How can we get after the Germans?

[Elizabeth]

What is the minimum requirement for you tomorrow evening?
An England team showing drive and energy ,taking the game to this German team rather than sitting back and trying to play neat and tidy football.
I do believe we can beat them if we do that and Lady Luck is on our side . Yes they are a great tournament team and it’s time to show we can be one as well.

[Burnley1989]

You’ve changed your tune Elizebeth

[Burnley1989]

I think we will beat them, expecting a close game, maybe 1 nil again

[bobinho]

Drop the second holding midfielder and allow his replacement to get amongst em and support the front players.

Probe. Take a risk on the forward pass. Stop messing about passing it backwards and sidewards just to maintain possession in the hope that if we have the ball we can’t be hurt…. Doing that simply means we don’t hurt them and whilst we are resetting, so are they.

We should try to set the tempo…. Be difficult as one or two look off the pace, Kane for one, but this German side aren’t as good technically as our players so we should move it quickly but more importantly move it forward and give them something to worry about.

[TheFamilyCat]

Fix bayonets

[elwaclaret]

Spitfires might still work

[claretonthecoast1882]

Same as most tournaments, throw some chairs at them

[claret2018]

Anything can happen in 90 minutes, but England aren’t in the same class as Germany. Expecting a tight game but don’t think we’ll win

[ŽižkovClaret]

For me, a tight 3 no10s (Foden, Grealish and Sterling) behind Kane with strict orders for him not to come deep or he'll be hauled off at HT for DCL

[ClaretTony]

Anything can happen in 90 minutes, but England aren’t in the same class as Germany. Expecting a tight game but don’t think we’ll win

You are definitely not Steve McClaren then, he said on SSN that we are ahead of the Germans in every respect. He expects nothing but a win.

[claret2018]

You are definitely not Steve McClaren then, he said on SSN that we are ahead of the Germans in every respect. He expects nothing but a win.

He’s either incredibly naive or as daft as he seems. If history has taught us anything it’s that it doesn’t matter how good our individual players are if we don’t have a manager that can get the best out of them, especially against a decent side.

[bfcjg]

Pace, just release the creativity in the players.

[joey13]

Throw they’re towels in the pool

[ClaretLoup]

Nick a goal and sit back, our defence is not good enough to go gung-ho.

[JTClaret]

Southgate isn't going to change his style. Especially not when he is unbeaten.
He'll happily take a boring win. And with the way this country is moaning at bloody anything at the moment, I can see that happening.

Beating Germany, but people still not being happy. hahah

[winsomeyen]

Maybe pick the best eleven for starters.

[Bosscat]

Throw they’re towels in the pool

Its "their" towels






Sorry joey couldn't resist

[evensteadiereddie]

Bobinho has it right. We don't go all out but we do show a bit of purpose and energy. The more we plod along, the more comfortable and confident the Germans will be.

[ClaretLoup]

Its "their" towels

It's their towels.

Write it out 100 times.

[Bosscat]

It's their towels.

Write it out 100 times.

it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it

[Elizabeth]

You’ve changed your tune Elizebeth

Never at any time have I said I don’t want us to win , the time has come now for us all to join together regardless of what we fear will be the outcome !

[Elizabeth]

it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it
it it it it it it it it it it

I don’t know who’s more nutty , you or me for counting them out

[Bosscat]

I don’t know who’s more nutty , you or me for counting them out

I only had to type 10 of em Liz then use copy ... I'm not n-n-n-nutty

[NottsClaret]

..this German side aren’t as good technically as our players..

Not sure about that, Kroos and Gundogan won't be losing too much sleep about Rice and Phillips.

[Silkyskills1]

Never at any time have I said I don’t want us to win , the time has come now for us all to join together regardless of what we fear will be the outcome !

What does 'all to join together' mean? There are many football fans(including myself) who have little or no interest in the fortunes of the national team. Hell would freeze over before I would be heard shouting at the TV 'come on Jack', 'get in, Raheem' or 'great header, Tyrone'. Hopefully, it doesn't bother anyone.

[alwaysaclaret]

Send the B 52s in

[claretonthecoast1882]

I only had to type 10 of em Liz then use copy ... I'm not n-n-n-nutty

Explains the spelling mistake on each line

[Elizabeth]

What does 'all to join together' mean? There are many football fans(including myself) who have little or no interest in the fortunes of the national team. Hell would freeze over before I would be heard shouting at the TV 'come on Jack', 'get in, Raheem' or 'great header, Tyrone'. Hopefully, it doesn't bother anyone.

Of course I don’t expect everyone to join in supporting the national football team tomorrow if it means nothing to them. It will always be club before country for me but I still want England to do well whatever the sport.

[Bosscat]

Explains the spelling mistake on each line

[KRBFC]

Elizabeth backing all outcomes again, brilliant!!!

As for going gung ho and ''releasing the attacking players'', I think that would be a huge mistake. Keep it tight, solid and be clinical on the counter.

[Ric_C]

"Where were the Germans??"

"Quite frankly... who cares?"

[ElectroClaret]

Beating Germany, but people still not being happy. hahah

I reckon the vast majority of England fans will be happy if we win, however it comes.

And the ones who aren't will never be happy about owt, so they can be disregarded.

[KRBFC]

Drop the second holding midfielder and allow his replacement to get amongst em and support the front players.

Probe. Take a risk on the forward pass. Stop messing about passing it backwards and sidewards just to maintain possession in the hope that if we have the ball we can’t be hurt…. Doing that simply means we don’t hurt them and whilst we are resetting, so are they.

We should try to set the tempo…. Be difficult as one or two look off the pace, Kane for one, but this German side aren’t as good technically as our players so we should move it quickly but more importantly move it forward and give them something to worry about.

That's a great way to getting hammered on the counter by Sane, Gnabry and Gosens. As for the Germans aren't as good technically that's a pretty naive thing to say, maybe you don't know much about the German players.

[Winstonswhite]

We won’t have to get after them.

The Germans have used all their luck up in the group stages. Man for man they’re worse. Rudiger and Neuer are mistakes waiting to happen and up front they’ve zilch to worry us- They needed two own goals to get their only victory.

I expect a game very similar to Sweden at the World Cup. An early set piece (we’re due one), then another couple and shut up shop to ease through to the Quarters. Simple.

I can’t understand what people are worried about tbh.

[Elizabeth]

Elizabeth backing all outcomes again, brilliant!!!

As for going gung ho and ''releasing the attacking players'', I think that would be a huge mistake. Keep it tight, solid and be clinical on the counter.

That’s nonsense , I don’t want to stomach Southgate on Strictly Come Dancing just yet.

[KRBFC]

We won’t have to get after them.

The Germans have used all their luck up in the group stages. Man for man they’re worse. Rudiger and Neuer are mistakes waiting to happen and up front they’ve zilch to worry us- They needed two own goals to get their only victory.

I expect a game very similar to Sweden at the World Cup. An early set piece (we’re due one), then another couple and shut up shop to ease through to the Quarters. Simple.

I can’t understand what people are worried about tbh.

They battered France (2nd half) and Portugal in the group games.

[BurnleyFC]

They battered France (2nd half) and Portugal in the group games.

I thought France were comfortably the better team when they played Germany.

I still think we’ll dispatch of them tomorrow. 2-0.

[KRBFC]

I think at least we'll be in the game right to the end, I don't see a real one sided game either way like the 4-1 in the WC.

[Elizabeth]

Maybe pick the best eleven for starters.

Everyone will have their preferred starting eleven. Tomorrow could come down to a tactical battle between the two managers. I’d like to see Southgate brave enough to make substitutions quickly if players are not working out and even take the initiate away from the German manager by switching tactics to force his opposite number into having to react

[ElectroClaret]

One goal either way.

[Elizabeth]

Elizabeth backing all outcomes again, brilliant!!!

As for going gung ho and ''releasing the attacking players'', I think that would be a huge mistake. Keep it tight, solid and be clinical on the counter.

I think trying to suck the Germans in would be a big mistake

[Silkyskills1]

I think trying to suck the Germans in would be a big mistake

I'm saying nothing.

[Rumbletonk]

Phillips hasnt been playing a holding role. He's clearly been told to play higher up the pitch which has seen the games pass him by for long periods. That needs to change 1st and foremost as the gap between Rice and those playing infront of him has been far too big far too often

[Elizabeth]

That’s gone over my head Silky

[KRBFC]

I think trying to suck the Germans in would be a big mistake

I think pressing them high is a bigger mistake, frightening pace and quality in Gosens, Sane and Gnabry. Quality on the ball with Kimmich and Kroos.

[Elizabeth]

I can’t imagine a pattern during the game when we will be pressing them high , long enough to give them the chance to break out with pace.
I can see a pattern though of threading decisive balls forward for opportunities to create some serious chances.
Get back ,re group , and continue looking for those forward passes.
I hope we are brave enough to take the game to them and test their defensive unit in this way. I don’t think many would grumble if we played this way and lost.
Now it might work to play safe and try and nick a goal from a set piece but if it doesn’t and we get beat I think there will be an emptier feeling after the match.

[HB Claret]

I woke up to a news flash from Sky saying that Angela Merkel is trying to ban all travellers from the U.K. going to Germany and that she wants the European Union to follow suit and that she wants the U.K. classified as a “country of concern” due to the high rates of the Delta variant. I think if ever GS needed a team talk he could just use those comments.

[SalisburyClaret]

The secret to winning is for us to practice penalties. Once we've done that, do it again. Repeat.

[Hibsclaret]

As much as I like Souness as a pundit (probably one of the best) I wish someone would put him in his place when he’s banging on about England…

He asked Wright and Cole whether they were happy with their team and someone just needed to say no goals conceded, top of group, didn’t lose to the best sweaty team since the 70’s

Also, how many times have the Germans started tournaments slowly and gone on to win it. Portugal won the last one without winning a group game and we have already won two.

Sorry Graeme but I know you’re a bitter sweaty but get a grip man

[kentonclaret]

What is the minimum requirement for you tomorrow evening?
An England team showing drive and energy ,taking the game to this German team rather than sitting back and trying to play neat and tidy football.
I do believe we can beat them if we do that and Lady Luck is on our side . Yes they are a great tournament team and it’s time to show we can be one as well.

As the only nation in the last 16 to be playing at home and with zero travelling thus far, if England players cannot show drive and energy as a minimum requirement it is surely time to pack up.

Several other nations have already voiced concerns over the amount of travelling and the toll taken on the players.

As I said on the previous thread I expect England to win.