Prior to 2024 Euros: Bellingham- Best player in La liga Kane - Highest goalscorer in Bundesliga Foden - Best player in English Premiership Prior to 2002 World Cup: T. Henry - Highest goalscorer in English Premiership D. Trezeguet - Highest goalscorer in Serie A/Italian . France as a defending champion was defeated by debutants/Senegal and never made it out of the group stages. My point? Individual accolades takes the team nowhere ...teamwork pays at the end!
I remember France and Argentina were the top favourites before the Word Cup 2002, and both went out in the group stages. Only in hindsight it was 'clear Brazil had to win this' with their attack including Rondaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo.
True. And look at the defence that Brazil had in that tournament to back up rivaldo, ronaldinho and Ronaldo - cafu, Lucio, Roberto Carlos! compare that to England's defence 😅@@Niko-hi5my
Love this podcast and wanna give a shoutout to Micah he’s always been a laugh and a positive entertaining character but he’s covered a lot of the tactical side of this tournament astutely! Keep this podcast going boys amazing stuff 🙌
I guess that Alan by calling Southgate "loyal" in terms of tactics really means that he's stubborn and senseless. The biggest tragedy of England getting past Slovakia is Southgate's self-approval of his absurd actions and that he will retain the job, no matter what.
May aswell delete this now pal, we’ll be playing 3 at the back. I’ll also add that even if we win this tournament somehow, I’m almost certain he will leave regardless. I think most people are.
@@MsBurndogplaying a back three in an attempt to continue playing the same players out of position, just in slightly different positions, is just as stubborn. He will also not make any changes until too late.
@@seaniestephenson1469 stick to football, which people always compare this to, has everyone together. The proof of that format working is compare the subscriptions. Lineker doesn’t dig trenches in his nose when he is around others too.
I do think Germany have been a little overrated, this tournament. Especially compared to Spain. They hammered Scotland so people ran with it. They drew with Switzerland, then had a bit of luck with decisions against Denmark. They deserved to win that match but it wasn't a particularly impressive win. Still have home advantage though, so who knows?
@@chrisbirch4150 Yes, a little bit IMO. They're great hosts and have been rebuilding so there's probably a little bit of wanting it to be the case as well as looking at how they're playing only. A lot comes down to semantics probably. When asked which teams have impressed you, it might be assumed that the countries you've named impress you equally, when that's not necessarily the case.
@@futurekillxbox972 No it wasn't the performance after were scored was exactly the same as the 70 minutes before we scored when we were losing and seconds from being out of the tournament. The same awful performance as the previous 3 games as well. What are you even going on about?
@@mattsmith5421 game management. We won ! What are you on about - take a lead - keep it. Typical arrogant stance , no team in this competition is untouchable, everyone is well organised , you don’t win 20-0 anymore . We did what we needed to do . Again we won the game ! Wait …. Are you jay ! Completed football manager ! If so I bow to your complex understanding ! Il let you shit down my arm .
@@futurekillxbox972 You clearly know nothing about football and don't have a clue. Game management? Don't keep the ball don't make anymore forward passes stop creating anything get pinned in and let the opposition have several good attempts on our goal while we just watch. Yes I'm sure that's what all top top managers call game management 🙄
An underrated point for France is that they have a super strong defensive effort. 1 goal was conceded in 4 matches and they played Austria, Netherlands, Poland and Belgium (all decent sides). They have 6 players whose main strengths are the defence skills, Kounde, Upamec. Saliba, Tchochuam. Kante and Rabiot. I think they advance against Portugal.
Meek's analysis and the way he explains it is as good as anyone on TV right now. Couple that with his smile, energy, and humour, and simply nails it, indeedhe has burst into punditry. Well done, chap, brilliant and thanks.
@@kurman4749 Hah Switzerland is unlikely but it is England so ... bottling shouldn't be that unexpected. I had $10 on yesterday's matches, at 1.8x for both, and today have $10 on Switzerland to win in 90 min, at 3.75(now it is even higher at 3.9x) :D I also have $2 on a draw for the Netherlands vs Turkey at 4.2x. I'm probably losing both today's bets but let's see.
Fantastic Pod, always look forward to the episodes. I sometimes wonder if Alan gives off signs of someone struggling with depression at times, I hope he’s ok and maybe it’s just watching England
Spain France Switzerland Netherlands I think (hope) France will score first and then get one or two more on the counter. Everything points towards a humiliating exit for Ronaldo. Southgate must drop Foden for Palmer and start Shaw. Otherwise, I don't see England winning without a stroke of luck.
Semi Finalists : Germany , France, Switzerland, Netherlands. Southgate was unbelievably lucky last game. Cole palmer gave a great insight we all missed, when asked about how prepared they are on tactics he said " the manager focuses more on our position on the pitch" meaning, stay in your shape and don't concede. we'll get done that way.
If you are really poor in four games.. you’re really poor. It’s a little hopeful to think that they will change.. Not impossible but it would go against the odds I feel.
@@liamashe7248 its true.. but if you look at every team that has had four poor matches they generally dont improve. There will always be exceptions to the rule, thank god, but quality is quality and hope is hope.
I think Micah has got it somewhat right about how we beat Switzerland. But he's got a major thing wrong in his analysis, Switzerland's right side (defensively) is actually their strongest, and we saw that against Italy. I re-watched the Italy Switzerland game in full, and it's actually their left side (Rodriguez, Aebischer) that is very weak, Rodriguez looks for pockets in midfield and the runs of Embolo/Vargas on his amazing left-foot (rarely uses Aebischer as an option), but when he's pressed and forced onto his right side he is heavily reliant on Akanji saving the day. Also Aebischer even when he's not high up, gets caught in behind a lot, a simple 1, 2 has been enough to catch him off guard. If we press as a team, and go out there and be brave, we'll breeze this Swiss side. But again, it's a massive IF, just as every other game has been. I hope Gareth finally gets it right.
England 🏴 have the players..but not the play ie system. They need to believe in themselves and each other. Conquer there fear and go for it...we are lucky not to be playing those 4 teams...saying that sometimes the better the team..England play better 🤞🤞🤞be great to see them win ....thanks Alan mica and gary..really enjoyed there analysis..all ex footballers at top level..they know there stuff 👍🏴.
Bellingham's goal absolutely was a moment of magic, but that phrase makes me feel very uncomfortable as that was the focus of Steven Gerrard's 'tactics' near the end of his time at Villa! Thank god we have Unai now.
If Bellingham’s goal followed by Kanes was the spark why did we sit back for the 28 remaining minutes of extra time? No we’re in BIG trouble as it’s far too late to be experimenting? An organised Switzerland will show Safegate how it’s done with our individuals still not being able to express themselves? Palmer Gordon Tony Bowen will all be last rolls of the dice in late pragmatic substitutions? This is Safegate’s LAST game?
Germany isn't too much under pressure anymore. Not by the home crowd. They advanced convincingly to the quarter finals and are now against a formidable spain. No takes it for granted that they go through. If they feel under pressure that's by themselves. I hope they have fun.
There’s been a backlash on pundits speaking their mind this tournament and we need it to stop. I need a half-time where the experts are expressing my own dissatisfaction. They’re the voice of the fans, they themselves are fans. Keep saying how it is. Thank you guys. Made some tough watching a little less stressful.
QUESTION for Alan please -I've been watching the Euro smashing of Holland from 96 to cheer myself up! Please can you tell us what Terry Venables instructions were for that match and how would you imagine they compare to Southgate? Love the show and that Eric interview was a thing of glory x John
I feel like the quote "can you do it in a cold night in stoke" means for international duty " can you do it against Germany." They've always been resilient as a team and work with each others brilliance❤ harva duestche mannshchaft
Switzerland have been the most impressive team in the tournament so far for me, taking into account players and resources. We’ll have to rely on an individual moment to beat them because as a team we’ve been leagues below.
Spain v Germany will be the game of the round. Portugal v france will be the bore of the round. England v Switzerland will be the shock of the round. Semi final Spain V France and Netherlands V Switzerland.
Yes but shock will be: 🇹🇷2-1🇳🇱 🏴3-1🇨🇭 England will play a 3 back formation and sort themselves out hopefully. I could be so wrong but just a prediction
Spain - Germany is a difficult call but I’m going with Alan on that one. France v Portugal? Somehow I think France will show up today and get a couple of goals.
3 at the back with walker RCB, Trent RWB and saka LWB, Jude and rice in the middle then Kane up top and take your pick from any 2 of foden, Gordon, palmer either side of Kane. That stretches the pitch and gets the best out of each player
If Gareth changes formation to a back 3 with Jude & foden both no. 10's then I can see a much better performance coming. I just hope the end of the Slovakia game where he changed it, is the moment it turned for us
Cheers lads. Talking about heart ruling head and taking a shootout out now. That is your head trying to protect your heart from the 120 mins of trauma beforehand.
England wins if we play Godon as the out ball over the top. Because England needs an out ball and Kane is not the answer. We need someone to run with the ball as well, and Gordon fits that bill as well . With Kane being our best long passer I think Gondon could be the man for Kane to find if he drops. I would drop Fodon because I think it would give Kane more room and give Bellingham more room when moving forward. May the luck be with us
Surely got to go with 3 at back with guehi out and saka and Trent can play wing backs Switzerlands wingers ndoye and Vargas been there two best players need to keep them quiet also xhaka who will sit and ping the ball all day long to two wingers
Great show - I've just watched the GER v ESP game - absolutely MAD! Brilliant game. The only negative is now yellow cards have a huge impact on the semi's. Regarding ENG - we all hope Southgate will suddenly change tactics and play 2 wingers, but we also know it ain't going to happen. However, will the absence of Guehi force him out of his shell? Can we play with more confidence and freedom like it's a U19 game? Can we control midfield - agree, that' s the key. C'mon England.
As a Swiss, i strongly believe, in the event England can step up by one or two notches, they should be able to beat Switzerland. The quality in the team is top, but again, they need to step up their game. If not....goodbye!
@@Ruscococo1 True but Italy were woeful, England have also been poor, but with the formation change I think this is going to significantly improve England, close game either way.
@@fearsome1376 sounds like you dont kno what that analogy means mate,over my head would imply i dont understand,but i clearly do cos thats what you said. soo, why dont you see your family very much again?
You can compare Mbappe to aged Messi and Ronaldo as a superstar, but he's not on the same level as those two guys were with the football. With Mbappe you've got to accept he's not the greatest finisher or passer but he's so quick he'll always have multiple chances to score, hence his record. Also there's no way I'm taking penalties for England like Gary, if we're not good enough to beat Switzerland in normal time or at least dominate the game in an attacking manner we don't deserve to go through, simple as that. No disrespect to the Swiss but it's a comparatively small country with less talent in the squad.
Sky sports reporting they have been training with 3 at the back. One possible line up is: Pickford Walker Stones Shaw? But probably Konza TAA but probably Trippier Rice Mainoo Saka Foden Bellingham Kane.
There's two thing Southgate got wrong: the system and the players with which he plays in that system. Alexander-Arnold isn't a central midfielder. Rice is a limited defensive midfielder. Trippier isn't a left back. Foden's better as a "10". Kane is a forward who needs to play "deep". Southgate either should adapt its system or change players.
Germany scored more goals in their first game than England have managed in the tournament to date. An Spain have scored as many in their last game, as England in the tournament. Will be a good game.
Against a terrible Scotland side, a poor Hungarian side, drew with Switzerland, then they knocked out a very average Denmark, with a lot of help from Var and the referee. I just don't think this current German generation is all that good.
Crazy these guys didn't mention or talk about the massive rumour in the media that England are playing 3 at the back on Saturday. And these guys are supposed to be the media! Very poor.
I predict great change to a less defensive formation from Southgate :- Stones centre back - - Bellingham left back - - Rice right back, - - Foden inside left back, - - Watkins Goalie 1, - - goalie 2 Saka, - -(yep we play 2 goalies), - - Toney 2nd centre back - - Pickford Centre forward - - Eze inside inside right back, - - Dunk mid field - - with Ramsdale mid field behind Dunk - - , there's the starting line up! cant go wrong eh! So it's a 9 - -1 - - 1 formation. I've given this a lot of thought as you can see!!!!!!!!!!🙃
I know the current last 16 format is complicated, but I have always wondered if a change in the format where the best performing teams coming out of the groups go to separate sides of the last 16 to push the big games closer to the final
@@PazLeBon the reason that didnt happen is because france finished 2nd in there group etc the format is fine and when you get as far as the QF it cant really be avoided
