There is a lot of discussion about the team which Venables got to the semi-finals of Euro '96. The 'Golden Generation', as they are known, and what a selection of talent he had at his disposal. Seaman, Pearce, Adams, Ince, Southgate, Platt, Gascoigne, Shearer, Sheringham and Anderton. This team destroyed the Netherlands 4-1 in the group phase and eliminated Spain on penalties after that. The rest is history.
So how does this current crop compare to their predecessors - who among today's players would replace a player form '96? I can only think of Sterling, Shaw and Kane making it into that team.
Venables had a lot on his plate in the run-up to the Euros and his court cases undoubtedly cast a shadow over proceedings, but given their performance in the group phase - two wins and a draw (sounds familiar?) - there was a swagger about England that was irresistible.
There are some parallels between then and now. '96 was hosted by England, so every game was a home game. Scotland were in the same qualifying group.
But there it ends. This current crop of players does not possess the talent of 1996, but as a whole, they ooze confidence and consistency. They are younger and leaner than their counterparts, and there is a depth of potential which holds huge promise for many years to come.
They do not have characters like Ince and Gascoigne, but they have character in spades, and for this reason, I think they will not only run out as tournament winners, they will be the founders of a truly Golden Generation.
As an Irishman, I would normally default to 'anyone but England', but what Southgate is achieving for England is as monumental as what Bielsa is achieving for Leeds. He is not just restoring their dignity, he is creating a new sense of Englishness, stripped of the arrogance of earlier versions, humble, purposeful and increasingly adventurous. The victory over Ukraine was a triumph of that identity.
This is England's tournament to win, and this team, I think, has the character to do it.
The Golden Generation
posted on 5/7/21
comment by GTWI4T- some people deserve to get trolled (U6008)
posted 4 seconds ago
comment by Mellor, Lovely Cushioned Header, FOR GERRARD, OOOOOOHHHHHH YAAAAAAA BEEEAAAUUUTTTYYYYY!!!!!!!!! (U1859)
posted 48 seconds ago
comment by GTWI4T- some people deserve to get trolled (U6008)
posted 1 minute ago
d say theres more talent in this team than the 96 team who actually weren't overly impressive during that tournament but rode a wave of optimism.
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Hmmmm. I think if you went player for player then the 96 team would come out on top. If you're talking about performances, I would agree that the 96 side had a good 45 mins against Scotland, great against Holland and to be fair, were good against Germany in the semi's.
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I was at the scotland game as a 9 year old. Honestly of mccalister scores that pen we go on and win the game. We were excellent up to the miss.
Just think the way this current side are navigating things is very impressive. Its almost textbook how youd want it to go. Peaking at just the right time.
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I agree that it feels slightly different this time, but...the innate failings of the national team will never mean that I think we are guaranteed to do anything. I wouldn't be shocked if Denmark beat us Wednesday.
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I can imagine. If anything it feels a bit like liverpool couple of years ago. I watch england now and see a very very good team, just feels like success is coming. I mind being at anfield for our opening game of season against west ham in 18/19, we won 4-0. Was with my dad and can still mind to this day turning to him halfway through 1st half saying "theres something different about this team, they are very very good". A champions league and league title later here we are. I watch england now and it feels the same.
posted on 5/7/21
I remember that golden generation of PL players in 2005-2009 that dominated the CL. Players like Ronaldo, Drogba, Giggs, Henry, Alonso, Cech, Makelele, Robben, Carvalho, Essien, Van Nistelrooy, Vidic, Evra.
It's crazy that having these players doing well for the English clubs in the CL did not translate into England winning the world cup.
posted on 5/7/21
Worst manager in Leeds United's history - Terry Vegetables
posted on 5/7/21
Seems a bit bizarre that youve left 6 english players off the list that were instrumental to those english clubs successes but whatever helps try to prove whatever point it is you're trying prove mate. Each to their own.
posted on 5/7/21
It's Barry FFS don't fall for it!
posted on 5/7/21
One major factor for sure has been that Southgate has refused to be swayed by the old dictate that appeared to revolve around picking a classy player only if he was playing for a big club, irrespective of ability.
No, Southgate has picked players entirely in ability and suitability.
For sure, we have a great richness of players in certain postiono, and that has meant some true talents being sat in a bench.
Some people almost give the impression they would prefer to remove Phillips and Rice, just so we could accommodate some of those stars.
But Southgate has refused to listen to any noise and has proven there is a solid method in what many were criticising as madness.
I only hope that next time England have a poor game, England fans don’t suddenly start deciding how terrible he is as a manager!
posted on 6/7/21
Despite all the talent England had at its disposal – in '96 and other years – what we rarely had was that sense of professionalism, discipline and downright devotion to cause that most other nations had. And looking back, most of our managers were a bit of a joke, too. I mean, was someone taking the p!ss when they appointed Sven and Fabio?
posted on 6/7/21
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posted on 6/7/21
comment by GTWI4T- some people deserve to get trolled (U6008)
posted 13 seconds ago
comment by Lorralorimer (U18994)
posted 26 minutes ago
Despite all the talent England had at its disposal – in '96 and other years – what we rarely had was that sense of professionalism, discipline and downright devotion to cause that most other nations had. And looking back, most of our managers were a bit of a joke, too. I mean, was someone taking the p!ss when they appointed Sven and Fabio?
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Fabio should have been the perfect manager for us. One of the best in the world, the ultimate professional that demanded the upmost from his players. Obviously it didn't work out that way but in paper it was the right thing. English managers were awful at the time.
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Yes perhaps I could have chosen better examples than Fabio, who was more a mismatch with England than a poor manager. Graham Taylor, Steve McClaren and Kevin Keegan do deserve a place in the list of dishonourable mentions (likeable though Keegan was).
posted on 7/7/21
Sven had a reasonable record for England, quarter finals at three consecutive finals, maybe should have done better but certainly did better than most (including Don).
Unfortunately the nature of the beast in regards to any coaching job is it's doomed to end in failure, very few go out on a high.