Now I've finally clamed down I'll try and put a positive slant on England's fortunes tough as it may be.

We've got 4 points from the first 2 games.
Won our opening game in the competition for the 1st time ever.
2 clean sheets.
We nicked a result against Scotland when we didn't play well.
We'll almost certainly go through the group.
We can surely only improve can't we.
Important players that could be returning from injury in Henderson & Maguire, they'll bring much needed nous and drive to the team hopefully.
And for all the flag waving of the Tartan Army, Scotland will more than likely crash out at the 1st hurdle yet again on Tuesday.
Finally no-one has looked outstanding or unbeatable in this tournament. even Belgium & France have shown flaws in their early games.
And it may suit us later in the tournament when teams attack us more and allow us to utilise our pace on the break, which neither Croatia or Scotland really allowed us to do as they played a deep lying backline.
No further injuries thus far in the 2 games.

Main positive for me is that we have some great talent that just needs moulding, inspiring and leading.

Let it go Tiger....it won't get any better

I don't think either Mcguire or Henderson will make much difference.

Vino blanco wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 19, 2021 6:15 pm

I don't think either Mcguire or Henderson will make much difference.

Isn't Henderson there to organise the card games?

The positive is that we are in a good position despite yesterday’s dog muck performance.

Vino blanco wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 19, 2021 6:15 pm

I don't think either Mcguire or Henderson will make much difference.

McGuire may be a slight upgrade, Henderson I suppose could up the clapping/cheerleading rate.

we weren't in the same group as France, Germany and Portugal

Feeling positive here. Just need the players to click and we'll be okay.

This is Sarfgates last hurrah.
The FA have said he will stay on but I fancy he will move to club football.

Steve1956 wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 19, 2021 6:15 pm

Let it go Tiger....it won't get any better

It's not the results themselves that bother me, I don't expect us to do anything in a major tournament, but we could at least take the shackles off and give it a real go, we seem to have the mindset that if we keep a clean sheet then that'd the job done, now yes against the top teams I can just about accept that approach as long as it brings a modicum of success, but we were playing Scotland FGS, how only qualified for this tournament through the back door, and who were made to look distinctly average by the Czechs 4 days earlier at Hampden.

And it's not just last night is it England have been poor for quite some time now, the lacklustre display in Iceland, the dire defeat to Denmark at Wembley to name but 2, and it's only because we've had weak qualifying groups that we've breezed into the finals, but I suspect we all know that once we meet a semi decent side we'll once again be sent packing, TBH ATM I wouldn't even be confident of bettering someone such as Sweden, as we have no punch in attack, and they'll play a similar style to Scotland sit in and hit on the break, the difference is they carry a genuine goal threat with young Isak.

Yes we've only played 2 games, but on the evidence so far we were flattered by reaching the last 4 in Russia, and that feat won't be repeated this time.

I just wish Southgate would release the shackles as the best teams have been the ones that have looked to be positive and try and win games, Italy and Netherlands have impressed me because they take the field with a positive mindset and the aim of scoring goals. there was a brief period under Southgate that England had a similar mindset, but now he's chosen to revert to defensive one-paced possession football which doesn't suit England, and isn't as effective given the type of players we possess.

Positives:
Mings
Pickford

Gareth writes nice letters for the players

Struggling to find any positives.
We drew, so I suppose now that we have four points we are likely to go through to the next stage.

The players get to go abroad on holiday. Some of them are on the beach already, buts it's always nicer doing it on the continent.

A draw vs Czech Republic is 11/5 which means they top the group England avoid France etc and you can make a few Bob.

Can't get any fukin worse

Top Claret wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 19, 2021 9:34 pm

Can't get any fukin worse

How? we have qualified for the next round without losing a game and without conceding a goal. France just drew to Hungary, Deschamps said it was a good draw. Spain have just drew with Poland and probably need a win in their final game to qualify.

KRBFC wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 19, 2021 9:59 pm

How? we have qualified for the next round without losing a game and without conceding a goal. France just drew to Hungary, Deschamps said it was a good draw. Spain have just drew with Poland and probably need a win in their final game to qualify.

Bar Italy, who have been excellent, there are question marks over the rest of the ‘top’ teams.

France and Spain have laboured to two draws apiece today. Portugal were very average against Hungary and conceded 4 today.

A lot of the teams and players look tired mentally and physically after the compacted season we’ve had because of Covid.

TsarBomba wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 19, 2021 10:05 pm

Bar Italy, who have been excellent, there are question marks over the rest of the ‘top’ teams.

France and Spain have laboured to two draws apiece today. Portugal were very average against Hungary and conceded 4 today.

A lot of the teams and players look tired mentally and physically after the compacted season we’ve had because of Covid.

Yeah and if players are tired, England should be suffering the worst given we had 2 teams in the UCL final and 2 in the UEL semis. The quality has been poor this tournament, alot of park the bus sides and stop start games. Poland time wasting at 1-1, a win probably takes them through and Spain weren't looking dangerous. Really negative tournament so far

minnieclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 19, 2021 8:24 pm

This is Sarfgates last hurrah.
The FA have said he will stay on but I fancy he will move to club football.

Replacing Dyche?

KRBFC wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 19, 2021 10:14 pm

Yeah and if players are tired, England should be suffering the worst given we had 2 teams in the UCL final and 2 in the UEL semis. The quality has been poor this tournament, alot of park the bus sides and stop start games. Poland time wasting at 1-1, a win probably takes them through and Spain weren't looking dangerous. Really negative tournament so far

It’s negative in terms of some games aren’t a entertaining watch but teams are doing whatever is necessary to further progression, I think it’s more exciting going into the last game in the groups knowing that some teams still have a fighting chance of going through, the last games are bound to be more exciting as it’s sh1t or bust.

We are in deep sxxx when Punchit Pickford and Mings are the positives

At least he’s not wearing the waistcoat or his pyjama top anymore

It will only be positive when we watch an England team playing like they are capable of doing well in this tournament

The positives I have taken are England are one of the only teams yet to concede at the tournament. We are unbeaten in 2021. We have kept 10 clean sheets in our last 12 games.
Big players are coming back for the crucial time of the tournament.

The only team that I think we will struggle against is Italy, the rest have all looked vulnerable

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 20, 2021 11:47 am

The only team that I think we will struggle against is Italy, the rest have all looked vulnerable

I suppose I’ve just had one of those paranormal events I hear about

We've got five right backs. That must count as a positive. No one else has so many.

There is every opportunity for England to go far and every incentive too.

3 Scots and they would win it!

Im_not_Robbie_Blake wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 19, 2021 8:43 pm

Positives:
Mings
Pickford

If that's our positives we really are screwed.

1] Harry Kane should have recovered from his acute case of embarrassment before we take on Vydra's mates.



Harry Kane attempts to hide his embarrassment

2] We won't have to hand over a point to Mrs Kranky's Boys so that they can still play out with the big boys

Positives - Them bloody Scots were brilliant weren't they? If Mcginn doesn't win player of the tournament there's something wrong. 3 cheers for Mcginn.

I think England loook strong at the back and lets face it if you dont let in any goals you are going to be playing at the sharp end in a couple of weeks time .

Tribesmen wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 21, 2021 10:22 am

I think England loook strong at the back and lets face it if you dont let in any goals you are going to be playing at the sharp end in a couple of weeks time .

and the defensive style suits playing the better teams, draw them on and attack with pace and craft on the counter.

The only positives from Friday were that it highlighted that team and formation need to get in the bin.

Henderson needs to start as he can move the ball a lot quicker.

I think 3-5-2 is worth a go or 4-3-3

Get Grealish and Foden in the team in midfield so they can be on the ball more.

Need more pace up front, so if it is a 2 or a 3 give Sancho and Rashford a go, maybe even DCL.

As someone mentioned above, we might as well go down swinging rather than limp out meekly. We have the players to hurt teams.

Ric_C wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 21, 2021 10:33 am

The only positives from Friday were that it highlighted that team and formation need to get in the bin.

Henderson needs to start as he can move the ball a lot quicker.

I think 3-5-2 is worth a go or 4-3-3

Get Grealish and Foden in the team in midfield so they can be on the ball more.

Need more pace up front, so if it is a 2 or a 3 give Sancho and Rashford a go, maybe even DCL.

As someone mentioned above, we might as well go down swinging rather than limp out meekly. We have the players to hurt teams.

Being defensively solid and hard to beat wins trophies at the highest level, I wouldn't call it limping out.

KRBFC wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 21, 2021 10:40 am

Being defensively solid and hard to beat wins trophies at the highest level, I wouldn't call it limping out.

Does this apply to Italy?

There is no flag waving euphoria nobody is getting carried away thinking we will win the tournament and no crappy football pop song

Southgate was Wally without a brolly.

taio wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 21, 2021 10:47 am

Does this apply to Italy?

Italy of old yeah, infact Italy of old is the prime example. The current Italians are pretty untested, their 30 game unbeaten run sounds great until you see only 1 of those games was against a current top 10 ranked team in the world, a 0-0 draw against Portugal in 2018. My prediction is their old defence won't hold up, we will see though.

There’s been a positive for Scotland this morning!

KRBFC wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 21, 2021 12:48 pm

Italy of old yeah, infact Italy of old is the prime example. The current Italians are pretty untested, their 30 game unbeaten run sounds great until you see only 1 of those games was against a current top 10 ranked team in the world, a 0-0 draw against Portugal in 2018. My prediction is their old defence won't hold up, we will see though.

The match co-commentator repeatedly referred to this side as a "Great Italian side" although their record shows that they have beaten very few top ranked opponents. Ridiculous over the top statement.

According to all of the pre tournament hype Turkey were the dark horses and the nation that could surprise and Germany were completely written off

kentonclaret wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 21, 2021 6:01 pm

The match co-commentator repeatedly referred to this side as a "Great Italian side" although their record shows that they have beaten very few top ranked opponents. Ridiculous over the top statement.

According to all of the pre tournament hype Turkey were the dark horses and the nation that could surprise and Germany were completely written off

Italy have looked decent, but it's hard to judge exactly how good they are given the lack of credible opposition they've faced so far, and age and injuries might become an issue later in the tournament for them, already Chellini has gone off early in one of their group games, and this is a hectic schedule in this tournament with little rest time between matches.

Turkey were really talked up prior to a ball being kicked , and they've been easily beaten in all 3 of their games, and offered virtually nothing to the tournament.

A lesson from history never write the Germans off. they usually come to life at a major competition.

We’ve qualified for the knock out stages (irrespective of the result against the Czechs).

As Jurgen Klinsmann said tonight....

"With England having the opportunity to play 6 out of 7 at Wembley, this is England's Euros".

I agree. If the team fail, it will be purely down to the manager and his set up.

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 21, 2021 10:12 pm

As Jurgen Klinsmann said tonight....

"With England having the opportunity to play 6 out of 7 at Wembley, this is England's Euros".

I agree. If the team fail, it will be purely down to the manager and his set up.

Well! the last time England hosted the tournament we reached the semi-finals, so for me that's the benchmark of success, anything less has to be considered as failure given the huge advantage playing nearly all our games at home should provide.

With a larger crowd, England should have every chance.
An England v Scotland final would be excellent!

I could do with some new netting and a couple of posts!

Heard tonight Southgate is bemused about the Gilmore positive and the effect on Mount and Chilwell.
Protect yourself tomorrow , it could be a long night with multiple head scratching because of the managers bemusement .
Anyone thinking this is a deliberate attempt to undermine Southgate would be correct.

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 21, 2021 10:12 pm

As Jurgen Klinsmann said tonight....

"With England having the opportunity to play 6 out of 7 at Wembley, this is England's Euros".

I agree. If the team fail, it will be purely down to the manager and his set up.

No it won't, if we match France in the next round I'll expect us to get beat, they're a better side than we are, it has nothing to do with the manager.

Why would England play France?