Euros 2020 - in 2021

Just got home.. think it’s time to admit Gareth knows best - having the flexibility to change formation like that to completely nullify top quality opposition says it all - we haven’t had a manager willing/able to do that in my lifetime. 

When I saw the lineup I was fuming but let’s face it, he got it spot on - and I doubt we’ll see same again on Saturday. MOTM was Walker for me, what a performance he’s so much better as a RCB - but surely GS will revert to 4 at the back in the Quarters. My only other change would be Grealish in from the start, what a player that boy is.

I was concerned when i saw the team, it did look defensive and we started poorly but we gradually got into the game. I was one questioning before the first game why Sterling was starting but he's been brilliant so far.

We'll never have a better chance of reaching a major final, come on England!

Such relief after that second goal went in.

Anyone else think that not winning the whole thing now would constitute failure?

boltonbonce wrote:Anyone else think that not winning the whole thing now would constitute failure?

Still some good teams in the other half of the draw, we could end up laying Italy. Belgium or Spain if we got to the final and they are teams who can keep the ball and pass better than us. They are the types of teams we've fell short against in the recent past.

Norpig wrote:
Still some good teams in the other half of the draw, we could end up laying Italy. Belgium or Spain if we got to the final and they are teams who can keep the ball and pass better than us. They are the types of teams we've fell short against in the recent past.

France, the best team at the tournament, are out, although I don't know how they contrived to lose against the Swiss, but we won't get an easy ride from what's left. However, Belgium, Italy, and Spain, have looked no better than workmanlike, and I see this as a great opportunity to at least make the final.

Today Southgate is a hero - up to 75 minutes in and all last week we wanted his head. Funny how a couple of goals can change opinions.
I still think our boring slow approach will cost us in the end - and the shame of it with good players parked on the bench.
Still looking forward to Saturday though.

boltonbonce wrote:
France, the best team at the tournament, are out, although I don't know how they contrived to lose against the Swiss, but we won't get an easy ride from what's left. However, Belgium, Italy, and Spain, have looked no better than workmanlike, and I see this as a great opportunity to at least make the final.

Agree Bonce, with the teams on our side we have to get to the final. Could do with a strong performance next game thought, doesn’t feel like we’ve really played well at any point yet.

I'd put us in the workmanlike camp too.

Every nation knows how defensively we set up and if they let us score then there's every chance they'll go out. I don't expect to see (m)any more exciting or high-scoring games and wouldn't be surprised if teams are just happy to take us to penalties from now on.

Ukraine needs to be dealt with in 90 minutes, no extra time nonsense, and if we can't beat them then I'd agree with the tournament having been a failure although nice to have beaten the Germans.

Italy and Spain could go either way. Not much between us and them from what I've seen so far and I wouldn't be surprised if we win or lose against either of them.

I fear Belgium the most. Someone should clatter De Bruyne and E Hazard early on because they clearly aren't fully fit but could cause us so much damage. I'm not convinced we have the nous to deal with either of them and Lukaku no doubt has a point to prove against England.

Semi-finals minimum expectation but it's a crap-shoot from then on.

Another great result!

I'll put the kettle on.

Does anyone else get the feeling that England haven't even got going yet? Have we got another couple of gears?
And if we win the tournament without having to raise it any further then was it just an underwhelming euros?
It's not been scintillating or magic. Sure, we got the results, and I've enjoyed bits of games... But there is something missing. Even tonight's game, 4-0 felt like a friendly for large parts.
Maybe I'm just missing a bit of flair, a bit of Gascoigne or something. 

Or maybe it's because we are coasting. I think if you end up 1-0 down in a match, and grab an equaliser in the 89th min and then win in extra time... You feel like you experienced something special. We are experiencing wins. But more or less expected wins...
I think if you are losing, and come back to win then you feel a massive release and a fire burns in you. But to never concede, play safe, and then score, I end up just feeling a sense of mild relief.

I want some drama.

But I also want us to win.

Biggie wrote:Does anyone else get the feeling that England haven't even got going yet? Have we got another couple of gears?
And if we win the tournament without having to raise it any further then was it just an underwhelming euros?
It's not been scintillating or magic. Sure, we got the results, and I've enjoyed bits of games... But there is something missing. Even tonight's game, 4-0 felt like a friendly for large parts.
Maybe I'm just missing a bit of flair, a bit of Gascoigne or something. 

Or maybe it's because we are coasting. I think if you end up 1-0 down in a match, and grab an equaliser in the 89th min and then win in extra time... You feel like you experienced something special. We are experiencing wins. But more or less expected wins...
I think if you are losing, and come back to win then you feel a massive release and a fire burns in you. But to never concede, play safe, and then score, I end up just feeling a sense of mild relief.

I want some drama.

But I also want us to win.

I tend to agree with you Biggie.
I know we beat the Germans with that really negative line up that Southgate put out, but it wasn't until Grealish came on that we started to create decent chances. When you look at the flare and awesome talent of some of those that couldn't get on the pitch tonight (Foden, Grealish, Rashford, Saka, Calvert Lewin, Bellingham etc) you wonder why we have to play both Phillips and Rice when we are playing Ukraine.
Great teams of the past and present like Brazil, Germany, Spain and France just take teams on and expect to beat them because they have better, more skillful players than than the opposition. For the first time ever I think England could be that good, if only he would take the handbrake off a bit!

Biggie wrote:Does anyone else get the feeling that England haven't even got going yet? Have we got another couple of gears?
And if we win the tournament without having to raise it any further then was it just an underwhelming euros?
It's not been scintillating or magic. Sure, we got the results, and I've enjoyed bits of games... But there is something missing. Even tonight's game, 4-0 felt like a friendly for large parts.
Maybe I'm just missing a bit of flair, a bit of Gascoigne or something. 

Or maybe it's because we are coasting. I think if you end up 1-0 down in a match, and grab an equaliser in the 89th min and then win in extra time... You feel like you experienced something special. We are experiencing wins. But more or less expected wins...
I think if you are losing, and come back to win then you feel a massive release and a fire burns in you. But to never concede, play safe, and then score, I end up just feeling a sense of mild relief.

I want some drama.

But I also want us to win.

Great post, Biggie, and an excellent win for England. Comfortable, controlled and never in doubt for the last 40 minutes, so very little tension or drama. Chance to field some of the other members of the squad and avoid red/yellow cards. Made us all happy and proud. I can understand Gareth's caution in the light of previous experiences. His approach is working and we're all glad.

But on the very same day we experienced what can happen within us when an exuberant attacking approach is given free rein. Raducanu's scintillating, fearless performance had the audience at Wimbledon and at home on our feet every thrilling minute.

God willing, this is a future superstar making us all gasp in wonder at her courage and scintillating strokeplay.

Goosebumps. What a video???????????????????????? #Eng pic.twitter.com/9C8AM5q2vY

— England Fans (@EnglandFansTwi) July 4, 2021

Pickford
Walker Stones Maguire Shaw
Saka Grealish Tripper
Foden
Sterling Lingard

Biggie wrote:Pickford
Walker Stones Maguire Shaw
Saka Grealish Tripper
Foden
Sterling Lingard

Lingard has had a poor tournament - he's gone missing in every game.