The Football Thread 2021/22: England thrown to Hungary lions

[Benzin]

He'll stay until the World Cup and then a decision will be made.

It's just been dire performances for a while now and that was the culmination of them all. Hungary played a perfect game and tactically England had zero impetus or drive to break through.

Philips in particular was terrible but no one came out of that game with any real positives.

The Stones sending off was unbelievably laughable though. The referee had been poor as well but that was just incredible. Especially when shortly afterwards a Hungary player did a late challenge and got nothing for it.

The attacking talent in that squad should not be taking 4 games to score 1 penalty.

[Tomous]

While sacking Southgate after a Nations League game would be silly England need to be careful they don't waste this golden generation. They're squad is one of the best in the world, if this generation passes without a trophy it would be a huge missed opportunity.

[Moggy]

golden generation

[Buffalo]

Watching Southgate’s England actually play has been as dull as all bollocks since the get go. If he leaves after the World Cup then thank the heaven.

[Imrahil]

This England team has far too many weaknesses to be a golden generation or even a great side. Kane - and arguably Foden - are our only established world class players I think. And even Foden is not at full potential yet and needs quality around him. The jury's out still on Graelish.

Our defenders are poor both positionally and in awareness, we don't have a world class central midfielder and our other attacking players are inconsistent much of the time.

All that said, they should be playing better than they are. But I don't personally expect 'greatness' from them, even with a better manager.

[Cuttooth]

Yeah I think we're far from having one of the best squads in the world. Southgate did very well to get England to the final stages of two tournaments but England were also helped along the way with some fortunate draws / playing a tournament almost entirely at home. The way they play under Southgate is quite limited though and some kind of tactical shift is needed quickly, otherwise he should expect the sack in the new year.

That's not to say any other potential manager would have got England to the final of the World Cup in 2018 or beaten Italy last year though.

[Oblomov Boblomov]

I was fairly convinced I enjoyed watching England under Southgate, but I can't rule out the possibility I have become a diehard fan purely on the basis of Southgate's stance on things like BLM and nothing to do with the actual football. Although success at tournaments will have clearly helped.

[Photek]

This England team has far too many weaknesses to be a golden generation or even a great side. Kane - and arguably Foden - are our only established world class players I think. And even Foden is not at full potential yet and needs quality around him. The jury's out still on Graelish.

Our defenders are poor both positionally and in awareness, we don't have a world class central midfielder and our other attacking players are inconsistent much of the time.

All that said, they should be playing better than they are. But I don't personally expect 'greatness' from them, even with a better manager.

Rice, imo could be a world class CDM. England should play a high line, the defence is more used to that style (Walker, Trent, Reece, Stones all play in teams that have a high line) This would lesson the need or an out and out midfield play maker (thiago/KDB), even within that, Foden would be a great addition, Trent is the best crosser in the Prem league and barely gets a look in.

Southgate has world class talent and he's not using any of them to the best of their ability which is an indicative that he's out of his depth. Not one Premier League team would take him on as manager.

[Drumstick]

I don't think these matches matter a great deal. The regular season barely ended before they linked up for this latest batch of games and the elevens have been experimental.

[Photek]

I don't think these matches matter a great deal. The regular season barely ended before they linked up for this latest batch of games and the elevens have been experimental.

The players picked, experimental or not should not be hammered 4-0 by Hungary and get out played by Italy and Germany, also, you know Germany, Hungary and Italy ALSO HAVE A LEAGUE SEASON? Mind blowing stuff!

Why the actual f*** would you pick an experimental team months out from the World Cup?

[DML]

It would be fine to say Southgate was out of his depth if he hadn't demonstrated the fact he is very much not two times now. There's no question he deserves to take this team to the World Cup, especially after an impressive qualification campaign (ask Italy if they'd like to swap with us). However I do suspect that this will be his last tournament in charge.

Everyone acts like he never beats any good teams at tournaments, completely forgetting at Euro 2020 he beat World Cup finalists Croatia, finally broke the hoodoo of Germany and only lost to Italy on pens after taking the lead. I maintain if this was a foreign coach of a foreign team, everyone would not say a peep. Look at how France are doing, should they get rid of Deschamps? Should Italy bin Mancini?

These games have been dreadful, but ultimately in the context of being after the season ends, they are just friendlies. The people who say 'boring' football are the first in line to complain when a team starts to struggle or not do as well. We'd be crazy to sack him over this.

[DML]

I don't think these matches matter a great deal. The regular season barely ended before they linked up for this latest batch of games and the elevens have been experimental.

The players picked, experimental or not should not be hammered 4-0 by Hungary and get out played by Italy and Germany, also, you know Germany, Hungary and Italy ALSO HAVE A LEAGUE SEASON? Mind blowing stuff!

Why the actual f*** would you pick an experimental team months out from the World Cup?

Probably because he wants to see players like Bowen and Gallagher actually play? Also rotation to stop his players knackering themselves out before a long campaign? The results have been woeful, but lots of teams struggling to make results in the Nations League Group A TBF.

You are also acting like England fans aren't the biggest critics of the England National Team. My god, spend time in any pub and you'll have your head talked off.

[Photek]

You won't win anything under Southgate - feel free to quote this. Some of you are living in cloud cuckoo land, England scraped through to the semi final of the WC and Euro Final on Set Peices mostly.

It's too late to sack him but he is out of his depth.

[DML]

I was fairly convinced I enjoyed watching England under Southgate, but I can't rule out the possibility I have become a diehard fan purely on the basis of Southgate's stance on things like BLM and nothing to do with the actual football. Although success at tournaments will have clearly helped.

Theres been some good games, there has been some seriously dull games and theres been some okay games. Crucially up until this point there has been no embarassing games. Last night was the first and even in spite of my defense of the game, it is at least right his position is questioned. I don't think a lot of fringe players did themselves any real favours!

[DML]

You won't win anything under Southgate - feel free to quote this. Some of you are living in cloud cuckoo land, England scraped through to the semi final of the WC and Euro Final on Set Peices mostly.

We won't win anything under anyone. Have you SEEN the Brazil and France squads?

And when someone has already reached a Euros Final and a World Cup Semi Final for a team that traditionally has got nowhere near that, you cannot claim they are out of their depth. They already have the results to show for their endeavour, kinda already proven you wrong. I think this will prove his toughest test by a long shot simply because of the heat in Qatar, I don't expect it to be pretty.

[Photek]

You won't win anything under Southgate - feel free to quote this. Some of you are living in cloud cuckoo land, England scraped through to the semi final of the WC and Euro Final on Set Peices mostly.

We won't win anything under anyone. Have you SEEN the Brazil and France squads?

England have a phenomenal squad of players....

[Cuttooth]

I actually am surprised that Mancini wasn't sacked for failing to qualify for the World Cup.

[DML]

You won't win anything under Southgate - feel free to quote this. Some of you are living in cloud cuckoo land, England scraped through to the semi final of the WC and Euro Final on Set Peices mostly.

We won't win anything under anyone. Have you SEEN the Brazil and France squads?

England have a phenomenal squad of players....

Best squad in a long while, but nothing in comparison to the squads above. You are sort of arguing two different things. One is that England have a great set of players (they do) but they aren't the best team in the world. So therefore isn't a semi-final and a final pretty good going? The other is that Southgate is out of his depth, when he's already got a track record that shows he isn't - unless you are expecting him to win tournaments to prove his worth? To me, that is mental.

[DML]

I actually am surprised that Mancini wasn't sacked for failing to qualify for the World Cup.

I think its actually quite a smart decision because for 'this level' (ie, managers who are willing to manage international teams) hes probably up at the top quality wise.

[Photek]

You won't win anything under Southgate - feel free to quote this. Some of you are living in cloud cuckoo land, England scraped through to the semi final of the WC and Euro Final on Set Peices mostly.

We won't win anything under anyone. Have you SEEN the Brazil and France squads?

England have a phenomenal squad of players....

Best squad in a long while, but nothing in comparison to the squads above. You are sort of arguing two different things. One is that England have a great set of players (they do) but they aren't the best team in the world. So therefore isn't a semi-final and a final pretty good going? The other is that Southgate is out of his depth, when he's already got a track record that shows he isn't - unless you are expecting him to win tournaments to prove his worth? To me, that is mental.

I'm not arguing two different things at all, a competent manager would get far FAR more out of this team, if he's NOT out of his depth what Premier team would take him as a manger then?