Euros 2024 thread / match talk

**Nineteenx** · 22nd July 2024, 11:01 PM

It’s not the players for me, I think it’s the FA & their choices of manager

Attack minded continental managers have got the very best out of most of the players playing an attack minded style, Spain pretty much playing a more direct Klopp style

The Klopp style at international level makes perfect sense, they don’t have much time together to develop an expansive passing game & all the understandings necessary, use your best assets, the two wide lads in Spain’s case as often as possible

**toshin** · 26th July 2024, 02:49 AM

Originally Posted by Steveo

They have some very good players - BUT not a single one in the WC bracket. The post loss media analysis has been as expected - Anglo Saxons can never face the harsh reality. They blame the manager - the positioning of players - the managers squad picks..all as though other nations get all this 100% perfect - never suffer injuries etc.. Spain lost their main man for instance IN THE FINAL - they just drafted in another and the net result was the same. The top sides have far better technicians. And at this level as in Champions league finals it is the top level technicians that win the day more often than not

Bellingham isn’t up to being a play maker. He is big and powerful and has been used brilliantly by Carlo - acting as a false 9 at times - he did brilliant in his forst season BUT in a side flush with genuine WC quality - but he has his limitations - and he is our best player…supposedly. He wouldn't get minutes in that Spain midfield… In fact except for 2 moments he was virtually invisible all tournament. I know he is only 20 but he has huge experience - unlike Yamal who was 16 until the night before the final.

Saka - imo our best player this tournament - would struggle to make the Spanish squad. These guys are quick and effective at Premier league level - but at the top level - huge question marks.

We get exposed at this at most tournaments - where is the actual football coming from? The midfield continuity is 3rd rate. We have the toughest league in the world and a huge population - at some point you have to accept reality. The English have been left behind in this sport long long ago.

This time - despite the ridiculous gimmie of a group and the miracle like gimmie picks for knockouts - avoiding every single rival threat - they couldn’t win a single game in 90 minutes against any of them.

Many labelled him World class pre tournament

I have plenty of Gooner mates and tbf they almost all say he aint close to that level BUT many rival fans seem to think so. I wonder what they watch sometimes. Yes a solid player BIG and STRONG - he IS effective in the Prem and has some genuine quality moments too - but few and far between...beyond the words in bold CAPS he isn't playing in the top flight imo.

None of this is on Gareth either - watch the players - they were mostly poor on the ball - off the ball and either too scared or too inept to play it forward to good effect.

Yep England is lacking in this aspect.
I thought Southgate did as well as he could.

England are the opposite of Portugal. What England need is a Fernandes, B. Silva, or even a Vitinha.
What Portugal need is a strong, tall, athletic runner in Rice, Grealish, Bellingham.
All of those english players and the Portuguese i've mentioned do great at club but are lacking against the best for their NT. B.Silva for example is one of the worst big name performers for Portugal.
It's because they need each others strengths.

Eventually England will win in the same way Greece and other teams who were not the best were able to.
Too bad Musiala didn't choose england...but then you have to wonder if he'd have developed the way he has.

**Steveo** · 26th July 2024, 03:38 PM

Excellent post. England do have almost 6 times as many people to choose players from as Portugal yet we produce zero of the Silva level.

Even if we made one - who does he interact with on the pitch? Look at England’s midfield. Even when Stevie G was there - there is nobody with the technique of Silva B - Silva D - Modric - Griezmann - Iniesta - Pirlo - Alonso - Xavi - Ozil to name a few.

These nations have 2 or more players that can raise their level or combine well alongside these technical wizards.

**jozza800** · 26th July 2024, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Steveo

Excellent post. England do have almost 6 times as many people to choose players from as Portugal yet we produce zero of the Silva level.

Even if we made one - who does he interact with on the pitch? Look at England’s midfield. Even when Stevie G was there - there is nobody with the technique of Silva B - Silva D - Modric - Griezmann - Iniesta - Pirlo - Alonso - Xavi - Ozil to name a few.

These nations have 2 or more players that can raise their level or combine well alongside these technical wizards.

It goes back to what we were discussing regarding the John Barnes post. Whilst not linked to the tactical change that's going on at the moment, England are still picking players based on speed and strength.

We do have (and have had) some very, very good technical players, a lot of them are marginalised in favour of fast / strong / enthusiastic players.

Look at Trent, whilst obviously not at the same level as the players you've mentioned, he does have a wand of right foot. Has made way for Walker, who is essentially a race horse.

Grealish, Cole, Scholes, Le Tiss, Fowler, Merson, Macca all have fantastic technique but have either been marginalised or shunned all together.

I do think the standard of English techinique has improved in recent years. But so have the rest of the world...