Gareth Southgate

[AFingerofFudge]

I'm a big football fan and like a lot of people I have issues with some of the decisions made by GS during the Euros. However, the relentless online "jokes" about him and how cautious he has been have gone (for me) way beyond an acceptable level and is actually bullying behaviour. We seem to have no ability to be gracious and have turned into a nation that likes to savage anyone that gets it wrong.

He's made a lot of tactical mistakes throughout the tournament and we've won most games by the skin of our teeth. He's producing rabbits out of hats; I don't really care how it's happened, I'm just delighted we're in the final.

What is wrong with you? - Useless? "mouth breather" ?

How many national teams have you got to semi finals, well - ever??

The "sport" of football overwhelmingly appeals to the lowest common denominator.
Ie: life's vulgar thickos, the type of person you would NEVER in this world want for a neighbour or a colleague.
Think Millwall FC supporters. They revel in their reputation for violence.
Say no more.

Hear hear!!

My feeling after watching last nights match, is that if the Dutch hadn't scored in the 7th minute, England would have played their usual safe, kicking back and forth game. The opposing goal seemed to be the kick up the arse they needed to actually play! They should be playing like that from the off to my mind!
I understand that they have to pace themselves, but watching other teams who get straight into it, I've never understood why we aren't the same!
Whether that's GS's fault or not, I don't know. But I do like him. We have some good players that need using to their full potential.

I don't like his style and I don't like his choices.

But he seems to relentlessly churn out results.

Some would argue he is England's most successful manager ever.

In four tournaments his lowest finish is a quarter final, and he has reached two finals and a semi final.

So on results alone he is a great manager.

I still don't like his style though.

I agree, people have been unbelievably cruel towards GS and the team, completely unnecessarily. I think a lot of so-called "fans" don't really understand football, especially don't understand tactics and game management etc.

We have a similar situation with our local team (League 2). We have a very experienced and successful manager, but because of budget constraints, he can't bring in the players he wants. So he has to sign up the best he can get with what little money he has, and play what everyone calls a "boring" game, but the thing is that it actually gets results, i.e. promotion to L1 for the first time in the club's history, a few cup games with premier league teams, etc. No, watching it isn't pretty as it's all very defensive. "Fans" seem to be happier when they lose or get relegated but with "exciting free flowing" football! Very strange!

You're completely ignoring the millions of intelligent/professional people who are also football supporters!

Why would you base an opinion on a tiny minority?

Yes, we all know there are idiots out there, but the vast majority aren't!

I'm amused by all of the armchair critics who think they could do a better job!

And all the TV pundits who never got this far in a tournament.

Yep. Meanwhile, Southgate and his team have got themselves to the Euros Final. Again.

Indeed! I have to admit I normally like Gary Lineker (both for his football analysis and for his take on things outside of football), but I was really disappointed and surprised when he called the England team ‘shit’ recently, especially considering his team was never as consistently good as this one!

Interesting how when for example Real Madrid win champions leagues by just doing enough they’re seen as clever, always finding a way to win, resilient and robust.

when England do it we’re lucky and it’s despite the manager’s incompetence

Isn't it.

I am a non football fan and I am not English but I here snippets about him on the radio and TV and it is funny to me, one minute they are all saying how crap he is and how he has to go the next after England win they are practically deifying him saying how amazing he is and he's the best manager England have ever had and if they lose on Sunday they will be baying for his blood come Monday morning.

So disappointing the football culture- and yes it seems to bring out the worst in people! horrific behaviour that people should be ashamed of.

Been following this tournament closely and the resilience and spirit of the team he's created is impressive- his goal is to win matches, and ultimately the tournament?? And I think he may just do that..

And blooming football fans still not happy. I despair 🙄

Having watched Mens international football since the mid 1980s, that facebook quote is so very true.

Sure England did get off to a rather poor start in this tournament. But lots of matches have a degree of luck, being in the right spot at the right time, the way the ball bounces for you, the way a pass comes in, poor defending or just chances etc.

But you can't argue the fact that even though some disagree with his tactics and management style, he has been the most successful England manager for many a year.

Apart from under Southgate, the last time the Men's team were in a final was 1966 which let's not forget is 58 years ago. This is the second final Southgate has achieved under his stewardship.

But glory only comes really with winning the final. As indeed many other countries have done by now.

Do you not think there’s a contradiction there?

Not really but you obviously do. Have at it

I don’t understand what you mean in your post by ‘isn’t it’.

Also, you’ve mercilessly criticised Southgate in your posts on here. Which you are, of course, entitled to do. And yet you’re obviously delighted they’re now in the final - and he’s been pretty instrumental in getting them there. From your posts, it reads to me as if you’re happy to kick them when they’re down, and struggling, yet you’re the first to celebrate when they’re doing well. And I think that is unpleasant.

Christ, we were so shit with previous managers that the most famous song about football is where England had failed to do anything resembling success for thirty fucking years. And then it got remade with fifty-six fucking years.

But Southgate's a crap manager?

Do you remember the late 90s? Beckham and set pieces were literally ALL England had. Plus they'd fall to pieces when they were down a goal, no resilience. I know I'm writing with the benefit of semi final hindsight but.... these are still better days for England football.

With this, you have a point! The game was so much better for them going behind. They won't be able to play safe against Spain, that's for sure!

It makes me really angry when people moan about Southgate. Have they forgotten how we never used to get anywhere in tournaments before he came along?

Ain't that just so.