Well, Gareth has very kindly stated that he is prepared to stay on until at least the next Euros. Somehow a situation has emerged where we are expected to be grateful for that. How can that be?

I suspect it is because the FA put style over substance. They would prefer to have a championship level manager that acts as they want rather than a proven winner that might not. I think the outcome will be that we qualify comfortably for the euros and then fail again when we meet a top side.

Just because there is no obvious/available candidate does not mean that they are not out there. As Einstein said “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

So the 'yes' man remains in charge for another two years.

We have just about the most talented collection of players for decades, however for all that talent I don't think Southgate even comes close to extracting it. He was a good player but that's about it as far as I'm concerned.

English football just continues its tradition of managerial donkeys.

Edited by Stirlingsays (18 Dec 2022 11.58am)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

People forget how sh!te many previous England managers have been though. The team is definitely more of a unit than it's been in decades under Southgate's watch and the nation in general behind the team rather than hyper critical of them. Chopping and changing isn't always the answer and although we've not quite got there yet, all in all it's hard to be too unhappy with our progress in recent years.

Most people I speak to who are averse to Southgate, when push comes to shove it's a 'taking the knee' dislike. I find that comical really because as absurdly overdone as that gesture most certainly is and has been, it has sod all to do with whether or not he's a good manager of the team so isn't a reliable basis from which to fashion a view or its progress.

Edited by footythoughts (18 Dec 2022 1.33pm)

I do agree that eventually there comes a time for change, and even if Southgate has a really successful Euros I can see him stepping down anyway. There's definitely valid thoughts about different management styles - more of a front and centre passion, over quiet, dignified leadership - and post Euros if he goes it will be interesting to see where a new manager takes them and who gets the job.

Edited by footythoughts (18 Dec 2022 2.19pm)

Argentina the sharper side 1-0 Messi pen. a bit soft.

It's 4-1 to Selby in the snooker.

Red and Blue Army!