I'm no Fan of Southgate - but He's irrefutably improved us no end in his tenure, from a time where many were turning away from england after years and years of abject Failure, to one that shows signs of resurrection.

I actually thought that we played well last night. yes it's 'only Macedonia' but pre-Southgate we'd have scraped past them 2-1, stuggling to break down a stubborn defence. Last night, despite many times when they were 10 men behind the ball, we scored 7. What more can we ask?

The subs he brought on were largely giving those players who didn't get a run out on Friday gametime. Guehi and Eze were very unlikely to play both, and frankly I'm surprised(but pleased) Guehi started vs Malta.

The Issue yesterday was on the occasion where they had the ball and we broke upfield we invariably slowed it down and allowed them to regroup, and the only people capable of creating anything were Rashford and Saka. TAA too to an extent, but he needed both of them on the pitch to make the runs. Once they were taken off, we looked toothless again. (thought CG was the best of the subs)

I've no issue with Maguire and Stones playing at the back. you can't just play in-form players all the time. You need some sense of a settled squad - in defence especially and Maguire (and Stones) have not put a foot wrong in an England Shirt for ages. Guehi is next in line, but he's got a job to break that partnership up.

Southgates England are an inevitability. We'll look great and beat everyone until we come up against someone with anything about them in a match that actually matters; then we'll lose regardless of being the better side. But at least were a decent watch.
I'll take that over not getting out of the Group stages or being painfully inept even against the crap teams.

I completely agree with you. we definately should have gotten rid if not after the Italy penalty fiasco, but after the france failure.

My point was that in these games we look actually pretty good, so to criticise him off the back of them is harsh - and he has done good for England.

But it's all so inevitable with him. it's the Tough games he'll lose at the wrong time.

I'm just not sure who will replace him and be any better.

I feel there's not much wrong with the team, although when Kane and some of the defenders start to wane you do wonder. But that the manager side needs work. Honestly don't know who'd be better. Someone pragmatic yet also flexible. I can't help but feel that Sam Allardyce would have done well - not only financially for himself - which was a shame. We saw Roy wasn't the answer to any question.
For me, Southgate too conservative, yet also a bit weak in the big matches. North Macedonia was a prime example - for in the last match Eze changed the game when he came on. Next match should be seeing if he can keep it up. No problem with Mount etc but the issue is the manager. There's just no need for the lack of competition - unless he reckons he's mates with them all. Which wouldn't surprise me after listening to his bull about Toney. He'd say the same thing if Toney was betting on England matches? It's a problem.
Hilariously enough, I wonder how Mourinho would do? It being all about him would suit our easily distracted players. He's pretty negative but no more than Southgate - playing two holding players against some of our opposition has been cringeworthy to say the least. Plus picking a strongest eleven against the weakest teams in the world is not only pointless, it is also actively unhelpful for the future. It's a highway to be also rans, bridesmaids but never the winners

I actually bemoaned this yesterday too. I have no doubt my ire was driven by a want to see Sam, Ebz and Guehi playing however a few 'for and against':

For - Consistency, cohesion in team, familiarity, insurance against any upset, fair weather fan endorsement.

Against - Rolling over of part-timer teams of little interest, lack of entry routes and experimentation with fringe players, risk of injury to first teamers, Kalvin Phillips (well aware he scored), possible 'favouritism'.

All in all I'd like to see a mixture of both, not one extreme of the other, but again I think that is clouded by a want to see Palace players out there.

I think Mourinho would have as good a chance as anyone of winning a trophy for England. His willingness to act the clown to achieve it would unlikely sit well with the FA though. I think he's hilarious, almost as if he himself is having a bit of a joke with it all. As it is Southgate is probably doing enough to keep the FA happy. He's helped by the fact England have largely under achieved since the mid-90s.

The issue with England will always be do you pick the best players or the best team. Oftentimes it feels like players are shoehorned in to get them on the pitch when a less fashionable player might do a better job. As much as I love Eze he will probably never be a regular England starter under Southgate as he is a bit of a maverick.