[Football] Italy V England Final.

[Stuart Munday]

Italy are a better side than England, first half we played them off the park, second half Italy were very good and should have won it and I’m sure most of us will have taken penalties even if we lost. Why why bring on 2 players to take penalties with a minute left , both who were young and didn’t seem confident and the BBC barely mentioned it.

 

[Swansman]

The threat of the two players created the space for the first goal. Watch it again. Mount and Shaw double up on the left stretching their defence and Sterling's central run draws people in to make space for Shaw,

You don't just play the game with the ball at your feet.

Think Shaw was good today and throughout the tournament. Overall (and also today) I expected a little bit more of Mount perhaps.

Dont think any of them were the main issue today. Not sure if anyone in particular was, though I didnt like the Trippier / Sako sub.

But its not really about any single player. Italians were cooler and not afraid, that was the real difference.

 

[portslade seagull]

It was like watching a CH team. Score a goal then try to defend it. We dropped back so badly there was just no out ball

 

[Stat Brother]

It seems churlish to dig out Southgate for his tactics, when they are the tactics that got England to the final.

It's a shame GS has made it so easy to be critical.

 

[Justice]

Southgate didn’t learn from the Croatia semi final, way to defensive way to deep.

 

[Stat Brother]

We probably would have won if we'd voted Remain.

 

[drew]

Yes, why did he go into hiding? You can see why Southgate doesn't trust him enough to start a game

How do you know that's what happened.

 

[SUIYHP]

Honestly? I’d say Southgate has done well enough to unite the England team and create a sense of unity and a culture that is truly essential for our future success- but he has taken them as far as he can tactically- it would be controversial and I doubt anyone in the FA has the balls to do it after England’s successful run, but I’d say it’s time to take Southgate out and replace him with a manager who shares that unifying culture but has the talent and creativity to take our talented young players and turn them into a tournament winning side.

What I’m basically saying is that the FA should pull a Tony Bloom and sack Southgate and replace him with a Potter like figure, piss off a bunch of people in the short term but be completely vindicated by year two. Unfortunately I don’t think the FA has the same acumen or big picture perspective compared to our TB so even if they tried it, they’d probably botch it.

 

[Icy Gull]

It was like watching a CH team. Score a goal then try to defend it. We dropped back so badly there was just no out ball

Yep, we had the players but the manager bottled it. It was clear ten mins before Italy scored that it was coming and Southgate changed nothing until they scored. Yes men don’t win tournaments

 

[Guinness Boy]

At least we now have the football that actually matters coming up soon

I know you're on the wind up with the winky smiley but do give me a nudge the next time Brighton are within 90 mins of a trophy, just in case I've not noticed.

 

[albionfan37]

Shocking second half they totally let Italy into the game once we lost control they should’ve brought rashford on as a decent out ball no way Italy would squeeze the pitch like they did first game that I’ve been disappointed with southgates tactics

 

[The Fits]

Apparently Kane didn't touch the ball once in the box....

 

[Gwylan]

How do you know that's what happened.

Because he didn't take one, leaving it to a 19 year old kid. Some experienced players should have stepped up (Sterling should have put his hand up too)

 

[Icy Gull]

I know you're on the wind up with the winky smiley but do give me a nudge the next time Brighton are within 90 mins of a trophy, just in case I've not noticed.

Give Potter the players Southgate has and we’d sweep all before us. You are a bloody weirdo with your love for Southgate and loathing of Potter

 

[drew]

Because he didn't take one, leaving it to a 19 year old kid. Some experienced players should have stepped up (Sterling should have put his hand up too)

Grealish may well have said he's ready for a penalty but it's not his choice. If 6 said they'd take one then one is going to miss out, at least for the first phase.

I can't stand Grealish the man but he's still probably the best midfielder we have in this country.

 

[Albion in the north]

I know GS has taken us further than usual in the last 2 tournaments but to be honest, weve had pretty good draws in both of them. Hes done a great job in man management but luck has been on his side and we need a proper tactician to take us one step further. We have the makings of a great team.

 

[Farehamseagull]

Apparently Kane didn't touch the ball once in the box....

Had anyone removed him from Bonucci’s pocket yet?

The ultimate flat track bully. Did ok for the first 5 minutes and then hid all game except for his usual pathetic attempts to con the ref. Doesn’t work so well outside of the PL.

I’m sure Rashford, Sancho and Saka will deflect any blame off our totally over rated, uninspiring captain though.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Give Potter the players Southgate has and we’d sweep all before us. You are a bloody weirdo with your love for Southgate and loathing of Potter

Well one's got one of my teams to within two penalty kicks of the second biggest trophy in the world and the first major final for 55 years and the other has achieved two positions in the Premier League that were almost identical to our very first season with a squad that was probably 150% better and certainly more expensive.

 

[drew]

Apparently Kane didn't touch the ball once in the box....

You're forgetting the penalty!!!

 

[soistes]

Seb Coe said he’d chuck his silver medal in his bottom drawer after losing to Steve Ovett in the Olympics, but then he is a fully fledged ****

He is that