Gareth Southgate

[sedwardsdrfc]

Respectfully ncRover, what was it about Jude Bellinghams attitude in his interview didn't you like? 

Just interested, as I thought he was spot on.

It does seem one that different people interpreted in different ways.

It’s the talk about “throwing it back at people” who have been critical of the team with no acknowledgement that they still weren’t good enough themselves, despite winning. It’s either tone deaf or a “sit down shut up” attitude.

People have every right to have an opinion and be critical after the last 4 performances. Especially those who have travelled at great expense.

Every interview coming out of the camp feels like a denial of reality.

This is true. Of course some criticism if your looking online is going to be way over the top. But of the criticism in the “normal” discourse it’s all justified. To act as if it’s somehow unfathomable is just living in a different reality.

[steve@dcfd]

Here's a thought.

Watching Williams and Yamal improvise for Spain last night and take on defenders at will, maybe Foden isn't as big an individual talent as we tell ourselves.

Put Foden in the Spain team and would he look better?

100% he would. He wouldn’t be stuck out on the left for a start. He’d play as a number 8 like Ruiz is playing and would touch the ball more times in 20min than he does in a game for England.

He wouldn’t get in the Spain or Portugal sides he is overrated at international level

[sedwardsdrfc]

The left side seems to me to be a massive issue.

Foden isn't really a wide player/winger. OK he can 'start' there and drift inside to pick up the ball, but that leaves just Trippier out there for width, which just multiplies the issue because he's got very little pace and isn't left-footed, so inevitably when he gets on the ball and Foden isn't there as an option, he has little else to offer other than a short pass inside or back. So the left side is pretty much dead in terms of creating anything.

It also doesn't help Foden that the movement in the England team is just not there like it is with Man City. England are pretty static and rigid which doesn't suit Foden's game of exchanging quick passes with other technical players who are good at finding space to do so.

The balance of the side is all wrong. I sympathise with Southgate in that he's had injuries in certain areas in that regard, but the guy spends every weekend of the season driving up and down the country to watch players, and he's had numerous warm-up games to find solutions. The fact that we're in the knockout stages of the tournament and are still looking for answers is a worry.

We don’t keep the ball long enough to let him drift inside.

Imo if the left back is going to be right footed the winger on that side needs to stay wide and offer the balance to the team. Saka should play there and stay high and wide.

Then Foden either plays off the right where it’s more natural for a him to come inside or Palmer plays there and Foden goes infield alongside Bellingham. Will never happen but I’d love us to try it.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Here's a thought.

Watching Williams and Yamal improvise for Spain last night and take on defenders at will, maybe Foden isn't as big an individual talent as we tell ourselves.

Put Foden in the Spain team and would he look better?

100% he would. He wouldn’t be stuck out on the left for a start. He’d play as a number 8 like Ruiz is playing and would touch the ball more times in 20min than he does in a game for England.

He wouldn’t get in the Spain or Portugal sides he is overrated at international level

If you’re rated by City then you are good enough at any level. He’s better than Bruno Fernandes and Ruiz.

City could sign almost anyone in any position if they wanted to. The reason anyone who starts regularly for them does is because they are world class.

[Lesonthewest]

Williams for Spain is by far a better player than Foden.

[ChrisBx]

Here's a thought.

Watching Williams and Yamal improvise for Spain last night and take on defenders at will, maybe Foden isn't as big an individual talent as we tell ourselves.

Put Foden in the Spain team and would he look better?

100% he would. He wouldn’t be stuck out on the left for a start. He’d play as a number 8 like Ruiz is playing and would touch the ball more times in 20min than he does in a game for England.

He wouldn’t get in the Spain or Portugal sides he is overrated at international level

Complete rubbish.

[steve@dcfd]

Here's a thought.

Watching Williams and Yamal improvise for Spain last night and take on defenders at will, maybe Foden isn't as big an individual talent as we tell ourselves.

Put Foden in the Spain team and would he look better?

100% he would. He wouldn’t be stuck out on the left for a start. He’d play as a number 8 like Ruiz is playing and would touch the ball more times in 20min than he does in a game for England.

He wouldn’t get in the Spain or Portugal sides he is overrated at international level

If you’re rated by City then you are good enough at any level. He’s better than Bruno Fernandes and Ruiz.

City could sign almost anyone in any position if they wanted to. The reason anyone who starts regularly for them does is because they are world class.

Not at international level is what I said not City

[GazLaz]

Here's a thought.

Watching Williams and Yamal improvise for Spain last night and take on defenders at will, maybe Foden isn't as big an individual talent as we tell ourselves.

Put Foden in the Spain team and would he look better?

100% he would. He wouldn’t be stuck out on the left for a start. He’d play as a number 8 like Ruiz is playing and would touch the ball more times in 20min than he does in a game for England.

He wouldn’t. He doesn’t even play as an 8 for City.

[GazLaz]

This Man City team are the best football team in the world. One of the best of all time. He was just about their best player last season. He’s obviously a serious player.

[sedwardsdrfc]

He’d play centrally for them that’s for sure. Not as a winger

[steve@dcfd]

This Man City team are the best football team in the world. One of the best of all time. He was just about their best player last season. He’s obviously a serious player.

Did they get to the Champions league semi final I didn’t think so.

[GazLaz]

This Man City team are the best football team in the world. One of the best of all time. He was just about their best player last season. He’s obviously a serious player.

Did they get to the Champions league semi final I didn’t think so.

What’s that got to do with anything?

[steve@dcfd]

This Man City team are the best football team in the world. One of the best of all time. He was just about their best player last season. He’s obviously a serious player.

Did they get to the Champions league semi final I didn’t think so.

What’s that got to do with anything?

Gaz he’s ok in the overrated premier league as of yet he not done it at international level. He’s not been playing as winger even in this competition he’s been inside and like the others lacked quality. He has three games to show what he’s about hopefully let’s not forget all he had to do last night was stay behind the ball and he would have scored a goal.

[dickos1]

Yes Dicko what a manager. Won nothing and bored the ars*s off everyone but you.

If you’re bored beating the Germans in a knock out game or thumping Ukraine 4-0 in a quarter final,
If you’re bored being the amongst the top scorers in each of the last tournaments then you need to take up another hobby

[dickos1]

Honestly some of the opinions on here regarding Foden are astounding.
We just love to put our own players down it must be a trait that the English have.
Happened for years

Anyone who doesn’t think Foden is a world class player is off his rocker

[Donnybax]

Foden is a brilliant player but he’s not a left winger. You lose nearly all of his attributes playing him there. He needs to play as a 10 or wide right.

[dickos1]

Portugal just drawn with Slovenia 0-0, with a very similar performance to the one against England last week.
Shearer et al are all waxing lyrical about how good Slovenia defended, whereas last week when we drew Slovenia didn’t get a mention, it was all about how bad we were.
That tells you everything about the media

[Campsall rover]

Honestly some of the opinions on here regarding Foden are astounding.
We just love to put our own players down it must be a trait that the English have.
Happened for years

Anyone who doesn’t think Foden is a world class player is off his rocker

The point being made dickos is he hasn’t showed world class form on the international stage as yet.

Oh didn’t know we had beaten Germany and beaten Ukraine 4-0 in this tournament.
Everyone is talking about the last 4 games not previous tournaments dickos. We have been undeniably shocking in all 4 games in this one irrelevant of the final score in each game.
You can’t possibly deny that.

I think Southgate is great with the players and is a good man manager and has the respect of the players.
I think most of us would agree with that.

What most of us are saying is he plays people out of position, is tactically naive, is not pro active in a match situation, is far too cautious and is inflexible.

If you think he is the best manager we have ever had because we have reached 4 consecutive Qtr finals well that’s your prerogative. The fact is we haven’t done it with any conviction in this tournament and we seem to be going backwards regarding the football we are playing which is crazy with such a talented set of players.

If we go on to win it then we can’t really criticise GS but unless something changes in the next 3 games if we get 3 of course then we haven’t got much hope of bringing the European Championship trophy home.
We will not beat Germany, Spain or France playing as we have. Not a chance. We probably won’t beat Switzerland and if we did then one of Netherlands, Romania, Austria or Turkey either.
Our luck will inevitably run out sooner rather than later.

Starting team v Switzerland for me needs to be.
Pickford

Walker
Stones
Konsa
Trippier/Shaw ( if fit )

Rice
Mainoo

Palmer
Bellingham
Gordon

Kane

Subs at H/T if we are not winning
From 2/3 from

Gomez
TAA
Foden
Saka
Eiza
Toney
Watkins

[dickos1]

Honestly some of the opinions on here regarding Foden are astounding.
We just love to put our own players down it must be a trait that the English have.
Happened for years

Anyone who doesn’t think Foden is a world class player is off his rocker

The point being made dickos is he hasn’t showed world class form on the international stage as yet.

Oh didn’t know we had beaten Germany and beaten Ukraine 4-0 in this tournament.
Everyone is talking about the last 4 games not previous tournaments dickos. We have been undeniably shocking in all 4 games in this one irrelevant of the final score in each game.
You can’t possibly deny that.

I think Southgate is great with the players and is a good man manager and has the respect of the players.
I think most of us would agree with that.

What most of us are saying is he plays people out of position, is tactically naive, is not pro active in a match situation, is far too cautious and is inflexible.

If you think he is the best manager we have ever had because we have reached 4 consecutive Qtr finals well that’s your prerogative. The fact is we haven’t done it with any conviction in this tournament and we seem to be going backwards regarding the football we are playing which is crazy with such a talented set of players.

If we go on to win it then we can’t really criticise GS but unless something changes in the next 3 games if we get 3 of course then we haven’t got much hope of bringing the European Championship trophy home.
We will not beat Germany, Spain or France playing as we have. Not a chance. We probably won’t beat Switzerland and if we did then one of Netherlands, Romania, Austria or Turkey either.
Our luck will inevitably run out sooner rather than later.

Starting team v Switzerland for me needs to be.
Pickford

Walker
Stones
Konsa
Trippier/Shaw ( if fit )

Rice
Mainoo

Palmer
Bellingham
Gordon

Kane

Subs at H/T if we are not winning
From 2/3 from

Gomez
TAA
Foden
Saka
Eiza
Toney
Watkins

I think you need to read the conversation before posting.
Your man said we hadn’t won anything so obviously wasn’t talking about a tournament that’s only at the last 16 stage.

[Campsall rover]

Honestly some of the opinions on here regarding Foden are astounding.
We just love to put our own players down it must be a trait that the English have.
Happened for years

Anyone who doesn’t think Foden is a world class player is off his rocker

The point being made dickos is he hasn’t showed world class form on the international stage as yet.

Oh didn’t know we had beaten Germany and beaten Ukraine 4-0 in this tournament.
Everyone is talking about the last 4 games not previous tournaments dickos. We have been undeniably shocking in all 4 games in this one irrelevant of the final score in each game.
You can’t possibly deny that.

I think Southgate is great with the players and is a good man manager and has the respect of the players.
I think most of us would agree with that.

What most of us are saying is he plays people out of position, is tactically naive, is not pro active in a match situation, is far too cautious and is inflexible.

If you think he is the best manager we have ever had because we have reached 4 consecutive Qtr finals well that’s your prerogative. The fact is we haven’t done it with any conviction in this tournament and we seem to be going backwards regarding the football we are playing which is crazy with such a talented set of players.

If we go on to win it then we can’t really criticise GS but unless something changes in the next 3 games if we get 3 of course then we haven’t got much hope of bringing the European Championship trophy home.
We will not beat Germany, Spain or France playing as we have. Not a chance. We probably won’t beat Switzerland and if we did then one of Netherlands, Romania, Austria or Turkey either.
Our luck will inevitably run out sooner rather than later.

Starting team v Switzerland for me needs to be.
Pickford

Walker
Stones
Konsa
Trippier/Shaw ( if fit )

Rice
Mainoo

Palmer
Bellingham
Gordon

Kane

Subs at H/T if we are not winning
From 2/3 from

Gomez
TAA
Foden
Saka
Eiza
Toney
Watkins

I think you need to read the conversation before posting.
Your man said we hadn’t won anything so obviously wasn’t talking about a tournament that’s only at the last 16 stage.

What about the rest of what I posted.
I am wasting my breath because Southgate can’t do anything wrong in your eyes.

[dickos1]

I think a lot of what you’ve posted is hindsight, 90% of folk were happy with the lineup against Serbia,
Yep I’d make changes for the next game, but not many.
Every team we’ve played have sat back and we’ve struggled, I don’t think the Swiss will so I think it’ll suit us.
We drew with Denmark who were very unlucky to lose to Germany, robbed in fact, we drew with Slovenia who have just drawn with Portugal, and we beat Slovakia who beat Belgium.
So in reality our results aren’t as bad as what’s being made out

[GazLaz]

I think a lot of what you’ve posted is hindsight, 90% of folk were happy with the lineup against Serbia,
Yep I’d make changes for the next game, but not many.
Every team we’ve played have sat back and we’ve struggled, I don’t think the Swiss will so I think it’ll suit us.
We drew with Denmark who were very unlucky to lose to Germany, robbed in fact, we drew with Slovenia who have just drawn with Portugal, and we beat Slovakia who beat Belgium.
So in reality our results aren’t as bad as what’s being made out

Kind of agree. People wanted TAA out, he played CG, we were worse. People wanted CG out, we played KM, we were worse again.


Players are always better when they are not playing when their team is struggling. If Anthony Gordon is the answer you are struggling to understand the question.

[sf9944]

I think a lot of what you’ve posted is hindsight, 90% of folk were happy with the lineup against Serbia,
Yep I’d make changes for the next game, but not many.
Every team we’ve played have sat back and we’ve struggled, I don’t think the Swiss will so I think it’ll suit us.
We drew with Denmark who were very unlucky to lose to Germany, robbed in fact, we drew with Slovenia who have just drawn with Portugal, and we beat Slovakia who beat Belgium.
So in reality our results aren’t as bad as what’s being made out

Stop with the common sense :-)

We should be slaughtering TLOS ('The Likes of Slovakia)

[Filo]

I think a lot of what you’ve posted is hindsight, 90% of folk were happy with the lineup against Serbia,
Yep I’d make changes for the next game, but not many.
Every team we’ve played have sat back and we’ve struggled, I don’t think the Swiss will so I think it’ll suit us.
We drew with Denmark who were very unlucky to lose to Germany, robbed in fact, we drew with Slovenia who have just drawn with Portugal, and we beat Slovakia who beat Belgium.
So in reality our results aren’t as bad as what’s being made out

Kind of agree. People wanted TAA out, he played CG, we were worse. People wanted CG out, we played KM, we were worse again.


Players are always better when they are not playing when their team is struggling. If Anthony Gordon is the answer you are struggling to understand the question.

Don’t agree with that, Mainoo was much better than the other two

[ncRover]

I think a lot of what you’ve posted is hindsight, 90% of folk were happy with the lineup against Serbia,
Yep I’d make changes for the next game, but not many.
Every team we’ve played have sat back and we’ve struggled, I don’t think the Swiss will so I think it’ll suit us.
We drew with Denmark who were very unlucky to lose to Germany, robbed in fact, we drew with Slovenia who have just drawn with Portugal, and we beat Slovakia who beat Belgium.
So in reality our results aren’t as bad as what’s being made out

Kind of agree. People wanted TAA out, he played CG, we were worse. People wanted CG out, we played KM, we were worse again.


Players are always better when they are not playing when their team is struggling. If Anthony Gordon is the answer you are struggling to understand the question.

Mainoo was really bright.

The question is “why isn’t anyone running in behind and stretching the opposition?”

The sensible answer to that is Anthony Gordon based on the options he’s got.

[steve@dcfd]

If we look at the players selected in forward areas which of those players for their clubs run in behind.
Saka Palmer Foden Bellingham Eze Toney Kane non of these all want ball to feet. So the ones that maybe could are Watkins Gordon and Bowen.
Our wide players like coming inside and play with overlapping fullbacks even at club level. Unfortunately we haven’t got that on the left which was a big strength last Euros with Luke Shaw and Kyle Walker is not doing it like he was in the last euros. Therefore we haven’t put enough good crosses in the box. We have tried playing through packed defences and we have failed miserably. But we are not the only top team to do that in this Euros.
Last night Portugal who played far better than we did couldn’t score against Slovenia over reliant on trying to find Ronaldo as well. But Slovenia defence stood tall.

[drfcsteve]

Fair enough Portugal struggled against Slovenia but they gave it a much better go than England did, and might have won in normal time if Ronaldo ever let his better placed team mates have a go at free kicks and penalties.

A question for the Southgate fans, what is it about how we’re playing you’re enjoying? What do you think we’re doing well? Do you think scoring in the 95th minute was all part of the master plan?

[dickos1]

Fair enough Portugal struggled against Slovenia but they gave it a much better go than England did, and might have won in normal time if Ronaldo ever let his better placed team mates have a go at free kicks and penalties.

A question for the Southgate fans, what is it about how we’re playing you’re enjoying? What do you think we’re doing well? Do you think scoring in the 95th minute was all part of the master plan?

Not sure anyone has suggested we’re playing well!
But it’s tournament football, the successful teams are usually pragmatic and grind out results.
That’s what we’re doing.

[Silkscarf]

Southgate is losing a lot of fans that have previously backed him and been pleased with what he’s achieved. Against Slovakia he was one minute away from being mutually consented and the inevitable horrific media and public backlash. All that still awaits him if he fails to win the trophy. I fear for him as that seems more likely than us winning the cup.

Having ‘a feeling’ we will get through isn’t good enough though. We can’t expect a miracle goal in injury time every game.

I still believe though. This team can ‘go electric’ like Rovers did a few months ago. Or maybe we’ll do a Greece and we’ll be holding the trophy aloft and we’re all still thinking we didn’t play very well at any point.

I hope he’s successful this time. He’s done a lot right for England. He’s moved us so far forward we’re never going back to a Sam Allardyce type.

[Colin C No.3]

Fair enough Portugal struggled against Slovenia but they gave it a much better go than England did, and might have won in normal time if Ronaldo ever let his better placed team mates have a go at free kicks and penalties.

A question for the Southgate fans, what is it about how we’re playing you’re enjoying? What do you think we’re doing well? Do you think scoring in the 95th minute was all part of the master plan?

Not sure anyone has suggested we’re playing well!
But it’s tournament football, the successful teams are usually pragmatic and grind out results.
That’s what we’re doing.

Like Germany, Spain, Brazil, Argentina pragmatism’s?