- Oct 17, 2008
- 11,006
Hoddle was actually doing an outstanding job.
[Football] England World Cup Squad
- Thread starter Kinky Gerbil
- Start date
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Literally no one overrated or overhyped him. He’s a very good player that most people seem to think is poor because he has some frustrating traits.
His movement is world class - De Bruyne said he is the most intelligent off the ball player he’s ever played with.
Southgate has had one of the best pool of players for decades, while many other counties haven't.
Added to which the only thing he has won as manager is an U21 tournament 6 years ago other than that nothing, zip, zilch EVER in any managerial position.
He talks like a boring accountant.
Sven MASSIVELY underachieved.
His squads were comfortably better than the side we have now. Quarter finals with the teams he had in 2004 and 2006 was dismal failure.
Arguably Portugal would have felt the exact same way if they had lost instead
Mackenzie
Old Brightonian
Did he name a reserve list in case of injuries? Or is the 26 set in stone now?
jakarta
Well-known member
Slabhead must be good at squeezing half time oranges, can't be any other reason for taking him...
- May 8, 2018
- 9,459
Potter would have got the blame of a Sterling was left out no doubt
In case of injuries? The dumb shit has already named two in the squad
Probably. Think he got the blame for some bad pre-game music Chelsea put on the other week so yeah I'd imagine he'd get the blame.
They can change the list as they please until November 14 and then, if there's injuries, you can replace a player until 24h before your first game if it is decided the player can't participate in the tournament.
Haven't seen any reserve list and I think in case of injuries, GS would maybe just go with a smaller squad than 26 players, like some coaches have decided to do.
albionfan37
Well-known member
Defence is awful midfield ain’t much better
- Nov 11, 2009
- 11,460
I dont agree personally that hes worse than Maguire or Dier and hes not in the squad
To be honest I am pleasantly surprised by this squad.
Of the players left out there’s not many I feel strongly about. Toney was never getting picked after the better rumours this week; Tammy Abrahams isn’t scoring and James Ward Prowse is a meh player.
I think Tamori should be in ahead of Coady but that’s not a massive WTF moment.
I liked Southgates comment on Phillips and the fact there are very few other English defensive midfielders available, fair point and so he covers Rice.
maguire is clearly contentious but he’s been outstanding at the last two tournaments so I can live with that.
I am sure we will have lots to criticise Southgate for in short order but this squad isn’t reason for major criticism in my opinion.
Of the players left out there’s not many I feel strongly about. Toney was never getting picked after the better rumours this week; Tammy Abrahams isn’t scoring and James Ward Prowse is a meh player.
I think Tamori should be in ahead of Coady but that’s not a massive WTF moment.
I liked Southgates comment on Phillips and the fact there are very few other English defensive midfielders available, fair point and so he covers Rice.
maguire is clearly contentious but he’s been outstanding at the last two tournaments so I can live with that.
I am sure we will have lots to criticise Southgate for in short order but this squad isn’t reason for major criticism in my opinion.
But you have to look at the teams we went out to in those years… Brazil and Germany, who I think both went on to win it?
Southgate got the worlds easiest draw in the last World Cup, with us going out to the first vaguely competent team we faced in Croatia, who themselves got dicked by France in the final.
It’s not really about where in the tournament you draw these teams, it’s how you do against them. Sven had terrible luck and despite that we pushed Brazil and Germany far… Southgate has gone out with a wimper to lesser sides, albeit further into tournaments (as I say, through lucky draws not ability).
I was working on the assumption that results trump performances. That’s not to say that performances don’t matter, but it’s results that usually define success and whether a manager remains in a job.
Hoddle never won a knockout game. Venables and Sven won one apiece. Christ, even Boby Robson only won two. Southgate, if my maths is correct, has 4, not out. He has a higher win % than all of them, too.
I’m not sure who the last England manager to match that is, but for all the comments about style of play, selection policies and monotone voice, all of the important stats point to him having the best record in the job for decades.
Is it PotG?
Thrifty non-licker
El Tel was a Gazza toenail from the Euro final, which I feel we would have won.
Hoddle wold have been in the seat longer had it not been for his unfortunate faux pas.
Mr Yes Man Suit will be fine 'til we play anyone half decent.
El Tel lost on pens at Wembley, in the semis of the Euros. Southgate did the same, only in the final. Surely that’s closer? He even managed to beat the Germans.
Don’t get me wrong, Euro 96 was a brilliant, iconic tournament. My old man took me to the opening game against Switzerland for my 11th birthday, and while that happened to be the unentertaining England game of that tournament it remains a cherished memory. But Vebables, like Hoddle, was ultimately forced to leave under a cloud before they could, arguably, fulfil their potential.
What would Southgate have to achieve in Qatar to eclipse the likes of those two, in your mind?
International football ia generally a poorer standard and less tactically complex than club football. I suspect Southgate will continue to rely on the approach that if you keep it
Rice and Bellingham are both really good.
Is it PotG?
Thrifty non-licker
The German side in '96 was far stronger than the one Southgate beat. As I said, Gazza hadn't cut his nails and who knows?
If Southgate forgets the Rice/Phillips wall, plays exciting football and drops the likes of Maguire and other players out of form then that's a start.