Group D: England, Croatia, Scotland, Czech Republic

[MikeH72]

…I think I would stick to cricket if I made that statement.

Your boy is utter garbo.

 

[tsubaki]

Felt identical to watching Everton in one of those games against relegation sides.

exactly the same tactics, thats why

 

[Tubey]

Calvin Phillips was woeful. At least rice tried to pass it forward occasionally, Phillips strolled through that game and passed it backwards 90% of the time. Those two players are too similar and one of them needs dropped with maybe grealish playing centrally.

Lol wat

 

[Amw79]

Souness a bit spikey here.

 

[Magus]

That's why I said the decision to take Kane off for Rashford was shocking.

It reeked of a manager terrified at using a player not from the top six.

To be honest it is unlikely that DCL would have done any better. England have some extremely gifted players, but Southgate is safety first. I can't understand why he took Foden off and left Sterling on, but when push comes to shove he always goes with the media faves to avoid any comeback.

 

[Toast]

Sterling dodging bullets here.

He’s an MBE now.

Got to be careful criticising him mate.

 

[gonetomorrow]

I can't understand how England are among the favourites for the trophy. They're not strong enough and they pussyfoot around on the edge of the box.

 

[Noble Savage]

There’s multiple champions league winners and several premier league winners in that team, along with a CL finalists and multiple Europa League winners.

The players are not the issue. At all.

I agree . I thought before it all started that Pickford would be the weakest link . He's done well so far .
With all this flair , Southgate is still doing his best Mourinho impression .

 

[everton fan number one]

Calvin Phillips was woeful. At least rice tried to pass it forward occasionally, Phillips strolled through that game and passed it backwards 90% of the time. Those two players are too similar and one of them needs dropped with maybe grealish playing centrally.

His and Rice's passing range is poor.

 

[Tramps_mate]

Genuinely one of the most bizarre opinions I’ve ever read on here… and I’ve spent the last few days in the new manager thread

Watch him next season if he's still at Spurs..

 

[Tubey]

To be honest it is unlikely that DCL would have done any better. England have some extremely gifted players, but Southgate is safety first. I can't understand why he took Foden off and left Sterling on, but when push comes to shove he always goes with the media faves to avoid any comeback.

DCL absolutely would have. Game was crying out for a presence to stick on Hanley and get us up the field. Kane and Rashford offered nothing.

Grealish and DCL should have been on at half time.

 

[edge]

There’s multiple champions league winners and several premier league winners in that team, along with CL finalists and multiple Europa League winners.

The players are not the issue. At all.

True the manager , looks like he has to many to pick from and cant make up his mind what to do,
How he left some of those lot on the pitch after the first half i dont know.

 

[banno]

Yeah, i did think the service bit as well, as well as if Lewin played and the service didnt exist to him that you would have the Eng fans moaning why was lewin playing as he did nothing etc

I could understand DCL coming on to join Kane but it would have meant a change in tact to getting loads of crosses in but we continued trying to walk through them and failed but continued

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

I can't understand how England are among the favourites for the trophy. They're not strong enough and they pussyfoot around on the edge of the box.

I have to question anyone who truly thinks we can win this

It's Italy's to lose currently

 

[Toffeeslam]

Trouble with Rice and Phillips partnered up in the middle don't really get those quality runs down the middle or link up play to the forwards . Still England can/could get away with the draw after first win, tournament football in the group stage is about getting out of said group.

Scotland just wanted it much more than England, no one took any responsibility for England.

For all the hype this team looked very average especially when compared to the likes of Portugal, Italy, France who actually care when playing for their nation