England v Italy

[warksclaret]

If Southgate was an elite manager. Phillips would have come off just after HT and Maddison replaced him, and not the arthritic Henderson

[bumba]

Probably because he’s not England’s best right back but is better than all of England’s left backs. The game has changed, players are versatile and able to adapt to different positions. Foden is a left footed player playing on the right and Rashford is a right footed player playing on the left.

Trippier is a battle-hardened, experienced player and someone who Southgate clearly rates highly enough to use in an unorthodox way. I don’t really see a problem with it.

Completely different swapping full backs and wingers, a winger will cut inside and shoot or curl a cross in towards goal or lay it off to an overlap.
A full back on his wrong foot who isn't comfortable doesn't defend the correct way and will always cut back to his centre half or keeper. Great player Tripps bit doesn't look comfortable at left back, we've better left backs available

[Rileybobs]

If Southgate was an elite manager. Phillips would have come off just after HT and Maddison replaced him, and not the arthritic Henderson

I doubt many elite managers would have swapped Phillips for the much more attacking Maddison with the game finely balanced and England’s defence having less than adequate midfield protection in the first half.

[Rileybobs]

Completely different swapping full backs and wingers, a winger will cut inside and shoot or curl a cross in towards goal or lay it off to an overlap.
A full back on his wrong foot who isn't comfortable doesn't defend the correct way and will always cut back to his centre half or keeper. Great player Tripps bit doesn't look comfortable at left back, we've better left backs available

Such as?

[ElectroClaret]

Three.

[burnmark]

Outstanding centre forward play from Kane.

[Rileybobs]

Good strength by Kane. Very good performance by England this. Rode a bit of a storm at 0-1 but kept their patience and the vast gulf in quality has become more apparent as the game has gone on.

[RVclaret]

Brilliant from Kane.

England looking really good ahead of the Euros.

Concerns over lack of playing time all season for Maguire and and Phillips if it continues, and could do with Shaw getting fit. Hope the first two mentioned get a move in Jan.

[ClaretsPadiham]

What a goal from Kane. Eagerness, strength and composure.

We have the best striker in the world, the best player in the world … we won’t ever get a better chance to win a tournament than 2024.

[bumba]

Such as?

In the squad Southgate has picked I'd rather Colwill played there.
Moving forward I'd build.my defence around Colwill though

[Rileybobs]

In the squad Southgate has picked I'd rather Colwill played there.
Moving forward I'd build.my defence around Colwill though

Do you not think Tripper is a better option in a ‘clutch’ game such as this than someone who won their first cap 4 days ago?

[KRBFC]

What a goal from Kane. Eagerness, strength and composure.

We have the best striker in the world, the best player in the world … we won’t ever get a better chance to win a tournament than 2024.

When did Haaland and Mbappe become English?

[Rileybobs]

It’s quite telling that some people are nit picking on the selection of Phillips and Trippier during such a dominant and impressive performance against the European champions. It’s almost like there will always be something to moan about.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Sir Gareth gets the job done yet again.

[AfloatinClaret]

Such as?

S'obvious.... Charlie Taylor

[CrosspoolClarets]

Let’s not forget Italy shouldn’t have been defending champions, they were a poor squad then, still are, failed to get to Qatar and are struggling again.

The selection moans are because he sets us up so negative, it is a tough watch even though our top talent carves out a few chances and we win most games. Leaving Foden out for Phillips, which would be the choice if Saka was fit, is a prime example. Playing Stones and Maguire after little football is inexplicable when players like Dunk are available, or, to be fair, Tarkowski etc, but that has long sailed.

[Rileybobs]

Let’s not forget Italy shouldn’t have been defending champions, they were a poor squad then, still are, failed to get to Qatar and are struggling again.

The selection moans are because he sets us up so negative, it is a tough watch even though our top talent carves out a few chances and we win most games. Leaving Foden out for Phillips, which would be the choice if Saka was fit, is a prime example. Playing Stones and Maguire after little football is inexplicable when players like Dunk are available, or, to be fair, Tarkowski etc, but that has long sailed.

Foden and Phillips play entirely different roles. Or would you play Foden as a sitting midfielder? It’s like saying Ollie Watkins should be playing instead of Rice.

[dougcollins]

Probably because he’s not England’s best right back but is better than all of England’s left backs. The game has changed, players are versatile and able to adapt to different positions. Foden is a left footed player playing on the right and Rashford is a right footed player playing on the left.

Trippier is a battle-hardened, experienced player and someone who Southgate clearly rates highly enough to use in an unorthodox way. I don’t really see a problem with it.

Apart from being left for dead on his wrong side. He'd have been all over that on his right side.

[Rileybobs]

Apart from being left for dead on his wrong side. He'd have been all over that on his right side.

I’d have to see it again, but he was 2v1 and Rashford didn’t track his man. I don’t think anyone is questioning whether Trippier is better on the right than the left, I’m sure Southgate knows that. But playing him on the right would result in dropping Walker or playing him centrally, neither of which are better options. So the question is not whether Trippier would have defended better on the right, but whether any of our other left back choices would have done better than Trippier. I’m not sure whether they would.

[KRBFC]

Let’s not forget Italy shouldn’t have been defending champions, they were a poor squad then, still are, failed to get to Qatar and are struggling again.

The selection moans are because he sets us up so negative, it is a tough watch even though our top talent carves out a few chances and we win most games. Leaving Foden out for Phillips, which would be the choice if Saka was fit, is a prime example. Playing Stones and Maguire after little football is inexplicable when players like Dunk are available, or, to be fair, Tarkowski etc, but that has long sailed.

Oh we are playing this game again, down play every international team England beat and pretend they’re just rubbish.

Who in their right mind would pick Tarkowski over Stones? are you Tarkowski’s brother? I don’t even think Tarkowski would consider himself in the same sentence as treble winner John Stones.

Like what planet are some of you lot on?

[Rick_Muller]

If Phillips wants minutes - come to us on loan in January

[bumba]

Do you not think Tripper is a better option in a ‘clutch’ game such as this than someone who won their first cap 4 days ago?

No I'd of given it Colwill still, he can't get experience without playing and we can't go in to a major tournament with Trippier at left back or even a backup left back simple as that.
Euro 2024 should a standout tournament but feel it could be the biggest let down of the last 20 years we Southgate in charge still

[basil6345789]

No I'd of given it Colwill still, he can't get experience without playing and we can't go in to a major tournament with Trippier at left back or even a backup left back simple as that.
Euro 2024 should a standout tournament but feel it could be the biggest let down of the last 20 years we Southgate in charge still

of?

[KRBFC]

No I'd of given it Colwill still, he can't get experience without playing and we can't go in to a major tournament with Trippier at left back or even a backup left back simple as that.
Euro 2024 should a standout tournament but feel it could be the biggest let down of the last 20 years we Southgate in charge still

Use your head mate, Shaw and Chilwell are injured and the tournament doesn’t start tomorrow.

[jrgbfc]

Kane and Bellingham are genuinely world class, would walk into any team in the world.

[Tricky Trevor]

The spine of the team is strong.
I’m still not a Pickford fan but don’t think he'll be replaced and Stones, Bellingham, Kane is world class.

[COBBLE]

Bellingham is the best player in the world no joke.

Scary he’s only 20, he could literally be the best complete player ever.

He keeps doing things only a South American should do.

[chipbutty]

Good goal ....all started by their goalie doing a Muric.

Them were the days.....

[boatshed bill]

I enjoyed that. Not just the result, I thought we played very well.

[dandeclaret]

People keep slagging off Southgate and he just keeps delivering result after result….its almost like he knows what’s needed eh?

[Newcastleclaret93]

Let’s not forget Italy shouldn’t have been defending champions, they were a poor squad then, still are, failed to get to Qatar and are struggling again.

The selection moans are because he sets us up so negative, it is a tough watch even though our top talent carves out a few chances and we win most games. Leaving Foden out for Phillips, which would be the choice if Saka was fit, is a prime example. Playing Stones and Maguire after little football is inexplicable when players like Dunk are available, or, to be fair, Tarkowski etc, but that has long sailed.

I’m sorry but dunk and tarkowski should be knowhere near our starting eleven. Stones and Maguire are our best CBs and have proven it over years.

I thought the set up today worked perfectly with Phillips and Rice sitting, it allowed Bellingham to just express himself.

[dougcollins]

Phillips looks off the pace, should have had a red for being caught out twice.

[bumba]

People keep slagging off Southgate and he just keeps delivering result after result….its almost like he knows what’s needed eh?

Delivers result after result against teams we should get a result over?
Bottles it when it matters almost like he doesn't know what's needed......

[bumba]

Use your head mate, Shaw and Chilwell are injured and the tournament doesn’t start tomorrow.

Use Colwill at left back then, Trippier has proved everytime he's played there that he isn't comfortable

[dandeclaret]

Delivers result after result against teams we should get a result over?
Bottles it when it matters almost like he doesn't know what's needed......

Everything it retro fitted to show how "Bad" he is... beating Italy - oooh they're not very good.... beat Germany - ooh they're not very good - beat Croatia etc etc - oooh they're not very good.

[bumba]

Everything it retro fitted to show how "Bad" he is... beating Italy - oooh they're not very good.... beat Germany - ooh they're not very good - beat Croatia etc etc - oooh they're not very good.

England managers aren't paid to get results in qualifiers and meaningless friendlies, there bog standard results that we should ease too.
Germany aren't very good, Italy aren't very good these are facts.
Croatia were a good side but not better than England yet they beat us even though we went a goal up.
His world cup semi final is a smoke screen we lost 3 games in that world cup!!
He got a goal head start in the euros on home soil and cocked it up, those are the games he's paid to get results in. He's failed.
I can't think of any situation where any premier league club would be happy to take Southgate

[Dyched]

Delivers result after result against teams we should get a result over?
Bottles it when it MATTERS almost like he doesn't know what's needed......

You do know, like er, winning these games gets us to the competitions where only games matter?

[bumba]

You do know, like er, winning these games gets us to the competitions where only games matter?

These results could be done with our 2nd or 3rd string playing teams like San Marino or Malta, how often do we lose a qualifier there as pointless as friendlies.
Me or you could manage us through qualification

[Spijed]

Just hope Kane stays fit because without him England have no chance of winning any tournament.

[claretonthecoast1882]

A fairly routine win against a limited Italian side, but then we lost to a limited Italian side in the final so they should be congratulated on learning from that.

[Greenmile]

These results could be done with our 2nd or 3rd string playing teams like San Marino or Malta, how often do we lose a qualifier there as pointless as friendlies.
Me or you could manage us through qualification

If you’re a better football manager than Steve McLaren and Graham Taylor, then I suspect you might be in the wrong job.

[bumba]

If you’re a better football manager than Steve McLaren and Graham Taylor, then I suspect you might be in the wrong job.

We are a much better squad these days, have you seen the pool size he has to pick from now compared to back then.
We were lucky to get 11 quality players back then we've now got about 40 that could do a job.
Qualifying has become much easier especially with an increased number of teams progressing to the finals.
Pretty sure it were 16 teams when Taylor and McLaren were in charge?

[Swizzlestick]

And the Italian team we played in the Euros final is now 'limited' - same Italian team that went on a world record 37 game unbeaten run, including that game. Certain posters would be decrying others for changing the narrative like that.

I get some of you lot don't like Southgate and his politics but the mental gymnastics involved in criticising his record really is a sight to behold.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Good morning Owen Jones

Let's big up Italy a team who failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups due to the might of Sweden & North Macedonia.

I get some of you lot love Southgate but the mental gymnastics involved in bigging up Italy is a sight to behold

[KRBFC]

Criticise after a win, criticise when we don’t win.

He simply cannot win either way despite the best record in the last 30+ years. Claiming he got the team selection wrong after a win is just moronic.

[KRBFC]

Good morning Owen Jones

Let's big up Italy a team who failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups due to the might of Sweden & North Macedonia.

I get some of you lot love Southgate but the mental gymnastics involved in bigging up Italy is a sight to behold

You would literally argue black is white if it meant being opposite, I would be surprised if you didn’t argue with yourself in the mirror.

[claretonthecoast1882]

You would literally argue black is white if it meant being opposite, I would be surprised if you didn’t argue with yourself in the mirror.

I am guessing by your weird response you think Italy are a good side

[KRBFC]

I am guessing by your weird response you think Italy are a good side

It doesn’t really matter what I think, you will say the opposite just because.

[daveisaclaret]

I like how (as always) we've gone from an OP saying England will probably play for a draw to explaining why it doesn't count that England won comfortably.

I don't like or rate Southgate but a lot of you ought to try being honest and fair with the England team.

[claretonthecoast1882]

It doesn’t really matter what I think, you will say the opposite just because.

Try it,

If you admit to not knowing anywhere near as much as you claim to do let's see if I disagree