UEFA EURO 2024 (1 Viewer)

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I’ll admit I didn’t watch any of the post-match coverage as we had people round. Going to keep banging the “we played the same system” drum as I think this is why people have been fooled into thinking that performance was better. People think we made changes and it’s becoming the emperor’s new clothes.

Here’s the average positions from yesterday:

View attachment 36709

And here’s the average positions vs Slovakia:

View attachment 36710

The 2 key differences are Kane inexplicably playing at defensive midfield, and Saka holding more width. Fundamentally, though, it’s the same system. Saka’s width enabled more 1v1s yesterday compared to previously but I don’t think the previous system had been set up for Saka to operate so centrally. I certainly wouldn’t say his position had changed from winger to wing-back.

I think the Slovakia performance was so poor that essentially anything would be seen as an improvement. What I can’t understand is even if we insist on keeping the same shitty tactics in place, we don’t at least change the personnel so there’s more energy on the pitch.

Trent and Toney seem only to have been brought for this ridiculous central midfield experiment and to take penalties.

 

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[Brighton Sky Blue]

We didn’t create a single chance for Kane and that’s a team failure. It’s been the same whenever Watkins or Toney play too.

I’d like to see Foden and Saka (in particular) shoot more when they’re in positions at the edge of the box. I’m convinced Saka wouldn’t have made the same shot for his goal if the game was 0-0.

As for the semis, Shaw to definitely start. I’d like to see Palmer start too and you probably need to fit Bellingham in CM ahead of Mainoo. Which is harsh because Mainoo has been good in all his appearances so far.

I take it you missed Saka breaking into the box and crossing it beautifully for where Kane should have been, only for him to be ambling on the edge of the box?

 

[MusicDating]

I like that people are moaning about our performances while listing all the countries that won tournaments by playing shite.

 

[Otis]

I like that people are moaning about our performances while listing all the countries that won tournaments by playing shite.

Yup, but wouldn't it be great to win a tournament and not play shite?

 

[TomRad85]

We haven't won the tournament yet have we? Or any tournament!
I guess we can revisit the conversation if Southgate somehow shithouses his way to victory but its hard to see, especially when you consider his record against actual decent opposition, which is where he should be judged.

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[Brighton Sky Blue]

We haven't won the tournament yet have we? Or any tournament!
I guess we can revisit the conversation if Southgate somehow shithouses his way to victory but its hard to see, especially when you consider his record against actual decent opposition, which is where he should be judged.

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Found it interesting to hear Southgate talk of Saka’s miss against Italy. A shootout that happened because instead of going for the jugular at 1-0, he dropped everyone deep and tried to hold it for 45 minutes, failed, then played for penalties.

 

[Otis]

We haven't won the tournament yet have we? Or any tournament!
I guess we can revisit the conversation if Southgate somehow shithouses his way to victory but its hard to see, especially when you consider his record against actual decent opposition, which is where he should be judged.

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Well, yup. You can play shite against lesser opponents and probably get away with it. Come up against good sites though and you are much more likely to come a cropper.

 

[Otis]

Found it interesting to hear Southgate talk of Saka’s miss against Italy. A shootout that happened because instead of going for the jugular at 1-0, he dropped everyone deep and tried to hold it for 45 minutes, failed, then played for penalties.

Mad isn't it

And against both Slovakia and Switzerland, when we were on top and looked more likely to kill the games off completely after scoring, we just reverted to going deep again and inviting pressure

Kane should be dropped. He won't be though. Not going to happen.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Mad isn't it

And against both Slovakia and Switzerland, when we were on top and looked more likely to kill the games off completely after scoring, we just reverted to going deep again and inviting pressure

Kane should be dropped. He won't be though. Not going to happen.

At his current trajectory he’ll be playing centre half in the semi and taking Pickford’s gloves in the final.

 

[Evo1883]

Brazil lost to Uruguay in the copa America quarters last night

 

[Tommo1993]

Brazil lost to Uruguay in the copa America quarters last night

If Uruguay played shit then that’s an absolute disgrace.

 

[MalcSB]

I don’t really mind if we have to play defensive football to win things, but I think it’s defensive by default. There is no attacking cohesion and people can see the key issues, such as Kane dropping deep. Clearly Southgate is afraid of the big decisions, defined by his inability to be proactive and change the team when the game starts to turn. The claim is that he isn’t telling the team to drop deep, so they’re doing it of their own volition and yet we are playing the same lineup game after game, save one change. As I’ve mentioned above, I think we ended up playing the same system yesterday as we did vs Slovakia purely because Trippier was fit enough to play. Was checking this on average positions and it seems Kane was literally deeper than our entire midfield yesterday:

View attachment 36707

And hence Kane nowhere near balls being put in to the edge of the 6 yard box. Not fit enough to get forward from his midfield position. Toney was taking up good positions from the moment he went on.

 

[HadjiChippo]

Yup, but wouldn't it be great to win a tournament and not play shite?

It would, but I’d take any tournament win with the drought we’re on. We can focus on winning tournaments playing fancy football once the hoodoo is ended.

 

[MalcSB]

No. The first on target came in 51st minute, when it looked like Konsa fucked his knee.

Wasn't the reference to England shots on target?

 

[Tommo1993]

We haven’t even been the worst team to get to the semi’s in this very tourno, yet it’s only us that are being slagged off.

 

[Tommo1993]

Wasn't the reference to England shots on target?

Fuck knows. We’re through though, as sickening and disappointing that is for some people

 

[AOM]

Let Scotland back in for the final please

Georgia should be able to use an Uno reverse card and be allowed a place

 

[MalcSB]

We didn’t create a single chance for Kane and that’s a team failure. It’s been the same whenever Watkins or Toney play too.

I’d like to see Foden and Saka (in particular) shoot more when they’re in positions at the edge of the box. I’m convinced Saka wouldn’t have made the same shot for his goal if the game was 0-0.

As for the semis, Shaw to definitely start. I’d like to see Palmer start too and you probably need to fit Bellingham in CM ahead of Mainoo. Which is harsh because Mainoo has been good in all his appearances so far.

How many minutes have Watkins and Toney played? Last night there would have been chances for Kane, if only he had been on the edge of the 6 yard box. Or even remotely in the penalty area. Chances aren’t going to be made for him whilst he is in the centre circle

 

[fernandopartridge]

I only watched the game in fits and starts and it was just like the others. Lots of possession but no penetration, no real plan for how to get the ball into dangerous areas.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

In spite of him not because of him , I reckon me or you would have done the same tbh

What did he do yesterday to get us through ? Pick the 5 takers

We're in the semi final of a major tourmant after beating Slovakia and serbia in regular time

Not trying to defend the performances in this tournament, just saying when he leaves he can look on his record and be happy with it overall

Although this tournament has been shocking football I don't think he's been a bad manager for all of his 8 years in charge so it would have been a shame if it ended in a humiliation for him.

 

[MalcSB]

We haven’t even been the worst team to get to the semi’s in this very tourno, yet it’s only us that are being slagged off.

Why would we be critisising other teams piss poor performance?

 

[CCFCSteve]

Not trying to defend the performances in this tournament, just saying when he leaves he can look on his record and be happy with it overall

Although this tournament has been shocking football I don't think he's been a bad manager for all of his 8 years in charge so it would have been a shame if it ended in a humiliation for him.

Yeah, for all my frustrations regarding reactive subs and pretty turgid football, Southgate appears to have garnered a never say die attitude in the squad and a greater calmness. These things shouldn’t be underestimated

 

[CCFCSteve]

We didn’t create a single chance for Kane and that’s a team failure. It’s been the same whenever Watkins or Toney play too.

I’d like to see Foden and Saka (in particular) shoot more when they’re in positions at the edge of the box. I’m convinced Saka wouldn’t have made the same shot for his goal if the game was 0-0.

As for the semis, Shaw to definitely start. I’d like to see Palmer start too and you probably need to fit Bellingham in CM ahead of Mainoo. Which is harsh because Mainoo has been good in all his appearances so far.

Agree about Shaw, would be great if he’s fit to start. I’d stick with mainoo in midfield though, I’ve not seen his stats and had had a few beers last night but thought he was excellent again. I did see that Bellingham made most tackles though (18), hell of a shift and looked a lot sharper, especially first half

Palmer (or Gordon) for foden for me though. Kane will also be lucky to start but will

 

[Otis]

We haven’t even been the worst team to get to the semi’s in this very tourno, yet it’s only us that are being slagged off.

Maybe because we are English and are talking about England?

 

[Tommo1993]

Why would we be critisising other teams piss poor performance?

Despite agreeing that we really could do better, we don’t need excuses after winning. France have been even worse, and look what happened there.

 

[Tommo1993]

Maybe because we are English and are talking about England?

English people wanting us out because we’ve been a bit poor. Strange.

 

[Otis]

English people wanting us out because we’ve been a bit poor. Strange.

How many have said they want England out?

I certainly don't.

I will be relieved it's all over if we get beaten easily on Wednesday though.

Finding it all too painful not at all enjoyable

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Yup, but wouldn't it be great to win a tournament and not play shite?

All I care about is winning tournaments. For too long we’ve not even been in the picture.

Make no mistakes, failure to beat the Netherlands on Wednesday and this tournament would be considered a failure and the end of the Southgate era.

Even if we don’t win the tournament, I do believe that Southgate has laid some really good foundations for the next person to come in and take things to the next level.

Now we’re used to getting deep into tournaments and winning penalty shootouts - we’ve won 3 out of 4 shootouts iirc.

 

[Tommo1993]

How many have said they want England out?

I certainly don't.

I will be relieved it's all over if we get beaten easily on Wednesday though.

Finding it all too painful not at all enjoyable

People are really passive but obvious about it

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

How many minutes have Watkins and Toney played? Last night there would have been chances for Kane, if only he had been on the edge of the 6 yard box. Or even remotely in the penalty area. Chances aren’t going to be made for him whilst he is in the centre circle

I take it you missed Saka breaking into the box and crossing it beautifully for where Kane should have been, only for him to be ambling on the edge of the box?

So one instance in 120 minutes and not even a guarantee he would’ve got to the cross?

Whenever Watkins has started in qualifiers and friendlies, the narrative is that England struggle to create or score without Kane. Neither are the answer, however, Toney has really proven that he’s a reliable penalty taker which bodes well should Kane get injured.

Tactically, the players need to encouraged to shoot more. This tournament there’s been a disproportionate amount of goals scored outside the box. Presumably because in a lot of games the defending team sticks 10 men behind the ball.

 

[Mcbean]

I understand that Southgate has put Kane forward for the second part of his career as a defensive midfielder

 

[SeaSeeEffCee]

Couldn't give a single shit how we play from here on out if we keep winning tbh.

 

[Evo1883]

So one instance in 120 minutes and not even a guarantee he would’ve got to the cross?

Whenever Watkins has started in qualifiers and friendlies, the narrative is that England struggle to create or score without Kane. Neither are the answer, however, Toney has really proven that he’s a reliable penalty taker which bodes well should Kane get injured.

Tactically, the players need to encouraged to shoot more. This tournament there’s been a disproportionate amount of goals scored outside the box. Presumably because in a lot of games the defending team sticks 10 men behind the ball.

I absolutely love harry kane but there is no doubt that his ability to get infront of the last man seems to have alluded him in this tournament .

I understand he wants to drop deeper to help with the build up play or to help defend but often and I mean OFTEN he's that deep that when the midfield pick up the ball and look forward , harry is not there , he was also regularly deeper than the two number 10s

Surely Gareth sees this ?? I remember wayne rooney going through something similar with England so much so that eventually England started playing him in attacking midfield which was stupid .

Harry needs to play as a striker , when he's deep the team is deep , if he can't play as a striker then maybe Gareth should stick toney or Watkins upfront instead

 

[Evo1883]

Mental honestly , blokes playing in holding midfield

 

[Tommo1993]

I think we should take a lesson from Martinez stupidly persisting with Ronaldo.