Problems for Sarfgate

[Tricky Trevor]

With the World Cup only 3 months away far too many of his mainstays are struggling.
Pickford has been much improved this season but is still not as good as Nick Pope.
In defence Maguire and Shaw can’t get on the pitch at ManU, Mings is iffy at Villa and Coady will need to settle at Everton. It’s the left side of the pitch that is the problem, amply served on the other flank with 4 excellent RBs and John Stones.
His major problem is the heart of his midfield where Rice is nowhere near his levels of the last 2 seasons and Phillips is rarely used at Citeh.
Kane will lead the line probably with Sterling nearest to him but only Foden has impressed from all the young talent that have been tried over the last 2 years.
6 months ago I thought they had a real chance this time, confidence is fading.

[Devils_Advocate]

Southgate gets the best out of a mediocre bunch of players. Its amazing what he's done with them in the last two tournaments and there's no reason he wont go one better this time around despite their lack of form and quality.

[IanMcL]

Knocked out at group stage?

[4midable]

Zero interest when burnley are romping the league

[Tall Paul]

Phillips isn't used at City because he's injured.

[Tricky Trevor]

Phillips isn't used at City because he's injured.

Didn’t know that but it has to have been in training?

[Quickenthetempo]

Bellingham has to step up in midfield if England are to do well in the tournament.

[CardyTheClaret]

Southgate gets the best out of a mediocre bunch of players. Its amazing what he's done with them in the last two tournaments and there's no reason he wont go one better this time around despite their lack of form and quality.

Utter shite, a decent manager would have walked both tournaments with the talent at his disposal.

[TheFamilyCat]

THB, Brownhill, Jay Rod. Problem solved.

[Stayingup]

I do wonder if the Mafia got at Southgate in tge final against Italy. His substitutions for the penalties were diabolical.

[DCWat]

Utter shite, a decent manager would have walked both tournaments with the talent at his disposal.

Take it you disagree?

[SalisburyClaret]

All problems of his own making

[Aclaret]

Zero interest when burnley are romping the league

Ditto

[RMutt]

Southgate gets the best out of a mediocre bunch of players. Its amazing what he's done with them in the last two tournaments and there's no reason he wont go one better this time around despite their lack of form and quality.

Perfectly played there. No idea if it’s serious or not.

[KRBFC]

Does the World Cup start Tomorrow?

[Milltown1882]

Does the World Cup start Tomorrow?

Exactly. Name me the last England manager to get an England team to a Semi Final and a Final in back to back major tournaments (probably isn’t one).

Some fans will be calling for Harwood-Bellis etc to go to the World Cup by November because they’re better than England’s CBs in their opinion.

[Stayingup]

Exactly. Name me the last England manager to get an England team to a Semi Final and a Final in back to back major tournaments (probably isn’t one).

Some fans will be calling for Harwood-Bellis etc to go to the World Cup by November because they’re better than England’s CBs in their opinion.

I can name one that won something. With home advantage though. But Southgate had that. Did the hard work and then frankly balls it up..

[Milltown1882]

I can name one that won something. With home advantage though. But Southgate had that. Did the hard work and then frankly balls it up..

Southgate take Saka and Rashford’s penalties for them did he?

[gtclaret]

Exactly. Name me the last England manager to get an England team to a Semi Final and a Final in back to back major tournaments (probably isn’t one).

Some fans will be calling for Harwood-Bellis etc to go to the World Cup by November because they’re better than England’s CBs in their opinion.

Alf Ramsey, finals 1966 and European semi finals 1968

[Buxtonclaret]

Southgate gets the best out of a mediocre bunch of players. Its amazing what he's done with them in the last two tournaments and there's no reason he wont go one better this time around despite their lack of form and quality.

Thats couple you've snagged already.

[Tricky Trevor]

Alf Ramsey, finals 1966 and European semi finals 1968

That semi was the match where Alan Mullery became the first England player to be sent off. I’ve never seen any footage but the reports at the time were that we’d been stitched up.

[timshorts]

Utter shite, a decent manager would have walked both tournaments with the talent at his disposal.

What's this? Role reversal?
You think England should have walked the world cup? Seriously?

[bobinho]

All problems of his own making

Was just about to post the only problems he will have will be self inflicted.

He could do a lot worse than get sarina wiegman in for a bit of help simplifying the game for him.

[timshorts]

Alf Ramsey, finals 1966 and European semi finals 1968

I still think the 1970 team was better. They just happened to be competing in the same tournament as 1970 Brazil -, and not at home.

[Buxtonclaret]

I still think the 1970 team was better. They just happened to be competing in the same tournament as 1970 Brazil -, and not at home.

....& West Germany

[Clarets4me]

Knocked out at group stage?

Given your heritage, Ian, I'm inclined to trust your expertise on going home early at World Cups !

[IanMcL]

Given your heritage, Ian, I'm inclined to trust your expertise on going home early at World Cups !

Getting there has been problematic!

I would love England to win.

Juat don't think Southgate is a winner. Should have won Euros but instead of looking at what was happening, in the moment, he went to a list of who did well in practice?

Managing by numbers is never a good idea.

The women's manager was brilliant in the women's Euros. Did what was needed at the right time.

[Clarets4me]

As a Scotsman pointed out to me, England never actually got through a World Cup qualifying group from 1962 until 1982 .... They were hosts in 1966 and qualified as holders in 1970, and failed in 1974 and 1978.

I agree with you about Southgate .... keep well !