Ita v Eng MDT

It's boring watching England play. We have players that can destroy opposition defences but Southgate has them time wasting from minute one. Backwards sideways goalkeeper as slow as you can and then repeat. We win in spite of Southgate, not because of him.

 

Does he fine players for passing forward. It is frustrating to watch players being so negative. He is wasting a great squad of players.

 

Good grief that’s our first win in Italy since 1961

 

A win is a win but that 2nd half from England was diabolical.

 

First win in Italy since 1961.Credit where its due to manager and players.

 

Peter Springetts brother Ron was in the goal for England in that game

 

We should have gone in 3 nil up at half time after playing really well first half, Italy were always going to come out swinging 2nd half but we stood up to it and came away with a great win .

 

If Grealish puts that sitter away just before halftime then the second half is a different game.
The ref did England no favours either

 

Yerbut Italy are rebuilding and not a particularly good side atm. Don't forget this Italy team is a side that failed to make the WC finals. We made hard work of it and whilst Southgate's record show WC finals and Euro Final (against the old Italy side) I am unconvinced by him as the squad he has at his disposal should be World beaters not 'nearly men'.

 

That’s one interpretation.

I’d suggest the manager sent them out constrained and far too negative.

Wasting the talents at his disposal by being so negative. This is the poorest set of Italy players in a long time - and we play both Rice and Phillips when Phillips has barely kicked a ball in anger since Christmas.

Selects Harry Maguire who also hasn’t played, who tries to dribble out, immediately gives the ball away with a sloppy pass, jumps into a tackle to try and make up for it and then is out of position when the Argentina u21 is played in exactly where the left centre back should have been.

Southgate has a great record statistically compared to recent others but watch the games - are we as good as we ought to be? Then look at our squad and those of who have won recent tournaments. Are they markedly better?

England have reached a semi final and final despite Southgate, not because of him. The exit in the World Cup last year was actually the one time I’d praise him as the performance was spirited and they were unlucky to be beaten. Against Italy the year before and Croatia in the World Cup prior to that they were rabbits in the headlights.

This squad of players need the shackles taking off. So much attacking talent, so many goals in the team.

Southgate is the weak link in the England team. He might well go on to win the euros next year; there’s no outstanding team you’d suggest are a lot better - but I’d still say the same. That second half was Croatia in 2018 and Italy in 2021 all over again. Never, ever learns.

I will concede the ref was absolute babber, handing out cards like it was Christmas. But there was nothing offered in the second half, and it happens too often for me. Always the same.

 

Even duller after Tuesday night..

 

This is really stirring my inner pedantry having been at 3 games that England won in Italy in 1990.

The pedant-proof stat is that this is England's first win against Italy in Italy since 1961.

 

Plus several wins away to San Marino which must have been played in Italy.

 

100% correct sir!

 

Italy very rarely lose any home qualifier’s so it’s no mean feat defeating them but ultimately Southgate needs to bring the Euro’s home next summer and injuries permitting we’ll have a big chance but it’s got to happen next year for this group of players .

 

I believe its called game management.
It's from the same coaching manual as winning a penalty and drawing the foul.

 

This should be without a doubt the 'easiest' Euros for us to win, so if we don't win it this time I don't think we will for a long, long time. Other than France, no side is stronger than ours. Germany a mess, proven in the WC. Spain has got a good side, will be a brilliant side in a few years when their youngsters progress, Italy has been poor for years now, even Mancini bemoaning the lack of Italian talent playing in Italy the other day. We need to win this one

 

Let’s put it this way - which premier league club, or club anywhere in the world, takes Gareth Southgate as manager? Who sees him as a manager to take them forward?

He’s a great orator, and would be a fantastic representative for the FA and England around the world. The FA could easily find him a role in a backroom capacity, a general manager to oversee maybe or some kind of director of football operations role perhaps.

And go and get Eddie Howe. The Newcastle owners don’t have much money, wouldn’t cost a lot…

 

Not a chance Howe would join England atm I don't think bud, the potential with Newcastle right now is sky high. If it goes well his stature would rise exponentially. Could easily push him to that higher echelon of managers. Not to mention the potential to be far better of financially! Although I suppose it depends on him. He'd be revered if he won a major tournament with England, I just don't think long-term it'd be beneficial to his long term managerial career, as daft as that sounds..?

If that makes sense

 

Moot point and notwithstanding Southgate's experience at the highest levels of the game, contrasting the England performances with the positivity, willingness to run their blood to water and team spirit a certain League one manager instils into an obviously inferior squad of players, does make me wonder what he could do with such a talented group of players that is the current England squad.
Regardless of what level you are at, tactical nous, man motivation skills, and team building is largely intuitive. Michael Duff has some way to go to acquire the necessary experience to manage at the highest level, but his potential is plain to see already.
Summary of tonight's match after Tuesday night.... 'Sublime to the ridiculous'.