Originally Posted by
skyebo
We've got to the final with Henderson only playing a bit part. It won't be down to him if we win or lose the final. And more experience managers and players haven't reached a final since 66, whether you rate Southgate or not, he is doing a good job.
You can only beat what's in front of you, but Italy had to beat Belgium and Spain to reach the final, England haven't played a single side of a very high level, Germany was about the highest level they played, but they're in transition and are nothing like a good team.
Not that difficult beating already beat tired old dogs, but Southgate still managed to make that look hard work
he needs to get with the times and use the players at his disposal in a 433 or 343 in a front foot aggressive pressing game, as that's how practically all the best players play at their clubs, No9 dropping off, the 2 inside/wide forwards making runs in behind, how they operate at club level
Spain with a forward worthy of the name would dominate at least the next 3 tournaments, they're the best side I've seen by far, great passing, great pressing, for me need to mix it up a little and be more direct at times to test sides in different ways
bar getting a ref who's a real homer and buys every single dive and England getting a spawny goal from a pen or free kick that never should have been, and then nicking one late on when Italy have to go for it in the last 20 minutes, I'm honestly expecting Italy to win, with how Italy press and England having no-one in those 2 No6's Southgate loves so much or in the back four who can keep the ball in very tights areas under that kind of pressure and no-one who can play out, it could be very ugly
"If Everton were playing at the bottom of my garden, i'd close the curtains”
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