Everybody loves Gareth

[BryanRoy22]

Even now, I think Carrick would do a better job. This speaks to the obvious dearth of that type of player available but, on the other hand, it speaks to the opportunity to change it up.

I think sticking Hendo in is a risk and has the potential to spoil the work and potential of others.

Michael Carrick is the forward thinking manager England need.

Southgate is coming across as a dinosaur right now, which is sad after he had apparently freshened things up and connected to the young players. He cannot confirm or deny whether Ben White refusing to be called up is because of him or his assistant Steve Holland.

However, ultimately it comes down to tactics as much as anything else. Southgate's not evolving with any ideas. He played Alexander-Arnold in midfield only because Klopp did it. If England happen to win the Euros, it won't be because of Southgate. It will be because of the individual ability of the players.

 

[Strummer]

However, ultimately it comes down to tactics as much as anything else. Southgate's not evolving with any ideas. He played Alexander-Arnold in midfield only because Klopp did it.

Klopp stole that idea from „Pep“ Guardiola, who played Philipp Lahm in midfield on occasion (and Joshua Kimmich) when at Bayern. In Pep‘s Bayern side, it was quite common for a defensive player (typically one of the full backs) to step in to midfield.

Pep subsequently refined the role with John Stones at Man City, of course.

 

[PynchonForest]

A couple of comments. Chances are good I'll get shat on but I am used to it by now. Your keepers and central defenders, which have usually been the strong points, are much less so now. If you think England are runaway favorites to win the Euros you are a bit deluded. They are among the favorites, but certainly nothing more than that. I think this infatuation with shitting all over Gareth is a bit misguided.

Anyhow, what's up with the Ben White-Steve Holland thing?

 

[Fitzcarraldo]

I think it is a Ben White - Phil Foden thing(?)

 

[Strummer]

I think it is a Ben White - Phil Foden thing(?)

Has Foden done a „John Terry“ and slipped White‘s Missus a length, or something?

 

[DanR]

Has Foden done a „John Terry“ and slipped White‘s Missus a length, or something?

He's slipped everyone else's missus a length, so why not?

 

[Fitzcarraldo]

Has Foden done a „John Terry“ and slipped White‘s Missus a length, or something?

NOt sure of the source but, I recall murmurs that White was unimpressed with Foden's childish antics in camp. White, being the reserved type, was singled out and this led to White squaring up to Foden. PF went bitching to management who took his side. I think BW just thought 'f*** it'.

 

[BryanRoy22]

I see the media are also hinting for Kobbie Mainoo to be called up for the England squad.

Suggested that a few weeks ago in the Premier League thread.

Huge talent, on an upward trajectory, reads the game so well for a young lad and getting more game time than Kalvin Phillips.

Remains to be seen if Gareth will be brave enough to call up someone like that as Sven did with Walcott. Sven, to his credit, went against the grain not only then but again when he showed the conviction to call up Owen Hargreaves, who most people in England hadn't heard of.

England's player of World Cup 2006.

 

[valspoodle]

Tim Vickery was speaking about Brazil last night and was very downbeat about their current team. Apparently there are going through a rough patch with very few star players, so a good chance for Gareth to show what England can do.

 

[Red Ray's Redlist]

A couple of comments. Chances are good I'll get shat on but I am used to it by now. Your keepers and central defenders, which have usually been the strong points, are much less so now. If you think England are runaway favorites to win the Euros you are a bit deluded. They are among the favorites, but certainly nothing more than that. I think this infatuation with shitting all over Gareth is a bit misguided.

Anyhow, what's up with the Ben White-Steve Holland thing?

Pickford is ok. Not the problem in this team.
I'd take Stones over most in the world even in the straight jacket Gaz makes him play in.

But a left sided partner for him is a huge issue. Maguire will flatter to deceive again. Bound to be France who beat us with 86 year old Djourou outpacing him to the front post again.
Good opportunity to try out a young talent such as Braithwaite or Colwill. But that won't happen.

Left back is also an issue, as is the defensive midfielder if Rice plays as an 8. Apparently Ajax have got new player who will fill that role.

But I truly believe any team with Bellingham, Foden and Saka stands a chance. Of course one of them will have to drop out if Mason Mount is fit.

After saying all that every team in the competition has similar weaknesses. Just none of the others have an albatross like Gaz holding them back.

 

[EmmersonForest4]

Southgate has failed in every job he has had. I don’t know why people think England fans who are sceptical of him are misguided. I’m yet to see Southgate beat a massive side in a tournament. Maybe Germany? However they are turgid. Otherwise when push comes to shove we shit the bed. Our win percentage against the top 10 sides in the world is something silly like 20%. We are flat track bullies under Southgate.

 

[EmmersonForest4]

Also the New England kit is a joke. The price is horrendous and why in earth have they changed the colour of the England flag!?! They said they did it to unite people. So what they are basically saying is Nike don’t think the St. George’s Cross is uniting. We’ll blow me down I hope Nike are ready for English backlash by the fans. What an absurdity!! Do marketing people even care about what the majority feel anymore.

 

[BryanRoy22]

If England will win this tournament, I think it will be with a central midfield of Mainoo, Rice and Bellingham.

Saka, Foden and Kane in the attacking positions. Grealish, Bowen, Toney, Watkins, Cole Palmer and others backing them.

My gosh Southgate, you've been given another golden ticket here. Don't mess it up.

 

[Strummer]

My gosh Southgate, you've been given another golden ticket here. Don't mess it up.

Narrator: „He messed it up…“

 

[EmmersonForest4]

If England will win this tournament, I think it will be with a central midfield of Mainoo, Rice and Bellingham.

Saka, Foden and Kane in the attacking positions. Grealish, Bowen, Toney, Watkins, Cole Palmer and others backing them.

My gosh Southgate, you've been given another golden ticket here. Don't mess it up.

In fairness I think the France team is just as good. However as you’ve seen my post above Southgate struggles against anyone in the top 10. So I’ve got no faith in him. He’s had multiple tourneys now.

 

[Strummer]

Don‘t worry too much about the Germans, they are still trying to find a centre forward, two months before the tournament.

There are also defensive questions too, with Julian Nagelsmann picking yet another experimental XI for this weekend‘s clash with France, although I shall watch it as Maximilian Mittelstadt from VfB Stuttgart is getting his debut at left back (he was a €500k signing from relegated Hertha Berlin, and he has been fantastic so far this season, and international honours are a worthy reward for him).

 

[valspoodle]

England have the players and Southgate might accidentally put most of them on the field at the same time. But, sadly, the guy will never have sorted the tactics to get them to play as a team and overcome the top teams when they come up against them.

I heard him touted as the next Man U manager; that I can't wait to see. If ten Hag was rated a disaster, how about Gareth?

 

[youreds1986]

Between 1968 and 2016, England won 6 knockout matches.

Southgate has won 6 knockout matches.

Southgate is not a problem.

 

[Mr. Blonde]

Also the New England kit is a joke. The price is horrendous and why in earth have they changed the colour of the England flag!?! They said they did it to unite people. So what they are basically saying is Nike don’t think the St. George’s Cross is uniting. We’ll blow me down I hope Nike are ready for English backlash by the fans. What an absurdity!! Do marketing people even care about what the majority feel anymore.

I really like the home kit, apart from the BS St. George's Cross

 

[youreds1986]

Also the New England kit is a joke. The price is horrendous and why in earth have they changed the colour of the England flag!?! They said they did it to unite people. So what they are basically saying is Nike don’t think the St. George’s Cross is uniting. We’ll blow me down I hope Nike are ready for English backlash by the fans. What an absurdity!! Do marketing people even care about what the majority feel anymore.

The price is an issue

But don't fall into the Tory culture war trap, please...

Every time England have played in kits with non-traditional St George's Cross

The Three Lions have worn corrupted crosses on nine different shirts - and never worn the traditional English flag

inews.co.uk

 

[BryanRoy22]

Between 1968 and 2016, England won 6 knockout matches.

Southgate has won 6 knockout matches.

Southgate is not a problem.

I'd argue again that he's never had a more united group of players who are able to set aside their club loyalties.

The friendship and camaraderie between the England players nowadays is unparalled.

In my opinion, that team spirit is a huge part in getting over the line in important and high pressure games.

Also, I'm sure Sven won a couple of knockout games. Denmark in 2002? Ecuador in 2006?

 

[youreds1986]

England go into their Euro 2016 last 16 clash with Iceland looking for only a seventh knockout win at major tournaments since 1966.

It's a record you'll check, check and check again before believing it's correct, but on Monday in Nice, England can add the scalp of Iceland to only those of Paraguay (1986), Belgium (1990), Cameroon (1990), Spain (1996), Denmark (2002) and Ecuador (2006)

 

[BryanRoy22]

England go into their Euro 2016 last 16 clash with Iceland looking for only a seventh knockout win at major tournaments since 1966.

It's a record you'll check, check and check again before believing it's correct, but on Monday in Nice, England can add the scalp of Iceland to only those of Paraguay (1986), Belgium (1990), Cameroon (1990), Spain (1996), Denmark (2002) and Ecuador (2006)

Ah apologies, I completely read that wrong.

 

[EmmersonForest4]

The price is an issue

But don't fall into the Tory culture war trap, please...

Every time England have played in kits with non-traditional St George's Cross

The Three Lions have worn corrupted crosses on nine different shirts - and never worn the traditional English flag

inews.co.uk

Sorry it’s not a Tory culture war trap. Nike put out the statement they changed it to unify the country. The implication is they don’t think the authentic st George cross is. If they released it and made no mention of it I bet this wouldn’t even be a story. However I am also very sceptical of corporate companies as they all now want to politically message to us. This could wel just be a design decision they wanted but because Nike has previous with political messaging it just makes everyone on edge about it. Anyway they should have released the kit without the daft tagline of the unifying factor of the new cross.

 

[EmmersonForest4]

May I also add @youreds1986 I don’t how anyone would think that saying that stupid abstract cross was a unifying symbol is beyond me as well. To me it shows marketing teams care less and less about what people want and more about putting their companies wants out there and telling us why we should all buy into it. As I said why did they feel the need to tell us it’s unifying if there wasn’t some message they wanted us to all to know they were conveying. Especially in a day and age where the majority of companies have gone overly political. It’s just stupid business and marketing. I don’t get it Honestly if they kept stum I don’t think it would be half the story.