England vs Iceland

[BurnleyFC]

Another Gareth masterclass.

He somehow manages to take a diamond and turn it into a turd.

[Casper2]

I think he's over rated. Started to emerge more recently but you can hardly say he is the water carrier for City can you? It's not like Wazza almost doing it single handedly at times for United.

You really doubled down on this
19 premier league goals this season

[boatshed bill]

The big game friendly against Iceland, seriously

The sort of game where he should stand out, but he didn't.
But he wasn't alone.

[turbo5]

Think Gareth needs to wear his paper bag on his head tonight when they go for team Pizza

[Newchurch Claret]

Super JBG.

Club before country every time (and he doesn’t even play for us anymore!).

First job for our new manager: re-sign him.

[RVclaret]

Trippier was bad. My concern with TAA is that he always looks for the Hollywood pass - which he is of course capable of. Maybe we need that more direct option, but I think it’s possibly better coming from the bench.

Against teams that are sitting in like this I don’t see the harm in that. Walker can’t create a thing and it slows our build up. And when we’ve got that much territory I’m not sure his extra recovery pace is really needed. Plus Trent is capable defensively.

[louieollie]

Just another indication to the fact that the premiership isn't quite the dogz bollards it thinks it is! , absolute tosh once again. I'm really looking forward to the Euro's so I can watch some quality teams ...............sadly and somewhat predictabley England won't be one of them. I can't wait for "Gareth Magnolia Southgate" to be a distant memory.

[roperclaret]

take a bunch of players who play in the fastest, most intense league in the world and play at a snails pace. Joy

Every single one of them players were trying not to injure themselves tonight, and you can’t blame them

[Jel]

If I was the FA I'd get rid of Southgate before the Euros start. He is that bad!

[boatshed bill]

I thought Declan Rice played very well.

[Pearcey]

Super JBG.

Club before country every time (and he doesn’t even play for us anymore!).

First job for our new manager: re-sign him.

Club over country, that’s fine. It’s ok to want your country to do well too isn’t it? Some bizarre posts on here. If you don’t support England then just don’t watch them.

Wasn’t a good performance but it was a friendly before a major tournament. Players don’t want to get injured etc. The tournament is the important bit and I really believe we’ve got a great chance with the attacking players we have.

[elwaclaret]

Almost watched it when I heard JBG was playing, but decided even that was not sufficient reason to watch an England friendly.

Take it I did not miss much.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

If I was the FA I'd get rid of Southgate before the Euros start. He is that bad!

Agreed, they play with zero personality , I wonder where they get that from!

[Mark the Claret]

Super JBG.

Club before country every time (and he doesn’t even play for us anymore!).

First job for our new manager: re-sign him.

Game passed him by, did nothing.

[Poulton-le-Claret]

Sent a great message to the teams at the Euros, nick a goal and sit in against England and one trick pony Southgate can't do anything about it.

Praying he gets the Man Utd job this summer.

[dougcollins]

Think Gareth needs to wear his paper bag on his head tonight when they go for team Pizza

He's hit the post again!

[Vegas Claret]

Every single one of them players were trying not to injure themselves tonight, and you can’t blame them

you don't get injured by playing the ball quickly

[boatshed bill]

Every single one of them players were trying not to injure themselves tonight, and you can’t blame them

And so were Iceland.

[taio]

And so were Iceland.

Not sure why given they won't be featuring in the Euros

[MT03ALG]

Super JBG.

Club before country every time (and he doesn’t even play for us anymore!).

First job for our new manager: re-sign him.

Second job is to re-sign Jack Cork !!

[bfcjg]

It was just a friendly to keep the players ticking over,pointless going 100% into every tackle, sprinting for the sake of it risking a muscle injury etc. It was dull but most friendlies are. If we play though like this when the competition starts it will be a massive disappointment.

[claret2018]

It was a fitness exercise and nothing more. All England friendly games are dull as they come, if we’d have gone gung-ho it would have been stupidly reckless.

More fool anyone that watches these glorified gym sessions.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Lyle and Manuel played the last 20 for their countries in World Cup qualifying today. I know this is the England thread but seemed worth a mention.

[boatshed bill]

Not sure why given they won't be featuring in the Euros

Why would they want to risk getting injured?

[dsr]

Every single one of them players were trying not to injure themselves tonight, and you can’t blame them

Mind you, if we have a squad full of players who are more concerned with being in the 26 man squad than being in the 11 man team, then we won't go very far. Wasn't there a man in the team tonight that wanted to impress Southgate?

[equinox]

Iceland have put themselves in a great position to top this group now.

[RammyClaret61]

Iceland have put themselves in a great position to top this group now.

What????

[Taffy on the wing]

Another Gareth masterclass.

He somehow manages to take a diamond and turn it into a turd.

The man is clueless......if we appoint Lampard you'll see more of the same.
He's had years & years to figure out his best team & he still has no clue what that is.

[Taffy on the wing]

take a bunch of players who play in the fastest, most intense league in the world and play at a snails pace. Joy

He's a buffoon!........he'd mess up managing a car wash.

[bobinho]

The only surprise here is that there are people surprised that we could actually turn in a display and result like this….
I wouldn’t follow Gareth Southgate in a conga…

[equinox]

What????

One win is usually enough to get you out of the group stages, remember some third place teams can also qualify.

[Stalbansclaret]

One win is usually enough to get you out of the group stages, remember some third place teams can also qualify.

Err yes but the game was just a pre-tournament friendly

[taio]

Why would they want to risk getting injured?

There is a stark difference between the two teams and sets of players at this time, obviously.

[equinox]

Err yes but the game was just a pre-tournament friendly

Everyone who is getting their knickers in a twist please refer to Stalbansclaret's post.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I know last night was bad but I do think we got a little bit closer to identifying our best eleven.

Guehi looked good and Trent made a claim to be our starting right back.

I think last night massively highlighted just how important Bellingham is to our trophy hopes

[mikeS]

Super JBG.

Club before country every time (and he doesn’t even play for us anymore!).

First job for our new manager: re-sign him.

Spot on

[dougcollins]

I know last night was bad but I do think we got a little bit closer to identifying our best eleven.

Guehi looked good and Trent made a claim to be our starting right back.

I think last night massively highlighted just how important Bellingham is to our trophy hopes

Worried about a LB if Shaw is not fit. Is Chilwell really that bad?

[Newcastleclaret93]

Worried about a LB if Shaw is not fit. Is Chilwell really that bad?

Chillwell is injured as well isn’t he?

I think that game taught Southgate a lot. Trippier isn’t the player he was 2 years ago.

I suspect Gomez or potentially even Konsa might have made a claim to start there.

Crap result but I do think Southgate will be much closer to his starting eleven now.

Pickford
Trent, Stones, Guehi, Gomez
Bellingham, Rice, Foden
Saka, Kane, Eze (or palmer)

I suspect after the friendlies that’s the team he’s fancying

[bumba]

Chillwell is injured as well isn’t he?

I think that game taught Southgate a lot. Trippier isn’t the player he was 2 years ago.

I suspect Gomez or potentially even Konsa might have made a claim to start there.

Crap result but I do think Southgate will be much closer to his starting eleven now.

Pickford
Trent, Stones, Guehi, Gomez
Bellingham, Rice, Foden
Saka, Kane, Eze (or palmer)

I suspect after the friendlies that’s the team he’s fancying

Trippier has had a poor season, Livramento has been a better player according to Newcastle fans and he can play left back he'd have been a better option.
The squads so weak in places it's frightening when you think about players he's left out

[CoolClaret]

Trippier has had a poor season, Livramento has been a better player according to Newcastle fans and he can play left back he'd have been a better option.
The squads so weak in places it's frightening when you think about players he's left out

Yet so many pundits and fans calling it the best squad in years. Clueless doesn't come close. The fact that a National team manager getting paid an absolute whack can decide that bringing just one, nowhere near close to fitness left back to a tournament is insanity.

What is it with some managers? They seem to want to do anything but make the most simple and obvious decisions.

[Rileybobs]

I think there’s a big overreaction to last night’s performance and result. I’ve seen plenty of crap Burnley friendlies and I know not to treat them as anything other than fairly meaningless training sessions.

[bumba]

I think there’s a big overreaction to last night’s performance and result. I’ve seen plenty of crap Burnley friendlies and I know not to treat them as anything other than fairly meaningless training sessions.

This isn't just the one meaningless friendly though is it, it's a follow on from losing a major final in poor fashion, losing a semi final in poor fashion and a very embarrassing nations league showing.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I think there’s a big overreaction to last night’s performance and result. I’ve seen plenty of crap Burnley friendlies and I know not to treat them as anything other than fairly meaningless training sessions.

Must admit I tend to agree.

I think last night it was quite clear Southgate was experimenting with some younger players and seeing who can make a claim.

Crap result but I actually think it’s the best thing that could have happened. We will have learnt a lot about our weaknesses going into the euros.

[jrgbfc]

Chillwell is injured as well isn’t he?

I think that game taught Southgate a lot. Trippier isn’t the player he was 2 years ago.

I suspect Gomez or potentially even Konsa might have made a claim to start there.

Crap result but I do think Southgate will be much closer to his starting eleven now.

Pickford
Trent, Stones, Guehi, Gomez
Bellingham, Rice, Foden
Saka, Kane, Eze (or palmer)

I suspect after the friendlies that’s the team he’s fancying

No chance he'll start Trent ahead of Walker.

[RammyClaret61]

One win is usually enough to get you out of the group stages, remember some third place teams can also qualify.

And what group might Iceland be in???

[Newcastleclaret93]

No chance he'll start Trent ahead of Walker.

Not sure it’s as straight forward as that. Walker will defo play against the better teams like France.

But against these low block sides honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Trent starts

[RVclaret]

Can’t see Gareth changing from Walker, I just can’t, even though he absolutely should. Walker’s defensive skills have deteriorated too, awful positioning for the one Iceland should have made 2 in the second half. On the ball it’s painful.

I’d also play Gomez left back as a ‘stay at home’ defender, nothing fancy, and at least he attempts to use his left foot, unlike Trippier. It’s a shame Rico Lewis didn’t get more game time with City as he’s another I’d fancy above most of these lot in that position.

I’d go Wharton over Mainoo too as he’s more of a 6, happy to sit while Rice is the aggressor, like he’s been for Arsenal this season next to Jorginho. Mainoo is a good player but him and Rice together is a concern with the space they leave behind. But again probably not something I can see him doing. I was amazed he didn’t give Wharton more game time last night after such an impressive cameo against Bosnia.

[Quicknick]

I remember England looking really unimpressive before the 1966 World Cup.

[THEWELLERNUT70]

I don't subscribe to this " it's a friendly" or "they don't want to get injured" nonsense. If that were the case we'd have lost far more last games before the start of a Tournament between 1968 and now.

Players should be bursting a gut to make that starting 11 Sunday week, if they aren't that's a manager issue unfortunately

[Rileybobs]

This isn't just the one meaningless friendly though is it, it's a follow on from losing a major final in poor fashion, losing a semi final in poor fashion and a very embarrassing nations league showing.

Lost the semi final in poor fashion? I recall us generally being the better team against France and a rare Kane penalty miss away from being the more likely team to win the game.

Southgate and his England side will be judged on the next few weeks and rightly so. If we go out before the semis it will be deemed another golden opportunity missed. If for example we make the final or even go on to win the tournament then this will rightly be ranked one of the most successful eras in our national team’s history.

My point is, the Iceland game was completely meaningless. It doesn’t make the performance any better but it literally doesn’t matter. Had we won 5-0 there would still be criticism because some England ‘fans’ are just a bit weird and will never be happy.