England tops Euro group but disappoint again in Slovenia stalemate

Why are they booing? They have done well to qualify for the next stage. This should be a celebration of good soccer. Like Japan they are one of the best teams in the world with a quality league like the Jleague.

Disappointing, indeed (they’re not the only ones playing miserably though, look at France, another disappointment, but France is always France), but(!), the good news is that France finished 2nd in their group, so England avoids France, Germany, Spain and Portugal until the final. Lucky, I’d say, but(!) if they keep playing like this, they won’t even reach the final (remember, this is Europe). BUT if that happens (England–Portugal would be beautiful/England–Germany, another beauty/England–France/England–Spain), that final will go down in history as one of the greatest games in the history of European football.

The players are not the problem. They have been great all season in the premiership. Shoehorning their abilities into Southgate's dreadful, negative, predictable tactics is capping their talent and ability. They have been poor for some time. If England was a league side, Southgate would have been replaced some months ago. Playing Alexander-Arnold out of position was daft. Maximise the benefit of having him and Saka by giving them half a game each, full pelt, in the position they are best at. Mainoo should have been utilised from the start. Use the wings more - England have great wingers. Stop trying to walk through a crowded defence with the ball. English players play best at pace, so don't play an ultra-safe, negative, dull game at the speed of mud. Bellingham was great in the first game, invisible in the second and played in fits and starts in the third. Palmer should replace him if he is not playing well. At the end of terrible games Southgate pats them all on the shoulder. Fergie would have glared daggers at them and given them 20 minutes of the hairdryer.

I would choose Trippier over Shaw on speed and ability, never mind match fitness. I am not yet convinced by Gallagher. It would be good to see Eze show his talents. Jarrod Bowen offer speed and penetration, which England lack. Foden needs to be given his Man City role - he was outstanding last season. To get the best out of Kane, persuade him to stay in line with the last defenders, some distance from them, and get balls to him. Service to him has been lousy and after a while he wanders back into midfield.

The squad have bags of talent and ability. It's difficult to see them getting the chance to show it.

England are boring.

Winning by luck, not talent.

The Three Lions have not been at their razzle-dazzle best, no doubt. But they have now surged into outright favouritism to lift the cup, with the Germans and Spaniards lurking behind. Don't discount the Champions Italy, either.

I guess the knockout stage is a completely new tournament - and it's now time for England's megastars to step up. Starting with the incomparable Harry Kane.

When you are managed by the worst manager of all time, what do you expect? Even Messi or Ronaldo under GS would become a J league player, lol. Just feel sorry for the players playing under such an incompetent manager.

When you are managed by the worst manager of all time, what do you expect? Even Messi or Ronaldo under GS would become a J league player, lol

Tp be fair, replacing Calvin-Phillips was a huge task…

Massive improvement needed. Had they been in a better group, they may not have reached the last 16, never mind finishing top of the group.

@Fighto outright favorites, please they will be lucky to beat the Dutch in the round of 16

@Jomizo

Tp be fair, replacing Calvin-Phillips was a huge task

Hope that was sarcasm

I didn't even bother to wake up and watch it live

It was terrible to watch this morning on reply

England have come to the end of their current cycle

It happens to all teams, they should just sack Southgate now, it can't get any worse

It’s down to the manager, he’s too over cautious with style of play and making changes during the game. The biting games remind me of watching Palace last season under Hodgson, then everything changed with Glasner taking charge. That’s what England need, it’s nit just about winning, which they aren’t doing much of but entertaining the fans too. The players don’t look as if they’re having a good time.

@japantime

After reading your comment, I presume you are unaware of the number of quality players England have, especially further up the pitch. I also presume you didn’t notice the lack of quality opposition in their group and I certainly presume you didn’t watch any of England’s games.

All dull, drab affairs.

Fighto, you have England as favourites to win the tournament?

Seriously?

Based on what exactly?

Fighto, you have England as favourites to win the tournament?

Seriously?

Based on what exactly?

The bookies in the UK have England at 4/1 favourites.

I wouldn’t touch them at 4/1 but they are favourites.

@Jomizo

You screwed it up again?

Getting a bit silly now. Particularly as I asked you not to do it again.

Copy and paste it.

Clear?

Fighto, you have England as favourites to win the tournament?

Seriously?

Nope. The bookies have them as outright favourites now.

I still have the home team as the team to beat. England v Germany in the final would be great to see - but I don't know if that is likely.

Other than England again fortuitously finding themselves on the easier side of the knockout draw, I have seen nothing to suggest they are a team capable of winning the tournament.

The 3 Lions ???

Pfft, more like the 3 Kittens

English football supporters suffer from the same delusions as followers of a certain convicted former president. The premier league is only premier because the players are mainly Brits. Put a team of their best together and what do you get? Losers.

Look at the last 4 games the team has played. England has scored 2 goals in 4 games - including the 0-1 loss to Iceland, whose population must total about a couple of hundred sober adults. That’s a favorite? In what universe?

Telling result of the wane of popularity of soccer in England.

Soccer is still the most popular sport in England and the entire UK. England's performance in the Euros will not alter that fact.

Soccer is still the most popular sport in England and the entire UK. England's performance in the Euros will not alter that fact.

That means other sports in England are falling in popularity at the same rate, hence the poor local talent pool.

All sports continue to attract large numbers of spectators and participants. You are doubting a nation that you seem to know little about. In 2020, England made it to the Euro finals against Italy and only lost in a penalty shootout.