Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England

[Drico]

What did he say?

"I'm out to get smashed with the brasses tonight, Gary. Innit."

Nah, he said:

Kyle Walker’s verdict

It’s tournament football. This is a good Denmark team. We’re top of the group so let’s try and take a positive from this game – we didn’t lose, we conceded a great strike, and sometimes you have to take your hat off. We’re top of the group, let’s move onto the next game.

(Why weren’t you getting forward so much in the second half?) It’s the game. They had the upper hand at times and you have to be aware of that. As a defender you’re always thinking, ‘What if?’ If I charge forward and then they score, suddenly we’re being blamed as a defence for not being in position.

(Is the manager telling you to drop back when you do score?) No, not at all. He wants us to play attacking football. Sometimes in tournament football, you have to manage the game. It’s like the Champions League: you don’t just turn up and take three points. We know we can do better, but we’re top of the group.
The players all know we’ve got another gear. But we haven’t lost a game. Everyone wants us to steamroll teams 3-0 and 4-0 – that’s not football these days.

 

[ToffeeTim]

The manager picked an unbalanced squad and that is causing unbalanced team selections

Players are playing out of position because Southgate doesn't want to make tough decisions and give others opportunities.

Not being able to get the best out of players with the quality of Foden, Bellingham, Kane, Saka etc is surely an enormous problem for the manager.

They look a very badly coached team and that suggests the coach is not competent.

 

[stipe]

I don't understand Kane blame (especially if he is injured), you getting beaten in midfield is your problem, not Kane.
Of course Southgate is awful manager so thats that.

 

[EFCPaul]

You are right - but we hear this from England fans every two years.

Is it really the case that you always have great players and a crap manager?

Because that's how it appears from abroad...

I would say we haven't had the 'right' type of manager for over 20 years. Sven lacked the bravery to drop big names. Capello lacked the communication skills. Hodgson couldn't handle managing a team with actual expectations. Now Southgate lacks any clue from a tactical POV.

 

[longers]

Suddenly Bellingham is an 8 and not a 10.

Lol.

That did;t take long.

The feller is hyped up beyond belief.

Suddenly ? He won Bundesliga player of the season playing the 8 role. He only started playing as a 10 when he went to Madrid and Ancelotti made him play there at the start of the season due to injuries. He smashed it and ended up playing there the entire season.

 

[summerisle]

Never mind, Spain v Italy to come.

 

[Rita_Poon]

Imagine the beer kellers empty, because that england display has soured the party so badly everyone wants an early night.



megamind!

 

[Rita_Poon]

Never mind, Spain v Italy to come.

this.

 

[GoldenToffee]

That was a very smart interview by Kyle Walker, by the way. He spoke very well.

Genuinely the first time this has ever been said by anybody about Kyle Walker.

 

[Nymzee]

I don't understand Kane blame (especially if he is injured), you getting beaten in midfield is your problem, not Kane.
Of course Southgate is awful manager so thats that.

You don't? Did you watch the game?

 

[Papa Shango]

We don’t always have great players. Usually at least a few very good ones, though.

The current squad is the best in my lifetime. I think it’s fair to say Southgate isn’t getting the most out of them so far this tournament.

You haven't even got a functioning left back!

 

[Drico]

I would say we haven't had the 'right' type of manager for over 20 years. Sven lacked the bravery to drop big names. Capello lacked the communication skills. Hodgson couldn't handle managing a team with actual expectations. Now Southgate lacks any clue from a tactical POV.

I think these are fair points.

I, however, would also add that you haven't had the "right" type of player either. You have never fielded a Pirlo, Xavi, Modric, or Kroos in central midfield. Even when you had similar players (Scholes, Hoddle, Wilkins, Brooking), that type of player was marginalised or mistrusted, considered almost un-English and treated with suspicion.

In that sense, I don't think it is simply a manager or player issue. It's a culture issue.

 

[LinekersLegs]

. Kane needs to remain higher up the pitch and central. Occupy the centre-halves and, maybe, take them for a walk deep occasionally. But there has to be runners going beyond him.

 

[Drico]

Genuinely the first time this has ever been said by anybody about Kyle Walker.

I know! Colour me amazed, but fair dues.

 

[heatmeiser]

Imagine if England appointed Ancelotti as Southgate's replacement