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Today’s Football 2021/22 Season

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LocalNative said:
8 unbeaten includes two games against Hungary, two games against Andorra; and games against Poland, Albania, San Marino and Switzerland.

It's why England always get beaten when they come up against a great team on the big stage.
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I mean, England have made a world cup semi final and a euro final in the last 2 tournaments. That makes them one of the best teams in the world, and possibly over achieving with a few of the weaknesses in the squad (right back, keeper, lack of back up striker). To say they're not a top international side is strange. The criticism leveled at Southgate is also strange to me, he's achieved consistency for a side that always failed to do anything of note on the international stage.
 
Mr K.Dilkington said:
I mean, England have made a world cup semi final and a euro final in the last 2 tournaments. That makes them one of the best teams in the world, and possibly over achieving with a few of the weaknesses in the squad (right back, keeper, lack of back up striker). To say they're not a top international side is strange. The criticism leveled at Southgate is also strange to me, he's achieved consistency for a side that always failed to do anything of note on the international stage.
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Six years ago we were losing to Iceland ffs, I think Southgate has done well tbf, steadied the ship and getting some consistency. He will always have critics, goes with the job, there to be shot at.
 
Mr K.Dilkington said:
I mean, England have made a world cup semi final and a euro final in the last 2 tournaments. That makes them one of the best teams in the world, and possibly over achieving with a few of the weaknesses in the squad (right back, keeper, lack of back up striker). To say they're not a top international side is strange. The criticism leveled at Southgate is also strange to me, he's achieved consistency for a side that always failed to do anything of note on the international stage.
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Without detracting too much credit, but England have had easy journeys to both the WC semi final and Euros final.

WC run:

Tunisia - W
Panama - W
Belgium - L
Colombia - W (AET)
Sweden - W
Croatia - L

Euros run:

Croatia - W
Scotland - D
Czech Republic - W
Germany - W
Ukraine - W
Denmark - W (AET)
Italy - L

Of course you can only beat who's in front of you, but they've majorly lucked out at tournaments. England's best XI is arguably the greatest in all of national football, bar maybe France. If they don't win a major trophy within the next 4 years, it'll be a huge surprise/disappointment.
 
LocalNative said:
Without detracting too much credit, but England have had easy journeys to both the WC semi final and Euros final.

WC run:

Tunisia - W
Panama - W
Belgium - L
Colombia - W (AET)
Sweden - W
Croatia - L

Euros run:

Croatia - W
Scotland - D
Czech Republic - W
Germany - W
Ukraine - W
Denmark - W (AET)
Italy - L

Of course you can only beat who's in front of you, but they've majorly lucked out at tournaments. England's best XI is arguably the greatest in all of national football, bar maybe France. If they don't win a major trophy within the next 4 years, it'll be a huge surprise/disappointment.
Click to expand...

But those "easy" runs, they've had in the past and failed miserably too. England punch above their weight, I don't think a team with Kyle Walker and Pickford in your side can be called the greatest team in the world. Perhaps they choke at the final hurdle, but people are far, far too harsh on Southgate, who has elimanated that toxic, arrogant crap from the national side and put together a squad that's almost likeable.
 
Mr K.Dilkington said:
But those "easy" runs, they've had in the past and failed miserably too. England punch above their weight, I don't think a team with Kyle Walker and Pickford in your side can be called the greatest team in the world. Perhaps they choke at the final hurdle, but people are far, far too harsh on Southgate, who has elimanated that toxic, arrogant crap from the national side and put together a squad that's almost likeable.
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Why so mate? the same Kyle Walker who's won 3 PL titles? Pickford is the most underrated keeper in the world by far.

Only France could potentially boast about a stronger XI. England may have stumbled over fodder in the past, but still no excuse for not taking advantage of their current squad. Southgate's one problem is that he panders to the masses, he gives caps out to players to get praise from every side, but that starting lineup tonight was extremely poor - considering the squad he has available.
 

LocalNative said:
Why so mate? the same Kyle Walker who's won 3 PL titles? Pickford is the most underrated keeper in the world by far.

Only France could potentially boast about a stronger XI. England may have stumbled over fodder in the past, but still no excuse for not taking advantage of their current squad. Southgate's one problem is that he panders to the masses, he gives caps out to players to get praise from every side, but that starting lineup tonight was extremely poor - considering the squad he has available.
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I think he must be doing something right to have England so consistent these days. Big change in culture. Agree to disagree on the standard of players, I think Southgate's done just fine though.
 
LocalNative said:
Without detracting too much credit, but England have had easy journeys to both the WC semi final and Euros final.

WC run:

Tunisia - W
Panama - W
Belgium - L
Colombia - W (AET)
Sweden - W
Croatia - L

Euros run:

Croatia - W
Scotland - D
Czech Republic - W
Germany - W
Ukraine - W
Denmark - W (AET)
Italy - L

Of course you can only beat who's in front of you, but they've majorly lucked out at tournaments. England's best XI is arguably the greatest in all of national football, bar maybe France. If they don't win a major trophy within the next 4 years, it'll be a huge surprise/disappointment.
Click to expand...
They've no midfield unfortunately. Kelvin Phillips is a championship player
 
duncs pigeon said:
Not always about having the best players but having a the best team. Philllips another player who hasnt let England down.
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Definitely and I think Southgate deserves huge credit for that. He’s clearly quite a limited coach tactically but his strength is on the cultural and mental side. He creates environments where players can give their best. I agree with @TheBigIguana that our midfield is very limited, also at centre back to a lesser extent. We have about 100 top options in attack which maybe makes people think we should be world beaters
 
LocalNative said:
Without detracting too much credit, but England have had easy journeys to both the WC semi final and Euros final.

WC run:

Tunisia - W
Panama - W
Belgium - L
Colombia - W (AET)
Sweden - W
Croatia - L

Euros run:

Croatia - W
Scotland - D
Czech Republic - W
Germany - W
Ukraine - W
Denmark - W (AET)
Italy - L

Of course you can only beat who's in front of you, but they've majorly lucked out at tournaments. England's best XI is arguably the greatest in all of national football, bar maybe France. If they don't win a major trophy within the next 4 years, it'll be a huge surprise/disappointment.
Click to expand...
I think you're right on the draws, they haven't been the hardest. But still no guarantee you get through, especially with England's history. I'm not sure we have the greatest right now. Our strength and depth in attack is probably the best in the world. Mbappe and Benzema would both walk into our team but I think we probably have more depth in attack than even France. Our CM options are not the best. Other countries are ahead of us there (e.g. France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Belgium, among others). I wouldn't say our defence is world-beating but probably holds its own with most countries.
 

I'm hoping the likes of Jude Bellingham and Conor Gallagher might help our midfield be able to compete more with other countries. A midfield 3 with them 2 and a holder behind would be pretty good IMO.
 

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