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This. What we have at the moment is a thread where people are being relatively positive about him. Those same people have been saying the same things for a while they're just usually drowned out by the naysayers. Those guys (the naysayers)will be back in full force if/when we get knocked out.

I think a three man central midfield is essential but I'd stay 4-3-3. Same back four, telling Maguire to stick on Giroud and don't let him win anything. Same midfield 3 but with Rice doing a man to man job on Griezmann. If we can stop Giroud winning/flicking on/holding up the ball and give...

I think that's his one great skill and I think that it probably counts for a lot in international football. The manager doesn't have the players for a long time, he gets them for a week or so about 6 times a year. There isn't much time to drill the players into a way of playing and numnerous...

It's not the same job though is it? International management and club management are quite different beasts with quite different skill sets needed. Many successful club managers have 'failed' with England. Is that also down to the players? Does any manager have any effect on the national...

I've been genuinely trying to follow your argument as you're the only one on this thread defending an anti-southgate stance. I've got lost a little in the talk of the Albion and context and progress. Would I be right in summarising your argument as essentially any success England have had...

That 2018 team should have got nowhere near the semi's. That's what made it so much fun. I think this years team is much stronger. We have loads more attacking options, all with the experience of last year and reaching a final. Our midfield is stronger and better balanced than 2018 too...

I'd say huge challenge. To win it our likely path will be France, Portugal, Brazil or Argentina. In the space of 8 days. Baring in mind we haven't beaten a 'major' nation in a knockout game on foreign soil it looks like a nigh on impossible task. That won't stop certain people slagging off...

So what we're saying is that we always get knocked out by the first 'decent/big' team we face? And have done for the past 60 years at least? So if it happens again against the reigning World Champions it'll definitely be a disaster, unforeseen and proof that the manager is shit...

Thoroughly enjoyed that first half. Great atmosphere, tense, at times frantic, at times great skill. I really like this Morocco team, I hope they can pull off the upset.

I did think it was a bit stupid of them to leave it to the last minute, especially as he's a seasoned traveller so getting visas etc are nothing new to him. Still, I felt for the guy who wasn't allowed to go.

This is interesting to read, especially as you're a tournament veteran. My friend went for a week, it was his first one and he didn't like it. From the off it wasn't great for him and his group. The guy who organised the trip got Covid the night before they were due to leave. The other...

That was much more like what I expect from Japan. Lovely stuff. Now all they've got to do is put on Mitoma bang in a few more goals and make the quarter finals for the first time ever. Piece of piss.* *:eek:

I've seen/read a number of ex England players talking about how England was something to be endured rather than enjoyed, how every game was a slog and never felt easy. I'm paraphrasing but that was the gist of it. Southgate appears to have completely changed that feeling. The players seem to...

It's very easy to predict what some will be saying over the next few days: "Only beaten bang average teams" (Yet it is the fans who are arrogant and entitled apparently) "Will get found out by France"(In that France are the reigning world champions and are accepted as being better than us and...

I'm a little in awe of Bellingham. He's so good already as a player but he's also incredibly mature for someone so young. He's making a big difference to the team and is the main reason I have some hope for the game against France.

Great result to wake up to. Just seen the highlights. It looked like up until we score it was a bit of a struggle but once we did we strolled to victory. I'm really looking forward to the French game, even if it is at 4a.m and I expect us to lose. We have a shot at it though, I think this...

If successful this could be a plan that really takes off across Europe. Sorry.:(

Thanks for doing this @Theatre of Trees Good luck to everyone left in.

I've penciled in a Japan England final. Lovely. Japan winning due to having the world cup magic of having a Brighton player.

Sorry, forgot again. If it's not too late here are the ret of the round. Japan (0) 1 v 1 (1) Spain 1st G = 32 YC = 4 RC = 0 VAR = 1 Costa Rica (0) 0 v 2 (1) Germany*** 1st G = 27 YC = 5 RC = 1 VAR = 0 Morocco (0) 2 v 1 (1) Canada 1st G = 16 YC = 6 RC = 0 VAR = 1 Croatia (1) 2 v 1 (0) Belgium...