Reply To: Scunthorpe 2.0

[Siderite]

The players did not do themselves any favours yesterday and should be able to make simple passes no matter what. However, a lot of it seems to be stemming from the system. We sit deep a lot of the time, but especially after going a goal ahead. The players get pinned back and Kane is practically a defensive midfielder at this point. There is then no outlet and the ball keeps coming back with us under pressure. This is on Southgate, and this is before we get into Foden and especially Trent being out of position, especially the latter. With constant pressure the panic rises and the morale drops, while the opposition gain momentum and it’s hard to switch back into higher gears after that.

It’s similar to what happened previously under Southgate. Except then the opposition couldn’t live with the talent we do possess, and Southgate’s instilled unity helped a lot, but now they have figured how to nullify the talent and we seem to be struggling more. This hasn’t been a one off. Since the last world cup we have struggled in games. Many of those games aren’t so meaningful, but it’s a worrying pattern. The game has moved on from ‘managing’ the game by sitting back and trying to stifle the attack. The ‘tiki taka’ of Barcelona and Spain, plus the pressing brought in by German coaches has rendered it archaic. Now this is becoming more common, well drilled teams like Denmark can nullify it and the better teams are only more likely to do so. I don’t have any confidence that Southgate knows how to play differently or adapt with the players at his disposal.

It annoys me when some say we have to be winning the Euros with this squad, it does come across as arrogant. However, they are right in that we should be performing a lot better with this squad. It may be true that some players may be overhyped, but the star players we have do demonstrate good passing, pressing and moves into space for their clubs. I don’t think the only reason Foden can do this for Man City is because De Bruyne, Rodri and Bernado Silva enable him to pass a ball quicker and more accurately. I don’t believe that Bellingham can look like the star in a Real shirt because of Vinicius Jr, Kroos or Nacho. If they were so bad as to not be able to pass a ball they would stand out like a sore thumb. If they really are so overrated that they struggle like this, then it sweeps by pretty much every expert. So many nations like Romania, Austria and Turkey have impressed so far, but I don’t think their players are as good as England’s. Not because of overhype, but because they don’t necessarily replicate it in club shirts or stand out like English players. It suggests to me that the underperformance seen so far is not because of overhype, but lack of gelling, ineffective tactics and systems. There may be an issue with players here, but a lot of this falls on the coaching in my opinion.