KentBlue
Well-Known Member
Yep. Spot on. It's been a long and bruising campaign just in the Prem this past season, let alone the Champs League, FA Cup, League Cup (or whatever it's called) and the numerous internationals - friendlies or otherwise. This whole Nations League is yet another cynical attempt to make money from the popularity of the game. There is no prestige or honour in playing a pointless tournament that people don't want and the players don't need.I dont disagree with your approach and playing like there was nothing to lose might not have been a bad idea.
Unfortunately that goes against Southgates style, where not conceding precedes scoring. His entire philosophy is built around being airtight in defense and squeezing goals from set pieces. Of course that doesn't always work, but no tactical style does.
Part of me also thinks that the players have just come off a full season and now they're playing in a tournament that literally only exists as a replacement to friendlies. They weren't going to go balls to the wall for this.
But this is football today: football fans are important when they are buying tickets, otherwise the authorities couldn't give a rats arse about us.