Now, this isn't a defence of Southgate's brand. But England fans confuse the hell out of me. 90% of fans, commentators, pundits and media have been parroting the same thing ever since the first 25 minutes of the Serbia match. "Boring", "Poor", "Slow", "Southgate out" etc. And if i had a quid for everytime I've heard the word Lucky since last night I'd be booking dinner tonight at the Ritz in Las Vegas. But at club level, English fans love that brand of football. Win at all costs, "playing poor and winning is a sign of a champion" and all that. Last minute drama. When Barnsley did it against Liverpool we believed we had the Cup in the bag. When Wednesday scored in the 120+35062nd minute when the ref headed it in, they thought they were going to go on be Premier League. Watford and Deeney, Man City and Aguero. We aren't Brazil or Spain. We're England. I think people forget that. One minute we should be playing teams off the park, next minute we're ripping Busquets-incarnate John Stones a new one because he isn't "the new Terry Butcher" or whatever. England does functional, uncomplicated football. It might be boring sometimes, but Southgate's record speaks for itself. I wish England would stop being soft
But it doesn't need to be like that, and I think that's the bugbear. Good management is building a team whose style suits the players you've got. Slovakia and Slovenia have both done very well by being exceptionally organised and defensively solid, while both having squads of relatively limited players (by top international standards). Southgate is lucky enough to have some of the world's best players at his disposal, all over the pitch, but particularly in attack. And several more world-class player to bring on from the bench. There is absolutely no need for England to be playing like a cross between Greece in 2004 and George Graham's Arsenal.
England are capable of a much higher level of football than they are currently producing. This is the poorest I've seen under Gareth. He gets credits in the bank from me for what's gone before, but you can't hide the fact that we are currently way below potential. Still happy we won.
Winning when not playing well can be a sign of a Champion team, but champion teams also play well the majority of the time. England have stunk the place out 4 games running, and relying on moments of individual brilliance will only get you so far. As for functional, uncomplicated football, I don't think that was on display last night. There was no evidence of any plan, or what they were trying to do. It was like watching us under Schopp. The most annoying thing is, everyone knows Kane plays better with pace either side of him. That's why there was success with Sterling alongside him. And everyone can see that Foden isn't a winger. Yet he won't make the obvious change, which is to put Bellingham back into midfield, Foden to 10 and Gordon or Eze on the left. Palmer needs to replace Saka as well.
Agree with all of that. While I think Guehi has been one of the standout England players, his absence may well force Southgate's hand into changing shape for the next match.
The frustration and expectation is there probably due to England having top notch individuals. Bellingham being La Liga's player of the season. Kane topping the goal scoring charts in the Bundesliga. Foden and Palmer having amazing seasons in the Premier league. Attacking wise we are really blessed in that area of the field however Gareth Southgate is very conservative in his approach which may constrict the players. The fans and pundits can see the issues but putting it all in to practice and finding a compromise seems to be an issue. These Euros for England are very similar to England at Italia 90 where after an uninspiring group stage (2 draws and 1 win) followed by a lucky last minute win in the round of 16 after a very poor performance. Play well but lose and go out of the tournament early or continue with uninspiring yet lucky wins and possibly go all the way. What would you prefer?
For as long as I can remember, England have always struggled to break down teams that play quite defensive. I actually thought we didn't start off too poorly last night, and the game was quite open until the Slovakia goal. It wasn't helped by the referee making 4 bookings in the first 17 minutes. Slovakia scoring first was the worst thing that could have happened. You knew what was coming then. 65 minutes of them sitting deep, and England trying to meticulously pick a way through. A bit like Barnsley last season. I actually think the Switzerland game will better suit. We certainly look frail at the back, maybe even more so now if Trippier and Guehi are out, but I certainly think that the Swiss will come at England, and that could leave space for us to finally get the likes of Foden, Bellingham and Saka on the ball in space. It'll also mean Kane shouldn't have to come deeper for the ball, and might actually let him be that classic number 9 that he has been for his entire career. Southgate's decision to not change anything certainly baffled me. The goal from Bellingham was a beauty, but it took an absolute screamer for us to finally break down Slovakia. His decision to bring Mainoo in though was certainly validated, and I think Cole Palmer warrants more game time on that display too. I think Saturday's game will be a much more intriguing contest.
Genuinely think Saka will be starting as left back in the next game, so should mean Palmer gets more minutes.
There was a stark contrast in last night's two games. England and Spain were heavy favourites to win. If England weren't it was only because of our previous three dire performances. Both conceded early and then proceeded to dominate possession and territory. There things start to diverge. Spain were creating chance after chance. England weren't. Both teams equalised then went ahead and here's the glaring difference. Spain had the belief to continue with attacking football and killed the game 4-1. England immediately dropped back to defend the lead and finished up hanging on for 30 minutes against inferior opposition. Our game could easily, and nearly did, go to penalties. Our negativity and lack of belief is now inbuilt.
How refreshing were Spain to watch not too complicated get it out wide to a winger who can drop a shoulder and has a trick and pace. He then either puts it in the box of which midfielder's are in as they know the balls coming or they cut inside and smash it. I've no idea if Spain will win it but I for one do because that's the type of football I enjoy watching.
Sadly the Ritz in Vegas closed long ago. The location was poor and it was an ill-conceived project from the start.
Functional and uncomplicated football would imply there would at least be a balance to the side, which there is none.
