England v Denmark | Euro 2020 Semi Final

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

I was thinking about Pickford and he is a fine Keeper, but perhaps unfairly we know measure every keepers kicking etc in comparison to Eddies and no keeper in the world does it like it Eddy.

Exactly my sentiment. I was watching Pickford, and thinking of what Ed does, and how we just take it as a matter of course.

 

[KS55]

This is just patently nonsense - last night England made 635 passes. City on average last season made 675 per game. Burnley made an average of 365.

Occasionally, England go long, and we utilise set pieces well, both of which essentially make us less predictable and a better football side. All our goals this tournament (i think) have come off the back of decent build up play and either short low passes / crosses or short stand up crosses. We are not lumping it into the box aimlessly.

We aren't defensive in the traditional sense, in that we don't simply park the bus and play on the counter. We have two defensive mids and for most of each game, we have dictated the pace of the game and (without checking) i believe we have had more possession.

Last night, according to Opta, Schmeichel kept out 2.9 goals, according to expected goals on target (xGOT) measurements. That’s more than any other keeper at the Euros in the last 41 years at least. Again, not evidence of a team that is defensive but somewhat fortunate - if anything it is the complete opposite.

Southgate is pragmatic, but he also has a group of attacking players who are mobile and given license to express themselves at the right time. Its not tiki taka wankball, passing with no purpose but its effective and at times exciting to watch. To suggest they are long ball merchants is palpably incorrect.

You make some good points but I think the number of passes doesn't tell the whole story. There is a world of difference between 10 slick passes at high tempo and 10 slow, four touch passes..... and back to the keeper.
But still very surprised at England's number compared to City's. England may be better than we think, maybe, maybe....

 

[MarsLlama]

Depends on your definition of fine, he is OK but many national sides have a better keeper.

Bloody hell, did I miss something or is that not the definition of fine?

 

[willipp]

Watching Kane last night convinced me he would be amazing in our team.

That through ball to Saka was class and his general play was exceptional.

Imagine Sterling and Foden buzzing around him for City with the likes of Kev and Mahrez as well?

By far his best game of the tournament last night, he really was excellent.

 

[Mancity1980]

Watching Kane last night convinced me he would be amazing in our team.

That through ball to Saka was class and his general play was exceptional.

Imagine Sterling and Foden buzzing around him for City with the likes of Kev and Mahrez as well?

I just hope we can bring the transfer fee down to a reasonable number, surely Spurs would be better served selling a want away player and at 27 it is now or never for the great man to win a decent haul of silverware.

 

[Tuearts right boot]

Is it?
I don't rate Southgate very highly as a manager,he clearly has some strengths,which are negated by his weaknesses, imo.

We all know he keeps his job whatever happens.
I'm guessing nearly everyone will be perfectly happy to carry on with his style of play and tactical nous come what may.
Win or lose Sunday.

Well...it ain't broke so let's not fix it.....Don't change a winning formula, otherwise we'd have got rid of Pep before now and you wouldn't have that. Granted I'm no fan of Southgate either but he's growing on me and the reality is is that he's doing the job very well at present. Still fancy Italy to win though.

 

[Mancity1980]

Bloody hell, did I miss something or is that not the definition of fine?

It’s not mine but fine if it is yours!

 

[FantasyIreland]

Haha just listened to a scousers on talksport slag of Kane and Sterling for diving you couldn’t make it up!

Both did dive,Kane initiated contact for his,but still a dive......unfortunately that's a part of the game now.

 

[Man_City_Loyal]

I was thinking about Pickford and he is a fine Keeper, but perhaps unfairly we know measure every keepers kicking etc in comparison to Eddies and no keeper in the world does it like it Eddy.

Yes very true there on all counts.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

THIS….

Former Republic of Ireland international Kevin Doyle came to the defence of Sterling and insisted that it’s incredibly difficult for players to stay on their feet when impeded at speed.

Doyle tweeted: “Sterling’s right knee gets clipped followed by a hip barge from the other side….how is that ‘not touched?’

“Try staying on your feet while sprinting with a ball and that happens.”

 

[KS55]

Two half pens add up to one actual pen? Love it, I don’t know if that is actually a thing but it is a funny thought. What is a real thing is equalising a wrong decision, it happens all the time and I bet it is not written down in the official rule book.

Right, I just meant in the mind of VAR
1.Hmmmm....no pen, but close.
2. Oh here's another one, maybe I should err on their side this time.
Psychology innit? Or game management!!

 

[The perfect fumble]

It's generally recognised that football started in England but International football and the pre cursor to the World Cup was the Thomas Lipton Trophy held in Turin in 1909 and 1911, West Auckland won it twice and Dennis Waterman was in the team, obviously in the drama, lighten up ffs.

I was there...

 

[FantasyIreland]

Our only downside last night was our keeper, his kicking and throwing output let him down.

He is a decent keeper,not great.

His biggest weakness is his lack of composure/flapping.

He doesn't bring a calmness to proceedings,and that can effect others.

We should have given citizenship to Martinez.

 

[Man_City_Loyal]

He is a decent keeper,not great.

His biggest weakness is his lack of composure/flapping.

He doesn't bring a calmness to proceedings,and that can effect others.

We should have given citizenship to Martinez.

He had a mad 10/15 mins where he was doing exactly what you mentioned. and then boom goal for them.

 

[KS55]

I just hope we can bring the transfer fee down to a reasonable number, surely Spurs would be better served selling a want away player and at 27 it is now or never for the great man to win a decent haul of silverware.

My worry is that he is just reaching the age when past injuries or a physical weakness may catch up with him. £100m expensive if he is not fit most of the time. No doubts about his ability.

 

[willipp]

Re watching the full game now and first half was pretty even, but as the second half progressed and into extra time england totally dominated the game and played really well. Kane was superb, sterling is englands best player of the tournament by a mile, maguire, stones, walker and shaw all very good.

Grealish and Foden linked up really well and shows what a superb impact players coming on can have. Be great seeing those two playing next season together.

Enjoy it, its coming home.

 

[Blue Feather]

Great team performance and all the City boys were excellent. Be great if they are all on the pitch if we win it on Sunday........(have to admit that I was applauding Slab and Fatty too......)

 

[FantasyIreland]

At one point we potentially had 54.5455% of next seasons City starting line up on the pitch.

 

[Manchester33]

It was a clear penalty. Both contacts would have been enough for a penalty individually.

Some of you think it's still the 80's.

 

[GornikDaze]

At one point we potentially had 54.5455% of next seasons City starting line up on the pitch.

Thankfully that doesn’t include Pickford!!