Euro 2024 - Inc Southgate resignation

[Phall Throw]

"We seem to have an England v Bosnia thread but not an actual Euro 2024 thread so here it is So, do we realistically think England can win it? On paper we obviously have a very talented squad but I just don't see us going all the way. For me it's ""same old"" when it comes to England. Breeze the group, favourable draw in last 16 and win then up against far superior opposition in the QFs and out. At best I can see us at the SF stage before being beaten again. Winners for me: France, Portugal, Spain Dark horses: Germany - even though it's a home tournament they've been in a consolidation period, could go close Biggest flops: Scotland - no goals scored Top goalscorer: Mbappe I'm just hoping it's a decent tournament with plenty of decent games that's not ruined by VAR (are they using it?) consolidation period but could go close"

[Lee Trundle]

"""A penalty all day long."" .... if you decide to ignore the blatant handball, of course, unless there's a different law for that?"

[SurfaceAgentX2Zero]

"Manuel 1:49 Thu Jul 11 ' the defender only had one course off action to take,' Not really. He could have removed the small pistol he had previously concealed in his waistband and shot Kane through the heart. Of course, like the high, studs-up assault he did chose to make, it's against the laws of the game. A penalty all day long. Everyone agrees it was a foul but some are pretending there a different laws in the penalty area (whilst bemoaning this happening on other occassions)"

[goose]

"Never a penalty a million years which is why no England players appealed and everyone who has ever played the game said 'it's never a pen'. The fella is trying to block a shot, Kane's follow through hits the guys foot."

[Lee Trundle]

"Dunno if it's already been mentioned, but if VAR were doing their job correctly then they would have given a freekick to the Netherlands as Saka blatantly handballed it to Kane just before his shot. VAR is a load of shit. Always was, always will be."

[Manuel]

"By memory due to the players close proximity to Kane and the position of the ball the defender only had one course off action to take, and very quickly, to try to defend the ball, had he not done what he did he would have had to back off and allow Kane a free kick and that won't do, some are of the opinion that Kane himself kicked through the ball into the defenders boot. It wasn't a clear pen, if one at all, by any stretch of the imagination, no matter what some expert on here may tell you, it was a subjective call by some bloke in a box somewhere. I don't think any England players appealed, which says a lot."

[BillyJenningsBoots]

"I dont think the pitch helped Rice early on with his slip, but a definite mistake led to their goal but otherwise I tjought he was more positive with more passes forward and the odd driving run, contributed more than Kane. On the penalty... I dont know why people have a problem with it. It was a dangerous/reckless challenge, you cant just stick your studs up when defending a shot at close range like that, could've caused serious injury. That happens anywhere else on the pitch and the ref blows for a free kick.. so definitely a pen!"

[bruuuno]

"I thought that was the best performance I’ve seen since euro 96. The whole nation was screaming for those subs from 60 minutes but well done G dog for finally making them. Got to start Watkins. I think rice lacks the big match mentality. FFS he needs to stop passing the ball backwards it’s infuriating and seems like he does it out of fear. There were glimpses of what he can do especially near the end but he needs to play with less fear. I spent yesterday at lords prior to the game, what a day to be remembered"

[Takashi Miike]

"I think he's been given a specific job of protecting the back four, which I think he's done perfectly bar the fuck up last night. he's also unselfishly providing the license for mainoo to push forward, the dutch couldn't get near him and foden in the first half. declan also pressed really well late on in the game. I also have to praise pickford who was solid again"

[Manuel]

"Russ - Yea we could be here all day discussing it, of course he offers something or he wouldn't be playing and agree his positioning is good, but he should be doing more going forward starting attacks, if you watch France Kante gets forward a lot more than Rice and that's playing for Deschamps. Nobody is talking about Rice and don't think that's a good thing. Anyway, he plays Sunday so let's hope he is on his game as he will need to be."

[Russ of the BML]

"Manuel 11:47 Thu Jul 11 I agree that his distribution has been below standard. But I do have to say his positioning is absolutely unreal. Especially when we defend a cross or clear one out. He is always in the right position to pick it up preventing the opponent getting the second ball. Also, when our attack runs out of space he is always there to offer an option. He then turns out and starts something up again. I get that its not pretty. And its probably not how he wants to play. He wants to bursting forward with the ball more and getting into more scoring positions. But its a bit like an 8 in Rugby Union who picks the ball up out of the ruck and recycles it. I suppose its difficult for Rice to shine in a team with Foden and Bellingham. But like Kante for France I do think he is instrumental in making us tick. Not sure if I am talking bollocks or not but that's how I see it."

[Russ of the BML]

"Brilliant performance and result. The first 35 mins was the way that we all knew that this squad could play. We were dynamic, slick and moved the ball positively and quickly through the lines. Koeman was brave. Sacrificing your best striker and talisman to bulk out the midfield wasn't pretty but it was that or they get slaughtered. Although, he technically smothered the game I think you still have to credit him for doing something to keep them in it. It made for a less attractive second half unfortunately but it is what it is. But fair play to Southgate for setting them up to go and win a game. And for making the right subs and showing some bollocks in removing Kane (even thought it was about 15 mins too late). Fair play to the players who have finally got themselves into some sort of tournament mode and look like the team they should be. England v Spain is a mouth-watering final as they are both teams that instinctively attack. Spain will have seen what England can do if given the space. So that will be something their coach will be scratching his head about and looking at their balance between attack and defence. Om a final note, I have to say that Kane is a real worry. He is literally labouring. There have been numerous times now this tournament where you can literally see him watch the boys get round the back and he just jogs into the area. He isn't making any runs for the midfield to pick out. I would go so far to say he is hiding an injury. No doubt, Southgate must be aware and is harbouring him. It's just so obvious now. Watkins comes on and makes himself busy and it all changes. Palmer got that ball and Watkins absolutely busted a gut to make that run into the space and the rest is history. I can actually say I can't recall Kane doing that one all tournament. I fear we have a 'Ronaldo' type situation. Too big to drop. I know that Southgate is unlikely to drop him now from a major final. But, he seriously needs to consider removing him at half time if he is playing the same way."

[fraser]

"Had to laugh last night when that cսnt twoleftfeet who thinks he's the best fan ever came on here to post a stupid smiley emoji when Rice fucked up, when most of us were gutted cause we conceded"

[oioi]

RAMSEY!!!

[fraser]

"Rice was poor last night but I thought he was our best player against the Swiss. Before last night he had the fourth most tackles, fourth most recoveries and had run the furthest in the tournament"

[oioi]

violator 11:46 Thu Jul 11 Greaves had been injured but was fit for the final. Greenwood decided to stick with Hurst.

[Sydney_Iron]

"Stats from another football site i visit, but apart from that it's all my own work, can't you tell? LOL"

[Manuel]

"Lee - No doubt some will blame Southgate for his non performances, nobody wants him dropped either, like I say I genuinely think people just forget about him. He owes his mates a performance on Sunday, but I doubt we will see it."

[Manuel]

"Lee - No doubt some will blame Southgate for his non performances, nobody wants him dropped either, like I say I genuinely think people just forget about him. He owes his mates a performance on Sunday, but I doubt we will see it."

[Manuel]

Sydney - Where did you c&p that from?

[Lee Trundle]

"Manuel 11:47 Thu Jul 11 Rice has been proper shit, I think. It's not as if he's having to do anything extra, apart from being the water carrier, either."

[Sydney_Iron]

"Should not have been a pen IMO, but fuck it we have had enough go against us and bad luck over the years, nice to get one going our way for a change or have we forgotten........... Campbell's disallowed goals in 1998 and 2004, Rooney sent off in 2006 when he had nowhere to land his foot. Ronaldinho fluke goal in 2002, Gascoigne being a toenail away from the winning goal in 1996, Phil Neville needlessly hacking down a Romanian player in 2000 to give away a penalty, Hand of God in 1986 And lets not Forget Beckham and that joke of a sending off against the Argies...."

[Manuel]

"I note Mr sideways Rice has been getting a pass on here, and in the media, more so because people simply forget about him, contributed next to fuck all apart from pointing, although he got an assist for their goal to be fair."

[violator]

"Sydney_Iron 10:06 Thu Jul 11 I think Greaves was injured, not dropped"

[onsideman]

"cholo 10:49 Thu Jul 11 That was the kind of penalty that Kane used to get in the Premier League, so you're conditioned to thinking it might have been. Never a penalty in a million years. Both feet were at the same height so if the defender's foot is high, so is Kane's. Sure Kane got the ball, but he kicked the defender on his follow through. Not the other way around. The defender was just trying to block the shot I'd have been fuming if it was given against us"

[Manuel]

"Faux - Lol, I'm moaning because I'm calling you out for your bollocks. As for me contributing nothing, pretty poor that you have resorted to lying, particularly as you often reference what I post you silly cսnt."