England Vs France - Saturday 10th Dec - 19:00

[Brainy]

1 minute ago, Phube said:

Definition of Flat-Track bullies!
 

Who have we beaten when it really matters (and an obviously crap Germany side does not count!)?

Denmark? Or are you going to come up with some bollocks excuse there too? 

[Phube]

ITV should be banned in the knock out phases!

[CosbehFox]

Just now, MattFox said:

Agree with this

 

Against Italy, Croatia , both those Portugal games under Sven we were second best 

 

Tonight was very different 

When Matterface started reeling the exits off, I was thinking this is nothing like those 

[RowlattsFox]

Kane has been excellent this tournament. In previous ones you could see he was struggling but his general play has been great. He missed a penalty because he was so focused on striking it well. It happens. 

[purpleronnie]

Just now, CosbehFox said:

Lee Dixon is a negative arse 

He has taken over from Mark Lawrenson.  Just miserable with the odd sarcastic comment.

[Balj]

Below strength and under par - France got away with it with their nous. Griezeman was outstanding - no blame on Kane, but some of Southgate’s sub choices and non-choices were a bit baffling.

[Guest Kopfkino]

France absolutely there for the taking, but we spent the first half playing without risk & got our comeuppance. France still created the better opportunities from open play and they’re just at a level where they know how to get things done whilst we huff & puff and pat ourselves on the back for no longer being shit. 

[South Shire Fox]

1 minute ago, J.Lisemore said:

Just never have the luck do we. I actually thought we played well, absolutrly didn't deserve to lose. Gutted as much as the next Englishman but the lads didn't play badly tonight. 

You make your own luck

[Sly]

Just now, purpleronnie said:

Can i just ask was anyone confident that we would win at any time?  I mean genuine confidence not just hope?

Just 5 minutes before Giroud scored, we’d been in control. It’s one of those, the next goal wins that game. 

[marbles]

Just now, purpleronnie said:

Can i just ask was anyone confident that we would win at any time?  I mean genuine confidence not just hope?

Based on previous posts, I’d say most on here just knew England would win

[Wymsey]

France didn't seem value for money for being the reigning champions, especially in defence.

[Dames]

Bringing Sterling on just shows how poor of a manager he is. Mount won the peno but realistically what else has he ever done in an England shirt?

 

Tactically horrific manager that has relied way too much on lucky draws.

[KFS]

Just now, Sly said:

Just 5 minutes before Giroud scored, we’d been in control. It’s one of those, the next goal wins that game. 

Yeah thought that 

[Chester Dontlie]

Good game from England. You can fault Southgate for playing his favourites and not giving Madders a chance but other than that he got the tactics spot on and to me England was better until that missed penalty (happens to the best of them, Baggio, Messi, Beckham etc). He managed to nullify Mbappe completely, too bad Slabhead didn't manage to mark Giroud... Great effort, you were just unlucky.

[Tielemans63]

The better side lost. Don't think England deserve some of the stick being handed out here.

[tom27111]

1 minute ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Capello who the players hated, no thanks. I don't rate Southgate, more because I don't think he had done anything prior to being appointed to actually warrant the job. A 'better' manager might have taken us further, but on paper those two were bigger and better yet Southgate has achieved more than either of those with England, and let's be honest Sven had side's with just as much talent. Golden generations don't really mean anything if there's other sides better than you anyway.

 

Southgate has achieved more?

 

What trophy do we have?

 

Oh, the same. 

 

None.

[Livid]

Fine margins and all that .

 

You can say France weren’t totally there but they scored two goals from open play. We were relying on penalties and free kick opportunities. We weren’t any better. 
 

As for Southgate the thought of us actually winning a tournament with his stubborn turgid dull soul draining tactics and him being worshipped up there with Alf Ramsey actually repulses me. 
 

He’ll keep his job because he’s a nice safe option and fits in perfectly with what the FA want. 
 

Southgate clearly isn’t the one but we’re stuck with him. 

[foxes_rule1978]

The fact we lose when they are tight games is purely mentality, we have the players and ability to do better but again got done because we don’t have that steel that teams like Croatia have 

[Raj]

3 minutes ago, DennisNedry said:

You're right historically. But now our squad is as good as any of those...

Yes but they dont have the winning mentality and muscle memory to beat the big boys.

Okay beating Iraq and Senegal and Wales!

[hejammy]

11 minutes ago, Unabomber said:

Who does everyone blame more Kane or Southgate? 

That's not even a question. Southgate is a first class pr1ck

[Samu]

Really weird one as I think Southgate actually did ok tactically this tournament - minus his favouritism towards certain players like Mount and Sterling. I thought bringing Henderson in though was actually a great decision as he brought leadership. We were the better team tonight but got unlucky.

 

Overall though, I think we do need a manager with a bit of a nastier side to him. Someone who can make the right decisions when it’s needed.

 

On the plus side, a midfield containing Saka, Foden, Rice and Bellingham will do well for years to come.

[Sly]

1 minute ago, Wymsey said:

France didn't seem value for money for being the reigning champions, especially in defence.

No team is complete really. Not a lot between either team on paper. 

[coolhandfox]

11 minutes ago, foxes_rule1978 said:

But could have easily won 

Could have beat Croatia..

 

Could have beat Italy.....

 

Could have beat France....

 

 

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Just now, CosbehFox said:

Genuinely the first time in my lifetime that we didn’t deserve the outcome. 

 

The only thing I think can be levelled at Southgate tonight was the Sterling sub which was bizarre in context. I think Mount is very pedestrian but Henderson had been up and down helping Saka all game so Walker could sit back and take care of Mbappe, he was dead and we've no other fit options centrally, really.

 

I get people wanting change (I think it's the right time) but I really don't get the laying into Southgate based on tonight. We were really good value and had them rattled. Can't blame the manager for that penalty, Maguire's header skimming the post, Bellingham's hit being tipped over.

[whoareyaaa]

Neville is right the run up for the second pen just didn;t seem right