Turning to the Dark Side

[Torquemada 1420]

Does Harry Kane not like shooting these days?

He doesn’t like running either.

Obsession with older players who are past it is not confined to Eng. Ronaldo and Griesman other cases in point.

Modric is a freak exception.

[petej]

Does Harry Kane not like shooting these days?

He doesn’t like running either.

Obsession with older players who are past it is not confined to Eng. Ronaldo and Griesman other cases in point.

Modric is a freak exception.

England and France have very negative coaches.

[Torquemada 1420]

He doesn’t like running either.

Obsession with older players who are past it is not confined to Eng. Ronaldo and Griesman other cases in point.

Modric is a freak exception.

England and France have very negative coaches.

France are a disgrace.

[JM2K6]

Fair play, nailed the penalties.

[Tichtheid]

If Kane's not even taking penalties you have to ask what he's doing there?

Well done England though.

[JM2K6]

If Kane's not even taking penalties you have to ask what he's doing there?

Well done England though.

He got injured being barged off the field tbf

[Tichtheid]

If Kane's not even taking penalties you have to ask what he's doing there?

Well done England though.

He got injured being barged off the field tbf

Ah, fair enough and I owe him an apology then. I saw the incident but was listening to music with the pictures as I can't stand Shearer as a pundit, so I didn't hear any reason behind him not taking a penalty.

(Ryan Young, Scottish trad fiddle, just for completeness of the comment's sake)

[Sandstorm]

5 from 5 penalties tonight. Very un-Emgland.

[JM2K6]

If Kane's not even taking penalties you have to ask what he's doing there?

Well done England though.

He got injured being barged off the field tbf

Ah, fair enough and I owe him an apology then. I saw the incident but was listening to music with the pictures as I can't stand Shearer as a pundit, so I didn't hear any reason behind him not taking a penalty.

(Ryan Young, Scottish trad fiddle, just for completeness of the comment's sake)

Yeah, Toney came straight on for him and played a chunk of the 2nd half of extra time

[tc27]

Probaly technically the best England penalty shootout ever.

[Niegs]

That second Dutch goal is the most 'FIFA glitch' I've seen in a while. Good ball in, clattered wildly in the box, cries for foul, ball trickles in goal regardless.

[petej]

Probaly technically the best England penalty shootout ever.

A bit crazy considering the age of Palmer 22, Bellingham 21 and saka 22.

[Niegs]

England supporters should go beyond the peaked RAF caps, white pith helmets and adopt a red tunic and floppy hat ...

[Enzedder]

That Netherlands Vs Turkey match was the best of the tournament so far, I reckon.

[Blackmac]

Does Harry Kane not like shooting these days?

He doesn’t like running either.

Obsession with older players who are past it is not confined to Eng. Ronaldo and Griesman other cases in point.

Modric is a freak exception.

You would expect that a guy scoring 50 goals in the Bundesliga is hardly past it but the reality of how poor he is is astonishing. Maybe if he actually just concentrated on his job rather than dropping deep to interfere with everyone else's he might look better.

[Hugo]

In the middle point of the first half Saka did brilliantly to get behind the Swiss defence and got to the line. It was from a nice diagonal ball.

He squared the ball and Kane was nowhere to be seen and had not got on his bike even after the first pass had been made. He is basically immobile.

Always behind the action and not even by a yard or two, he is so far off the pace it is crazy.

[robmatic]

In the middle point of the first half Saka did brilliantly to get behind the Swiss defence and got to the line. It was from a nice diagonal ball.

He squared the ball and Kane was nowhere to be seen and had not got on his bike even after the first pass had been made. He is basically immobile.

Always behind the action and not even by a yard or two, he is so far off the pace it is crazy.

I noticed that one as well. People are complaining, probably rightly, about England being too conservative but with an in-form centre forward they would have been causing a lot more trouble for opposition teams this tournament.

[Hal Jordan]

He doesn’t like running either.

Obsession with older players who are past it is not confined to Eng. Ronaldo and Griesman other cases in point.

Modric is a freak exception.

You would expect that a guy scoring 50 goals in the Bundesliga is hardly past it but the reality of how poor he is is astonishing. Maybe if he actually just concentrated on his job rather than dropping deep to interfere with everyone else's he might look better.

He's got to the stage where he can score, but you have to put the ball where he is, not where he's moving to in anticipation because his mobility has gone.

[dpedin]

Obsession with older players who are past it is not confined to Eng. Ronaldo and Griesman other cases in point.

Modric is a freak exception.

You would expect that a guy scoring 50 goals in the Bundesliga is hardly past it but the reality of how poor he is is astonishing. Maybe if he actually just concentrated on his job rather than dropping deep to interfere with everyone else's he might look better.

He's got to the stage where he can score, but you have to put the ball where he is, not where he's moving to in anticipation because his mobility has gone.

Kane, at his best, has always had runners alongside and beyond him and he needs one in this England set up. Son did all the running and hard work at Spurs and Kane benefitted hugely from his athleticism. Kane has never been the most mobile nor one to lead the line single handedly but he does score goals. If you play him alone up front then I cant see much improvement. A Toney, Watkins or a Bowen beside him would create spaces and stretch defenses. The current set up doesnt provide him with the support he needs, if you stick with the current formation then I would play one of the three I mentioned before Kane. .

[Hugo]

In the middle point of the first half Saka did brilliantly to get behind the Swiss defence and got to the line. It was from a nice diagonal ball.

He squared the ball and Kane was nowhere to be seen and had not got on his bike even after the first pass had been made. He is basically immobile.

Always behind the action and not even by a yard or two, he is so far off the pace it is crazy.

I noticed that one as well. People are complaining, probably rightly, about England being too conservative but with an in-form centre forward they would have been causing a lot more trouble for opposition teams this tournament.

Yes and what is gnawing away at my very soul is that Southgate has managed this squad like he has only 11 or so good players (maybe 13?) and the rest are all just there for the ride.

The realty is he has quality all the way down the bench AND whenever he subs players in and/or varies his tactics the outcome is normally positive.

Example - he puts Toney on in the last minute of the Slovakia match and he assists the winning goal. Of the 5 penalty takers on Saturday three were subs.......

Yet when it comes to the starting XI it's the same faces and he is very reluctant to substitute players who are playing poorly even though he has an abundance of choice on the bench.

It is really, REALLY hard work supporting this team.

[petej]

You would expect that a guy scoring 50 goals in the Bundesliga is hardly past it but the reality of how poor he is is astonishing. Maybe if he actually just concentrated on his job rather than dropping deep to interfere with everyone else's he might look better.

He's got to the stage where he can score, but you have to put the ball where he is, not where he's moving to in anticipation because his mobility has gone.

Kane, at his best, has always had runners alongside and beyond him and he needs one in this England set up. Son did all the running and hard work at Spurs and Kane benefitted hugely from his athleticism. Kane has never been the most mobile nor one to lead the line single handedly but he does score goals. If you play him alone up front then I cant see much improvement. A Toney, Watkins or a Bowen beside him would create spaces and stretch defenses. The current set up doesnt provide him with the support he needs, if you stick with the current formation then I would play one of the three I mentioned before Kane. .

A better option is a proper wide left player with pace who runs behind defenders. With no rashford the best fit is Gordon. Foden , Bellingham and kane all like to occupy similar spaces. Foden is the least flexible of the 3 (and has contributed 0 goals) so should be dropped for Gordon.

[Biffer]

What a goal that is. Sixteen years old.

[Slick]

What a goal that is. Sixteen years old.

Football is actually quite enjoyable when a game breaks out from the nonsense

[fishfoodie]

What a goal that is. Sixteen years old.

Football is actually quite enjoyable when a game breaks out from the nonsense

Can't feel sorry for France chasing for a goal when they've been so negative for the last 8,000 minutes of play*


* May be less, but it feels that long

[Tichtheid]

Corker of a goal from Holland

[sturginho]

FFS England

[tc27]

Bullshit pen

[inactionman]

That's a pretty weak penalty call

[inactionman]

Booking as well. What's the defender supposed to do?

[Oxbow]

No way was that a penalty.

[tc27]

Wasn't a pen but I'll take 1-1

[salanya]

What a joke of a decision.
Ridiculous.

[Tichtheid]

Very good execution from Kane

[sturginho]

That's a pretty weak penalty call

I seem to be a few minutes behind, but thats perfectly in keeping with other pens given in this tournament

[Slick]

Booking as well. What's the defender supposed to do?

Quite. Hands behind your back, don’t use your legs to block

[Slick]

Looked over from here

[tc27]

1. Jammy penalty aside England playing reasonably well

2. What a great save by the Dutch player with his feet.

[sturginho]

Booking as well. What's the defender supposed to do?

Quite. Hands behind your back, don’t use your legs to block

He wasn't trying to block

[Slick]

If nothing else, I thoroughly enjoy watching Pickford. Completely hatstand

[Biffer]

If nothing else, I thoroughly enjoy watching Pickford. Completely hatstand

I think he’s a cock. And he should have done better with the Dutch goal.