England v Italy THE FINAL

[DaveP67 is back!]

‘He’s gorra gew Franksie!’
Seriously tho we have such talent we need to play more on the front foot and trust in the kids..

[Leicesterbaggie]

Despite what happened in the 120 mins. game time, it all came down to the penalties and despite all the reports that we had really pracitised them, the three lads who missed them were woeful. I'm a firm believer in picking your spot, putting your foot through the ball and 'wellieing' it. If you do this, there's a good chance that you'll score. None of the three did this. To my mind they all tried to be a little too clever and failed because of this. I'm wondering if they took the penalties in the same way that they had practised them. Having said all this they do not deserve the disgraceful racial abuse that they have received. They, more than anyone else, wanted to score. I hope that they can put it behind them and look to the future. The one good thing was that three of them missed and not just one of them. That would really be difficult for that individual to cope with!

[Barrera]

I agree - it was Southgate who decided who took the penalties and plain and simple ... he got it wrong. Rashford and Sancho had been on the pitch for 2 mins and hardly touched the ball ... and a 19 y/o kid ..... I would have told the more senior players it’s their responsibility ..... Sterling, Henderson, Walker should all have taken one...

But the aftermath of racial abuse for the three lads who imissed has been shocking ..... personally I have had enough and the Government needs to take strong action ....it’s not like it’s the first time ..... sort it out Boris ....

[baggieal]

Some bang-up comments but fingering Grealish is well wide of the mark Jack tweeted "I told the gaffer I would take one” but Southgate in his sapience refused his offer !

Old Horse face was so concerned re;getting Sancho & Rashford on to the field of play before the end of extra time as the misfiring pair were integral in his consecrated choice of penalty takers

Southgate uber defensive/frightened approach i.e. lining up with 8 defenders plus Harry Kane (aka Fagin) holding this inutile deep lying midfield role contributed in England's miserable return of 2 attempts on target in 120 minutes of open play!

There was no one further up the pitch competent of holding onto the ball !

Lastly if anyone knows W/T/F Southgate’s adopted son Mason Mount brought to the party then please let us know !!

Had my run ins with you Freer ( all banter ) but got to agree with your comments. Grealish should have come on at the very least at half time. Mount contributed nothing and gave the ball away. When you try to hold a one goal lead you invite pressure and get punished - like we did!

Had we attacked Italy and tried for the second goal we could have won. Got to give it to Grealish - he’s grown up a lot and looked class and personally I would have started him.

Poor choice for penalty takers!! Reminded me last night a bit of the Pulis days - nick a goal and park the bus. It failed!

[westcountryvillain]

Grealish is 26 next birthday, 28 is considered to be the peak for a professional footballer so if he doesn't soon become a starter he won't fulfil his true potential which is there for all to see. Will there ever be a better opportunity than this final? I hope so but can't see it under GS's ultra cautious approach - whenever there is decent opposition they aren't convincing.

[mickd1961]

Grealish is 26 next birthday, 28 is considered to be the peak for a professional footballer so if he doesn't soon become a starter he won't fulfil his true potential which is there for all to see. Will there ever be a better opportunity than this final? I hope so but can't see it under GS's ultra cautious approach - whenever there is decent opposition they aren't convincing.

How that ineffective ponce Mason Mount gets much game time ahead of Grealish is beyond me.

[Acido]

How that ineffective ponce Mason Mount gets much game time ahead of Grealish is beyond me.

The media love him now for giving his shirt to that little ginger lass, and it made her cry etc. Now they are trying to make a celebrity out of her and her dad as well.

[baggieal]

Grealish is 26 next birthday, 28 is considered to be the peak for a professional footballer so if he doesn't soon become a starter he won't fulfil his true potential which is there for all to see. Will there ever be a better opportunity than this final? I hope so but can't see it under GS's ultra cautious approach - whenever there is decent opposition they aren't convincing.

Agree with you WCV. To be honest - I saw the diving and being the opposite of a role model albeit the ability to be a great player. Getting into the England team has convinced a lot of people of his true potential. Grealish should have started that match and it would have been deserved. When he eventually came on albeit too late it stopped us inviting pressure.

England did well to get that fat albeit the Germans are poor now and we rode our luck against Denmark but to park the bus against Italy contributed to us getting what we deserved.

Southgate presents himself well and very well liked but does not take risks and here is our downfall. Pity the words did not ring around Wembley - Attack Attack Attack!

[westcountryvillain]

I think it's beyond all of us Mick!

[kettering_baggie]

Grealish was one of the most talented players in the squad and to leave him out of the starting line up for a match like that was ridiculous. As for how Southgate managed the penalty shoot out, well, unbelievable.