Not quite as clinical as against Norway, but looking very good again, against a very determined Northern Ireland. Really love the way that England try to play. Extremely pleasing on the eye, without the play acting and backchat that you get in the men's game. Hugely refreshing to watch.
This is exactly why I want rid of Southgate as our manager. The men have the potential to play like our fantastic women do - and credit to Sarina Wiegman for how she sets her teams up. I understand people's points about us reaching Euro final & semi-final of WC, but actually looking deeper into it, the teams we played, how we played, and how we lost against teams with tactical nous, wasn't all that great. I don't expect us to go all gung-ho, but we are far too rigid & fragmented under him. Shocking defending for our 4th goal there initially, but great first touch & finish. Breaking records all over the shop at the minute arent they!
The pro Southgate camp will tell you he's got us to a semi final and a final, I would reply, he's lost us a semi final and a final.
I appreciate on paper, without context, that looks quite good for England since '66. But when you do take off the Southgate tinted glasses, I just think it tells a slightly different story!
Eilidh Barbour on the woke BBC must be due another comment about the squad being so white like she did when we won the other day.
I've watched the Lionesses at a few tournaments, and one criticism I've had is that they weren't anywhere near critical enough in the final third. You could see the difference between them, and the best teams in the world such as the US and Germany. But they've certainly improved in that area despite having pretty much the same players. White, Kirby and Mead have matured as players, and Hemp is an exceptional talent for her age.
and the FA belatedly right a wrong by awarding full England caps to all women's international players back to 1972. Well deserved ladies.
Hoping to see Barnsley lass Bethany England, number 19 get some game time Used to work in the chip shop on Wellington Street.
