England or City (5 Viewers)

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Iceland, it was said, were told England were the most overrated national team before their Euro 2016 tie.
I think that may well be true long before that tie and certainly after too.
They flatter to deceive and as a result I expect very little and that way I won't be disappointed

Yeah England's defence just isn't good enough and Southgate has done nothing about it.

 

---

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

Not read the thread, before I do :
CLUB ALWAYS BEFORE COUNTRY

So much more passion and care with club than international

 

[baldy]

Recent performance not changed your mind at all? I went to England Germany at the Euros and it was unbelievable. Every single fan standing for the whole game. Euphoria afterwards felt another level to 3 points.

Nope - if anythin,games like that make me dislike them more

 

[letsallsingtogether]

England games really are boring, great if you want to get to sleep!

 

[Macca]

Rather we got taken over with medium amount of investment than England winning World Cup

 

[Alkhen]

Yeah England's defence just isn't good enough and Southgate has done nothing about it.

I'm no massive fan of Gareth 'the handbrake' Southgate. But what exactly is he supposed to have done about the defence? Can only pick the players available. The only player I can think of that could feel hard done by is Tomori.

I don't watch Serie A nowadays but saw him a few times in the Champions League and he didn't really cover himself in glory.

I get why people moan about Maguire but he hasn't really ever let England down in a competitive match. And the players behind him aren't exactly world beaters.

Add to that the fact both Chilwell and James got injured I reckon it's massively harsh to blame GS

 

[Otis]

I'm no massive fan of Gareth 'the handbrake' Southgate. But what exactly is he supposed to have done about the defence? Can only pick the players available. The only player I can think of that could feel hard done by is Tomori.

I don't watch Serie A nowadays but saw him a few times in the Champions League and he didn't really cover himself in glory.

I get why people moan about Maguire but he hasn't really ever let England down in a competitive match. And the players behind him aren't exactly world beaters.

Add to that the fact both Chilwell and James got injured I reckon it's massively harsh to blame GS

I think for many though, they see our defence isn't good enough, but that we have some very exciting players going forwards, but at times go too defensive.

I get you need to protect the back line, but you also need to focus on your strengths too and it's all about the right balance. Southgate totally messed up in the Euro final and since we have looked a bit pedestrian at times.

As they say, the best form of defence is attack.

 

[Alkhen]

I think for many though, they see our defence isn't good enough, but that we have some very exciting players going forwards, but at times go too defensive.

I get you need to protect the back line, but you also need to focus on your strengths too and it's all about the right balance. Southgate totally messed up in the Euro final and since we have looked a bit pedestrian at times.

As they say, the best form of defence is attack.

The defence being a bit shit is the reason that he gambled on taking Phillips. Our only hope against the biggest teams is to play two holding players. It's a bit of a catch 22 for him.

 

[Otis]

The defence being a bit shit is the reason that he gambled on taking Phillips. Our only hope against the biggest teams is to play two holding players. It's a bit of a catch 22 for him.

Yeah, I get that and I had no problem at all with the Philips and Rice combination. It served us well. Until we needed to put a game to bed and we just then tried to protect the 1 goal lead.


That combination is fine, but you have to let the flair players do their stuff too.

 

[Alkhen]

Yeah, I get that and I had no problem at all with the Philips and Rice combination. It served us well. Until we needed to put a game to bed and we just then tried to protect the 1 goal lead.


That combination is fine, but you have to let the flair players do their stuff too.

I'm hoping Bellingham gets the nod over Mount. More dynamic.

In the group stage I would love middle 3 of :

Rice Bellingham
Maddison​

Not gonna happen but would be more fun against the stubborn teams

​

 

[Otis]

I'm hoping Bellingham gets the nod over Mount. More dynamic.

In the group stage I would love middle 3 of :

Rice Bellingham
Maddison​

Not gonna happen but would be more fun against the stubborn teams

​

Yup. Would prefer Bellingham to Mount any day of the week.

 

[stevefloyd]

Surely Southgate has made fans proud of the team again? There was a real connection between the nation and the team when England reached the WC semis - it wasn’t just that achievement, it was the way the team opened up to the media and fans and generally became more likeable after some grim years.

He followed that up with the run to the EURO final which was unprecedented. Sure, you can say tactics v Italy (and the Croatia semi we should have won) weren’t as positive as they could have been but there was definitely pride.

I went to the final but Germany was the stand-out - absolutely incredible day full of emotion and exorcised demons. One of the highlights was having a drink in London after - every pub was full and every pub was rocking; that’s the beauty of national team football - the collective coming together on a vast scale.

I go to a lot of England games and generally dislike a lot of the fans but I got the bug for international football watching that wonderful Brazil team on our first colour TV in 1982.

Does it make me love Cov any less? No. Like England, we’ve had some shit years but I love this team as much as any we’ve had and it’s bringing such excitement (with a dose of despair).

I’ve been buzzing for weeks and hope this continues with England before we get going again.

I am afraid I fell out of love for the England team many many dissapointing years ago...We haven't really had a top class English manager for many years.. Sir Bobby Robson didn't do that much until he announced he was leaving after the tournament and then done it his way instead of bowing to peer/press pressure same with El Tel.. I am still patriotic but I just wish they didn't keep employing clowns to be manager and I include Southgate as one of the latter..