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Post by StEtienne on Jun 7, 2021 10:38:39 GMT
Southgate is not a prick, he is a good man. He shows this on a regular basis, regardless of views on his capability as a manager. It's also very clearly his choice of squad, not a PR man. Let's at least keep the criticisms of him realistic. I’m sure he’s lovely, but to me he’s still a prick when it comes to his job. A daft number of defenders (4 RBs is it?!) and recently injured players. The only risks he’s taken are putting faith in players who haven’t actually played much football and hoping they can find form through a tournament. He’s a fraud. It’s not like he’s a master tactician or has immense leadership skills. As to that f**king advert...typical English mentality of rewarding failure - that’s his level. It’s a dull squad and England continue to play dull football. All in the image of the manager. |
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Post by jickster on Jun 7, 2021 11:27:39 GMT
4 RBs, yes initially but now down to 3. I think that this was him playing a bit loose with the 26 man squad instead of 23. Walker will probably be one of the 3 CBs if he chooses that formation, Trippier can go onto the left if needed, may as well have talented players as backups. I wouldn't go with it myself but I do see the logic.
Likewise Henderson and Maguire, he trusts them and is able to give them more of a chance to get fit because of the 3 extra spaces. I have a feeling he's getting more panicky about Maguire now (initial reports said he had a chance of playing the Europa final, but it's dragged on now) hence he feels the need for more cover in White.
Master tactician, no clearly not, but you do need to remember that none of the world's best coaches now lead international teams. He's up against other second-tier managers, which does give him a chance.
Leadership, I think this is underestimated, perhaps because it's not Stuart Pearce or Terry Butcher type leadership. But he has an eye for detail that suits the extra time for preparation in international football. The way that we approached the penalty shoot out in 2018 testifies to this, it was not a coincidence that he was in charge when we won, a very different way of tackling things from the usual last-minute 'who fancies one lads?' method.
The advert? I don't know which one you mean. You surely don't mean the Pizza Hut one from 25 fecking years ago?
Dull squad? I need more justification for that claim. For once, pretty much all the gifted but not traditionally trusted by England managers players are in. Grealish, Foden, Mount, Sancho, Sterling, Bellingham all in. Maddison the only one who fits that bill who isn't in, would you have added him? If not which other non-dull players are there?
JWP, it does look more of a strange decision and I'd prefer him to be there rather than take the chance on Henderson, or rely on him more than Phillips. But it's hardly a scandal.
Dull football? I said this the other day, look at our qualifying record, 4.6 goals per game. We can rattle in the goals against weaker teams and we've also had some exciting wins against bigger sides in Nations League games. Dull pre-tournament friendlies, yes, but that always happens and rarely reflects how the important matches go.
This all looks like I'm Southgate's biggest fan, I'm really not, sometimes he makes needlessly risk-averse decisions during games that cost the initiative in big matches and there are several things he does that I can nit-pick at. But there's hardly a wealth of English alternatives still, and I think he does ok generally. At least deserves to lose some games in this tournament before the negativity starts.
One thing this thread has done is give a good example to show to Scots and Welsh fans who think that England fans always have ideas above our station and assume we're gonna win every tournament.
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Post by arfurdent on Jun 7, 2021 11:33:10 GMT
Yup, all about keeping the profile high by having big names in there, gotta keep the sponsors happy. But that's not true is it. Ben White plays for one of the only PL clubs that would be deemed smaller than Southampton the exception that proves the rule |
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Post by Furry Frank The Combat Wombat on Jun 7, 2021 12:20:02 GMT
Yup, all about keeping the profile high by having big names in there, gotta keep the sponsors happy. But that's not true is it. Ben White plays for one of the only PL clubs that would be deemed smaller than Southampton Yes, but he's having to be picked to cover the big name picks of Maguire (injured) and Mings (shite) / TAA (injured) |
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Post by StEtienne on Jun 7, 2021 12:43:37 GMT
Sorry Jicks, just have to agree to disagree. I started writing a detailed reply but honestly, what’s the point?
I don’t rate Southgate, I see the same old mistakes being made, the same messages being sent to other players and the team as a whole, that even injured players are a better bet than putting faith in someone in-form and fit. It goes against doing the best to create a team.
The squad has a couple of creative players in there but doubt they will be allowed to play with any real freedom. It’s is mostly dull and the way we play will be predictable and dull.
The pizza ad - yep, it still annoys me that failure gets rewarded and I will forever judge him on that. Nothing had changed since.
No, I’m far from someone who thinks we deserve to win a Euros or a World Cup. England are like Saints on the international stage - I just want to see us up for it, play well as a unit and maybe win a few games.
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Post by spot51 on Jun 7, 2021 14:15:28 GMT
Come on Scotland!
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