North Macedonia v England - 7:45pm KO

AytonMews said:
I saw a group of ENGERLAND lads with a 57 pint tower of beer at lunchtime working out at 80p a pint, so you’re probably right there
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Exactly. The football will have been an afterthought for many England fans at the game tonight. No doubt loads made a cheap weekend of it on the booze.
 
Chris_Boro said:
That's a poor comparison, you only get minimal competitive football at International level.

Players should be motivated to play for England at anytime.
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Who says they weren't motivated anyway!?
It's a fan cliche that if a team doesn't play well to assume that they're just not bothered enough, it's rarely true though.

It's obviously not a direct comparison but the principle remains, games after an objective is achieved should never be an indication of the quality of the team or the manager.

People are desperate to read a lot into meaningless games because they don't like or rate Southgate and they're trying to find any reason to criticise him.
 
The Card Cheat said:
Who says they weren't motivated anyway!?
It's a fan cliche that if a team doesn't play well to assume that they're just not bothered enough, it's rarely true though.

It's obviously not a direct comparison but the principle remains, games after an objective is achieved should never be an indication of the quality of the team or the manager.

People are desperate to read a lot into meaningless games because they don't like or rate Southgate and they're trying to find any reason to criticise him.
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We are looking to win competitions that require beating the best teams in the world. Every game should build towards that goal, there's never meaningless games in international football, it's all fine margins.

Southgate has done a brilliant job so far, his positives far outweigh the negatives but he should not be immune to criticism.

We need to be ruthless, no matter who we play and when. I didn't see that from these two performances, complacency can be contagious.
 
Chris_Boro said:
We are looking to win competitions that require beating the best teams in the world. Every game should build towards that goal, there's never meaningless games in international football, it's all fine margins.

Southgate has done a brilliant job so far, his positives far outweigh the negatives but he should not be immune to criticism.

We need to be ruthless, no matter who we play and when. I didn't see that from these two performances, complacency can be contagious.
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Fair points well made.👍
 
AytonMews said:
What has Grealish done to be singled out tonight compared to, say, Foden or Saka? Was it just that one overhit cross?
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No they didn't do a lot.but he was particularly boring tonight. Stopped any movement in its tracks. Showed outside moved inside and lost the ball or checked back and passed back to the half way line.
 
Chris_Boro said:
We are looking to win competitions that require beating the best teams in the world. Every game should build towards that goal, there's never meaningless games in international football, it's all fine margins.

Southgate has done a brilliant job so far, his positives far outweigh the negatives but he should not be immune to criticism.

We need to be ruthless, no matter who we play and when. I didn't see that from these two performances, complacency can be contagious.
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I see your point, but from another point of view, we've already qualified, we were more than likely going to be in Pot 1 anyway regardless of the outcome of last night, and you don't want to show your hand too much before the actual tournament next year.

England have always moved up a gear when it comes to international tournaments under Southgate, I wouldn't read too much into last night's result.
 
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