Euro 2024 Qualifiers & Tournament

(12-07-2024 18:05 )Goodfella3041 Wrote:  

(12-07-2024 11:06 )Charlemagne Wrote:  I've seen great improvements in the quality of English football since the creation of St George's Park on 2012. This is the home of all 23 England teams.

I believe that the results have improved because of Southgate's man management (he started in 2016) and also that he has more quality players to pick from.

You can probably see the impact of the accademy by the results during this time by all the under21's, 19's and 17's teams. I'm sure that someone can supply the stats.

^^^ 100% this

I think the reason The FA like Southgate so much is that he has done so much for them behind the scenes in terms of the whole footballing infrastructure. He worked with Trevor Brooking on the Player Development Plan, was part of the team that delivered St George’s Park, helped to normalise relations with the Premier League and its top clubs, and cultivated a footballing culture from the grassroots, through the youth teams, to the senior men’s side. He is FA through-and-through — which is not something you could say about secretary-shagging mercenaries like Ericsson, or miserable gits like Capello. They did nothing for the organisation and were no more successful, with their worldly (and expensive!) tactical ‘genius’.

Okay, so Southgate hasn’t won that final trophy. But he has been successful enough on the back pages, while keeping the FA off the front pages.

But it’s likely all moot anyway. Win or lose, my gut feeling is that he’ll call it a day after this tournament, no matter what the offer is. He’ll get the knighthood either way.

I don't think we ever moved any further forward after Eriksson with ultra miserable git Crapello tbh.

(10-07-2024 21:46 )7 stars of the orient Wrote:  Sheer genius from Gareth Southgate, what a manager. He brings on Palmer and Watkins and Palmer sets up Watkins for the goal.

The real genius was not in bringing on Watkins, but having him in the squad in the first place. The pundits all thought that Watkins hadn't done enough to warrant inclusion and with Kane and Toney available he wouldn't be needed anyway. But Gareth picked him.

So unlucky England to lose 2-1 but well done Spain they are a top team and been best in this tournament, they will just have to try and win World cup in 2 years time now shocking it is only england's third final in history.

Pains me to say it but the better team won.
Leading up to the winning goal Spain dominated the ball even more so than earlier in the match and pressure told.
It's gut wrenching of course but Spain were too good. No complaints.

Spain deserved it, winning all 7 games, England had the easiest path to the final.

We were outplayed and outhought, throughout 90 Mins He should have stuck Toney on with Palmer i'd thr second goal was a bit lucky as his knee kept him onside.

Where do we go from here?Do we break this team up a,little and blend in a mix youth and experience for USA/Mexico 26?
I would say I thnik Kane probably has played his last majour tournament, I don't think he will be around for USA.

Hopefully Bellingham Palmer & Watkins will develop into a strikeforce trio we can be proud of.

Other than that I'd say it's starting to kick off in one town centre I think as three cops cars went past coming home.

It is all down to Gareth now realising trying something different as a game plan has to be the way forward,

(14-07-2024 21:15 )Liverred Wrote:  Spain deserved it, winning all 7 games, England had the easiest path to the final.

^Absolutely spot on, Spain were by far the better team.

The problem with the Southgate management style, is that he plays not to lose, rather than to win.

Once Spain regained their composure after the equaliser it became really difficult for England.
The Spaniards really turned the screw and looked continuously threatening while not giving England a sniff of possession for a sustained period. It was almost like trying to play against cheat mode activation for that short period of time.
It was ludicrously difficult and to be honest I felt a bit sorry for the England players. They were just being toyed with and pulled apart.
The pressure told and bang 2-1.
Sometimes you just have to admit the opposition are too good.

Spain was just a better team.

Big, big Gareth Southgate supporter. I think he’s done a great job.

But it’s time for him to call it a day. He’s built a great foundation, but someone else will need to finish the job

It was an enjoyable game and Spain are a great team to watch. England have a lot of potential, Southgate has done a good job with them, two finals isn't it.

Won a cheeky litlle bet too (on a 2-1 Spain win)...all of £0.80 from the change I had left in my account, big winner me, might treat myself. lol.