I'd imagine the desire to make Laurence Fox look even more like a **** is also a strong reason to perform.
[tweet]1411443991283916801[/tweet]
Thanks Larry.
[tweet]1411443991283916801[/tweet]
Thanks Larry.
Because they've approached this tournament NOT as a 'golden generation' but as a team who'll need to graft to get results.
Say what you want about GS, and I frequently have, but every other manager would have attempted to squeeze Folden, Sock Boy, Sterling and Sancho into the same team just to appease the entitled media and fans.
GS has been thoughtful and pragmatic, I can't name another England manager I'd write that about, he's had a plan and has executed it perfectly.
Scroll back 6 weeks and I wouldn't have written a word of that.
Alf Ramsey. I'm no expert in the 1966 squad, but I very much doubt that Jack Charlton, Nobby Stiles, Geoff Hurst and Roger Hunt were the best players in those positions available. They fitted the system that he wanted to play. He left out the goal machine that was Jimmy Greaves in the final for example. GS has picked the best team, not the best players available in each position. Simple really
They all talk a good game when they're winning. If Kane hadn't scored the rebound from his fluffed penalty and the subsequent penalty shoot-out had gone the way they usually do, then there would have been a completely different narrative this morning. Thin margins
I think the biggest factor is mentality.
How many times have we seen our top players go into tournaments and die on their arses. They freeze, they buckle under the pressure and look a shadow of the players we see tearing it up week-in week-out for their clubs, both domestically and in Europe. It accounts for our misplaced optimism whenever these tournaments come round - they ALWAYS let us down.
This squad is different. Southgate has somehow created a relaxed environment, where (from the outside looking in) there is harmony, and calm. The players are trusted to go out and express themselves. They look calm and relaxed, they look confident. I dunno how Southgate has managed to instil that, but just look at the performances he is getting from each and every one of them as a result.
Mentality, I tells ya.
Because English football decided to join the modern football world.
English players were often seen as top class in the past. Then they played international competition and were found out technically and tactically. Sure, they could run, tackle and shoot hard and they knew how to play 4-4-2 but that was pretty much it. This generation is a lot better schooled, if the play against something that isnt 4-4-2 they are not going to go cry in a corner, and technically they are up in the top. Someone like David Beckham may have been part of your "golden generation" but compared to someone like Luis Figo he just looked like a pretty sad player. Or someone like Michael Owen... watch the game against Brazil in 2002. Heskey and Owen vs Rivaldo and Ronaldo. Why did anyone think England would win?
Today the English players are as good as anyone and football (especially European) is a lot more streamlined, which also helps.
Look at the 2006 squad. They were street footballers from south east London. Beckham, Lampard, Cole, Terry, Carrick, Defoe, Ferdinand, King, Richardson and Young were all from there or had strong connections to it and they were playing against street footballers from countries where you could play 365 days a year. Today its different, they all come from great academies that are similar to academies anywhere else. It took a while to get there. Previous England teams were overrated,, other nations simply produced better footballers. This one isnt.
Yes, another one here to agree 100%.Because they've approached this tournament NOT as a 'golden generation' but as a team who'll need to graft to get results.
Say what you want about GS, and I frequently have, but every other manager would have attempted to squeeze Folden, Sock Boy, Sterling and Sancho into the same team just to appease the entitled media and fans.
GS has been thoughtful and pragmatic, I can't name another England manager I'd write that about, he's had a plan and has executed it perfectly.
Scroll back 6 weeks and I wouldn't have written a word of that.
No sorry I'm not really having this as our bit of 'being successful by association'.
The modern era England team has always had youth development and 'stability' is a bit of a nothing word when it comes to the players and tournament football.
Not one of them is currently thinking 'I'm glad there's some stability at the FA'.
I'd love to know how GS' interview went when he fell into the job - and he did fall into it.
Germans were poor. Previous teams would have stuffed us.
This. Poor German side and a soft draw through to the final. England squad is bang average but has managed to somehow swerve the likes of Belgium who would have put them to the sword earlydoors.
Still, total respect to the England squad for putting smiles on faces. Christ knows we've needed it this past 18 months. Enjoy the final
I'm with Stat
Gsouth has played what he considers a team capable of getting a job done . . . .not just trying to get 11 of the best players on the pitch at the same time.
there are better individuals on the bench than on the pitch . . He's not even playing the best goal keeper in the squad.
All winners need an element of luck, good or bad. Muller would've scored his goal 9 times out of 10, to equalise.
We've had enough bad luck in the past with Lambert's 'non goal' and 'hand of god' etc.
Because they've approached this tournament NOT as a 'golden generation' but as a team who'll need to graft to get results.
Say what you want about GS, and I frequently have, but every other manager would have attempted to squeeze Folden, Sock Boy, Sterling and Sancho into the same team just to appease the entitled media and fans.
GS has been thoughtful and pragmatic, I can't name another England manager I'd write that about, he's had a plan and has executed it perfectly.
Scroll back 6 weeks and I wouldn't have written a word of that.
Yep - you’re so right.
Croatia - got lucky draw to the World Cup final - have players who have even got older in years since then - it what they were - rubbish team, easy first game
Czech R - Most out of form striker in the tourno. 2 of the worst premier league performers in the West Ham team last season - poborsky etc would have thrashed England
Germany - youve done that one - Not the same team they ever have been - worst Germany side in 765 years
Ukraine - Pub team - don’t know how they got there - Rotherham would have beaten them 7-0
Denmark - Until last night they were good - but now they’re bad and it’s a gimmie to the final
Italy 1 - We lost to first decent team we played
Italy 2 - Won’t get an easier final. They were knackered. They got an injury. Won’t get an easier final.
(Delete as applicable)
I can’t be bothered to do the national league teams but Spain away - not what they were - east game. Croatia - not as old as above but still not as good as they were to reach the World Cup final X months before we played and beat them. Belgium - Easy game and win for England as Belgium don’t play well as a team.
This. Poor German side and a soft draw through to the final. England squad is bang average but has managed to somehow swerve the likes of Belgium who would have put them to the sword earlydoors.
Still, total respect to the England squad for putting smiles on faces. Christ knows we've needed it this past 18 months. Enjoy the final