One of the most composed and complete performances I've seen from an England side. Nothing spectacular, just steady uncomplicated football. Got to give Southgate great credit, he clearly trusts his players and his manner on the touchline reflects the way we're playing. He's stuck with players who were being criticised in the media and gave them a chance to impress, some from lower profile clubs. Effective teams are more about the sum of the parts and not the individuals. There's a core to this side that could play together for years and I think Southgate's impact is underestimated.
Spot on. I know that many were sceptical when Southgate was appointed but boy has he proven he was the right man. Allardyce getting caught out was the best thing that could have happened to the national team because I think we'd have been eliminated by now had he still been in charge (just my opinion). After years of failure, ***** and under achieving with the golden generation we once again have a team to be proud of.
First time I can remember where we have a balanced team and way of playing where every player is comfortable in their position. Previously it was all about trying to shoehorn undroppable individuals into a team structure that didn't work - Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney. Now the team has a balance and ethos that suits the players that play it, and we seem to have a team with no stars or pampered egos. No real world-class players, although Kane may soon be considered to be one. I think we have a good team rather than a brilliant one, but I'm fine with that - at least we have a team, not individuals. Southgate's world-cup experience and temperament have been invaluable in getting us to this stage. I can't imagine Allardyce would have been able to achieve the same although we'll never know.
For once I agree with all the comments on this thread. I have never rated him as a manager. (Was a good player, despite the penalty miss that hung over his career). I can't see how anyone could have done a better job.
I think he has done far better than I expected. However I started to admire him before the World Cup. He had a trust in youth and gave them a chance. He was calculated in developing a style he wanted, not the same old formation we had always played. More modern in his thinking. He was brave and tough enough that when pressurised by many ex pro’s, pundits, media he dropped the players that were past their best ie Hart or hadn’t done enough to warrant a place, Sturridge, Walcott, Wilshere etc. Then we get to the tournament and can see the development and progression coming through all of the above. Now the slow starts show caution but have a purpose checking out opposition but taking control of the game are evident. We can see us grow and get stronger take more chances as the game progresses, at the right time. We look stronger at the back and are finding goals up front. Set pieces and tactics translating from the training ground onto the pitch. We are making our own luck. Confidence is growing. The team ethic is unbelievably strong, something which few England managers have achieved. and..... and......he recognised Yorkshire is what he should build a team around. Still young, still experienced, I hope they can go all the way, but they already have done us proud and can take so much as a nation and team from this.
It’s the first England team for years that look like a ‘team’ and actually seem to properly care about playing for their country and not for their own reputations. There have been a few players in recent years that did, but never a full team at once. I thought Southgate was just appointed to be a safe ‘yes’ man after the Allardyce farce but he’s turned out to be just what we needed. Course, there will probably come a time when he’s a complete w@nker without a clue but hey ho that’s the life of a football manager
I hope that the young aspiring English players of this country look at this team and the first thing they think is i want to play for England and not i want to play for 50k a week. Also I wonder how many teams will start playing the English way, similar to when teams started playing the Spanish way after their success.
Bit of realism lads, come on. We've been a tad lucky the teams we've played.. even in the semi's the football gods are smiling with Croatia. Belgium look far away the best team in the tournament from day one... But the best team doesn't always come through. France are no mugs on their day and if our luck holds, may even put Belgium too the sword for us. We should beat Croatia if we play well on Wednesdays, and if Gods are still all smiles and it's France in the final... . then football may just come home..
