4 shots on target all game.
Pathetic.
Bringing Gordon on in the 89th minute.
Pathetic and pointless.
Pathetic pointless and through! 😂
Not sure how Bellingham is getting it tight, i watched last nights game and the big things you notice is Kane still trying to be a false 9, running back and then passing to Foden, it’s bad enough having two 10s on the pitch with Bellingham and Foden, but to then have your 9 behind you with the ball is a bit weird 🤣
I agree but at least he was moving off the ball, maybe he was trying to give hints to Bellingham and Foden as to what they could be doing. The lack of movement off the ball is ridiculous, we're slow getting up the pitch, teams then set up and once they've done that the players seem to stand in their positions happy to be marked as the 2 central defenders pass between themselves until they hoof it back to Pickford and repeat all over.
Maybe in knockout games where opponents can't just sit back there will be a bit more space and they can play a bit more freely. #clutchingatstraws
Yeah, he is running, but he's leaving his position and going into someone elses to get the ball, the opposition defence will love that, the main threat is on the half way line and he is going to always be trying a low defence splitting pass or passing it sideways to then run back to his position.
I don't think teams will get any easier to break down in the knock outs, next up will be a smaller team again, hoping to go to penalties, the big loss for Southgate is he's used up the group games and not tried anything more than straight replacements for TAA, and he hooked Gallagher last night, so what's his next attempt, try Mainoo, who is even more like an 8 than a 6, so Rice will yet again be fighting it out for that 8 role. Still can't understand why Wharton hasn't been given a try, the most natural 6 in your squad, then again, you're rotating right backs in the left back slot just now as well so the numbering system is pointless 😂
I reckon ETH must be £#@%ING himself seeing Southgate preform such an excellent showcase. The ManU job must be nailed on.
I'm going to slightly defend England's performance last night.
The opposition were clearly well organised and played a game not to lose. They never once looked like scoring.
That said the current players and formation isn't working. We always come inside and against a team like Slovenia who pack the middle of the park that's just a waste of time.
When Palmer came on and Gordon it looked like we might actually get something. They should've come on much sooner tho.
From what I've seen so far Austria are the best team there.
It was another poor display but I've not given up yet. I like others wonder if a KO game against a more aggressive opponent might create some spaces; undoubtedly we're poor against that low block type of defence. I think I heard the radio say Holland next looks likely?
One thing I wonder is honestly how good the Foden, Bellingham, Rice, etc., really are. All had world class seasons but in world class teams and where their team mates create the angles and spaces for them to exploit and pass into. Sure you have to still be able to see the passes and execute the skills but far easier when you have movement all around. Who's doing that for them in this team, to allow Bellingham to be world class. We managed it for 30 mins in game 1 and everyone was wow. I think it's too harsh to say Bellinghams dropped in performance and so the team has; more that the team has so Bellingham has so the team has so ....and we spiral down to the slow, ponderous passing game we saw for the last 2 games. Someone's got to start making runs into spaces that create spaces, selfless ones that the likes of Haaland, Watkins and Isak don't get credit for. Anyone saying Haaland does nothing and then scores misses the huge amount of times others get chances (Foden included) because Haaland has taken defenders away in a damned if they do, damned if they don't scenario. The one time we really managed it yesterday and space opened up, we walked it in almost unopposed.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/cekk9xk2xm5o
right at the start - Kane has come short to the corner of the box (probably hoping for the ball TBH) and for a brief moment the second centre back has opened up a gap, I think it's him that's busting a gut to get over. The England two Saka and ? have stayed wide, and Bellingham I think has come diagonally back out to the touchline to create the passing lane. OK, Rice 1-2'ed it and it was offside but he equally could have run into the box himself for a shot albeit a tight angle and under pressure by then.
Gordon did it second half instead of crowding in and asking for the ball they opened a lane for him to ping it past the midfield 4 and we nearly had a chance from that but for a poor first touch.
When the situation opens up we have the ability to exploit. There's IMHO too much 'talent' and not enough selfless running.
Meanwhile leaked footage of why the disallowed Dutch goal took so much time
https://twitter.com/TimBolton1981/status/1805628111175741498
Obviously the FA don't need to look further than this thread to find a replacement for Southgate... and if that jobs filled then just the men for looking for real talent to replace Bellingham, Foden etc....
I'm not saying they aren't supremely talented but I'm not convinced their talent is that useful without different types of talent around them.
An American football team can't play 4 quarterbacks at once no matter how good they are. At any point in any play they need several receivers, N-1 of which are running decoy to create space and confuse.
If any of them have the absolute ability to lift a team despite what's around them (Messi can, for example) I've yet to really see it.
Meh, it's all about the next game, England have the ability to give anyone a hiding if they get that bit of luck, an early goal, a worldie performance by one of their big players, etc, etc, they're just a bit disjointed at present, and confidence probably isn't high.
What happened to that guy who scored the goal in the first game? I thought he was supposed to be some sort of wonder-kid. Can't Southgate play him?
I do wonder if there is a correlation between driving standards and England delivering a pisspoor performance in major tournaments. It was abysmal out there this morning.
I see Southgate is whining about fans not giving him the deference he deserves. Maybe that's because they can see that once again a golden generation players with the collective talent to win (and win in style) is being wasted by a manager who picks players based on their reputations even if they are unfit, and then puts them in unfamiliar positions and forces them to play a style of game which is completely alien to them. Fans don't spend thousands to travel to abroad to watch the defence and midfield pass it sideways and backwards. Someone should tell him the result is not the only thing that counts.
Obviously the FA don’t need to look further than this thread to find a replacement for Southgate
They could train an AI to read every forum post on every forum about England football, and create a team and game plan based on the trends established.
A game plan based entirely on expletives? That would be worth watching!
^^Graham Taylor proved otherwise tbf🫣
12 months ago Southgate wouldn't play Foden in the no 10 role because he rarely played there for city, this year Foden has been the PL player of the season mainly playing the no 10 role, so Southgate plays him on the left which is his least favoured forward role. I love Foden, but Gordon would be better for the team on the left.
Bellingham is a natural no 8 IMO he is good box to box, driving runs and getting into the box late, but he can't dictate the tempo like Foden. I am not sure if Bellingham is getting a bit big for his boots (as dazh pointed out) or is just fatigued, most of his good work in la liga came in the first half of the season, he tailed of a bit towards the end.
Sakha has also looked out on his feet for a few months now, If both Saka and Palmer were fully fit and rearing to go I would still favour Saka, but with current form and energy levels, it has got to be Palmer starting IMO.
Bellingham looks tired and I would be tempted to drop him, playing Gordon and n the left and Foden, who had a much better game, inside. As an Arsenal season ticket holder I can vouch for the fact it isn’t unknown for Saka to have a run of games where he doesn’t live up to the hype. And then he cuts in and scores a worldie. To answer a point above, one reason for our New Year run of form was exactly for Saka hitting the byline and crossing with his right foot - right now he seems to be having a case of England-itis - not playing his natural game. Saka makes for a poor substitute but I would be ready to replace him at half time with Palmer next game. Midfield looked better with Mainoo, not least because it looked as though Rice trusted him more and played better.
Hope him and his family are ok. Doesn't sound like the usual blaguarding where absent sports people get burgled.
Think its a birth.
Foden leaves camp for the birth of his 3rd! child -
SO does Gareth need have a discussion regarding birth control?
Watching Belgium v Ukraine. What is with those morons using laser pointers on players faces
Foden leaves camp for the birth of his 3rd! child –
SO does Gareth need have a discussion regarding birth control?
3rd kid just past your 24th birthday - he's certainly productive! I can't imagine having had that much life (professional and personal) by my 24th birthday.
How on earth do Ukraine get eliminated for finishing fourth with 4 points, yet other teams with 3 points look like getting through on the ‘best third team’ league.
It is harsh. Thrash the group winners, get a draw against one of the highest ranked teams and go out. There are worse teams going through but that's tournament football.
Rolando's become a toddler again, could go off. Getting stoutly defended by his number one fan Keane.
C'mon Georgia.
Ha ha!! come on Georgia!!!!!!!
Georgia play better football than England!
Georgia are nailing this. Just hope they don't run out of steam 🙂
What a performance this is by Georgia
How many months (or years) do you reckon Ronnie is going to sulk for about being subbed?
I'm loving the desire from Georgia - absolutely brilliant 😍
What a performance! Well played Georgia.
Tough gig as well for the commentator with all those syllables!
You wouldn't want to be sleeping in the room below Ronaldo tonight.
How on earth did they keep the ball out in those last few minutes.
Well played Georgia
Love it, what an unbelievable performance that was. Go on Georgia 😁
Nice to see a team giving it a real go. Hopefully they can go further.
Edit: They're getting Spain. Should be a belter. We've got Slovakia apparently. Rinse and repeat.
Spain next for them so quite a challenge
It seems that Slovenia failed to progress because they had one more yellow than Denmark - the yellow given to their assistant coach!
Sakartvelos Gaumarjos!
Fabulous performance and result for Georgia. Tbilisi is going bonkers right now!
I've just realised that Southgate is actually a tactical genius. He's been saving the better players for the knockout phases.
Now that everything is in motion...
Playing knock-out football is almost a different sport. Hanging on for a draw is no longer a realistic game-plan.
With the exception of Spain and possibly Germany, everyone has looked at least a little bit shonky in the Group stage.
England were noticeably better in the last game, in the second half at least, though obvs it would have been almost impossible to have been worse.
Personally think England will actually perform better against teams out to beat them - and let's face it, no team will be in fear of them.
Funny that when Southgate first came in, his defining approach was to play players who could be fit into a 'team', not just be there because of their name, and it seemed like a proper 'new broom'. Now we have the exact same x, y, and z are automatically on the teamsheet because they are Bellingham, Saka, and Kane.
can’t imagine having had that much life (professional and personal) by my 24th birthday.
You probably didn't have as much financial security either!
Missed this evening's games, but now wishing I had watched the Portugal Georgia match.
If you substitute England for Portugal you get pretty much the exact same criticisms.
How do you play football against a team that is set up to stop you playing football?
