Serbia v England - Sun 16th June, 20:00 | Euro 2024 Group C

[BlueEagle]

Does anyone else remember when Southgate’s excuse for not playing Foden in the centre was because Pep didn’t play him there? Wonder what his excuse would be for playing him as a left winger would be given Pep any played him there since his debut season when he was coming from the academy…

 

[come-on-barney]

Lots of issues yesterday, and like we have known for a while, Southgate is not great tactically. Most teams these days don’t play long from the goalkeeper all the time ( thanks Pep) so what was that all about. We were straight back under pressure and no control of the ball. Phil didn’t have a great game, but what does Rice actually do? He hid in that second half. Thought Bowen looked good when he came on, and Guehi did not look out of place at all. Bellingham’s a talent but too much of an ego to be a real team player. Disappeared second half when the going got tough. I think the ‘Jack’ decision will come back and bite Southgate, needed some control second half and we didn’t have anyone to provide that on the pitch. Positives, the boys will be home early to get ready for next season.

 

[give it to gordon]

I feel for Phil, England is clearly a step down for him.
When has Phil played in a park the bus team ?
When has Phil played with a hoof ball keeper ?
When has Phil played with a player with a huge ego like Bellingham ?

At City Phil looks settled, feels part of the best team in the world, with world class players who trust him.

At England Phil looks lost, players don't understand his footballing brain.

England doesn't suit Phil's game.

The biggest problem is the players don't pass to Phil. Bellingham wants to be the star, taa wants to hit the Hollywood pass some 60yds.

Just come home Phil before England drains you of your confidence.

 

[feedmpenzaandhewillscore]

Lots of issues yesterday, and like we have known for a while, Southgate is not great tactically. Most teams these days don’t play long from the goalkeeper all the time ( thanks Pep) so what was that all about. We were straight back under pressure and no control of the ball. Phil didn’t have a great game, but what does Rice actually do? He hid in that second half. Thought Bowen looked good when he came on, and Guehi did not look out of place at all. Bellingham’s a talent but too much of an ego to be a real team player. Disappeared second half when the going got tough. I think the ‘Jack’ decision will come back and bite Southgate, needed some control second half and we didn’t have anyone to provide that on the pitch. Positives, the boys will be home early to get ready for next season.

Other positive is that Ten Hag will get binned off for Southgate when the clocks go back.

 

[tommybooth]

Southgate is more clueless than tent peg. Picks the team out of a hat.

 

[come-on-barney]

everyone on here has an irrational hatred of Bellingham it seems, he was the only fucker who looked any good last night. Just saying.

Serious question, what did he do second half? First half I would agree, but then disappeared.

 

[KentBlue]

Just watching SSN. I must have watched a different game.

You and me both. The Serbians were physical and used their size to intimidate us, but Waistcoat and his advisors would have been fully aware that it was not going to be a night for the faint of heart. But nothing they did could justify the amount of time Saka went down.
I've been made aware that he likes to 'take a tumble' and so it has proved. I don't think I have ever seen a player spend more time writhing on the ground in pretend-agony as much as him. Tranny likes a dive, as do Ratboy 2 (in fact every rag is or was a diving çunt), Salah is another, but Saka is climbing his way up to the top of the tree when it comes to feigning injury.

The more I see of what Arteta has done to some of his players, the more I am happy as fuck that he will not take over from Pep.

 

[LangleyBlue1970]

Just heard Southgate’s interview. He said Foden did exactly what he wanted him to do. I’m not sure what that is, but hey ho.

See if he starts on Tuesday.

 

[Blue Maverick]

Nothing to do with the press is it?

Bellingham considering his age is an incredible talent, arrogant without question but at 21 after the season he has had is he not entitled to arrogance?

In our shirt this season Foden looked and played like he was THE man on the pitch, that's taken time, he simply is not at that stage with England and the comparison to Scholes is a perfect one.

I do think it’s driven by the media mate, I like Bellingham as a player I’d have loved him at City and I think you need a bit of swagger, however, look at what he did on the pitch there was a petulance there in particular one incident with the shoulder barge into a players chest, he could end up been sent off. For me you drop TAA bring Bellingham further back and put Foden behind Kane with maybe Eze on the left, this allows Bellingham to do box to box but gives space for Foden to operate in those spaces up front. That won’t happen because of the bellend in charge.

 

[Keeper!]

I do think it’s driven by the media mate, I like Bellingham as a player I’d have loved him at City and I think you need a bit of swagger, however, look at what he did on the pitch there was a petulance there in particular one incident with the shoulder barge into a players chest, he could end up been sent off. For me you drop TAA bring Bellingham further back and put Foden behind Kane with maybe Eze on the left, this allows Bellingham to do box to box but gives space for Foden to operate in those spaces up front. That won’t happen because of the bellend in charge.

I agree the guy is a cnut but he has delivered and hence is allowed that right.

His issue is keeping that form, he has set an incredible level , now he has to keep to it, that's going to be hard.

Foden at this time has not performed in an England shirt.

 

[Lowtower]

Phil did struggle last night, and thats down to the system.

Its not going to change though, Serbs sat back for the first half hour and then realised we don't have that much and were braver.

Other leading nations won't be breaking sweat over this England starting 11 and system.

 

[Mayor West]

Just heard Southgate’s interview. He said Foden did exactly what he wanted him to do. I’m not sure what that is, but hey ho.

See if he starts on Tuesday.

Who for? Turkey, Georgia Portugal ot Czech Rep?

 

[Blue and true]

Serious question, what did he do second half? First half I would agree, but then disappeared.

So he still did more than everyone else on the pitch? He won us the game last night.

 

[Blue and true]

everyone on here has an irrational hatred of Bellingham it seems, he was the only fucker who looked any good last night. Just saying.

It's embarrassing. In that first half he was the only player on the pitch who looked world class and like he belonged.

 

[feedmpenzaandhewillscore]

Only right back capable of sitting next to the holding midfielder and stop England being over run is Rico Lewis. He’s probably at Ocean Beach Ibiza instead though.

 

[kippaxwarrior]

Typical England performance.

Thought the first 20 minutes we looked good. Quick passing, decisive and fluid but after the goall they just reverted back to Southgate type. Hold what we have and defend it.

Bellingham must have a better PR team than Beckham. After the first goal he was anonymous and just struts around like a peacock. The press blowing smoke up his arse is laughable.

Alexander-Arnold as predicted was a disaster in midfield. Offered nothing going forward or defensively and just looked lost. Gallagher did more in the last 15 minutes than he did in the rest of the match.

Is Kane fit? Looked like he was running in treacle. He needs to stop dropping deep as there's no focal point upfront. Id actually play Watkins as he stays on the shoulder of defenders and can spin in behind.

Foden was poor but I felt for him. There were times when he was getting into good pockets of space but either the player didn't see him or just ignored himself and you could see him getting more and more frustrated. He needs to play in the middle to influence the game.

Though Rice played well mopping up and I was impressed with Guehi.

Those last 20 minutes were painful to watch. Fucking Wimbledon hoofball 2.0

Southgate has a team of extremely good players but just doesn't know how to play them. His conservative tactics are stiflingly this squad. He needs to be braver. If millions of England fans can see this why can't he?

 

[West Yorks Owl]

I said Qtr Final before tournament started and after last night nothing has changed that.

Had a debate with the boy last night who called me deluded as I said Kane is finished at this level :)

Mitrovic looked sharper and he's been playing in the Dog & Duck league all season.

 

[Magicpole]

I was beginning to get the fear first 20. I could see a threat to win it and the years long talking about it. But after that and especially the second half you looked as if the first 20 never happened. You have the players, but you also have Southgate.

 

[Crooked_rain]

Phil did struggle last night, and thats down to the system.

Partly. He did have plenty of freedom at times and hit some absolutely shocking passes.

 

[55yr old teenager]

The problem England have got is that there's nothing linking midfield to attack as we've got Rice and Alexander-Arnold sitting just in front of the defence and Bellingham who, while a talented player, has got absolutely no tactical discipline so he's never where he should be when he's needed as he's trying to be the hero all the time.
He's also a right diving shit bag and I can't believe none of the pundits called out his shitbaggery, particularly trying to cheat his way to a penalty.

They would have called out our City boys if it was one of them diving.