FA confirm Southgate will stay on until after Euro 2024 (p 101)

[bridgeno1]

I think you can. Foden works hard. Bellingham works hard for himself.

Foden receives the ball and thinks what is the best pass for the team. Bellingham spends the first split second thinking if he can do something amazing. Then he has to make up for that lost moment.

We need both on top form for the team tomorrow. Foden just do what he HAS been doing. Bellingham to play for the team and not himself. Pass the pass, stop moaning, mark his bloody man on corners!

Track record is only measured in goals? Think you need to see football more in depth.
Foden could have a worldy. The headlines will make Bellingham the star. (Only in this country though).

View attachment 125207

Well I have to tread carefully as I'm on a City forum and there seems to be a lot of sensitivity towards Foden on here and his role with England. Your ratings you collated are from the one game he was good (1st half in particular) vs the Dutch.

Both Foden and Bellingham are outstanding players. Both haven't been playing at the level they do for their clubs. Bellingham seems knackered, Foden I don't think it's as much a case of being played out of position, but more like the whole attacking third doesn't seem to have a good plan in place, players drop deep and you end up with Foden, Bellingham and Kane basically occupying the same space. Which is odd as Bellingham is a fantastic box to box midfielder who bursts late into the penalty area (a modern day Lampard) whereas Foden is a more creative player who creates space but needs to be given the ball.

But I don't think one is necessarily 'better' than the other as they do different things. Both have been under par this tournament (Foden's 1st half vs the Dutch being the exception) and I'd add Declan Rice, Harry Kane and Kyle Walker to that list as well. Of the starting XI Guehi and Mainoo have been good, Saka, Stones and Pickford have been okay.

Luckily none of that matters as we are in the final regardless and if those players turn it on we have a decent chance.

 

[bridgeno1]

Worth noting that England are ranked 5 places higher than Spain in the FIFA rankings and in fact the game against 6th ranked Dutch was the hardest game we have had including the game vs Spain, based on rankings alone and was the game with the highest average ranking of both sides in the whole tournament.

 

[denislawsbackheel]

According to Ballague the UEFA panel choosing player of the tournament currently have Foden and Olmo leading the pack.

 

[bridgeno1]

According to Ballague the UEFA panel choosing player of the tournament currently have Foden and Olmo leading the pack.

That has to be absolute BS. No way is Foden in the top 10 let alone leading the pack. He's nowhere near being England's player of the tournament let alone across all nations. Surely Rodri and Yamal are in the running ahead of Olmo and Foden?

Edited to add the latest betting odds. Exactly as I outlined above and Foden nowhere near the running.

 

[give it to gordon]

That has to be absolute BS. No way is Foden in the top 10 let alone leading the pack. He's nowhere near being England's player of the tournament let alone across all nations. Surely Rodri and Yamal are in the running ahead of Olmo and Foden?

Do one

 

[bridgeno1]

Do one

Here you go mate. If you don't like other opinions, particularly ones backed up with facts, the attached pic will help you take the necessary steps to remedy the situation.

 

[give it to gordon]

Here you go mate. If you don't like other opinions, particularly ones backed up with facts, the attached pic will help you take the necessary steps to remedy the situation.View attachment 125221

As I said .....do one

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Worth noting that England are ranked 5 places higher than Spain in the FIFA rankings and in fact the game against 6th ranked Dutch was the hardest game we have had including the game vs Spain, based on rankings alone and was the game with the highest average ranking of both sides in the whole tournament.

View attachment 125215

The biggest thing we learn from this is that those rankings are a nonsense.

 

[Churchlawtonblue]

It's a funny one this hatred of Southgate. I think he's shite but don't really care either way as I don't support England. But it seems England fans would rather play nice footy and not win rather than get to the final playing shite? Reminds me of united haha. Or is it the classic English thing of complaining no matter what? Like in the 1 week of summer we get when everyone says it's too hot lol

Ive not read anyone saying the above? Bit of a strange take on what is a pretty simple expectation of any football coach.

 

[Churchlawtonblue]

I don't think you can say Foden is a better player than Bellingham. They are totally different types of player.

We need both on top form tomorrow but no way should Bellingham be played out of position to accommodate Foden - Bellingham has a better track record for England than Foden and it is up to Foden to be flexible and try and fit in - he has the talent to do it.

I get a sneaky feeling Foden will be the match winner tomorrow - Spain will try and double up on Saka as they know if they don't Cucurella is toast and that will give Foden space to create mayhem.

Foden has generally played better than Bellingham in this tournament. Bellingham has scored two important goals but has contributed very little else having been played as a 10 where a big part of his job is to create chances. Something he has failed to do.

 

[Blue Mist]

I wouldn't even mind if Southgate dropped Foden and explained his reasons why.
Ok we as Blues may not agree with him but at least he would be showing some balls. Instead we get 'ergh I've got to pick Kane and Bellingham or the press will crucify me.'
The one player that has come out with credit is Mainoo, I think, for a young lad, has had a great tournament but the truth is, Southgate didn't pick him, the media did.
Southgate has not done one thing that anyone could call inspirational or different. We are in a final despite him not because of him.

 

[chesterbells]

I wouldn't even mind if Southgate dropped Foden and explained his reasons why.
Ok we as Blues may not agree with him but at least he would be showing some balls. Instead we get 'ergh I've got to pick Kane and Bellingham or the press will crucify me.'
The one player that has come out with credit is Mainoo, I think, for a young lad, has had a great tournament but the truth is, Southgate didn't pick him, the media did.
Southgate has not done one thing that anyone could call inspirational or different. We are in a final despite him not because of him.

That last sentence is what it all comes down to with views on Southgate, because in pure competition performance outcomes, he has been very good.

 

[Blue Mist]

That last sentence is what it all comes down to with views on Southgate, because in pure competition performance outcomes, he has been very good.

He has if that is what you are prepared to accept it. France got to the semi final without scoring a goal in open play. Clearly the way to succeed in these tournaments is to be bland, boring, drab.
Southgate is very good at being .......bland, boring, drab.

It's not what I would call succesful but others will take it I suppose.

 

[TinFoilHat]

The Waistcoat had 'earned' his extension.

Probably lose to Eire in September.

 

[chesterbells]

He has if that is what you are prepared to accept it. France got to the semi final without scoring a goal in open play. Clearly the way to succeed in these tournaments is to be bland, boring, drab.
Southgate is very good at being .......bland, boring, drab.

It's not what I would call succesful but others will take it I suppose.

I don’t think my view is that far from yours on him as a manager tbh, but I’m talking about purely outcomes in terms of tournament progress (not performances, not enjoyment, and not performances metrics other that win/loss outcomes).

 

[BlueHammer85]

I wouldn't even mind if Southgate dropped Foden and explained his reasons why.
Ok we as Blues may not agree with him but at least he would be showing some balls. Instead we get 'ergh I've got to pick Kane and Bellingham or the press will crucify me.'
The one player that has come out with credit is Mainoo, I think, for a young lad, has had a great tournament but the truth is, Southgate didn't pick him, the media did.
Southgate has not done one thing that anyone could call inspirational or different. We are in a final despite him not because of him.

Last match he put on Palmer and Watkins, minutes later them combined to score the winning goal to take us to a final. But yeh, everything good is despite him not because of him.

Oh but if/when we lose it’s absolutely 1000% his fault - no other excuses or explanation, it’s just his fault.

 

[give it to gordon]

Last match he put on Palmer and Watkins, minutes later them combined to score the winning goal to take us to a final. But yeh, everything good is despite him not because of him.

Oh but if/when we lose it’s absolutely 1000% his fault - no other excuses or explanation, it’s just his fault.

If Foden had a centre forward that move like Watkins instead of that statue Kane England might have won a lot easier !

 

[BlueHammer85]

If Foden had a centre forward that move like Watkins instead of that statue Kane England might have won a lot easier !

Maybe, Maybe. Who knows.
Kane hasn’t been his usual standard (which is incredibly high) but still finds himself on the brink of the golden boot this tournament- I’ve seen so many times people slag him off then time and time again he comes up with a vital goal.

 

[Churchlawtonblue]

Maybe, Maybe. Who knows.
Kane hasn’t been his usual standard (which is incredibly high) but still finds himself on the brink of the golden boot this tournament- I’ve seen so many times people slag him off then time and time again he comes up with a vital goal.

The goals aside, him and Bellingham have been pretty poor, is saying that slagging him off in your opinion?

 

[Churchlawtonblue]

Love to know what was said against the COC to lock the match day thread, was actually an informative debate about the subject side of entertainment v wanting your time to win.
Anyhow, that’s all from me before ‘he’ locks this thread. Have a good one.

I think it was one of two City fans saying they wanted Spain to win. Which if your English is clearly a windup. You can be English and not interested in the national team and just follow City fair enough. But to want another nation to win especially when City have three players in the national side is just clearly attention seeking nonsense.