Spain v England

[PremierLeagueClass]

Is that really a point worth making?
We spend a large number of games as favourites and then, eventually, lose to a team more favoured than us.

Eh?

[Indecisive]

Eugh the anti Southgate noise starts.

It's mad. The whole early 2000's we had an abundance of quality players who time after time flopped in tournaments. Southgate has actually got us to finals and completely changed the mentality of the squad and made so many improvements. Hes just a proper genuine guy and actually is exactly the kind of manager I'd want representing the country on the national stage.

As far as the match goes. I didn't expect us ro suddenly start playing amazing exciting football today. I thought we were disciplined first half and really nullified them. Second half we really seemed to lose our heads when they scores and ultimately looked too deep even after scoring.

On the whole that Spain team deserved the win on both today's performance and over the tournament.

[Murger]

You missed out the bit about bringing off the greatest goalscorer this country has had for the past 10 years to get back into the game.

Tuck BALLS!

Idiot. Kane should have been nowhere near the starting lineup. Way off it all tournament.

[bobinho]

Thanks for the memories Gaz we’ll never forget those wins against Holland, Panama, Iran, Tunisia, Wales, Senegal, Ukraine and Serbia.

Let’s be honest, the only time the media tried to convince us he was a great manager was between 10pm on Wednesday and 9:20pm today.

Absolutely. Players and manager had a spectacularly easy ride for the last couple of days. Almost as if they have forgotten our performances and what they themselves have said over the last 4 weeks. Even Roy Keane was waxing lyrical about Southgate in the build up.

From the moment we equalised tonite, we looked like we were going for ET and pens, instead of going for it. And that’s not the first time we have done that this tournament.

The message needs to change.

[BobSykes]

Southgate sh1t the bed once again.

Sorry but it's a reoccurring theme, Kane should not have been anywhere near the pitch and all the issues with the setup came to light as soon as they played a decent team - just like anyone that knew anything about football knew they would.

Time to go Gareth, thanks for the memories but ultimately not good enough.

Agree apart from the memories bit. Which memories are you grateful for?

My abiding memories are the same mistakes time and time again and disappointing failure when we really had golden opportunity after opportunity fall our way. Like in this tournament.

[warksclaret]

He also has the best squad in the world and have had for 2 to 3 tournaments. For me Southgate is like taking the HR manager on tour, good at cuddling players and being loyal but lacks the killer instinct and over plays his loyalty

[mikeS]

Spain were the better side.
Well done to them.
Hard luck again England. The wait for a trophy goes on.

[kentonclaret]

Spain beat Croatia, Germany, France and pre tournament favourites England.
Compare that to the nations that England beat who were all relative outsiders to lift the trophy.

[Tresor'sTracksuit]

Idiot. Kane should have been nowhere near the starting lineup. Way off it all tournament.

Ignore the people who clearly have no idea about football and are on here just to drive the numbers.

[expoultryboy]

The ref was guilty of letting the Spanish get away with a lot and it "tuck" balls to take Kane off !! So nearly every team we've played make loads of proactive substitutions and we wait until we concede. He's shocking

[boatshed bill]

Eh?

If you don't understand my post it's not worth my time explaining it

[IPAclaret]

If he goes (which i think he should) who replaces him ?

[Clarets4me]

He also has the best squad in the world and have had for 2 to 3 tournaments. For me Southgate is like taking the HR manager on tour, good at cuddling players and being loyal but lacks the killer instinct and over plays his loyalty

100% spot on ...

[jedi_master]

It was crying out for Watkins and Palmer for so long, and for the obvious two to come off. No surprise when Palmer immediately scored. It was also no surprise that the equaliser signalled an instruction for the team to return to sitting back and allowing Spain to dictate the game in their favour. Spain were momentarily rocking after Palmer’s goal and there was 15 minutes to really press them and go for the win. It never entered Southgate’s mind. He was happy to play for ET and probably penalties.

Southgate never shows any pro-activity, it’s always reactive. We need a goal to wake him up and make alterations. We have reached this final in spite of him, and he simply has to go as a result.

[bobinho]

You missed out the bit about bringing off the greatest goalscorer this country has had for the past 10 years to get back into the game.

Tuck BALLS!

Yeah…why on earth he didn’t take Shearer will remain a mystery. How about Rooney?

Your argument would stand had you made it 3 years ago… just because he HAS been good in the past, doesn’t mean he should start every game because he’s scored loads historically. He’s been WAY off, and everyone knows it. Well, nearly everyone….

[CrosspoolClarets]

finishing runners up to the best side, there's some huge overreactions on here. These will probably win the next World Cup as well.

I don't think this side of ours is as good as the English media would have you believe, some very good players but most of them never really showed their real ability

This is true. Including the overreaction.

But for goal 1 Walker was caught inside after being I assume told to keep it narrow and tight. Goal 2 was on the break. But the reason they don’t show their ability is the coaching - keeping it safe. Imagine Dyche being in charge of City. He would be panned from day 1, good manager though he is. That is Southgate for England, with the best squad of players in the world.

[taio]

Negative tactics throughout. Almost like sat waiting to go one down. Imagine thinking you can defend on the edge of your 18 yard box for the whole game against a team like Spain. Plenty of people said it on here and elsewhere - lack of bravery, risk averse and weak. No desire to play to our strengths.

[CoolClaret]

You can laugh but he pocketed the 'must play' Saka as well as every other winger he's played against this tournament as well as setting up the winning goal.

[bumba]

Such an awful manager he’s taken England further than anyone apart from Ramsey

He’s raised expectations of fans that you’re now able to watch England in finals
You haven’t been able to do it that since 1966

20yrs ago we were lucky/hoping to reach the QF’s
Now you’ve been watching England do that as a minimum

But yeah, he’s clearly a crap manager

Yes he’s guilty of being overly loyal to Kane tonight, but Kane has been in superb form all season and is capable of scoring from nothing
If he was carrying a niggle, Watkins should’ve started but hey ho

The ref was also guilty of letting Spain get away with a lot

Ah well, it is what it is

You do forget some key points though:

International teams of the past 10 years are no where close to the standard of years gone by.
England has a better squad to select from than they've ever had.

This squad should be making semi finals and finals, then it comes down to the manager to select the right tactics and players, Southgate won't ever get that right.
We was almost out at the round of 16 to Slovakia for god sake

[warksclaret]

None of the English coaching team could get a job with the bulk of the PL teams, including Southgate. Thats the reason why we cannot get this great squad of ours to win trophys

[bumba]

The ref was guilty of letting the Spanish get away with a lot and it "tuck" balls to take Kane off !! So nearly every team we've played make loads of proactive substitutions and we wait until we concede. He's shocking

Took balls? Kane was the worse player on the pitch

[PremierLeagueClass]

If you don't understand my post it's not worth my time explaining it

Probably for the best you don’t try

[ISpeds00]

Agree re Southgate, but Spain have been the best team all tournament, no shame in get best by them.

Thing is i'm not gutted or heartbroken in the slightest, i didnt expect us to make the final never mind win
Turned the game off immediately at the full time whistle
I'm all about Burnley FC - Bring on the proper football

[KRBFC]

It was crying out for Watkins and Palmer for so long, and for the obvious two to come off. No surprise when Palmer immediately scored. It was also no surprise that the equaliser signalled an instruction for the team to return to sitting back and allowing Spain to dictate the game in their favour. Spain were momentarily rocking after Palmer’s goal and there was 15 minutes to really press them and go for the win. It never entered Southgate’s mind. He was happy to play for ET and probably penalties.

Southgate never shows any pro-activity, it’s always reactive. We need a goal to wake him up and make alterations. We have reached this final in spite of him, and he simply has to go as a result.

I’m sorry but that is laughable

Like Southgate was shouting “we’ve equalised now sit back and defend”

Spains ball retention is the best in the world and they pushed us back pretty much all game. The goal woke them up

[Mark the Claret]

Negative tactics throughout. Almost like sat waiting to go one down. Imagine thinking you can defend on the edge of your 18 yard box for the whole game against a team like Spain. Plenty of people said it on here and elsewhere - lack of bravery, risk averse and weak. No desire to play to our strengths.

Exactly right

[bfcjg]

Our players are on hundreds of thousands of pounds each per week,ditto our manager in the most over hyped league in the world.. It's not their fault Spain didn't respect them and the former Middlesbrough manager.

[Les Lawrence]

He was gonna bring Trippier and Gallagher on at 1-1,says it all to me.

[warksclaret]

Pep Guardiola, Arteta or Klopp managing this English squad would make them almost unbeatable

[expoultryboy]

I think you need to look at other people's posts Bumba , I think he's this is all down to a terrible negative manager who has no idea .

[kentonclaret]

Southgate has a far better and more talented squad of players to select from now than he had when he first took over.
Surely, therefore, progress in tournament football for England should be expected.

[Sheedyclaret]

If he goes (which i think he should) who replaces him ?

Scott Parker

[expoultryboy]

Oh good , kr's here to give us his wisdom.

[Sozturf7]

Most of the poster's on here have it right tonight. It's not difficult to see the problems, or should I just say problem.

[Inchy]

To even suggest Southgate is a good all round manager is moronic.

Yea he’s got the players getting on. Clearly he’s a good man manager. But clearly he’s not at the level tactically

To win a tournament you need to be a good man manager, and a good tactician. He’s so weak tactically


Don’t give me this “oh he’s got us so far”

This set of player are good, really good. We should be in the final. Better than the golden generation. Bellingham was one of the best, if not the best midfielder In Spain, foden best in England, Kane best striker in Europe. All this with a weak Spanish squad (but an amazing team), a weak German squad, a weak Netherlands squad, a weak Italian squad etc etc


If we don’t hurry up other countries are going to catch up.


If we had a descent manager we would have won this

[Goalposts]

Spain the best team won … they had seven wins - via the hardest route.

Southgate though does not know how to tactically set up a team. Kane should not have been playing when you need to turn the defence of the opposition , when you are likely to be 2nd in most of the possession stats.

Southgate’s weaknesses are their for all to see the result or peformances did not surprise me. - in truth i expected us to go out earlier . And if we’d been on the harder side of the draw we probably would have. Southgate is a lovely man but would not get a managers job in the top twenty of english clubs never even mind abroad..

If you support Southgate you champion mediocrity and under performance - those that champion but he’s got us further than anyone else - understand nothing about the game

[Darthlaw]

Such an awful manager he’s taken England further than anyone apart from Ramsey

He’s raised expectations of fans that you’re now able to watch England in finals
You haven’t been able to do it that since 1966

20yrs ago we were lucky/hoping to reach the QF’s
Now you’ve been watching England do that as a minimum

But yeah, he’s clearly a crap manager

Not a crap manager but not the elite that the squad deserves.

I’d also say from El Tel in 96, through Hoddles and Sven’s England - we were entertaining to watch.

Even then in 96 we got to the semis and the ‘golden generation’ reached quarter finals regularly before beating beaten by an amazing Brazil side and talented Portugal side. But he’s done what most England bosses do and been beaten when we meet a good side.

I think the biggest barometer is what he does next. I guarantee not many PL or European elite teams will be clamouring for his signature, although it will be hilarious if he finished up at Man U

[Inchy]

Would anyone want Southgate as Burnley manager?

[Dyched]

Idiot. Kane should have been nowhere near the starting lineup. Way off it all tournament.

66 in 98 for England
36 for Munich
Spurs all time goalscorer and you leave him out
Okay

[boatshed bill]

Pep Guardiola, Arteta or Klopp managing this English squad would make them almost unbeatable

I'm not sure about that, TBH.
The EPL is so over-hyped. Perhaps some of our critics on here need to familiarise themselves with other European leagues.

[expoultryboy]

Idiot - day less to prepare haha

[Caballo]

66 in 98 for England
36 for Munich
Spurs all time goalscorer and you leave him out
Okay

Ramsay left Jimmy Greaves out.

[Stayingup]

What is it? Spain much the better team tonight. But why? Is it coaching? Is it better players? Is it better management. My relatives grandson plays for England U 16' s I think it is and is at a top club. He said the young players are coached so much they can hardly think for themselves. I suppose Spanish players experience the same. So what is the difference? Maybe the weather.

[Volvoclaret]

66 in 98 for England
36 for Munich
Spurs all time goalscorer and you leave him out
Okay

See my earlier post re Sir Alf and Jimmy Greaves.

[Dyched]

Would anyone want Southgate as Burnley manager?

If people want him out that much they must come up with names. Come on, list them the candidates!!!

The obvious reply is “That’s not my job”.

But for a laugh.

[Colburn_Claret]

The best team won, I can live with that .

We never gave up , which is good.

The negatives are that Kane, Walker and Rice were the weak links in the semis, and they were the weak links again tonight.

My opinion re Southgate is unaltered, with the wealth of talent available a better manager could have won it.

[bobinho]

IPAclaret wrote: ↑
If he goes (which i think he should) who replaces him ?

I’m utterly convinced you could let this lot go out and play without actually being coached, and get more out of them than GS has managed.

On a positive note, he has increased our level of professionalism and preparedness. He’s got rid of the ridiculous club v club bias in the dressing room, he’s had us prepare properly for penalty shoot outs and he’s restored some faith in the integrity of English managers after the embarrassment of BFS.

Tactically lacking, stupidly loyal to those not performing, and not brave enough ultimately. He manages us like the defender he was.

[warksclaret]

Would anyone want Southgate as Burnley manager?

Inchy did you not see the posts about 2 weeks ago, when there was a theory we were delaying our own manager appointment on the basis England were still in the tournament. I dont think I read one positive response to this

[Sheedyclaret]

Best side in the tournament won it so no complaints

[ISpeds00]

These beat Germany, Italy, France, Croatia
We couldnt beat Slovenia & Denmark

[ISpeds00]

I’m sorry but that is laughable

Like Southgate was shouting “we’ve equalised now sit back and defend”

Spains ball retention is the best in the world and they pushed us back pretty much all game. The goal woke them up

It's not laughable at all
He's spot on