England

At last, we are playing the correct way. God, it has taken decades, but the penny has finally dropped.

One game that springs to mind in recent years was a game versus Italy in a competitive game. We spent the entire 90, then 120 minutes giving the ball back to them and had no conception whatsoever of how to keep the ball and keep starting new moves from deep to wear the opposition down.

The contrast between then and now is stark; we are at last able to compete on the international stage. The players are probably no better than we have always had, but they are playing the way international football should and needs to be played and enormous credit should be given to the manager for that.  

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

At last, we are playing the correct way. God, it has taken decades, but the penny has finally dropped.

One game that springs to mind in recent years was a game versus Italy in a competitive game. We spent the entire 90, then 120 minutes giving the ball back to them and had no conception whatsoever of how to keep the ball and keep starting new moves from deep to wear the opposition down.

The contrast between then and now is stark; we are at last able to compete on the international stage. The players are probably no better than we have always had, but they are playing the way international football should and needs to be played and enormous credit should be given to the manager for that.  

I'd agree with that.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

At last, we are playing the correct way. God, it has taken decades, but the penny has finally dropped.

One game that springs to mind in recent years was a game versus Italy in a competitive game. We spent the entire 90, then 120 minutes giving the ball back to them and had no conception whatsoever of how to keep the ball and keep starting new moves from deep to wear the opposition down.

The contrast between then and now is stark; we are at last able to compete on the international stage. The players are probably no better than we have always had, but they are playing the way international football should and needs to be played and enormous credit should be given to the manager for that.  

EURO 2012 QF, an absolute horror show, explained well by your good self. I remember John Terry holding us together, but other than that we were horrendous. As you say, we could do nothing with the ball, and Pirlo, whilst not playing that well, still made our midfield look like school kids. Awful stuff.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

At last, we are playing the correct way. God, it has taken decades, but the penny has finally dropped.

One game that springs to mind in recent years was a game versus Italy in a competitive game. We spent the entire 90, then 120 minutes giving the ball back to them and had no conception whatsoever of how to keep the ball and keep starting new moves from deep to wear the opposition down.

The contrast between then and now is stark; we are at last able to compete on the international stage. The players are probably no better than we have always had, but they are playing the way international football should and needs to be played and enormous credit should be given to the manager for that.  

The biggest difference is the change in the players. This is what has affected the way England plays. It is a much younger set up now the old guard has gone. Here are athletic players with pace and many of them have “grown up” together in the junior sides so they have instant team spirit. They are also so far undistracted by the media publishing photos of them in clubs, bent supercars or using illegal substances or whatever.

When you look at the junior sides as well, the composition is different. Yes there is good coaching but we have often had that for Young England. Peter Taylor did a brilliant job with the golden generation but it was wasted. The current trend shows a lot of working class black players coming into the game and coaches actually trying to use their natural athleticism. Previously coaches seemed to want black players to play like white players, Viv Anderson, Carlton Palmer, the Fashanus etc were black versions of the white player they might have replaced. Only a few had their talents really used, perhaps Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham at WBA? Now we see pace and power being utilised and methods changed to get the most from them.

Southgate was in on the ground floor of this so he is just continuing the process. The players know him, many are young and impressionable. With him they are like kids on a summer camp with their teacher. The test for him will come when big decisions need to be made during KO games and if some of these lads with talent develop independent attitudes that are maybe not so good for team spirit as they get a bit older. In the meantime perhaps we should just enjoy the ride and see what happens.

Southgate is a massive breath of fresh air.Many including me thought when he was appointed it was to continue with the nodding dog Manager in office. Nothing could be farther from the truth and his coolness under pressure is a massive thing especially with Tournament football. Roy Hodgson with his vast experience completely floundered when he had the opportunity. I genuinely think England are looking likely to win a tournament in the next 4 years and in my opinion at this moment in time were 2nd only to France.

You could be right Micky, I do hope so. The only thing is that same argument - it was a weak World Cup group and a great draw but we still failed to win the games that mattered or get to the final, fresh air or stale air. The Euros may give us a bit more of a clue.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Southgate is a massive breath of fresh air.Many including me thought when he was appointed it was to continue with the nodding dog Manager in office. Nothing could be farther from the truth and his coolness under pressure is a massive thing especially with Tournament football. Roy Hodgson with his vast experience completely floundered when he had the opportunity. I genuinely think England are looking likely to win a tournament in the next 4 years and in my opinion at this moment in time were 2nd only to France.

Hold my hands up as someone who was gutted when Southgate got the job. Thought he would be gone in a year and back managing in the Championship. Happy I was completely wrong. As well as the results he is getting, I think it's clear he's actually a sound bloke and is a good ambassador for our country.

The England football teams (mens, youth and women) all seem to be absolutely flying at the moment. Well done to the FA - they often get hammered when stuff goes wrong but there is loads being done right at the moment.

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Southgate is a massive breath of fresh air.Many including me thought when he was appointed it was to continue with the nodding dog Manager in office. Nothing could be farther from the truth and his coolness under pressure is a massive thing especially with Tournament football. Roy Hodgson with his vast experience completely floundered when he had the opportunity. I genuinely think England are looking likely to win a tournament in the next 4 years and in my opinion at this moment in time were 2nd only to France.

Surely we're 4th best as that's where we placed in the World Cup! Belgium beat us twice in the same tournament...