Such bad management on Southgates part…

I said exactly the same thing when we scored so early. Don't you think Italy were just too strong in key areas rather than us sitting back. I thought we tried to go forward but were outwitted by the "old boys" at the back. We just didn't seem to get hold of the ball for any prolonged period...down to Italy's pressing rather than us being negative.

 

The goal we conceded wasn't down to tactics. It was a pinball goal off a set piece. Italy created few other clear cut chances and if they hadn't scored that you'd be saying Southgate managed the game well.

 

And another “one” spews his opinion out.

 

It's the managers job to see these things and try to do something to change it Mancini did Southgate didn't he was far too passive, he hasn't learnt from the last world cup when the same scenario unfolded.

 

I think you can criticise Southgate and acknowledge that he’s done a good job overall.

He’s had an excellent tournament and I’d want him in charge at the World Cup. But he’s had a shocker tonight

 

There'll always be questions.

For me, players like Grealish and Foden should be starting. I think Mount has been very lucky to play every game. And at times, I think Mount, Rice and Phillips is a little cautious. But it's served us well. We've only lost on pens in a major final. It's hard to be critical.

Eriksson and Capello had the golden generation, and I've enjoyed Gareth's lads a lot more.

I'm chuffed that we are in the final four / final of these majors. Qatar will be a different beast, but excited to see what we can do.

 

Unfortunately I think Southgate had his worst match of the tournament. Bringing lads on far too late to make any difference and then expecting them to perform under immense pressure was an impossible ask. I thought Sterling needed to come off before extra time and someone else given a run. I don't know whether he can recover after being so close to the prize.

 

Other than taking Mount off earlier I wouldn't have done much differently. Formation was ok...we haven't a god given right to beat everybody, sometimes no matter what the other side is just a better team...by the way we're talking about one missed penalty. Would we be having this conversation otherwise?

 

There is that risk. Hard into the bottom corner is what you need to do.

 

We bottled it tactically after such a brilliant start, that game was there for the taking until we allowed Italy to grow into the game.

 

Of course he can.

 

I'm with you. I could see the retreat and deep line from the minute we kicked off second half. Italy were a different animal and I said to my family, we ought to get Grealish on for Mount here, get on the ball, push up a bit otherwise they'll get something, we can't defend for 45 minutes.

But they barely mustered anything. It was a fortuitous goal when it came.

Poor pens at the end, but to get to a final is a cracking achievement. Fair play to Italy.

 

I hope he can, he's a good man and a good manager. You know how the press work though, heads they win, tails you lose.

 

They definitely grew into the game after the opening quarter. Not sure we bottled anything. The Italians are a great side. 34 games unbeaten.

 

No we are talking about 3 missed penalties 2 by players who had been on the pitch for less than 3 minutes and have hardly figured in previous matches and the most important one left to a 19 yr old kid. Mount was a passenger for most of the match and should have been sub early in the 2nd he offered nothing. I'm not blaming the players they had the balls to step up but imho Southgate needs to take a look at his role in both tonights defeat and the world cup semi final defeat when opposition mangers have made changes which have changed the game and Southgate just hasn't reacted.

 

You're blaming Southgate for not getting us beyond the semis of a World Cup and later failing to win on pens in a EURO final?

He's the best manager this country has had in my lifetime by a country mile.

 

A shocker in what sense? Could’ve gone for it more in the second half. Should’ve made some changes earlier in extra time.

 

1st half they didn't move quickly enough, second half they rectified that

 

I accept he could have acted more quickly in the Croatia game...we should have won that...but tonight I just think we were outdone by a better side on penalties, which is a bit of a lottery ie jorghinio missed, probably one of the best penalty takers in the world. A semi and a final isn't bad going in your first 2 comps in my book

 

I agree that Italy are a good side but It was there for the taking in my opinion, we should have pushed for the second goal when we were easily on top.
It would be my guess that Southgate will have big regrets about tonight, definitely an opportunity missed.