[Football] Dear England - by Gareth Southgate

[DJ NOBO]

Southgate is an excellent human being, just not a very good football manager.

Not a bad one though.
He got us to a WC Semi, which is more than any other England manager can say, since Bobby Robson was in charge.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Not a bad one though.
He got us to a WC Semi, which is more than any other England manager can say, since Bobby Robson was in charge.

With that group of players and the fixtures we had, it was harder not to.

He's tactically lacking and we're going in to this tournament totally under prepared and without a definitive idea on formation or how we're going to play despite having had 5 years in the job and an incredibly talented group of players. That's really poor.

I desperately hope I'm wrong but I really can't see us going far in this tournament with him in charge despite having a squad containing extraordinary talents - luckily most of them are young though and will hopefully come good in future tournaments under a more capable manager.

 

[DJ NOBO]

With that group of players and the fixtures we had, it was harder not to.

He's tactically lacking and we're going in to this tournament totally under prepared and without a definitive idea on formation or how we're going to play despite having had 5 years in the job and an incredibly talented group of players. That's really poor.

I desperately hope I'm wrong but I really can't see us going far in this tournament with him in charge despite having a squad containing extraordinary talents - luckily most of them are young though and will hopefully come good in future tournaments under a more capable manager.

I’m not saying he is a great manager but relative to other England managers he has done well.
Hodgson stinking out Brazil in 2014 the losing to Iceland, Sven repeatedly failing to get the best out of the the best generation i can remember, Mclaren euro 2008 debacle, Capello not doing much apart from upsetting people ,....there are a lot of underachieving England managers in the past 20 years .
You say we have a strong squad, but I would say it is strong in part. Going forward, sure. There is not much quality in the heart of the defence and the goalkeeper positions though. Maybe Dunk should be there, but he’s hardly Rio Ferdinand.
I think you could well be proved right on Southgate but it’s premature to write him off.

 

[Commander]

With that group of players and the fixtures we had, it was harder not to.

He's tactically lacking and we're going in to this tournament totally under prepared and without a definitive idea on formation or how we're going to play despite having had 5 years in the job and an incredibly talented group of players. That's really poor.

I desperately hope I'm wrong but I really can't see us going far in this tournament with him in charge despite having a squad containing extraordinary talents - luckily most of them are young though and will hopefully come good in future tournaments under a more capable manager.

Again, who would you have instead? Who would take the job.

 

[vagabond]

Again, who would you have instead? Who would take the job.

That’s the problem. English coaches, very slim pickings. Hate to say it, but I’ve thought for a while GP will be looked at as a future England boss.

I wouldn’t be opposed to a foreign appointment though.

 

[Dave the OAP]

Inspiring stuff.

Bit disappointed he didn’t reference flasks and bottle tops but hey!

 

[Machiavelli]

Small and quick gestures pre match by England players to recognise fashionable political movements (inspired by events abroad) is nothing new.

https://youtu.be/jlbLHviSTPc

I bet those that complained about appeasement back in the day were vilified as troublemakers and broflakes......plus ca change.

Fergus and the Fairy. A match made in heaven.

 

[Machiavelli]

Keep going, nearly their

Regards

DF

You see. They're perfect together.

 

[marcos3263]

well I for one loved reading that and am now even more excited.

I have my wallchart (at home and at work) I have a spreadsheet and a date in the pub on Sunday.

I appreciate it will all come crashing down to earth after a miserable set of results and another 4 years of hurt but this time?? can it be?? .....

 

[AZ Gull]

You see. They're perfect together.

That's the fake one.

 

[Machiavelli]

That's the fake one.

Are you saying that a poster thinks it's a good idea to pretend to be a racist/fascist/nativist/whatever-term-deemed-most-appropriate?

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Are you saying that a poster thinks it's a good idea to pretend to be a racist/fascist/nativist/whatever-term-deemed-most-appropriate?

Indeed. That’s exactly what it is.

 

[AZ Gull]

Are you saying that a poster thinks it's a good idea to pretend to be a racist/fascist/nativist/whatever-term-deemed-most-appropriate?

Well, I guess you would need to interrogate the individual concerned; all I can tell you is that PPF (with a capital P for Pink and F for Fairy) is the "fake" version of that account.

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

Love the man, not convinced he's tactically smart enough.

His writing and outlook on life shows the quality of his education at Hazelwick school in the Three Bridges area of Crawley, a largeish comprehensive, where the head of English was my friend Neil McGregor, a wise and humane gentleman.

His tactical knowledge betrays his football upbringing at Crystal Palace football club in Croydon. Enough said.

BTW, Steven Gerrard for England manager.

 

[Machiavelli]

Well, I guess you would need to interrogate the individual concerned; all I can tell you is that PPF (with a capital P for Pink and F for Fairy) is the "fake" version of that account.

And there's also one with a capital Pink and lower cases for pink and fairy? And that one is a full-blown fascist/racist/whatever, and doesn't think you should repeat/mimic/parody/encourage fascism/racism/whatever like PPF does?
I am left scratching my head about PPF, and can only wonder what he (it must be a he) is trying to achieve. I note the deliberate misspelling in PPF's contribution to this thread.

 

[Big Beach Seagull]

Keep going, nearly their

Regards

DF

It's they're

I don't read the Mail for nothing

 

[Bedsex]

His writing and outlook on life shows the quality of his education at Hazelwick school in the Three Bridges area of Crawley, a largeish comprehensive, where the head of English was my friend Neil McGregor, a wise and humane gentleman.

His tactical knowledge betrays his football upbringing at Crystal Palace football club in Croydon. Enough said.

BTW, Steven Gerrard for England manager.

As a Hazelwick alumnus I wholeheartedly agree! By the way, Mr McGregor was my favourite English teacher.

 

[Easy 10]

His writing and outlook on life shows the quality of his education at Hazelwick school in the Three Bridges area of Crawley, a largeish comprehensive, where the head of English was my friend Neil McGregor, a wise and humane gentleman.

His tactical knowledge betrays his football upbringing at Crystal Palace football club in Croydon. Enough said.

BTW, Steven Gerrard for England manager.

With Lampard as his No2.

Oh...hang on.