QF4: England vs France, 7PM GMT, Al Bayt Stadium

[Smallen]

I’m by far the least frustrated I’ve been at us losing compared to the previous two tournaments.

We were really good against the other best side in the tournament! Most times out of 10 we win that game. Very unlucky!

[Harryseaess]

1 minute ago, Rebs said:

3 penalties and the 1st goal that should have been disallowed due to a foul on our player. 

But we still had a chance to equalise from a penalty and didn’t score. Only person to blame is the penalty taker.

[CFuller]

You just know those vaguely football-related ads that make so little effort to be relevant will go off the air first thing tomorrow now England are out.

Yes, I'm looking at you, My Diesel Claim. 

[silentwars]

I think Kane would of buried both pens against any other keeper. He just overthought it and messed up. 

[lennon67]

England never change 

[sc91]

1 minute ago, Marc Albrighton said:

Death taxes and countries that never qualify being the loudest aye. They can all go back to putting their English club football tops on tomorrow  

Theyre just as bad, must be inherent! 

[TalkSport]

2 minutes ago, Mr Adam said:

I think Southgate goes but with thanks.

Not a sacking. More a time for different ideas. Maybe a new senior role for Southgate created at the FA. 

Agree. I’m not a fan of his, but this World Cup, by large his decisions been fine, stuck with 4-3-3, and today just the wrong side of a 50/50 game.

Feel that a 4th cycle is one too many, and this team needs a fresh approach now with likely with a few of the senior guys on the fringes over the next 18 months.

[GunmaN1905]

Just now, ginnybob said:

Genuinely hope Kane doesn't get backlash from our fans. Literally become joint top scorer. It was a terrible pen but he's normally an elite taker. 

Might be asking too much from the media fannies.

He had an amazing game, but there's always something missing with him.

When did he decide a big match for NT with a goal? Especially a goal from open play.

And we all know he's had plenty of chances in big matches.

In these matches, strikers are separated by mentality.

 

Giroud is a tier below if it comes to ability, but he somehow scores whenever he's needed the most.

Kane doesn't.

Can't be the scapegoat, but can't act like he's not just a flat track bully.

[Mr Adam]

Just now, git2thachoppa said:

Critics would be FUMING if they were managing England in FM23 and got sacked by the game, after getting easily out the groups with loads of goals, walloped the next one 3-0, then lost 2-1 to the defending champions and favourites after dominating.

And already with a record of a semi and final.

They'd rant here and if someone said "it's your tactics", they'd be bashing that keyboard with a strongly worded retort.

I do understand and agree, which is why I don’t want him “sacked”.

Id like a mutual discussion about whether we are progressing tho, seeing this is our worst performance in a major tournament since 2016. Even if the other two were thanks to him  

[Darren Moores Mum]

Just now, Mr Adam said:

Was by far our best player in the tournament as well 

Agreed

It's ****ing galling because if there's one player you'd put money on to bury a pen he'd be up there. Another what could have been moment, but he's not a villain for missing.

And he might have only got 2 goals this tournament but he was at the heart of other chances and goals. 

[skybluedave]

I love Southgate because he's brought me some of my greatest football memories. But I'm open to a change. Freshen up and new cycle. I think 3 tournaments is enough before things get stale and they were getting stales this year. 

[Heartwork]

Morocco going to go for the Iberian hat-trick.

[Ackter]

1 minute ago, Harryseaess said:

But we still had a chance to equalise from a penalty and didn’t score. Only person to blame is the penalty taker.

Maybe if the team had stopped protesting the Saka 'foul' and instead reorganised to defend, France couldn't have played all the way up the other end of the pitch and scored it.

[Mr Adam]

Just now, ginnybob said:

Agreed

It's ****ing galling because if there's one player you'd put money on to bury a pen he'd be up there. Another what could have been moment, but he's not a villain for missing.

And he might have only got 2 goals this tournament but he was at the heart of other chances and goals. 

If we’d got a third one I wouldn’t have wanted another to take it 

[georginho_juventusygr]

What actually happened to Grealish? Why is he always on the bench? Two years ago, he was brilliant whenever he played.

[Confused Clarity]

4 minutes ago, Harryseaess said:

It’s hard to blame the ref for losing when you have a penalty to equalise and miss it.

People whinging about the first France goal? Bonkers.

[Ackter]

1 minute ago, GunmaN1905 said:

He had an amazing game, but there's always something missing with him.

When did he decide a big match for NT with a goal? Especially a goal from open play.

And we all know he's had plenty of chances in big matches.

In these matches, strikers are separated by mentality.

 

Giroud is a tier below if it comes to ability, but he somehow scores whenever he's needed the most.

Kane doesn't.

Can't be the scapegoat, but can't act like he's not just a flat track bully.

Kane scores a hell of a lot for a midfielder tbf

[GunmaN1905]

Just now, pearcey_90 said:

Agree. I’m not a fan of his, but this World Cup, by large his decisions been fine, stuck with 4-3-3, and today just the wrong side of a 50/50 game.

Feel that a 4th cycle is one too many, and this team needs a fresh approach now with likely with a few of the senior guys on the fringes over the next 18 months.

Imo, his issue was not having at least one starting CB with pace.

Was too late to change a few months ago, but he should've tried to change it up after the EURO.

And for all the quality you have, there's no proper playmaker. Foden has to be one of the three in the middle.

This match was 50-50, but when too many 50-50 matches go the other way, it's not a coincidence.

[enigmatic]

4 minutes ago, Bootador said:

I think Southgate's subs were poor, but you can't be right all the time. Taking off all creators is just weird, one of Sterling/Rashford and AT LEAST one of Foden/Saka/Grealish sure

Tbh taking off Saka, the best attacking player on the pitch and bringing on Mount (have more time for him than most England fans but he's not a go to player for winning goals) infuriated me

Two minutes later Mount wins what should have been the equalising penalty. Don't think we can call that a Southgate screw up...

Reality was a game of fine margins against on paper the best side in the competition. 

[Mr Adam]

Just now, Confused Clarity said:

People whinging about the first France goal? Bonkers.

It’s clutching at the clutchiest of straws. It probably was a foul but that’s football. Not a chance it was as clear as many make out. 

[Ackter]

1 minute ago, georginho_juventusygr said:

What actually happened to Grealish? Why is he always on the bench? Two years ago, he was brilliant whenever he played.

Southgate has one idea and sticks to it.

[silentwars]

All those saying Southgate should go who would you replace him with? Can't see the FA buying Howe or Potter out of their contracts and that would mean going down the foreign route, which personally I'm not a huge fan of. 

[skybluedave]

1 minute ago, georginho_juventusygr said:

What actually happened to Grealish? Why is he always on the bench? Two years ago, he was brilliant whenever he played.

The players ahead of him are better

[yann]

From a French side, i was cursing about Deschamps low block during all the game . 

We were a bit lucky on this, but mental is a huge part of this success.

Best team dont always win, i have see France loose in Sevilla 82, we were the best but the mental wasn't here. 

Edited December 10, 2022 by yann

[Darius1998]

Pretty good game to follow overall, even taking into account France being overly defensive. Sets up a couple of interesting semis on paper.

[Ackter]

Just now, enigmatic said:

Tbh taking off Saka, the best attacking player on the pitch and bringing on Mount (have more time for him than most England fans but he's not a go to player for winning goals) infuriated me

Two minutes later Mount wins what should have been the equalising penalty. Don't think we can call that a Southgate screw up...

Reality was a game of fine margins against on paper the best side in the competition. 

Mount came on for Henderson, which was a step up in quality. 

[Anthrax Dave]

Absolutely gutted. No complaints - Apart from the ****ing awful ref.

[skybluedave]

Just now, silentwars said:

All those saying Southgate should go who would you replace him with? Can't see the FA buying Howe or Potter out of their contracts and that would mean going down the foreign route, which personally I'm not a huge fan of. 

Poch

[kopsy101]

59 minutes ago, Harryseaess said:

I wouldn’t go that far, there’s no penetration.

Sorry mate, just saw this. Considering the expectation, they'd  restricted France to one long shot whereas England had a blatant pen and Kane through on goal by this point. Decent going, if a bit conservative!

Anyway, that was then. Very unlucky I think, players can hold their heads high.

[georginho_juventusygr]

The next generation of French kids will look at Giroud as their idol, top scorer of all time.

Instead of looking at Thierry Henry.

What a sad state of affairs. I refuse to believe that.

[Ackter]

Deschamps also has to go after this tournament.

Portuguese manage too.

[Bootador]

 

Edited December 10, 2022 by Bootador

[SouthCoastRed]

9 minutes ago, craigcwwe said:

England. Tournaments. Glorious heartbreak. Standard. 

Some of us have endured it a lot longer, you get numbed after 40+ years

[enigmatic]

1 minute ago, Ackter said:

Mount came on for Henderson, which was a step up in quality. 

Could have had Saka and Sterling though...

[GunmaN1905]

1 minute ago, silentwars said:

All those saying Southgate should go who would you replace him with? Can't see the FA buying Howe or Potter out of their contracts and that would mean going down the foreign route, which personally I'm not a huge fan of. 

As we've seen, NT football doesn't need top tier managers.

From the team spirit and atmosphere side, Southgate was perfect.

You just need a Southgate who's not scared to play for the win instead of play not to lose against good teams.

[Lermon]

pretty much anyone can take the England manager position. England have such strength in depth. Just need new ideas.

[Darren Moores Mum]

Just now, SouthCoastRed said:

Some of us have endured it a lot longer, you get numbed after 40+ years

And you were ****ing fuming when we boycotted the first few.

[git2thachoppa]

1 minute ago, Ackter said:

Deschamps also has to go after this tournament.

Portuguese manage too.

Reminds me of FM07 when the game would sack the World Cup-winning coach sometimes.

[anagain]

7 minutes ago, JJ72 said:

Just get rid of Southgate please and employ someone who knows how to attack

Did we not attack? Looked to me like we were one of the best attacking teams at the WC. Top scorers?

Okay, 6 were against Iran, but we looked so different to the NL England

I've always been for Southgate, just not sure who's better. Howe maybe.

[Darius1998]

Just now, georginho_juventusygr said:

The next generation of French kids will look at Giroud as their idol, top scorer of all time.

Instead of looking at Thierry Henry.

What a sad state of affairs. I refuse to believe that.

Well, Giroud is a textbook example of someone who has made the most of his talent. Never been the star player but he's always there when he is needed.

[silentwars]

1 minute ago, skybluedave said:

Poch

Do you really want an Argentine manager? 

[JD nawrat]

When Kane stepped up i did think maybe he should have let someone else take it. Obviously that was never going to happen, but the mental gymnastics he would have been going through - "do i do the same thing, do i go opposite where he went?" etc - would have put too much pressure on him. 

[AM99]

I love Southgate and by and large I think he's done a decent job this tournament but I think a new approach under a different manager could be a good thing. Saying that I would also be happy for him to continue for Euro 24.

I also don't really see any managers out there that are both A) and improvement on Southgate and B) realistic. Dyche maybe?

Edited December 10, 2022 by AM99

[Constantine]

1 minute ago, Ackter said:

Deschamps also has to go after this tournament.

Portuguese manage too.

I'm agreeing with you way too much for one evening 

[SouthCoastRed]

Just now, ginnybob said:

And you were ****ing fuming when we boycotted the first few.

****ing right, I told that Stanley Rous what a **** he was on Twitter too

[Haguey]

Gutted, but we're a proper top team at international level now, pushed the favourites all the way and looked the better team for a while at 1-1. No more of this plucky England tag needed.

Southgate's tactics at key moments with subs, etc is always a bit questionable but I think the lineup and setup was right, Mbappe was mostly quiet and it was just moments that did us in. Bringing off Saka and not replacing with Grealish maybe a bad move, but ultimately Sir Gareth leaves who comes in who can do everything just as well, including the man management which is absolutely key in international football. Poch maybe, but I doubt he's interested tbh.

[Ackter]

1 minute ago, silentwars said:

Do you really want an Argentine manager? 

Why wouldn't you? Only reason would be racism.

[silentwars]

1 minute ago, JD nawrat said:

When Kane stepped up i did think maybe he should have let someone else take it. Obviously that was never going to happen, but the mental gymnastics he would have been going through - "do i do the same thing, do i go opposite where he went?" etc - would have put too much pressure on him. 

I thought that before he took it, but then if the other player missed everyone would be raging that Kane didn't take it.

[Constantine]

Anyhow... Anyone checked on Rob?? 

[Haguey]

Btw those who wanted us to go and attack France from the off, you know they have Mbappe and Dembele to counter with right? We'd have been done for by HT.