Re: 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 

Agreed - I thought that Croatia deserved to win, as they played more attacking/aggressive football and seemed to have more "go" in the second half/extra time, and all through the competition England (mostly) seemed to lack the killer instinct in the box (often dawdling/passing instead of shooting for goal), but hopefully experience will bring that.

I still think they did well to be the third English team to get to the semi-finals in 68 years, and the second in the last 52 years, and the first in the last 28 years.

Re: 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 

People can obviously have their opinion and I'll have mine. Getting to the semi finals, brilliant. But we were shocking from the start. Struggled against Tunisa and got beat of Belgium. Colombia was a hard game for the tactics they used and while we beat Sweden, it didn't really look convincing. They aren't hero's and they really didn't do anyone proud. Played 6, lost 2 and kept messing about in their own half passing back to the keeper only for us to kick it forward and lose the ball or it end up going out of play or getting into difficulty by messing about near our own box. I'm not saying there wasn't any positives but it just didn't seem good enough.

Re: 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 

Thus why I posted both opinions on the matter and it is justified. Whilst it was great for the country and a rare occasion it wasn't as impressive as its being made out to be and people are trying their utmost to disguise England's second half performance as anything other than absolutely collapsing and bottling the game.

I'll still credit Southgate but I've never backed him. This team is actually capable, again numerous times I've pointed that out (feel like that has to be said because I've slated them relentlessly in the past) Arsene Wenger is the logical choice here if he can be persuaded. Sadly its more likely Southgate will be backed because the FA are all too happy to see this as an over achievement. Which it will be coming into the tournament blind with no idea who you'd play in the knockouts. If you're coming in with the guaranteed fixtures we had then you'd expect nothing less than the final and because of the teams we had, I struggle to class it as an over achievement. I'm still lost in what absolutely should have been England's first final since 66. I also can't see England getting 'better' Southgate knows they're not playing to their full ability but I can't imagine him getting that from them. With the timing too it's really now or never for someone like Wenger to step in. Given the split of the fans, it would be an impossible choice to make.

Re: 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 

Southgate really talks the big talk, doesn't quite happen that way on the field though.

Re: 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 

So you think we should get rid of him then?.

Re: 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 

Pretty much, can't think of a game where we've beaten decent opposition and looked good over the last year. He's being protected by a semi final finish against mediocre opposition. England were crap under Hodgson but they applauded a draw and knockout on penalties to Italy. Which in turn led to a horrendous world cup and an even worse Euros. Just can't be bothered to watch a repeat. At the same time, our squad is one of the worst I've seen in my lifetime.

But I've slated Southgate from the get go, so there's bias. His one key moment as a football manager being relegating Middlesbrough. I'm just not convinced.

Again though, it's all on opinions. Those that think we done well and those that are calling it a run against mediocre opposition that we should've pounced on. I'd rather sit on the middle of it and call it both ways.

Re: 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 

+1

You can add to that the embarrassment that is kane.

No way captain material, anonymous the last few games and cringeworthy when being interviewed.

And to think he might get the golden boot for slotting in penalties makes that award worthless.:rolleyes:

Re: 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 

So who would you both suggest as the new manager?.

Re: 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 

Yep. It seems harsh to say but how can you avoid the truth of it, he was diabolical when it mattered most. He had such a chance too and absolutely blew it. Sterling is another, the same pundits protecting him throughout were nowhere to be found after Croatia. An absolute repeat of Rooney in 2016, who I praised up until he pulled an amazing magical trick of vanishing

---------- Post added at 16:04 ---------- Previous post was at 16:02 ----------

Arsene Wenger or bust.

There's not really much point in swapping out a manager if nothing better is available. I mean we've ended up going from Capello to Southgate with a Hodgson and Allardyce in between doing that. We need someone that will bring out the best in players, especially Sterling who has a return of 2 in 42, yet 18 in 38 for Guardiola, with 11 assists to boot.

---------- Post added at 16:53 ---------- Previous post was at 16:04 ----------

Belgium really deserved more. Had they took second and had our run they'd undoubtedly be in the final.

Re: 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 

There will be outrage from the press if they hired Wenger now. He would become the most hatred man in Britain. Leaving aside the fact Southgate is popular there is a small, but loud, part of the British press who clearly despise foreign managers. You know the ones, the ones who praise Allardyce but hate Benitez.

---------- Post added at 19:57 ---------- Previous post was at 19:48 ----------

Also for all my scepticism around this tournament there isn't much cause to reason to fire Southgate. He has done well enough to handle Euro 2020 IMO.

Re: 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 

I think it would be wrong to get rid of Southgate, he has done well with the squad, okay what he needs it a pair of creative midfielders as Alli is good yes but not very creative just runs at the defenders and tries to pass the ball to the strikers both of whom are lame ducks and yes as Julian has said wrong player for captain, main striker, everything really and yes for him to get a golden boot for mainly penalties and 1 goal that shouldn't have been his as he didnt do anything to score it.

Re: 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 

Clear hand to ball IMHO.

Re: 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 

Another poor decision for the penalty just awarded to France..:td:

Re: 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 

There was obvious hand towards ball movement from Perisic, harsh but it stopped the ball going past him.

Re: 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 

Sorry Jim but on this one l absolutely disagree with you as Perisic's hand was not really in an unnatural position and was a very close distance from the header as it has to be clear and obvious without any doubt..