comment by montleeds (U18330)
posted 2 hours, 13 minutes ago
Stike, why are you comparing what England do with what other nations do?
Immaterial.
Like someone said earlier, it's not like a switch you can turn on and off.
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Fair enough, let’s compare like for like. Let’s compare Gareth Southgate’s current England to Gareth Southgate’s previous England

2018- group stage: win first game 2-1, win second game 6-1, lose third game 1-0. Finish second in the group. Lose in extra time of the semi final

2021 - group stage: win first game 1-0, draw second game against lowly Scotland 0-0 (gets pelters) wins third game 1-0. Wins group. Loses final on penalties


2022 - group stage: wins first game 6-2, draws second game 0-0 against an average USA side (gets pelters) wins 3rd game 3-0. Wins group. Knocked out by France in the quarters.

Which of those 3 tournament records do we resemble the most so far - because to me it looks like the side that made the final in 2021.

It also shows that England tend to struggle in the second game and the first game isn’t always plain sailing - it was a last minute winner against Tunisia in 2018.

The real tournament doesn’t start for another week, I can’t be bothered with the “safe” group stage histrionics

comment by Bãleș left boot (U22081)
posted 2 hours, 15 minutes ago
The way I see it, if you're going to be Mr Positive there needs to be something tangible to hang it on. Either the style of play or individuals playing well. Currently we have neither.
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The only thing I care about is results and I will hang it on that all day long and twice on a match day. Do you think the Germans have a shaaat about playing badly against Ghana in the second group game of that World Cup - no, they cling on for a 2-2 draw, eventually topped the group, put in one of the all time World Cup performances when dismantling Germany 7-1 in their own back yard and saw the competition out against Argentina.

I’m not Mr Positive - I’m Mr none of this schitt matters until the knock outs begin.

comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 2 hours, 15 minutes ago
comment by Dave The Jackal (U22179)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - Laughing at Arsenals nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 33 minutes ago
comment by Dave The Jackal (U22179)
posted 28 minutes ago
To be fair to Southgate, he has one magnificent attribute … getting spawny draws at tournament football. Obviously Eng are in a pretty meh group (again), but hadn’t realised that if they win it, they only get a best 3rd placed team in the last 16 AND guaranteed to avoid another group winner in the last 8. So basically can’t meet any of the big guns until the semis, as usual, if the draw works out as expected. Only Portugal’s group winners have the same fortunate scenario.
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Not quite true - we’re on course to play Croatia/Italy in the Quarters - the last Euros winners and 3rd place in the World Cup.

There was only one tough group in this competition group B one semi tough group - Group D. Our group is no harder/weaker a group than all of Germany, Portugal and Belgiums groups.
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OK. I’ll put it another way, the bookies strongly favour 5 countries to win it … in order, France, Germany, Eng, Spain and Portugal. No-one else is even close in the odds. Eng can’t meet ANY of those other 4 until the semis, at worst … but you don’t think that’s a typically “favourable” Southgate draw? Croatia are way past their best, and Italy barely kicked the ball last night against Spain. All about opinions though.
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Not only is our record against big teams terrible already but we're also not playing very well. I can't see us even getting past Italy if we face them.

When was the last time we actually beat a big team in a KO round that wasn't on home turf?
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We’ve only played one big team on away turf in Southgate’s tenure - we lost to France - no shame in that.

We lost to Croatia in the other comp, who then themselves were only beaten by the French - our record under Southgate is not as bad as people think it is

comment by Striketeam7 - Laughing at Arsenals nearly slaa... (U18109)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Bãleș left boot (U22081)
posted 2 hours, 15 minutes ago
The way I see it, if you're going to be Mr Positive there needs to be something tangible to hang it on. Either the style of play or individuals playing well. Currently we have neither.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The only thing I care about is results and I will hang it on that all day long and twice on a match day. Do you think the Germans have a shaaat about playing badly against Ghana in the second group game of that World Cup - no, they cling on for a 2-2 draw, eventually topped the group, put in one of the all time World Cup performances when dismantling Germany 7-1 in their own back yard and saw the competition out against Argentina.

I’m not Mr Positive - I’m Mr none of this schitt matters until the knock outs begin.


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Fair enough. You do you. Though claiming that we've as good a chance as anyone to win the thing is a pretty darn positive outlook considering the results we've got so far, even if you are determined to ignore performances.

comment by Fred: Mamba Worships at the Altar of Winston (U3979)
posted 23 minutes ago
We were wrong strike team just admit it.

We’ve got a cracking set of players managed by an absolute fraud who doesn’t have a clue how to get the best out of them. Can’t wait for him to fvck off.
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Nothings proven at all yet.

Performances don’t matter at all - it’s tournament football

We’re not Scotland, we don’t have to play out of our skin to qualify from these groups these days. They’ve made it so easy now with 3rd place qualifying that England literally just have to turn up.

Short of Slovenia humping us 4-0, were already through - no ones mentioning that though

comment by Bãleș left boot (U22081)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Striketeam7 - Laughing at Arsenals nearly slaa... (U18109)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Bãleș left boot (U22081)
posted 2 hours, 15 minutes ago
The way I see it, if you're going to be Mr Positive there needs to be something tangible to hang it on. Either the style of play or individuals playing well. Currently we have neither.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The only thing I care about is results and I will hang it on that all day long and twice on a match day. Do you think the Germans have a shaaat about playing badly against Ghana in the second group game of that World Cup - no, they cling on for a 2-2 draw, eventually topped the group, put in one of the all time World Cup performances when dismantling Germany 7-1 in their own back yard and saw the competition out against Argentina.

I’m not Mr Positive - I’m Mr none of this schitt matters until the knock outs begin.


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Fair enough. You do you. Though claiming that we've as good a chance as anyone to win the thing is a pretty darn positive outlook considering the results we've got so far, even if you are determined to ignore performances.
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France are still better than us and Germany and Spain have performed better than us.

But we can’t play Germany or Spain until the final - so only France is the problem at the moment.

Am is supposed to big up a Croatia side that have conceded 5 and looked awful, or an Italy side that nearly threw points away to Albania and were solidly outplayed last night. Should I be overly concerned about Austria/Slovakia/Ukraine? Should I care about a Switzerland side that couldn’t beat Scotland?

That’s our route to the semi with France - people can talk up Portugal/Germany/Spain all they want - bottom line is we can only play one of them and it won’t be until the final

Mbappe on the bench!!

If the Dutch could top that group, our route might be Slovakia, Italy/Croatia, Holland

What an opportunity that would be

Strike, man

You can just write ‘fack’ and it willl get through the filter. No need to add all the ‘a’s

comment by Striketeam7 - Laughing at Arsenals nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 hour, 49 minutes ago
Mbappe on the bench!!

If the Dutch could top that group, our route might be Slovakia, Italy/Croatia, Holland

What an opportunity that would be
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So you’re actually agreeing with me that Southgate’s a spawny cant when it comes to tournament draws, and his “great record” is largely down to that? France fecking up tonight would be so Southgate-esque.

I blame Levy

comment by palmers_spur (U8896)
posted 1 hour, 56 minutes ago
Strike, man

You can just write ‘fack’ and it willl get through the filter. No need to add all the ‘a’s
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It’s part of my brand man

comment by Dave The Jackal (U22179)
posted 31 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - Laughing at Arsenals nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 1 hour, 49 minutes ago
Mbappe on the bench!!

If the Dutch could top that group, our route might be Slovakia, Italy/Croatia, Holland

What an opportunity that would be
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So you’re actually agreeing with me that Southgate’s a spawny cant when it comes to tournament draws, and his “great record” is largely down to that? France fecking up tonight would be so Southgate-esque.
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I don’t agree. How is getting Germany in the rd16 or France in a QF spawny? Or getting Belgiums golden side that finished 3rd in your World Cup group.

Scotland wouldn’t know, but knockout routes can sometimes throw up surprise opposition that have an immense group stage and then revert back to their norm. If the Betherlands top the group it will be because they beat Austria by more than France beat Poland - there’s nowt in it.

Anyway, Italy would wipe the floor with all but the elite sides - we will hit them in the Quarters - 4 x world champions is spawny but France playing 0 times world champions Netherlands in the group stage and 0 times world champions Belgium in the quarters is not?

How many have you had Strike?

comment by Bãleș left boot (U22081)
posted 6 minutes ago
How many have you had Strike?
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6 - but the same one since I was 24

What about yourself?

Not enough, still working

comment by Bãleș left boot (U22081)
posted 25 seconds ago
Not enough, still working
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That’s good, keep it up

comment by Striketeam7 - Laughing at Arsenals nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 11 hours, 33 minutes ago
comment by Fred: Mamba Worships at the Altar of Winston (U3979)
posted 23 minutes ago
We were wrong strike team just admit it.

We’ve got a cracking set of players managed by an absolute fraud who doesn’t have a clue how to get the best out of them. Can’t wait for him to fvck off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Nothings proven at all yet.

Performances don’t matter at all - it’s tournament football

We’re not Scotland, we don’t have to play out of our skin to qualify from these groups these days. They’ve made it so easy now with 3rd place qualifying that England literally just have to turn up.

Short of Slovenia humping us 4-0, were already through - no ones mentioning that though
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We’re through because the system is set up to make sure the bigger nations get through, it’s that simple.

And what Fred said is absolutely proven. We should have won at least one tournament under Southgate, but is was his management and tactics that prevented it. Most of us have been saying it for years that he hasn’t got a clue how to get the best out of this squad, and everyone’s frustration at this moment comes down to the fact that it’s clearly the case yet again.

Everything you’re saying is just hyperbole, it’s not backed up with what we’re seeing on the pitch.

comment by Terminator1 (U1863)
posted 1 hour, 54 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - Laughing at Arsenals nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 11 hours, 33 minutes ago
comment by Fred: Mamba Worships at the Altar of Winston (U3979)
posted 23 minutes ago
We were wrong strike team just admit it.

We’ve got a cracking set of players managed by an absolute fraud who doesn’t have a clue how to get the best out of them. Can’t wait for him to fvck off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Nothings proven at all yet.

Performances don’t matter at all - it’s tournament football

We’re not Scotland, we don’t have to play out of our skin to qualify from these groups these days. They’ve made it so easy now with 3rd place qualifying that England literally just have to turn up.

Short of Slovenia humping us 4-0, were already through - no ones mentioning that though
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We’re through because the system is set up to make sure the bigger nations get through, it’s that simple.

And what Fred said is absolutely proven. We should have won at least one tournament under Southgate, but is was his management and tactics that prevented it. Most of us have been saying it for years that he hasn’t got a clue how to get the best out of this squad, and everyone’s frustration at this moment comes down to the fact that it’s clearly the case yet again.

Everything you’re saying is just hyperbole, it’s not backed up with what we’re seeing on the pitch.
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Everyone as usual - one way or the other, has gone too soon.

Yes the system is set up to get the big teams through. Here we are 2 games in, about 10 decent minutes from 120 and we’re top of the group. Do people not realise how deliberately easy this is?

I will say it again, with these group stages, England think they just need to turn up - and they are absolutely correct in thinking like that.

This tournament doesn’t start for another week. I didn’t schitt the bed against Iceland and I certainly won’t after putting ourselves in pole position to win the group after our first 2 games.

Performance wise - I don’t think we need one until the quarters. No can we just suddenly turn it on - I honestly don’t know, but I’m not joining in the mass hysteria if we didn’t play well in the group, it’s nuts

I get what you are saying strike but it would be nice to show a bit form before the knockout rounds …..no game is going to be easy

Some sides that I didn’t really think much of have really suprised me and surely it’s better to have a bit of rhythm going into matches

We still have another group game to find some sort of pattern so it’s not all bad

It’s just all a bit like watching a conte led Tottenham for me at the moment and it gives me the bores

comment by Blackpolespur (U9242)
posted 57 minutes ago
I get what you are saying strike but it would be nice to show a bit form before the knockout rounds …..no game is going to be easy

Some sides that I didn’t really think much of have really suprised me and surely it’s better to have a bit of rhythm going into matches

We still have another group game to find some sort of pattern so it’s not all bad

It’s just all a bit like watching a conte led Tottenham for me at the moment and it gives me the bores
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Yeah of course, but you know what I think I would be more nervous if we were absolutely flying at these early stages - you just know a flat performance was around the corner.

Spain in 2010 were god awful from an entertainment perspective, Portugal were just plain awful in 2016 - but these sides won the tournaments, and no one cared about style.

A lot of the bigger sides haven’t got going yet - France haven’t really turned up yet, Italy, Croatia, Belgium, Portugal.

Honestly, the tournament doesn’t even start for another week.

If I thought we would win it I’d take the boring stuff

I just don’t unfortunately

A neutral here with no dog in the fight.......just a football supporter......I can see both sides of the argument......you want to see signs in the 2 games so far that England are capable of moving through the gears and switching up the level of performance when the real
stuff starts with knockout football..... it's not there
unless Southgate is a master of deception and he's fooling everyone.....the flip side is there's no prizes handed out in group stage football and England are conserving energy levels and performance for when the serious stuff starts

comment by Izzy... The Rat returns....fvck off back to Spain (U3410)
posted 20 minutes ago
A neutral here with no dog in the fight.......just a football supporter......I can see both sides of the argument......you want to see signs in the 2 games so far that England are capable of moving through the gears and switching up the level of performance when the real
stuff starts with knockout football..... it's not there
unless Southgate is a master of deception and he's fooling everyone.....the flip side is there's no prizes handed out in group stage football and England are conserving energy levels and performance for when the serious stuff starts

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Yep exactly, so why get too high or too low at this point. Let’s just keep trundling along until the real stuff starts - that’s when I will judge them.

UEFA killed the group stages of this comp when they increased it from 16 to 24 teams - finishing 3rd with 2 points and still qualifying is an absolute joke. Lose 2 and win 1 and you still go through - joke. Within 3 tournaments you just know they will increase again to 32 teams - given there is only 55 UEFA nations, what’s the point in forcing the top 10 through a qualifying campaign - absolutely no point, but they will still do it.

Realistically, England will at most need 3 big performances at this comp - QF, SF, Final. We will skate though the games before that. If we get decked by a bang average Italy in the quarters without ever getting out of first gear in this tournament then Southgate will be on his aerse. At absolute worst though I can’t see us going out until we meet the French in the semi

They should do everyone plays every one, then the lowest team drops out.
Then keep doing that until there's only 1 team left.

I've done worse wrong thread comments, but still not the one I intended to post on