Euro 2024 Thread

[hallamblue]

England’s 4th successive quarter final under Southgate

[marko69]

It's a false dawn, Switzerland will run rings around this shower.

Scotland got the draw, Mike & Italy were absolute proper shyte. I reckon England could get past the Swiss.

England wont get past Spain or France so its a fall dawn in a sense, yes……. But, semis defo possible.

[hallamblue]

Not Euro related at all but put a spring in my step nonetheless lol.

Went for a walk ( more of a hobble really given my gammy knee right now). I live close to Town’s training ground and I reckon it was about 3.30pm ….. was going past the gate , car park was empty as you’d expect for a Sunday. When a 24plate Royal Blue car slow came through the gate and turned toward me. I’m straining to see who it might, to be met by a cheesy grin and a big wave from none other than Kieran McKenna- ok I admit it , I was star struck … then after he’d passed me I’m waving like a loon after He drive off down the road..

So guessing the final touches to first day back tomorrow are all in place snd game plan for Liverpool ( yes, LIVERPOOL) game are all in place

(Earlier in Kierons day)

“Where you off to, darling?”
“Just heading down Portman Road. Few things to check over.”
“What about the England game?”
“Why would i watch that shower o shyte?!”

While at the ground, Kieron realises everything is in order and decides to head back and maybe grab a beer and watch England.

“Who’s that wi the gammy leg staring at me? FFS Kieron lad, wave, smile, she might be a nutter.”

Ha ha … yes I wouldn’t be surprised if thst was the case! I couldn’t see who was in the car as windows seemed slightly darkened ( probably weren’t), but definitely reflecting. I was annoyed with myself for not noting the car make tbh. ( but of stalking later lol)…

[Cabanas Blue]

I'm just pleased the car was Blue and hopefully not bought in Brighton

[marko69]

I'm just pleased the car was Blue and hopefully not bought in Brighton

[hallamblue]

I’ll check out the reg number next time lol …. I know what road he lives in

[hallamblue]

This is going to be a cricket score from Spain tonight isn’t it . Look at their intensity bloody lightyears quicker than England!

[marko69]

This is going to be a cricket score from Spain tonight isn’t it . Look at their intensity bloody lightyears quicker than England!

……. Its opposite night for you tonight, Hallam.

[hallamblue]

Think I’ll go and get a drink

[marko69]

Think I’ll go and get a drink

If I lived closer, I'd bloody well join you........, (after that England result!)

[hallamblue]

[Charnwood]

It's a false dawn, Switzerland will run rings around this shower.

I’ll be surprised if they do. Hopefully Southgate will have seen enough of Cole Palmer tonight to know that he needs to have him In his starting line up next Saturday and maybe one or two other changes too to freshen things up. Despite how poor we’ve been there’s absolutely no reason why England can’t get their act together and progress through to the final.

[AzzurroMark]

To use a KM mantra, maybe we should 'trust the process' with England (said a bit tongue in cheek). Mind you, that's 4 QF Gareth has got us through to now!

[Charnwood]

I’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t resign at the end of this tournament. Yes he may well be one of our most successful England managers of all time, but our style of play and poor performance’s have made his position untenable. His only hope of survival would be to win the tournament and save himself in the same way Ten Hag did at Manchester United.

[ITFC2024]

I’ve heard the Swiss defence has a lot of holes in it.

[AzzurroMark]

I’ve heard the Swiss defence has a lot of holes in it.

Oh 24! I know how Fond-ue are at making a joke, but you may have just started something!

Ok, preparing myself for a forum ban for that one!

[hallamblue]

Thought it was a bit cheesy, myself

[marko69]

Not a fan of cheese so let’s go pudding and say you’ll be hoping the “Swiss Roll”-over for you.

…… and yes, Azzurro ——>> for that fondue gag…… the ban is in the post!

[valleyroad]

To use a KM mantra, maybe we should 'trust the process' with England (said a bit tongue in cheek). Mind you, that's 4 QF Gareth has got us through to now!

I don't think Southgate has ever beaten a team of any standing in a major comp bar Germany in 2020.
He has consistently been in the easy half of the draw on more than one occasion.
So I'm perplexed to understand how he can be seen as a success.

His mismanagement of the current squad of talent is there for everyone to see in the current Euros.
He is tactically inept as was shown in the match yesterday against Slovakia.

He was a failure at Middlesborough also. Why any major club would want to appoint him if he leaves the England job is beyond me.

He is a brilliant communicator and man manager but it stops there.

With this squad of players you can only imagine what a Venables or Robson would have achieved !

[marko69]

To use a KM mantra, maybe we should 'trust the process' with England (said a bit tongue in cheek). Mind you, that's 4 QF Gareth has got us through to now!

I don't think Southgate has ever beaten a team of any standing in a major comp bar Germany in 2020.
He has consistently been in the easy half of the draw on more than one occasion.
So I'm perplexed to understand how he can be seen as a success.

His mismanagement of the current squad of talent is there for everyone to see in the current Euros.
He is tactically inept as was shown in the match yesterday against Slovakia.

He was a failure at Middlesborough also. Why any major club would want to appoint him if he leaves the England job is beyond me.

He is a brilliant communicator and man manager but it stops there.

With this squad of players you can only imagine what a Venables or Robson would have achieved !

Probably fk all as well. Its all relative to the era. ALL England managers have had top class squads in their particular eras in comparison and equalling other countries. Especially 90s / 2000s …… but “The Newspapers” and “The pundits” had the trophies won.
At the end of the day, its the hype that works against England bosses.

[hallamblue]

A good manager creates or moulds a team from the players he has at his disposal. Sometimes having a squad of very good players actually hinders creating a good " team", due to the egos. I don't think it's any coincidence that the success at Town over the last 2 seasons had come through careful player targeting ( no prima donas at Ipswich) and attention to off field attributes as much as on field.

Of course an England manager will have the cream of the English players at his disposal, and there's is part of the pressure, because to leave some individuals behind because their egos are too big, would cause an uproar. But in taking them, do you upset the whole team as egos clash / compete for a place in that team. Note, no Town player upset the apple cart because they didn't get many minutes. No grudges. No sulking etc .

Know I'm comparing club with country here, but I'm trying to make a point about having a squad full of " big" players can go against you if you can't " manage" them well. Is Southgate struggling with that?

[marko69]

And yet Southgate is only one who got them to a final? So
Whats the answer?

Sack Rio?

[ITFC2024]

Southgate deserves credit for getting us to the final in 2020, but he also deserves criticism for poor performances. Agree it’s very difficult to find the right mix of players on national teams, and that’s part and parcel of being a national team manager. I’ve been critical of Southgate like many, but I also a acknowledge players not performing at a level we’d expect. Maybe the Slovakia win will light a fire and hopefully we’ll see players react.

[marko69]

I think it was just a response to what Valleyroad said....., "Imagine what Venables or Robson could've done" --->> When it comes to the England job and what it means and represents to the masses --->> they'd have not been able to do things right for getting them wrong, mainly due to the masses opinions. They'd have done nothing. (imo)

I'd LOVE to see Rio, or Neville (who was a Messiah at Valencia) get the role. A "SHOW US! DON'T TELL US" type scenario.

[valleyroad]

And yet Southgate is only one who got them to a final? So
Whats the answer?

Sack Rio?

The only performing top level team England played in 2020 were Italy and he lost at home in a final where they took the lead in the first minute.
Germany were a poor outfit in that tournament and have been for a good while. Seem to be getting it right this time.

England have been in the easy draw route consistently in tournaments inflating Southgates so called achievements. They have great chance to get to the final again. In the other half of the draw they be out on their backside with their performance levels.

The critics are right on Southgate. FA man but not a top manger.

Southgate couldn't lace Eddie Howe's boots.

[marko69]

And yet Southgate is only one who got them to a final? So
Whats the answer?

Sack Rio?

The only performing top level team England played in 2020 were Italy and he lost at home in a final where they took the lead in the first minute.
Germany were a poor outfit in that tournament and have been for a good while. Seem to be getting it right this time.

England have been in the easy draw route consistently in tournaments inflating Southgates so called achievements. They have great chance to get to the final again. In the other half of the draw they be out on their backside with their performance levels.

The critics are right on Southgate. FA man but not a top manger.

I think they are leaving that vacant for the TRUE Messiah.

[valleyroad]

And yet Southgate is only one who got them to a final? So
Whats the answer?

Sack Rio?

The only performing top level team England played in 2020 were Italy and he lost at home in a final where they took the lead in the first minute.
Germany were a poor outfit in that tournament and have been for a good while. Seem to be getting it right this time.

England have been in the easy draw route consistently in tournaments inflating Southgates so called achievements. They have great chance to get to the final again. In the other half of the draw they be out on their backside with their performance levels.

The critics are right on Southgate. FA man but not a top manger.

I think they are leaving that vacant for the TRUE Messiah.

I do agree on Ferdinand. I think Davie Moyes would enjoy watching him run a top class side !!

Neville was class at Valencia. Now he just sacks Salford managers

[marko69]

Neville was class at Valencia.

Are you joking?

[valleyroad]

Neville was class at Valencia.

Are you joking?

Yes i'm joking. He was a total flop and out of his depth

Hopefully like David Gray, first game of the season

[marko69]

Let's go to wiki:
----------------------------------

Neville was appointed as head coach at Valencia in Spain on 2 December 2015. Neville's brother Phil had previously been caretaker manager and continued to work with his brother at the club;[65] Neville also retained his England assistant coaching role while at Valencia.[66] The decision to hire Neville was met with much surprise in Spain, due to his lack of prior experience, and as he was not fluent in Spanish.[67][68][69] On 9 December, Neville managed his first game in charge of Valencia, suffering a 2–0 defeat against Lyon in the Champions League; as a result, Valencia finished third in their group, and were demoted to the UEFA Europa League.[70]

On 3 February 2016, Valencia lost 7–0 away to Barcelona in the first leg of the semi-final of the Copa del Rey. This came after the team had gone eight games without a victory in La Liga since Neville took over, leading to criticism from the press as well as the club's fans, who called for him to resign.[71] A week later, Valencia were eliminated from the tournament after a 1–1 draw in the return leg.[72]

Having started with a sequence of nine winless league matches, Valencia recorded their first win under Neville in a 2–1 victory at home against Espanyol on 13 February 2016.[73] On 17 March, in the return leg of Valencia's UEFA Europa League round of 16 tie, Neville was sent off for protesting against Athletic Bilbao's goal to the officials; although Valencia won the match 2–1 at home, they were eliminated from the tournament on away goals, following a 2–2 draw on aggregate.[74][75] On 30 March 2016, Neville was sacked by the club.[76] At the time of his sacking, Valencia were 14th in the league, six points clear of the relegation zone, and had won only three of their 16 league games under Neville, also failing to keep a single clean sheet.

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I know we see "class" as meaning different things up here in Scotland, Valley......., but, really? Neville class at Valencia?