England Squad

[mrblackbat]

I really don't get subbing someone on for a penalty. Why didn't he decide to try and use them to win the game?

We had a buoyant first 15 minutes or so, but then faltered badly; barely touched the ball in the second half and were fortunate that Italy didn't really create more chances.

[Gibbon]

All this. Also I’m disappointed but unsurprised that the usual suspects on Twitter have latched on to the fact that 3 black guys missed while 2 white guys scored. Fuckers.

[mcteeth]

Depressing all round really.

Perfect start, had to turn the screw and get a second but sadly regressed to the England of old and the inevitable happened

[mrblackbat]

I'm not really sure we regressed. I don't think we'd actually moved on from the England of old.

[mcteeth]

I think we're a long way from the England of old, we've been in semi finals, a final, won a penalty shootout, beaten Germany when it matters. The squad and system is based upon the team being greater than any individuals and the opposition we need to beat. The is a lot of admire in the manager and how the whole setup is functioning but that isn't to say it's all utterly perfect.

We should have really pressed for a second when on top, subbing players just to take penalties can backfire. But we're talking about mistakes in a final here...

It was only 2016 where you've got the insistence of Rooney playing as a deep lying midfielder, simply because he is Wayne Rooney nothing to do with his ability to play the position effectively. And us limply losing to Iceland whilst Hodgson just keeps subbing on strikers hoping something happens.

Whereas now we're blooding the likes of Phillips, Saka, Foden, Mount and Bellingham who'll be integral to the World Cup next year which is something to really look forward to.

[Rover the Top]

I've got to agree with Blackbat, we were very much like old England sides; preoccupied with what everyone else is going to do at the expense of developing a gameplan that works to our strengths; leaving out our most skillful potential match winners for reliably average workhorses. The teams that regularly win tournaments aren't afraid of who they're playing, they go out with the belief that they can win playing their way. Whereas we set up to try and not lose. Which is daft given we're still useless at penalties.

The history books will show we're runners-up, and that's enough for some. But given the talent we left on the sidelines, it was a missed opportunity to make ourselves the champions.

[mcflash]

Hello folks, long time no visit.

Anyway I personally think that if you'd have won the Euros it would have been in spite of the coaching instead of because of it.
To start that game with only three attacking players with the quality available was shocking. It's like he was looking for any way to fit in Trippier. Playing Kyle Walker at centre back was insane.
One start for Grealish, I personally think he's your best player, was clear evidence that Southgate hasn't a clue.