Montenegro v England

[The 90+2]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

5-1

Unfortunately this England team are going to get better and better. FFS they are playing 18 year old who tonight has had his first professional start.

Meanwhile, at Scotland......

It's embarrassing.

Reaching the WC Semi when he was expected to do not a lot gives Southgate the freedom to do so, there’s no pressure on him or this team and it’s a joy to watch. It’s like Germany after they won the Euro 21s in 2007 or 2006.

[Lago]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

All this circle jerking just makes the first listen of "it's coming home" after they've inevitably been papped out again on penalties in the latter stages all the more pleasurable.

Boy oh boy how I wish I could live long enough to see Scotland papped out in the latter stages of any major tournament.😣

[The 90+2]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Boy oh boy how I wish I could live long enough to see Scotland papped out in the latter stages of any major tournament.😣

Never made one since I’ve been old enough to go. Typical. Scotland make the Euros any stadium will be jam packed which is ironic as it will probably be Hampden. Get the Judas away and we still have a chance.

[BullsCloseHibs]

Ian Wright... "we should be proud of our manager and players... Its all aligning"

Let's see if you come up with same comment after the next gubbin. It WILL happen.

[MWHIBBIES]

They're an excellent side, so much young talent. Will be competing for years to come.

[hfc rd]

Hate to admit but it’s time to take off those tinted spectacles and just look at the reality. They look very, very good. Most of all they have a very good young squad and are only just going to get better with more experience. Some fantastic youngsters coming through plus both the players and the management seem to have a real good bond together. A proper team mentality and togetherness. Something I haven’t seen from them for a very long time and definitely not something I can say about Scotland.

Definitely will be competing whether we like it or not. That’s the reality.

[LancsHibs]

Never has there been such a gap between the England & Scotland national sides as there is right now. On different stratospheres!

[Stuart93]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Ian Wright... "we should be proud of our manager and players... Its all aligning"

Let's see if you come up with same comment after the next gubbin. It WILL happen.

When was their last “gubbin”?

[JeMeSouviens]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Never has there been such a gap between the England & Scotland national sides as there is right now. On different stratospheres!

Now that is sadly unarguable.

Fwiw, I think England should be contenders for the Euros but they still lack a bit in the midfield for me. They need an Eriksen/Modric/de Bruyne. They overwhelm poor teams but they don’t control games against quality as we saw against Belgium and Croatia last summer. If they can fill in that missing piece then maybe.

[heretoday]

Southgate must be an inspiring manager. He's even got Ross Barkley performing well.

[Mibbes Aye]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Gareth Southgate has done a great job. They appear to have a good team spirit.

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Southgate must be an inspiring manager. He's even got Ross Barkley performing well.

I think Southgate and his backroom staff do lots of little but important things behind the scenes very well. This contributes to a positive environment.

I read that prior to the World Cup they had arranged for every squad player to get a personal message from an England great who had played in their position, as a motivational tool. So Jordan Pickford got a written note from Gordon Banks etc.

[JimBHibees]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Hate to admit but it’s time to take off those tinted spectacles and just look at the reality. They look very, very good. Most of all they have a very good young squad and are only just going to get better with more experience. Some fantastic youngsters coming through plus both the players and the management seem to have a real good bond together. A proper team mentality and togetherness. Something I haven’t seen from them for a very long time and definitely not something I can say about Scotland.

Definitely will be competing whether we like it or not. That’s the reality.

Agree the writing was on the wall when their age group teams 17s/19s/21s i think started winning tournaments which has never really happened before. They are no doubt benefiting on the back of the massive club investment in facilities and expertise in the academy set up plus the enormous investment in St Georges park which appears to be on a different planet. Whilst absolutely realising the enormous gulf in investment between the two counties and top level clubs it is an awful stark contrast where we are with IMO an outdated manager, players doing as much as they can not to play the most bizarre being Fletcher not being picked for Scotland squad for injury then next day scores for his club plus not getting the best out of who is there.

[LancsHibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Southgate must be an inspiring manager. He's even got Ross Barkley performing well.

Yes I laughed when he was appointed. Hats off to him

[green day]

Another good win for England.

On a slightly sour note, I see that the neanderthals were out with their monkey chants at the black English players.

Good to see Southgate talking about it and that perhaps they need to be closing stadiums. Sterlings tweet afterwards was amusing, but there are some countries (most of the balkan countries seem to have form) where this is a regular occurrence.

Montenegro manager said he "didnt hear it", and didnt understand why he should be answering questions about it

Disgusting behaviour all round, and those countries need to be pulled up by FIFA etc. It wouldnt surprise me if a manager like Southgate didnt take his team off the field one day in protest, although in some ways that plays into the racists hands.

Chucking some countries out might give Scotland another route to qualify too.........................

[LancsHibs]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Another good win for England.

On a slightly sour note, I see that the neanderthals were out with their monkey chants at the black English players.

Good to see Southgate talking about it and that perhaps they need to be closing stadiums. Sterlings tweet afterwards was amusing, but there are some countries (most of the balkan countries seem to have form) where this is a regular occurrence.

Montenegro manager said he "didnt hear it", and didnt understand why he should be answering questions about it

Disgusting behaviour all round, and those countries need to be pulled up by FIFA etc. It wouldnt surprise me if a manager like Southgate didnt take his team off the field one day in protest, although in some ways that plays into the racists hands.

Chucking some countries out might give Scotland another route to qualify too.........................

Maybe we should have the same reaction to the bile sectarian crap that comes from the OF supporters in this country? In fact why do we even dress it up as sectarianism and not just call it racism as that’s what it is in the 21st century. Maybe that would be the first step? Wonder what Southgate would think if he brought his team to Ibrox and the abuse Declan Rice and his other Catholic players would get

[hibsbollah]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Another good win for England.

On a slightly sour note, I see that the neanderthals were out with their monkey chants at the black English players.

Good to see Southgate talking about it and that perhaps they need to be closing stadiums. Sterlings tweet afterwards was amusing, but there are some countries (most of the balkan countries seem to have form) where this is a regular occurrence.

Montenegro manager said he "didnt hear it", and didnt understand why he should be answering questions about it

Disgusting behaviour all round, and those countries need to be pulled up by FIFA etc. It wouldnt surprise me if a manager like Southgate didnt take his team off the field one day in protest, although in some ways that plays into the racists hands.

Chucking some countries out might give Scotland another route to qualify too.........................

Raheem Sterling was great, both in earcupping the racists when he scored and the eloquence with which he spoke afterwards.

[CockneyRebel]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Ian Wright... "we should be proud of our manager and players... Its all aligning"

Let's see if you come up with same comment after the next gubbin. It WILL happen.

What exactly is wrong with that comment? Of course they'll get beat - every team does but why not enjoy it while it's happening? You would if it was Scotland.

[JeMeSouviens]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Maybe we should have the same reaction to the bile sectarian crap that comes from the OF supporters in this country? In fact why do we even dress it up as sectarianism and not just call it racism as that’s what it is in the 21st century. Maybe that would be the first step? Wonder what Southgate would think if he brought his team to Ibrox and the abuse Declan Rice and his other Catholic players would get

Most of the Scottish media ignores the constant background bigotry or treats it as a big joke then switches straight to pearl clutching handwringing when something happens as a result of it.

[highland hibbee]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Most of the Scottish media ignores the constant background bigotry or treats it as a big joke then switches straight to pearl clutching handwringing when something happens as a result of it.

Looks like the IFA have now come out against bigotry , probably on the back of the upsurge in racism elsewhere.
Guarantee the SFA will make a statement about racism but ignore the festering boil within their own remit......

[Onceinawhile]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Now that is sadly unarguable.

Fwiw, I think England should be contenders for the Euros but they still lack a bit in the midfield for me. They need an Eriksen/Modric/de Bruyne. They overwhelm poor teams but they don’t control games against quality as we saw against Belgium and Croatia last summer. If they can fill in that missing piece then maybe.

Indeed. Just look at the result last time we played them. We were absolutely hammered.

[Onceinawhile]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Another good win for England.

On a slightly sour note, I see that the neanderthals were out with their monkey chants at the black English players.

Good to see Southgate talking about it and that perhaps they need to be closing stadiums. Sterlings tweet afterwards was amusing, but there are some countries (most of the balkan countries seem to have form) where this is a regular occurrence.

Montenegro manager said he "didnt hear it", and didnt understand why he should be answering questions about it

Disgusting behaviour all round, and those countries need to be pulled up by FIFA etc. It wouldnt surprise me if a manager like Southgate didnt take his team off the field one day in protest, although in some ways that plays into the racists hands.

Chucking some countries out might give Scotland another route to qualify too.........................

The problem with this, is that you can guarantee that FIFA would give the home team the points. You can be sure that no one is going to want to lose a game of football (that they would have won comfortably on the park) because the players walked off due to racism. Imagine for example, England didn't qualify for a world cup because they lost those three points? Financially the FA would take a massive hit and the players and fans would be deprived of a world cup experience.

Unless it's a meaningless game with qualification already ensured, it just won't happen unfortunately.

[One Day Soon]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Now that is sadly unarguable.

Fwiw, I think England should be contenders for the Euros but they still lack a bit in the midfield for me. They need an Eriksen/Modric/de Bruyne. They overwhelm poor teams but they don’t control games against quality as we saw against Belgium and Croatia last summer. If they can fill in that missing piece then maybe.

I think you're right on what's made them not quite good enough so far to be really serious contenders. The solution lies in either finding that key figure to control games OR developing a system that allows them to overcome that weakness by virtue of the strength of the team as a whole. That's where I think Southgate is heading, he's not trying to fit in 'big names' out of position to accommodate everyone, he's picking players who can naturally slot into the role and position required for the team as a whole.

I'd say that approach mirrors what previous winners of tournaments have generally done successfully - the Germans and Italians in particular when they've been strong. They have to be a great bet to make the final of the Euros though the 5-1 to win it that Bet 365 are offering seems a bit thin.

[Lago]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Indeed. Just look at the result last time we played them. We were absolutely hammered.

I dread the thought of playing them at the moment, don't think it would be a pleasant experience,

[Since452]

England are absolutely flying. Look a very good team which is worrying. Makes out predicament even more depressing.

[ancient hibee]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Never has there been such a gap between the England & Scotland national sides as there is right now. On different stratospheres!

There was a bit of a gap in 1961!

Southgate is doing so well because he learned national management through the age group teams and the players have grown up with him.We should think about Scott Gemmill.

[overdrive]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

The problem with this, is that you can guarantee that FIFA would give the home team the points. You can be sure that no one is going to want to lose a game of football (that they would have won comfortably on the park) because the players walked off due to racism. Imagine for example, England didn't qualify for a world cup because they lost those three points? Financially the FA would take a massive hit and the players and fans would be deprived of a world cup experience.

Unless it's a meaningless game with qualification already ensured, it just won't happen unfortunately.

Yep, the punishment for walking off the park will be more than the punishment for racism. Compare the fine Porto got for racially abusing Man City players (EUR 20,000) vs the fine Man City got for coming out a minute late for the second half vs Sporting (EUR 30,000).

[The 90+2]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

There was a bit of a gap in 1961!

Southgate is doing so well because he learned national management through the age group teams and the players have grown up with him.We should think about Scott Gemmill.

Southgate was there when St George’s opened and was a prominent figure throughout about the design of it and how it should be structured.

Strachan was trying to do the same for us after Potter tried and failed because he reverted to type. Now it’s just a complete and utter shambles again where it’s not better for our players to go away and be developed by their clubs than go near the national sides.

[JeMeSouviens]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I think you're right on what's made them not quite good enough so far to be really serious contenders. The solution lies in either finding that key figure to control games OR developing a system that allows them to overcome that weakness by virtue of the strength of the team as a whole. That's where I think Southgate is heading, he's not trying to fit in 'big names' out of position to accommodate everyone, he's picking players who can naturally slot into the role and position required for the team as a whole.

I'd say that approach mirrors what previous winners of tournaments have generally done successfully - the Germans and Italians in particular when they've been strong. They have to be a great bet to make the final of the Euros though the 5-1 to win it that Bet 365 are offering seems a bit thin.

Looking at the France and England lineups from last night, Kane would be my only definite English starter in a combined team vs Pogba, Griezmann, Mbappe, ****e from France. The rest fairly arguable. So I think France should be clear Euros favourites but in a one off game at Wembley, especially if it's the semi, you'd be foolish to write England off. I think their big problem could be they win this Nations' League thing and the hype is going to be mahoosive. Can they handle that?

Edit: Poor N'Golo triggers the swear filter.

[The 90+2]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Looking at the France and England lineups from last night, Kane would be my only definite English starter in a combined team vs Pogba, Griezmann, Mbappe, ****e from France. The rest fairly arguable. So I think France should be clear Euros favourites but in a one off game at Wembley, especially if it's the semi, you'd be foolish to write England off. I think their big problem could be they win this Nations' League thing and the hype is going to be mahoosive. Can they handle that?

Edit: Poor N'Golo triggers the swear filter.

The way England play I don’t think Griezmann would get in the team. Pogba and Mbappe definitely though.

[JeMeSouviens]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

There was a bit of a gap in 1961!

Southgate is doing so well because he learned national management through the age group teams and the players have grown up with him.We should think about Scott Gemmill.

How have our age group teams done with him? Genuine question, I haven't been following. I'm guessing nothing like England's or we'd all know about it.