2022 World Cup - Qatar

[Ragey Erasmus]

Ref was bad but it's been pointed out already that England give the opposition too much space in front of our own goal, we don't close them down enough and it showed. The time and space the French had for the first goal was ridiculous and nobody was making an effort to close them down until it was too late.

On the flip side, English players rarely find themselves with that much space right in the middle of the field. Our game plan seems to just pass our way into the goal and pass back at the first sign of resistance.

 

[General Melchett]

I read somewhere a few weeks ago that the FA were lining up Thomas Tuchel if Southgate leaves. He's still living in London despite being sacked by Chelsea and is seemingly up for the gig. I think he speaks really well and would be a good appointment. Will be interested to see what happens with Southgate who despite yesterday's loss has regained some credibility over the last couple of weeks.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

I mean the ref was better than the Argentina-netherlands game. I think probably the best ref of the quarterfinals. England are going to be hard on themselves but they didn't blow it the same way Brazil or Portugal did.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

I read somewhere a few weeks ago that the FA were lining up Thomas Tuchel if Southgate leaves. He's still living in London despite being sacked by Chelsea and is seemingly up for the gig. I think he speaks really well and would be a good appointment. Will be interested to see what happens with Southgate who despite yesterday's loss has regained some credibility over the last couple of weeks.

Yeh I read about that as well. Difficult one really but I think it goes back to the FA and the public wanting an English head coach. We've tried SGE and also Capello and neither got England any further to where Southgate has got to and he's a decent man who has integrity and appears a good man manager who the players really like and respect, unlike Allardyce and Hoddle.

And it also ultimately sends the wrong message to English coaches and it being the top job in English football, which they should aspire to.

Mention of Eddie Howe, but I am not convinced. He's doing well at Newcastle and I think until he's won consistently he should stay there.

Having rewatched the game and also read through all what the pundits and football journalists have thought on it, I also think Southgate should stay. Ultimately England weren't totally outclassed by France yesterday (not like previous World Cups v big nations). Just another very frustrating night.

It ultimately depends if Southgate has had enough of the job and whether he enjoys only being able to work with the players for short periods and the whole tournament football experience every two years.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

 

[Bada-Bing!]

The real question is: does English football deserve Gareth Southgate? | Barney Ronay

He built the best England team of the past 50 years, but who could blame the manager if he walks away from needless hostility?

www.theguardian.com

 

[ncurd]

One for us.....I haven't stopped laughing for a straight minute.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

One for us.....I haven't stopped laughing for a straight minute.

Tigs beat you to it.

 

[ncurd]

Tigs beat you to it.

I missed his post. Which is just as good as Kane.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

England ticked the boxes but did they need to win this World Cup enough? | Jonathan Liew

No easy targets or effigies to burn, though questions remain about expectations and how to measure success and failure

www.theguardian.com

Well, to win an international tournament.

Still, got me thinking about EJ and next year's RWC. What really would be acceptable for England fans?

Gareth Southgate considering England exit after World Cup elimination

Gareth Southgate considering future after England were knocked out of the World Cup by holders France on Saturday; Southgate contracted to England until conclusion of Euro 2024

www.skysports.com

Indications are Southgate will leave. Looks like he's had enough.

 

[ncurd]

What really would be acceptable for England fans?

In Football winning the whole damn thing regardless of who we come across. Its really frustrating reading about repeat failures its not like we've gone out to lesser opposition. Only 1 team out of 16 wins 4 games of knock out football. As years go by the top level is getting more and more competitive. A win would be great but I think realistically its unlikely to happen any year but one day we'll go all the way as long as squad standards and spirit is maintained which appears to be where Southgate has got us. We have the right frame of mind just need the luck.

On other sports Rugby I'm happy with semi-finals in RWC and 2nd places in 6 nations (with the odd win).

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think its time for Southgate to go. There were signs of burnout prior to the tournament but he turned it around. Lost a 50/50 game to the favourites, nothing to be ashamed of but going two more years is more likely to be detrimental to England football than to see them kick on.

Feels like where EJ was after the 2019 world cup.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

In Football winning the whole damn thing regardless of who we come across. Its really frustrating reading about repeat failures its not like we've gone out to lesser opposition. Only 1 team out of 16 wins 4 games of knock out football. As years go by the top level is getting more and more competitive. A win would be great but I think realistically its unlikely to happen any year but one day we'll go all the way as long as squad standards and spirit is maintained which appears to be where Southgate has got us. We have the right frame of mind just need the luck.

On other sports Rugby I'm happy with semi-finals in RWC and 2nd places in 6 nations (with the odd win).

Absolutely. Beating whoever we face (that does mean better teams than us) and winning is what it is all about. And it's even harder in football compared to rugby because there are so many different components to get right and the depth and way the opposition is deeper than say Rugby.

I know casual fans who just tune in for England during the WC will focus on the missed pen and appalling ref. But England produced 8 shots on target and scored from 1 and that was a penalty and not including the one Kane ballooned over. End of the day that is not good enough over 98 mins of a WC knock out game from the team and manager.

Also I think Football goes to the very heart of English identity being our national game. Brings out England fans worst attributes when we lose.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

I think its time for Southgate to go. There were signs of burnout prior to the tournament but he turned it around. Lost a 50/50 game to the favourites, nothing to be ashamed of but going two more years is more likely to be detrimental to England football than to see them kick on.

Feels like where EJ was after the 2019 world cup.

He definitely has his limitations. I think it's a case of who is the alternative? Yet again the FA do not have a plan for an English coach to succeed him because the pool available is very small.

Plus, all the politics around the job is wearing on any manager who takes it on.

 

[General Melchett]

He definitely has his limitations. I think it's a case of who is the alternative? Yet again the FA do not have a plan for an English coach to succeed him because the pool available is very small.

Plus, all the politics around the job is wearing on any manager who takes it on.

I'd go for Tuchel. He's won the ECL, league ***les in Germany and is a skilled operator in front of the media. I also read he's very good at dealing with politics coming from board level etc. Think he would have lasted longer at Chelsea if not for the new American owner who wanted to force Ronaldo on him but Tuchel stood his ground. If I were the FA I'd be getting some input from Mason Mount and Reece James on his man management etc.

I don't think there are any English managers ready to come in now. Eddie Howe is one for the future assuming he does well at Newcastle. Graham Potter is also one to keep an eye at Chelsea. I would steer clear of Brendan Rogers and Pochettino who I don't think would be any better than Southgate. Rogers would be a step down IMO.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

 

[Bada-Bing!]

I only like Argentina because of Messi. Once they lose I'll support France and Mbappé. I am a sucker for a good story line and a superstar.

I'd go for Tuchel. He's won the ECL, league ***les in Germany and is a skilled operator in front of the media. I also read he's very good at dealing with politics coming from board level etc. Think he would have lasted longer at Chelsea if not for the new American owner who wanted to force Ronaldo on him but Tuchel stood his ground. If I were the FA I'd be getting some input from Mason Mount and Reece James on his man management etc.

I don't think there are any English managers ready to come in now. Eddie Howe is one for the future assuming he does well at Newcastle. Graham Potter is also one to keep an eye at Chelsea. I would steer clear of Brendan Rogers and Pochettino who I don't think would be any better than Southgate. Rogers would be a step down IMO.

There's a reason why they call it the "impossible job." Trying to tick all the boxes of a manager who will win a tournament, play good enough football to win and deserve it, manage the massive egos and also the vitriol when things will inevitably go wrong.

Good luck to Tuchel if he Southgate does quit and he gets it. I don't think there is a perfect candidate.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Reports that the Brazilian ref Wilton Sampson who reffed the England v France game has been retained and has a chance to ref the final. Couldn't make it up.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

He's just done the second leg of the Copa do Brasil final. I thought he was good during the USA- Netherlands game. He wasn't as awful as either of the refs on the Friday games. Sounds like the English press are big mad that England lost and want to take it out on the ref.