Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England

[chicoazul]

Always find it strangely disconcerting when you write something normal.

It’s too often forgotten that I am the most spot on poster that’s ever posted on here mate.

 

[Papa Shango]

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.

100% record.

 

[Woolverhampton_Blue]

You haven't even got a functioning left back!

That doesn’t take away from the rest of the quality at his disposal.

 

[Jamiednm]

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

He was blatantly lying as well.

I thought it was a poor interview, denying the reality that everyone watching could see.

Even if the tactics aren’t right, there is no excuse for players literally walking while in possession.

 

[Fedlingen]

Waiting on the knuckle staggers to start getting fed up and begin the table and chair throwing now. Surely it’s coming.

 

[stipe]

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.

I mean that was always old stereotype for the English (looking from outside), crossing, crossing, crossing and physical game, never a technique or passing game. Same way Italians stereotyped for discipline and catenaccio, Germans for high tempo and mentality or Brazil for joga bonita.

 

[MikeH72]

Get this manager out of my sight immediately.

 

[Papa Shango]

That doesn’t take away from the rest of the quality at his disposal.

It kind of does though as you need a full team of players. England never seem to see that the team is more important than the individuals.

 

[longers]

Imagine if England appointed Ancelotti as Southgate's replacement

I hate to say it but... i genuinely reckon klopp would be a great appointment. Not that i think he would take the job, would probably rather manage Germany if he was to return to management.

 

[Obes]

It’s crazy. All this talk of a bad back and lack of mobility, he needs to be protected and not be all over the pitch and, especially, not near his own goal. Just play as a target man and have runners. We’ve certainly got an abundance of them. But that would mean the entire team pushing up the pitch a good 15 yards first and foremost.

 

[davek]

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.

...erm, for England.

 

[DualityNSNO]

What did he say?

You know when your boss does a crap job of something but you can't really say that so you go on about how something else messed up the process to save face?

 

[Efcjake]

England's fans and media react far too much to turgid group games. Always have.

You've got a point there, what with how many times they've looked crap at tournaments in group stages and gone on to win the whole thing.






Wait a minute, no, they haven't won anything for 60 years despite being labelled as one of the best teams in the world consistently.

 

[sd_1992]

The whole team set-up is a mess.

Trippier at left-back, albeit not played particularly badly, just offers nothing high up the pitch when Foden, predictably, comes narrow. TAA needs bombing out of the midfield obviously. 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.

England manager messing up the entire team to accommodate average Liverpool player.

Shocking I tell you.

 

[longers]

...erm, for England.

Pretty sure he played as an 8 at the last tournament did he not ? That was his position at Dortmund during that time.