Round of 16

[Drico]

Not really blaming any players, they look completely uncoached

Oh, I would blame the players. We're in danger of giving the manager way too much credit for how a team performs. These England players are not struggling against France, Italy, or Spain - sides with similar resources where the manager can indeed be the difference maker. They are huffing and puffing against tiny Slovakia. There's no excuse for that. Southgate isn't up to it, but lots of those players are venerated way above their true status by people blinded by the Premier League PR. It's Johnny Foreigner who makes many of these lads look good at club level. Strip away the foreigners and you have that mess of a first half.

Still, early yet. Jude has got this.

 

[matty1878]

well said roy keane

 

[Gooner66789]

Lobtoka is a serious midfielder.

Surprising he's still at Napoli, he could slot into any side.

 

[MikeH72]

This is the worst I’ve seen England play at a tournament in my lifetime genuinely. We deserve to go out here and this manager deserves to be marched through the streets in shame to be pelted with eggs.

 

[NathDogg]

Gary Neville has gone mad.

He was slagging off the bang average kopite blag right back all tournament, now it’s criminal he’s not on the pitch?! do one back to Valencia you fraud, they love you there!

 

[ToffeeTim]

The system is the problem. Like-for-like changes have been his attempted solution all tournament thus far.

Mainoo off for Gordon or Eze. Go to a CM 3 with Foden furthest forward.

No issue with Gordon or Eze coming on. They need someone running in behind

 

[matty1878]

If it was me I'd go;

Gordon or Bowen for Mainoo. Leave Rice as single sitting. Put Foden central. That gives us width, removes booking for a young CM, and gets Foden where he needs to be.

Watkins for Kane.

After 60 mins or so Id be lashing Palmer for Bellingham or Foden.

if he doesn’t make any he needs lashing

 

[Drico]

Slovakia have stopped playing and they won’t hold out.

I agree with this. They have conceded the game, totally. It really now is only a question of whether they can create one more presentable chance - and take it - before England eventually equalise.

 

[daza_1973]

Kane is like kryptonite to success.

 

[Gilbert..]

Excited to see the inspired changes Southgate makes at halftime.

He'll bring on lewis dunk.

 

[Big Sams Undies]

Slovakia have stopped playing and they won’t hold out.

Yet we’ve not had a shot on target?

 

[Woolverhampton_Blue]

If the same players walk out for the second half, it’s gross misconduct from Southgate.

 

[NathDogg]

No more drink.

Only on my first pint can of cruzcampo Al, I’m gonna need plenty more!

 

[matty1878]

keane for england ddddd

keane for england ddddd

 

[hallamblue]

Palmer on the right, Gordon on the left, Foden in the number 10 role, Bellingham next to Rice in front of the back 4.