Dave the hatosaurus
Well-known member
I have read every post on this thread and have to say that the vast majority of people posting, whichever side they are, on really do want the best for their country but they are looking at different ways of doing it. I find it incredibly laudable that some are so committed and fervent in their support for the team but i also completely understand why some see it differently and are focused on another track.Southgate's record is second only to Sir Alf Ramsey's. That's fact.
People's arguments against him would be much better served if they acknowledged and accepted that. They would be even better served if they didn't try and beat him with the we should be winning trophies with the squad he has and he's only beaten weak teams, he loses to every good team he plays.
Guess what? We never win trophies and we've failed miserably with better players, better teams and better squads. And beating weak teams and losing to better ones is also what we've done for as long as I can remember. Apart from 2006 - 2016 where we couldn't even beat the shit teams.
Yes, southgate has his failings - strange squad selections, conservative team selections, tactically limited - and yes, if he was more tactically astute and brave he might have achieved more than he has but what he has achieved is something that no one else other than Ramsey has so he's doing something right.
Admit that, acknowledge it and then talk about his failings and what he could do better. Or, alternatively, just talk embarrassing bollocks.
I get what you are saying about Southgate and that it is definitely not all bad and his opponents need to recognise that, but surely those same fervent supporters should be concerned that quite a lot of others are completely losing faith in him and his methods and style of play. Even to the extent of not only not watching our national team play but also some even hoping we lose matches! They are not saying that because they hate England but because they truly see that as the only way to get rid of GS.
I am satisfied that reading your whole post you at least see why GS has his doubters but to my way of thinking when it has reached the stage when some football fans cannot bring themselves to watch competitive qualifying matches then surely that must be it for him.