Turned it on by accident when channel flicking to see Jordan Henderson play a five yard pass to Walker who was tight on the touchline, and then sprint at full speed on a ridiculous arc to try to run all the way round Walker who was just stood there with the ball and two men in front of him. Thought to myself "you would never see a Spanish/Italian/German/Brazilian central midfielder make such a brainless sprint directly towards a congested area of the pitch" and turned it off again.
I went-the highlight was the launching of paper plans from the stands towards the pitch and if landed brought huge cheers Still the Southgate family can enjoy their £250k bonus for qualification-the fact than most fans on this forum could have done that job blindfolded and for nowt speaks volumes about the state of those in the FA in charge of the national team-getting to the Semis or even quarters then fair enough but just to get out of the group !!
Blimey that was hard watching! So dull in the main with no-one really showing much in attack apart from Rashford and of course Kane popped up at the end. A better side would have punished us on the break. Oh well we always get there so just have to see who knocks us out this time...
Was thinking to myself that in a revamped squad featuring a mix of the u23 and younger prospects, Rashford and Kane would be the only 2 first 11 from that team tonight that would be retained. There was actually one specifically stagnating spell where the ball was move back and forth between the right wing and midfield wher Rashford was miles free on the left and they completely ignored him. Back and forth for about 5 mins with absolutely no penetration and no clue.
TBF Slovenia needed a win and didn't actually play "10FB&G" as they did try to attack. The English defence had at least two howlers last night (Slovenia only one which we scored from) but I still don't get how when we played an "alrightish" team (I did hear that a couple of their players couldn't make it into their 2nd tier German clubs) who were "up for a game" we didn't make much of any of the available space.
Yes that is what I meant - they had chances but didn't take them. Of course so long as we have the "best league in the world" pouring in billions the Premier league and its clubs aren't going to care about England very much and its future.. FA are fighting a losing battle really - not helped by messing up the appointment of the England manager each time!
Don't bother watching England anymore. I hear Wembley was less than half full, a result of what the hopeless F. A have done to our national side
...also can anyone explain to me how Oxlade-Chamberlain and Stones got to wear an England shirt other than by buying one from Sports Direct? Highlight of the night was having a referee with a W, an X, a Y and a Z in his name.
Very difficult to get excited about England Clueless manager who failed at club level and players who are frankly just not good enough 2 holding midfielders? Dier and Henderson anonymous as was Oxlade Chamberlain, why were wing backs not bombing forward and as for Sterling in No 10 role, really To be honest though looking through our leagues we just don't have central midfielders with any flair
Oxlade Chamberlain baffles me. I’ve hardly ever seen him play well yet is deemed to be worth 40 million (in final year of contract!) and is a favourite with Hodgson and Southgate. I can see Henderson’s value even though I don’t rate him but I can’t think of a player more over rated than Chamberlain.
Weird to think that some of our mob will get to play in the World cup but Messi and Sanchez might not! Wales v Ireland will be a decent game with both knowing a win might see them top the group. Reckon Scotland will slip up in true Scottish fashion.
Good joke in The Times today, about people staying to the end of the England game to avoid the crush!
I just want to see an England manger take more youth instead of the veterans. This is why Germany and co do so well every tournament. They have a great mix of youth with the odd veteran here and there. The veterans don't care about winning the World Cup. It is a nuisance for them that they are there instead of living it up on Marbella during the summer. Joe Hart should not be no.1 at all. Pickford and Butland are much better, and I would rather see Foster on the plane than Hart. The sad thing is we all know how it's going to go with the FA and Southgate. Defoe will be called up, Hart will play as no.1, Henderson will sit in the middle and Rooney will make a shock return to international football just in time to be called up.
That's not not the whole story (and I'm certain that someone will be along to "flesh out" my sketchy memories). The German FA in 2000 (?) took a year zero approach to the entire game (all levels) in the country. They had a review about what their changes had done for the German game decided it wasn't working so they had another year zero... The only sports that I know of in this country whose representative/governing bodies, in my lifetime, took a similar approach in the country after seeing how representative national squads in England were performing on the world stage, were rugby union, hockey and women's football - incidently sports we're very much amongst the elite according to World rankings...
I've been coaching rugby for 6 years now, there was a massive overhaul in 2012 and the key aspects are (1) Graduated development and (2) not popular with some clubs but no competitive matches until the children are at U13 level. It's around that age group where all rules (with the exception of lifting for line-outs) and 15-a-side are fully introduced. Up to an including U12s they can have friendly matches with other clubs but results must not be officially recorded. There is an end of season tournament for each age group which is held in a round robin format, there are no prizes or medals, there is no winner apart from the game itself! Personally I think it is working well.
Why do you think that is working better than publishing results and having medals etc? Just interested is all.
Bottom line is that the RFU found that the only people that really cared about results were the parents and coaches, that was putting unnecessary pressure on the children. The system is that everyone is treated equally as the focus is on their development, and as no one receives anything there's no resentment. One or two of the bigger clubs bitch about it but the RFU won't budge on the policy. From my point of view the U7 kids just want to run around and have fun. By the time they get to U10 they are being introduced to the more challenging aspects of the game so I'd rather they concentrate on being safe and on the phase of play and not worry too much about getting things wrong or be the person responsible for a defeat.
I stopped coaching in 2011 after taking my "team" all the way from tag to the "full" game. Something that @Otter didn't mention is that the "Continuum" is designed to have a "pathway" for coaches as well - a pathway with extensive support for development from the RFU. Because the focus in the continuum (or was - they've might have changed it) was on kids developing both their "team" skills and awareness of the game but at the same time to really enjoy it. At the very earliest "tag" levels the kids can get away with being "stars" (something that's actively encouraged on the football pitch) but with the introduction of positions and set-pieces in the next two levels they are "taught" to play as a team. Also from day one - the kids are taught to say two things to a referee: "Yes Sir!" and "Thank you Sir!". It doesn't work entirely as there's still a massive drop-off in participation numbers post U13.
In a similar vein, my sons football team are in a County Cup where everybody gets a medal. At 7 years old he will be chuffed to bits
I'm not a Hart hater and have no issue with him being number 1. Henderson and Dier in the same team however is an issue. Dier is very over rated and also one of those players who whinges constantly at the ref. I'm not sure what role Henderson is playing but it seems it's to drift out to the right and sling the ball in the box. Southgate is in charge because he is a yes man. I would honestly rather have Eddie Howe
Few changes in personal and formation? Butland Keane Stones Macguire Trippier Henderson Winks Cresswell Ali Kane Rashford
Playing the mighty lithuania. 1-0 up. Already qualified. Still completely negative safe backwards football. If we can't step it up entertainment wise under these circumstances then we never will. Utter dire tripe. Roll on the real football next week.
Yeah - I can't think of a worse England team to watch than Southgate's. It's just dreadful. So slow and aimless. He really is absolutely clueless.
'World Class' Dele Alli and Marcus Rashford making all the difference against incredible opponents. Bet that Mbappe looks and them and feels jealous.
You'd think after all the negative press and fan comments that they might try to step it up a bit to give themselves a bit of pride. But then I guess as in the words of Joe Hart, they "don't care what the critics think of them, just what the lads in the dressing room think".
So now we know that England reserves are as boring as the first team. First few minutes OK, then back to the usual. The U-17s looked good this morning but I expect that will soon be corŕected
