The Round of 16

[ElDiablo]

Southgate has negotiated the tournament well overall so far. But we've also played 4 teams worse than us.

 

Huge test against France, we'll need to be tactically spot on and he may need to adjust things quickly in game. Things he's rightly been criticised for lacking/not doing against Croatia and Italy when it matters. 

[The Prophet]

It's not mentioned on here, but there is of course the "woke" angle. Southgate had the audacity to comment on the absolute state of British society, as well as not condemning his players as far left Marxists when they chose to take the knee. That didn't go down well in culture war UK.

 

 

Edited December 4, 2022 by The Prophet

[Disco]

9 minutes ago, The Prophet said:

 

It's bizarre. We've cruised into the WC QF without breaking sweat and people are still getting stuck into him.

 

There are far better coaches and tacticians out there, but it's like people can't separate that from what he's actually achieved over the last few years.

I don’t get it especially as a lot is from the don’t care if we win or lose anyway mate brigade.
 

I think it’s the notion that FA’s are being begged by CL coaches to take control of national teams that bugs me most. They’re really not and even if they were they’d struggle to pay the going rate. The next England manager will be underwhelming as fuck. I can only think of Luis Enrique, off the top of my head, who isn’t washed or internationalised who is still in the WC and who might probably be in the frame a top club job.  

 

England are actually likeable; that he’s managed to do that is achievement enough IMO never mind being a latter stage regular. 

[Yorkie]

That was great. Love how efficient and likeable this England set-up is.

 

Punt: winner of our QF wins the tournament.

[McDog]

7 minutes ago, The Prophet said:

It's not mentioned on here, but there is of course the "woke" angle. Southgate had the audacity to comment on the absolute state of British society, as well as not condemning his players as far left Marxists when they chose to take the knee. That didn't go down well in culture war UK.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's interesting. Where is that quote?

[Disco]

2 minutes ago, Yorkie said:

That was great. Love how efficient and likeable this England set-up is.

 

Punt: winner of our QF wins the tournament.

Still think it’s Brazil’s to lose but will the Pele distraction/added pressure lead to a hilarious blow up. You’d hate absolutely fucking love to see it. 
 

That all the teams have flaws and match winners on their day is perfect. Turning out to be a great tournament. 

[The Prophet]

5 minutes ago, McDog said:

 

 

 

That's interesting. Where is that quote?

 

Going this after a quick Google, regarding the second societal stuff:

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punditarena.com/football/hugh-farrell/gareth-southgate-pitch-invasions-bigger-issue/%3famp

 

[Mazzy]

Is this French team the best team Southgate has had to face in his entire England career? I think it just well may be. Whatever happens its going to be an interesting game and hopefully an exciting one. 

[Rafalove]

What’s going on. England fans are changing the its coming home song/meme suffixed with “free palestine”.

 

 

What happened to racially abusing black players and shooting fireworks out of our arses? That was less than two years ago.

 

 

 

[McDog]

18 minutes ago, The Prophet said:

It's not mentioned on here, but there is of course the "woke" angle. Southgate had the audacity to comment on the absolute state of British society, as well as not condemning his players as far left Marxists when they chose to take the knee. That didn't go down well in culture war UK.

 

 

 

 

Might have went straight over my head as I do not live in England and very likely do not understand the nuanced politics but I must have missed where he said anything negative other than pitch invasions are a sign of greater problems. 

His quote:
“We have to look at what we’re doing in terms of parenting. What are the expectations?"

 

Applies to the USA too.

[The Prophet]

Just now, McDog said:

 

Might have went straight over my head as I do not live in England and very likely do not understand the nuanced politics but I must have missed where he said anything negative other than pitch invasions are a sign of greater problems. 

His quote:
“We have to look at what we’re doing in terms of parenting. What are the expectations?"

 

Applies to the USA too.

 

He's mentioned it more then once. He's a very perceptive chap and his perfectly objective, reasonable observations have been twisted by angry bad faith actors, as is the way these days.

[Kasper]

11 minutes ago, Mazzy said:

Is this French team the best team Southgate has had to face in his entire England career? I think it just well may be. Whatever happens its going to be an interesting game and hopefully an exciting one. 

Maybe if they were all fit. Half on the best 11 is missing. It’s doable for you.

[gbandit]

Basically the frothers won’t settle for anything less than the following from Southgate:

 

1) He says politics needs to stay out of football and puts a total stop any mention of discrimination 

 

2) He commands the team to both not take the knee but also denounce it

 

 

[McDog]

14 minutes ago, gbandit said:

Basically the frothers won’t settle for anything less than the following from Southgate:

 

1) He says politics needs to stay out of football and puts a total stop any mention of discrimination 

 

2) He commands the team to both not take the knee but also denounce it

 

 

 

 

Not super clued in. I didn't see that in the Prophet's posted story.  I guess I missed the quote from him on number 2. My personal view I don't find it actually binds people together as it's simply a gesture. I'd prefer actual action, ala deeds to cement that thought, which I agree with.

 

I missed the meaning of your post me thinks. I now see you say some segment of the public demands that.

 

 

Edited December 5, 2022 by McDog

[Nobody]

23 minutes ago, Kasper said:

Maybe if they were all fit. Half on the best 11 is missing. It’s doable for you.

Their team is still arguably the best team at the WC. Just having Mbappe there makes them one of the best sides in the world, he is utterly ridiculous how good he is. 

[Kasper]

1 minute ago, Nobody said:

Their team is still arguably the best team at the WC. Just having Mbappe there makes them one of the best sides in the world, he is utterly ridiculous how good he is. 

True. Still think it’s gonna be super close even though on paper maybe France is favourites. I’d maybe even bet for England but can’t really rationalize why. Just a feeling.

[Jaqen]

Think France actually look more well balanced with Giroud than Benzema. The three behind just seem to function better playing off him. 

 

Kante is a big miss but he's been fairly terrible or looked unfit the last year or so anyway. 

[Disco]

4 hours ago, Disco said:

Ref has been absolutely superb.

31 n all. Not sure if there’s a couple from Central America or it’s just him but they’ve been noticeable that they’re less keen to get the cards out and don’t put with much shit. Total mirror of the national teams round there having a love of physicality and aggression. 

[Kanj]

2 hours ago, Nobody said:

I didn't mean in terms of quality, because they are one of the best sides in the world there. Just that they've had a horrendous run in the tournaments lately.

It stands out so much because it's Germany as well mind, we're so used to them just being a well oiled machine and beating countries with ease, especially after they were so good in Brazil. 

they have quality, but like Belgium, look disjointed and lost, no direction and the players don't have an ounce of passion for the shirt. 

[Kanj]

Think England will win 3-2.

[rgk_lfc]

4 hours ago, The Prophet said:

Senegal gave a good account of themselves until they conceded. After the goal they just folded and we were ruthless enough to run out comfortable winners. Bellingham was the best player on the park by a comfortable margin.

 

I think we can can beat France, but it'll require an off day from their forwards. If they misfire their defence looks vulnerable. I say misfire because as good a job as Southgate has done, he isn't innovative enough, nor has the players at his disposal to contain them.

 

I think England can beat France. Mbappe is the x factor in attack. If he does not click or is contained, I think the English midfield and defense can handle Giroud, Dembele, and Griezmann.

 

My guess is Southgate will play the Henderson, Rice, and Bellingham midfield which was very effective today. Henderson or Rice will be asked to help out Walker against MBappe.

 

The midfield battle will be important. Bellingham, Rice, Henderson vs Tchouameni, Rabiot, Griezmann will be very interesting to watch. 

[Kanj]

Bellingham v Tchouameni, sheesh what a match up. 

[midds]

The key will be how Maguire and Stones handle M'bappe once Giroud goes off. He'll move from the left and play through the middle you'd imagine. If he runs at them late in the game... 

 

If I was Deschamps then I'd be tempted to even start M'bappe centrally and put Coman out wide of something like that. The options he has are ridiculous, they'll rightly start as favourites. 

[St1pe]

I don’t think the French are unbeatable but Mbappe is hitting the type of form and scoring the type of goals that the top 1% of players reach. 
 

We’ve got to play to our strengths and the game changed for us when we stopped trying to pass it out from the back with players like Maguire. Unlike Dixon who was droning on like a dinosaur in commentary I’d prefer if we were that type of side but we haven’t got the personnel for it.

 

 

[TheBrownBottle]

7 hours ago, gbandit said:

Basically the frothers won’t settle for anything less than the following from Southgate:

 

1) He says politics needs to stay out of football and puts a total stop any mention of discrimination 

 

2) He commands the team to both not take the knee but also denounce it

 

 

I think he is a decent man, and he’s correct on everything he’s said in relation to discrimination, and politics and sport absolutely do mix.

 

I just think he’s a utterly mediocre manager who has a group of players who could play much nicer football.  I also think England have beat who they should beat and down nowt against sides where the odds are more even.  In all three knockout games he’s won his team we’re comfortable favourites.  
 

If England beat France I’m perfectly comfortable with saying he’s got them performing above where they might be expected to be I.e. he’s earning his crust as a manager.  
 

You know, like what we do with NUFC managers.  Bruce kept Newcastle up playing shit football and an average group of players.  Howe has many of the same players playing out of their skin now.  We don’t give Bruce credit for basically doing the same thing - though Southgate is clearly a far more decent man (which helps).