I have no delusions of grandeur, thanks. I just don’t think he’s a very good manager, at any level. I actually think he’s a very poor manager.

It’s not hindsight if you see his selection and his tactics and, before a ball is even kicked, consider it poor decision making. Hindsight says ‘he should have done that….’ after the event.
A number of us here were saying “what is he doing and why has he done that” an hour before the game. That’s not hindsight, that’s confusion, disbelief.
Had we won some might have said ‘with hindsight not playing your best players was a great idea.’ Some would have said he got lucky. Hindsight works both ways.

We are all entitled to our opinion and, for me, it would be a shocking appointment and I’m glad it’s hypothetical and hope it never becomes reality.

Edited by Helmet46 (21 Jun 2021 6.55am)

Southgate did.

I said it many moons ago, Parish is just holding out 'til he can get PC Southgate in for more boreball.

I know this has been said before, but one of the problems Southgate, or indeed any manager of our National side faces, is the shortage of quality English players in the top leagues. Applies for the Welsh and Scots teams too I guess.

Since the formation of the PL more and more overseas players are attracted to play here, squeezing out opportunities for English lads. I don't believe the talent isn't there - it's just that not as much is developed as it would be if clubs were discouraged from employing so many from other countries.

I've got no idea of the numbers, but it's clear from watching any of the Euro matches that we watch many of the same players every week in the PL. It's true that some of our fine players go overseas, but a smaller percentage I'd say.

In days of yore, when we played on muddy pitches with a heavy leather ball, it was rare indeed to see a foreign player here. Thus, the likes of Sir Alf had a much bigger group of top quality English players to pick from.

Not making excuses for Southgate, it's just that I think he does the best he can with the limited resources available to him.

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.

There are two sides to this debate. When England were less than successful in the past, when we were banned from European competitions and the Serie A was considered the best league in Europe, it was argued very strongly that we were not successful because most of our players played in England and were not playing or training with or against the best players in the world and this would help them to develop. Only our very best players went to Serie A (Gazza, Platt, Ince etc) and this helped them to develop.

Even if you disregard that the success of Brazil over the years completely nullifies your arguement. Most of the Brazil squads over the years have comprised of a majority of players who ply their trade in foreign (to Brazil) leagues.

To argue one over the other is to be totally too simplistic. Reality is its a mixture of lots of different factors.

Edited by Mwncisee (21 Jun 2021 2.39pm)

He was a very good player for us and from memory did well at Villa and 'Boro. Did well at England U21 level and has, so far, done ok at England senior level. Unless England are humiliated in the next round (possible but unlikely), he will still be our manager into the next World Cup next year.

I think he's make a good manager for Palace but it's not happening any time soon.

It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark... and we're wearing sunglasses.