Unfortunately I think Southgate's idea of stifling the opposition is more one way than we'd like it to be.

He's far more interested in keeping the opposition at bay via our defensive third rather than by more proactive means in the final two thirds of the pitch.

But even still, having wingers track back and double up on the wing backs is a better option. It’s not even about Southgate, I just think a back four with wingers is the best way for stifling wing backs, and that formation in general, however you want to play it.

Yeah I agree but for slightly different reasons despite the same final outcome.

Back when we were unstoppable around 16/17 playing the flying fullbacks there was twice we were genuinely nullified and both times it was facing a 433 with wingers who continually sat in behind our wingbacks and stopped us from being able to play as we basically had a back 5 in attack due to the threat. One of the times was the 2-2 vs City where we were lucky to get a result.

You can get the midfielders to help out with the opposing wingback as they should be outnumbering the opposition anyway.

I just think a back four with wingers is the best way for stifling wing backs, and that formation in general, however you want to play it.

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I'm not disagreeing with you, I know full well it is and we've discussed this plenty of times over the years about the disadvantages of using a back 3/5 and how to combat it.

I'm just saying I think Southgate is probably looking at having the numbers horizontally in the back line to match up when Germany's attack becomes a front five.

Mourinho by the end kept combatting a back 5 with a back 5. It was so annoying.

Looking at it more, Germany’s wingbacks excel at playing inside. Why the hell would we want to take players out of our midfield?

Yeah but I just don’t get why managers think that’s the best way to do it. Most don’t, in fairness.

Nuno going to Fenerbahce. Another one bites the dust. I’m happy he is, don’t need Portuguese dinosaurs in the prem.

Spurs are gonna get Martinez, aren’t they? Underrated appointment.

I’ve been arguing a lot that I think Martinez is better than the credit he gets, and about as inspiring as Fonseca. Still would much much rather ETH or Potter

I don't know why, but I can't view Martinez the same way after he finished 11th two seasons in a row with Everton. Their fans seem to think he stunk the place out and were frustrated with him. His transfers weren't particularly good either IIRC.

He's still young and has done a decent enough job with Belgium, though. Winning the FA Cup with Wigan obviously can't be forgotten either.

I think his role at Swansea is arguably his most impressive.

Everton was weird as that first season Everton were at their PL best and then fell away so hard

Have to be honest, I didn't really pay attention too much to his time at Swansea, I was like 12 or 13 at the time he was there

But I remember reading about him having a good football philosophy there.

I can't tell if Everton is always a poisoned chalice or whether their appointments are never the right fit, as it seems like no matter who goes there, or how much they spend, they're never able to achieve what they expect.

Everton were grate that first season under him, then it all fell apart. He’s not the best manager, but he’s not the clown people make him out to be. And his teams are fun to watch, especially as they can be so open defensively.

Spurs have the attacking players to be pretty good under Martinez, but don’t have the defensive players to make up for it. But it’s a more exciting appointment than someone like facking Nuno.

Will be interesting to see whether his time with Belgium has improved him as a coach, or the time out of club football will have been detrimental.

comment by Scott The King McTominay (U10026)
posted 15 minutes ago
Everton were grate that first season under him, then it all fell apart. He’s not the best manager, but he’s not the clown people make him out to be. And his teams are fun to watch, especially as they can be so open defensively.

Spurs have the attacking players to be pretty good under Martinez, but don’t have the defensive players to make up for it. But it’s a more exciting appointment than someone like facking Nuno.

Will be interesting to see whether his time with Belgium has improved him as a coach, or the time out of club football will have been detrimental.
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Yeah I agree. He’s always been quite good at ‘punching up’ for a single game with a nice tactical tweak as well.

You’d be like a more entertaining AVB team. Those hammerings in big games.

Fack it, just bring back Sir Tim.

I blame Morata.

One of the grate international tournament moments.

It would've been a bit ridiculous if Spain went into the break behind.

They've actually had a good tournament, just aren't very clinical. They miss Fati in this respect.

It's unusual for a ball to be misjudged like that, normally it goes under the foot.

It was an embarrassing lack of concentration.

Yeah they’ve actually played well in every game. Obviously the opposition comes into it, but no team has been as dominant over their opposition across all their games.

It's been a funny game for the goalkeepers. Simon's massive blunder and the Spain goal goes in off the top of Livakovic's head.

simon has shown in the matches i seen him play for spain, that he had a mistake like that in him

honestly wasn't that surprised by it

Do you think you'd benefit from having Llorente in midfield instead of Koke?

I think they would. I reckon he’d have buried some of these chances Koke has had. I doubt they’d lose much either by replacing Koke, who has had a decent tournament in fairness.

Yeah I think he'd have had two or three goals at least by now.