Gareth Southgate

[danumdon]

I see your point and would love to feel the same way. it just feels so sterile and bland,

I never thought i'd see an England team play more backwards and sideway passes then what we've had to endure at Rovers but i have now.

Id love them to go on and win the thing but i've got this awful feeling that as previously we will flatter to deceive, just when that bit of spark, magic and imagination is needed to get over the final hurdle we will fall again because of the attitude we now fully demonstrate.

I've watched most of the games this Euros and our matches have been some of the most dire to get through, if that brings home the goods, great, but with the squad we have, really?

[DRFCTom]

I’ve been critical of Southgate this tournament for the first time but the fact is we’re in a semi final, let’s try and enjoy it!
Netherlands are definitely beatable and the final is anyone’s game.

[Goole Rover]

I see many are still fighting to be as negative as possible, we’re in a semi final for gods sake.
We played well last night against a side that many on here said would be better than us. They weren’t!
Even if we win the tournament there’ll be lots of people slagging Southgate off just because they can’t admit they were wrong,
His tournament record is astounding when you think of what happened before he arrived.

They're beginning to come round mate. 

[i_ateallthepies]

I see many are still fighting to be as negative as possible, we’re in a semi final for gods sake.
We played well last night against a side that many on here said would be better than us. They weren’t!
Even if we win the tournament there’ll be lots of people slagging Southgate off just because they can’t admit they were wrong,
His tournament record is astounding when you think of what happened before he arrived.

They're beginning to come round mate. 

You're right, Goole Rover, those first three games put me into a coma.

[Campsall rover]

Its wrong to slate Southgate, as an England manager he's reached a level few other more vaunted manager ever did, he deserves praise for that. It would be nice to finally go all the way, he's been close a couple of times now, when you look back he was in a position to win both times (Euros, World Cup)but it looked like the pragmatism and risk averse nature that had got him there finally proved his downfall.

This tournament like the others mentioned is following the same pattern, if he gets us all the way and wins the thing then great.

Im thinking along the same lines as what others have already pointed out, we may win this thing but in the process its killed our enthusiasm of football stone dead with these soulless and joyless displays, if this is our ultimate aim then great, they will come home to a feeling of nothingness and indifference.

Every tournament of his tenure has resulted in me more and more not caring one jot for the spectical, if this is success in football then great, but count me out, i've got better things to do to occupy the time.

Obviously at times we have struggled to ignite the games but we have, more often than not, been in control of them.
We all would like the team to play expansive and exciting  football but I keep seeing the teams doing that getting knocked out of the competition.
Im not having my enthusiasm killed off at all because we keep progressing.
Some people have been comparing Southgates football to that of Danny Schofield but the main difference is that Rovers results were terrible.
Tournament football is all about winning and England are doing that.

The football league is all about winning also. That’s the object of every game.  OR AT LEAST IT SHOULD BE.

[grayx]

I see many are still fighting to be as negative as possible, we’re in a semi final for gods sake.
We played well last night against a side that many on here said would be better than us. They weren’t!
Even if we win the tournament there’ll be lots of people slagging Southgate off just because they can’t admit they were wrong,
His tournament record is astounding when you think of what happened before he arrived.

Sakas goal was our first effort on target & we were hanging on at the end of extra- time against SWITZERLAND. Forgive me for not getting over excited. I still think the England team has gone backwards since the world cup& Southgate needs to go even if we win this tournament, which i doubt.

[drfchound]

Its wrong to slate Southgate, as an England manager he's reached a level few other more vaunted manager ever did, he deserves praise for that. It would be nice to finally go all the way, he's been close a couple of times now, when you look back he was in a position to win both times (Euros, World Cup)but it looked like the pragmatism and risk averse nature that had got him there finally proved his downfall.

This tournament like the others mentioned is following the same pattern, if he gets us all the way and wins the thing then great.

Im thinking along the same lines as what others have already pointed out, we may win this thing but in the process its killed our enthusiasm of football stone dead with these soulless and joyless displays, if this is our ultimate aim then great, they will come home to a feeling of nothingness and indifference.

Every tournament of his tenure has resulted in me more and more not caring one jot for the spectical, if this is success in football then great, but count me out, i've got better things to do to occupy the time.

Obviously at times we have struggled to ignite the games but we have, more often than not, been in control of them.
We all would like the team to play expansive and exciting  football but I keep seeing the teams doing that getting knocked out of the competition.
Im not having my enthusiasm killed off at all because we keep progressing.
Some people have been comparing Southgates football to that of Danny Schofield but the main difference is that Rovers results were terrible.
Tournament football is all about winning and England are doing that.

The football league is all about winning also. That’s the object of every game.  OR AT LEAST IT SHOULD BE.

Of course the EFL games are about winning, where have I said differently.
Our win ratio under Schofield was terrible.
People might have been more forgiving had we won most of the games he was in charge of.

[drfchound]

I see many are still fighting to be as negative as possible, we’re in a semi final for gods sake.
We played well last night against a side that many on here said would be better than us. They weren’t!
Even if we win the tournament there’ll be lots of people slagging Southgate off just because they can’t admit they were wrong,
His tournament record is astounding when you think of what happened before he arrived.

Sakas goal was our first effort on target & we were hanging on at the end of extra- time against SWITZERLAND. Forgive me for not getting over excited. I still think the England team has gone backwards since the world cup& Southgate needs to go even if we win this tournament, which i doubt.

Grayx, Switzerland are the tenth highest ranked country in Europe and 19th in the World rankings.
They are hardly a team full of dumplings.

[grayx]

I see many are still fighting to be as negative as possible, we’re in a semi final for gods sake.
We played well last night against a side that many on here said would be better than us. They weren’t!
Even if we win the tournament there’ll be lots of people slagging Southgate off just because they can’t admit they were wrong,
His tournament record is astounding when you think of what happened before he arrived.

Sakas goal was our first effort on target & we were hanging on at the end of extra- time against SWITZERLAND. Forgive me for not getting over excited. I still think the England team has gone backwards since the world cup& Southgate needs to go even if we win this tournament, which i doubt.

Grayx, Switzerland are the tenth highest ranked country in Europe and 19th in the World rankings.
They are hardly a team full of dumplings.

They are a decent side hound, but i thought a lot of our players were running on empty towards the end. Kane in particular was out on his feet and looked desperate to come off. Thats 2 lots of extra time we’ve had to come through with just about the same starting line- up in all our games and fatigue was mentioned after our first match. Southgates not brave enough to rest some of his favourites and make better use of his squad unless injuries/ suspensions force his hand. I fear come the semi ( and hopefully the final) this will prove to be our undoing. Hope im wrong.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

His record in tournaments is undeniable but he’s has been extremely fortunate with some of the draws.

Has he though? England did the job and won the group. The England half is supposedly weaker because the teams in the other half (France etc) failed to win theirs.

For me Spain are favourites then England.

[GazLaz]

His record in tournaments is undeniable but he’s has been extremely fortunate with some of the draws.

Has he though? England did the job and won the group. The England half is supposedly weaker because the teams in the other half (France etc) failed to win theirs.

For me Spain are favourites then England.

Spain won their group and have had to play Germany and France. Landing on Switzerland and Holland in the same scenario is fortunate. That’s undeniable.


Spain are Favourites, then England. That’s correct.

[selby]

  As important as having a great manager in football terms, in tournaments, what is better, a football genius or one that is lucky?
like Southgate.
  I feel we have one thing over the other sides that not many of the others have got, that is winning when we don't play that well as a team, France are the same, we both have individuals that can turn a game around in a moment, and as Mr clough used to say, it only takes one moment to win a game of football.

[Poshrover]

 Totally agree with Tyke. Just getting bored watching England. So negative and so repetitive. Pass back, pass side wards, take a corner and it ends back with our goalkeeper. The players are not playing well.
Just sat and watched the penalties with no emotion.
No jumping out the chair and celebrating. Want to win with style, skill and endeavour. If we win the Tournament this will set a blue print for negative football.
Southgate is out of his depth.
What has he achieved as a football manager? Sod all!
Our luck will run out. He doesn’t deserve to win the Tournament.

[dickos1]

I see many are still fighting to be as negative as possible, we’re in a semi final for gods sake.
We played well last night against a side that many on here said would be better than us. They weren’t!
Even if we win the tournament there’ll be lots of people slagging Southgate off just because they can’t admit they were wrong,
His tournament record is astounding when you think of what happened before he arrived.

Sakas goal was our first effort on target & we were hanging on at the end of extra- time against SWITZERLAND. Forgive me for not getting over excited. I still think the England team has gone backwards since the world cup& Southgate needs to go even if we win this tournament, which i doubt.

This kind of post is embarrassing,
It’s like saying if rovers win the league we must sack McCann because the football wasn’t exciting.
It’s tournament football and most of the winners play pragmatic football,
We’re in another semi final, he’s won more knockout games in his 7 years than we’d won in the previous 70 years.
What is wrong with people?

[Little Wolf]

One moment of genuis from bellingham and saka and we are in the semis, do not think this has anything to do with southgate,  southgate s record is better than than most because he has won penalty shoot outs where most have lost, we have better  technical players now and they are better at penaltys nothing to do with southgate being a good manager

[dickos1]

Ha ha ha
The old were doing well so it can’t have anything to do with Southgate.
That’s a great one

[Goole Rover]

One moment of genuis from bellingham and saka and we are in the semis, do not think this has anything to do with southgate,  southgate s record is better than than most because he has won penalty shoot outs where most have lost, we have better  technical players now and they are better at penaltys nothing to do with southgate being a good manager

That has to win the most ridiculous post of the tournament.

[grayx]

One moment of genuis from bellingham and saka and we are in the semis, do not think this has anything to do with southgate,  southgate s record is better than than most because he has won penalty shoot outs where most have lost, we have better  technical players now and they are better at penaltys nothing to do with southgate being a good manager

That has to win the most ridiculous post of the tournament.

Really?
I think its spot on.

[Bentley Bullet]

So, if the team succeeds it has nothing to do with Southgate, but if it fails it is Southgate's fault.

I see!

[RoversInSpain]

Totally agree with Tyke. Just getting bored watching England. So negative and so repetitive. Pass back, pass side wards, take a corner and it ends back with our goalkeeper. The players are not playing well.
Just sat and watched the penalties with no emotion.
No jumping out the chair and celebrating. Want to win with style, skill and endeavour. If we win the Tournament this will set a blue print for negative football.
Southgate is out of his depth.
What has he achieved as a football manager? Sod all!
Our luck will run out. He doesn’t deserve to win the Tournament.

Got to admit it is getting a bit repetitive, another semi final, and such a boring penalty shoot out, why can’t we miss and make it more exciting. And who are Switzerland anyway? could only draw with Germany and only managed to beat the reigning champions 2-0.
Come on England do what the Golden era did. And Southgate is so poor he’ll never hit the heights of achievements by Sven, Capello, Taylor, Venables, Hoddle, Robson,the guy who tried to speak Dutch, Greenwood, Revie etc etc.
Some folk need to change their sport.

[dickos1]

One moment of genuis from bellingham and saka and we are in the semis, do not think this has anything to do with southgate,  southgate s record is better than than most because he has won penalty shoot outs where most have lost, we have better  technical players now and they are better at penaltys nothing to do with southgate being a good manager

That has to win the most ridiculous post of the tournament.

Really?
I think its spot on.

Well of course you do!
You’re also posting the same negative drivel as him.
England have been so bad in tournaments for almost every tournament for 60 years, we have a manager now that is consistently getting us to semi finals and finals and we have people saying he should be sacked even if we win it.
It’s absolutely ridiculous, who do you think we are to be so entitled!
It’s insane

[dickos1]

So, if the team succeeds it has nothing to do with Southgate, but if it fails it is Southgate's fault.

I see!

Exactly mate
That’s exactly what it is!
When we lose it’s Southgate hasn’t got a clue when we win it’s got nothing to do with him.
The fact we scored 5 penalties last night is all down to the environment he’s created

[BillyStubbsTears]

Maslow's Hierarchy of Football Needs.

1) Have a team to support.
2) Don't have that team embarrass you.
3) Occasionally look moderately competitive.
4) Go a reasonable distance in a competition.
5) Look like potentially winning a competition.
6) Win a competition
7) Win a competition playing football for the ages.


Most of my life, England fans have been somewhere between 1 and 3 on that hierarchy.

Under Southgate they have consistently been at 4-5.

There's a serious chance they could get to 6 this time.

And folk are moaning that we're not at 7.

[BobG]

Beautiful Billy.

Wish I'd thought of Maslow. A perfect illustration of the whole thing.

BobG
 

[Avsuptem]

Totally agree with Tyke. Just getting bored watching England. So negative and so repetitive. Pass back, pass side wards, take a corner and it ends back with our goalkeeper. The players are not playing well.
Just sat and watched the penalties with no emotion.
No jumping out the chair and celebrating. Want to win with style, skill and endeavour. If we win the Tournament this will set a blue print for negative football.
Southgate is out of his depth.
What has he achieved as a football manager? Sod all!
Our luck will run out. He doesn’t deserve to win the Tournament.

Got to admit it is getting a bit repetitive, another semi final, and such a boring penalty shoot out, why can’t we miss and make it more exciting. And who are Switzerland anyway? could only draw with Germany and only managed to beat the reigning champions 2-0.
Come on England do what the Golden era did. And Southgate is so poor he’ll never hit the heights of achievements by Sven, Capello, Taylor, Venables, Hoddle, Robson,the guy who tried to speak Dutch, Greenwood, Revie etc etc.
Some folk need to change their sport.

You forgot Winter Walterbottom.

[Avsuptem]

It's not negative drivel to make perfectly accurate observations about how it is only flashes of individual brilliance that has kept us in this tournament for so long.
A lot of supporters are dismayed that a team so bristling with talent is playing drab, dull, unexciting soccer. You only have to look at Spain to see the contrast. The irony is that the 2 most arguably undeserving and boring teams, England and France, might well end up being the finalists in which case the end will have undoubtedly justified the means.

[sf9944]

So, if the team succeeds it has nothing to do with Southgate, but if it fails it is Southgate's fault.

I see!

Incredible isn't it? 

Are those arguing against Southgate prepared to confirm that they would give him no credit at all if we win this tournament?

Exactly mate
That’s exactly what it is!
When we lose it’s Southgate hasn’t got a clue when we win it’s got nothing to do with him.
The fact we scored 5 penalties last night is all down to the environment he’s created

[sf9944]

It's not negative drivel to make perfectly accurate observations about how it is only flashes of individual brilliance that has kept us in this tournament for so long.
A lot of supporters are dismayed that a team so bristling with talent is playing drab, dull, unexciting soccer. You only have to look at Spain to see the contrast. The irony is that the 2 most arguably undeserving and boring teams, England and France, might well end up being the finalists in which case the end will have undoubtedly justified the means.


Do you think other teams aren't 'bristling with talent'?

[IDM]

‘Kinell.!! Maslow’s taxonomy on a 4th division football forum..

Tend to agree though..  I admit I would prefer if we played more decisive, up tempo football - not for the enjoyment of it per se, more that it shows we have greater capabilities giving confidence ahead of facing better sides.

Of course the manager should be praised for the teams successes.

[McCammon egg n chips]

Maslow's Hierarchy of Football Needs.

1) Have a team to support.
2) Don't have that team embarrass you.
3) Occasionally look moderately competitive.
4) Go a reasonable distance in a competition.
5) Look like potentially winning a competition.
6) Win a competition
7) Win a competition playing football for the ages.


Most of my life, England fans have been somewhere between 1 and 3 on that hierarchy.

Under Southgate they have consistently been at 4-5.

There's a serious chance they could get to 6 this time.

And folk are moaning that we're not at 7.

Complete nonsense - people are not moaning because we're not winning the tournament playing football for the ages. What is even the point of trying to characterise it as that?

The problem is that you want to be excited to watch the team you support. And right now, even though we're in the semis - plenty are not excited by this manager.

This is in marked contrast to 2018, where Southgate felt like a breath of fresh air. For the first time in my life England were a team I could be proud of. We were giving it a real go. Same in 2021. Look at the way we came out in the final against Italy, we were fearless. Over the past few years, that fearless mentality has started to fade. It's undeniable.

Having said all that, now we are in the semis I am starting to feel a bit more excitement.