Euro 2024

[dsr]

His teams are grinding out results, that’s what good teams do we always get told

The haters are whinging about everything whilst ignoring that fact

I’ve seen people state they’ll be annoyed if we win a trophy with this style of football, such is their irrational hatred of Southgate

Good teams win some of their games by playing better than and scoring several more goals than the opposition. And they win some by grinding out results. I don't think there's a large school of thought that says good teams get all their results by grinding them out.

In 6 games plus 2 extra times, we've scored 7 goals. Given the attacking talent we are supposed to have, that's poor IMO.

[dsr]

The problem is the first touch, I reckon. For most of the game, the first touch of every player is to trap the ball. This gives the defence time and is why our build-up is so slow. When Watkins got the ball for the goal, his first touch took the ball towards goal and meant the defender did not have time to adjust. The players need to do more with the first touch.

[PremierLeagueClass]

The problem is the first touch, I reckon. For most of the game, the first touch of every player is to trap the ball. This gives the defence time and is why our build-up is so slow. When Watkins got the ball for the goal, his first touch took the ball towards goal and meant the defender did not have time to adjust. The players need to do more with the first touch.

Easier said than done though. It can’t be underestimated how good that touch and finish was from Watkins.

[Hipper]

A win and deserved.

The Netherlands matches until now they have created lots of chances and missed most of them. Last night in the first half they created maybe two, hit the bar and scored with an excellent shot. We mostly kept them at bay though and still created good opportunities ourselves. It was a very good performance. The penalty was a penalty in today's way of reffing. In the past it would be accepted that they were both going for the same ball. These days the player that is a fraction of a second out, even if he had no intention of fouling, it seems to be considered dangerous play. Hence the yellow card which to me seemed unnecessary (why didn't he book Gakpo for the blatant push in the back on Saka that got us a free kick earlier?).

Second half they set up to stop us and had the better of it but didn't quite manage a goal. The England substitutions won it.

I wonder if the lethargic play in the first few games was a way of conserving the player's energy for this intense tournament? We are growing into this and can see that there could still be more to come. We have had a relatively easy ride to the final and now we meet the best team in the tournament. I'm looking forward to it and I don't care too much for international football or England!

[Colburn_Claret]

Delighted with the win, and a much needed improvement.

Nothing has changed re Southgate, he still has to go. Playing players in their right positions ,barring Tripps, and we look more like a team. He's still taken 5 games to do what most people were saying on game 1.

Spain are going to be a different proposition, Tripps out of position, and an out of form Walker, are going to struggle against their wide men.
I said a few weeks ago that Spain are like Rory Mcilroy. Play 3 brilliant rounds and then chuck in a bad one. Spain haven't had their bad one yet, fingers crossed it's Sunday.

[Swizzlestick]

I thought Walker played well last night and you have to think Shaw is pushing for a starting place now. Central midfield is more key - Rice was sloppy and we can't afford to let Rodri and Ruiz run the show in the centre of the park. I certainly think Spain have weaknesses in defence we can exploit.

[Colburn_Claret]

I thought Walker played well last night and you have to think Shaw is pushing for a starting place now. Central midfield is more key - Rice was sloppy and we can't afford to let Rodri and Ruiz run the show in the centre of the park. I certainly think Spain have weaknesses in defence we can exploit.

I agree Rice was very sloppy, but I thought Walker could have done better, both attacking and defending. I'd still start Walker anyway, he's a better defender than TAA, and we'll need his know-how.

[Caballo]

I thought Walker played well last night and you have to think Shaw is pushing for a starting place now. Central midfield is more key - Rice was sloppy and we can't afford to let Rodri and Ruiz run the show in the centre of the park. I certainly think Spain have weaknesses in defence we can exploit.

I thought it was the proverbial 'game of two halves' for Walker, 1st half he couldn't pass the ball, missed several tackles and lost his man on more than one occasion, In the 2nd half, he looked like a different bloke. Agree about Rice though, pedestrian and innaccurate.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Saka up against Cucurella could be pivotal.

If we play like we did in the first half I think we’ll have a good chance.

[RVclaret]

Funny coming on here and seeing all the Southgate haters tie themselves in knots over the fact we are in the final.

[Colburn_Claret]

Funny coming on here and seeing all the Southgate haters tie themselves in knots over the fact we are in the final.

You must be living in your own little message board, I can't see anything of the sort.
I wanted him out before the tournament.
I want him out now.
If we do manage to win on Sunday, I'll still want him out.

Nothing can hide the glaring errors over the last few years in squad selection, negative team tactics (if we actually have any), team selection, substitutions. Whatever he achieves, a better manager could have achieved more. Any team can have an off game, a squad as talented as ours doesn't play badly for 5 games in a row, unless there is a problem at the top.
You can look at his record on paper and see it as a success if you like. I've watched the team on telly, and they've looked hopelessly disjointed as a team. Clicking better last night doesn't disguise the fact.

[Sproggy]

Funny coming on here and seeing all the Southgate haters tie themselves in knots over the fact we are in the final.

It is possible to support England and dislike Southgate. These things aren't mutually exclusive.

I hope England win on Sunday. I hope having done so, Sir Gareth accepts his knighthood and rides off into the sunset as the most successful England manager ever.

Would you want him managing Burnley in the Premier League?

[martin_p]

It is possible to support England and dislike Southgate. These things aren't mutually exclusive.

I hope England win on Sunday. I hope having done so, Sir Gareth accepts his knighthood and rides off into the sunset as the most successful England manager ever.

Would you want him managing Burnley in the Premier League?

Why would you want the most successful England manager ever to ride off into the sunset. Surely him sticking around to try and win more would be a better option?

[Commy]

If it hadn't been for Southgate shutting up shop in the last two tournaments, after we had scored, I think we could have won them.

[Sproggy]

Why would you want the most successful England manager ever to ride off into the sunset. Surely him sticking around to try and win more would be a better option?

Because I think he's crap.

[kentonclaret]

I notice that Graham Potter is a short priced favourite (Even Money) with all major bookmakers to be installed the next England manager.
Having seen the reaction from some posters every time his name has been mentioned for a management role some may now consider sticking with Southgate.

[equinox]

Because I think he's crap.

You're blinkered and that's being kind.

Gareth's big calls, forget his perceived negative tactics (a myth) his reluctance to make substitutions ect. were made before a ball was even kicked, the exclusions of Grealish, Henderson, Sterling, Rashford, Phillips and Maguire from the squad took real bottle, the inclusions of Watkins, Toney, Mainoo and Guéhi have been inspired.

To describe him as 'crap' is disgusting and incredibly naive.

[claretonthecoast1882]

I notice that Graham Potter is a short priced favourite (Even Money) with all major bookmakers to be installed the next England manager.
Having seen the reaction from some posters every time his name has been mentioned for a management role some may now consider sticking with Southgate.

If it was a straight choice between Southgate and Potter I would take Southgate every single time.

I am not his biggest fan and have been critical of him but I found myself siding with him his tournament after some dickheads threw pints at him at the end of one of the games, he deserves far more respect than that.

Some of the things he says or does don't always help himself, Trent then Gallagher in midfield before Mainoo & the weird comment about not being able to replace Phillips (who I wouldn't want playing for us never mind England being a couple. His record though can't be argued with. i have said in the past he has got lucky with draws but it also isn't his fault when other teams don't win their groups and end up in the tougher half.

I now think he should stay regardless of the result on Sunday as it makes little sense standing by him when we didn't win a tournament and then letting him go if we did win one. If we don't win and the other option is Potter then he should stay.

[kentonclaret]

His record though can't be argued with. i have said in the past he has got lucky with draws but it also isn't his fault when other teams don't win their groups and end up in the tougher half.

The notion that other nations didn’t win their groups thus ending up in the tougher half of the draw is a complete myth. The draw was lopsided from the outset. Germany (3rd favs) and Spain (5th favs) both won their groups impressively winning more points than England yet were drawn to play against each other in the Quarter Finals.
The first encounter that England will have with a nation that started under 16/1 to win the tournament is when they face Spain in the Final on Sunday.

[Colburn_Claret]

Why would you want the most successful England manager ever to ride off into the sunset. Surely him sticking around to try and win more would be a better option?

No, it wouldn't. Sooner or later his luck will run put

[GodIsADeeJay81]

You must be living in your own little message board, I can't see anything of the sort.
I wanted him out before the tournament.
I want him out now.
If we do manage to win on Sunday, I'll still want him out.

Nothing can hide the glaring errors over the last few years in squad selection, negative team tactics (if we actually have any), team selection, substitutions. Whatever he achieves, a better manager could have achieved more. Any team can have an off game, a squad as talented as ours doesn't play badly for 5 games in a row, unless there is a problem at the top.
You can look at his record on paper and see it as a success if you like. I've watched the team on telly, and they've looked hopelessly disjointed as a team. Clicking better last night doesn't disguise the fact.

He’s had 4 major tournaments plus that uefa nations thing

The worst we’ve finished is QFs

We’re into our 2nd final with him with a real chance of winning now

By any measure, he’s more successful than any previous media/fan darling manager apart from the only England manager to win something

“X manager” could’ve done better apparently, but you’re forgetting we weren’t an attractive proposition, we’d struggled to reach the QFs for a long time, squads filled with prima donnas and the rest of the circus that followed it around

We’d tried the big name, domestic trophy winning managers and they did a far worse job than Southgate, with some great players

[Culmclaret]

England played well and thoroughly deserved to win. The Dutch were forced to pack the midfield, bring on Weghorst and hope for a breakaway/set piece goal. All that said, the population of England is 30% greater than the combined total of all the teams we have played in the tournament so far

[equinox]

the population of England is 30% greater than the combined total of all the teams we have played in the tournament so far

Nearly a full house now, just a few to go.

[claretskeith]

Nearly a full house now, just a few to go.

Ha, just what I was thinking. Bizarre.

[martin_p]

The notion that other nations didn’t win their groups thus ending up in the tougher half of the draw is a complete myth. The draw was lopsided from the outset. Germany (3rd favs) and Spain (5th favs) both won their groups impressively winning more points than England yet were drawn to play against each other in the Quarter Finals.
The first encounter that England will have with a nation that started under 16/1 to win the tournament is when they face Spain in the Final on Sunday.

France didn’t win their group and ended up in the tougher half of the draw. Myth exploded.

[martin_p]

Because I think he's crap.

I’m afraid the facts don’t support your opinion.

[Sproggy]

You're blinkered and that's being kind.

Gareth's big calls, forget his perceived negative tactics (a myth) his reluctance to make substitutions ect. were made before a ball was even kicked, the exclusions of Grealish, Henderson, Sterling, Rashford, Phillips and Maguire from the squad took real bottle, the inclusions of Watkins, Toney, Mainoo and Guéhi have been inspired.

To describe him as 'crap' is disgusting and incredibly naive.

Maguire was injured. Sterling, Rashford and Grealish have had poor seasons. Phillips and Henderson should have been dispensed with 18 months ago. Fair play to him for replacing them with players in form.

We’ve got the most talented squad of players we’ve had for a very long time, I’m looking forward to seeing what a progressive manager does with them. And I can still do that whilst wanting England to win.

You sound very sensitive though - whatever you do don’t watch the news.

[Culmclaret]

Ha, just what I was thinking. Bizarre.

Glad to oblige but surely to god nobody could think that we had a tough route to the final?

[claretskeith]

We’d tried the big name, domestic trophy winning managers and they did a far worse job than Southgate, with some great players

I was actually thinking yesterday who would I rather have, Southgate or Sven. For me it would be Southgate.

[Weymouth Claret]

How many of you would have had Southgate as our next manager ??

I wonder !

[boatshed bill]

We’ve got the most talented squad of players we’ve had for a very long time, I’m looking forward to seeing what a progressive manager does with them. And I can still do that whilst wanting England to win.

Who would you choose who is progressive and better than GS?

[equinox]

Who would you choose who is progressive and better than GS?

He's going to say 'Guardiola' watch.

(He might not do now).

[Darnhill Claret]

Love how these great players of ours escape criticism when we don't perform as some expect. Then Southgate gets the blame.

[Darnhill Claret]

Yet when we win it's down to the players and is in spite of the manager.

[Ampth7]

Haven’t posted for a long while, but just felt like sharing the attached image along with a background story on Ollie Watkins. I’m proud to say that I, along with several of my friends had the pleasure of being his PE teachers at South Dartmoor Community College and I was his tutor for 4-years.

Not many people necessarily know this about Ollie, but he was actually dropped by Exeter City at around the age of 10 and he also on occasion really struggled to manage his nerves when playing football. I have always suspected this is the reason why it took him until he was 19/20 to suddenly burst in to life as a proper player for Exeter.

As you can probably guess, academia wasn’t his strong suit and he could easily have thrown in the towel in terms of his dreams of becoming a Professional footballer, but credit to the lad for sticking at it. Interestingly, his year group also had another top player called Matt Jay who was captain of Exeter city until a few years ago; if Carlsberg did School Football teams!! Sadly, his football career hasn’t hit the heights of Ollie, but somewhat ironically, if you had asked us all who taught them both 12 years ago, who was going to be ‘the one’, all of us would have said Matt! Interestingly, both boys are in this picture which is from the Gothia Cup which is a wonderful and huge kids football tournament held in Sweden each year, and I know both lads loved every minute of that experience!! I count myself lucky to have been there for 5 years in support of hundreds of kids.

Anyway, thought it was a great and happy story worth telling and an excellent reminder to never give up on your dreams despite the often crazy and often negative world we live in! Here’s a drink to you Ollie and Matty, and here’s hoping for a great night on Sunday!

[Ampth7]

The whole piccie with Matty Jay included.

[CoolClaret]

The whole piccie with Matty Jay included.

Superb, Ampth

[martin_p]

How many of you would have had Southgate as our next manager ??

I wonder !

Probably not many given how long he’s been an international manager. Being a great international tournament manager doesn’t mean you’re a great league manager.

[Sproggy]

Who would you choose who is progressive and better than GS?

Sean Dyche

[Sproggy]

Probably not many given how long he’s been an international manager. Being a great international tournament manager doesn’t mean you’re a great league manager.

Well he was a distinctively average league manager before he got the England job. I suspect he’ll still be distinctively average when he goes back into club management. Hopefully as Ten Hag’s successor at Man Utd.

[Clovius Boofus]

I've just done a quick speed-read through the posts since Wednesday evening, and you wouldn't for one minute think we were playing in the final on Sunday.

Even on sunny days, after months of rubbish weather, some people will spend all day praying for rain.

[AGENT_CLARET]

Mates got 2 tickets for England v Spain Final on Sunday. He paid £360 each, inc flights.

He didn't realise it's the same day as his wedding. He's looking for someone to take his place.

It's at Burnley Registry Office 4pm. Bride's name is Lisa. 5ft 7. Quite attractive.

Pm for more info

[warksclaret]

Been a real shift to praising Southgate by the media following the win over the Netherlands. Be interesting to see what happens after Sunday night both in terms of media reaction and what GS decides to do going forwards

[martin_p]

Been a real shift to praising Southgate by the media following the win over the Netherlands. Be interesting to see what happens after Sunday night both in terms of media reaction and what GS decides to do going forwards

People don’t want to look like they’re on the wrong side of the argument come Sunday night. Bit like the Sun switching to Labour a couple of days before the election.

[superdimitri]

Southgate strengths aren't the same as other managers.
He has a lot of international experience, both as a player and as a manager. I don't think there's many that can match it.

Therefore he knows exactly what tournament football involves. With England much like with Brazil or Italy there is a lot of pressure from the media and part of the job is protecting your players from that.

In this respect he does a brilliant job. I doubt it's a coincidence either. He's seen what pressure can do to you first hand. Plus I honestly think it probably still bothers him he didn't score that penalty to this day!

[ArmchairDetective]

I don't think it was unfair to ask questions of Southgate earlier in the tournament when we couldn't break teams down. I also think it's fair to give him credit now for getting us to a final and managing to improve our performances over the course of the tournament.

In his time as England manager he's done a fantastic job of bringing the team together and getting them pulling in the same direction, something which was missing for a generation prior. I also think he has weaknesses tactically.

I don't buy this all or nothing, either praise or criticise but whatever you do stick to your guns whilst you do it approach.

[equinox]

I don't think it was unfair to ask questions of Southgate earlier in the tournament.

Well I do, actually he was getting stick long before the tournament even started, people couldn't wait to have a pop and now the sound of people reversing can be heard on the moon.

[Spijed]

Last year Scotland beat Spain 2-0 in the qualifying games.

A spanish team whinch included Rodri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC5Z-IJwwak

[kentonclaret]

Last year Scotland beat Spain 2-0 in the qualifying games.

A spanish team whinch included Rodri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC5Z-IJwwak

Was that young whipper snapper playing or had it gone past his bedtime?

[CaptainKirk]

Right!
Journey done
Bags unpacked
Off to find a bar for tomorrow!
It’s coming home!