International Matches | 15th - 22nd November 2023

Alan Harper's Tash said:
Come on mate. Tonight was dire. We didn’t have a shot at home to Malta for over an hour.

Southgate has done pretty well in tournament football, without excelling. He’s ridden the Guardiola wave, but is still the only national manager not to win a trophy whilst Pep is coaching in their country.

His reluctance to play Foden as a 10 is baffling when you see Trippier, TAA and Guehi all played out of position tonight.

Rashford has been dire all season. You can point to his goal against Italy, but he was rubbish in that match too and someone else might well have scored 2 and assisted etc.

As someone mentioned before, is the midfield axis of TAA, Henderson and Gallagher the weakest in English history? It’s got to be right up there.

Even you can’t have enjoyed watching that tonight? Surely?
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Some fair points but I’m more than happy watching England win even if it isn’t blistering amazing football, already mentioned we was slow in patches and wasted some opportunities going forward.

But we was always in control, dominated possession and never felt opposition was a threat. Thought Foden, Rice and Palmer played well.

Doesn’t need to be over analysed these matches- as I say, even if we did play great football and win 6/7-0 there wouldn’t be any praise because ‘it’s only Malta’
 
BlueHammer85 said:
Some fair points but I’m more than happy watching England win even if it isn’t blistering amazing football, already mentioned we was slow in patches and wasted some opportunities going forward.

But we was always in control, dominated possession and never felt opposition was a threat. Thought Foden, Rice and Palmer played well.

Doesn’t need to be over analysed these matches- as I say, even if we did play great football and win 6/7-0 there wouldn’t be any praise because ‘it’s only Malta’
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Whilst I take your point that England fans generally don’t give much praise out, we were only playing Malta. We’d already qualified. We could have looked at more fringe players.

Instead we get an awful performance against Harrogate Town.
 
Alan Harper's Tash said:
Whilst I take your point that England fans generally don’t give much praise out, we were only playing Malta. We’d already qualified. We could have looked at more fringe players.

Instead we get an awful performance against Harrogate Town.
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Suspect he’ll make a few more changes Monday night against Macedonia.

As you say, we’ve already qualified, why the need to go gung ho , Get the job done, win and move on.
 
BlueHammer85 said:
Suspect he’ll make a few more changes Monday night against Macedonia.

As you say, we’ve already qualified, why the need to go gung ho , Get the job done, win and move on.
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I’m not sure gung ho is in Gareth’s vocabulary.

He played 5 defenders at home to Malta. That’s ridiculous.

He has limited games to work out alternative formations. This was a missed opportunity.

3-2-5 would have been more appropriate today.
 
BlueHammer85 said:
I’m always pleased with an England win.
Would I prefer blistering football and a 8-0 win, yes. But international football is rarely like that for even likes of Brazil other top nations. It’s always a bit slower as players aren’t used to playing with each other week in week out.
2-0 comfortable win will do.
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Whenever England play shit you always come out with the, 'players aren't used to playing with other' garb. What international players do play together week in week out, none.
England's players are far superior in quality and technical ability to Malta and so should be able to step into the team. Some of the play, passing and movement tonight was awful.
I get a wins a win in some games, Brazil, France etc, but not against teams like Malta. We should at least be creating chances against them, even if not taking them all.
 
exiled-blue said:
Whenever England play shit you always come out with the, 'players aren't used to playing with other' garb. What international players do play together week in week out, none.
England's players are far superior in quality and technical ability to Malta and so should be able to step into the team. Some of the play, passing and movement tonight was awful.
I get a wins a win in some games, Brazil, France etc, but not against teams like Malta. We should at least be creating chances against them, even if not taking them all.
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On your first point, I apply that to all international teams, not just England.
I’ve watched Germany, France,Italy games and even many Brazil ones and it’s all very pedestrian compared to what we see domestically, I think it’s an important distinction.

You say some of the play, passing and movement tonight was appalling - should that always be the managers fault ? Sometimes a couple players can have an off day and it doesn’t always click. We beat Malta 4-0 not that long ago and created way more chances then we did tonight - same manager, same team. Sometimes football just goes like that.
 
this has to be a joke

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 8

Had to deal with constant bites from the Malta players who couldn't handle his movement in midfield. He was pulling the strings in the middle of the park for Southgate's men. Perhaps Jurgen Klopp should think about moving him up.
 
Cityfan1977 said:
this has to be a joke

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 8

Had to deal with constant bites from the Malta players who couldn't handle his movement in midfield. He was pulling the strings in the middle of the park for Southgate's men. Perhaps Jurgen Klopp should think about moving him up.
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Sky have Foden as MOTM….
BBC sport however have Jodi Jones as MOTM. It’s as clear as daylight ffs
 
Wretched Vengeance said:
That was fucking excruciating, and there can be no excuses for such a dire, lethargic and dismal performance.

Southgate can get fucked with TAA in that position, and Henderson can go with him.
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Gave the game a swerve went to my Club for a few games of Crib with some mates, far more exciting.
 
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