England at the Euros 2024

[Winslow Lee]

Personally I don't think the players are anything like as good as the hype surrounding them, not when they play for England anyway. There's been the odd flash, Bellingham's two goals, Watkins and Palmers goals and Guehe looks a star of the future. Pickford was easily the man of the match tonight, Kane, Bellingham and Foden dire.

The players have showed in the top leagues in the world they aren’t overhyped, like France though who also have a great squad they are poorly managed in terms of tactics, style and patterns of play. It’s f@cking neanderthal football to have your goalkeeper constantly punting the ball long straight to the opposition and giving away possession. There is a reason Pickford plays for Everton, no modern thinking team would touch him with a bargepole.

[Bingers]

Taking 10 steps back here. How for 8 years have we ended up with a gaffa that was sack by Middlesborough, assisted by an assistant from Crewe then Chelsea Reserves, coached by a coach sacked by Burton Albion, QPR, Northampton then Burton Albion again..

If we are going down the negative theme, how about adding that relied upon bringing on the former and current Brentford attackers to win the match.


Actually, I am happy with how well we have done, as overall in my life I have experienced more not qualifying or not getting out of the group stages than any level of success. To be expecting us to win each game is a novelty I am happily getting used to. For expectations of at least reaching the semi-finals to be the norm is beyond a dream from when I was growing up and in the prime of my life. From what they have experienced in their short lives the Bingers Boys have in footballing terms, both club and country (okay, they have two), have exceeded what I could have ever hoped for. Long may that continue.

[west stand oap]

I watched the game on ITV and was amused after our fine equaliser by Palmer who had only just come on when the commentator said "Gareth Southgate you genius". This would be the same genius who picked our worst player, Harry Kane, for every match. How many games were we losing when he was subbed and things only improved afterwards?
Spain deserved their victory and were the best team in the tournament but their second goal was disappointing as the player on the left wing who laid on the pass was in acres of space when he received the ball and we had no chance of stopping him getting his pass away.

[Peter Frost]

Agreed, Kane was obviously not match fit but got picked every time, Spain not great today but had a game plan and had an attacking mindset. We only start playing when we go behind, scared of losing rather than being excited of winning.
A more attack minded coach would get more out of this group of players, don’t know who should be next though as nobody obvious springs to mind.

Everytime Kane was taken off we played better and looked more like scoring- so what does Southgate do? - same old misplaced loyalty.

[Mysterious Curle]

Everytime Kane was taken off we played better and looked more like scoring- so what does Southgate do? - same old misplaced loyalty.

And then has the audacity to come out at the end and say we struggled at part in the tournament due to fatigue.

The last group game and the last 16 were a great opportunity to give some of the players that were leggy a rest.

Why didn't he I wonder.

[Tabasco Kid]

Taking 10 steps back here. How for 8 years have we ended up with a gaffa that was sack by Middlesborough, assisted by an assistant from Crewe then Chelsea Reserves, coached by a coach sacked by Burton Albion, QPR, Northampton then Burton Albion again..

The same reason that Boothroyd was involved in the England set up. Its not what you know, but who. Anyway, I think that Southgate deserves some credit. In eight years, he has taken us to a World Cup semi, and two consecutive Euro finals. Theres not many managers anywhere else with that on their CV.
Allardyce most certainly would not have even come close to achieving that.

[tcobb]

Wouldn't take to much notice of Mysterious  Curle, he is one of the most depressing posters on this forum,  nothing is ever good enough, Club or Country.
Whilst agreeing that Southgate hasn't played the most attractive football, I agree with Tabassco with his appraisal,  Southgate has taken a team that capitulated against Iceland,  and taking them to a World Cup semi final and two Euro finals. Englands current World raking is testament to a great improvement over Southgates tenure.

[Gustavo Palcrice]

Spain played through the tournament with joy. I am not sure I have ever seen the runners-up play with anything but a sour awkwardness. The tournament draw was lop-sided to a point of absurdity. After the game Southgate was moaning that Spain had an extra day to prepare! Dear oh dear.

[Tabasco Kid]

Spain played through the tournament with joy. I am not sure I have ever seen the runners-up play with anything but a sour awkwardness. The tournament draw was lop-sided to a point of absurdity. After the game Southgate was moaning that Spain had an extra day to prepare! Dear oh dear.

To lose to a team that had to beat Italy (the current euro champions), France (world cup runners up) and Germany (host nation) on their way to the final, is still an achievement whatever you negative muppets have to say about it.

[DavCobb]

The negativity has been there throughout the tournament and some people would have genuinely hated it if we'd won, or at least not given us the credit deserved.

Our recent past has been far, far more successful than most people around have ever witnessed. Easy to manage from the sofa but Southgate as a figurehead and coach is everything you need as an England manager.
Even the pelters at Kane. He hasn't been fully fit but still the (joint) top scorer of the tournament and the subs have had the desired impact when needed. I've always thought he looks a bit of a donkey but you don't score the sheer volume of goals he has without being world class at what he does. TBF he didn't get a lot of service.
I heard some calling for Toney to replace him in the starting line up, what's he scored 3/4 goals in his shortened season?!

I'm disappointed we didn't go for it a bit more when it was 1 v 1, that was probably our best change to nick it and it was always going to be close.
It makes a really nice change though to have some interest into the latter stages of tournaments. 

[Shoemender]

The negativity has been there throughout the tournament and some people would have genuinely hated it if we'd won, or at least not given us the credit deserved.

Our recent past has been far, far more successful than most people around have ever witnessed. Easy to manage from the sofa but Southgate as a figurehead and coach is everything you need as an England manager.
Even the pelters at Kane. He hasn't been fully fit but still the (joint) top scorer of the tournament and the subs have had the desired impact when needed. I've always thought he looks a bit of a donkey but you don't score the sheer volume of goals he has without being world class at what he does. TBF he didn't get a lot of service.
I heard some calling for Toney to replace him in the starting line up, what's he scored 3/4 goals in his shortened season?!

I'm disappointed we didn't go for it a bit more when it was 1 v 1, that was probably our best change to nick it and it was always going to be close.
It makes a really nice change though to have some interest into the latter stages of tournaments. 

Not sure about that, well, not English people anyway.

[Gustavo Palcrice]

To lose to a team that had to beat Italy (the current euro champions), France (world cup runners up) and Germany (host nation) on their way to the final, is still an achievement whatever you negative muppets have to say about it.

You are absolutely right. It is a hell of an achievement to lose to Spain.

[DrillingCobbler]

My view before this tournament started remains the same. Southgate has taken the team as far as he can. It needs an injection of new ideas and a fresh approach to take them to the next level, whatever that maybe.

Its easy to manipulate stats to make a point. A semi final, a quarter final and two finals is bloody decent on anyones standards. However, IF we had been knocked out in the 2nd round (which 9 times out of 10 we would have been given the performance) then a quarter final followed by last 16 is pretty standard for England teams over the years. Of course we eventually won that match, just about got over the line against Switzerland thanks to some excellent penalties and then a wonder finish in injury time saw of the Netherlands. Our luck finally run out yesterday against an excellent Spanish side.

For me, Gareth should leave now with his head held high. If he stays then I fear he will regret doing so. There is an excellent base to build on. Who takes over is the biggest issue because there isn't a stand out candidate. I cant see Klopp taking it (if he would then brilliant). But other than him, no idea! The only two English managers that have decent recent form are Howe and Potter and both of those would come with a huge risk. Howe is extremely negative at times with his approach to games against the bigger sides and really uses the dark arts to his advantage. Whilst Potter seemed star struck at Chelsea and didn't seem to be able to manage the big ego's. Ex player wise, there's obviously Lampard (hmmm) and Gerrard (definitely not). Rooney ha ha. Lampard *might* be alright and is always impressive when he talks. I wouldn't be convinced he'd be an upgrade though, but Southgates club management record was pretty woeful and much worse than Lampards and over the course of his 8 year tenure, he's done rather well.

Club management is an entirely different beast. Lets face it. Anyone can pick the best 22-25 players England has available and they'd get 18 of them right! But then you've then got to glue them together. Its that part of the job which is so difficult because you sign players at club level that will play in your system and compliment the players already there. Southgate has not been able to get Foden, Bellingham or even Saka anywhere near the levels they perform at week in week out. We had the same issues with Lampard and Gerrard. Before that, John Barnes and Chris Waddle used to be really hit and miss for England. So its happened for generations now. It clearly isn't as simple as it looks!

Tough one eh!

[Lizard68]

Eddie Howe would be my choice if Southgate leaves.

[DavCobb]

Not sure about that, well, not English people anyway.

I stand by that....there are also Cobblers 'fans' who prefer it when we lose, it feeds their existence. Crazy but true, the evidence is there to read and the overriding motivation is to whinge or be proved 'right', whatever that is? You see how quiet some go when there is a whiff of positivity in the air.

I do find it hilarious reading the armchair managers. Leading a national side must be one of the toughest jobs.
I think with the talent on paper people expect us to play like Man City. If Pep was in charge I'm sure we wouldn't be playing like Man City.
You don't reach two consecutive finals by luck.

He clearly massively has the players on his side and holds himself fantastically. I'm sure if he moves on now we'll look back with fondness when the likes of Potter, Howe or Lampard take over.

I think we ran out of energy and (as one of those armchair managers) the only change I would have made was to take Bellingham off and pushed Rice further up to play to his strengths. Spain were a very good side though.

[west stand oap]

I certainly hope we don't appoint Lampard, sacked at Chelsea, sacked at Everton and since going back to Chelsea 1 win in 11 games. Good player but I've never been impressed with him as a manager.

[tcobb]

Of course DavCob is right,  some people have moaned the whole tournament through, they genuinely would of hated England winning.  
Same type of person will be doom and gloom about NTFC, it's Owners ,manager and players. They will moan about not signing players, they will moan about players who have signed, they complain about results, win or lose, friendlies or League games. They will say any success is luck and any failure was predictable. It's a strange existence but one they thrive on.

[Tabasco Kid]

I certainly hope we don't appoint Lampard, sacked at Chelsea, sacked at Everton and since going back to Chelsea 1 win in 11 games. Good player but I've never been impressed with him as a manager.

Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Gary Neville, Tony Adams,  the list of England stars who failed at management is very long.
Going by Southgates promotion from the U21s, then the FA will probably look at Lee Carsley next.

[CobblerForever]

Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Gary Neville, Tony Adams,  the list of England stars who failed at management is very long.
Going by Southgates promotion from the U21s, then the FA will probably look at Lee Carsley next.

Others that spring to mind (and ponder);

Alan Shearer
Alan Ball
Glen Hoddle
Stuart Pearce
Bobby Moore
Kevin Keegan (I quite liked him)
Johnny Hollins
John Gregory & Phil Neal

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Others that spring to mind (and ponder);

Alan Shearer
Alan Ball
Glen Hoddle
Stuart Pearce
Bobby Moore
Kevin Keegan (I quite liked him)
Johnny Hollins
John Gregory & Phil Neal

Sir Bobby Charlton, possibly the greatest English footballer of all time, but didn't do well as a manager either.