Gareth Southgate-The Ultimate Yes man

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Our spineless lump of a Prime Minister, after seeming to support the fan's right to boo, has now backtracked and says we shouldn't boo our footballers, the Scottish team have decided, after being contacted by some of their English club colleagues, to get on their knees as well.

This issue could be easily resolved, just find a gesture that all fans and players would support, but they won't contemplate that, they seek confrontation and division, but it's the booing fans who are apparently the problem. Just keep booing, but louder and longer say I.

In all seriousness sinkov, despite Southgate's earnest proclamations suggesting otherwise, I do not think his intellect his strong enough either to understand or articulate this issue.

He is making this an "us or them" dichotomy. It is not that simple, I think I might have to sit down and write and publish an explanation for him.

[ClaretinBudapest]

Southgate`s spineless character is the reason why we will not win any competition with him in charge.It is also why he is the England manager and why Brian Clough never was.
He is not a winner.He didn`t score his penalty for the same reason.He plays for safety first and it reflects in all manifestations whether it is in his team selection, his tactics during a game, and in this case a political standpoint.It is playing safe by going with what his employers or his peers have told him.He will not go for broke or against his peers even though logic tells him too especially when under pressure.
Winners go by their instincts-not what their peers think or tell them to do even if it means risking all.
His job is to coach a team and win football matches whatever the cost-not pander to some political movement.Unfortunately when the pressure is on and it matters the most he buckles to the peer pressure just like he buckled when taking the penalty.If you want to win tournaments-employ a winner.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Southgate`s spineless character is the reason why we will not win any competition with him in charge.It is also why he is the England manager and why Brian Clough never was.
He is not a winner.He didn`t score his penalty for the same reason.He plays for safety first and it reflects in all manifestations whether it is in his team selection, his tactics during a game, and in this case a political standpoint.It is playing safe by going with what his employers or his peers have told him.He will not go for broke or against his peers even though logic tells him too especially when under pressure.
Winners go by their instincts-not what their peers think or tell them to do even if it means risking all.
His job is to coach a team and win football matches whatever the cost-not pander to some political movement.Unfortunately when the pressure is on and it matters the most he buckles to the peer pressure just like he buckled when taking the penalty.If you want to win tournaments-employ a winner.

Nicely put CiB, and bang on the money for me.

[kritichris]

Our '96 team would destroy Southgate's team of today with his tactics. You felt that we could and should have won then but I don't feel that today.

[Supersub6]

Our '96 team didn't win anything, therefore, Southgate is no worse off, in fact he has won the opening game so he is better off.
We only won 2 matches in 1996 against Scotland and the Netherlands in the group stages. We drew the other three games we played, winning against Spain on penalties in the quarter final and losing against Germany in the semi.

We have just beaten the World Cup finalists, who beat us in the semis so that is an improvement. We play too much ticky tacky football as far as I am concerned and I doubt whether we are good enough to win this Tournament, however, they have started with a win and you can't ask for better than that.

[army88]

Our '96 team didn't win anything, therefore, Southgate is no worse off, in fact he has won the opening game so he is better off.
We only won 2 matches in 1996 against Scotland and the Netherlands in the group stages. We drew the other three games we played, winning against Spain on penalties in the quarter final and losing against Germany in the semi.

We have just beaten the World Cup finalists, who beat us in the semis so that is an improvement. We play too much ticky tacky football as far as I am concerned and I doubt whether we are good enough to win this Tournament, however, they have started with a win and you can't ask for better than that.

Agreed sub we are the specialist crab football nation ( left to right going no where ) internationally , imagine someone like Pep in charge with what’s at his disposal now - grealish would be starting i know that for sure.
Philips was quality today but I fail to see the point of having mount and Foden and then not getting them in the game when potentially they’re different league.
Southgate has it all at his disposal it remains to be seen if he chooses to go down as a great and win something or skulk away like most England managers.
They said today on the BBC he’s his own man and won’t be influenced by media or public but I think it’s a fine line for him at the minute as we have a squad of absolute quality with the exception of one or two , let’s see if he really is a believer in what he has and can loosen the reigns a bit.

[kritichris]

In 96 we improved with each game played and were playing (Scotland aside) top teams. We were unlucky not to beat Germany, Gazza almost reaching that cross. Germany then went on to beat us and win it aided by Southgate's missed pen. There just seemed more energy and desire in the team then (my rose tinted specs?) which was lacking today. I didn't feel comfortable til the final whistle blew. Croatia are ranked 10 places below us, it was a win but far from convincing (but then I support BFC so am full of pessimism). Hopefully that win will allow the team to play with more confidence and perhaps get some balls to Kane's feet. Onwards!

[The Bedlington Terrier]

In 96 we improved with each game played and were playing (Scotland aside) top teams. We were unlucky not to beat Germany, Gazza almost reaching that cross. Germany then went on to beat us and win it aided by Southgate's missed pen. There just seemed more energy and desire in the team then (my rose tinted specs?) which was lacking today. I didn't feel comfortable til the final whistle blew. Croatia are ranked 10 places below us, it was a win but far from convincing (but then I support BFC so am full of pessimism). Hopefully that win will allow the team to play with more confidence and perhaps get some balls to Kane's feet. Onwards!

My best mate is totally convinced we will win the tournament.

Mind you, when I caught up with him he was absolutely pi$$ed!

[Supersub6]

My best mate is totally convinced we will win the tournament.

Mind you, when I caught up with him he was absolutely pi$$ed!

I wouldn't put money on us beating the jocks! It is 22 years since they beat us and that was in the European Championship play off in 1999 when they won at Wembley 1-0 but we had beaten them in the first leg 2-0 and qualified for the finals when we finished 3rd in the group stage.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

I wouldn't put money on us beating the jocks! It is 22 years since they beat us and that was in the European Championship play off in 1999 when they won at Wembley 1-0 but we had beaten them in the first leg 2-0 and qualified for the finals when we finished 3rd in the group stage.

4-0 Supersub6 - no problem whatsoever.