Euro 2020 (In 2021)

[Buzzo]

On paper they should have one foot in the final.

You’d have thought they’d have covered last nights round of 16 victory in the news today?

[Kenneth]

So much revisionism about that game it’s hilarious. Results are what matter, this is true, but England were ****ing ****e for 75 minutes. The idea that Southgate deliberately set it up for the subs to get a late win is laughable. England won because of a few minutes of quality, and that’s fair enough, but they won despite the manager and his set up, not because of it.

[Alex]

I think Southgate set up to not concede. So from that POV he did well. The goals came from individual brilliance.

I think he isnt a great manager, but he deserves some credit for the few goals England conceded.

[Angryred]

I think Southgate set up to not concede. So from that POV he did well. The goals came from individual brilliance.

I think he isnt a great manager, but he deserves some credit for the few goals England conceded.

Yeah, be hard to beat & rely on individuals to do their magic (well, sort of!)

[SB]

Yeah, be hard to beat & rely on individuals to do their magic (well, sort of!)

Especially when the talent is sat on the bench, and some not getting minutes at all.

[frank the tank]

I think Southgate set up to not concede. So from that POV he did well. The goals came from individual brilliance.

I think he isnt a great manager, but he deserves some credit for the few goals England conceded.

don't disagree with that. Look at past winners of tournaments - and past finalists - and pretty often it is teams who just defend well get into finals. With little attacking threat actually needed.

What will be interesting to see is if England go behind in a game. Can they turn it around then? That will be a big test.

They obviously have a huge advantage because of the opponents too. They've beaten Germany - which is a great result. But now they play easier games than the other side of the draw to get to the final. The fact that these games should be less taxing that the final opponents, will probably give England an advantage in the final too. Is it a surprise that the 3 "group of death" teams all got knocked out in the first knock-out game??? It surely must be more difficult to play a lot of high pressure games in a row. So Germany lost having played France and Portugal in the last week or two.

I'm still hoping for a Pickford / Maguire special

[Angryred]

don't disagree with that. Look at past winners of tournaments - and past finalists - and pretty often it is teams who just defend well get into finals. With little attacking threat actually needed.

What will be interesting to see is if England go behind in a game. Can they turn it around then? That will be a big test.

They obviously have a huge advantage because of the opponents too. They've beaten Germany - which is a great result. But now they play easier games than the other side of the draw to get to the final. The fact that these games should be less taxing that the final opponents, will probably give England an advantage in the final too. Is it a surprise that the 3 "group of death" teams all got knocked out in the first knock-out game??? It surely must be more difficult to play a lot of high pressure games in a row. So Germany lost having played France and Portugal in the last week or two.

I'm still hoping for a Pickford / Maguire special

Easier being the objective word here, pal!
They could come a cropper against Ukraine as Ukraine are a right Hyde/Jekyll side as you don't know what you are gonna get with them!
Just like Chernobyl, ya don't know what's in there!

[frank the tank]

Easier being the objective word here, pal!
They could come a cropper against Ukraine as Ukraine are a right Hyde/Jekyll side as you don't know what you are gonna get with them!
Just like Chernobyl, ya don't know what's in there!

Yes agree completely.

Also, it will be interesting to see England play against a team that will also be happy to sit back and defend. Eng v Ukraine could be another dog**** spectacle if there isn't a goal in the first half an hour

[spud_gun]

I think Southgate set up to not concede. So from that POV he did well. The goals came from individual brilliance.

I think he isnt a great manager, but he deserves some credit for the few goals England conceded.

Agree with this.

At what point do you start to give him credit?

World Cup semi final. Quarter finals at least of the Euros. Sailed through qualification for the Euros and on course to do similar for the World Cup next year.

His record is pretty damn remarkable for a **** manager.

[Buzzo]

That was definitely his biggest win yesterday. Until then, you could argue in the matches that matter he had won the ones he should and fallen short when they got to a big game.

If he keeps that form going, England get to the final, and then it is the biggest game yet.

I think they will win it.

Belgium are struggling with key injuries, so my thinking is Italy in the final, and I think England will win that.

My god. We are going to need to build a wall

[spud_gun]

There's only one big game that he's lost. The World Cup semi.

The euphoria that surrounded England's run in that tournament seriously clouded peoples judgement as to how good a team Croatia were.

The expectation now is that England will at least get to the Final of this tournament. Given the potential opposition anything less than an appearance in the final would be considered a failure.

[Buzzo]

The euphoria could be an issue this time. Looking to far ahead as opposed to playing what in front of you.

Even my son (he is learning) said yesterday, 'you would think they had won it'. It was a good win, but three more are needed. Keeping a lid on the emotions could be another issue.

[spud_gun]

Even my son (he is learning) said yesterday, 'you would think they had won it'.

[Buzzo]

He is only 11!

[spud_gun]

You've taught him well