England v Scotland....Match Thread

Quoted from spartacus

Being generous, felt like a team that didn't want to lose (and be embarrassed); Being extra generous felt like a plan to navigate an easier route through the next few stages. Being honest, thought we just had a bad day at the office. Being critical, not good enough to beat the top teams in the competition.

That’s a very dangerous game to play though.

We were never in control of that match. We’re not good enough to be throwing games just to be knocked out in the QF.

Southgate said we were too frantic at times in his post-match interview.

Possibly the only person on the planet to think 'frantic' after that turgid display.

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

That’s a very dangerous game to play though.

We were never in control of that match. We’re not good enough to be throwing games just to be knocked out in the QF.

Agreed, that's why it was an "extra generous" thought. Honestly thought we just had a bad game and we will  have better performances. Just not convinced we are quite good enough, to win outright. Maybe quarter final disappointment beckons.

Part of me wants Southgate to play the likes of Mount, Foden and Grealish deeper and bin the non-protective double pivot.

However, none of Tuchel, Guardiola or Smith trust them to play there for their clubs.

To win a tournament you either need a strong defensive unit, ability to retain possession under pressure or the fitness and intelligence to press strongly. Realistically you need at least two of those three.

We don’t do any of these particularly well which is why France, Italy or Portugal will win it.

England are shite. Don't buy the media bullshit. We're really not that good. Knock out stages would be an achievement for this second rate team.

We're a million miles behind the likes of France, Belgium and Portugal as well as arguably Italy too.

Quoted from psgmariner

Boring and frustrating but the guy who got England to the semi final of a World Cup and all his staff probably know more than us. Judge him when our tournament is over.

We got lucky with the urine poor opposition we faced.

Will never win anything with Southgate

Quoted from DB

I watched an England game that didn't let anybody down. I have a vision of people hitting keys on a board without thinking about what they are typing.

My England game that didn't let me down, nor the entire nation was in 1966, we won the WORLD CUP.  

I want to be entertained if I get up at 2am.

Quoted from TAGG

Southgate has some of the best young talent in the footballing world and can't get em to beat a bunch off mugs.
Hes flipping excrement.
It's an embarrassment

Whilst i think we definitely should be beating Scotland, they're far from mugs. Granted there is a handful of their players that are not household names but a good chunk of their starting 11 play in the premier league at clubs like Liverpool, Man Utd, Villa and Arsenal. So not only are they operating at very good level week in week out, they also know our team very well.
Add the fact that they were always going to raise their game ten fold against us and it was always going to be a difficult one.

Well that was shite last night. England allowed themselves to be dragged down to Scotland's level. If you hope to win tournaments you must have players who have the mentality to keep a lid on emotions. It doesn't matter if Scotland 'raise their game' if you keep your cool and keep passing (which means players moving into positions where a sensible pass is an option. England reverted to type. Different players, same old approach.