If it wasn't at the Riverside tonight

We've reached a Semi Final once this century, once in 25 years. (under Southgate who's useless apparently)
So I can't see that reaching a Semi Final should be seen as a given. Especially when you look at how good the squads of France, Portugal and Belgium are.
But I think we'll do ok.
 
It’s a shame we won’t see the starting 11 against Croatia in one of the warm up games as I reckon they would smash Romania, and then the fans/media wouldn’t be so pessimistic ahead of the tournament.
 
Block21 said:
It would be though, it’s practically a home tournament and we have a really really good squad. I wouldn’t go as far as saying we should be winning it but a tournament to be proud of would be reaching the latter stages and having a real go. If we are too conservative and get knocked out before then it would be a major disappointment and probably the end of Southgate
Click to expand...
It talky depends on who you draw in the semi. We do have as good a chance as we have had for a while. Probably since 96. I would argue that our team today is no better than the team Beckham played in. We look good up front but a bit weak at the back whereas the golden generation were rock solid at the back and didn't have as much going forward.
 
The Card Cheat said:
We've reached a Semi Final once this century, once in 25 years. (under Southgate who's useless apparently)
So I can't see that reaching a Semi Final should be seen as a given. Especially when you look at how good the squads of France, Portugal and Belgium are.
But I think we'll do ok.
Click to expand...
We do better (just) at World Cups than Euros.

Out of 15 Euro finals tournaments, we've not played in 6 & not got out of the groups in 4, got knocked out at the next stage 3 times & made it to the semis twice (the first of those, our first game was the semi & we lost).

We've won one knockout game & that was actually a draw that went to penalties.

Getting to the semis would be the first time we'd won two knockout games at the Euros. A unique & massive achievement for England.
 
Winning the trophy would be a massive achievement. Getting to the semis is the least that should be expected with the talent we have at our disposal.
 
The Card Cheat said:
We've reached a Semi Final once this century, once in 25 years. (under Southgate who's useless apparently)
So I can't see that reaching a Semi Final should be seen as a given. Especially when you look at how good the squads of France, Portugal and Belgium are.
But I think we'll do ok.
Click to expand...
Just out of interest, do you always tell people whose opinion differs to yours to f*** off?
 
The Card Cheat said:
We've reached a Semi Final once this century, once in 25 years. (under Southgate who's useless apparently)
So I can't see that reaching a Semi Final should be seen as a given. Especially when you look at how good the squads of France, Portugal and Belgium are.
But I think we'll do ok.
Click to expand...
Portugal have a few good players but their squad as a whole can’t handle a candle to ours. We shouldn’t be remotely scared of Portugal even though I have a feeling we might be if we met them in knockouts cos it’s the English way.
 
newusername said:
We do better (just) at World Cups than Euros.

Out of 15 Euro finals tournaments, we've not played in 6 & not got out of the groups in 4, got knocked out at the next stage 3 times & made it to the semis twice (the first of those, our first game was the semi & we lost).

We've won one knockout game & that was actually a draw that went to penalties.

Getting to the semis would be the first time we'd won two knockout games at the Euros. A unique & massive achievement for England.
Click to expand...
newusername said:
We do better (just) at World Cups than Euros.

Out of 15 Euro finals tournaments, we've not played in 6 & not got out of the groups in 4, got knocked out at the next stage 3 times & made it to the semis twice (the first of those, our first game was the semi & we lost).

We've won one knockout game & that was actually a draw that went to penalties.

Getting to the semis would be the first time we'd won two knockout games at the Euros. A unique & massive achievement for England.
Click to expand...
That’s true but we shouldn’t see our terrible Euros record as an excuse to under perform.
 
Atypical I think you are right in as much as we shouldn't go into any game looking to contain teams.

We should try and get at teams but again you're right, it's not the English way. To much side to side possession football.

I really hope Southgate gets this group of players believing in themselves and they have a right, fearless go.

I am a Scotsman but I can't see that interest lasting beyond the group.
 
On scuba original post England could easily play France in the last 16 tie. That would be incredibly tough.
 
Laughing said:
On scuba original post England could easily play France in the last 16 tie. That would be incredibly tough.
Click to expand...
It would. But for france to come 2nd in their group it would mean they’ve dropped points against other (probably lesser) teams, and are therefore beatable. We shouldn’t go into it fearing them. Historically they are no strangers to an implosion themselves anyway.
 
atypical_boro said:
It would. But for france to come 2nd in their group it would mean they’ve dropped points against other (probably lesser) teams, and are therefore beatable. We shouldn’t go into it fearing them. Historically they are no strangers to an implosion themselves anyway.
Click to expand...
No we shouldn't fear them but you have to respect them.
 
atypical_boro said:
Ok, well there’s more than one reason for that. It was toothless, and the players were terrified.
Click to expand...
Oh I am sure there were other reasons, lack of belief may have been one of those reasons, but really. The manager had to take most of the blame of that were the case. In any event my comment about France was more to do with scuba ridiculous statement about anything less than the semis is failure.

England will likely play France or Germany or Portugal in the last 16. Any of those 3 could make the final. So to assert that we should reach at least the semis or its a failure is clearly failing to understand knockout football.
 
atypical_boro said:
Portugal have a few good players but their squad as a whole can’t handle a candle to ours. We shouldn’t be remotely scared of Portugal even though I have a feeling we might be if we met them in knockouts cos it’s the English way.
Click to expand...
I think Portugal have got some brilliant players, it's the 11 on the pitch that matter not the squad.I think they could be the team to beat 👍
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top