Southgate to remain England manager (For a While)

[TheBigIguana]

If he doesn’t cost us the game with his tactics or substitutions then I’d see that as progress and give him a pat on the back tbh.

I don't know if this is possible if the France loss is his fault.

 

[MikeH72]

I don't know if this is possible if the France loss is his fault.

Bringing on Raheem Sterling for our best player at 1-1 was his fault tbh.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Bringing on Raheem Sterling for our best player at 1-1 was his fault tbh.

I think there is room for way more analysis than that. A lot went right that was his doing. A lot has gone right that is his doing.

I think stylistically he's actually very comparable to the guy that just lifted the trophy. Obviously the difference is one of those managers has Messi. England however have the potential in 2024 and 2026 to have a top to bottom squad as good as any.

I don't even like you guys but you're a real threat!

 

[MikeH72]

I think there is room for way more analysis than that. A lot went right that was his doing. A lot has gone right that is his doing.

I think stylistically he's actually very comparable to the guy that just lifted the trophy. Obviously the difference is one of those managers has Messi. England however have the potential in 2024 and 2026 to have a top to bottom squad as good as any.

I don't even like you guys but you're a real threat!

We are no threat to anything while he is manager. I can guarantee you 18 months in advance that we are not getting close to winning the Euros in 2024 barring another freak run of fixtures that sees us play tomato cans throughout the knockout stages. More than happy to revisit this if Southgate ever gets us past a good side at a tournament. I’m not disagreeing that we’ll have one of the best squads going into those tournaments btw.

 

[TheBigIguana]

We are no threat to anything while he is manager. I can guarantee you 18 months in advance that we are not getting close to winning the Euros in 2024 barring another freak run of fixtures that sees us play tomato cans throughout the knockout stages. More than happy to revisit this if Southgate ever gets us past a good side at a tournament. I’m not disagreeing that we’ll have one of the best squads going into those tournaments btw.

Still don't think you can honestly say that didn't happen in the Euros last time around.

As I said I'm more than happy to take never losing to a side who isn't at least even with you. But you don't see anyone but I assume France, Spain and Portugal as at the same level? So yeah that's going to be a hard one.

 

[MikeH72]

Still don't think you can honestly say that didn't happen in the Euros last time around.

As I said I'm more than happy to take never losing to a side who isn't at least even too. But you don't see anyone but I assume France, Spain and Portugal as at the same level? So yeah that's going to be a hard one.

I think we’re better than Spain and Portugal to be honest with you and would expect to at least compete with them and not be terrified and retreat into our own half like we did in that Italy game. If we lose but we’ve had a go and played to our strengths which are attacking, I could live with that. But we’ll see how we approach those games when/if they come around.

 

[TheBigIguana]

I think we’re better than Spain and Portugal to be honest with you and would expect to at least compete with them and not be terrified and retreat into our own half like we did in that Italy game. If we lose but we’ve had a go and played to our strengths which are attacking, I could live with that. But we’ll see how we approach those games when/if they come around.

I'm telling you right now Spain will play approximately 900 passes if England play them in a competitive match.

I do think England is very good, but better man for man than Spain and Portugal they are not. Nor really Germany, Italy, the Netherlands or maybe still Belgium. Some of those are close but they're all very good sides and I think part of the issue here is you're expecting way more than is realistic. England aren't going to dominate a tournament and win it. That doesn't happen! Argentina were for my money the best side at this tournament and still had plenty of bumps.

 

[MikeH72]

I'm telling you right now Spain will play approximately 900 passes if England play them in a competitive match.

I do think England is very good, but better man for man than Spain and Portugal they are not. Nor really Germany, Italy, the Netherlands or maybe still Belgium. Some of those are close but they're all very good sides and I think part of the issue here is you're expecting way more than is realistic. England aren't going to dominate a tournament and win it. That doesn't happen! Argentina were for my money the best side at this tournament and still had plenty of bumps.

That’s not at all what I’m expecting. I literally just said if we lose to one of those teams but have given them a proper game and haven’t put in a cowardly classic Southgate performance in the knockout stages then I’ll see it as a step forward. I already know we’re not winning a thing under Southgate, I’ve made peace with that. The guy just doesn’t win, he didn’t as a player and he hasn’t as a manager, he isn’t going to start now.

 

[TheBigIguana]

That’s not at all what I’m expecting. I literally just said if we lose to one of those teams but have given them a proper game and haven’t put in a cowardly classic Southgate performance in the knockout stages then I’ll see it as a step forward.

Yes but this actually just happened and you're stuck on one sub that didn't work out. I have to sleep now, and I can't really believe I've defended Southgate like this, but he's done a lot of good and to me that France match in defeat was quite impressive. England did play with them and on another day could have won. That's enough to suggest they're in great shape imo.

 

[MikeH72]

Yes but this actually just happened and you're stuck on one sub that didn't work out. I have to sleep now, and I can't really believe I've defended Southgate like this, but he's done a lot of good and to me that France match in defeat was quite impressive. England did play with them and on another day could have won. That's enough to suggest they're in great shape imo.

I can believe you’ve defended him. I fully understand it.

 

[TheBigIguana]

I can believe you’ve defended him. I fully understand it.

lol

This isn't some reverse jinx thing. I think this tournament has shown the first thing you need is a man who everyone is behind, who brings belief, who gets the team behind the plan and playing together, and who has just enough tactical nous that the plan won't fall apart. Scaloni did this. Deschamps did this. Same with the Morocco manager. To me I'll take Southgate, who fits this mold imo, over Poch or Tuchel or even Howe who may or may not be able to draw everyone in the same way.

It's just a different job and as someone who would have previously killed Southgate the same way you have I think recognizing that is important. It can't be all tactics in the international arena.

 

[Billy Dean]

Oh I disagree on Croatia, England started a Henderson, Alli, Lingard midfield against Brozovic, Modric and Rakitic.

And you're criminally underrating Italy. Yes on their last legs, but Bonucci, Chiellini and Buffon are all time greats, Insigne and Chiesa were both playing at high levels and you once again get crushed on quality in midfield.

If you don't rate those sides as at least as good as England well I think you're wrong but then yeah I guess you have to want Southgate out.

Also they had the likes of in-form Jorginho, Verratti, Barella and Locatelli in midfield. People are re-writing history now because they subsequently failed to qualify for the World Cup.

 

[Stevie Nicks Bootleg]

Bringing on Raheem Sterling for our best player at 1-1 was his fault tbh.

Saka was still on the pitch when they made it 2-1.

 

[Stevie Nicks Bootleg]

Also they had the likes of in-form Jorginho, Verratti, Barella and Locatelli in midfield. People are re-writing history now because they subsequently failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Spot on. Some have obviously already decided whichever top team England next beat (either in quals or at Euro 2024) "is crap now".

 

[MikeH72]

Saka was still on the pitch when they made it 2-1.

Even worse tbh, taking off our best player for Sterling at 2-1 down.