11 Jul 2024 23:24:28
So Southgate has got us to a semi and two finals but some still want him gone.

1.) 12 Jul 2024
12 Jul 2024 06:13:26
We have a some world-class players, but sadly not a world-class team. However, the good news is those world-class players are producing moments of brilliance to keep us moving forward.
That has been the same for a few years and I expect us to win on Sunday.thanks to the players.

2.) 12 Jul 2024
12 Jul 2024 10:13:41
Southgate didn't have a great premier league career as a manager, a couple of seasons at Middlesbrough if I recall correctly. I would say he us a far better manager than coach. Gary Neville hit the nail bang on the head when he said as a player, as well as better players than him and the managers didn't have a clue how to get through tournaments. Southgate has worked through the lower ranks of the FA and was probably appointed because no one else wanted the job. Maybe that's what we've done right without knowing it, he's had close to 10 years or more to look at every aspect of what we are doing to prepare and identified the issues costing us. How many times have I heard prior managers say we don't prepare for penalties!. Yes the team selection will always be criticised but in fairness the available pool is now so much smaller than Ramsey had available and a Holland 74 or Hungary 54 only come along once in a blue moon (and they never won it) so we need to get tge most out of what we've got, which means selecting competent professionals.

I would say we've moved from a last 16/8 expectation to a last 8/4 expectation (what Germany were in the 70s and 80s). This is the most successful spell I can remember, let's not do something daft because we aren't playing like Brazil 70.

3.) 12 Jul 2024
12 Jul 2024 12:19:20
He is not someone that use tactics. He picks the same team regardless of who is playing well, use tournaments to try experiments rather than trying things out in friendlies, and also utilizes players who are past their sell by date in friendlies (Hendo) when they are not going to be apart of the tournament. He relies on the big players to get him out of the mess, and is probably the luckiest manager I know as we have seemed to get some great draws in these competitions. I would like there to be a chance. Yes a semi final and two finals are great but you don’t get anything for being a runner up. I would like to see Klopp come in to be honest especially as the media is saying he could go to USA.

4.) 12 Jul 2024
12 Jul 2024 12:24:20
Posters who want Southgate gone don’t understand tournament football.
It’s a marathon not a sprint.
No point peaking too early, showing your hand and getting knocked out of the competition.

5.) 12 Jul 2024
12 Jul 2024 13:59:13
So bellingham's overhead goal in the 94th minute was all part of his plan then E in Bridgenorth? We've, Southgate, has been lucky upto Holland, even then VAR helped out.
But we're in the final and I think we can do it if we clamp down quick on the Spaniards. Let's play with the drive and passion we showed the other night and we won't need help or luck.

6.) 12 Jul 2024
12 Jul 2024 15:02:24
All part of Gareth’s master plan Abbey.
That’s why he kept Bellingham on when he was looking tired and other managers may have brought him off.
Just shows that football is about small margins for success or failure.
Sliding doors.

7.) 12 Jul 2024
12 Jul 2024 15:19:32
So I guess all the previous managers were unlucky even though we had the golden generation etc with quite a few world class players before. People seem to forget Iceland with Roy who arguably had better prem experience than Southgate. I think Southgate’s main skill is helping the players to not listen to the media hype and the expectation of the fans. We really are an entitled nation. Comments about draws being easier shows disrespect to other nations because they don’t have glamorous names like Italy or Germany. Might be worth remembering some of those names weren’t on our side as they couldn’t win their groups against the likes of Austria etc. consecutive euro finals yet it’s just down to luck, comical really.

8.) 12 Jul 2024
12 Jul 2024 15:21:38
First time poster. A North Bank relic. I'm 61 and don't remember 1966. I hope to see a major championship win before I pass (and a Wolves trophy). I don't care how we get it. With all of his boring tactics and luck Southgate has got us to two finals on the bounce. I'll take it.

9.) 12 Jul 2024
12 Jul 2024 21:13:12
I don't like Southgates style of football but as long as we win, I don't mind.

10.) 13 Jul 2024
13 Jul 2024 09:17:31
We could do a lot worse than Southgate. We have done in the past.
It would be wonderful if we win tomorrow, it would give the country such a boost.

11.) 13 Jul 2024
13 Jul 2024 14:49:24
England don’t have a world class team? Erm…. Okay? Name another team with as many players in the same league of ability as Foden, Bellingham, Mainoo, Saka, Kane, etc. I mean the likes of Stones, walker and Trent have won champions leagues! I don’t get that attitude. England have a fantastic team on paper.

That’s the problem. Is getting them to play as a team. And fitting in all our best players. That’s the problem for all national sides. What do you do if your best 11 means you have to play 1-2-4-3 haha.

I am one of those that wanted Southgate gone. But maybe this was his plan? Play to match the team and conserve energy and stamina to avoid injury and then in the latter stages go all out? And if England do the same against Spain it will probably leave them shellshocked like the Dutch were.

No reason why England can’t finally win a trophy and Southgate would deserve plaudits as he has played it tactically and perhaps deserves one last shot at the World Cup? The players will have the belief.

12.) 13 Jul 2024
13 Jul 2024 16:28:12
Wanderers 1877, fenrir, I was reading today how Ramsey was criticised in the early rounds of 66, then after trial and error got it right in the semi and of course final. Maybe Southgate has gone on that learning curve and it will come to fruition tomorrow, we can but hope. We have the players, if they forego their egos and play as one with desire and confidence we'll do it.

13.) 13 Jul 2024
13 Jul 2024 19:22:21
I recall 1966 being an old one, Ramsey had the balls to drop Jimmy Greaves, one of the best goal scorers ever. He played Geoff Hurst, the rest is history. He was slated for that decision, but his gamble paid off. Fine margins indeed.

14.) 13 Jul 2024
13 Jul 2024 21:01:18
Jimmy Greaves wasn't dropped. He got injured and replaced by Geoff Hurst for the Semi final and just wasn't reinstated as he wasn't 100% fit.

15.) 14 Jul 2024
14 Jul 2024 08:49:21
Or as rumours had it, greaves was liking the pop abit too much for ramsey's liking.