I've done my share of moaning about Southgate. He got that bang on to be honest. Great changes and another final. Loving the repeats of the Watkins goal!!
Yeah taking this game on its own merits, Southgate did a great job this game.
Thought the Shaw sub didn't go as planned, but that's not his fault. But the Watkins/Palmer changes were superb.
Up until this game, England, and Southgate in particular, have absolutely infuriated me. Credit where it’s due tonight: despite putting out the same team as in previous dreadful games, we actually looked pretty decent in the first half. Shaw for Trippier was the correct call at half time too, but Southgate showed his Achilles heel which is an absolute inability (or maybe refusal?) to adapt when your opponents change their set up. The Dutch strangled the life out of us and we again looked toothless, ponderous and vulnerable.
Then came the last ten minutes. As has been said by many, it felt like the subs were too late. It turned out that they weren’t and Palmer played in Watkins and that was that.
I said after Switzerland that even if we went all the way I’d still dislike Southgate. I’m still of the opinion that our success is down to the players rather than Southgate, and that he’s been fortunate that his excessively late subs have repeatedly paid dividends almost immediately (you can’t tell me that’s strategic genius!) but the first half tonight has at least softened my view of him.
At the end of the day, I’m delighted we’ve made it to the final. COME ON ENGLAND!! 😎
The big question now is for the final, should Kane start?
Both strikers have shown more in their respective sub appearances than Kane has done all tournament.
Pointless discussing it, i seriously doubt he's going to change anything unless Shaw is fit enough to play 90 or even 120 minutes. Why would he when we've come this far?
The big question now is for the final, should Kane start?
Both strikers have shown more in their respective sub appearances than Kane has done all tournament.
Also top scoring for England, and won the penalty today. He hasn't been great but then having strikers come off the bench and win games is a good tactic as well
he had a good effort pushed away, won the penalty and scored it. He is miles ahead in the English goal scoring charts. No way is he or should he be dropped for the final. I’m
OptaJoe @OptaJoe 7 - England have knocked out Netherlands, ranked 7th in the FIFA rankings - the highest ranked nation they have eliminated from a World Cup/EURO knockout tie since Spain in the EURO 1996 quarter-final (6th). Overcome.
Well it ain’t going to happen. Spain won’t have a clue what our game plan will be. Southgate is an absolute tactical genius. Shame it be his last game this weekend, I’ll miss his baffling loyalty for our centre half forward captain.
he had a good effort pushed away, won the penalty and scored it. He is miles ahead in the English goal scoring charts. No way is he or should he be dropped for the final. I’m
Should Mbappe have been dropped against Spain?
Hell NO... You dont ever drop your best players, as they can make something happen out of nothing.
The big question now is for the final, should Kane start?
Both strikers have shown more in their respective sub appearances than Kane has done all tournament.
Kane vs Olmo for the Golden Boot... Of course he'll start
He will start, but should he start?
Yes... He's by far our best Striker, whether he's playing well or not at the moment... Only reason I wouldnt start him, is if he was being shoe-horned into a position elsewhere in the team, to accommodate another player.
Still can't work out why Southgate kept Harry Kane on so long when he can't do the runs that Watkins did straight away. At least he gave him 12 minutes and has learnt from putting subs on in added time. In a sliding doors universal we lost in the last 16 to Slovakia and Southgate moves to the Australian outback but in this reality he at least eventually put Palmer on who can pass forward and Watkins who has been so frustrated the way he has been under used in this tournament.
Take turns to kick the two Spanish kids and we have a chance. Spain have won 6 out of 6 but the best team doesn't always win so we are in it to win it.
Comments
Fantastic finish by Watkins.
Get the fuck in
Thought the Shaw sub didn't go as planned, but that's not his fault. But the Watkins/Palmer changes were superb.
Credit where it’s due tonight: despite putting out the same team as in previous dreadful games, we actually looked pretty decent in the first half.
Shaw for Trippier was the correct call at half time too, but Southgate showed his Achilles heel which is an absolute inability (or maybe refusal?) to adapt when your opponents change their set up. The Dutch strangled the life out of us and we again looked toothless, ponderous and vulnerable.
I said after Switzerland that even if we went all the way I’d still dislike Southgate. I’m still of the opinion that our success is down to the players rather than Southgate, and that he’s been fortunate that his excessively late subs have repeatedly paid dividends almost immediately (you can’t tell me that’s strategic genius!) but the first half tonight has at least softened my view of him.
At the end of the day, I’m delighted we’ve made it to the final.
COME ON ENGLAND!! 😎
Both strikers have shown more in their respective sub appearances than Kane has done all tournament.
Come on England!
If we lose the final Billyboy will blame Khan.
I was worried how we'd move on from Kane. With Watkins and Toney alone I don't think we're in a bad place.
Watkins or Toney would give the opposition centre backs a much harder time.
Quality tonight
he had a good effort pushed away, won the penalty and scored it. He is miles ahead in the English goal scoring charts. No way is he or should he be dropped for the final. I’m
7 - England have knocked out Netherlands, ranked 7th in the FIFA rankings - the highest ranked nation they have eliminated from a World Cup/EURO knockout tie since Spain in the EURO 1996 quarter-final (6th). Overcome.
Hell NO... You dont ever drop your best players, as they can make something happen out of nothing.
At least he gave him 12 minutes and has learnt from putting subs on in added time.
In a sliding doors universal we lost in the last 16 to Slovakia and Southgate moves to the Australian outback but in this reality he at least eventually put Palmer on who can pass forward and Watkins who has been so frustrated the way he has been under used in this tournament.
Take turns to kick the two Spanish kids and we have a chance.
Spain have won 6 out of 6 but the best team doesn't always win so we are in it to win it.