Third Place: Belgium vs England

[roydo]

I don't have a have a problem with any of that. I just don't think Southgate is actually doing all that well. He organized the defense well but at no point did the attacking look coherent and create anything. The set piece goals were never going to continue like they did and he made no adjustments. What bothers me is this idea that it is the start of bigger things for England. If they don't find a creator it certainly isn't

Yep, all true. Its why folk are not getting giddy. We looked ok. We clearly have a system. When/if that sort of player emerges, (chances are there are a few in the pipeline), then lets see.

 

[Billy Dean]

I don't have a have a problem with any of that. I just don't think Southgate is actually doing all that well. He organized the defense well but at no point did the attacking look coherent and create anything. The set piece goals were never going to continue like they did and he made no adjustments. What bothers me is this idea that it is the start of bigger things for England. If they don't find a creator it certainly isn't

I think the reason people are saying that is that there are loads of good youngsters coming through, lots of them creative. But you're right it will probably get worse before it gets better. I can't see us beating Croatia or Spain in the nations league. But there's 2 years before the next tournament which gives 2 seasons for some youngsters to break through. I'm quite hopeful about Chalobah. He's a defensive midfielder who is good technically. Instant upgrade on Henderson and Dier if he can stay fit.

 

[Billy Dean]

Nobody claimed that did they.. personally I said he could have offered something different off the bench in a tight game...if you look at the squad he took everything was a bit ‘samey’ ... nothing different on the bench to what was on the field...nobody suggested he would or should have played 90 minutes in every game.... but you knew that didn’t you.

you should check out his off the bench performances in 2014 and 2016 mate

 

[TheBigIguana]

I think the reason people are saying that is that there are loads of good youngsters coming through, lots of them creative. But you're right it will probably get worse before it gets better. I can't see us beating Croatia or Spain in the nations league. But there's 2 years before the next tournament which gives 2 seasons for some youngsters to break through. I'm quite hopeful about Chalobah. He's a defensive midfielder who is good technically. Instant upgrade on Henderson and Dier if he can stay fit.

And Southgate does seem willing to use the youth which is important. But he has to also figure out a system that does better. They had enough creativity to do more than what they did in Russia

 

[LinekersLegs]

I don't have a have a problem with any of that. I just don't think Southgate is actually doing all that well. He organized the defense well but at no point did the attacking look coherent and create anything. The set piece goals were never going to continue like they did and he made no adjustments. What bothers me is this idea that it is the start of bigger things for England. If they don't find a creator it certainly isn't

Just having an organised defense and being able to score set pieces was a pleasant change from previous years!

It certainly indicates he has some managerial ability, the basics at least. Now as you say is the challenge of improving the attack, especially as there isn’t obvious candidates to upgrade on existing options.

However this run, however much down to luck, will give him some time to experiment - often times the pressure is so great on England managers they can only focus on winning the next game rather than building a coherent team and strategy.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Just having an organised defense and being able to score set pieces was a pleasant change from previous years!

It certainly indicates he has some managerial ability, the basics at least. Now as you say is the challenge of improving the attack, especially as there isn’t obvious candidates to upgrade on existing options.

However this run, however much down to luck, will give him some time to experiment - often times the pressure is so great on England managers they can only focus on winning the next game rather than building a coherent team and strategy.

That is a good point. He has bought himself probably the next 4 years unless the Euros are a complete train wreck. He has to figure out what to do with Sterling

 

[Khalekan]

Iirc third place match in 2010 between Uruguay and Germany was an absolutely superb match.

Think that yes the managers will make pretty large changes but those players will want to win - if only to try and make a claim that they should have been played more earlier in the tournament and to try and stake a claim for the future.

I went to the Bronze Medal gae in Pasadena in1994.

Sweden v Romania.

It was a very enjoyable occasion and a great match

 

[Billy Dean]

And Southgate does seem willing to use the youth which is important. But he has to also figure out a system that does better. They had enough creativity to do more than what they did in Russia

At some point he might need to go back to a back 4 and get 2 CM in there who can circulate the ball to our AM better than Henderson.

 

[LinekersLegs]

That is a good point. He has bought himself probably the next 4 years unless the Euros are a complete train wreck. He has to figure out what to do with Sterling

I’d say Sterling, bad as his finishing is, is one of his lesser problems as even if he doesn’t improve his pace/runs occupy defenders. What would be a huge improvement is if others could score goals whilst those defenders were distracted.

 

[Kurt.]

you should check out his off the bench performances in 2014 and 2016 mate

I have previously watched him totally dominate a game in an England shirt a few years ago... can’t remember the opponent but he was by far the best player on the park that night

 

[Billy Dean]

I have previously watched him totally dominate a game in an England shirt a few years ago... can’t remember the opponent but he was by far the best player on the park that night

It was probably Slovenia in a qualifier about 3 years ago.

 

[roydo]

I have previously watched him totally dominate a game in an England shirt a few years ago... can’t remember the opponent but he was by far the best player on the park that night

If you are referring to Wilshire, he dominated the Barca midfield as a kid a few years back. If he stays fit, and and has a good season at West Ham, I have no doubt he will be in Southgates thoughts. Its the IF though.

 

[Kurt.]

It was probably Slovenia in a qualifier about 3 years ago.

Can’t remember to be honest.. just remember talking to the bluefox that night and both of us were really impressed with the way he dictated the whole pace of the game

 

[LinekersLegs]

I have previously watched him totally dominate a game in an England shirt a few years ago... can’t remember the opponent but he was by far the best player on the park that night

Brazil if I’m thinking of the same match.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/21364100

Also made a few great performances in the run up to the Euros iirc.

 

[Kurt.]

If you are referring to Wilshire, he dominated the Barca midfield as a kid a few years back. If he stays fit, and and has a good season at West Ham, I have no doubt he will be in Southgates thoughts. Its the IF though.

I think his time to be a regular starter has long gone mate