been brilliant for England (or Spurs this season) of late and Lingard + Sterling have linked extremely well.
A front three of Sterling, Kane and Lingard could be frightening.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sterling Kane & Vardy....
I admire what he's trying to do but you need the tools to be able to do it. It feels a bit to me like he's picked up a manager's handbook and decided to play expansive football out from the back (because it's the current trend) which only works when you've got the players to do it. The pool is getting smaller and smaller and the only players the current in the back five this suits are probably Walker, Stones and Rose as they play that way for their clubs. Maguire, Jones, Smalling, Tarkowski, Gomez etc don't play in a three so it might be a bit alien to them. It takes a lot of coaching to get right. Something the England manager is never afforded.
You can't play total football with average players. Simple as that.
We also need to bear in mind that although there is a big clamour for Shelvey to get in the side now the Ox is out, in the games that matter we will be surrendering possession more than we'd like. That suits a willing, tenacious runner more than a fluid passer that struggles running the other way. There's a reason why he doesn't perform as well away from home. Newcastle don't have the ball as much. The same applies to England. As good as he is, we can't have any passengers so I'm with Southgate on not picking him.
comment by Bobby Dazzler (U1449)
posted 5 hours, 55 minutes ago
Dinghy lipped plank who cost England cos he can't take a pen
Then had the audacity to laugh about it while making money off Pizza Hut
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bit harsh, You May have also sold your soul if the right price cane in.
I actually think he’s the right manager for the here and now. Let’s face it, we’re not great. He’s hardly sat on a golden generation here but what we do have is some promising youngsters. Bringing those through into England squads under a coach some know from U21 level, yeah seems sensible.
I don’t mean the following to be offensive (stating up front) but football isn’t used to managers who sound vaguely intelligent and rational. England fans seem to want passion and tub-thumping and managers that take the odd back-hander. ‘Characters’. And those that aren’t like that are deemed establishment.
Personally I think Southgate has done little wrong and a lot right.
Nothing against him. You could definitely argue that the way he got the job smacked of a sort of FA clique, but he’s not done badly. As others have said, he’s got a fairly average bunch to choose from (except the forwards) and has got us smoothly to the finals.
Who cares if he seems a bit dull? He probably isn’t away from the cameras and, in any case, perhaps a calmer temperament is OK for international jobs, where your relationship with the players is different.
comment by Can Solo (U6997)
posted 1 minute ago
I actually think he’s the right manager for the here and now. Let’s face it, we’re not great. He’s hardly sat on a golden generation here but what we do have is some promising youngsters. Bringing those through into England squads under a coach some know from U21 level, yeah seems sensible.
I don’t mean the following to be offensive (stating up front) but football isn’t used to managers who sound vaguely intelligent and rational. England fans seem to want passion and tub-thumping and managers that take the odd back-hander. ‘Characters’. And those that aren’t like that are deemed establishment.
Personally I think Southgate has done little wrong and a lot right.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think the game has moved on a bit since then, thank god! Most of those tup-thumping, tea-throwing dinosaurs are either dead or disgruntled taxi drivers these days. I've never liked all that. If Southgate loses his job (he shouldn't - just let him do a Joachim Lowe and oversee the next 10 years or so) I'd like a manger like Eddie Howe to come in. I'm sick of the 'character' managers. Allardyce is probably the last one and he's not exactly flavour of the month. So glad he lost the England job. We would have treading water for years.
I personally would have been very interested to see how Allardyce did. Shame how it went.
I don’t think Southgate’s track record warranted him getting the job, but he’s done OK.
I too was curious to see what Allardyce would do, but his start was poor, he seemed in awe of the likes of Rooney and appeared too weak to drop him - in fact he pretty much admitted it...
Sign in if you want to comment
Southgate, I am knowingly unfair on him....
Page 2 of 3
posted on 9/5/18
comment by Blixa Bargeld✡ (U1071)
posted 3 minutes ago
Bradley Wright-Phillips deserves a shot tbh
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A shot of what?
I know he has scored 100+ MLS goals, but Kane has a 100+ in the prem and Vardy is not far off that either
posted on 9/5/18
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 9/5/18
comment by Striketeam7 (U18109)
posted 28 minutes ago
I always find the problem with England is that we don't back our own strengths and style. We have been successful when playing direct, robust football. These days Tiki Taka is all the rage, and were suprised that we are not as good at it as the French, Spanish or Brazilians.
The Italians don't change their style, they keep to cantenaccio, and win things.
The very defensive Portuguese just won the Euro's despite not winning a single group game (in a group of Iceland, Hungary, Austria), and only winning 1 match inside 90 mins (the semi against the tired Welsh team).
We need to get back to our strengths, and to hell with style, it's only 4 weeks every 2 years we don't have to be entertaining
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totally agree on your point about playing to our strengths. I was actually excited about Big Sam in charge as I thought he'd strip away the nonsense and get us playing defensive football with a quick counter attack - in my opinion this style would be most effective for our squad.
I like how Southgate has announced a tactical system early and committed to it. I don't like his refusal to commit to a first choice goalkeeper, and I think he's been absolutely spineless in not naming a captain yet.
For those praising his results, we've barely scored any goals and it's a big worry. In our last 6 games we haven't scored more than 1, including 1-0 wins over the mighty Slovenia and Lithuania. All this while Sterling, Kane, Alli, Vardy and Lingard have been banging them in for their clubs.
I don't think he's the right man for the job, but we're not ready to compete yet so it doesn't really matter. As long as he lays the groundworks for the next guy that's fine with me.
posted on 9/5/18
comment by Striketeam7 (U18109)
posted 21 minutes ago
comment by Benched (U7195)
posted 23 seconds ago
comment by Giröulski Alt-153 and Alt-160 forever (U14971)
posted 2 minutes ago
On paper England don't have a half bad team. It's a shame Wilshere hasn't kicked on for us over the years because if he'd developed properly there might be enough to get us a surprise result or two.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
England's midfield and attacking options are woeful. I can make a side that didn't make the 1998 World Cup Squad that would beat any current England side put together.
-------------------Ian Walker-------------------
Dixon------Carragher------Wes Brown------P Neville
-----------Redknapp---------Butt--------------------
Gascoigne-----------------------Le Tissier-----
-------------A Cole------Fowler-------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ian Walker was pants, remember that goal he conceded against Italy.
Phil Neville was never cut out for that level, as he proved 2 years later.
Gazza was long past his best at this point, and A Cole was useless for England/ didn't suit England's set up.
On Paper
Pickford
Walker Smalling Cahill Rose
Wilshere Henderson/Dier
Sterling Alli Lingaard
Kane
Is a better team. There is also quality on the bench, Butland, Clyne, Bertrand, Maguire, Dier/Henderson, Rashford, Vardy.
That team, managed well, should make the quarters before bowing out to Germany/Brazil.
Hoddle is a better manager than Southgate though
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There's still a whole world of averageness in that current England side.
posted on 9/5/18
I like what he's done so far tbh, but as always, the proof will be how England perform in the upcoming tournament.
I like that he's experimenting with different players in different systems and having the awareness to know that there is no definitive England World Cup XI, which the media harp on about before each tournament and personnel and tactics will need to be fluid during the groups and hopefully the knock-out stages.
He hasn't made a big deal of the captaincy, again, I think we get bogged down with who wears the armband, on the pitch is a more ceremonial role, off it, all the experienced players will (should) be guiding the less experienced.
I don't think he's an FA "yes man," whatever that even means, they wanted him to be interim coach after Hodgson, and he said "no" he also turned down the opportunity to be technical director with Dan Ashworth when the FA wanted him to.
I hope he does away with this Walker as a third CB thing though, makes no sense at all.
posted on 9/5/18
I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for a few years, let's see where it goes. Well used to being a plucky also ran...
posted on 9/5/18
comment by rosso is facking happy (U17054)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 (U18109)
posted 21 minutes ago
comment by Benched (U7195)
posted 23 seconds ago
comment by Giröulski Alt-153 and Alt-160 forever (U14971)
posted 2 minutes ago
On paper England don't have a half bad team. It's a shame Wilshere hasn't kicked on for us over the years because if he'd developed properly there might be enough to get us a surprise result or two.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
England's midfield and attacking options are woeful. I can make a side that didn't make the 1998 World Cup Squad that would beat any current England side put together.
-------------------Ian Walker-------------------
Dixon------Carragher------Wes Brown------P Neville
-----------Redknapp---------Butt--------------------
Gascoigne-----------------------Le Tissier-----
-------------A Cole------Fowler-------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ian Walker was pants, remember that goal he conceded against Italy.
Phil Neville was never cut out for that level, as he proved 2 years later.
Gazza was long past his best at this point, and A Cole was useless for England/ didn't suit England's set up.
On Paper
Pickford
Walker Smalling Cahill Rose
Wilshere Henderson/Dier
Sterling Alli Lingaard
Kane
Is a better team. There is also quality on the bench, Butland, Clyne, Bertrand, Maguire, Dier/Henderson, Rashford, Vardy.
That team, managed well, should make the quarters before bowing out to Germany/Brazil.
Hoddle is a better manager than Southgate though
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There's still a whole world of averageness in that current England side.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh yeah definitely, which is why I think making the quarters would be success/an achievement. We've been lucky with the draw this time, our group is doable, we drew one of the weak seeded teams, and only Germany and Brazil are miles better than us in our half of the draw.
I would put England on a similar footing to Belgium and Colombia. Belgium, despite the talent at their disposal, cannot seem to get going. Colombia have a good team, but have weak areas in that 11. 2 of those 3 should make the quarters.
Mexico could have been a dark horse, but if they finish 2nd to Germany like I suspect, then they will likely play Brazil in the round of 16.
posted on 9/5/18
comment by WorcesterSpur (U1678)
posted 20 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 (U18109)
posted 28 minutes ago
I always find the problem with England is that we don't back our own strengths and style. We have been successful when playing direct, robust football. These days Tiki Taka is all the rage, and were suprised that we are not as good at it as the French, Spanish or Brazilians.
The Italians don't change their style, they keep to cantenaccio, and win things.
The very defensive Portuguese just won the Euro's despite not winning a single group game (in a group of Iceland, Hungary, Austria), and only winning 1 match inside 90 mins (the semi against the tired Welsh team).
We need to get back to our strengths, and to hell with style, it's only 4 weeks every 2 years we don't have to be entertaining
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totally agree on your point about playing to our strengths. I was actually excited about Big Sam in charge as I thought he'd strip away the nonsense and get us playing defensive football with a quick counter attack - in my opinion this style would be most effective for our squad.
I like how Southgate has announced a tactical system early and committed to it. I don't like his refusal to commit to a first choice goalkeeper, and I think he's been absolutely spineless in not naming a captain yet.
For those praising his results, we've barely scored any goals and it's a big worry. In our last 6 games we haven't scored more than 1, including 1-0 wins over the mighty Slovenia and Lithuania. All this while Sterling, Kane, Alli, Vardy and Lingard have been banging them in for their clubs.
I don't think he's the right man for the job, but we're not ready to compete yet so it doesn't really matter. As long as he lays the groundworks for the next guy that's fine with me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah big Sam would have got us back to basics. It would have been like Mike Bassett England Manager.
Harry Redknapp would have been a good fit also.
On paper we are a long way away from doing anything at a major tournament, and must learn to win knockout matches against decent teams - something we haven't done at a world cup since Italia 90
posted on 9/5/18
It seems a lot of people think that showing passion and coming across as charismatic in media appearances are the most important qualities in a football manager.
Southgate has impressed me so far. He has introduced modern ideas about how to play football and we've occasionally seen England playing with an unfamiliar coherence. I don't think the problem of serial underperformance was lack of motivation on the part of the players. It was lack of confidence based on lack of a coherent approach to playing. Perhaps because there were so many players who got picked based on who they played for rather than how they fit into the XI.
It seems as though Southgate may have shifted the emphasis towards fitting roles into a system.. It certainly looks as though the players understand what they are supposed to be doing and where to find each other. England doesn't have a world class collection of players, so exceeding the sum of their parts seems like a better strategy than crowbarring the best players into the team.
posted on 9/5/18
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 2 hours, 48 minutes ago
As a lot have said he is doing a lot of the right things. Can he inspire good performances from the professional footballers of today though? He doesn't seem the type to me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agree, Busby - I think this is the key point. Southgate is surprisingly intelligent and eloquent for a footballer, but he lacks any kind of character. I can see him setting up very sensibly for games against Panama and Tunisia, and no doubt we'll be pretty solid. But I'm not convinced he has the character to inspire intense and creative football. I suspect we will just about make it out of the group stage (which shouldn't be sniffed at, based on our recent performances), but not confident we will win any knock out games - or any new fans with our football. I'm hopeful - but realistic.
posted on 9/5/18
The key for Southgate is to stick with his guns. Alli hasn't been brilliant for England (or Spurs this season) of late and Lingard + Sterling have linked extremely well.
A front three of Sterling, Kane and Lingard could be frightening.
posted on 9/5/18
Gianfranco Zola didn't play much for Italy despite his great technical ability and Matt Le Tissier was similarly unlucky not to play for England.Sadly current English football team lacks superstars even like Euro 2004 squads and World Cup of 2006 but still might surprise many by reaching semifinal of this year's World Cup or at least its quarterfinal.
posted on 9/5/18
Southgate.
We, are Reds. With the charismatic manager who we have, with his instant appeal to each and every Red, to a vast majority of non-Reds too, he is a star. Everybody wants to meet him, be with him, be his friend, and are probably jealous of those who are.
Since the day he arrived, he's lit up every pre and post match interview with his joyful quips and gentle put downs. He's got the Press eating out of his hand, hanging on his every word. During games, he's like a sloth that's suddenly discovered the benefit of Peruvian marching powder such are his antics, a behaviour, a commitment that no other manager displays.
The result? We are spoiled.
How could Southgate or anyone else live up to the billing? He's got to be seen in th shadow of Jurgen, no matter what he achieves. I hope he does well, and that's all that can be asked.
posted on 9/5/18
JimmyTheRed did you see Jurgen Klopp as Borussia Dortmund manager in a little detail when he was there?He was great there as well and you can go on to youtube and search it with these words 'Kloppo du popstar' to just estimate how people and Borussia Dortmund fans used to love him there.I even wanted him to win UEFA Champions League with them against Bayern Munich but they lost in the final.He is a great manager and I want him to finally win UEFA Champions League this season with Liverpool.
posted on 9/5/18
I thought he was a bad choice as he didn't do that well when he managed the youngsters and played players out of positions to fit his style. But he has done a decent job.
The issue is, we've bee qualifying easily since the McLaren debacle.
I don't think you can credit him much with phasing out Rooney. This was a player who failed to leader the line at United under Van Gaal in his first season and was faded out of the side quite early in under Jose. He was give his excuse to not use him.
I think it would have taken a lot of balls if Rooney was still playing and the Media still being up Rooney backside and drop him the rather than credit him for not picking a player not playing for his club due to poor form.
posted on 9/5/18
comment by Bobby Dazzler (U1449)
posted 5 hours, 17 minutes ago
Dinghy lipped plank who cost England cos he can't take a pen
Then had the audacity to laugh about it while making money off Pizza Hut
----------------------------------------------------------------------
so...you're a fan then bob
posted on 9/5/18
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 1 hour, 2 minutes ago
The key for Southgate is to stick with his guns. Alli hasn't been brilliant for England (or Spurs this season) of late and Lingard + Sterling have linked extremely well.
A front three of Sterling, Kane and Lingard could be frightening.
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Sterling Kane & Vardy....
posted on 9/5/18
I admire what he's trying to do but you need the tools to be able to do it. It feels a bit to me like he's picked up a manager's handbook and decided to play expansive football out from the back (because it's the current trend) which only works when you've got the players to do it. The pool is getting smaller and smaller and the only players the current in the back five this suits are probably Walker, Stones and Rose as they play that way for their clubs. Maguire, Jones, Smalling, Tarkowski, Gomez etc don't play in a three so it might be a bit alien to them. It takes a lot of coaching to get right. Something the England manager is never afforded.
You can't play total football with average players. Simple as that.
posted on 9/5/18
We also need to bear in mind that although there is a big clamour for Shelvey to get in the side now the Ox is out, in the games that matter we will be surrendering possession more than we'd like. That suits a willing, tenacious runner more than a fluid passer that struggles running the other way. There's a reason why he doesn't perform as well away from home. Newcastle don't have the ball as much. The same applies to England. As good as he is, we can't have any passengers so I'm with Southgate on not picking him.
posted on 9/5/18
comment by Bobby Dazzler (U1449)
posted 5 hours, 55 minutes ago
Dinghy lipped plank who cost England cos he can't take a pen
Then had the audacity to laugh about it while making money off Pizza Hut
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Bit harsh, You May have also sold your soul if the right price cane in.
posted on 9/5/18
I actually think he’s the right manager for the here and now. Let’s face it, we’re not great. He’s hardly sat on a golden generation here but what we do have is some promising youngsters. Bringing those through into England squads under a coach some know from U21 level, yeah seems sensible.
I don’t mean the following to be offensive (stating up front) but football isn’t used to managers who sound vaguely intelligent and rational. England fans seem to want passion and tub-thumping and managers that take the odd back-hander. ‘Characters’. And those that aren’t like that are deemed establishment.
Personally I think Southgate has done little wrong and a lot right.
posted on 9/5/18
Nothing against him. You could definitely argue that the way he got the job smacked of a sort of FA clique, but he’s not done badly. As others have said, he’s got a fairly average bunch to choose from (except the forwards) and has got us smoothly to the finals.
Who cares if he seems a bit dull? He probably isn’t away from the cameras and, in any case, perhaps a calmer temperament is OK for international jobs, where your relationship with the players is different.
posted on 9/5/18
comment by Can Solo (U6997)
posted 1 minute ago
I actually think he’s the right manager for the here and now. Let’s face it, we’re not great. He’s hardly sat on a golden generation here but what we do have is some promising youngsters. Bringing those through into England squads under a coach some know from U21 level, yeah seems sensible.
I don’t mean the following to be offensive (stating up front) but football isn’t used to managers who sound vaguely intelligent and rational. England fans seem to want passion and tub-thumping and managers that take the odd back-hander. ‘Characters’. And those that aren’t like that are deemed establishment.
Personally I think Southgate has done little wrong and a lot right.
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I think the game has moved on a bit since then, thank god! Most of those tup-thumping, tea-throwing dinosaurs are either dead or disgruntled taxi drivers these days. I've never liked all that. If Southgate loses his job (he shouldn't - just let him do a Joachim Lowe and oversee the next 10 years or so) I'd like a manger like Eddie Howe to come in. I'm sick of the 'character' managers. Allardyce is probably the last one and he's not exactly flavour of the month. So glad he lost the England job. We would have treading water for years.
posted on 9/5/18
I personally would have been very interested to see how Allardyce did. Shame how it went.
posted on 9/5/18
I don’t think Southgate’s track record warranted him getting the job, but he’s done OK.
I too was curious to see what Allardyce would do, but his start was poor, he seemed in awe of the likes of Rooney and appeared too weak to drop him - in fact he pretty much admitted it...
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