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Original poster

To feel really gutted for England tonight?

210 replies

Acapulco12 · 15/07/2024 01:28

This Euros tournament has been quite a crazy ride for England and it’s a tournament I’d rather forget (partly because of the way that Gareth Southgate and the team have been treated by the British press and their own fans).

I think that whilst the team has loads of fantastic world-class players, they haven’t consistently played well as a team, either in the run-up (e.g. in the Iceland or Bosnia games) or in the tournament itself.

I really feel that the team only managed to get through to the final because of moments of individual brilliance (Jude Bellingham’s goal, Ollie Watkins’ goal, Pickford’s absolutely top-notch goalkeeping).

I’m also quite disappointed with elements of Gareth Southgate’s management even though I still really admire his leadership style, his achievements as England manager and his attitude. Southgate has - undeniably - produced consistently excellent results with this team, but they haven’t yet won anything with him, and ultimately they will be judged on winning. They have got close to winning on two occasions now with him, and he and they obviously care for and respect each other, but I don’t think that’s enough anymore (feels harsh to write that).

I think it’s time for the team to find a new manager and go in a new direction, but equally I think it will take time for a new manager to find their feet with England and I worry that the new manager will not be able to create the same sort of culture that Southgate did, which I think really helped to shape this current team and make them so successful.

I know that there can only be one winner in the Euros - just like in any sports competition - but I just really feel for the England players. I’ve followed them for a few years now, they come across as a really nice team and I feel really sorry that it didn’t work out for them tonight.

Focussing on the final tonight, Spain were clearly the better team tonight - and throughout the Euros. Having said that, I do feel quite sad that the England players couldn’t achieve the win they wanted. They obviously really really wanted to win, and I think the team’s performance has overshadowed the individual achievements and excellence of the England players that I mentioned earlier in the post.

I know there will be many more tournaments to come, probably for most players in the team as most of them are still very young and are full of potential, but they had so much expectation riding on them and they came pretty close to winning, having got to the final.

They should feel really proud of themselves for getting to the final and coming close to winning, but I know that they would rather have won than been runners up.

OP posts:
davegrohll · 15/07/2024 07:29

England did well, we got to the final again, we just can't seem to get that win !! It's always the same story, it's like a curse on England !
I felt really sorry for the lads last night, they were genuinely devastated

Weetabbix · 15/07/2024 07:25

Honestly I'm just glad it's over.

The hooliganism and intimidation from loud worked up men around here has been horrendous.

DanielGault · 15/07/2024 07:25

Anothershapeofapple · 15/07/2024 07:16

I like Gareth Southgate but I am questioning whether Harry Kane can continue.

I'm not sure he was fully fit was he?

LaurieFairyCake · 15/07/2024 07:23

Gareth Southgate is a fantastic manager, it would be ridiculous to get rid of him when the team have done so well

Ginmonkeyagain · 15/07/2024 07:22

England did really well, we can second i the tournament which is decent.

Spain were simply a significantly better team. It happens.

All the hurt and heart break stuff is such bollocks. Lads its a game, no more not less. We have no more right to win than any other country. No one go one about other sports like this, it's deeply embarrassing and childish.

flapjackfairy · 15/07/2024 07:21

edwinbear · 15/07/2024 07:13

They all play an awful lot better when they are being paid £100k a week for their clubs. They look like they can’t really be arsed when they don an England shirt and doing it for the glory rather than the £££.

I agree that some players looked like they couldn't care less and doddled about like it was a Sunday knockabout. The young bloods were more motivated and fired up As for Kane he looked as though his fantastic club season had drained all.energy from him . Ditto Bellingham.who.didnt live up to billing overall. I would have liked to see Oli Watkins , Palmer and Toney given more game time . Foden was also disappointing on the whole imo but I thought Saka was the best England player overall.

Anothershapeofapple · 15/07/2024 07:16

I like Gareth Southgate but I am questioning whether Harry Kane can continue.

GPTec1 · 15/07/2024 07:15

KnickerlessParsons · 15/07/2024 02:28

England didn't lose. They came second out of the 20 (?) teams in the tournament, not to mention all the others that didn't make it that far.
If your child won a silver medal at the Olympics you'd be delighted.

It's all the media hype and the "coming home" crap that winds everyone up that makes you feel like a loser. Coming second is brilliant. If Wales came second I and the rest of the Welsh nation would be over the bloody moon.

England lost, they have never won a major tournament in the modern era, compare to other European nations who have multiple world and Euro cup wins.

Someone said "we have plenty of world class players" do we really? one or two perhaps.

We have to face facts, we are (relatively) poor at football, a large nation, huge number of people to pick a team from, yet we cannot win, regardless of the manager (Southgate is a world class manger) or the players.

I think its the arrogance that we think we invented the game and have some sort of "right" to these tournaments, then there is the money in the game, football, seems to attract kids/families who love the idea of becoming millionaires rather than being the very best.

edwinbear · 15/07/2024 07:13

They all play an awful lot better when they are being paid £100k a week for their clubs. They look like they can’t really be arsed when they don an England shirt and doing it for the glory rather than the £££.

Cheeseandpickleroll · 15/07/2024 07:11

daisychain01 · 15/07/2024 06:45

Southgate hasn't yet made a decision as to his future as England Manager, so let's hope he doesn't quit just because of this result. Trouble is, he has been manager for 8 years so people are bound to judge him harshly just based on that time ... when will a win happen if it hasn't happened after 8 years (although having said that, COVID did disrupt play for over a year).

being National Manager is a bit of a poisoned challis - lots of talented players from different clubs having to "gel" and work as a team is very challenging.

When will a win happen? Plenty of wins happen we came runner up in the Euros, twice, under his watch!

DanielGault · 15/07/2024 07:09

urbanbuddha · 15/07/2024 06:45

England lost because Spain were the standout team of the tournament. They were brilliant. No point in blaming it on Southgate - he’s done a marvellous job in turning them around and still people complain and pelt him with beer. No wonder he’s thinking of resigning.

I really wish the press would stop calling it 50 years of hurt. It’s disappointing to lose a final and it’s sore at the time but it’s not 50 years of hurt. It’s 50 years of disappointment. Framing it as hurt means you see yourself as wounded, which they’re not. They were beaten by the better team.

The press are totally insufferable when it comes to the England team. Completely build them up and pile on the pressure which can't help. The 'it's coming home' thing was constant and v annoying. Neither the team not GS were coming out with any of that shite but the press always go way over the top with it.

Cheeseandpickleroll · 15/07/2024 07:08

It's not a new manager we need it's a new captain. Why was Harry Kane in the squad he contributed very little and didn't play a full game the entire tournament did he? That said 2nd place in the Euros is a wonderful achievement we should be proud of the squad for getting this far twice on the trot. I hate the British media who will no doubt go to town laying into them all.

LoudSnoringDog · 15/07/2024 07:07

Agree Southgate shouldn't be sacked.

He needs to stop with the loyalty to players like Kane, Walker etc. utter dross to watch.

If putting the likes of palmer, Watkins and Toney on and the game accelerates then start those players!!

flapjackfairy · 15/07/2024 07:07

cryinglaughing · 15/07/2024 07:01

England came out playing a defensive game.
In the first 10 minutes, it looked like they were trying to hang in there for penalties 🙄
Spain always looked good for the win, if only because they knew the goal they were aiming for, unlike England who have spent the majority of the tournament passing back to Pickford and playing one touch round their own area.

As for Southgate, he looks to have the respect of the team and has done a good job over the years. I just wish he played more of an attacking game 😅

Edited

yes I don't know why with so many world class players we can't play with the pace and flair of other nations. It is v frustrating but I hope Gareth stays . I have huge respect for him. I would prefer to.go.out early doors than lose the final myself. It hurts getting so far and then ultimately failing .

cryinglaughing · 15/07/2024 07:01

England came out playing a defensive game.
In the first 10 minutes, it looked like they were trying to hang in there for penalties 🙄
Spain always looked good for the win, if only because they knew the goal they were aiming for, unlike England who have spent the majority of the tournament passing back to Pickford and playing one touch round their own area.

As for Southgate, he looks to have the respect of the team and has done a good job over the years. I just wish he played more of an attacking game 😅

whathasitgottodowiththepriceofoliveoil · 15/07/2024 06:59

The default shouldn't be "if we don't win the whole tournament the team and manager aren't any good". They must have won a fair few games to get to that stage. I don't know where this assumption that we should win the tournament unless we mess it up has come from. The other teams also want to win it.

MadameMassiveSalad · 15/07/2024 06:56

EmmetEmma · 15/07/2024 06:37

Who might be better at the job - Southgate has been the best England Manager in decades if we are going by results

I find this dissing of him odd and unpleasant

Yep. Leave him alone!

lalafox · 15/07/2024 06:56

Spain were the better team. England never stood a chance against them

Willmafrockfit · 15/07/2024 06:53

spain were the favourites, the england team tried

Noraise · 15/07/2024 06:53

KnickerlessParsons · 15/07/2024 02:28

England didn't lose. They came second out of the 20 (?) teams in the tournament, not to mention all the others that didn't make it that far.
If your child won a silver medal at the Olympics you'd be delighted.

It's all the media hype and the "coming home" crap that winds everyone up that makes you feel like a loser. Coming second is brilliant. If Wales came second I and the rest of the Welsh nation would be over the bloody moon.

32 teams . Not 20

Willmafrockfit · 15/07/2024 06:53

i agree, all this hurt and heart break really gets on my nerves.

Mrslogic · 15/07/2024 06:52

England play dull football and that shouldn’t be the case with this set of players. Southgate has done well and seems a decent bloke but I think it’s time for a change now. 8 years is long enough for an international manager.

Spain were great.

blobbsog · 15/07/2024 06:50

Spain were better. We've done a lot of boring play during the tournament and have definitely had some lucky wins, we were always the underdogs in this final.

It is frustrating and sad but Spain deserved the cup.

I think GS has fostered a really healthy attitude in the team that has been lacking previously, the confident way they took their penalties is proof of that.

daisychain01 · 15/07/2024 06:45

Southgate hasn't yet made a decision as to his future as England Manager, so let's hope he doesn't quit just because of this result. Trouble is, he has been manager for 8 years so people are bound to judge him harshly just based on that time ... when will a win happen if it hasn't happened after 8 years (although having said that, COVID did disrupt play for over a year).

being National Manager is a bit of a poisoned challis - lots of talented players from different clubs having to "gel" and work as a team is very challenging.

urbanbuddha · 15/07/2024 06:45

England lost because Spain were the standout team of the tournament. They were brilliant. No point in blaming it on Southgate - he’s done a marvellous job in turning them around and still people complain and pelt him with beer. No wonder he’s thinking of resigning.

I really wish the press would stop calling it 50 years of hurt. It’s disappointing to lose a final and it’s sore at the time but it’s not 50 years of hurt. It’s 50 years of disappointment. Framing it as hurt means you see yourself as wounded, which they’re not. They were beaten by the better team.