Live Match Discussion 2023/24

[Deutsch Wolf]

I think that's harsh on Southgate too.

2018: No expectations at all going into it. Squad contained Cahill (alright in his time but ancient and done by then), Rose, Dier, Jones, Young, Delph, Lingard and Welbeck. Hardly squandering superb talent there and Croatia were at the peak of that cycle

2021: A shoot out away, what can you do

2022: Even match against the best team in the world, shocking penalty miss by our best player who you'd put your house on, not sure what else he could have done

He's been easily the best England manager since Alf Ramsey and he finished almost 50 years ago.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

i think when you lay out your philosophy in the way he did, you open yourself up to criticism. By picking Maguire he's exposing him to ridicule, I agree with whoever said it's not fair on him and I respect Maguire for turning up, but he shouldn't be there and there's only one man that's on.

As for the broader Southgate discussion, I'm repeating myself but I think he's the reason we go so far in tournaments and also the reason we don't win them.

The statement about picking players on merit was from when he first got the job wasn't it? 7 years ago? Is he not allowed to change the way he wants to do things?

(I'm not aiming this at you TT, England fans generally)

I absolutely understand why GS gets criticism about Maguire though, but it's a bit tired for fans to still throw that quote at him (if it was as long ago as I remember?)

 

[Tony Towner]

2018 and 2021 he was out coached, both teams made tactical changes he didn't react to. 2022 is fair

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

If we're sticking to English/British* coaches:

Would I choose any of Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, Steve Cooper or Lee Carsley* to manage us at Euro 2024 ahead of Southgate? No I would not and I can't think of anyone else even close to suitable and/or possibly willing.

I wouldn't particularly want Gareth Southgate in charge of Wolves as it's a very different brief but I think he's a very good international manager.


*I know Carsley played for Ireland but let's get real here

 

[Tony Towner]

The statement about picking players on merit was from when he first got the job wasn't it? 7 years ago? Is he not allowed to change the way he wants to do things?

(I'm not aiming this at you TT, England fans generally)

I absolutely understand why GS gets criticism about Maguire though, but it's a bit tired for fans to still throw that quote at him (if it was as long ago as I remember?)

I don't agree, I don't see why it's a philosophy which wears with age.

Moving away from Maguire, there's not a coherent reason why Kalvin Phillips is in that squad, he rarely even gets mop up duty at City. On form JWP deserved the call up. I didn't think he was bad tonight and his booking was very harsh, but he's not being picked on merit

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I don't see the value in picking JWP, it's not sports day.

You know he's too slow and too much of a liability defensively so why even bother.

 

[Tony Towner]

I agree in the broader sense, but he's had a decent start to his West Ham career as opposed to someone who rarely gets off the bench for City and doesn't play as a rotational player like Foden. Don't claim you are running a meritocracy if you don't intend on delivering on your word. If not JWP then Curtis Jones

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Unless the meritocracy is based on how they perform for England?

 

[Jinky]

OR, he could just pick the best players for the positions?

I have no issue with him picking Kalvin Phillips because he's obviously a very good footballer, probably the best in the type of role we play him in an England shirt. And whether he's getting many games at City or not, he's still being coached daily by one of the best in the world.

Maguire is neither the best in his position, or in any kind of form. His confidence is completely and utterly shot, and putting him on in that atmosphere last night was just a ridiculous decision. He's been a good servant for England over the last few years but you can't keep picking him based on that when all the evidence in front of you is he's no longer good enough. Coady is a top bloke and was clearly liked by the camp, but he's also quite rightly been phased out.

 

[Templeton Peck]

2018 and 2021 he was out coached, both teams made tactical changes he didn't react to. 2022 is fair

I think 2018 we had a shit squad on the whole so he gets a pass from me. Everyone would have ripped your arm off for a semi final spot that year.

21 he was beaten at home by a bang average Italy side after scoring on 2 minutes. Poor.

 

[Wolftone]

I think 2018 we had a shit squad on the whole so he gets a pass from me. Everyone would have ripped your arm off for a semi final spot that year.

21 he was beaten at home by a bang average Italy side after scoring on 2 minutes. Poor.

Thought we were naive in that game, Italy constantly fouled in the middle of the pitch and broke the play up whereas we waited until their players were in dangerous areas.
We weren't helped by the officials either.
Think they committed twice as many fouls and got half the bookings or something like that.
History now anyway.

 

[Lupo]

Thought we were naive in that game, Italy constantly fouled in the middle of the pitch and broke the play up whereas we waited until their players were in dangerous areas.
We weren't helped by the officials either.
Think they committed twice as many fouls and got half the bookings or something like that.
History now anyway.

Barely touched him

 

[Alan]

I think 2018 we had a shit squad on the whole so he gets a pass from me. Everyone would have ripped your arm off for a semi final spot that year.

21 he was beaten at home by a bang average Italy side after scoring on 2 minutes. Poor.

I get that it's all relative but that side wasn't shit. Not even in the same neighborhood. A bit uninspiring in midfield perhaps.

 

[Templeton Peck]

I get that it's all relative but that side wasn't shit. Not even in the same neighborhood. A bit uninspiring in midfield perhaps.

Rose
Dier
Lingard
Welbeck
Cahill
Jones
Delph
Young
Loftus-Cheek

Not the sexiest squad we've ever had. He did a great job changing the system and dragging us to the semi.

 

[Alan]

Rose
Dier
Lingard
Welbeck
Cahill
Jones
Delph
Young
Loftus-Cheek

Not the sexiest squad we've ever had. He did a great job changing the system and dragging us to the semi.

Far from the best England have put out in recent years, I can't deny that.

 

[Templeton Peck]

Far from the best England have put out in recent years, I can't deny that.

We had the 'golden generation' but some of them were crap when the chips were down and there was always a couple of dodgy positions. In terms of talent and depth this is the best group of English players in my 47 years.

 

[North Shropshire Lad]

Coupled with many of the other ‘major’ nations being weaker than they have often been in years gone by.

 

[Jack Regan]

Watching Southampton v Leicester which is highly entertaining from a completely farcical standpoint. Where both teams are more of a threat to themselves in their own third of the pitch with the ball than the opposition.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Russell Martin's ego is ridiculous. Continually plays as if he has the greatest footballers in history available to him. Such a stupid wanker.

 

[YoungWolf]

Russell Martin's ego is ridiculous. Continually plays as if he has the greatest footballers in history available to him. Such a stupid wanker.

It’s quite strange too as he’s never actually had a season where he’s really achieved anything. Keeps getting a job before that (if it were to even happen, probably not).