UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers ** spoilers ** [23rd - 28th March 2023]

Maguire once again with a **** up putting us under pressure. He will keep getting the nod because Southgate.
 
ArcticHeron said:
Nothing to do with the fact he was one of the most consistent players in the squad at the WC?
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He wasn’t too bad, for him. Still open to a clanger like against Iran. (And Germany pre WC)

He’s not playing for his club, should be nowhere near the national side.
 
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The 'problem' is our attackers are our best players, as soon as it's decided we need to defend a lead it becomes precarious.

Do it the Pep way, just keep attacking.
 
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Tremendous result that. Paul Ince was on the front page of The Sun after "winning" 0-0 there 20 years ago but tonight we have 5 pages of grumbling on OCUK :D
 
A win despite having Southgate as a manager, why did Phillips play? Worse still why did he play all match, he just either gave the ball away or jogged around the open spaces. Southgate hid most the match in his dugout, substitutions were just too late, put way to much unneeded pressure on at the end. Maguire was at fault for the goal, there are better players not even in the squad yet he still gets selected. Phillips may be a good player but hes clearly not match sharp, an insult to the other players on the bench. Southgate should have gone after the world cup, give someone else a bit more proactive a chance with this crop of clearly talented players before the chance passes by.
 
Drukk said:
A win despite having Southgate as a manager, why did Phillips play? Worse still why did he play all match, he just either gave the ball away or jogged around the open spaces. Southgate hid most the match in his dugout, substitutions were just too late, put way to much unneeded pressure on at the end. Maguire was at fault for the goal, there are better players not even in the squad yet he still gets selected. Phillips may be a good player but hes clearly not match sharp, an insult to the other players on the bench. Southgate should have gone after the world cup, give someone else a bit more proactive a chance with this crop of clearly talented players before the chance passes by.
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The thing is a SF/F and QF in our last three major tournaments, 50 wins as a manager, Southgate's not going anywhere.

Just tweak the switching to defending, i.e. don't do it, and it'd be much better.

Edit: Agree about Phillips, I like him but his lack of game time was a concern and I think it showed. Maguire, how many matches has he played (and beyond being Harry)?
 
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Typical Southgate tactics. Start positive, go 2 up and then drop deep for the last 30-40 minutes. Don't worry about attacking. Just hang on for dear life and hope we don't concede. As soon as we concede 1 goal, we're vulnerable and on the back foot.

A win is a win, but I don't feel confident against a better side or in the later stages of a tournament when there is something on the line.

I like Southgate. He's brought the team together. We've done brilliantly in the last few tournaments. But if it wasn't for his negative tactics and substitutions when we're on top or should be pressing more, I feel we could have won both the world cup and the euros.

Just because we've done well and better than any recent manager doesn't make it any less disappointing and frustrating when it's clear we could have done even better.
 
Southgate likes to play two holding midfielders. Just be thankful we aren't playing that god-awful five at the back with two defensive mids. At least this formation allows Bellingham to play a pivotal role. Like Phillips, Maguire has always been consistent for England, and who is the alternative to play his role? Gallagher, Maddison can't, and Henderson should be calling it a day.
 
McBain said:
He wasn’t too bad, for him. Still open to a clanger like against Iran. (And Germany pre WC)

He’s not playing for his club, should be nowhere near the national side.
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It's not like Southgate has a plethora of options to pick from in that position though. Yeah he has his moments where he looks a little flat in an England shirt but he still does more right then wrong.
 
Andybtsn said:
Southgate likes to play two holding midfielders. Just be thankful we aren't playing that god-awful five at the back with two defensive mids. At least this formation allows Bellingham to play a pivotal role. Like Phillips, Maguire has always been consistent for England, and who is the alternative to play his role? Gallagher, Maddison can't, and Henderson should be calling it a day.
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Phillips was poor last night but that isnt on him really. He should have come off on 60 minutes but Southgate gonna Southgate
 
Good win but hanging on in the 2nd half mainly due to Mr Southgate and his need to keep Maguire, and Phillips on the pitch when neither should be playing for the national side when they cant get a game for their own teams. Saka also looked knackered for some reason.

England are a far better team when attacking but Southgate cant help but go defensive as soon as we go ahead - you can just imagine what the halftime teamtalk was about - "great start lads, right now just defend the lead, no need to play that silly attacking thing anymore"
 
Italy fan view...

Glad it was only 2 given I expected an England win / Italy in transition.

I feel the penalty was harsh, but so was the red.

Italy were playing better against 11 men once they showed up. The moment the red happened, it removed all space in behind and pretty much nullified the Italy attack.

PS. Whoever thought changing a national anthem was a good idea is a fool! :D
 
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