More teams more fun. Nice way to round off the group stages tonight

comment by House - Free Mainoo (U17162)
posted 1 minute ago
More teams more fun. Nice way to round off the group stages tonight
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Sometimes I question the increased team format and the back door that is the nations league route - then you see Georgia in action - I mean you’d have to have a heart of stone not to love that tonight

Germany v Netherlands in the final

Path to the final looking clear for England.

Everyone knows I love a prediction, so round of 16 for me:

Italy
Spain
England
France
Portugal
Germany
Austria
Netherlands

comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 16 minutes ago
Everyone knows I love a prediction, so round of 16 for me:

Italy
Spain
England
France
Portugal
Germany
Austria
Netherlands
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If the Swiss knock out Italy and Romania do one over the Dutch, then by rights we should be in the final. We won't though. On Sunday we'll limp over the line having probably seen out a 0-0 draw AET and beaten Slovakia on pens, then we'll go out to either the Swiss or Italy and get the kind of spanking we deserve.

Why leave out vs for Germany Denmark?

On another note, we're facked. If we scrape through the Qtrs, we will definitely go out in the semis

I can't believe that Southgate is basically trying to twist the narrative, suggesting that if the fans behave as they do, that unity and love for international tournaments will diminish amongst the players, leading to poor results. Are you fecking kidding me? The fans owe those players nothing. A lot of them will have spent a small fortune on tickets and accommodation in Germany and they've not seen the same level of commitment from the players. They've every right to be pizzed off with the abject football on display. As with every single professional football team globally, it's up to the players on the pitch to turn the mood around. It starts there. Then the fans get on board.

This is all on Southgate. He has no trust in a front foot approach that would see Bellingham play as an 8 and Foden a 10 (meaning Gordon out on the left for some much needed balance). He's out of options on the left side but still left Grealish behind, deciding on Wharton instead, who sits behind not only Gallagher and Mainoo in the pecking order, but also a right back in Trent. What was the point of bringing him when he could have brought in Grealish or Madders?

I backed Southgate for years thinking his conservative game was because we didn't have a midfield to control games. Now we're blessed with players that can, he sits deep and still lets the opposition control it, more than ever. I'm so feckin done with him for not changing.

He talked of a reset after the second game. What did that mean? Basically nothing apart from Gallagher in for Trent. Wow. That's what a reset means to Southgate. He's the most cautious manager I've ever seen. That caution breeds fear into the squad. How about front foot? How about bravery? How about trust? Those first few years under him brought a level of hope but fans are seeing that the concessions accepted that pragmatic football breeds success are no longer bearing fruit. The trust isn't there that he can fulfil his side of the deal. The faith has gone. The fans feel it but crucially the players do too. How hard would you run if you fundamentally don't believe in the instructions you've been given?

He 100% has to go at the end of this tournament. File Kane under Scholes, Gerrard, Terry, Ferdinand, Rooney and Owen amongst many top drawer players whose international careers have lacked success because of the misfortune of each man in charge.

I hope it's as hard as possible for us. I want Southgate to earn getting far into the tournament, not rely on luck. Hope it is Italy after Slovakia and then the Netherlands, although I actually wouldn't mind Romania as it'd be nice to avenge the 2000 loss to them and the one in 98.

comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 15 minutes ago
I hope it's as hard as possible for us. I want Southgate to earn getting far into the tournament, not rely on luck. Hope it is Italy after Slovakia and then the Netherlands, although I actually wouldn't mind Romania as it'd be nice to avenge the 2000 loss to them and the one in 98.
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I also think what Ange said last night is true. If you play substandard opposition you're not best-placed to face a big team as you've not built that momentum. If we lucked our way to the final without playing a favourite, we'l get torn apart on the final. You need to face big teams in order to get conditioned to that level.

comment by Cloggy (U1250)
posted 3 hours, 21 minutes ago
Why leave out vs for Germany Denmark?
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Just an error on my behalf

comment by Cloggy (U1250)
posted 3 hours, 20 minutes ago
On another note, we're facked. If we scrape through the Qtrs, we will definitely go out in the semis
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By we I presume you are referring to the Netherlands

I think you lot have landed on your feet - you’ve got Romania and then the winner of Austria vs Turkey standing between you and the semis. You looked good against France and then shiete against Austria - but I think you guys should be confident

Final: Spain v Italy.

Any deniers speak up now!

comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 1 day, 14 hours ago
Final: Spain v Italy.

Any deniers speak up now!
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Spain v Switzerland

comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 1 day, 19 hours ago
Final: Spain v Italy.

Any deniers speak up now!
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comment by Critical Supe Theory (U1282)
posted 2 hours, 44 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 1 day, 19 hours ago
Final: Spain v Italy.

Any deniers speak up now!
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worst Italian team ever!

I genuinely think Switzerland beat England (if England get through). They’re very solid and have the tools to hurt them.

comment by Robberto Garnacho (U22716)
posted 13 hours, 21 minutes ago
I genuinely think Switzerland beat England (if England get through). They’re very solid and have the tools to hurt them.
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England scraped thru 2-1 over Slovakia.
took them until minute 5 of injury time to make it 1-1.
Switzerland have a very good chance to win.