Group B: ENG/IRAN/USA/WAL

[JSpurs1]

We lost to a better more experienced Croatia side after going ahead. We lost on penalties v Italy after going ahead, and held them for 120 minutes. Belgium in the World Cup 2018 group was a heavily rotated side, and the third place play-off they weren't bothered about.

You can only play who the schedule permits you to play in a tournament. If the likes of Germany, Argentina and Denmark don't go through that's on them not us. We can only do our job and win the group. Which we have done. This "easy" games malarky is a crap argument. Saudi beat Argentina. Iran beat Wales. Costa Rica beat Japan. There are no easy games, bar maybe Qatar, at this tournament.

I think my original point has been lost. The shout was that he’s our best manager since Bobby R. Whilst that might be statistically true, he’s been found wanting against top sides (in competitive and friendly fixtures).

Don’t disagree with anything you’ve said.

 

[JSpurs1]

Let’s not go overboard. He’s won lots but how many top international sides have we beaten.

englandstats.com | Gareth Southgate - Manager Profile

englandstats.com | The England International Database. Gareth Southgate - Manager Profile

www.englandstats.com

Don’t mean to labour my point but I count 20 fixtures against sides I would call ‘top-tier’ - haven’t included Croatia. Only 3 wins. I think there is where criticism of GS is valid.

 

[cjbyid]

 

[nailsy]

If Southgate and his coaching group can't coach and create a solid defence (Tomori?) and teach them to defend that well against the likes of France or really express themselves (despite his limitations as as coach) then what is the whole point of England being there?

You're moaning about us being unable to defend well against a team that we haven't played?

I don't like Margot Robbie singing Like A Virgin while giving me a hand job

 

[Black]

Any of the salon guys know why ben white has gone home?

 

[Marty]

Any of the salon guys know why ben white has gone home?

Unspecified family emergency which in itself doesn't sound good but best to not speculate and leave it in the family.

 

[Black]

Unspecified family emergency which in itself doesn't sound good but best to not speculate and leave it in the family.

I cant get the Sun where i am ?

 

[nailsy]

Don’t mean to labour my point but I count 20 fixtures against sides I would call ‘top-tier’ - haven’t included Croatia. Only 3 wins. I think there is where criticism of GS is valid.

And I think that's why Southgate plays the type of football that he does. Our record against the top sides hasn't been great over the years. He thinks playing the way we do gives us a better chance of progressing through to the later rounds in tournament football.

 

[nailsy]

Unspecified family emergency which in itself doesn't sound good but best to not speculate and leave it in the family.

Yep, if he's unlikely to return for the rest of the tournament it must be quite serious.

 

[slartibartfast]

You're moaning about us being unable to defend well against a team that we haven't played?

I don't like Margot Robbie singing Like A Virgin while giving me a hand job

Margot love, you can sing whatever the fuck you like if you'll give me a tug.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

The same argument was made under Jol, AVB, Redknapp and Poch.

I think football fans in general over rate their own team and/or under rate the opposition. At the end of the day they are all humans and will have off days and in a knockout tournament nothing is a given.

With the exception of Maguire who’s been awful for Man U but has played well for England, the other players (Sterling and Mount) who have been poor for their club have brought their crap form into the England games and somehow they’re still getting picked.

Foden - fantastic form for Man C and played well against Wales somehow finds himself behind Mount in the pecking order. Whereas Sterling who’s been shocking for Chelsea is one of the first names on the team sheet.

If Mount and Sterling return to the side then Southgate has truly lost the plot.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

We lost to a better more experienced Croatia side after going ahead. We lost on penalties v Italy after going ahead, and held them for 120 minutes. Belgium in the World Cup 2018 group was a heavily rotated side, and the third place play-off they weren't bothered about.

You can only play who the schedule permits you to play in a tournament. If the likes of Germany, Argentina and Denmark don't go through that's on them not us. We can only do our job and win the group. Which we have done. This "easy" games malarky is a crap argument. Saudi beat Argentina. Iran beat Wales. Costa Rica beat Japan. There are no easy games, bar maybe Qatar, at this tournament.

Against Croatia we were getting overrun in midfield and it eventually led to the Croatian winner. We needed extra bodies in the middle but Southgate’s solution was to bring on another attacker.

Look at EPL managers, if you’re getting overrun they either bring on another defender or a midfielder whereas Southgate failed to notice or address the growing Croatian dominance. England should have won that game.