SEE YOU! A brand spanking new modern fitba thread 2023/2024

Of course it is mate. Southgate is a hideously cautious manager. No-one can seriously claim that the players he has available want to play like this. For their clubs, most of these players spend the entire game piling forward, trying to score bagfuls of goals. It's definitely on the manager. He's a nice bloke and the players obviously respect him, but he's out of his depth at elite level. I've been banging this drum for years.

MTF

 

He should be playing Gordon, too. It really isn't rocket science. You can't just pick the 'best players'. You put the best available player in each position. Bellingham and Foden doesn't work because they are the same player. Playing full-backs in midfield doesn't work because it's obviously ridiculous. Is Kane really the best option for England when he looks like he can barely run five yards and there are no wingers pinging balls into the box for him to attack?

As a manger, you have to find a way to accommodate a squad while picking your best team. Southgate can't, won't or both.

MTF

 

Aye. Elsewhere, he'a playing a right footed left back behind a guy who wants to play centre mid & it makes as much sense on a football pitch as it does in a sentence. The guys a cabbage.

 

Seeing allt of upvoted youtube comments saying 'I wish Postecoglou was managing this team'. That would definitely be more fun to watch

 

Obviously there is a degree of bias here but I cannot stress how much of a mistake leaving Gordon on the bench is to this team. All season he's pressed high up the pitch, driven directly at fullbacks with pace and threaded through balls to Isak behind defences. He's basically everything this boring, plodding side needs, which probably explains why he got 1 minute of play in the first three games.

MTF

 

Gordon and Watkins worth a look.

 

I think i'd start Saka on the left, personally. A left footer who might give some width and balance.

 

Ok.....the others have been exposed as having feet of clay. England remain justified favourites.

 

England will play Slovakia and probably Italy but possibly La Suisse. England could conceivably be in the semis having faced Serbia, Denmark,Slovenia, Slovakia and Switzerland.

Like Napoleon said ....I don't want good generals. Give me lucky generals.

 

My initial thoughts in bold. Only upset at the moment i'm leaning to is the first one. "Sure" ones would seem to be Spain and England.

Switzerland vs. Italy (on penalties)
Germany vs. Denmark
England vs. Slovakia
Spain vs. Georgia
France vs. Belgium
Portugal vs. Slovenia
Romania vs. Netherlands
Austria vs. Turkey

 

Atlanta isn't really known for its futbol. I dunno how they're gonna beat Spain.

 

Venezuela shocked Mexico 1-0. With a goal from one of Everton's worst strikers we ever had (I realize he had a good career before we got him but he was absolutely useless by the time he joined Everton.) Rondon.

 

Mexico is in footballing tatters.

 

Rice and Trippier training away from main bunch.

Foden back in England for child birth .

England will beat Slovakia, a cloud will lift, Switzerland will go out on penalties to an exhausted Italy who will struggle with England.

 

Within 24 hrs of another Everton reject Cenk Tosun scoring to put Turkey through to second round

 

I think if we beat Slovakia it'll be another uninspiring, stumble-over-the-line job. We beat Italy home and away in qualifying, but I think they might edge us if we play them in the quarters.

 

Yes. I saw that. It was a good day for Everton rejects. I wonder what Davey Klassen is up to.

 

Panama whupped the USA. Shades of Duran-Leonard 1.

 

My picks:

Switzerland 0-1 Italy
Germany 2-0 Denmark
England 1-0 Slovakia
Spain 3-0 Georgia
France 2-1 Belgium
Portugal 1-0 Slovenia
Romania 1-2 Netherlands
Austria 2-1 Turkey

 

Tuncay gonna make an appearance at this rate.....

 

Not only did US and A lose a man and a match, their next match is against a team riding high after romping their opponents. Not a good spot for the hosts.

 

Love it or leave it!! Go team! Our defense man made a mistake that the goal tender couldn't fix but I blame the forwarders myself.

 

And now Gordon falls off his fucking bike......

 

Switzerland the better of the two teams so far. They look more likely. Decision making letting them down though.

 

Italy look dreadful, so easy to play through

 

Switzerland 1-0

 

And the crowd... reach for their camera phones in excitement

 

Posted this right before the goal

Italy making Scotlands performance vs the swiss look brilliant

 

Italy pressing as if covid distancing rules are in force, tf

 

Swiss good balance....beat the Poles easier than anyone else.