Is it coincidence that the quality players in this country have dried up . I don’t think I’ve seen a goalkeeper kick so many long balls for a long time
We lost control of the middle of the park due to weight of numbers and didn't adapt. We have a good number of gifted flair players, what we lack is a central midfielder who can control and dictate the game. Modric/Rakatic/Kroos/Pogba etc. There's hopes that Foden could be that player, Maitland-Niles may also develop to that type of player. Southgate reasoned that we couldn't win the midfield battle yesterday and decided we should play direct. For 45 minutes it worked like a dream. Kane missed a chance he scores 8/9 out of 10. That goes in then we're getting ready for a World Cup final. Fine margins. If our current crop aren't allowed to develop by playing regularly, then we should start to worry.
You can always find a reason or excuse but a pattern has been developing, the quality in the premiership is generally foreign players
I give up. Best tournament display by an England team in a generation and some people are acting like we've been beaten 3-0 by the Faroe islands...
So we lose a tight semi final in extra time and the reason is the entire structure of the youth setup. Makes sense.
Is this the only game you've watched this tournament? Pickford's distribution has been excellent prior to this. Croatia pressed the back 3/5 making the long ball the only option. We were outsmarted. No need to throw the baby out with the dish water. Positives in style and tangible progress this tournament. Progression deep into the competition supports that.
They may have progressed through what some would say was an easy pathway but I wouldn’t say it’s the best display in a generation far from it . I think you are kidding yourself
Kane puts his chance away first half I think we probably win. Football games can turn on such things. I suppose if we had beaten Croatia and lost to France in the final you would just dismiss Coratia as a "easy" game too and make the same statement.
I’m not questioning Pickford he had a great tournament, just wonder why the players can’t deal with the ball and have to pass it back for a punt time after time