Why England Were Better Than They Looked Against Slovakia 

That fact that Southgate didn't bring Gordon in at left wing, against the 37-year-old Slovakian right-back who was on a yellow, is baffling.

A 16 minute video version of the, “This is fine,” meme

Best analysis channel on RU-vid. More enjoyable than the games so far!

You either play Foden in the middle and drop Jude or play a proper winger with Jude in the middle and drop Foden.

Southgate's main mistakes (all related to each other): 1. being too optimistic about Shaw's fitness and not bringing a replacement 2. blocking out all criticism as 'noise' 3. persisting with Trippier as highest option on one flank (rather than TAA on the other flank instead) 4. Only daring to change things when they are going out of the competition imminently 5. Fetishising 'control' and thinking that means sitting back once you've scored 6. Believing that because they won the group and the first knockout game due to luck, limited opponents, and individual skill that 'this is fine'. I could go on but I think those are the main ones.

Its weird that everybody is telling "Trippier and Foden cant work" and Southgate still insists on pairing of Trippier and Foden.

I get so wrapped up in the games I miss alot of the details while I'm watching it and these videos really help understand what the hell just happened

My biggest critisizm of southgate is literally what the fuck he was thinking taking an injured LB as the only option for our Left flank. Shaw is now 2 games past his supposed "fit for" timing. Our opposition know that the left is our weakest side and they are putting pressure on saka becuase they know the right is strongest. Southgate has given an open weakpoint for every team to see. This is probably one of the biggest reasons england has absolutely sucked. Nothing against trippier but cutting onto his right is costing us plays. If shaw was healthy i can bet we would have had 2 or 3 times the opportunities of scoring each game becuase our flanks would have been significantly balanced and our opposition would have had to balance their defence on all sides rather then focussing on the right which is costing saka.

Can't keep playing with 2 no 10s. We need a speed merchant on that left side. Phil had a phenomenal season but Jude had a better one and he's bailing this team out when they can actually play with a decent shape. Bench Foden. Simple as. Gordon on

opposition coaches are not idiots - they can see that if you block the middle and leave Trippier totally free, they have to keep playing it to him, and he will just keep stopping (allowing the opposition defence to get set), passing it backwards (releasing the momentum of the attack), and the whole cycle starts again. Much like a fly repeatedly banging against a windowpane until it dies. The one time Trippier actually put in a cross with his right foot, I thought 'oh yeah, that's something he could have been doing', as if it had seemed inconceivable until then. It could be a strength for England that the oppo leave him free with time to cross it. But I think he's only done it ONCE in the whole tournament.

Foden not passing to Kane or Jude once the entire game is mad 🤯

For the disallowed Foden goal, I think a left footed LB plays it first time while Foden is still onside. Trippier has to take a control touch and Phil drifts off.

Mainoo is the only one brave enough to go forward joker Southgate is not coaching them ffs

England after going in front against Slovenia just defended. If you’re watching Netherlands vs Romania the total opposite applies. The Netherlands still pressed for another goal after going ahead. The best form of defence is attack. I doubt that’ll get through to Southgate.

imagine driving a ferarri at 15mph..... on the motorway. Thats southgate.

Only just discovered this channel - it's fantastic. Your analysis and demeanor is top notch. It's so frustrating our left side, Foden has to be benched now it can't be avoided. He offers nothing in an England shirt and Bellingham has done better to keep the 10. Would love to see Gordon on next game to actually give us a left hand side

We should definitely play gordon, it would allow trippier or shaw to be more defensive minded or if by miracle England decide to be attacking it would be deadly on the wings

I said before the tournament, Foden is the issue. Especially now Mainoo has shown his ability. You have to drop Foden. Everyone is screaming for Gordon.

If Pickford was unavailable Southgate would probably say, "Let's play Kane there cos he did it at school and was ok".

Hi Adam, great work! Can we please get a video for the 30 minutes of extra time? Hoping you could translate for me what Gareth was trying to do with his choices of substitutions and change of system near the end? Also interested to know what you thought to Ivan Toney’s brief partnership with Kane up top too. Cheers!

I was saying the same thing! PASS IT TO MAINOO! He’s a magician.

Can someone send this video to Mr Southgate please? This isn't noise, it's what he needs to see.

Surely Gareth is aware of all these problems if we all are? So why is he not addressing them? Is it stubbornness?

Thank you for giving Mainoo the credit he deserves. I think he's already made himself so good and reliable for England that pundits barely mention him.

I listen to lots of podcasts, radio shows and TV punditry and this is by far the best analysis out there. It puts those high profile ex players on the main channels to shame. Amazing work.

Should Anthony Gordon replace Phil Foden?

I watched that game, and I can only assume the title is some sort of strategy to gain traffic. It was woeful.

Principles are simple: 1. Talent can make something out of nothing but it can only go so far - that explains the great escape from the jaws of defeat strategy of Southgate. It's not sustainable. 2. Each player has a total value both individual eg 1 and for the Team. If players in a system are not contributing enough in enough different ways then you have to change formation and tactics and players to maximize all players contributing maximally. With respect to 2: - Drop Foden to bench for impact sub if needed - Drop Trippier and change formation eg 3 at the back - Drop Saka to bench With 3 at the back Rice and Mainoo both prove exceptional as CM/DM pair so keep the defence strong and progress the ball. Defence with Stones in Center needs more cover as he makes mistakes in defence but is good at passing. From this freeing up: Go 3-2-4-1 or in effect: 3-2-1-2-2 with Bellingham the 1 deeper and central as overload runner/b2b. Wide next Gordon and Palmer (or Saka) and then Watkins and Kane/Toney up front. Watkins pace for long ball and Kane/Toney hold up and striking ability. Should be enough balance and enough to maximize each players value to the team formation both defence/attack and transitions and individual talent.

Sorry for the mess, but I had a massive cathartic release when you pointed out the limitations of Trippier in this system. The gamble to not take a fit, natural left back hasn't paid off so far. Everyone will have an opinion about how to fix it, but it seems to be the biggest issue with the system holding the team back... That and the lack of confident build up play

If Southgate is thick enough to start Foden again next game then he deserves to be sacked. Anyone else on that left side, please Southgate. Bellingham, Kane and Saka are suffering because all this man does is get in people's way, dribble, shoot from distance and be offside

With how much portugal struggled with slovenia and how much France, Holland, Belgium, italy struggled, im starting to think there just arent any easy games this time around. The smaller teams have really closed the gap and are doing well. Only Germany and Spain have looked strong. Maybe england should be happier with our horrendous tactics and results so far

Great video. I wish if we are going to push a full back up high and go to a back three, it was TAA on the right being that fullback rather than Trippier on the left.

11:57 - Jesus this was killing me the whole game I was screaming "GIVE MAINOO THE BALL" and of all people is Stones not playing that simple forward pass so often. This kid just has it in him to turn the whole team around if they trust him with that. I see why Man U fans were so excited when he broke through and he's just getting better.

This was the most disgusting win I've ever seen in my life.

The go to for football analysis 👏 Do you think Stones can be more brave with the ball and pass through the lines into the players higher up the pitch in the same way Maguire would play into Kane to break the press. I feel it’s something we’re missing

I still don't understand why Foden is STILL starting when he is ineffective and has caused 2 goals in 2 games to get disallowed for offside. Gordon is an actual left winger, so I don't get why he isn't starting. I also don't understand why Walker seems to be allergic to passing to Saka. Southgate better make some changes on Saturday.

Surprised to see see any discussion about Palmer, I think his introduction changed the game massively, he would always drive forwards

Guehi not to blame for the goal, he landed awkwardly and was in pain and unable to recover in that moment

Sorry, but the hypothetical 'had he not taken those players off' is nonsense! If Southgate had organized the team properly from the start, or he had taken Bellingham and Kane off at half-time, could have seen an easy and confident England win without us having to tear our hair out.

Alf Ramsey understood this, that's why he dropped Jimmy Greaves.

Amazing how England team clicked all together for about 5 minutes in 390 minutes played until now in the Euros.

To b fair to Allardyce he said a couple pf days before the match that if Kane isn't firing we should bringon Toney and send him long balls to knock down for the others to score. He got it spot on.

Cole Palmer and Gordon need minutes.

England are the most overated international football team in the world. What have England won since 66? NOTHING. all the fantastic players England has had since 1970 and won nothing is criminal. England will have problems when Harry cane retires. England have no one who can score the Huge amount of goals kane scores. Cymru 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 support Israel 🇮🇱

The best sides rarely just hope for moments of magic. Southgate’s squad selection undid England before a ball was kicked.

I would certainly not be happy with a tournament win playing football like this. Winning a trophy ultimately comes down to large slices of luck; it's the journey towards one that matters - we want to be entertained, inspired (consistently,, by the team as a whole; not just by isolated moments of individual genius). I've actually got to the stage where I was rooting for Slovakia - they deserved the win, based on the football they played in the group, and the football they played against us: the Miracle of St Jude was a grave injustice to them.

I sat behind Southgate in this game. The amount of absue he was getting from fans was crazy

If the problems are so obvious, why oh why can the management and staff not see it enough to change it in 4 games??

If England are going to accept lacklustre performances from Bellingham and Kane for the sake of possible moments out of nothing, fair enough. But to facilitate that you've surely got to play players that are looking to help the team out and do a job when needed. Foden hasn't offered up any moments out of nothing or a job for the team. How does he keep getting his name on the team sheet?

My team . Pickford Walker Stones Gomez Trent Rice Jude Saka Foden Kane Gordon Gomez brings pace and mobility. This system allows Trent more defensive cover allowing him the freedom to do what he does. Saka will provide width and is left footed, which we need, we can’t have a right footed player on the left there’s a reason why no one does that. Kane and Gordon will play so well off each other, Toney and Kane are too similar. I really feel this system allows all our top players to play and is far more balanced than the current one.

Once again, tactical masterclass from this guy.

Kick Trippier out. He helps neither offensively nor defensively.

Foden has been shocking this euros and Southgate continues to not drop him or move him into his favoured position it's so frustrating 🤬

Starting Tripper over an experienced left back in Joe Gomez is nothing short of ludicrous, especially after watching the original tactic categorically fail for 4 straight games. Kyle Walker has shown that, unfortunately, after a stellar career, he's a complete liability now. Trent is the best right back in the squad and must start from now on. Rice, Mainoo, Bellingham is the correct midfield, but how Wharton hasn't been given minutes is ridiculous, especially given the fact England have needed an influx of forward thinking creative play in every single game. Bowen was given a cameo in game one, immediately gave Kane the best chance he's had all tournament, showed pace and desire Saka could only dream of and has somehow appeared to have played himself out of Southgate's mind entirely. Palmer starting over Saka, at this point, cannot be disputed by anyone bar the most ardent, bad faith Arsenal fans, it's a complete no-brainer. Anthony Gordon has played for 2 minutes and done more than Foden in 4 games, and yet cannot get a game, even when England were faced with a 37 year old full back. At this stage it's gone beyond farce. He's completely inept, and we have absolutely no chance of winning this tournament unless he radically changes things, something we all know he won't. We will start against Switzerland with the exact same team, other than Konsa coming in for the suspended Guehi.

England were seconds from going out and very lucky to be in the Qtr final. They have to be a lot better against a well organised Swiss team that is also a threat going forwards. England has the players to win, but simply haven’t played with the confidence and conviction everyone is expecting them to.

Unfortunately South has, this tournament, fallen into the trap of just trying to squeeze all of his superstars into the same XI

EVERY other team in the tournament has had slick one touch passing and running into space, Southgates tactics it seems is to wade through treacle with triangular passing in the England half for 90% of the games 😢

This is simply the best insightful and enjoyable analysis channel on RU-vid and beyond. You put the professional pundits on BBC and ITV channels to shame. Brilliant!

Its criminal how £200k pw footballers have 'no left foot' and have to get the ball on their good foot in order to pass it.

Why is nobody talking about the fact that Gallagher constantly looks like he’s about to get sent off?

I slightly disagree with Rice not being able to beat the press and playing the passes in between the lines. Although I agree he has lots of work to do on the latter, I think the real reason he is struggling this tournament (and not at Arsenal or West Ham prior to that) is Southgate’s inability to use this squad effectively. It seems like he tries to apply positional play without fully grasping the ideology and fundamentals. This results in the players’s weaknesses being exposed (Trippier and Foden being a prime example) rather than playing in on their strenghts. When you look at the way Rice plays at club level he always has some sort of support from another pivot and he always froms the box midfield. An example of this is at Arsenal where the box is formed by Rice, the DM (Jorginho or Partey), Odegaard and Havertz dropping deep. And the rotations these players create confuses the opposition on top of a numerical inferiority. Rice thrives in this sort of environment where he can push up a bit more and be dangerous whether that’s with diagonal switches (which we saw a lot of at West Ham), ball carrying, relieving press or passes in between the lines. I realize it’s not probable at international level to create dynamics like Pep and Arteta do but I hate the fact that there’s no idea between the staff and the players. The simplest example which annoyed me so much during the Denmark game was how Foden was asked to occupy the wide space on the left and Trippier was just conservatively underlapping and occupying the left half space. Everyone knows that Foden thrives in a free roll or in the half spaces and receiving the ball out wide is a notable weakness of his because that role is mostly fulfilled by Doku or Grealish at City. Against Slovakia, I loved seeing Foden in more central areas occupying the half space, while Trippier provided width. That’s also how England scored the disallowed goal. Surely on of the highest paid international-football managers should be able to understand such a simple concept… It just feels like Southgate just picks all the individual best players and tells them to figure it out on the pitch. And that’s very annoying to watch

oh Ok ive gotta hear this bollox about us being good 🤣

Stones is supposed to be this great ball playing defender but he is the worst at always taking the safe option. Some of these players are not even looking for a positive pass, many times there is a man free but they go for a riskier back pass instead, its infuriating, and Trippier just needs putting out of his misery and ours.

England haven't lost any of their games. Portugal lost to Georgia and couldn't score from open play against Slovenia. France have only scored three times, one an own goal and two pens. Italy are out.

Jarrod Bowen should play left back in the absence of Shaw. Left footed, works hard, used to defending after years playing for Moyes, can take a corner, and can put in a good cross as well.

I thought that Mainoo was MOTM, and I'm definitely not a United fan. Hopefully Luke Shaw will start the next match.

These videos have become the highlight of my Euros. Such great analysis.

This video only exist because England win 😅

If it is frustrating for us to watch, imagine the excruciating pain Andrea Pirlo must feel watching England? He may have slipped into a disillusioned depression

I would not be surprised if Kieran Tripper does not play against Switzerland as he got properly clattered by one of the Slovakian players and went off. GS will definitely have to start with at least one new defender. Shaw can't last 120 minutes so they have to try actually using a defender in defence rather than waste Saka and Eze back there? So Dunk and Gomez to start?

Slovakia definitely deserved quarter finals. No real Intent from any english player, except that bellingham goal. It's a disgrace

The whole reason Saka's on the pitch and didn't track back. Honestly. Southgate's decisions and delusions get funnier by the day when you watch stuff back. Guehi small guy not strong enough. Stones doesn't trust him. Walker being walker. Saka not tracking the winger back. Big mess tbf

Name one word to describe England's performance - I'll start with woeful.

It seems obvious to me to fix the trippier problem why don’t they just invert the system. Then you have your free man on his correct foot. You lose Saka for Foden on the right and maybe play with Trent for a more attacking option at right back. And then bring Gordon in on the left wing. And play a center back as the left fullback. Problem solved but you can play the same way.

It turns out Southgate's strategy is just a waste of time. They might as well just go route one and kick a long ball in Kane's direction. He'll probably get the ball more often.

Seriously ... ask any WHU fan ... its David Moyes football ... constantly using the same 11 whilst not changing it up with your sub ... bland negative football ... paying the opposition too much respect .... being tactically inept .... playing players out of position when you have a NATURAL LEFT WINGER (Gordon/ Cornet) ... whilst both Moyes & Southgate have relied on moments of brilliance to save their pub football level necks .... Moyes & Southgate OUT 🤣🤣🤣

Southgate is fundamentally, a limited manager tactically. He had great success based of a simple system: -3ATB with at least one DM to provide defensive solidity -threat from set pieces -wingbacks who can cross -Kane dropping deep to play runners in behind to compensate for a lack of creative mids -as well as two gift wrapped easy knockout paths in 18 and 21. The losses of Maguire (set piece threat) Shaw (natural width on left) Sterling and Rashford (run in behind) have shown his shortcomings this year and how Gareth really doesn't have a plan B

As expected Southgate will stick with his "trusted" 11, perhaps something as simple as switching Foden and Saka on the wings would be beneficial, don't you think? Foden does some of his best work cutting inside on the half turn from the right channel. He sees and executes a pass, and he can shift it onto his left to shoot with style. This way, we could have Saka aggressively attacking the touchline and delivering crosses from the left, even though it's not his natural game. By doing this, we can utilize the full width of the pitch. Unfortunately, I doubt Southgate will be willing to make such a simple switch.

Defo the best football content anywhere....

How much is Steve Holland involved in the the tactics and coaching of the team? Is it all his fault?

The amount of copium on that title is wild

I thought Kobbie was practically ignored by the rest of the team. They only passed to him reluctantly. He was the only trying to progress the ball, be positive, but.i put that down to Southgate risk adverse football, no risk no reward. At this point, we are relying on individual moments. That's the plan that or a mistake. We do not impose ourselves on the opposition or manipulate them to create chances. Nearly Zero clear cut chances from our open play, the opposition keepers have a cigar on!

Someone should share your video with Gareth. Biggest problem from the start has been lack of width on either wing. Trippier is wasted on left. Walker lacks footballing skills to overlap, cross or link up effectively with Saka. Foden is redundant with both Kane and Bellingham occupying no.10 areas

All I saw was the same sideways, backwards passing, failing to get the ball through midfield and lack of movement off the ball to create space and overloads. It was dull and they got bloody lucky. Won’t feel sorry for England if they get knocked out on Saturday.

England don't have much of a system like Switzerland, Austria or Spain and are relying on the players to figure something out. But he's playing players out of position on the same side! (Foden and Trippier) Making it much more difficult

Honestly i still feel like with the swad depth of the team, if we move the ball any faster chances will come as teams would not be able to cope. Giving teams time to adjust is what makes it difficult to get past.

The problem is we get our noses infront then sit back and let the opposition come at us instead of killing the game off Southgate should play either 3.4.3 or 3.5.2 Gomez left back & Saka right Foden & Bellingham centre midfield with Watkins alongside Kane

Genuinely learning so much Adam! Let’s goooooooo boys

Foden and Trippier both seem to have been assigned to imitate Jack Grealish's role at Manchester City - but neither of them are very good at it. Pep Guardiola, the world's greatest manager, seems very happy with Grealish's play in that position. Why didn't Gareth Southgate select him?

Just watch us go and win the bloody thing playing like this. 😬 it's the only outcome that makes watching England worth it.

All this chat about how its impossible for right footed players to run on the outside on the left wing is bulldust (thanks to neighbours for that word). Anthony gordon is right footed and plays on the left and goes on the outside. Phil foden is left footed and plays on the left wing in this system and always comes inside. And from what I remember, when Saka played left wing back, he generally came back inside too. I get it that its not as natiural to cross the ball with your left foot, if youre right footed, but you can defo still make runs on the outside.

Southgate is not a tactician, the players know that so feel like lost sheep, when at club level they are spoon fed tactics daily by the top managers in the business.

Your analysis of Mainoo is spot on. Rice is a MUCH better player with him there, and I too was screaming at them to play our through him. His composure on the ball is better than basically anyone in the team, IMO. I suppose that means Southgate won't pick him next match.

England looked like a team that was two minutes from being knocked out of a tournament they're a favourite for by a team that's ranked 45 in the world.

They are NOT going to win the tournament like this. Please just stop this. It's about time we and England fans start seeing this team under Southgate like a "lesser" country. Every win is a bonus.

Trent and Gordon should have been on at half time. Southgate is a criminal.

Fodens one of my favourite players ever. However, he either needs to be the 10 or a sub. He's not getting the service or movement he's use to at city and as such when the ball is under performing. Although off the ball he's still one of the best around, never seen someone press so much apart from Gallagher who was amazing off the ball in the extra time in that game.

Just swapping Foden and Bellingham would be a better plan.

Solid analysis. Just too bad you’re not on Southgate’s team. No one knows what they were watching or thinking. Definitely different matches.

Why do England force the play down the left? In 1st game they played down the right with success, then there was lots of criticism from Press then England, to make a point, overload the left to show 'balance'.