Gary Neville reacts to England's win against Slovakia | "We've been woeful now for four games" 

Oceangate are better at subs than Southgate

england have averaged 3 shots on target so far in this tournament against serbia, denmark, slovenia and slovakia. never thought i’d say this but switzerland should be considered the favourites to go through to the semis.

We've stumbled our way through, i can't remember the last time England had a comfortable game

If Southgate can’t figure out to start or even sub on Gordon to play against a 37 year old right back, we have absolutely no chance. The only way we can reach the final is if we sack Southgate asap.

Reporters having to attack the players with their questions because no one is allowed to ask Southgate anything remotely probing or challenging without being uninvited from pressers then leads to moments like Bellingham caring more about critics than football. Why is no journalist asking about the lack of balance down the left, the inability to create clear chances with Foden, Kane and Bellingham dropping into the same space, not using any pacy wingers when we need to stretch teams, starting the same 10 players every game despite it clearly not working? ITV, BBC, Sky Sports analysts are all being critical, yet no one wants to directly ask Southgate these questions.

We can't even play out from the back against Slovakia, 80% of our passes were in our own half, we gave the ball away, had no ideas going forward, left naturally wide attacking players (which we were crying out for) on the bench. It's too late to change all these problems especially with Southgate making the decisions. Zero chance of playing a decent game let alone getting through the next round. The worst thing is that Southgate is oblivious to what is going on.

My nerves were shredded last night. It was awful to watch. Changes need to be made but SG will do nothing.

The maddest thing is the gaslighting by Southgate and his players trying to claim they are playing well and have “control” of the game! Add to that Southgate arrogantly refusing to make the changes everyone can see are needed and the players whining about any criticism they receive. But yeah everyone should just be happy they scraped through with a vastly more talented squad than most other teams 🥱

For the very first time ever (in 34 + years of supporting England - Italia 90 was my first tournament), I would say that even if England somehow won the tournament, playing like this and fluking it here and there, I just wouldn’t care that much. I’m not looking for perfect performances, just bloody something that I can be proud of.

Bellinghams goal was magic and he deserves credit for it, but we are missing the point that if the number 10 role was being played well for the 90 minutes we wouldnt need saving with 30 seconds to go would we.

Have we completely forgotten that Joe Gomez played left back for Liverpool for a majority of the season.

The pundits are practically apologising now for the criticism in the early games. Its ridiculous that the players have had a go back when the criticism is not personal and based on performance only. Do the players expect the media to push a narrative that performance levels have been good enough after what we have seen

Neville, of all pundits, is the closest to outlining Southgate's mindset/overriding tactics but none have clearly indentified it... so here it is. Southgate has instructed his defenders and DMs to avoid ‘risky’ passes in the centre of the pitch to avoid giving away possession in dangerous areas. That's it. And this is why we don’t flow through the lines. This is why our defenders and DM players aren't playing balls forward or even sideways to other players in tight spaces which is how you create flowing moves and gain advantages and move up the pitch. So instead players feel they must choose the safe pass which of course means our flow is sideways and backwards (and at best up the wings) and often it ends with a defender or the keeper finally lumping it upfield because there are no more safe passes to be made. So that is the passing/ ball retention mindset Southgate has drilled into the players and especially the 2 DMs and the defenders and goalkeeper. That is why TAA will never play at RB under Southgate in any meaningful game. His passes are too high risk. That is why Mainoo and Rice weren't trusted to receive balls in tight areas in the middle of the pitch versus Slovakia And given the lack of a left footed left back that's why the ball goes up that flank only to return to the CBs each and every time. That's Southgate ball - will he change v Switzerland? No The only hope is that he plays Gordon so we have a real outlet for getting down that flank into dangerous areas. Will he play Gordon? probably not. So the idea will be that we won't gift Switzerland an easy goal - they will have to earn it. And because we have world class attacking talent the laws of probability suggest we will always score at least 1 goal in a game. So that's it and that's how it's gonna be in every game

People are forgetting how close England were to going 2-0. down…

Its so obvious to see where the issues are, yet the highest paid international manager can't see it. I am sure he a great guy, but his management has been very poor. The players are trying, but are shackled by bad team selection and no obvious game plan. We are going to go out with a bang when we play a decent team, and the Swiss are a decent team.

The good thing about this is, going into our fifth game of the tournament, that we're all in it together: we all know England are labouring heavily and the team lacks cohesion and we're all desperate for it to come good. I don't think anyone is blaming the players as individuals, we know they care and are trying. The problem is the obvious imbalance in the squad and in the system we're playing - and Gareth Southgate is where the buck stops there.

Neville is usually fairly sensible on this, but here he is part of the problem. Southgate is a fair-weather manager. He had a group of new players that he had a good prior relationship with, improved the atmosphere in the camp, and that went a long way. But he had easy runs and barely responded when things did get tougher. That's glaringly obvious now we're experiencing problems. Ultimately coaching matters, and we look lost. His ineptitude is impacting the players now

This tournament Switzerland are playing much better than England, England are literally hanging on with a lot of luck and eventually their luck will run out. I'm afriad Switzerland will put England out of their misery in their next game just like they did with Italy, England (1) Switzerland (3) is my prediction

Luck that he deserves!! 😂😂😂 The man has lived off luck. Lucky results, lucky draws in tournaments, lucky to have a strong squad. The man is a passenger supported by has been players / mates.

Please put the hungry young players on. Defo Gordon to give us a left wing threat, maybe palmer, and sub kane ffs. We have pacey strikers on the bench desperate for a go

Why would you bring on a sub with 120 seconds to go? Teams do that when they are winning and want to run down the clock

5 games. The rot was seen in that friendly against Iceland. They've played exactly the same in euros.

Gary Neville looks like he's using a Gary Neville filter.

Southgate doesn't drill them to play any other way than this dross. This is why we are likely to go out.

GK - Pickford LWB - Saka LCB - Gomez CB - Stones RCB - Walker RWB - Trent RCM - Bellingham LCM - Rice LW - Gordon ST - Kane RW - Palmer Gives Kane the space to drop into the 10 and allow Palmer and Gordon to run behind either out wide or cut inside and play more as a front 2 to give space to Saka and Trent Park Rice on Xhaka for the whole game to keep him quiet and we beat the Swiss In fact I’m convinced that team wins the whole thing.

He’s been lucky for 8years Gary let’s be honest here

27 seconds from awful defeat but the Brummie Lion did what he does. UCL Winners just find ways to win - that's why Klopp, Pep, Don Carlo, Don Fabio, Gary Neville, Carra, Gerrard, Scholes, Rio all love Trent & Jude together ( as they are this generations Pirlo to Del Pierio or Thuram to Zidane !). Mate spot on about Foden was very poor. Cancelled a nice goal with a sloppy off side. Hit a freekick from a nice position into the wall. What's gone wrong with the ManC boys. Has pep worn em out? Is there a cold virus in the squad sapping some of the energy to make runs behind & receive worldy passes from Trent?

Pickford is Englands most attacking player. He at least kicks it forward.

As non English..I think that's their best game so far..very positive attitude and attacking..they can only build from here.

Until Southgate drops Foden on the LW for Gordon to provide some balance we’ll struggle every game It was telling we scored about 5 seconds after Foden was subbed. It embarrassing that Southgate made no changes despite having no shots on target for about 90 minuets. He’s out of his depth and it’s individual quality that has saved us

Play Trent as inverted right back. Suits him better. Then play rice and Jude as double pivot. When England has the ball Trent will invert into the midfield to help rice and allow Jude to move forward.

Best goal I’ve ever seen. Special moment by a special team. If you look really hard you can see the team are really playing well. England beat a team ranked 57 in the world. Not that many teams are better when you come to think about it. People also have to realize that England topped the toughest group in the competition.

When we went 2-1 up I thought he would take Toney off !!!!

Four poor performances using the same 10 starting players and the same system. How much evidence do you need to realise that these players in this system are performing to their limit? There is no other gear. Expecting anything different is another victory for hope over experience. Problem is that there is no obvious plan B for the system and chances are he'll just play the same way and hope for some more luck.

“The definition of 'insanity' is picking the same team over and over again and expecting a different performance

The whole Trent can't defend thing.... So bored. He is the best defender in the world .. no.. but he was a good enough right back to help Liverpool win the champions league which is the highest standard of football there is. In the next game England should play Trent at RB, walker beside stones and Gomez at LB

Foden HAS to be benched. Enough of this "we have to get him in somehow," he's unreal but the reality is England play better without him

In 95 as a teen my brother and I met Rugby world cup winner Francois Pienar. He asked us what position we played and we were both stand-off (the play maker) he told us that to be a successful number 10 you had to be able to kick and pass of both left and right feet and hands. We spent the entire summer only using our left feet and hands until we were very proficient. This carried over into football. I ended up with a left peg that had more power than my right, it wasn’t quite as accurate but I could whip a cross and shoot and pass well with both feet. It still astonishes me to see the majority of multi millionaire footballers whose job it is to kick a ball around literally handicapping themselves to be one sided. Its embarrassing. It’s called muscle memory, why don’t they force train it at academies? Any winger or wing back should be at least proficient with both feet.

We wont beat Switzerland

"Two strikers" against stubborn teams in a low block. Toney instatly helped Kane upfront when he came on. This might be an idea for the next game?

Excellent observations

Everyone hating so much, yes we’ve had disturbing performances but this is football. It only takes one match to get back in form. Hopefully now Gareth sees the changes that need to be made.

Southgate is too conservative and defensive in style. They retreat to a low block when they need to take the game to the opposition. They are unbalanced and they don’t take any risks. Play Trent at RB, Mainoo and Bellingham in central midfield with Foden at 10. Gordon on left and Palmer on the right. But he won’t do that.

Ypu really have to rate Southgate for his management style. I mean, only this guy knew that bringing on Tony at the last minute, he knew that Tony would come on and make a huge difference. 🤣

It definitely had vibes of Iceland 2016 game- I went back and watched that game and noticed how many players England played who either were coming to an end of their career, or certainly their international career. Rooney, Sturridge ,Vardy wiltshire Ali, rose, dier, Hart. I wonder how many players in this England side might also have come to an end of their international careers…. Possibly Kane, walker, Trippier- this 2024 team is in much better shape than 2016 but unless Southgate changes something we,re going out against Switzerland

Has England ever had a Phil Esposito moment? Back in 72, It was Canada vs USSR in what came to be known as the "Summit Series" East vs West cold war etc. Canada known for their hockey dominance played the Soviets in an 8 game series in Canada and the USSR. The Canadians were overconfident and got surprised by the Soviets. In the end Canada won the series but the last game in Canada was a huge moment for the country. Phil Esposito had a post game interview on the ice in front of a booing Canadian crowd very unhappy with a loss. The guy pretty much spilled his guts, talking about how disheartened he was with the countries fans. Said the team was giving it their all but the Soviets were really good, and it wasnt easy out there. Lets just say hearing this guy lay it on the line and plead with Canada to get behind the team and help push them forward galvanised the country leading to the series win. Any way to end this, just get behind your team Southgates gone after this tournie. You have the talent to win but you dont have the best team. And the best TEAM usually wins this tournament.

Bellingham was Rubbish until he scored.

Southgate's biggest mistake was only to bring one injured left back Luke Shaw. Second was not picking Grealish in the squad who can play along side with Foden. When Saka not playing good enough, both wings of England were paralized in attacking and putting players in the middle under high pressure from opponent's defenders. Sofar England's goals were started from right wings to create space and opportunities for Jude and Harry.

Again, why do people insist that Trent is in any way a defensive player. Mental.

The scenario looks similar to the 1990 WC where England got to the SF without setting the world on fire. England's group had an identical outcome to their group in this tournament. In the last 16 they won it at the death after extra time. Will the QF in this tournament go the same way with a scrambled victory in extra time again? The way they are playing now (and I hope it changes and they step up a gear) a similar outcome is possible.

Capricious and bungling is how he should have described Southgate

The only glimmer of hope I have is that Switzerland won’t sit back in a low block and will come out and play (and they should, they are a superior team to England with a better manager) as I think we are obviously set up to counter teams. It’s the only way Southgate knows as he doesn’t have the tactical ability to deal with teams that sit back. The only way we go through the next game is the quality of individuals and a lot more luck IMO

Why are none of the 200 English journalists asking Southgate why he isnt playing Gordon and Palmer.

I heard two good points this morning, one was that by reaching a semi final and final in recent tournaments it is about par, its the least we could expect with these players. The other was that the England platers are complaining that with all the criticism and pressure to win is difficult, well yeah, youre playing for your country of course it is difficult.

England are like a Rolls Royce with the hand brake on being driven by my mum

Nice interview - balanced.

Look at the position of toney vs kane when bellingham hit that overhead kick..

Bang on Gary.. We're done for unless we improve 💯 against the Swiss

Its coming home BELEIVE come on the lads 🙌

Southgate is on 5 million a year. It's unbelievable.

I don't understand why he is playing a way which means the possibility of progression is lower.

Why not move Walker in to centerback and have Trent Alexander as rightback

Southgate has had to be forced to change his system, which clearly isn't working. It looked much better with Toney next to Kane, and Kobbie was the best England player on the pitch. You'll know all you need to about Southgate if he reverts back to his failed system against Switzerland.

Stones, Rice, Kane, Bellingham, Walker can do no wrong. They get barely any criticism, will never be dropped or subbed out when they’re playing badly and the media won’t say a bad word about them. Instead all the focus was on Trent, the agenda against Trent started before the first ball was kicked (Neville and Keane the Utd players slated him live on air) and Southgate has completely froze him out of the team now despite saying he doesn’t listen or care about what the media say.

who would you choose for the next England manager?

As a neutral, I think the biggest issue in attack has been that they always cut inside from the left with Foden & Trippier. It makes defending against England a lot easier

We are not the only team stumbling through

They are just starting to gell together now I'm just hoping they get it right now.

Southgate is the Sunak of football; the unpopular choice, well out his depth, under experienced and over promoted, running around telling everyone “the plan is working”. Everyone else can see there is no plan/it’s not working, but hes getting increasingly incredulous that you’re asking for better.

I’d love to see a 4-1-2-1-2 with Gallagher holding rice and Bellingham in the center Foden cam n Toney or Watkins with Kane up top

This guy was coach for England's defeat to Iceland in 2016. He knows all about woeful 😂😂😂😂

It's not the fact that there's noise that is the problem for the team. It's that few critics say what they'd do different. Tell us how YOU would improve performance. That's constructive. My view? Play the long ball to Toney. He can hold it up and that'll beat the press and create more chances. Passing it around at the back isn't getting us anywhere. (International puzzle compiler)

The main reason we have been performing so bad is because the manager is playing the players out of position just to fit his defensive formation, the manager uses 2 def-mids , where he didn't need to in the group, ,, but that's the past , he doesn't have the players for the formation he uses , so we are getting these performances, inst and of using the formation that fits the players , may be a 4-3-3 , instead of sticking to the 2 def-mids or a 4-2-3-1 ,but maybe it's the reason he didn't make the subs at half time, he was so lucky yesterday, and we can't win the tournament on luck alone

Gary Neville introduces examples from his new book, "How to be charitable to losers."

Southgate's persistence with Trippier is a real problem (Its not Tripper's fault btw). The backs get the balls to wingers > the wingers get it to the strikers. Anyone sniping a goal from behind the strikers is a bonus. We have backs playing out of position and no effective wingers starting. The subs all play brilliantly when given a chance, but doing that on 85 mins is daft as a brush.

It seems crazy that with our squad, Switzerland are the favourites on Saturday. Then I remember Southgate is in charge and it all makes sense

What's the point in putting TAA at right back to "whip crosses" into the box and "start play", when your striker isn't moving into the box and making runs in behind in the first place? We need to give Toney or Watkins a start, both have been more effective that Kane whilst playing much less than he has.

Think we had kane in goal and pickford upfront at one point... madness

Southgate is the problem, not the players. He plays an old fashioned style of football. Its HIS coaching thats the issue

It worries me that the players or the coach don’t seem to see what the whole nation sees.

ITS MY BIRTHDAY TODAY 🥳

It's important in any power structure that truth is heard and that those in charge are affected by it. Someone in that England camp needs to be the voice of reason re: the way England are playing. On the field when it counts this first choice 11 looks clueless.

Got to put Gordon on for Foden. Bellingham to start with Foden coming on to replace him if required.

NOT JUST A COLLECTION OF PLAYERS, A "TEAM" WAS FORGED YESTERDAY. JUST APOLOGIZE TO SOUTHGATE & ADMIT YOU WERE WRONG

Neville is a friend of a Southgate no criticism towards the manager, last world cup when England got knocked out, He blamed Pickford, not a single blame to Southgate

Southgate stops for Red Lights on GTA.

Next game we need to start gordon & watkins as foden and kane seem well off it overall

is Gordon going to get a kick of the ball keeps best players on bench

This should be the 11 for Switzerland; Pickford Walker Stones. Konsa. Gomez Wharton Bellingham. Mainoo Foden Palmer. Gordon

If you ignore results against minnows, when was the last time we really performed well? And how many times has that happened?

It's five matches not four. Don't forget Iceland. We need to change formation and we got players on the bench that are playing better and can give us a balanced line up. Bellingham play left back. I know he scored a good goal. But overall the team has players that have more energy. I think some of the players may just be out of form at the wrong time.

I would go with Trent rb stones walker cb and maybe shaw lb

Bellingham thinks he’s the best thing since sliced bread he’s a prima Donna

These players must know and understand the criticism. They must know the tactics are not as good as the tactics they are used to a club level. We have a very lucky manager, as has been proved in previous tournaments, but I think it will all come to an abrupt end with a big loss unless he changes.

For me id change it up..id have wakins and Tony up front...Gordon on left palmer on right..maybe kane in behind the front 2

If Southgate starts with the same team on Saturday he is going to find just how much the fans hate what he is doing to Englands reputation. He should make at least four changes or make NO mistake, the Swiss will murder us. The front line needs to be Palmer, Toney or Watkins and Gordon. Either Foden or Bellingham need benched and Kane needs to be left in the Hotel. While he has scored two goals it has been others that earn the credit for both of them. He has spent 4 games basically wandering around the pitch, hardly ever breaking into a trot let alone running, and spends more time in the centre circle than where he should be, in the opposing penalty box.

The fact of the matter is we're trying to pass the ball around players and not letting out team use there talents and go through a player.. its boring and only gets the ball knocked from the back line to the keeper.. what's up with letting our lads use there skill??

We was seconds away from crashing out the tournament completely embarrassed A moment of magic saved us.

The relationship between the players/manager and the media/fans was terrible for years. Southgate and the lads worked so hard to get it back to a good place but for some reason this tournament they seem intent on undoing all that good work. Feels like they had this mentality within the group before the tournament even started, and I'm not sure why or where it's come from. Such a shame after the feel-good vibes we've had in the past few tournaments.

Why are we listening to the "expert opinion" of one of the former engand coaches that just 10 short years ago helped Roy Hodgson fail in getting England out of their world cup group and 8 years ago helped mastermind our euro 2016 exit at the hands of iceland. Yes we are playing badly and have been lucky but we're in the quater final which is the minimum Gareth has got us to in EVERY tournament he has been in charge of.