Gareth Southgate

[Copps is Magic]

Saka man of the match for me, both attacking and defensively.

Just seen these stats on twitter, honourable mention for Rice...

Rice vs Switzerland
107 touches
98.9% pass accuracy
92/93 passes completed
34 passes into the final third
5/7 duels won

[DonnyNoel]

Just about the easiest penalty shoot out experience I've ever had with club or country .

I figured when it went to penalties we'd probably get through based on playing like pre programmed robots it would come in mightily handy .

There's no much emotion in this team which may well have been our undoing over the years .

It's a hard watch , pretty difficult , about as exciting as going bird watching with Keir Starmer .

Thing is the fact it's so unEngland like is why we might win the bloody thing .

It's absolutely how the rubgy lot did it in 2003. Accept we're the best if we grind it out and ignore all criticism that tries to get us to divert from those tactics.

[Red wizard]

It's not luck but somehow doing the bare minimum of attacking play, but also being very wasteful when getting into decent positions. Saka scored with the one decent contact he had all game, although he was more positive, his deliveries were woeful. Bellingham did bugger all again.

At best, you could say we were disciplined  but it's the same formula of refusing to do the obvious with subs until we're forced to.

We were marginally better than previous games but there's so much more we could do better.

Knockout football plays a massive part mentally to players. We know how good we are without the ball so we think we only have to score one the don't take silly risks. Next thing we ate defending deeper and are happy to defend. We are improving though so that's the main thing. Let's see who we get and keep believing.

[Filo]

Much much better performance, still baffling that Trippier played on the left though, but shaw got some valuable minutes in him and provided us with better balance, even though he played in a back three, watching Holland v Turkey, at the moment Foden and Bellingham will get a lot more space to do their thing than they did today against a well organised Swiss team

[Branton Red]

Not great to watch are they? And that's an understatement.

Given the quality of the players that's only forgivable if they win the tournament. Which they're still on track to do.

First serious shot on target (the goal) took 80 minutes arriving. Last game 95 minutes.

Southgate set the team up differently to match up against the Swiss formation to keep them/the game quiet. It worked. But my it was dull!

[IDM]

In all honesty, I thought their goal was lucky, it's gone through Konsa's legs and Stones is a nats cock away from getting a decent touch on it. The defense up until that point were virtually faultless. Our defense is so impressive, Konsa replaced Geuhi to the same standard.

Agree mostly, but you could also argue Stones was equally as close to scoring an OG.

[IDM]

Netherlands vs Turkey very open.  I can’t see Turkey playing any other way.  Hope they win.!

[Pancho Regan]

A good performance tonight and we certainly deserved the victory.
Our best game of the tournament so far and it would have been very unfair if we’d lost that.

Don’t forget that Switzerland are no mugs and have had some excellent results so far. Their goal was fortunate - Stones’ toe played it right into the path of their player and he couldn’t miss.

I love Saka. Every time he gets that ball and starts to cut inside, I feel there’s a goal coming. He is England’s version of Molly.

And the guts he showed to step up and score his penalty - echoes of Stuart Pierce.

So Saka is my MOTM but Declan Rice is a very close second.
Rice is my player of the tournament for England so far.

[IDM]

Really impressed with Saka.  I was gutted for him in the last final, and the abuse he got afterwards was disgraceful and disgusting.  He’s a great player and a fantastic lad.

[Pancho Regan]

I’m very chuffed for Dickos and Silent Majority

[drfcdrfc]

A good performance tonight and we certainly deserved the victory.
Our best game of the tournament so far and it would have been very unfair if we’d lost that.

Don’t forget that Switzerland are no mugs and have had some excellent results so far. Their goal was fortunate - Stones’ toe played it right into the path of their player and he couldn’t miss.

I love Saka. Every time he gets that ball and starts to cut inside, I feel there’s a goal coming. He is England’s version of Molly.

And the guts he showed to step up and score his penalty - echoes of Stuart Pierce.

So Saka is my MOTM but Declan Rice is a very close second.
Rice is my player of the tournament for England so far.

Completely agree, Rice has very quietely been outstanding.

[DRFC_AjA]

Not great to watch are they? And that's an understatement.

Given the quality of the players that's only forgivable if they win the tournament. Which they're still on track to do.

First serious shot on target (the goal) took 80 minutes arriving. Last game 95 minutes.

Southgate set the team up differently to match up against the Swiss formation to keep them/the game quiet. It worked. But my it was dull!

Why does it matter? Why do you feel like you have to be entertained every game? Why does it matter to the pundits (all of whom failed miserably at international level), why does it matter to the media (who've never kicked a ball and who leak our team)....WHY??? Who cares about entertaining football it's about WINNING. What is this mad obsession England fans have it's comical

[Branton Red]

Not great to watch are they? And that's an understatement.

Given the quality of the players that's only forgivable if they win the tournament. Which they're still on track to do.

First serious shot on target (the goal) took 80 minutes arriving. Last game 95 minutes.

Southgate set the team up differently to match up against the Swiss formation to keep them/the game quiet. It worked. But my it was dull!

Why does it matter? Why do you feel like you have to be entertained every game? Why does it matter to the pundits (all of whom failed miserably at international level), why does it matter to the media (who've never kicked a ball and who leak our team)....WHY??? Who cares about entertaining football it's about WINNING. What is this mad obsession England fans have it's comical

If all you're interested in is WINNING why do you bother watching football - the greatest sport (IMO) on the planet.

Why not find out who the champion pub dominoes player is in your area and go and watch/support them in your free time instead???

Oh and I'd be delighted if England win the Euro's regardless - that goes without saying. But sorry they're not great to watch.

[Campsall rover]

Not great to watch are they? And that's an understatement.

Given the quality of the players that's only forgivable if they win the tournament. Which they're still on track to do.

First serious shot on target (the goal) took 80 minutes arriving. Last game 95 minutes.

Southgate set the team up differently to match up against the Swiss formation to keep them/the game quiet. It worked. But my it was dull!

Why does it matter? Why do you feel like you have to be entertained every game? Why does it matter to the pundits (all of whom failed miserably at international level), why does it matter to the media (who've never kicked a ball and who leak our team)....WHY??? Who cares about entertaining football it's about WINNING. What is this mad obsession England fans have it's comical

I thought watching a football match was supposed to be entertaining.
Do you go to the cinema, theatre, concert, etc to bored.
Well football is also supposed to be part of the entertainment industry isn’t it?  Well at least that’s what I always believed.
Thanks for enlightening me.
Next match I watch that’s boring I will now know that’s what it’s supposed to be. 

[DRFC_AjA]

Not great to watch are they? And that's an understatement.

Given the quality of the players that's only forgivable if they win the tournament. Which they're still on track to do.

First serious shot on target (the goal) took 80 minutes arriving. Last game 95 minutes.

Southgate set the team up differently to match up against the Swiss formation to keep them/the game quiet. It worked. But my it was dull!

Why does it matter? Why do you feel like you have to be entertained every game? Why does it matter to the pundits (all of whom failed miserably at international level), why does it matter to the media (who've never kicked a ball and who leak our team)....WHY??? Who cares about entertaining football it's about WINNING. What is this mad obsession England fans have it's comical

I thought watching a football match was supposed to be entertaining.
Do you go to the cinema, theatre, concert, etc to bored.
Well football is also supposed to be part of the entertainment industry isn’t it?  Well at least that’s what I always believed.
Thanks for enlightening me.
Next match I watch that’s boring I will now know that’s what it’s supposed to be.

Sorry but you're talking utter nonsense trying to equate any of those things above, and also watching rovers, with international football tournaments. Yes I hate to break it to you international football tournaments are about winning the tournament.

[ncRover]

Saka is world class.

[Campsall rover]

Not great to watch are they? And that's an understatement.

Given the quality of the players that's only forgivable if they win the tournament. Which they're still on track to do.

First serious shot on target (the goal) took 80 minutes arriving. Last game 95 minutes.

Southgate set the team up differently to match up against the Swiss formation to keep them/the game quiet. It worked. But my it was dull!

Why does it matter? Why do you feel like you have to be entertained every game? Why does it matter to the pundits (all of whom failed miserably at international level), why does it matter to the media (who've never kicked a ball and who leak our team)....WHY??? Who cares about entertaining football it's about WINNING. What is this mad obsession England fans have it's comical

I thought watching a football match was supposed to be entertaining.
Do you go to the cinema, theatre, concert, etc to bored.
Well football is also supposed to be part of the entertainment industry isn’t it?  Well at least that’s what I always believed.
Thanks for enlightening me.
Next match I watch that’s boring I will now know that’s what it’s supposed to be.

Sorry but you're talking utter nonsense trying to equate any of those things above, and also watching rovers, with international football tournaments. Yes I hate to break it to you international football tournaments are about winning the tournament.

So football league games are supposed to be entertaining but international matches are not. They are only about winning.
Well blow me down, you know I always thought EFL teams were trying to win league games so they could get promoted.
You’re the one talking utter nonsense it seems. 

[drfchound]

The Swiss were very well organised, no,argument there.
However as good a set of players as they are they were also under orders to stop us playing and regularly had all their players behind the ball.
At international level that is very hard to break down.

[IDM]

Not great to watch are they? And that's an understatement.

Given the quality of the players that's only forgivable if they win the tournament. Which they're still on track to do.

First serious shot on target (the goal) took 80 minutes arriving. Last game 95 minutes.

Southgate set the team up differently to match up against the Swiss formation to keep them/the game quiet. It worked. But my it was dull!

Why does it matter? Why do you feel like you have to be entertained every game? Why does it matter to the pundits (all of whom failed miserably at international level), why does it matter to the media (who've never kicked a ball and who leak our team)....WHY??? Who cares about entertaining football it's about WINNING. What is this mad obsession England fans have it's comical

You’re missing the point.  It isn’t so much about being entertaining, it’s more about playing with a decent tempo, taking risks, being more dynamic in the final third, and being more convincing against the lower ranked sides.  That’s important as it gives more of a belief that England could do well against the best teams. 

[DRFC_AjA]

Not great to watch are they? And that's an understatement.

Given the quality of the players that's only forgivable if they win the tournament. Which they're still on track to do.

First serious shot on target (the goal) took 80 minutes arriving. Last game 95 minutes.

Southgate set the team up differently to match up against the Swiss formation to keep them/the game quiet. It worked. But my it was dull!

Why does it matter? Why do you feel like you have to be entertained every game? Why does it matter to the pundits (all of whom failed miserably at international level), why does it matter to the media (who've never kicked a ball and who leak our team)....WHY??? Who cares about entertaining football it's about WINNING. What is this mad obsession England fans have it's comical

You’re missing the point.  It isn’t so much about being entertaining, it’s more about playing with a decent tempo, taking risks, being more dynamic in the final third, and being more convincing against the lower ranked sides.  That’s important as it gives more of a belief that England could do well against the best teams.

In all honesty I kind of get where you're coming from. Bellingham, Foden, Kane are world class and have looked average at best so far. I'd love them to be playing the way we know they can. But at the same time for the 7 games it takes to win the euros I just don't care.

The Turkey fans right now aren't happy they played good football. They're sad they lost

[Campsall rover]

Netherlands it is in the Semi Final

Hopefully we will win & it will be an entertaining game.
Both would be a bonus.

[IDM]

Not great to watch are they? And that's an understatement.

Given the quality of the players that's only forgivable if they win the tournament. Which they're still on track to do.

First serious shot on target (the goal) took 80 minutes arriving. Last game 95 minutes.

Southgate set the team up differently to match up against the Swiss formation to keep them/the game quiet. It worked. But my it was dull!

Why does it matter? Why do you feel like you have to be entertained every game? Why does it matter to the pundits (all of whom failed miserably at international level), why does it matter to the media (who've never kicked a ball and who leak our team)....WHY??? Who cares about entertaining football it's about WINNING. What is this mad obsession England fans have it's comical

You’re missing the point.  It isn’t so much about being entertaining, it’s more about playing with a decent tempo, taking risks, being more dynamic in the final third, and being more convincing against the lower ranked sides.  That’s important as it gives more of a belief that England could do well against the best teams.

In all honesty I kind of get where you're coming from. Bellingham, Foden, Kane are world class and have looked average at best so far. I'd love them to be playing the way we know they can. But at the same time for the 7 games it takes to win the euros I just don't care.

The Turkey fans right now aren't happy they played good football. They're sad they lost

I’m sure the Turks are gutted but full of pride. 

It’s always disappointing to lose, but that’s tempered if you know you’ve given your best efforts in doing so. 

We are capable of winning the semi if we are on top of our game - player for player we are as good as, or better than them.

[drfchound]

Netherlands it is in the Semi Final

Hopefully we will win & it will be an entertaining game.
Both would be a bonus.

Camps, mate.
Which is more important to you:
Play really well, be entertaining but lose the game, or Not play really well, but do enough to win.

[sf9944]

It would be nice if one or two on here admitted that Southgate knows a little bit more about what will win us this tournament than they do. Also if they gave him a bit more respect given what he has achieved.
 
The performance tonight wasn’t overly flashy but I was gripped throughout the game because so much was at stake. And most important of all the performance was effective.

We are in the semi final…again!!! Come on let’s stop the pile-ons and get behind them. I find the prevailing attitude bewildering

[IDM]

I think folks are concerned about the lack of efforts on target against so called lesser sides..

Credit for reaching the semis, it’s a significant achievement to be celebrated.

But have we seen performances to say we can win the trophy.?  That could all change on Wednesday of course - we have very capable players.

[sedwardsdrfc]

I’ll credit Southgate as he does get us through tournaments better than anyone we have.

However I will never understand how we seem to concede any initiative to score a goal. We go behind and get straight back into it. Then sit back again and pretty much play for pens.

I get the grinding games out and been pragmatic to the point of boredom but to almost settle for pens just isn’t a tactical plan I can get on board with.

He’ll be a legend if we keep getting through and win it. Here’s hoping. Feels like we’ll need to keep practicing pens to win anything.

[LakesideOwl]

Not been impressed with England so far. So slow reminds me of the Dave Jones days at Hillsboro!

Mind you - semi finals it is. Anyone nation at this stage can win it.

It's not been edge of the seat stuff but it's proven so far that's performance doesn't naturally equal result.

That said - Granty in charge for remainder of tournament.

[Donnybob]

I could not raise sufficient interest to watch tonight's game. Went out for an exquisite meal instead in great company, called in on a live rock gig on the way back. Overall a wonderful night  of entertainment.
Thanks Gareth. You have killed my interest with your negative crab football. Sideways  sideways, back to the keeper, pedestrian football.
I watch to be entertained. I'm there for the thrills, the excitement, a racing pulse, heart in the mouth moments. A spawny win is no longer enough to captivate my interest. Goalless draws against teams who are making up the numbers don't do it for me. The thrill is gone. Dull is dull however you dress it up.
To those who think GS walks on water, enjoy it. Ditto those who want victory at any cost.
I've reached a time in my life when class matters. 90 minutes watching the mundane is 90 minutes I can no longer spare. Life is short.
Good luck to England but those loyal supporters deserve better. I've been lucky to watch some great sides from the Brazilians of the 1970s onwards, the Dutch, Germans, Italians, French, Belgium, etc.
In comparison we are not worthy.
It's not being disloyal. It is genuinely how I feel. You go ahead. Fill your boots. If this football enthuses or inspires you, so be it. But don't expect everyone to agree with you. The real world isn't like that.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I’ll credit Southgate as he does get us through tournaments better than anyone we have.

However I will never understand how we seem to concede any initiative to score a goal. We go behind and get straight back into it. Then sit back again and pretty much play for pens.

I get the grinding games out and been pragmatic to the point of boredom but to almost settle for pens just isn’t a tactical plan I can get on board with.

He’ll be a legend if we keep getting through and win it. Here’s hoping. Feels like we’ll need to keep practicing pens to win anything.

That's because he fails to recognise when to take advantage of the good footholds we get in games.

Everyone could see Trippier was a waste of a player on the left. So capitalise by making a positive change with someone who can exploit the left flank, and keep the positive momentum.

That's the difference. Fails to capitalise v Italy, fails to capitalise v France. We don't have to go gung ho but keep up the pressure. We let teams off the hook time and time again. We got away with it this time. Please Gareth, it's your last chance. Learn from your repeated mistakes .

[Pancho Regan]

Glad you enjoyed your meal donnybob