comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Macca & The Metal Hips: fka Wheelchair Dave (U8194)
posted 1 minute ago
Spurtle I don't disagree with what you're saying but it's pointless stressing over it all now you can't fight the forces of what's meant to be and lucky devil Southgate is here for the duration of this tournament and it will play out the way it plays out which I think with Southgate's a cat with nine lives luck will be a humbling defeat against the Spanish in the final.
All we can then hope for is that's the end of this anti entertaining football merchant and hopefully because the FA are such a spineless group of fecktards they don't stop Southgate walking away and he can collect his Knighthood and cosy up to and join the Neville and
Keane ITV pundit crew and watch a new England boss finally use the vast array of talent in the correct manner and we all enjoy and witness England winning the World Cup in style in 2026.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Macca, I know things aren't really going to change but no harm in venting my opinion and having a bit of a rant. Southgate is clueless. So much criticism today and deservedly so....imagine how bad it would have been had we lost, and he was only seconds away from it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I know and I'm almost ashamed to admit I was gutted when we equalised because tbh I just want Southgate and his negative style out of the building ASAP but it was a beautiful goal and I then just resigned myself to thinking okay Southgate is not going to change his methods and the best we can hope for is a final which under Sven or anyone previously I'd have been ecstatic but Southgate for me has sucked the soul out of England but so far it's getting us through but it's painful to watch and I know Strike and a few others on here don't care if we win ugly but for me England and this whole tournament tbh has not been enjoyable at all and I will be relieved to focus my energies on the new domestic football season next month.
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Robbing Hoody - I want to play by my own rules and if I can’t I’ll sue you (U6374)
posted 1 minute ago
Let me put it in a way you may understand.
Poch is facking shiiiiiiiiit. I don’t want to hear how he got Spurs to a CL final or 2nd in the league.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Your comparison already doesn't work by comparing a league campaign with purely a KO competition, let alone the fact it's club football versus international and Poch not having the full support of his owner.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 2 minutes ago
Redknapp
That won’t be topped today
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You act like he's a worse manager than Southgate ffs. He isn't. Remember how he lifted Spurs up when he joined us after 2 points from 8? Maybe that's what we need. Worked for the Ivory Coast.
I do of course know it's not going to happen but then I'm pretty sure Southgate isn't going to get us anywhere either.
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 32 seconds ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 21 seconds ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 17 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 38 seconds ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 5 minutes ago
I heard a stat that Southgate's England has played a top 10 ranked team 24 times in his 100 games and won 4 of them..
What makes me chuckle is that for all England's careful possession and tippy tappy ball retention based tactics and setup, its a long throw and 2nd phase from a corner which got us through.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The long ball thing was ridiculous. We've got all these quality attacking players and Southgate wants us to be Stoke City under Pulis.
I wish the FA had the balls to do what's right before it's too late.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What sack him on the eve of a quarter final with Switzerland - yer faaaacking mental if you think that’s happening.
He will be here for the duration of our tournament - however long that may be, get over it.
The worst his record will read now is:
Semi final
Final
Quarter final
Quarter final
Statistically he is Englands second greatest tournament manager.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes sack him. It's only going one way. You can see the players are being held back by negative tactics. He's a nice guy and might get on with the players, who want to protect him, but the set up and coaching is not good enough. As the saying goes, nice guys finish last. You actually need to take risks if you want to be truly successful.
I'd get in touch with Redknapp to see if he would be willing to take over for the remainder of the Euros.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Then you are delusional
Faaaacking Redknapp who’s legendary level of tactics amount to “run around a bit”
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Redknapp who has won things, got into a top 4 twice with Spurs, got 5th with West Ham.
Who has been a better English manager in the PL era?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Why hasn’t Redknapp worked for years?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy with retirement I assume, I don't know. Who has been a better English manager than him in the last 30 years? Has Redknapp not been as good as Southgate then?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He has had virtually no competition in the time period - Potter, Dyche, Curbs.
It’s not exactly a great yard stick is it
You could argue Eddie Howe has done more with less. You could mention Redknapp got Southampton relegated and Pompey went financially tiiits up after he left having spent quite a bit.
But yes, Redknapp was a good manager a decade ago - the blokes not managed for years - you are clearly mental if you think he is the answer for England now
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know if he is the answer but I'd have more faith in that than carrying on with this same riskless manager who persists with not changing what doesn't work.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It doesn’t work but we’re in the Quarter final whilst Italy and Croatia are at home and 2 of France, Spain, Germany, Portugal cannot progress further than us. After we’re won our group - which France and Belgium didn’t.
We are unbeaten - Portugal aren’t
But clearly nothing is working
Good article Spurtle. I was thinking exactly the same last night.
I genuinely can't remember a worse performance tactically and subs wise from a manager than that one yesterday. The lack of game awareness to make so few substitutions when we were absolutely crying out for them, it was truly astounding.
Can't think of many worse managers out there than Southgate. The only reason we have got far in tournaments is lucky draws and the players he has had at his disposal.
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 2 minutes ago
Redknapp
That won’t be topped today
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You act like he's a worse manager than Southgate ffs. He isn't. Remember how he lifted Spurs up when he joined us after 2 points from 8? Maybe that's what we need. Worked for the Ivory Coast.
I do of course know it's not going to happen but then I'm pretty sure Southgate isn't going to get us anywhere either.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You’ve picked a bloke in his 70’s who is clearly retired and won’t be up to date with the latest tactical innovations in the game, to be airdropped into a Euro quarter final at the expense of a man who has won 2 of his previous 3 quarter finals with England
It’s not personal, but your take here was bat schitt crazy
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 1 hour, 15 minutes ago
I heard a stat that Southgate's England has played a top 10 ranked team 24 times in his 100 games and won 4 of them..
What makes me chuckle is that for all England's careful possession and tippy tappy ball retention based tactics and setup, its a long throw and 2nd phase from a corner which got us through.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
England could have got a lovely team goal if Foden has timed his run correctly for that offside goal and that is hardly the fault of the manager
It's one thing to agree or disagree with his tactics and style of play but I don't know how anyone could be anything but baffled by his use of subs yesterday.
1 attacking sub which was forced due to Trippier's injury and then 1 sub swapping Mainoo for Eze being the only substitutions in normal time in a game where we hadn't had a shot on target was just bizarre. Then giving Toney literally 2 minutes to try and influence the game when we were losing 1-0.
It seems to me he doesn't trust too many players outside his starting XI because he appears unbelievably reluctant to actually use any of them.
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 45 seconds ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 32 seconds ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 21 seconds ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 17 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 38 seconds ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 5 minutes ago
I heard a stat that Southgate's England has played a top 10 ranked team 24 times in his 100 games and won 4 of them..
What makes me chuckle is that for all England's careful possession and tippy tappy ball retention based tactics and setup, its a long throw and 2nd phase from a corner which got us through.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The long ball thing was ridiculous. We've got all these quality attacking players and Southgate wants us to be Stoke City under Pulis.
I wish the FA had the balls to do what's right before it's too late.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What sack him on the eve of a quarter final with Switzerland - yer faaaacking mental if you think that’s happening.
He will be here for the duration of our tournament - however long that may be, get over it.
The worst his record will read now is:
Semi final
Final
Quarter final
Quarter final
Statistically he is Englands second greatest tournament manager.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes sack him. It's only going one way. You can see the players are being held back by negative tactics. He's a nice guy and might get on with the players, who want to protect him, but the set up and coaching is not good enough. As the saying goes, nice guys finish last. You actually need to take risks if you want to be truly successful.
I'd get in touch with Redknapp to see if he would be willing to take over for the remainder of the Euros.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Then you are delusional
Faaaacking Redknapp who’s legendary level of tactics amount to “run around a bit”
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Redknapp who has won things, got into a top 4 twice with Spurs, got 5th with West Ham.
Who has been a better English manager in the PL era?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Why hasn’t Redknapp worked for years?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy with retirement I assume, I don't know. Who has been a better English manager than him in the last 30 years? Has Redknapp not been as good as Southgate then?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He has had virtually no competition in the time period - Potter, Dyche, Curbs.
It’s not exactly a great yard stick is it
You could argue Eddie Howe has done more with less. You could mention Redknapp got Southampton relegated and Pompey went financially tiiits up after he left having spent quite a bit.
But yes, Redknapp was a good manager a decade ago - the blokes not managed for years - you are clearly mental if you think he is the answer for England now
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know if he is the answer but I'd have more faith in that than carrying on with this same riskless manager who persists with not changing what doesn't work.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It doesn’t work but we’re in the Quarter final whilst Italy and Croatia are at home and 2 of France, Spain, Germany, Portugal cannot progress further than us. After we’re won our group - which France and Belgium didn’t.
We are unbeaten - Portugal aren’t
But clearly nothing is working
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They've played better teams or had less luck than we have. You cannot convince me we haven't progressed via luck. Absolutely got away with it last night.
I don't really care what other teams are doing, teams by the way who have won things, where we haven't.
Pretty sure you were hyping our defensive record in this tournament the other day too, when we looked particularly shaky at times yesterday. Hardly any of our defenders had a good game. Be interesting to see how it holds up against Switzerland.
comment by Macca & The Metal Hips: fka Wheelchair Dave (U8194)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Macca & The Metal Hips: fka Wheelchair Dave (U8194)
posted 1 minute ago
Spurtle I don't disagree with what you're saying but it's pointless stressing over it all now you can't fight the forces of what's meant to be and lucky devil Southgate is here for the duration of this tournament and it will play out the way it plays out which I think with Southgate's a cat with nine lives luck will be a humbling defeat against the Spanish in the final.
All we can then hope for is that's the end of this anti entertaining football merchant and hopefully because the FA are such a spineless group of fecktards they don't stop Southgate walking away and he can collect his Knighthood and cosy up to and join the Neville and
Keane ITV pundit crew and watch a new England boss finally use the vast array of talent in the correct manner and we all enjoy and witness England winning the World Cup in style in 2026.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Macca, I know things aren't really going to change but no harm in venting my opinion and having a bit of a rant. Southgate is clueless. So much criticism today and deservedly so....imagine how bad it would have been had we lost, and he was only seconds away from it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I know and I'm almost ashamed to admit I was gutted when we equalised because tbh I just want Southgate and his negative style out of the building ASAP but it was a beautiful goal and I then just resigned myself to thinking okay Southgate is not going to change his methods and the best we can hope for is a final which under Sven or anyone previously I'd have been ecstatic but Southgate for me has sucked the soul out of England but so far it's getting us through but it's painful to watch and I know Strike and a few others on here don't care if we win ugly but for me England and this whole tournament tbh has not been enjoyable at all and I will be relieved to focus my energies on the new domestic football season next month.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh I agree we’re horrible to watch, one of if not the worst of the lot for entertainment- I’ve not enjoyed more than the opening 15 mins against Serbia.
But seldom does exciting football win tournaments.
I also don’t Southgate has got much right with his squad and team selections - I still don’t get the point of Wharton and what the bloke sees in Trippier I doubt even Trippiers parents see.
I just get annoyed with the whole lucky narrative - yes we were lucky yesterday, but we were solid in the group and never looked like losing or conceding. That was good enough for top spot which the other seeded sides in our draw couldn’t manage - Belgium nearly went out in a group no harder than ours, we were qualified after 2 games.
Slovakia followed their usual pattern of starting fast, going ahead and then sitting deeper and deeper - it was late, but they have been undone like that in their previous 2 games but stuck to the same tactics and got done again
comment by NijaFox (U21877)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 1 hour, 15 minutes ago
I heard a stat that Southgate's England has played a top 10 ranked team 24 times in his 100 games and won 4 of them..
What makes me chuckle is that for all England's careful possession and tippy tappy ball retention based tactics and setup, its a long throw and 2nd phase from a corner which got us through.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
England could have got a lovely team goal if Foden has timed his run correctly for that offside goal and that is hardly the fault of the manager
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Same with Saka’s offside against Slovenia - that was a cracking move.
comment by Neo (U9135)
posted 7 minutes ago
Good article Spurtle. I was thinking exactly the same last night.
I genuinely can't remember a worse performance tactically and subs wise from a manager than that one yesterday. The lack of game awareness to make so few substitutions when we were absolutely crying out for them, it was truly astounding.
Can't think of many worse managers out there than Southgate. The only reason we have got far in tournaments is lucky draws and the players he has had at his disposal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Neo
Can't believe there are still some oddballs defending Southgate and calling our takes the crazy ones.
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 1 hour, 1 minute ago
amazing how angry some people - including some england fans - get when england win a game of football.
i mean, tedious xenophobes like peks i get, but your own fanbase? and yes, i know it wasn't great yesterday, and we did get a little lucky, but you might still think that generally people would be happy, not furious.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
People hate Southgate more than they support England. It’s pretty pathetic. I have a friend like this, he actually looked gutted when we won yesterday.
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 45 seconds ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 32 seconds ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 21 seconds ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 17 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 38 seconds ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 5 minutes ago
I heard a stat that Southgate's England has played a top 10 ranked team 24 times in his 100 games and won 4 of them..
What makes me chuckle is that for all England's careful possession and tippy tappy ball retention based tactics and setup, its a long throw and 2nd phase from a corner which got us through.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The long ball thing was ridiculous. We've got all these quality attacking players and Southgate wants us to be Stoke City under Pulis.
I wish the FA had the balls to do what's right before it's too late.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What sack him on the eve of a quarter final with Switzerland - yer faaaacking mental if you think that’s happening.
He will be here for the duration of our tournament - however long that may be, get over it.
The worst his record will read now is:
Semi final
Final
Quarter final
Quarter final
Statistically he is Englands second greatest tournament manager.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes sack him. It's only going one way. You can see the players are being held back by negative tactics. He's a nice guy and might get on with the players, who want to protect him, but the set up and coaching is not good enough. As the saying goes, nice guys finish last. You actually need to take risks if you want to be truly successful.
I'd get in touch with Redknapp to see if he would be willing to take over for the remainder of the Euros.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Then you are delusional
Faaaacking Redknapp who’s legendary level of tactics amount to “run around a bit”
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Redknapp who has won things, got into a top 4 twice with Spurs, got 5th with West Ham.
Who has been a better English manager in the PL era?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Why hasn’t Redknapp worked for years?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy with retirement I assume, I don't know. Who has been a better English manager than him in the last 30 years? Has Redknapp not been as good as Southgate then?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He has had virtually no competition in the time period - Potter, Dyche, Curbs.
It’s not exactly a great yard stick is it
You could argue Eddie Howe has done more with less. You could mention Redknapp got Southampton relegated and Pompey went financially tiiits up after he left having spent quite a bit.
But yes, Redknapp was a good manager a decade ago - the blokes not managed for years - you are clearly mental if you think he is the answer for England now
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know if he is the answer but I'd have more faith in that than carrying on with this same riskless manager who persists with not changing what doesn't work.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It doesn’t work but we’re in the Quarter final whilst Italy and Croatia are at home and 2 of France, Spain, Germany, Portugal cannot progress further than us. After we’re won our group - which France and Belgium didn’t.
We are unbeaten - Portugal aren’t
But clearly nothing is working
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They've played better teams or had less luck than we have. You cannot convince me we haven't progressed via luck. Absolutely got away with it last night.
I don't really care what other teams are doing, teams by the way who have won things, where we haven't.
Pretty sure you were hyping our defensive record in this tournament the other day too, when we looked particularly shaky at times yesterday. Hardly any of our defenders had a good game. Be interesting to see how it holds up against Switzerland.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We had statistically the second best defence in the group stage - I stated that, it isn’t hype, it’s a fact.
At the same time I have been slaughtering the use of Trippier at LB - it’s ridiculous, but Southgate painted himself into a corner by A) picking an unfit Luke Shaw B) picking Wharton over a left back
comment by Robbing Hoody - I want to play by my own rules and if I can’t I’ll sue you (U6374)
posted 30 minutes ago
Redknapp ffs
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A recall for that triffic lad Scotty Parker so
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Neo (U9135)
posted 7 minutes ago
Good article Spurtle. I was thinking exactly the same last night.
I genuinely can't remember a worse performance tactically and subs wise from a manager than that one yesterday. The lack of game awareness to make so few substitutions when we were absolutely crying out for them, it was truly astounding.
Can't think of many worse managers out there than Southgate. The only reason we have got far in tournaments is lucky draws and the players he has had at his disposal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Neo
Can't believe there are still some oddballs defending Southgate and calling our takes the crazy ones.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The crazy take is Redknapp being dropped in pre QF - ask Neo if he is up for that?
comment by Irishred (U2539)
posted 40 seconds ago
comment by Robbing Hoody - I want to play by my own rules and if I can’t I’ll sue you (U6374)
posted 30 minutes ago
Redknapp ffs
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A recall for that triffic lad Scotty Parker so
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is a great family man
comment by Macca & The Metal Hips: fka Wheelchair Dave (U8194)
posted 18 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Macca & The Metal Hips: fka Wheelchair Dave (U8194)
posted 1 minute ago
Spurtle I don't disagree with what you're saying but it's pointless stressing over it all now you can't fight the forces of what's meant to be and lucky devil Southgate is here for the duration of this tournament and it will play out the way it plays out which I think with Southgate's a cat with nine lives luck will be a humbling defeat against the Spanish in the final.
All we can then hope for is that's the end of this anti entertaining football merchant and hopefully because the FA are such a spineless group of fecktards they don't stop Southgate walking away and he can collect his Knighthood and cosy up to and join the Neville and
Keane ITV pundit crew and watch a new England boss finally use the vast array of talent in the correct manner and we all enjoy and witness England winning the World Cup in style in 2026.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Macca, I know things aren't really going to change but no harm in venting my opinion and having a bit of a rant. Southgate is clueless. So much criticism today and deservedly so....imagine how bad it would have been had we lost, and he was only seconds away from it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I know and I'm almost ashamed to admit I was gutted when we equalised because tbh I just want Southgate and his negative style out of the building ASAP but it was a beautiful goal and I then just resigned myself to thinking okay Southgate is not going to change his methods and the best we can hope for is a final which under Sven or anyone previously I'd have been ecstatic but Southgate for me has sucked the soul out of England but so far it's getting us through but it's painful to watch and I know Strike and a few others on here don't care if we win ugly but for me England and this whole tournament tbh has not been enjoyable at all and I will be relieved to focus my energies on the new domestic football season next month.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree. I want to support England but I'm really struggling when I know we have the right team but the totally wrong manager. Happy to see players have moments like Bellingham did last night though.
For now we just have to hope that we can progress in spite of Southgate.
I've revised my opinion on this in recent years. I used to be a Southgate apologist because in 2018 and, in part 2020, we relinquished control in midfield because we just didn't have the players to be able to do it. Everyone called him negative then but I backed him because it really was no fault of his that the personnel wasn't there to do it. With the emergence of Bellingham and the maturity of Rice and the guile of Foden though, that argument is no longer an excuse. We still don't control games. Not even close. In fact we look more vulnerable than we ever have without the ball.
Southgate will argue that a weakened defence requires adequate protection in midfield but that only really applies if you don't have control of a game. Spain's great side of 2008-12 boasted Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. One man holding/dictating and two creators ahead. I'm not for a second suggesting we have talent in that sphere but the principles are the same. If you have the talent to control a game, you don't need to worry too much about protection because if you've got the ball you've less reason to worry. Control the game. Bamboozle the opposition. Tire them out. That's how the best do it and that's how we should be doing it with the talent we have in our squad.
Southgate's admission that we don't have anyone like Philips was the moment I nearly dropped to my knees. Bellingham played an an 8 for Dortmund and got a move to Madrid off the back of it. Play him there, Rice 6 and Foden 10. It's really not that hard but he just won't do it because his obsession will forever be what we do without the ball, not what we do with it. He's a relic. A Mourinho in a Pep era. Football has moved on so whether we scrape a win in this tournament or not, I want him gone. I'm done with this bullllshiiiiiiit. Get Klopp in. Offer him the world because I'm so done with getting out played by part-timers.
Our failings in this tournament are on Southgate and Southgate alone. Anyone who contradicts that is just plain wrong.
Striketeam - sure the other big teams have failed and that's why it's a lop-sided draw but it doesn't stop our side of the draw once again being massively fortunate for us. He's still one lucky basssstard. The truth is that since he's come in, despite getting to a semi, a final and the quarters in each of the last three tournaments, the only big nation we've beaten is Germany. That's it. It's luck of the draw whether you like it or not.
He's done. (although getting rid mid-tournament is madness I'd agree).
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 54 seconds ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Neo (U9135)
posted 7 minutes ago
Good article Spurtle. I was thinking exactly the same last night.
I genuinely can't remember a worse performance tactically and subs wise from a manager than that one yesterday. The lack of game awareness to make so few substitutions when we were absolutely crying out for them, it was truly astounding.
Can't think of many worse managers out there than Southgate. The only reason we have got far in tournaments is lucky draws and the players he has had at his disposal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Neo
Can't believe there are still some oddballs defending Southgate and calling our takes the crazy ones.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The crazy take is Redknapp being dropped in pre QF - ask Neo if he is up for that?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was only semi serious. I just think many other options would be better than Southgate. Potter would be my first choice but in the idea of getting rid mid-tournament and looking for someone to take over just as a temp solution, then Redknapp is as good as any. Obviously I know we won't get rid but we should. We should have got rid after the last World Cup.
Let's see anyway, if we can make it to the final and not get hammered by a decent team you can say you told me so. If we go out before I can say I told you so.
comment by Zein Mayassi (U21076)
posted 1 hour ago
I do wonder if this England side will be like Man utd.
S*** against everyone that they're expected to beat, lowering everyone's expectations when they come to play someone that no one expects them to beat, but then playing well, and ultimately winning a trophy.
Although the difference with England is that if that does happen, it will be in spite of Southgate, not because of him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There will certainly be more space for the forwards against better sides, the issue is the higher teams press, the more space is in behind and out wide, and we've no pace or width.
Maybe we'll see the likes of Gordon and Watkins in those games?
I'd be shocked if we win this tournament, more so than Utd beating City in the final. But the reality is, we're 3 games of not losing away from the trophy.
I want Southgate to go after this myself.
The acting like we have one of the best squads ever assembled with world class quality front to back is pretty boring though.
About five of them have ever won anything. We have Trippier at LB, no DM to speak of and no LWF of any experience. 12 of the squad are at their first tournament.
And yet weee through to the quarters (again). Booooo!
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 2 minutes ago
I've revised my opinion on this in recent years. I used to be a Southgate apologist because in 2018 and, in part 2020, we relinquished control in midfield because we just didn't have the players to be able to do it. Everyone called him negative then but I backed him because it really was no fault of his that the personnel wasn't there to do it. With the emergence of Bellingham and the maturity of Rice and the guile of Foden though, that argument is no longer an excuse. We still don't control games. Not even close. In fact we look more vulnerable than we ever have without the ball.
Southgate will argue that a weakened defence requires adequate protection in midfield but that only really applies if you don't have control of a game. Spain's great side of 2008-12 boasted Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. One man holding/dictating and two creators ahead. I'm not for a second suggesting we have talent in that sphere but the principles are the same. If you have the talent to control a game, you don't need to worry too much about protection because if you've got the ball you've less reason to worry. Control the game. Bamboozle the opposition. Tire them out. That's how the best do it and that's how we should be doing it with the talent we have in our squad.
Southgate's admission that we don't have anyone like Philips was the moment I nearly dropped to my knees. Bellingham played an an 8 for Dortmund and got a move to Madrid off the back of it. Play him there, Rice 6 and Foden 10. It's really not that hard but he just won't do it because his obsession will forever be what we do without the ball, not what we do with it. He's a relic. A Mourinho in a Pep era. Football has moved on so whether we scrape a win in this tournament or not, I want him gone. I'm done with this bullllshiiiiiiit. Get Klopp in. Offer him the world because I'm so done with getting out played by part-timers.
Our failings in this tournament are on Southgate and Southgate alone. Anyone who contradicts that is just plain wrong.
Striketeam - sure the other big teams have failed and that's why it's a lop-sided draw but it doesn't stop our side of the draw once again being massively fortunate for us. He's still one lucky basssstard. The truth is that since he's come in, despite getting to a semi, a final and the quarters in each of the last three tournaments, the only big nation we've beaten is Germany. That's it. It's luck of the draw whether you like it or not.
He's done. (although getting rid mid-tournament is madness I'd agree).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Exactly this. We have so much attacking talent but it seems like Southgate's first priority is how can we keep the clean sheet, rather than how can we kill a game off. The whole defensive negativity runs through the team leaving them more cautious to attack and press than they should do incase it leads to a mistake. It's why so much of our threat looks like it only comes from set pieces and it's been this way for the entire Southgate era. Go back to 2018 and we were relying on well worked set pieces. It's a bland negative approach and I just want someone more open minded in charge telling these players not to hold back and keep going on the attack.
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 12 minutes ago
I've revised my opinion on this in recent years. I used to be a Southgate apologist because in 2018 and, in part 2020, we relinquished control in midfield because we just didn't have the players to be able to do it. Everyone called him negative then but I backed him because it really was no fault of his that the personnel wasn't there to do it. With the emergence of Bellingham and the maturity of Rice and the guile of Foden though, that argument is no longer an excuse. We still don't control games. Not even close. In fact we look more vulnerable than we ever have without the ball.
Southgate will argue that a weakened defence requires adequate protection in midfield but that only really applies if you don't have control of a game. Spain's great side of 2008-12 boasted Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. One man holding/dictating and two creators ahead. I'm not for a second suggesting we have talent in that sphere but the principles are the same. If you have the talent to control a game, you don't need to worry too much about protection because if you've got the ball you've less reason to worry. Control the game. Bamboozle the opposition. Tire them out. That's how the best do it and that's how we should be doing it with the talent we have in our squad.
Southgate's admission that we don't have anyone like Philips was the moment I nearly dropped to my knees. Bellingham played an an 8 for Dortmund and got a move to Madrid off the back of it. Play him there, Rice 6 and Foden 10. It's really not that hard but he just won't do it because his obsession will forever be what we do without the ball, not what we do with it. He's a relic. A Mourinho in a Pep era. Football has moved on so whether we scrape a win in this tournament or not, I want him gone. I'm done with this bullllshiiiiiiit. Get Klopp in. Offer him the world because I'm so done with getting out played by part-timers.
Our failings in this tournament are on Southgate and Southgate alone. Anyone who contradicts that is just plain wrong.
Striketeam - sure the other big teams have failed and that's why it's a lop-sided draw but it doesn't stop our side of the draw once again being massively fortunate for us. He's still one lucky basssstard. The truth is that since he's come in, despite getting to a semi, a final and the quarters in each of the last three tournaments, the only big nation we've beaten is Germany. That's it. It's luck of the draw whether you like it or not.
He's done. (although getting rid mid-tournament is madness I'd agree).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 Spain midfield was Senna-Xavi-Iniesta....Senna being the best of the 3 in that tournament
Bellingham cannot control midfield, I've seen that for myself last season.
He loses the ball far too often, dwells on it alot & often makes poor decisions with his passing.....he's no Kroos !
Bellingham is a modern day Platt
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 10 minutes ago
I've revised my opinion on this in recent years. I used to be a Southgate apologist because in 2018 and, in part 2020, we relinquished control in midfield because we just didn't have the players to be able to do it. Everyone called him negative then but I backed him because it really was no fault of his that the personnel wasn't there to do it. With the emergence of Bellingham and the maturity of Rice and the guile of Foden though, that argument is no longer an excuse. We still don't control games. Not even close. In fact we look more vulnerable than we ever have without the ball.
Southgate will argue that a weakened defence requires adequate protection in midfield but that only really applies if you don't have control of a game. Spain's great side of 2008-12 boasted Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. One man holding/dictating and two creators ahead. I'm not for a second suggesting we have talent in that sphere but the principles are the same. If you have the talent to control a game, you don't need to worry too much about protection because if you've got the ball you've less reason to worry. Control the game. Bamboozle the opposition. Tire them out. That's how the best do it and that's how we should be doing it with the talent we have in our squad.
Southgate's admission that we don't have anyone like Philips was the moment I nearly dropped to my knees. Bellingham played an an 8 for Dortmund and got a move to Madrid off the back of it. Play him there, Rice 6 and Foden 10. It's really not that hard but he just won't do it because his obsession will forever be what we do without the ball, not what we do with it. He's a relic. A Mourinho in a Pep era. Football has moved on so whether we scrape a win in this tournament or not, I want him gone. I'm done with this bullllshiiiiiiit. Get Klopp in. Offer him the world because I'm so done with getting out played by part-timers.
Our failings in this tournament are on Southgate and Southgate alone. Anyone who contradicts that is just plain wrong.
Striketeam - sure the other big teams have failed and that's why it's a lop-sided draw but it doesn't stop our side of the draw once again being massively fortunate for us. He's still one lucky basssstard. The truth is that since he's come in, despite getting to a semi, a final and the quarters in each of the last three tournaments, the only big nation we've beaten is Germany. That's it. It's luck of the draw whether you like it or not.
He's done. (although getting rid mid-tournament is madness I'd agree).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My issue with this is that no one is giving us a chance against Switzerland - even I think it’s a coin toss game. They’ve just knocked out Italy, they were beating Germany with a minute to go in the group stage.
Yet if we beat them the narrative will be that we were fortunate to play them rather than an elite side like Italy or Germany.
The fact is Switzerland, Austria and to a much lesser extent Romania have been very good at this tournament and have bloodied the nose of the better sides. Beating them is an achievement as was beating Sweden and Denmark in prior tournaments.
But we won’t get that if we win - it will be lucky draw, and can you believe they only have to play Austria in the semi - the same Austria that topped a group with France and Netherlands in it
Sign in if you want to comment
Is there a jammier manager than Southgate?
Page 3 of 6
6
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Macca & The Metal Hips: fka Wheelchair Dave (U8194)
posted 1 minute ago
Spurtle I don't disagree with what you're saying but it's pointless stressing over it all now you can't fight the forces of what's meant to be and lucky devil Southgate is here for the duration of this tournament and it will play out the way it plays out which I think with Southgate's a cat with nine lives luck will be a humbling defeat against the Spanish in the final.
All we can then hope for is that's the end of this anti entertaining football merchant and hopefully because the FA are such a spineless group of fecktards they don't stop Southgate walking away and he can collect his Knighthood and cosy up to and join the Neville and
Keane ITV pundit crew and watch a new England boss finally use the vast array of talent in the correct manner and we all enjoy and witness England winning the World Cup in style in 2026.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Macca, I know things aren't really going to change but no harm in venting my opinion and having a bit of a rant. Southgate is clueless. So much criticism today and deservedly so....imagine how bad it would have been had we lost, and he was only seconds away from it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I know and I'm almost ashamed to admit I was gutted when we equalised because tbh I just want Southgate and his negative style out of the building ASAP but it was a beautiful goal and I then just resigned myself to thinking okay Southgate is not going to change his methods and the best we can hope for is a final which under Sven or anyone previously I'd have been ecstatic but Southgate for me has sucked the soul out of England but so far it's getting us through but it's painful to watch and I know Strike and a few others on here don't care if we win ugly but for me England and this whole tournament tbh has not been enjoyable at all and I will be relieved to focus my energies on the new domestic football season next month.
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Robbing Hoody - I want to play by my own rules and if I can’t I’ll sue you (U6374)
posted 1 minute ago
Let me put it in a way you may understand.
Poch is facking shiiiiiiiiit. I don’t want to hear how he got Spurs to a CL final or 2nd in the league.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Your comparison already doesn't work by comparing a league campaign with purely a KO competition, let alone the fact it's club football versus international and Poch not having the full support of his owner.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 2 minutes ago
Redknapp
That won’t be topped today
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You act like he's a worse manager than Southgate ffs. He isn't. Remember how he lifted Spurs up when he joined us after 2 points from 8? Maybe that's what we need. Worked for the Ivory Coast.
I do of course know it's not going to happen but then I'm pretty sure Southgate isn't going to get us anywhere either.
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 32 seconds ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 21 seconds ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 17 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 38 seconds ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 5 minutes ago
I heard a stat that Southgate's England has played a top 10 ranked team 24 times in his 100 games and won 4 of them..
What makes me chuckle is that for all England's careful possession and tippy tappy ball retention based tactics and setup, its a long throw and 2nd phase from a corner which got us through.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The long ball thing was ridiculous. We've got all these quality attacking players and Southgate wants us to be Stoke City under Pulis.
I wish the FA had the balls to do what's right before it's too late.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What sack him on the eve of a quarter final with Switzerland - yer faaaacking mental if you think that’s happening.
He will be here for the duration of our tournament - however long that may be, get over it.
The worst his record will read now is:
Semi final
Final
Quarter final
Quarter final
Statistically he is Englands second greatest tournament manager.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes sack him. It's only going one way. You can see the players are being held back by negative tactics. He's a nice guy and might get on with the players, who want to protect him, but the set up and coaching is not good enough. As the saying goes, nice guys finish last. You actually need to take risks if you want to be truly successful.
I'd get in touch with Redknapp to see if he would be willing to take over for the remainder of the Euros.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Then you are delusional
Faaaacking Redknapp who’s legendary level of tactics amount to “run around a bit”
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Redknapp who has won things, got into a top 4 twice with Spurs, got 5th with West Ham.
Who has been a better English manager in the PL era?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Why hasn’t Redknapp worked for years?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy with retirement I assume, I don't know. Who has been a better English manager than him in the last 30 years? Has Redknapp not been as good as Southgate then?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He has had virtually no competition in the time period - Potter, Dyche, Curbs.
It’s not exactly a great yard stick is it
You could argue Eddie Howe has done more with less. You could mention Redknapp got Southampton relegated and Pompey went financially tiiits up after he left having spent quite a bit.
But yes, Redknapp was a good manager a decade ago - the blokes not managed for years - you are clearly mental if you think he is the answer for England now
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know if he is the answer but I'd have more faith in that than carrying on with this same riskless manager who persists with not changing what doesn't work.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It doesn’t work but we’re in the Quarter final whilst Italy and Croatia are at home and 2 of France, Spain, Germany, Portugal cannot progress further than us. After we’re won our group - which France and Belgium didn’t.
We are unbeaten - Portugal aren’t
But clearly nothing is working
posted on 1/7/24
Good article Spurtle. I was thinking exactly the same last night.
I genuinely can't remember a worse performance tactically and subs wise from a manager than that one yesterday. The lack of game awareness to make so few substitutions when we were absolutely crying out for them, it was truly astounding.
Can't think of many worse managers out there than Southgate. The only reason we have got far in tournaments is lucky draws and the players he has had at his disposal.
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 2 minutes ago
Redknapp
That won’t be topped today
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You act like he's a worse manager than Southgate ffs. He isn't. Remember how he lifted Spurs up when he joined us after 2 points from 8? Maybe that's what we need. Worked for the Ivory Coast.
I do of course know it's not going to happen but then I'm pretty sure Southgate isn't going to get us anywhere either.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You’ve picked a bloke in his 70’s who is clearly retired and won’t be up to date with the latest tactical innovations in the game, to be airdropped into a Euro quarter final at the expense of a man who has won 2 of his previous 3 quarter finals with England
It’s not personal, but your take here was bat schitt crazy
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 1 hour, 15 minutes ago
I heard a stat that Southgate's England has played a top 10 ranked team 24 times in his 100 games and won 4 of them..
What makes me chuckle is that for all England's careful possession and tippy tappy ball retention based tactics and setup, its a long throw and 2nd phase from a corner which got us through.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
England could have got a lovely team goal if Foden has timed his run correctly for that offside goal and that is hardly the fault of the manager
posted on 1/7/24
It's one thing to agree or disagree with his tactics and style of play but I don't know how anyone could be anything but baffled by his use of subs yesterday.
1 attacking sub which was forced due to Trippier's injury and then 1 sub swapping Mainoo for Eze being the only substitutions in normal time in a game where we hadn't had a shot on target was just bizarre. Then giving Toney literally 2 minutes to try and influence the game when we were losing 1-0.
It seems to me he doesn't trust too many players outside his starting XI because he appears unbelievably reluctant to actually use any of them.
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 45 seconds ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 32 seconds ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 21 seconds ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 17 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 38 seconds ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 5 minutes ago
I heard a stat that Southgate's England has played a top 10 ranked team 24 times in his 100 games and won 4 of them..
What makes me chuckle is that for all England's careful possession and tippy tappy ball retention based tactics and setup, its a long throw and 2nd phase from a corner which got us through.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The long ball thing was ridiculous. We've got all these quality attacking players and Southgate wants us to be Stoke City under Pulis.
I wish the FA had the balls to do what's right before it's too late.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What sack him on the eve of a quarter final with Switzerland - yer faaaacking mental if you think that’s happening.
He will be here for the duration of our tournament - however long that may be, get over it.
The worst his record will read now is:
Semi final
Final
Quarter final
Quarter final
Statistically he is Englands second greatest tournament manager.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes sack him. It's only going one way. You can see the players are being held back by negative tactics. He's a nice guy and might get on with the players, who want to protect him, but the set up and coaching is not good enough. As the saying goes, nice guys finish last. You actually need to take risks if you want to be truly successful.
I'd get in touch with Redknapp to see if he would be willing to take over for the remainder of the Euros.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Then you are delusional
Faaaacking Redknapp who’s legendary level of tactics amount to “run around a bit”
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Redknapp who has won things, got into a top 4 twice with Spurs, got 5th with West Ham.
Who has been a better English manager in the PL era?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Why hasn’t Redknapp worked for years?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy with retirement I assume, I don't know. Who has been a better English manager than him in the last 30 years? Has Redknapp not been as good as Southgate then?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He has had virtually no competition in the time period - Potter, Dyche, Curbs.
It’s not exactly a great yard stick is it
You could argue Eddie Howe has done more with less. You could mention Redknapp got Southampton relegated and Pompey went financially tiiits up after he left having spent quite a bit.
But yes, Redknapp was a good manager a decade ago - the blokes not managed for years - you are clearly mental if you think he is the answer for England now
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know if he is the answer but I'd have more faith in that than carrying on with this same riskless manager who persists with not changing what doesn't work.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It doesn’t work but we’re in the Quarter final whilst Italy and Croatia are at home and 2 of France, Spain, Germany, Portugal cannot progress further than us. After we’re won our group - which France and Belgium didn’t.
We are unbeaten - Portugal aren’t
But clearly nothing is working
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They've played better teams or had less luck than we have. You cannot convince me we haven't progressed via luck. Absolutely got away with it last night.
I don't really care what other teams are doing, teams by the way who have won things, where we haven't.
Pretty sure you were hyping our defensive record in this tournament the other day too, when we looked particularly shaky at times yesterday. Hardly any of our defenders had a good game. Be interesting to see how it holds up against Switzerland.
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Macca & The Metal Hips: fka Wheelchair Dave (U8194)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Macca & The Metal Hips: fka Wheelchair Dave (U8194)
posted 1 minute ago
Spurtle I don't disagree with what you're saying but it's pointless stressing over it all now you can't fight the forces of what's meant to be and lucky devil Southgate is here for the duration of this tournament and it will play out the way it plays out which I think with Southgate's a cat with nine lives luck will be a humbling defeat against the Spanish in the final.
All we can then hope for is that's the end of this anti entertaining football merchant and hopefully because the FA are such a spineless group of fecktards they don't stop Southgate walking away and he can collect his Knighthood and cosy up to and join the Neville and
Keane ITV pundit crew and watch a new England boss finally use the vast array of talent in the correct manner and we all enjoy and witness England winning the World Cup in style in 2026.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Macca, I know things aren't really going to change but no harm in venting my opinion and having a bit of a rant. Southgate is clueless. So much criticism today and deservedly so....imagine how bad it would have been had we lost, and he was only seconds away from it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I know and I'm almost ashamed to admit I was gutted when we equalised because tbh I just want Southgate and his negative style out of the building ASAP but it was a beautiful goal and I then just resigned myself to thinking okay Southgate is not going to change his methods and the best we can hope for is a final which under Sven or anyone previously I'd have been ecstatic but Southgate for me has sucked the soul out of England but so far it's getting us through but it's painful to watch and I know Strike and a few others on here don't care if we win ugly but for me England and this whole tournament tbh has not been enjoyable at all and I will be relieved to focus my energies on the new domestic football season next month.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh I agree we’re horrible to watch, one of if not the worst of the lot for entertainment- I’ve not enjoyed more than the opening 15 mins against Serbia.
But seldom does exciting football win tournaments.
I also don’t Southgate has got much right with his squad and team selections - I still don’t get the point of Wharton and what the bloke sees in Trippier I doubt even Trippiers parents see.
I just get annoyed with the whole lucky narrative - yes we were lucky yesterday, but we were solid in the group and never looked like losing or conceding. That was good enough for top spot which the other seeded sides in our draw couldn’t manage - Belgium nearly went out in a group no harder than ours, we were qualified after 2 games.
Slovakia followed their usual pattern of starting fast, going ahead and then sitting deeper and deeper - it was late, but they have been undone like that in their previous 2 games but stuck to the same tactics and got done again
posted on 1/7/24
comment by NijaFox (U21877)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 1 hour, 15 minutes ago
I heard a stat that Southgate's England has played a top 10 ranked team 24 times in his 100 games and won 4 of them..
What makes me chuckle is that for all England's careful possession and tippy tappy ball retention based tactics and setup, its a long throw and 2nd phase from a corner which got us through.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
England could have got a lovely team goal if Foden has timed his run correctly for that offside goal and that is hardly the fault of the manager
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Same with Saka’s offside against Slovenia - that was a cracking move.
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Neo (U9135)
posted 7 minutes ago
Good article Spurtle. I was thinking exactly the same last night.
I genuinely can't remember a worse performance tactically and subs wise from a manager than that one yesterday. The lack of game awareness to make so few substitutions when we were absolutely crying out for them, it was truly astounding.
Can't think of many worse managers out there than Southgate. The only reason we have got far in tournaments is lucky draws and the players he has had at his disposal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Neo
Can't believe there are still some oddballs defending Southgate and calling our takes the crazy ones.
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 1 hour, 1 minute ago
amazing how angry some people - including some england fans - get when england win a game of football.
i mean, tedious xenophobes like peks i get, but your own fanbase? and yes, i know it wasn't great yesterday, and we did get a little lucky, but you might still think that generally people would be happy, not furious.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
People hate Southgate more than they support England. It’s pretty pathetic. I have a friend like this, he actually looked gutted when we won yesterday.
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 45 seconds ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 32 seconds ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 21 seconds ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 17 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 38 seconds ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 5 minutes ago
I heard a stat that Southgate's England has played a top 10 ranked team 24 times in his 100 games and won 4 of them..
What makes me chuckle is that for all England's careful possession and tippy tappy ball retention based tactics and setup, its a long throw and 2nd phase from a corner which got us through.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The long ball thing was ridiculous. We've got all these quality attacking players and Southgate wants us to be Stoke City under Pulis.
I wish the FA had the balls to do what's right before it's too late.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What sack him on the eve of a quarter final with Switzerland - yer faaaacking mental if you think that’s happening.
He will be here for the duration of our tournament - however long that may be, get over it.
The worst his record will read now is:
Semi final
Final
Quarter final
Quarter final
Statistically he is Englands second greatest tournament manager.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes sack him. It's only going one way. You can see the players are being held back by negative tactics. He's a nice guy and might get on with the players, who want to protect him, but the set up and coaching is not good enough. As the saying goes, nice guys finish last. You actually need to take risks if you want to be truly successful.
I'd get in touch with Redknapp to see if he would be willing to take over for the remainder of the Euros.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Then you are delusional
Faaaacking Redknapp who’s legendary level of tactics amount to “run around a bit”
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Redknapp who has won things, got into a top 4 twice with Spurs, got 5th with West Ham.
Who has been a better English manager in the PL era?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Why hasn’t Redknapp worked for years?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy with retirement I assume, I don't know. Who has been a better English manager than him in the last 30 years? Has Redknapp not been as good as Southgate then?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He has had virtually no competition in the time period - Potter, Dyche, Curbs.
It’s not exactly a great yard stick is it
You could argue Eddie Howe has done more with less. You could mention Redknapp got Southampton relegated and Pompey went financially tiiits up after he left having spent quite a bit.
But yes, Redknapp was a good manager a decade ago - the blokes not managed for years - you are clearly mental if you think he is the answer for England now
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know if he is the answer but I'd have more faith in that than carrying on with this same riskless manager who persists with not changing what doesn't work.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It doesn’t work but we’re in the Quarter final whilst Italy and Croatia are at home and 2 of France, Spain, Germany, Portugal cannot progress further than us. After we’re won our group - which France and Belgium didn’t.
We are unbeaten - Portugal aren’t
But clearly nothing is working
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They've played better teams or had less luck than we have. You cannot convince me we haven't progressed via luck. Absolutely got away with it last night.
I don't really care what other teams are doing, teams by the way who have won things, where we haven't.
Pretty sure you were hyping our defensive record in this tournament the other day too, when we looked particularly shaky at times yesterday. Hardly any of our defenders had a good game. Be interesting to see how it holds up against Switzerland.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We had statistically the second best defence in the group stage - I stated that, it isn’t hype, it’s a fact.
At the same time I have been slaughtering the use of Trippier at LB - it’s ridiculous, but Southgate painted himself into a corner by A) picking an unfit Luke Shaw B) picking Wharton over a left back
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Robbing Hoody - I want to play by my own rules and if I can’t I’ll sue you (U6374)
posted 30 minutes ago
Redknapp ffs
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A recall for that triffic lad Scotty Parker so
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Neo (U9135)
posted 7 minutes ago
Good article Spurtle. I was thinking exactly the same last night.
I genuinely can't remember a worse performance tactically and subs wise from a manager than that one yesterday. The lack of game awareness to make so few substitutions when we were absolutely crying out for them, it was truly astounding.
Can't think of many worse managers out there than Southgate. The only reason we have got far in tournaments is lucky draws and the players he has had at his disposal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Neo
Can't believe there are still some oddballs defending Southgate and calling our takes the crazy ones.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The crazy take is Redknapp being dropped in pre QF - ask Neo if he is up for that?
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Irishred (U2539)
posted 40 seconds ago
comment by Robbing Hoody - I want to play by my own rules and if I can’t I’ll sue you (U6374)
posted 30 minutes ago
Redknapp ffs
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A recall for that triffic lad Scotty Parker so
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is a great family man
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Macca & The Metal Hips: fka Wheelchair Dave (U8194)
posted 18 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Macca & The Metal Hips: fka Wheelchair Dave (U8194)
posted 1 minute ago
Spurtle I don't disagree with what you're saying but it's pointless stressing over it all now you can't fight the forces of what's meant to be and lucky devil Southgate is here for the duration of this tournament and it will play out the way it plays out which I think with Southgate's a cat with nine lives luck will be a humbling defeat against the Spanish in the final.
All we can then hope for is that's the end of this anti entertaining football merchant and hopefully because the FA are such a spineless group of fecktards they don't stop Southgate walking away and he can collect his Knighthood and cosy up to and join the Neville and
Keane ITV pundit crew and watch a new England boss finally use the vast array of talent in the correct manner and we all enjoy and witness England winning the World Cup in style in 2026.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Macca, I know things aren't really going to change but no harm in venting my opinion and having a bit of a rant. Southgate is clueless. So much criticism today and deservedly so....imagine how bad it would have been had we lost, and he was only seconds away from it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I know and I'm almost ashamed to admit I was gutted when we equalised because tbh I just want Southgate and his negative style out of the building ASAP but it was a beautiful goal and I then just resigned myself to thinking okay Southgate is not going to change his methods and the best we can hope for is a final which under Sven or anyone previously I'd have been ecstatic but Southgate for me has sucked the soul out of England but so far it's getting us through but it's painful to watch and I know Strike and a few others on here don't care if we win ugly but for me England and this whole tournament tbh has not been enjoyable at all and I will be relieved to focus my energies on the new domestic football season next month.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree. I want to support England but I'm really struggling when I know we have the right team but the totally wrong manager. Happy to see players have moments like Bellingham did last night though.
For now we just have to hope that we can progress in spite of Southgate.
posted on 1/7/24
I've revised my opinion on this in recent years. I used to be a Southgate apologist because in 2018 and, in part 2020, we relinquished control in midfield because we just didn't have the players to be able to do it. Everyone called him negative then but I backed him because it really was no fault of his that the personnel wasn't there to do it. With the emergence of Bellingham and the maturity of Rice and the guile of Foden though, that argument is no longer an excuse. We still don't control games. Not even close. In fact we look more vulnerable than we ever have without the ball.
Southgate will argue that a weakened defence requires adequate protection in midfield but that only really applies if you don't have control of a game. Spain's great side of 2008-12 boasted Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. One man holding/dictating and two creators ahead. I'm not for a second suggesting we have talent in that sphere but the principles are the same. If you have the talent to control a game, you don't need to worry too much about protection because if you've got the ball you've less reason to worry. Control the game. Bamboozle the opposition. Tire them out. That's how the best do it and that's how we should be doing it with the talent we have in our squad.
Southgate's admission that we don't have anyone like Philips was the moment I nearly dropped to my knees. Bellingham played an an 8 for Dortmund and got a move to Madrid off the back of it. Play him there, Rice 6 and Foden 10. It's really not that hard but he just won't do it because his obsession will forever be what we do without the ball, not what we do with it. He's a relic. A Mourinho in a Pep era. Football has moved on so whether we scrape a win in this tournament or not, I want him gone. I'm done with this bullllshiiiiiiit. Get Klopp in. Offer him the world because I'm so done with getting out played by part-timers.
Our failings in this tournament are on Southgate and Southgate alone. Anyone who contradicts that is just plain wrong.
Striketeam - sure the other big teams have failed and that's why it's a lop-sided draw but it doesn't stop our side of the draw once again being massively fortunate for us. He's still one lucky basssstard. The truth is that since he's come in, despite getting to a semi, a final and the quarters in each of the last three tournaments, the only big nation we've beaten is Germany. That's it. It's luck of the draw whether you like it or not.
He's done. (although getting rid mid-tournament is madness I'd agree).
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 54 seconds ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Neo (U9135)
posted 7 minutes ago
Good article Spurtle. I was thinking exactly the same last night.
I genuinely can't remember a worse performance tactically and subs wise from a manager than that one yesterday. The lack of game awareness to make so few substitutions when we were absolutely crying out for them, it was truly astounding.
Can't think of many worse managers out there than Southgate. The only reason we have got far in tournaments is lucky draws and the players he has had at his disposal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Neo
Can't believe there are still some oddballs defending Southgate and calling our takes the crazy ones.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The crazy take is Redknapp being dropped in pre QF - ask Neo if he is up for that?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was only semi serious. I just think many other options would be better than Southgate. Potter would be my first choice but in the idea of getting rid mid-tournament and looking for someone to take over just as a temp solution, then Redknapp is as good as any. Obviously I know we won't get rid but we should. We should have got rid after the last World Cup.
Let's see anyway, if we can make it to the final and not get hammered by a decent team you can say you told me so. If we go out before I can say I told you so.
posted on 1/7/24
comment by Zein Mayassi (U21076)
posted 1 hour ago
I do wonder if this England side will be like Man utd.
S*** against everyone that they're expected to beat, lowering everyone's expectations when they come to play someone that no one expects them to beat, but then playing well, and ultimately winning a trophy.
Although the difference with England is that if that does happen, it will be in spite of Southgate, not because of him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There will certainly be more space for the forwards against better sides, the issue is the higher teams press, the more space is in behind and out wide, and we've no pace or width.
Maybe we'll see the likes of Gordon and Watkins in those games?
I'd be shocked if we win this tournament, more so than Utd beating City in the final. But the reality is, we're 3 games of not losing away from the trophy.
posted on 1/7/24
I want Southgate to go after this myself.
The acting like we have one of the best squads ever assembled with world class quality front to back is pretty boring though.
About five of them have ever won anything. We have Trippier at LB, no DM to speak of and no LWF of any experience. 12 of the squad are at their first tournament.
And yet weee through to the quarters (again). Booooo!
posted on 1/7/24
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 2 minutes ago
I've revised my opinion on this in recent years. I used to be a Southgate apologist because in 2018 and, in part 2020, we relinquished control in midfield because we just didn't have the players to be able to do it. Everyone called him negative then but I backed him because it really was no fault of his that the personnel wasn't there to do it. With the emergence of Bellingham and the maturity of Rice and the guile of Foden though, that argument is no longer an excuse. We still don't control games. Not even close. In fact we look more vulnerable than we ever have without the ball.
Southgate will argue that a weakened defence requires adequate protection in midfield but that only really applies if you don't have control of a game. Spain's great side of 2008-12 boasted Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. One man holding/dictating and two creators ahead. I'm not for a second suggesting we have talent in that sphere but the principles are the same. If you have the talent to control a game, you don't need to worry too much about protection because if you've got the ball you've less reason to worry. Control the game. Bamboozle the opposition. Tire them out. That's how the best do it and that's how we should be doing it with the talent we have in our squad.
Southgate's admission that we don't have anyone like Philips was the moment I nearly dropped to my knees. Bellingham played an an 8 for Dortmund and got a move to Madrid off the back of it. Play him there, Rice 6 and Foden 10. It's really not that hard but he just won't do it because his obsession will forever be what we do without the ball, not what we do with it. He's a relic. A Mourinho in a Pep era. Football has moved on so whether we scrape a win in this tournament or not, I want him gone. I'm done with this bullllshiiiiiiit. Get Klopp in. Offer him the world because I'm so done with getting out played by part-timers.
Our failings in this tournament are on Southgate and Southgate alone. Anyone who contradicts that is just plain wrong.
Striketeam - sure the other big teams have failed and that's why it's a lop-sided draw but it doesn't stop our side of the draw once again being massively fortunate for us. He's still one lucky basssstard. The truth is that since he's come in, despite getting to a semi, a final and the quarters in each of the last three tournaments, the only big nation we've beaten is Germany. That's it. It's luck of the draw whether you like it or not.
He's done. (although getting rid mid-tournament is madness I'd agree).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Exactly this. We have so much attacking talent but it seems like Southgate's first priority is how can we keep the clean sheet, rather than how can we kill a game off. The whole defensive negativity runs through the team leaving them more cautious to attack and press than they should do incase it leads to a mistake. It's why so much of our threat looks like it only comes from set pieces and it's been this way for the entire Southgate era. Go back to 2018 and we were relying on well worked set pieces. It's a bland negative approach and I just want someone more open minded in charge telling these players not to hold back and keep going on the attack.
posted on 1/7/24
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 12 minutes ago
I've revised my opinion on this in recent years. I used to be a Southgate apologist because in 2018 and, in part 2020, we relinquished control in midfield because we just didn't have the players to be able to do it. Everyone called him negative then but I backed him because it really was no fault of his that the personnel wasn't there to do it. With the emergence of Bellingham and the maturity of Rice and the guile of Foden though, that argument is no longer an excuse. We still don't control games. Not even close. In fact we look more vulnerable than we ever have without the ball.
Southgate will argue that a weakened defence requires adequate protection in midfield but that only really applies if you don't have control of a game. Spain's great side of 2008-12 boasted Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. One man holding/dictating and two creators ahead. I'm not for a second suggesting we have talent in that sphere but the principles are the same. If you have the talent to control a game, you don't need to worry too much about protection because if you've got the ball you've less reason to worry. Control the game. Bamboozle the opposition. Tire them out. That's how the best do it and that's how we should be doing it with the talent we have in our squad.
Southgate's admission that we don't have anyone like Philips was the moment I nearly dropped to my knees. Bellingham played an an 8 for Dortmund and got a move to Madrid off the back of it. Play him there, Rice 6 and Foden 10. It's really not that hard but he just won't do it because his obsession will forever be what we do without the ball, not what we do with it. He's a relic. A Mourinho in a Pep era. Football has moved on so whether we scrape a win in this tournament or not, I want him gone. I'm done with this bullllshiiiiiiit. Get Klopp in. Offer him the world because I'm so done with getting out played by part-timers.
Our failings in this tournament are on Southgate and Southgate alone. Anyone who contradicts that is just plain wrong.
Striketeam - sure the other big teams have failed and that's why it's a lop-sided draw but it doesn't stop our side of the draw once again being massively fortunate for us. He's still one lucky basssstard. The truth is that since he's come in, despite getting to a semi, a final and the quarters in each of the last three tournaments, the only big nation we've beaten is Germany. That's it. It's luck of the draw whether you like it or not.
He's done. (although getting rid mid-tournament is madness I'd agree).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 Spain midfield was Senna-Xavi-Iniesta....Senna being the best of the 3 in that tournament
Bellingham cannot control midfield, I've seen that for myself last season.
He loses the ball far too often, dwells on it alot & often makes poor decisions with his passing.....he's no Kroos !
Bellingham is a modern day Platt
posted on 1/7/24
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 10 minutes ago
I've revised my opinion on this in recent years. I used to be a Southgate apologist because in 2018 and, in part 2020, we relinquished control in midfield because we just didn't have the players to be able to do it. Everyone called him negative then but I backed him because it really was no fault of his that the personnel wasn't there to do it. With the emergence of Bellingham and the maturity of Rice and the guile of Foden though, that argument is no longer an excuse. We still don't control games. Not even close. In fact we look more vulnerable than we ever have without the ball.
Southgate will argue that a weakened defence requires adequate protection in midfield but that only really applies if you don't have control of a game. Spain's great side of 2008-12 boasted Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. One man holding/dictating and two creators ahead. I'm not for a second suggesting we have talent in that sphere but the principles are the same. If you have the talent to control a game, you don't need to worry too much about protection because if you've got the ball you've less reason to worry. Control the game. Bamboozle the opposition. Tire them out. That's how the best do it and that's how we should be doing it with the talent we have in our squad.
Southgate's admission that we don't have anyone like Philips was the moment I nearly dropped to my knees. Bellingham played an an 8 for Dortmund and got a move to Madrid off the back of it. Play him there, Rice 6 and Foden 10. It's really not that hard but he just won't do it because his obsession will forever be what we do without the ball, not what we do with it. He's a relic. A Mourinho in a Pep era. Football has moved on so whether we scrape a win in this tournament or not, I want him gone. I'm done with this bullllshiiiiiiit. Get Klopp in. Offer him the world because I'm so done with getting out played by part-timers.
Our failings in this tournament are on Southgate and Southgate alone. Anyone who contradicts that is just plain wrong.
Striketeam - sure the other big teams have failed and that's why it's a lop-sided draw but it doesn't stop our side of the draw once again being massively fortunate for us. He's still one lucky basssstard. The truth is that since he's come in, despite getting to a semi, a final and the quarters in each of the last three tournaments, the only big nation we've beaten is Germany. That's it. It's luck of the draw whether you like it or not.
He's done. (although getting rid mid-tournament is madness I'd agree).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My issue with this is that no one is giving us a chance against Switzerland - even I think it’s a coin toss game. They’ve just knocked out Italy, they were beating Germany with a minute to go in the group stage.
Yet if we beat them the narrative will be that we were fortunate to play them rather than an elite side like Italy or Germany.
The fact is Switzerland, Austria and to a much lesser extent Romania have been very good at this tournament and have bloodied the nose of the better sides. Beating them is an achievement as was beating Sweden and Denmark in prior tournaments.
But we won’t get that if we win - it will be lucky draw, and can you believe they only have to play Austria in the semi - the same Austria that topped a group with France and Netherlands in it
Page 3 of 6
6