Ukraine v England - Sat 9th September, 17:00 | Euro 2024 Qualifier

[BlueHammer85]

Bowen should be in the squad. He’s a better player than headless chicken Rashford. Southgate just too cautious for me. Kalvin Phillips nowhere near as good as Ward Prowse. Controversially I also think JWP is better than Rice though you will perhaps be a better judge.

Yeh I’d have Bowen in the squad for sure, just a shame we have some really class attacking talent in those areas.

Rice and JWP again slightly different players but Rice is a far superior all round player compared to JWP imo.

 

[BlueHammer85]

I think the “very little rationality” argument could just as easily be applied to people that refuse to entertain the idea that Southgate is holding back a supremely talent squad (leaving out the likes of Henderson, Maguire, and a few others farcically selected by Southgate).

I get this - but will we ever have an England manager that can satisfy fans with squad selection ? It’s the same that’s always been thrown at every England manager.

Southgate has consistently bought through and played young players - I think England have had the youngest team/squad in both the recent World Cup and Euros.

He obviously wants to keep a few experienced players like Henderson and Maguire around though. I don’t rate Maguire that much but for England in my opinion he has been consistently good.

 

[stonerblue]

In my opinion the England squad has been the most talented in the world since the England Euros. The whole world and his dog knew England would not beat Italy in that final. Roberto Mancini outpointed him as a manager in the same way the Croatia manager outpointed him in the Russia World Cup semi final.

I’m sure we’ll qualify because it’s a talented squad. We could go far in the Euro’s, but the only certainty is we won’t win it because Gareth Waistcoat is wasting our generational talents. We’re a half decent manager away from winning a tournament.

You are right, it isn’t doom and gloom. It’s fucking frustrating and a criminal waste. Southgate resides at the apex of everything I despise about our Football Authorities. He’s like Ian Huntley to me.

Definitely not doom and gloom though.

Bit of a weird ending but generally spot on

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Until England have a midfield that can control games, we’re going to flatter to deceive. We’ll get found out by the better technical teams, whoever is in charge.

 

[BamberBridgeBlue]

Yes he’s definitely as bad as a child murderer.

I stole that line from Stewart Lee. It is intentionally OTT. Southgate is an FA suit though. My only surprise is that people expect him to drop Henderson for his hypocrisy when hypocrisy is Southgate’s stocking trade. Like all of them really. I’m sure Gary Neville will end up Mayor of Manchester as we all have short memories.

 

[Jesus2020]

We’ve had recent wins and very good performances against Ukraine, Italy in this group.

World Cup we played really well against France but obviously lost, and the 3-0 wins v Senegal and Wales we were very good.

3-3 v Germany was a great watch unfortunately Popes last min error cost us the win. Draws v Italy and Germany before that were good performances also.

Obviously some hate England and Southgate so much so will always give very little credit or be rational when it comes to England.

I feel like the players we have should achieve these as standard though and with a different manager we could do even better, no?

 

[BlueHammer85]

I stole that line from Stewart Lee. It is intentionally OTT. Southgate is an FA suit though. My only surprise is that people expect him to drop Henderson for his hypocrisy when hypocrisy is Southgate’s stocking trade. Like all of them really. I’m sure Gary Neville will end up Mayor of Manchester as we all have short memories.

Will give a like for clarifying that line.

 

[BlueHammer85]

I feel like the players we have should achieve these as standard though and with a different manager we could do even better, no?

Football has no guarantees however good the players are , look at Italy and Germanys results tonight.

Also many posts slating so many of our players yet somehow Southgate manages to get them to QF, Semi and a Final in major tournaments.

Southgate also has one of Englands highest win% … could we be better with a different manager ? Maybe, who knows.

But unless the different manager wins a major trophy he will get the same abuse and vitriol aimed at him for squad selections, formations, subs etc.

 

[DenisHasDoneIt]

SKY have told their nil hours clickbaiter Sam Blitz to get his septic Arsenal fan boy claws into Phil it seems -

Phil Foden failed to grasp his chance for England
"Phil Foden - 4
A few sloppy moments when Ukraine were in possession after coming on for Bellingham, with little to write home about. Did little to convince Gareth Southgate that he should be a regular starter."

He should show Southgate his medals (aged 23), and ask to see Southgate’s. Then return home, where he needs to convince nobody at all of his ability - not least the greatest coach in the world, who knows Phil’s game inside out.

I watched the second half. I’ve got limited time left on this planet, and wasted 45 minutes of it watching that. Hope I don’t remember that when I’m on my last lap.

 

[super_city_si]

A good manager would have won something with this team. Southgate is a shithouse. Scared of doing anything that would leave the team with less than 6 men back. He has absolutely no idea how to create passages of play.
celebrating what hes done so far is like celebrating him getting top 4 consistently and reaching a carabao cup final with this city team.
He is a hinderance.