The other big take away from the match is how much space Spain got on the left wing. Williams always seemed to be in space, and Cucurella had the freedom of the pitchj for his goal. It felt like Walker was playing narrow and Saka too far forward and we were just gifting them that part of the pitch. How nobody saw that and adjusted is really beyond me.
I don’t know what we do to combat that tiki taka style of play. We produce better players but they all play 1 system, from about 5 upwards and it’s THAT system which beat us tonight. De La Fuente didn’t have to do too much. That style of play for England is poison. It’s ok naming names and having world class players. But if no matter what manager you have, no matter what players you have at your disposal, you simply can’t get the ball… you’re in a lot of trouble.
Yeah, this felt like Scholes/Gerrard/Lampard all over. Just trying to fit the best players in the team, regardless of how well they linked up.
We need replacements for the older players. A striker born in the 2000’s is important. And a left back.
I was shocked that Anthony Gordon didn't get more playing time given his pace and the fact that England trailed in just about every knockout match. Thought Southgate gave Foden and Kane way too much playing time even after it became clear that both were having sub-par tournaments. And given the tactics Southgate employed, Foden wasn't really a good fit, since he's not a winger and kept on cramping Bellingham's space by drifting inside. Would have loved to see Foden and Bellingham as attacking central mids with Saka and Gordon on the wings and Rice as the #6.
⚽️ His Majesty The King has written to Gareth Southgate and the @England team following their loss against Spain at the @EURO2024 final this evening. Read the letter below. pic.twitter.com/YTHYRfeR44— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 14, 2024
Yes, exactly, if we want to play more expansive, we need 11 players or close to 11 players who play like that. Southgate simply doesn't believe in this enough and he never has done during his entire time in charge. Walkers ball distribution has always been poor, but throughout this tournament its been completely exposed for how bad he is at passing the ball. Rice too. But FWIW I don't think we're that far off playing a much more attractive style of football. It will make a big difference, just having a coach who is willing to do it and switch two/three players in this team.
Gareth Southgate on his future: "I don’t think now is a good time to make a decision like that. I need to talk to the right people. It’s not for now."— Emma Sanders (@em_sandy) July 14, 2024 He needs to make it soon - commit for two years or go - don’t have them hiring mid season
🗣️ - Van der Vaart: "€100M for Declan Rice. What does he do? He comes to collect a ball only to pass it back to John Stones. He is useless. If you are truly worth €100M, then you should be able to play a ball forward." [@NOS] pic.twitter.com/pXad6472iR— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) July 14, 2024 I’m not sure what went wrong with Rice this tournament. Way worse than how he was for Arsenal.
Kane isn’t even competing for aerial duels. It has to be fitness. Doesn’t even look like he can jump. You can still believe Southgate is screwing the team over AND that we had big issues that make things very challenging. I would say you need at least a year to hone a system and style into a squad. We haven’t had the time or options available to do that. Our CM options have come to the fore too late. This is why I want Lee Carsley taking over. He was very methodical in his selections of what was needed and for what game.
The problem is we set up to play controlled slow possession football but simply can't handle any level of pressing. It's a technical issue and a mentality issue, the team is never willing or able to play in tight spaces. England were similarly incapable of keeping ball against Denmark, they were just too limited to play keep ball against us
So disappointed we lost and the trophy wait goes on, but watching Spain play a style of play they can do just on muscle memory, I never really felt we were in it. France faught hard as did Germany but it’s just so hard to play against. To beat Spain you need to have more of the ball than them. That’s an insanely hard thing to do. Also beat their very good press.
Bellingham was over there covering for spells. Hard to tell what was going on. Was it Palmer that didn’t track Cucurella?
I think it was Palmer for the goal. Saka always looked to be cruising when Williams was getting the space when Walker was tucked in. Clearly a breakdown in the tactics - either Walker or Saka should have been covering that part of the pitch for most of the match, but it looked like neither were.
Yes I cant explain how he could be that bad in this tournament. Even with the ball at his feet, he looked clumsy and slow. People are suggesting he's not fully fit. But if that's the case, then him and Southgate deserve a lot of criticism for that alone. I'm getting a bit sick of seeing him start every game now. Constantly strolling around the pitch with the armband and doing absolutely nothing. It's becoming a bit of a comedy sketch..
Too many players out of position and playing the same team and same style every game. Having players like Rashford and Grealish would've really helped.. I have to say I feel very sorry for Southgate - he really seems like a top bloke and I hate seeing him down. Unfortunately he'll live to regret these two finals for the rest of his life I think it's time to say thanks and goodbye to Walker. Pickford was excellent but his ball distribution is awful - constantly kicking it long and inviting more pressure. Kane maybe no longer an automatic starter unless we play to his strength - i.e two direct attacking wingers who run in behind. Wharton needs to come in and we can play much better with a better tactical set up. Either one of Foden/Bellingham. The future is certainly bright but we can't keep reaching finals, I think these two past euros were out best opportunities - decent routes to the final and overall poor quality of opposition.
🏴 England’s last 6 goals at Euro 2024:◎ Bellingham v Slovakia: 0.05(xG)◎ Kane v Slovakia: 0.22(xG)◎ Saka v Switzerland: 0.03(xG)◎ Kane v Netherlands: Penalty◎ Watkins v Netherlands: 0.06(xG)◎ Palmer v Spain: 0.03(xG)Relying on screamers, unsustainable.— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) July 14, 2024
I think Bellimgham is the type of player who might get a win late in his career.. We need Ramsdale and Trafford to actually play this season and not be second choices.
That's very true - but how is the Kane xG v Slovakia so low?? It was a header from a few yards out with the keeper out of position.. for Kane I'd say that's a 9/10 times he'd score.. Ultimately we've come into the tournament with the best attacking quality and haven't played well at all - it's a miracle we made the final playing so badly.