General Football 23/24

[Shaggy]

Brazil beaten.

Alisson and Fabinho didn’t play, Bobby came on at half time. Seems none of these are first choice for their country anymore.

Really quite crazy how Thiago, Alisson, Fabinho, Firmino and Henderson are all regularly left out by their national teams.

[Buzzo]

Brazil beaten.

Alisson and Fabinho didn’t play, Bobby came on at half time. Seems none of these are first choice for their country anymore.

I saw a bit of this last night.

It was such a poor game (first 30 mins is all I watched) players hitting the deck constantly either through legit fouls, or dives. It was embarrassing.

[McDermotX]

Didn't improve a hell of a lot.....though more and more needle and niggle appeared as the game wore on, some genuine fouls, others the usual Neymar embellishment.
In truth, Brazil didn't make a lot happen to change things, bar Richarlison with the offside goal. Bobby was more or less just....there.....along with the others diving and scrapping.

Far from a classic, but probably worth a look at by the Euro finalists for some FK-winning ****house tips.

[RedReet]

Really quite crazy how Thiago, Alisson, Fabinho, Firmino and Henderson are all regularly left out by their national teams.

Probably a bit gutting for them too considering the season's they all had preceeding when the tournaments should have been in 2020.

[danperkins]

Watching South American football hurts my eyes. Gave the copa a swerve this year. Endless stoppages and play acting. Football is slow and boring and players are cynical as it gets. Just glad most of our lads got rested.

[wiw]

Well he just up a bit in my estimation!

Something along these lines?

"You just went up a notch in my book. That brings you to notch one."

[Exiled_red]

What do people think of Southgate? On paper he looks to have a great record Euros final, WC semi final, better tournament record than any manager since 1966. But I feel he has been rather lucky with the draws in both tournaments they lost and went out to the decent sides they faced in the WC, same really applied here, alot has been made of the win against Germany, but that seems more like historic reasons than this German team being likely to win the tournament, so again Italy were the first good team they faced (maybe harsh on Denmark but they weren't touted as potential winners). I felt that Southgate was tactically found out last night. I felt after the first 20mins or so Italy were much the better side and far more likely winners, as they addressed the early tactical issues and Southgate had no answer for them, I also thought his handling of subs, extra time and penalty takers was poor.

[Rigadon]

What do people think of Southgate? On paper he looks to have a great record Euros final, WC semi final, better tournament record than any manager since 1966. But I feel he has been rather lucky with the draws in both tournaments they lost and went out to the decent sides they faced in the WC, same really applied here, alot has been made of the win against Germany, but that seems more like historic reasons than this German team being likely to win the tournament, so again Italy were the first good team they faced (maybe harsh on Denmark but they weren't touted as potential winners). I felt that Southgate was tactically found out last night. I felt after the first 20mins or so Italy were much the better side and far more likely winners, as they addressed the early tactical issues and Southgate had no answer for them, I also thought his handling of subs, extra time and penalty takers was poor.

Doing a decent job as England manager. Will be interesting to see how he does for WC qualifying (and, assuming they qualify, the WC in 16 months time).

I should add, there is no way on earth that I would want him as Liverpool manager. Not good enough IMO.

[Tribute]

What do people think of Southgate? On paper he looks to have a great record Euros final, WC semi final, better tournament record than any manager since 1966. But I feel he has been rather lucky with the draws in both tournaments they lost and went out to the decent sides they faced in the WC, same really applied here, alot has been made of the win against Germany, but that seems more like historic reasons than this German team being likely to win the tournament, so again Italy were the first good team they faced (maybe harsh on Denmark but they weren't touted as potential winners). I felt that Southgate was tactically found out last night. I felt after the first 20mins or so Italy were much the better side and far more likely winners, as they addressed the early tactical issues and Southgate had no answer for them, I also thought his handling of subs, extra time and penalty takers was poor.

He's no Klopp, more like a primary school version of Eddie Howe.

No doubt he's got some 'softly, softly' man-management skills from taking charge of the England youth team (now many playing for the full national team) but he lacks tactical nous and will always struggle against a half-decent tactician who is prepared to quickly change things up if its not working. He'd crumble at a decent (Top 6) Premier League club.

He was far too defensive yesterday and let the early goal and first half advantage slip all the way through the second half and extra time. Wrong subs and too late in the day for Rashford and Sancho.

Needed to step it up and put Grealish on earlier with Hendo. Saka/Sancho would have been a third sub later in the game for me...

[red g]

He's no Klopp, more like a primary school version of Eddie Howe.

No doubt he's got some 'softly, softly' man-management skills from taking charge of the England youth team (now many playing for the full national team) but he lacks tactical nous and will always struggle against a half-decent tactician who is prepared to quickly change things up if its not working. He'd crumble at a decent (Top 6) Premier League club.

He was far too defensive yesterday and let the early goal and first half advantage slip all the way through the second half and extra time. Wrong subs and too late in the day for Rashford and Sancho.

Needed to step it up and put Grealish on earlier with Hendo. Saka/Sancho would have been a third sub later in the game for me...

I would put him on a par with Ole Gunnar win nothing, Will do Ok but will always fail short

[Yozza]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57873034

Arsenal to sign Brighton's Ben White in £50m deal

Wasn’t Klopp an admirer? £50m though…

[Rich]

Huge money, makes Konate seem a bargain

[S-RED]

yeah, he is good, but 50 mill is nuts

[Kenneth]

But they desperately need a solid centre-back or two, so it's a good move, even if they overpay somewhat.

[S-RED]

But they desperately need a solid centre-back or two, so it's a good move, even if they overpay somewhat.

he is not a leader though, so they still need another CB; 50mill + for a VVD yes for a ben white, its excessive & better value o be had