Euros 2024 — Day 7

Doent look like Luke Shaw is going to be fit until the knockout stages, I can't believe Southgate only picked one specialist left back in the squad, as someone said on Talksport this morning he could have taken Mitchell the Palace left back who has had a solid season, if Trippier gets injured who can play left back? Luke Shaw hasn't played since the end of February so I can't see how he could possibly get upto speed even if he is able to get fit in time

No natural left footer in defence for me is a real problem. Foden naturally comes in, so you've a totally lob sided team with no left threat.

4 defenders all right footed is bonkers.

England just need to believe in themselves. They should be going all out against Denmark. They are definably a better team and need to take the game to Denmark.

And they should do the same against any of France, Spain, Italy, Germany, etc. The talent on this England team is superb, and they should give no team any respect and look to take the game to the opponent every single time.

Southgate, when he plays one of the "big countries", will shell up like a turtle and it'll be England's demise.

I hope I'm wrong. I'd love to see England win a tournament.

Mick

Just like Sven bringing injured people to the tournament assuming we will make it to the later stages. Even if we do, it is unlikely that Shaw will hit peak form right off the bat.

Just no. I don't want Serbia to get a single point. Not a one.

Crap.

Jamie

Why?

Serbia are always play this really negative all out defense style even when they have had good attackers. I think its because of that time back in the 90s when Red Star Belgrade won the European cup but just keeping clean sheets and winning on penalties.

With you there, Jamie. Hated to see the Serbs equalize. I root against Serbia in all things.

Great news -- ESPN reporting that Man Utd are fed up with Everton's refusal to negotiate on the price for Branthwaite, and are preparing to walk away and look elsewhere. Yeah, baby!

Me, too, I have deep deep loathing for Serbia, past, present, and future.

Someone else will come in for him Mike. He's tailor made for a big European club or City (who don'r need him, perhaps).

And, of course, the Harrogate cardigan makes no changes. The massively in form Palmer is left twiddling thumbs,

Harrogate cardigan?

I ran that one through Google Translate but came up empty.

I couldn't stomach Jarrad going to Old Trafford. I truly, optimistically believe we can keep him for one more season. And if he continues to develop as he has, I predict.... Real Madrid. Hello, Carlo.

Ha, ha:: cardigan = boring person - I think you know that he lives in Harrogate, nice place actually, not far from York.

Paul, I really like Palmer. England — an embarrassment of talent?

Or just an embarrassment?

On the more empathetic side Brent, there's an argument to be made that Southgate is trying to squeeze 6 players into four positions (Kane/Rice +4).

I would have kept Foden and Saka had a cracking first half v Serbia. Bellingham picks himself. That leave one place and to give it to red shite him is wrong for me. I would play Gallagher ahead of him. But some tweaking, lets Palmer start, but he likes the number 10.

Do we need 2 holding/defensive mids?

Huge talent Brent, with a manager with safety-first instincts who might not be the best for the present situation. Imagine Venables with this squad (who would have taken Branthwaite and Grealish).

Hope you're well mate and your wife.

WHAT THE FECK IS GOING ON AT FOX - WHO ARE THESE NOMARKS SPOUTING CRAP - I LIKE ME ANTHEMS

Sound comments, Paul. All well on the home front - thanks for asking, mate.

The thing about excluding Grealish and co is that we have a 26 man squad. Three more than in the past. And as Roy said you never use 23 so you bulk it out with a few "good lads." Well why not bulk it out even more with very good players who OK may not be in top form but are more experienced and more talented than who you picked?

Kieran -

Why? I dunno, look into Serbia's past even superficially and I think you'll have your answer?

Can't root for them m'man. Just a no-go for me.

Mike - agree regarding Jarrad 100%

We do at least have Darren Fletcher commentating.

Agree Jamie, that past cannot be forgiven when the same country repeats the same evils 70/80 years later.

Here we go. This is going to be enjoyable. England should win, but it'll be entertaining I think.

Harrogate is a nice place Paul.

I spent my first two years in the Army there from 16 years old until they sent me to Germany.

I must admit, as fit as I was, I didn't enjoy the hill sessions and the crags.

The Physical Training Instructor, from Liverpool, had a saying; "Its not a hill, its a rise in the ground"!!

Well it felt like hills to me!!

Dude they just said some player played for "North Florida"?

That's UNF. A customer of mine and like 10 minutes from my house. Anyone catch the player's name?

Jamie

How about Croatia?

Kieran -

Love Croatia. Any country 96% Catholic I get behind.

Call me superficial, don't care. 😂

Kasper Hjulmand Jamie. He's 52 now and is taking over as Denmark's coach after the Euros.

Trippier in the 400 Butterfly this upcoming Olympics.

TY Paul! Near my age, just a few years younger. Cool he has NE FL "roots".

Erm Jamie, Kasper Hjulmand (2013):

"I fucking hated the university and the state. Florida is fucking horrible. Sharks, alligators, swamps, and shitty people who only care about the sun, money, and extreme right-wing politics. Plastic state, plastic people. I haven't been back since I left there and I never will".

Paul -

Hahaha. I read this:

"Northeast Florida is a hidden gem in the USA. The people are incredibly friendly. They refer to everyone in terms such as, "Yes Sir", and, "Yes Ma'am"; manners still rule the day. The ocean is right there and the beaches are wide and lovely. The weather is stupendous. It's a heavenly place if you golf, fish, crab, or enjoy the outdoors. I'd encourage everyone on the planet to visit, it's wonderful."

Oh, Paul, and one thing that's very, very important.

Don't misconstrue SOUTH Florida with NORTH Florida. People here don't give a flying fuck about money, or how much you have of it. Not superficial in the least.

HARRY KANE!!!!! Let's goooooooooo

Kane. Can't believe Kenwright said he wasn't good enough for Everton and turned him away around the same time we told Tony Kros to do one and gave Baxter a new deal.

OMG what a thunderous challenge. Love it! Declan take a bow son!

People sometimes forget how precarious Kane's career was early doors - didn't he have three or four loan periods, Orient, Leicester? Anyone could have snapped him up back then; Levy would have been rubbing his fecking oily hands.

The only reason why North Florida people are half-decent Jamie is that they are next door to Georgia.

I don't believe that either Kieran.

Paul -

Georgia is an awesome state, agree.

Heading to Savannah this weekend in fact. Phenomenal city.

Another ten years of ocean rise and flooding, and North Florida will be South Florida.

South Florida will be a rather large shallow fishing ground for the new seafood industry of the brand-new Port of North Orlando.

Love Savannah, stayed in the Savannah Inn on one of those squares last time I was there. Problem is they like their slaves down there.

Love that MG, is that you on one of your anti-FA rants or is it possible/likely?

Furthest South I've been, Savannah, New Orleans in the middle, and shitty crappy LA on the other side.

TAA "again" putting England under pressure from bad play.

He's as shit as the pitch we're playing on.

And England "again" sitting back on a one nil lead.

WOW! Holy crap what a goal! Tip the cap where it's warranted. Super stuff.

Kane's fault that. Brilliant strike. Jordan unsighted.

England same coach, same tactics same type of players, same crap

Back in the eighties I stayed in the Keys, loved it, my hero Jimmy Buffet all night long…great times.

Does England have a midfield ?

Yes Paul but they've all absconded. 😂

Did you have a glass with Hemmingway Ray?

Foden's said "fuck this" and has started to play centrally.
Now get TAA off and Palmer on and fucking well play fron foot football.

Hell of a shot.

Paul@34
With one of his cats Paul. Chewin the fat.
I counted its toes and decided it emanated from Norfolk.

How is that red shite full back on the pitch. He has to go off at half-time, but the Harrogate gormless shithead will change nothing. He's stubborn, thinks he always knows better. He/England will be in deep trouble if Palmer does not come on for the red shite.

Kane out on the wing LOL. Is Bellingham playing? Foden is the only hope at the moment, with Rice.

We need another (for Denmark) 😁.

Ray -

The Keys are simply fantastic. Love it down there.

If Mike's prediction of rising ocean levels ever comes true, the Keys are the very first to go. Completely surrounded by water there. It's amazing.

Booze, books, boats, cats, not the worst of lives. There's a book about him - Hemingway's Boat - that really captures all of that.

Southgate's running out of clubs to manage now. He seems sort of Leicesterish but ugly has got that one. He's also sort of Hovis, clogs, and cobbles so Burnley might do.

Pull TAA, play Bellingham alongside Rice and bring on Gordon with Foden central.

Jamie, it was a long time ago so I hope they still have the laid back, chilled out vibes from back then. Great place. Happy times.

Rice needs Bellingham and Foden as his supply line, so bringing on Gordon or Eze for TAA would help.

How is RS Alexander Arnold still on the Pitch. Should never have been there. Completely out of his Depth. Southgate's a Bum.

Same sub same manager - should have been Palmer for the red shite and push Bellingham back who has been absolutely shite - The Harrogate witless pounce cannot start the red shite against Slovenia.

Subbing TAA for Gallagher says to me that Southgate is happy with a draw.
Palmer should be on and England should be going for the win.
Southgate's a coward.

three subs warming up, Cole Palmer not among them - Bowen, Watkins, Eze

Terrible England team this. A tournament too far for Southgate - should have went out on a high.

Paul Smith,

On a high? You mean he should have quit after we beat Denmark in the last Euro semis? If only.

You can hear the anger and frustration in Shearer's voice.
He knows what's needed but he knows it won't happen.

This "Greatest ever squad," is just like watching Fabio Capello's "Golden Generation," in 2010 when we last met Slovenia

Great communication there between Rice and Pickford

He was flavour of the month with his waistcoat Kieran he should have called it a day then...

Fuck all to do with communication. Rice shanked it.

No Palmer. Disgraceful. Bowen over Palmer. Eze is fine but team has zero confidence, zero, Bowen for Foden fucks sake

Foden off? Honestly? WTF???

Southgate is a numpty

Holy fuck and Kane too???!!!!

This is madness. Who knows, maybe the kids come through? But man oh man can you second guess this!

the eleven out there right now have less than 10 international goals between them

As I said previously same coach same tactics same type of player same disappointing crap,

Maybe Gareth should switch to a tracksuit, with a vest.

What's the odds Southgate partially blames the pitch?

Who a few months back would have imagined watching this with none of Kane, Foden, Grealish, Rashford, Sterling, Madison on the pitch? Is Lee Catermole hiding on the bench somewhere to replace Saka?

It is a crime not to have the two best English players last season - Foden and Palmer - out there right now. He has to bring Palmer on.

Tell you what if you think Dyche is negative what can you say about Southgate?

Think, the tosser says, just what thinking has he done today. fans booing

Maybe I'm judging a tad hastily, but Gallagher just doesn't seem like an international class player to me.

I'd like England to do a first and sack a manager mid tournament.

That's actually saved me 90 odd minutes of my life coz I will not waste my time watching the next game.

Utter, utter, utter garbage. Southgate you boring sack of shite.

We've got the best tattoo's though.

Dire football. What a dreadful match.

Brian W -

I was just thinking the same thing. If Southgate eventually goes to Man U they will eat him alive.

He's just not a very good coach!

I called this pregame. England score, sit back, get equalized against, and then enter chaos and disorganization. It's the England way! It's gross to watch. This team is VERY good and they are set up TERRIBLY!

Ask Boro fans. Southgate was dreadful and wasted what money they had on Afonso Alves.

As I said the other day 90% of our players are overated.

The TV media because it suits them are always bumming them up to be better than they are.
Showing highlights of goals they score once every blue moon, they never fail to disappoint.

Inexplicable. How do so many good players play so badly ?

Declan Rice has been at least 8/10 all season, but what a complete nightmare he had. He wasnt alone.

The only English people who would have enjoyed that were Palmer and Gordon

I don't think that Palmer and Flash would have enjoyed that Dave mate. They should feel absolutely insulted.

Short form summary - Southgate.

Brian @ 79,

first one I've watched in a long time - it's like I've never been away.

Will -

Spot on and succinct. Well played.

I meant that they would both have watched that and expect to be certain starters next time, Paul.

I expected big things this time around from England, mate. You want the team to grow into the tournament and not peak too soon, but that was unacceptable. If England were to win the tournament after THAT. it would be the greatest transformation I personally have ever witnessed.

Why are our games always the worst ones to watch ?

Spot on Dave mate.

Let's hope you're right but Southgate aint one for changing things, is he ...

Next Tuesday's line up will be so interesting.

RIP Donald Sutherland

Dennis 77. Spot on. No way Gallagher is International class. One Dud was replaced by another.

I hope that's the last time we see TAA in that midfield position or any position to be honest, he was piss poor, where are the defence splitting passes and free kicks he was brought into do? Move Bellingham back there and put Foden in the number 10 position as he's wasted on the left, Southgate needs to get more out of this talented England squad, we go 1 up and the handbrake goes on, Kane had one touch in the Denmark box which he scored from, but he got deeper and deeper so he could get involved as the midfield was so deep, offering him no support, that really was a poor performance, very sloppy with the ball, this surely has to be Southgate's last tournament, Paul I've just seen that on the news about Donald Sutherland, good actor I forgot he was in MASH, RIP 🙏

He just openly admitted that playing the RS fullback in midfield was an experiment.

Southgate is a tool. You don't experiment in the finals.

Two things
Who is Trent ?
Steelyard Blues...fantastic, underrated fillum

I believe that TAA has been valued in the past for his long-distance passing ability from full back and his perception in relation to that. His defending at full back can now be ordinary, and saved by the long-distance passing. Put hum in midfield and long-distance passes are redundant, and his abilities defending are exposed.

Ta taa

Proper national anthem, Italy, the best with France.

This will make up for the shite we have just had to watch.

So, the Friedkin lot now have exclusivity. A player or two on the way in.

I agree Paul. On the other hand the Spanish team are a disgrace! Not one of them sang along to their national anthem!

Anti-Franco demonstration Mark?

This is utter torture over here, Ian knobhead Darke and Landon yawn zzzzzzz Donavon

The Danes showed us up today - and good for them.

And since I always like to put propaganda out that we can afford good players if we shop in the right markets; Hjulmand and Hojlund both moved to Austria as teenagers (Admira Wacker and Sturm Graz respectively) for a combined fee of £2m. Hjulmand then moved to Lecce in Italy for only £2.5m. These players all start somewhere...

Peter Boyle. If you know, you know.

Southgate, like Big Phil Scolari with Brazil 2014, is just praying his world class players turn it on to save his scrawny neck.

Against a better team this lot will get pummelled. Another wasted generation. Just as bad as Sven this dickhead.

He's worse Colin to be fair, Sven did shag Ulrika and was never dull as dishwater unlike the Harrogate shitbag who gets off on shopping for cardigans, garden gnomes, doilies, coal, and wool to knit with while watching repeats of All Creatures Great and Small.

How good have Spain been?

Just hope this is Southgate’s last tournament. He makes brilliant players look bog standard.

Harry Kane:

" I think we're starting games well but when the teams are dropping deeper we're not quite sure how to get the pressure on and who's going."

So if teams on paper weaker than us, e.g. Denmark, Serbia, Iceland & North Macedonia, do as they've all done and drop back after a few minutes then we have no idea how to counter that? Not during the game, not after half time, not post game. We just put out the same Subbutteo style game plan and hope our opponents just stay exactly where we want them to?

The state of some of these lads. When did footballers decide that it makes sense to roll on the ground when you’ve hurt your head? Surely you’d lie quite still and hold your head.

Spain have been really good, but we know what will happen next, Italy are past masters at it.

I'm no apologist for Southgate but once the players cross the white line, to borrow a cliché, it's down to the players. Over the years we've had a Swede, an Italian, a big bloke from Bolton (?) and a fella who pretends to be Dutch. Same old shite.
As someone pointed out all these world beaters (ho ho ) ply their trade in clubs in England surrounded by some of the best foreign talent around.
So yeah, sack him by all.means but it'll be the same Groundhog Day.

Some good points Alan but you're defending the indefensible right now.

Who picked the team? Who set up the team? Who is the main voice on tactics? Who chose what subs to put and who to take off? Who picked the 26?

Look at that Spain sitting back deeper and deeper after they score, just like Southgate's lads

If Southgate does get the taxi then the new incumbent will have the advantage of working with the most exciting bunch of young talent since the er last bunch of exciting young talent. And we'll still struggle against Greenland

Alan,

Being surrounded by "world beaters" in the premiership doesn't stack up if you're insinuating the foreign "world beaters" make the England players look good. Denmark had 9 players in their squad who play in England, two in the second tier, none of whom are "world beaters." Harry Kane narrowly missed out on breaking a goalscoring record in Germany, ahead of every single player in the seemingly impressive German team. Phil Foden was player of the year. It isn't like the early 2000s when Chelsea would give Jodi Morris a 10 minute run out as a sub and you could legitimately say the 10 foreign players on the field certainly carried him. Other English players who weren't the greatest in the EPL have gone overseas and done much better than they did in the prem e.g. Ashley Young, Smalling, Loftus-Cheek, Tomori, Abrahams, Sancho, Gomes, etc

You left out Jordan Henderson Kieran.

Not sure if it's a case of Spain being very, very good or Italy being downright awful ?

I think Spain are very good, Edward. Move the ball beautifully as they often do - but Williams and Yamal give them the pace to get in behind and they're staying very wide and high up the pitch.

I accept that the buck stops with Southgate...as Paul says he picks the side , decides on substitutions tactics etc.
What is not in his gift to change is players failing to control and move the ball on swiftly, players misplacing simple passes etc. These are attributes that one assumes an international footballer has. These are skills that cannot be coached..we assume players possess them.
Fellow contributors will disagree of course but the worst football I have seen in this competition had come from England. The coach or the players ? A moot point.

One left footed player, and that's the keeper. Team looks totally unbalanced. 4 right forwarded defenders, and Kane, Foden, & Bellingham fighting over the number 10 birth.

Poor selection and no structure on the press. That's on Southgate.

Need a left back.
Should of taken Branthwaite.
Play Rice and Bellingham in a two, Trent isn't a midfielder it looks.
Kane needs taking out- absolute statue.

Ian

Three players fighting over the number 10 spot, a right back at left back. sounds a lot like Koeman's equally "entertaining" Everton team.

Good post Alan. The Palace centre back was the only not to let the team, fans, and yes manager down.

This would be 5-0 without this Italian keeper.

Spain was absolutely superb. They have to be odds on favs to win it all I'd guess?

Looked better than Germany, France, et al.

They were wonderful to watch.

As for the England team...jeez.

On that evidence,they wouldn't win the Home Internationals never mind the Euro's!

Southgate should've the Palace pair up top with Palmer in a free role behind them & both our Centre Backs should be there as well.

Got to disagree with you Jamie about Spain winning it. Like last time that play some great football without an end result. My money's on Germany.

England have been going backwards since 2018 with this idiot in charge. He’s a negative coward who’s destroying a fabulously talented generation.

He collapsed against Croatia in the World Cup. He bottled it against the Italians in the last final. It’s his weak personality which inhibits these lads from expressing themselves even Bellingham was shit today.

Southgate out!!

1-0 by one OG but it was an enjoyable football match.

Glittering Gaz, please take note.

Alan, players perform at their best when they have a suitable role in a workable system based on and around the abilities of the players and hence team, with enough flexibility as necessary. Then it's a case of getting the belief and mindset as effective as possible.

I know it's easy to sit here and type this but the poor touch and other deserted rudiments are rarely seen at other times. We know what many of these players can do.

The team looked ill at ease and without belief or direction for much of the game. Eventually, even Bellingham became infected.

It's a well trodden path, alas.

*Colin - unintentional duplication due to posting overlap.

Jamie, they have a chance, for certain.

Ok Jamie, I lied. I am watching the Canada (eh) v Argy match. Did your request get approved or will I suffer yet another vanishing post?

Remember the Falkland Islands!

Jamie I’m sticking with Portugal. Also Canada against the Malvinas stealing handballers

That’s three decent chances. Seems only a matter of time. Canada is so set for defence they are panic passing when they have space.

Dale

Canada almost just scored. I forgot that sacked Leeds Utd muppet was their coach though 😬

Why do American commentators wait until a move has finished then suddenly excitedly raise their voices “MESSI HAS A CHANCE … but it goes wide.” It can’t be to do with the speed of light as I’m in America and can go for an evening stroll in the time it takes their vocal reaction to catch up with the visuals. Is it cause they’re waiting for their script writer to transcribe what happened? 😉

Kieran, seeing Jesse almost forced me into indifference. American sports commentary lacks insight except for hockey coverage. They typically have serious ex-players who show they love the game.

How wasvthat not a penalty for Canada? They have had their chances, David for sure.

Crepeau is a misnamed keeper. That’s two class international saves. Very aggressive.

Fucking BS. First goal should’ve been called back for the foul. Second for the time Maradona failed a drug test in 94 just on principle,

This very uninspiring tournament requires a "muck and bullets" approach to succeed (in which Germany, WW2 aside, excel).

Way too many of our squad have little or no experience in muck and bullets scenarios, Foden, Kane, Stones being cases in point.

What other country would play in midfield the likes of a full-back with next to no history in a successful midfield position?

What other country would not select a fit, proven left back?

What other country would, as ever, rely on "top club" players even though players from "lesser" clubs have played fabulously for their "lesser" clubs in the most recent months, yet have never yet had a moment on the pitch?

I'm talking about the likes of Branthwaite, Palmer (nobody last season scored/created more goals), Wharton (fabulously gifted with both feet and a sublime tackler/passer), Eze (who in a bog-standard team ripped a new one playing against any team for the latter half of the season), Toney/Watkins (playing and regularly scoring for muck and bullets teams every week).

Instead, Southgate picks Foden out of position, Kane despite the fact he's a way lesser player than he was two years ago, Trippier in a position nigh on as strange to him as playing in goal, Rice who because he's playing for Arsenal is now weirdly deemed to be pre-eminent, and Bellingham because he plays for a team akin to Rangers/Celtic where all so-called opponents are mere lilies to be trampled over.

If you didn't know better you might even think Southgate is (still) clueless.