The Footie Thread

[Lord Tyrion]

And how many years do we keep watching the same boring football, bar the odd match, if we don’t win anything?

I posted something similar in the group stages. He is a pragmatic manager, fine when winning, not fine when losing. We don't sudddenly have to love the style simply because we are winning. We can admire and enjoy the results but we don't have to love the displays.

We have played two poor teams in the knock out stages, but disposed of them superbly. No argument there, far better than the group stage displays. If we have more of the same against the Danes then that will be great.

 

[harpo_72]

And how many years do we keep watching the same boring football, bar the odd match, if we don’t win anything?

I don’t think we will, I think we are seeing the beginning and from there on the England team will flourish.
The defensive weaknesses are being addressed. When they solidify and become strong our attacking prowess will be unleashed .. hello exciting football

 

[clubchamp98]

I don’t hold the manager 100% responsible for failure. I never have. The players have a responsibility on the pitch to give everything, this is at club and national level. They are paid .. it is their job, I know that sounds rather blunt and under appreciative .. but if you are paid to do something you do it to the best of your abilities to do otherwise indicates that your a lazy ?.
So for me the criticism should be aimed at the players. I have directed mine in that direction, but likewise I have praised good performances.
Once the manager has selected the player, that player has an obligation to perform.
I think Southgate has done a good job, and I think his predecessors were good as well .. for me their failure were the players and their lack of hunger.

Yes I would agree the players.
This squad of players are used to winning things and that makes a huge difference.
We havnt been under any pressure yet .that’s when we will see what they are made of.
If we go one down ,will he put Rashford on before Grealish.?
That’s when he will convince me.
He’s done everything right up to now and I really hope he carries on doing so.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I don’t think we will, I think we are seeing the beginning and from there on the England team will flourish.
The defensive weaknesses are being addressed. When they solidify and become strong our attacking prowess will be unleashed .. hello exciting football

We’ve had these false dawns before though haven’t we?

Don’t get me wrong, obviously team selection, tactics etc, need to change depending on the opposition and if we win the Euros then Southgate’s plans will of been spot on, but it won’t mean we are suddenly an exciting team or our defence is sorted, some will always look at Pickford or Stones as accidents waiting to happen.

 

[chrisd]

Read something this morning. England have got to 6 semi finals of major comps. Southgate has been manager for 2 of them. Every fan has different opinions of where we are but there are a few things that he has done that could of blown up in his face big time. One of those being, including taking Maguire and Henderson. They were not fully fit and was a gamble. It look like it has paid off.
Another in not taking TAA. There was massive discussion over whether he should go. 5 clean sheets says at the moment he has got his defensive options set up right.
He has made tough decisions which he deserves credit for

It's not unusual to take a top player recovering from injury to a tournament if they are pretty sure to recover during it in the latter stages. From a live interview I saw TAA said he is still recovering and I'm sure could have played no part and we had just as good defenders available anyway. The main difference imo is that the tribal instinct of Man u, Liverpool, City etc etc players not to get along together has disappeared now with Southgate's squad and the team spirit has built and built to the extent they now play more like a club team, good management by Southgate !

 

[Neilds]

We’ve had these false dawns before though haven’t we?

Don’t get me wrong, obviously team selection, tactics etc, need to change depending on the opposition and if we win the Euros then Southgate’s plans will of been spot on, but it won’t mean we are suddenly an exciting team or our defence is sorted, some will always look at Pickford or Stones as accidents waiting to happen.

Blimey, some people haven't even got a glass, never mind it being half empty!!! Try being a Rotherham United fan and then you know disappointment and false hope!

It's been a crap year or 2 for us all, just enjoy a bit of success

 

[Bdill93]

We're in the Semi's, why are people being negative. Yeah I dont like all the decisions being made - but we havent conceeded or lost a game. We also just banged 4 past Ukraine....

Its coming home!

 

[harpo_72]

We’ve had these false dawns before though haven’t we?

Don’t get me wrong, obviously team selection, tactics etc, need to change depending on the opposition and if we win the Euros then Southgate’s plans will of been spot on, but it won’t mean we are suddenly an exciting team or our defence is sorted, some will always look at Pickford or Stones as accidents waiting to happen.

Well the tests come against those teams that can attack and unlock defences. But this is a good start. Be positive on the defence and also see that a new requirement is being instilled into the selection of defenders. The Italians celebrate defensive achievements and we should to ..

 

[clubchamp98]

We’ve had these false dawns before though haven’t we?

Don’t get me wrong, obviously team selection, tactics etc, need to change depending on the opposition and if we win the Euros then Southgate’s plans will of been spot on, but it won’t mean we are suddenly an exciting team or our defence is sorted, some will always look at Pickford or Stones as accidents waiting to happen.

I really think that’s a bit unfair on Pickford.
Yes he has made mistakes.
But can we really say keepers are immune to this.
Allison has made some howlers this year.
De Gea is famous for it.
Loris, Ederson. They have all done it.
But crucially Pickford has not done it in an England shirt.
He gets very excited at times but imo is a great keeper.

 

[harpo_72]

Yes I would agree the players.
This squad of players are used to winning things and that makes a huge difference.
We havnt been under any pressure yet .that’s when we will see what they are made of.
If we go one down ,will he put Rashford on before Grealish.?
That’s when he will convince me.
He’s done everything right up to now and I really hope he carries on doing so.

I think he will put on the player who can make an impact to the game.
For me Rashford is good, he has fast feet,is quick and direct.. that is a nuisance to defences. Grealish is different he draws players in and frustrates with his control and creates gaps .. we need him on the pitch a bit more so the others understand what and where to move to, to really benefit from him ..

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Blimey, some people haven't even got a glass, never mind it being half empty!!! Try being a Rotherham United fan and then you know disappointment and false hope!

It's been a crap year or 2 for us all, just enjoy a bit of success

You’re taking a couple of posts in isolation, I’ll support the Team regardless of whether I like the manager or not, but this is just a few blokes “chewing the fat” on a golf forum.

I’d suggest 99% of the people on here want England to win, but it doesn’t mean we can’t have an honest discussion along the way.

As for false hope and disappointment, Everton provide more than enough thanks.

 

[clubchamp98]

I think he will put on the player who can make an impact to the game.
For me Rashford is good, he has fast feet,is quick and direct.. that is a nuisance to defences. Grealish is different he draws players in and frustrates with his control and creates gaps .. we need him on the pitch a bit more so the others understand what and where to move to, to really benefit from him ..

Grealish has made two goals for Kane and has brought him back to life.
Something he needed badly as he has been crap really imo.
Rashford runs into blind alleys and won’t win us a game.
But he does take a good penalty , god forbid.
I would take Grealish any day of the two.

 

[Orikoru]

I think he will put on the player who can make an impact to the game.
For me Rashford is good, he has fast feet,is quick and direct.. that is a nuisance to defences. Grealish is different he draws players in and frustrates with his control and creates gaps .. we need him on the pitch a bit more so the others understand what and where to move to, to really benefit from him ..

Rashford is a very limited player. Has a nice trick or a nutmeg up his sleeve but end product few and far between. The best argument for bringing Grealish is on is how he gets the best out of other players, most notably Kane. Grealish and Kane link up really well.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Well the tests come against those teams that can attack and unlock defences. But this is a good start. Be positive on the defence and also see that a new requirement is being instilled into the selection of defenders. The Italians celebrate defensive achievements and we should to ..

I really think that’s a bit unfair on Pickford.
Yes he has made mistakes.
But can we really say keepers are immune to this.
Allison has made some howlers this year.
De Gea is famous for it.
Loris, Ederson. They have all done it.
But crucially Pickford has not done it in an England shirt.
He gets very excited at times but imo is a great keeper.

I’ve fought Pickford’s corner on this numerous times, he’s England’s No 1 because he’s never let us down when representing his Country, same as Stones I believe, but in the 4-0 win the other night his mis-hit clearance was mentioned by the commentators on both BBC & ITV as well as a comment on here.

As for the other keepers you mention, they’re not English.

 

[harpo_72]

Grealish has made two goals for Kane and has brought him back to life.
Something he needed badly as he has been crap really imo.
Rashford runs into blind alleys and won’t win us a game.
But he does take a good penalty , god forbid.
I would take Grealish any day of the two.

I agree Grealish has delivered some good stuff and Kane has benefited and woken up after some lacklustre performances.
The blind alley stuff is just something that can be resolved , his potential is there .
Let’s hope they can do the job in the allocated time, god knows how they miss penalties especially when you have an object you can hit at pace whilst some poor bloke tries to cover a big area ..

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Grealish has made two goals for Kane and has brought him back to life.
Something he needed badly as he has been crap really imo.
Rashford runs into blind alleys and won’t win us a game.
But he does take a good penalty , god forbid.
I would take Grealish any day of the two.

1 goal for Kane and it’s unfair to compare him an Rashford, they have a different role.

 

[Orikoru]

I’ve fought Pickford’s corner on this numerous times, he’s England’s No 1 because he’s never let us down when representing his Country, same as Stones I believe, but in the 4-0 win the other night his mis-hit clearance was mentioned by the commentators on both BBC & ITV as well as a comment on here.

As for the other keepers you mention, they’re not English.

Yeah Pickford did make a couple of errors in quick succession, but neither was punished. Hopefully he's got them all out of the way while we were 4-0 up! That's the time to make errors if you're going to. ?

 

[clubchamp98]

I’ve fought Pickford’s corner on this numerous times, he’s England’s No 1 because he’s never let us down when representing his Country, same as Stones I believe, but in the 4-0 win the other night his mis-hit clearance was mentioned by the commentators on both BBC & ITV as well as a comment on here.

As for the other keepers you mention, they’re not English.

His Mishit clearance was just that, he got the ball and we cleared it.
Not pretty but did the job.
So no complaints from me .
Not every clearance can be a 60 yard to Kanes foot.

I was merely suggesting not all keepers of international sides are immune from mistakes ,but they play in the PL

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Yeah Pickford did make a couple of errors in quick succession, but neither was punished. Hopefully he's got them all out of the way while we were 4-0 up! That's the time to make errors if you're going to. ?

What about giving him credit for doing his job? He was on his toes, good positioning and snuffed out the danger when the midfield and defence let the attacker through?

No discussion about any outfield player mishitting a pass or giving away a throw in from a mishit.

 

[clubchamp98]

1 goal for Kane and it’s unfair to compare him an Rashford, they have a different role.

That’s why I am comparing them!
I think Grealish brings much more to the team.
If we’re under the cosh and need speed on the counter then Rashford yes.
But if we have control of the game and trying to unlock a defence Grealish.