[Football] England v Malta official match thread

[Cheshire Cat]

By how many goals would Brighton beat England?

 

[timbha]

Seems the whole team are not over exerting themselves- all playing in 2nd gear - only thing I can think of is they don’t need to up gears as they have qualified, Malta are poor, and being in top fitness for their club teams means more ??

That’s how I saw it. Southgate must take some of the blame but I’m sure he doesn’t tell Rashford, Saka, and one or two others to go out there and mis control the ball, pass to the opposition, etc, etc.

Dion Dublin’s banal commentary was the lowest point for me.

 

[Steve in Japan]

I like Joe's hat. Cheeky chappy geezer. Innit.

 

[dazzer6666]

Not looking forward to hearing the uninspiring goon tell us it was a ‘hard fought victory’ and ‘these are a good team’ etc. It’s Malta FFS, their population is a fifth of that of Manchester

 

[jonny.rainbow]

If I kick the ball in front of me and leave my foot there and someone boots my ankle off because I didn’t move it, it’s still a foul, it’s not on the player with the ball to avoid contact.

Except he didn’t have the ball anymore.

The keeper was nearer to it than him at the point Kane made contact.

 

[Pevenseagull]

Not looking forward to hearing the uninspiring goon tell us it was a ‘hard fought victory’ and ‘these are a good team’ etc. It’s Malta FFS, their population is a fifth of that of Manchester

Massive improvement to losing to Iceland though.

Progress.

 

[BadFish]

I think the one I remember may have been one of Villa's early goals in the tonking we got.

Here we go. From 0.40

Yeah Villa was definitely one this season. I think there were a couple last season too.

 

[BadFish]

By how many goals would Brighton beat England?

Probably be 1-1 at the moment.

 

[BadFish]

Massive improvement to losing to Iceland though.

Progress.

Do need to work on some more interesting patterns of play. Ball into the channels was easily dealt with by the Maltese defence.

 

[Pevenseagull]

Do need to work on some more interesting patterns of play. Ball into the channels was easily dealt with by the Maltese defence.

Step on their toes.

 

[Eric the meek]

Southgate is surely coming to the end of his tenure.

The performance tonight was a long way from acceptable.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Massive improvement to losing to Iceland though.

Progress.

You jest, but it is.

Not a great night tonight but in general we’re light years ahead of Hodgson’s team.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

That’s how I saw it. Southgate must take some of the blame but I’m sure he doesn’t tell Rashford, Saka, and one or two others to go out there and mis control the ball, pass to the opposition, etc, etc.

Dion Dublin’s banal commentary was the lowest point for me.

Where was the insight?
Let's take a look upstairs.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

You jest, but it is.

Not a great night tonight but in general we’re light years ahead of Hodgson’s team.

Three points. Nobody red carded or stretchered off. Finished top. What's not to like?

 

[Guinness Boy]

Southgate is surely coming to the end of his tenure.

The performance tonight was a long way from acceptable.

He’ll see out the 2024 Euros and quit, I’m convinced of it, whether we win or go out in the group. Growing more convinced that Potter has been sounded out as a replacement.

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

I just spent the evening longing for a few cans of this in the early evening sun before making my way to Axis

 

[Eeyore]

You jest, but it is.

Not a great night tonight but in general we’re light years ahead of Hodgson’s team.

Quite. Potentially tricky group and England ease through with time to spare, beating the European Champions home and away.

All the major international sides have matches they lumber through that should have been easier. Malta defended well tonight. England put six goals past them in qualifying- same amount as Italy.

England looked like an old 45' being played on 78' tonight. Happens, especially when the whole thing is done and dusted and players have got their minds on the league and club competitions in Europe.

Had they won 6-0 folk would have been bemoaning that things are too easy. I feel sorry for Southgate.

 

[scooter1]

Sounds like I missed a classic tonight, ah well

 

[Eric the meek]

He’ll see out the 2024 Euros and quit, I’m convinced of it, whether we win or go out in the group. Growing more convinced that Potter has been sounded out as a replacement.

The timeframe seems reasonable. I think Southgate is past the sell-by date, but succession planning has to happen.

I've no idea regarding Potter, but he must be thinking it's time he got back into coaching. You can't be out for too long. After the payout of a lifetime, a part-time job as England manager might appeal.

 

[BadFish]

The timeframe seems reasonable. I think Southgate is past the sell-by date, but succession planning has to happen.

I've no idea regarding Potter, but he must be thinking it's time he got back into coaching. You can't be out for too long. After the payout of a lifetime, a part-time job as England manager might appeal.

Surely Potter wants to get back into full-time management? He needs to get his career back on track with the right job.

He'll be on a hiding to nothing with England.