I’ve been surprised how much flak the team have received during the tournament. Yes, they haven’t been massively exciting, but the key to winning tournaments is being hard to beat.
When they’ve needed to step up a level, they have done. If they can step up again against Spain, with a little bit of luck they can win the tournament. History in the making.
I've criticised Southgate's lack of attacking intent and have credited him on getting us this far with "his" tactics, but last night just compounds the thinking that his way isn't the only way.
That was the best we've played not just in this tournament but for a little while now and it took us going a goal down to see that change in play and really took the game to Holland, there is no reason why we cant play like that from the off other than its not what Southgate wants, being cautious has its merits sure but last night was the first good test against a fairly gung ho nation and did they batter us for daring to go on the attack?
No, no they didnt.
Take that attitude and game to Spain on Sunday and we really will have a chance.
Great match, great winner, was it a pen? harsh, but then, Lampard scored in 2010 so, meh.
I think the mistake made by the Dutch was they went a goal up, and then decided to continue playing like they've done the rest of the Tournament and thought they could make it 2-0 / 3-0.
What they ended up doing, was giving our forward players the space we've been crying out for this Tournament, we've also shown that we're pretty good (even before last night) that we're good at keeping the ball now, hence why it wasn't a surprise when we dominated the midfield battle
Its why they realised their f**k up at HT so went tighter, meaning the game reverted in the second half to what we've seen for the majority of our games.
Spain won't make the same mistake, they've taken the lead against Germany and France, and have sat back. It initially failed against the Germans, and were lucky in some ways to get the win, proving we can hurt them in turn.
Spain certainly didn’t sit back against France, they were going for a third. I was constantly saying to them ’keep possession’, ’slow it down’.
Hernandez and Mbappe wasted the chaces that Spain allowed them. I’m confident that any of our front line who’ve played so far would have tucked one of those two away and earnt extra time.
Trippier may not be fit for the final - groin strain. Does Shaw have 90-120 minutes in him? Otherwise TAA or Walker on right, Walker or Saka on left. I’ll trust Steve Avory’s protégée Southgate to get it right.
Trippier may not be fit for the final - groin strain. Does Shaw have 90-120 minutes in him? Otherwise TAA or Walker on right, Walker or Saka on left. I’ll trust Steve Avory’s protégée Southgate to get it right.
I think Shaw has 90 minutes in the tank but not 120 which is why he came on at half time. I’d start him, if we get to extra time we’ll probably be playing some bonkers formation anyway like we did against Slovakia for a bit
Haven’t read the whole thread so perhaps someone agrees with me but I feel like I’m the only one who blames our stifled midfield in the second half on Southgate’s switch to a flat back four. Whilst playing 3 at the back we effectively had 6 in the middle stretched from flank to flank. We stifled ourselves rather than Holland doing so. Another negative move which could’ve backfired
I Disagree, we was stifled as the Dutch took Depay off and replaced him with a central midfielder. They went from 3 up front to 2 after the 30th minute. Switching to a back 4 was the right call to make us more attacking with Saka as a RW hugging the line.
I’ve been surprised how much flak the team have received during the tournament. Yes, they haven’t been massively exciting, but the key to winning tournaments is being hard to beat.
When they’ve needed to step up a level, they have done. If they can step up again against Spain, with a little bit of luck they can win the tournament. History in the making.
Agree, but we’ve looked extremely vulnerable at the back and have been lucky to not have conceded more. Hence the flak.
Morning after the night before. I’m on my hands and knees sponging the rug before repainting the walls. I’m a traditionalist when England score I’ve always thrown my beer in the air. Hopefully, the stain will come out of the rug and I should finish the painting before my dinner time tonight.
I am trying to work out which of these phrases is some sexual euphemism. I think, on balance, it's all of them.
I think she's really good. She has a slightly odd way of speaking but she's pretty clear with her explanations. I think it helps if anything, she speaks like a rulebook and that brings clarity. It's a good idea to have someone there to explain reffing decisions and give their opinion and she's infinitely preferable to the overly matey, arrogant pain in the arse English former refs they usually get to do it. She doesn't feel obliged to protect her old mates from criticism either so you get more honesty. I'm always a bit surprised to hear so much criticism of her but then I'm also a bit surprised when I see Karen Carney trending every time she appears on TV and it's just an endless stream of abuse. I shouldn't be surprised, how we're shown the game has changed but football fans haven't really. Hopefully they'll catch up one day
Morning after the night before. I’m on my hands and knees sponging the rug before repainting the walls. I’m a traditionalist when England score I’ve always thrown my beer in the air. Hopefully, the stain will come out of the rug and I should finish the painting before my dinner time tonight.
I am trying to work out which of these phrases is some sexual euphemism. I think, on balance, it's all of them.
I’m working on it but may take some time. Will probably just end up posting the Kenneth Williams photo.
Since we've gone to this 3 at the back system we've been a lot better. Still have spells in games where we are in a holding pattern but it's about taking it deep in games to progress in the tournament and it's worked. This 3 at the back system has been excellent with Saka managing somehow to play both in the front 3 and as a wing back, walker in the back 3 (withbsome incredible tackles) and still overlapping him. It's given Foden and Bellingham more space and we are finally seeing the best of Phil.
The system is asking Kane to go against his natural instincts which is why he's had a quieter tournament (though still scoring even if from the spot).
As for last night. After going behind we won the first half fairly comfortably. We were controlling midfield and looking dangerous. They changed it up at half time to counter this and it worked. Bith teams went into a holding pattern hoping to grab something late on. Watkins over Toney was the perfect sub, we hadn't had anyone running in behind all game, he managed to turn their CBs and get them running back towards their own goal which is their weakness.
I'm fully back on the Southgate train after a minor wobble in the group stages. It may not be pretty but the man know how to get through in tournaments and that's what matters. Expectations are a lot higher than when he started and even the last euros. So fans are expecting fancy football. But history shows tournaments are won by playing pragmatic football and that's what we've done.
Get in. had some luck but all winners have some luck along the way. Never a pen.
great stuff I don’t think we’ve been as bad as people think.
I think the managers and coaches have been that good that the teams have nullified each other. The changes by Koeman at half time nullified us again second half.
Get in. had some luck but all winners have some luck along the way. Never a pen.
great stuff I don’t think we’ve been as bad as people think.
I think the managers and coaches have been that good that the teams have nullified each other. The changes by Koeman at half time nullified us again second half.
Come on England bring it home
It is, without a doubt, returning to its place of birth
Trippier may not be fit for the final - groin strain. Does Shaw have 90-120 minutes in him? Otherwise TAA or Walker on right, Walker or Saka on left. I’ll trust Steve Avory’s protégée Southgate to get it right.
I think Shaw has 90 minutes in the tank but not 120 which is why he came on at half time. I’d start him, if we get to extra time we’ll probably be playing some bonkers formation anyway like we did against Slovakia for a bit
Trippier is injured so Shaw starts. He runs out of steam after 70 mins. Joe Gomez comes on and after 89 minutes plays a one-two with Cole Palmer and scores his very first senior goal to make us champions 😎
Trippier may not be fit for the final - groin strain. Does Shaw have 90-120 minutes in him? Otherwise TAA or Walker on right, Walker or Saka on left. I’ll trust Steve Avory’s protégée Southgate to get it right.
I think Shaw has 90 minutes in the tank but not 120 which is why he came on at half time. I’d start him, if we get to extra time we’ll probably be playing some bonkers formation anyway like we did against Slovakia for a bit
Trippier is injured so Shaw starts. He runs out of steam after 70 mins. Joe Gomez comes on and after 89 minutes plays a one-two with Cole Palmer and scores his very first senior goal to make us champions 😎
Trippier may not be fit for the final - groin strain. Does Shaw have 90-120 minutes in him? Otherwise TAA or Walker on right, Walker or Saka on left. I’ll trust Steve Avory’s protégée Southgate to get it right.
I think Shaw has 90 minutes in the tank but not 120 which is why he came on at half time. I’d start him, if we get to extra time we’ll probably be playing some bonkers formation anyway like we did against Slovakia for a bit
Trippier is injured so Shaw starts. He runs out of steam after 70 mins. Joe Gomez comes on and after 89 minutes plays a one-two with Cole Palmer and scores his very first senior goal to make us champions 😎
I've had the same dream (seriously) about Joe scoring his first professional goal to win the final.
Trippier may not be fit for the final - groin strain. Does Shaw have 90-120 minutes in him? Otherwise TAA or Walker on right, Walker or Saka on left. I’ll trust Steve Avory’s protégée Southgate to get it right.
Depends on the system. Back 4 (I hope not) and reckon it'll be Konsa. Back 3 and I hope it's Saka on the left and Trent on the right.
Our 3 strikers have very different roles. Kane is being asked to play further up the pitch than previously to provide a focal point and leave space for Foden/Bellingham, it has made him less involved in games and nullified some aspects of his play but hasn't made him any less potent in front of goal.
Watkins is to play off the shoulder and make those runs in behind. Try and turn the defenders back towards their own goal. Toney is all about his physicality (and pens) he can disrupt defenses and hold the ball up. Both have uses late in in games depending on the opposition and how they are playing. It's a great place to be.
Similarly we are seeing with others that many of them have clearly defined bench roles. Twice now Gallagher has come off the bench late on to purely be an all energy pressing machine. He's played further up than the rest of the midfield and been told to charge at whoever has the ball. Often he's been able to cover 2/3 men like this and prevent balls coming in late on in games. Similarly Konsa has a role as the extra defender coming on late in games. Eze/Bowen/Palmer/Gordon have all been used to try and affect games depending on whether we need running the channels/pace/vision.
Credit to Southgate for the detail and so many past players have said having clearly defined squad roles and purposes is so important in tournaments and even more so with bigger squads
I think the point is that he barely even moves towards Kane, it's clearly an attempted block. That's why it seemed such a weird decision to so many people
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Hernandez and Mbappe wasted the chaces that Spain allowed them. I’m confident that any of our front line who’ve played so far would have tucked one of those two away and earnt extra time.
The system is asking Kane to go against his natural instincts which is why he's had a quieter tournament (though still scoring even if from the spot).
As for last night. After going behind we won the first half fairly comfortably. We were controlling midfield and looking dangerous. They changed it up at half time to counter this and it worked. Bith teams went into a holding pattern hoping to grab something late on. Watkins over Toney was the perfect sub, we hadn't had anyone running in behind all game, he managed to turn their CBs and get them running back towards their own goal which is their weakness.
I'm fully back on the Southgate train after a minor wobble in the group stages. It may not be pretty but the man know how to get through in tournaments and that's what matters. Expectations are a lot higher than when he started and even the last euros. So fans are expecting fancy football. But history shows tournaments are won by playing pragmatic football and that's what we've done.
I'm backing us to go on and win it now!
It is, without a doubt, returning to its place of birth
😂
Watkins is to play off the shoulder and make those runs in behind. Try and turn the defenders back towards their own goal. Toney is all about his physicality (and pens) he can disrupt defenses and hold the ball up. Both have uses late in in games depending on the opposition and how they are playing. It's a great place to be.
Similarly we are seeing with others that many of them have clearly defined bench roles. Twice now Gallagher has come off the bench late on to purely be an all energy pressing machine. He's played further up than the rest of the midfield and been told to charge at whoever has the ball. Often he's been able to cover 2/3 men like this and prevent balls coming in late on in games. Similarly Konsa has a role as the extra defender coming on late in games. Eze/Bowen/Palmer/Gordon have all been used to try and affect games depending on whether we need running the channels/pace/vision.
Credit to Southgate for the detail and so many past players have said having clearly defined squad roles and purposes is so important in tournaments and even more so with bigger squads
There is no way an actual human could chat so much rubbish! 🤣
Maybe that’s a harsh interpretation but whatever. Maybe those are rarely given in the past because he got a shot off, who cares.
It’s one where the referees always end up playing chicken on the decision when it’s a clear as day foul anywhere else on the pitch.
If we’re talking about making the game more consistent and less subjective so that fans can understand it, this should always be a foul.