Euro 2024

[Gingerfinch]

Very quiet here?

I guess all the Southgate haters are seething.

Who can hate Sir Gareth!!

I saw the game on a big screen with no volume and heads in the way. A good atmosphere but I do prefer the comfort of my sofa. Didn't look great again but we're in the semis.

[Durhamfootman]

I didn't watch it last night. I did record it though and I watched it during the night. I've stopped watching England live.... I just end up gnawing my own liver with frustration. It's become an unpleasant, joyless experience

The match itself was dull.... very dull..... damned dull, but with the 3 at the back formation and perhaps because of the national discontent, England did at least face forward when they had the ball. There was more attacking intent, fewer triangles at the back and fewer passes back to Pickford. Pickford to his credit kicked the ball long more often than not and pushed his teammates further up field.

For me the most noticeable change was after England went behind and Sir Gareth made 3 substitutions. What he effectively did (whether by his intent or by that of the players) was take away the second defensive midfielder and push Palmer out wide on the left..... and we were better, much better. Maybe that's why everyone has been telling Southgate to stop being stupid and stop ignoring a whole quadrant of the pitch..... it's not rocket science... never has been

Prior to that, almost all attacks down the left ended up cutting inside and working the ball to Saka out right. After the substitutions we were much more balanced. Schar ended up being lucky to to stay on the pitch, because he was having to make so many desperate tackles and fouls out on that side. The whole thing was just better. When the equaliser came, had I not known the result, I'd have been reasonably certain that we'd go on and win the game in normal time. We were that much better, as indeed the entire country knew we would be

Saka had a great night, Palmer had a great night, Konsa did well and the back 3 looked pretty solid. The penalties were all taken really well. I was delighted for Saka and TAA, but I have no idea how Toney takes penalties without once looking at the ball

[Durhamfootman]

It is also true that England didn't go for the jugular after the equaliser when they were on top. Kane looks miles off the pace. Saka kept firing the ball into the box and Kane was always too far away to capitalise. On the occasion when he did find himself in the box with the ball at his feet, instead of hitting it with his left as it opened up, he tried to swivel to get it on his right and was bundled off the ball by the massed ranks of defenders that he tried to turn into. Pretty much nothing has worked out for Kane since he left Spurs. Although he scored goals, he still didn't win a league or the CL and he looks more tired and jaded than he has previously in these big tournaments.

Encouraging to see Shaw come on as a sub. I guess he'll start the semi final

Assuming Southgate doesn't revert to type, I have more hope of them making the final than I had of them making the semi.

Hey, maybe the whole bumbling, incompetent tactician thing was simply part of a wider brilliant strategy (worthy of a knighthood) to lull the other teams into a false sense of security..... like Rocky Balboa starting the title fight right handed to confuse and befuddle Creed, before reverting to southpaw later with devastating effect

or perhaps not..... SG has been bullied by everyone into stepping out of own personal comfort zone, but perhaps we can hope, just a little, that having now done so, he may be more persuaded that perhaps everyone else in the country might have had a point, after all

I still won't be watching the SF live. Ultimately that will be Southgate's legacy

[alfie]

It is also true that England didn't go for the jugular after the equaliser when they were on top. Kane looks miles off the pace. Saka kept firing the ball into the box and Kane was always too far away to capitalise. On the occasion when he did find himself in the box with the ball at his feet, instead of hitting it with his left as it opened up, he tried to swivel to get it on his right and was bundled off the ball by the massed ranks of defenders that he tried to turn into. Pretty much nothing has worked out for Kane since he left Spurs. Although he scored goals, he still didn't win a league or the CL and he looks more tired and jaded than he has previously in these big tournaments.

Encouraging to see Shaw come on as a sub. I guess he'll start the semi final

Assuming Southgate doesn't revert to type, I have more hope of them making the final than I had of them making the semi.

Hey, maybe the whole bumbling, incompetent tactician thing was simply part of a wider brilliant strategy (worthy of a knighthood) to lull the other teams into a false sense of security..... like Rocky Balboa starting the title fight right handed to confuse and befuddle Creed, before reverting to southpaw later with devastating effect

or perhaps not..... SG has been bullied by everyone into stepping out of own personal comfort zone, but perhaps we can hope, just a little, that having now done so, he may be more persuaded that perhaps everyone else in the country might have had a point, after all

I still won't be watching the SF live. Ultimately that will be Southgate's legacy

I'm sure he'll be gutted , DFM

I reckon that was a - small - step up on the previous games. Not what you'd call pretty ; but hey it's another win : and I think even the cynics would have to admit the penalty takers performed very calmly and efficiently - something for which previous England teams have not been noted ! So that is at least one area that seems to have been improved.

Netherlands next : won't be easy ; but they looked a bit shaky at times against Turkiye so not seeing them as an insurmountable obstacle. Concerned about Kane who still doesn't look quite right : but he's scored twice already and only needs the odd opportunity to do so again so I doubt he will be benched. Good to see Shaw fit now at a good time ; and perhaps Guehi having to sit that one out might work to advantage as it means he will be one who has had a bit more rest instead of playing two 120 minute games in a row.

And glad to see the semi is 5am Australian time as this 2am stuff is neither fish nor fowl : rather late to stay up and an awkward time for the alarm !

[sussexpob]

Very quiet here? I guess all the Southgate haters are seething.

Come on BFL, the idea that criticising the manager means in someway that we dont want England to win is very silly. The reason the guy upsets me so much is I want to see England win and play to their ability. In the end its 4 draws in 90 minutes against Slovenia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Denmark, none of which are a footballing powerhouse. Its not been great has it? I dont think anyone can say at the moment we have performed anywhere near the ability we have with the players in this squad even for half a game.

[sussexpob]

I reckon that was a - small - step up on the previous games. Not what you'd call pretty ; but hey it's another win : and I think even the cynics would have to admit the penalty takers performed very calmly and efficiently - something for which previous England teams have not been noted ! So that is at least one area that seems to have been improved

The main difference in this game was England actually pressed Switzerland in their own final third for the first time at the tournament, and also for the first time they started to switch the ball around a bit quicker. There was a stage between 15 minutes and around 55 mins where Switzerland couldn't play out from the back and just kept coughing it back up to England, but once again we couldn't really breakdown their defence given lots of the ball. Saka did very well, but as pointed out above, he kept getting to decent positions only to find Harry Kane 15 meters behind play.

Switzerland rode the wave, and I think when they established a foothold in the game England retreated too deeply and were too content to allow them to play in front of them. Could have cost us the game. I think we have to push out and press the space a bit more, make it more difficult.

I guess if you want to be encouraged, it was better. But still not good enough to win the tournament, have to improve.

Gareth needs to drop Kane and Trippier, both have been very poor so far. Kane barely looked capable of running.

[sussexpob]

Netherlands next : won't be easy ; but they looked a bit shaky at times against Turkiye so not seeing them as an insurmountable obstacle.

In periods where Holland win the ball in the middle of the park and can dictate the play, they have looked capable of producing chances, but in each match they have had periods where they haven't had the ball and looked very vulnerable on the counter. I would be considering playing Saka on the left v Dumfries, because Dumfries will spend 60% of the game pretending he plays up top like he always does, and that will leave huge amounts of space to have a go back at them.

Netherlands have a very strong defence on paper, and if we move the ball quick in behind their midfield we can distrupt them like others have. If we play like against Slovenia then the whole tactic of trying to cross the ball in will be difficult to find rewards with the CBs they have.

All and all, you really couldnt hope for a worst team to play at this stage of a tournament. Their 3 x CMs are ropey, the defence can be got at, and 2 PL rejects in the front three shouldnt keep any English defenders up all night. Xavi Simons might me one of the wonderkids of world football, but he was utterly terrible v Turkey.

[Gingerfinch]

Be interesting to see if Southgate keeps the same team. For me, if fit, Shaw has to come back in. Kane looks unfit but if we can get the ball to him, he's most likely gonna put it away.

[sussexpob]

Be interesting to see if Southgate keeps the same team. For me, if fit, Shaw has to come back in. Kane looks unfit but if we can get the ball to him, he's most likely gonna put it away.

Southgate said in the post match press conference they didn't make the change for Shaw until very late, because they were unsure with his fitness how long he could play for. So I doubt that Shaw is going to start, and may come on later. Without wanting to pick on him, he looked like he has put on some weight (although I guess thats normal with being injured and unable to train).

[Gingerfinch]

Be interesting to see if Southgate keeps the same team. For me, if fit, Shaw has to come back in. Kane looks unfit but if we can get the ball to him, he's most likely gonna put it away.

Southgate said in the post match press conference they didn't make the change for Shaw until very late, because they were unsure with his fitness how long he could play for. So I doubt that Shaw is going to start, and may come on later. Without wanting to pick on him, he looked like he has put on some weight (although I guess thats normal with being injured and unable to train).

He did look slow but he offers more than Trippier. Guess the issue is fitness. I reckon you may be right and he'll be an option as a sub.

[alfie]

Agree Shaw will come in assuming he's taken no harm from his first run out for ages. I do think Trippier comes in for some overdone criticism : apart from some very important defensive interceptions , he's laid on at least a couple of excellent scoring opportunities which Foden (mistimed run and off side) and Gallagher/Kane (not quite getting the needed touch in the box) failed to convert. But it isn't his natural position so sensible for Shaw to come in.

Don't see Kane being "rested". Hasn't looked right ; but still two goals so far and we know he usually doesn't need too many chances to score. Need him to step up but I reckon he will get the chance to do so.

Actually they all need to step up to beat the Dutch. But I do wonder if the fact that Netherlands are likely to play a more open game than their previous opponents might work to England's advantage ? Defence will need to be wide awake though...

[sussexpob]

Agree Shaw will come in assuming he's taken no harm from his first run out for ages. I do think Trippier comes in for some overdone criticism : apart from some very important defensive interceptions , he's laid on at least a couple of excellent scoring opportunities which Foden (mistimed run and off side) and Gallagher/Kane (not quite getting the needed touch in the box) failed to convert. But it isn't his natural position so sensible for Shaw to come in

The main problem with Trippier is he has no left foot, so it completely removes the option of him overlapping the attacker and swinging in a quick ball from the bylin. His impact on the left in the final third is standing behind the attacker and cutting back onto his right foot, then swinging it in, which means the defence is always seeing it coming and has time to set, and it has to be slow ball because he cant attack the space and then the box.

I sort of agreed with you about Kane until the second half at the weekend. He looks absolutely knackered, so when England got quick ball he couldn't keep up with play, and when England's forward press landed home he was the one often allowing the outball because he stood off and wasn't pressing with any vigour.

Kane is one of our greatest players, but hes not fit. Of course he is still a reliable finisher and if something lands at his feet Wednesday you'd pick him over anyone to smash it past the keeper... but you also feel right now, you will have less of those moments because he cant keep up with play.

Id start Toney.... and bring Kane on for 30 minutes at the end to give me everything he has in the tank.

[Gingerfinch]

Trippier, partly through playing out of position, has been imo pretty poor throughout. He has got forward on the odd occasion but 90% of the time comes in and plays a square ball, again partly down to him but also because there's not always someone on the left wing. The balance, which has been seen by all, has been very lopsided, although better on Saturday.

[Durhamfootman]

poor old Trips, he gets damned by his own versatility. This comes down to the manager again, who picked an unfit Shaw as a punt (not a criticism, btw, he was able to select a 26 instead of the normal 23, so he kind of lost nothing by doing so), but no other natural LB, instead relying on Trippier to play out of position as cover for Shaw

If he's fit (and he may not be) I think Trippier may play in the SF, even if Shaw plays. I imagine we will stick with 3 at the back and so there is a place for Shaw at L CB and Trippier at L WB.

[Durhamfootman]

Cracking first half

better enjoy it, because we won't get anything like this tomorrow night

Spain are far and away the better team, but the French are playing their part too. A good half, but the first 20 minutes or so were quite extraordinary... obviously not as good as Newcastle's 21 mins against Spurs last season, but excellent nonetheless