Morning all.
Well that was a mixed England performance, or should I say a mixed Serbia performance. Much of the first half was controlled by Southgate’s team but as the half faded, so did England. After the break, Serbia had a bit more to offer, forcing Pickford to make an outstanding save. Kane had one real chance to score but other than that, he could often be spotted jogging left to right of pitch. Either that or conning the referee into awarding England a free kick. Had he been in a better position during the first half, he might have tapped home a great cross from Walker or another from Saka. As it was, Bellingham’s powerful header was enough to win the game.
From an Arsenal perspective, I thought Rice was excellent again, as was Saka in the first half but come the second half, he looked tired. Perhaps a more observant manager would have changed things a bit earlier than Southgate did. Perhaps a move neutral team of pundits would realise Kane is not just a player ‘waiting for his one chance’, he’s a striker coming to the end of his England career. I think a more proactive manager would have replaced him early in the second half. Not just him either as Foden pretty much struggled from the start.
Sadly, this tournament has turned ugly away from the pitch. Some nutter with an axe was arrested the other day after he allegedly threatened police with it and then yesterday, England and Serbia fans clashed resulting in a number of arrests and a few walking wounded. What is it about football which brings the worst out of a few?
Anyway, next up for England is Denmark who drew 1-1 with Slovenia yesterday afternoon. Today, Austria play France, Romania take on Ukraine and the final game is between Belgium and Slovakia.
The only kind of transfer gossip which surfaced over the weekend was that Arsenal, Chelsea, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund are in a four way battle for Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy according to BILD. The report suggests Guirassy could be available for just £15m this summer despite scoring 28 goals in 28 Bundesliga games this season.
I know we’ve kind of talked about him over the weekend but this morning I watched a clip of him on YouTube. He’s big, strong and knows how to finish but is he the kind of player who will press hard from the front? His weaknesses are said to be injuries and defensive duties.
Another rumour which comes from French outlet L’Equipe is that Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich have all contacted PSG about Xavi Simons.
Catch up later…
Morning Rico and passengers.
I don’t know anything about Guirassy, I’ve not seen any of his YouTube compilations and am not minded to watch any either.
His price is eminently affordable, he’s experienced and at a stage of his career where he’s likely to give it everything.
He’s also likely to be content to play for a major club and be cover for and and option to Kai Havertz and be happy to do so initially but will hopefully be hungry to take someone’s shirt much the same as Trossard.
He’s isn’t a big name with a big fee and thus won’t come to us (if he does?) with unrealistic expectations but he’s a classic plan B, off of the bench to chase a goal or to see a game out.
I like the thinking behind his signing and trust in the judgement of Edu, our recruitment team and Arteta.
He also doesn’t represent an immovable barrier to Chido should he decide to stay at Arsenal – his pathway is clear!
Devil, both Germany and Spain looked far more dominant in their opening games and look a better bet for winning this tournament. I think that England will reach the semi-finals and Southgate will bottle it as he did in Euro 96 from the penalty spot…
Good Morning Rico and all
I dont think its football which brings out the worst in a few. Its in their nature Rico. They just go to high level tournaments looking for trouble. We only hear of it simply because there is a football match taking place. Those who like everyone here go to watch a football match in peace aware that everyone has a right to opinion and there is no need to resort to violence if we dont agree. Then there are those who no matter what will always look for trouble…..even if you happen to fart in their vicinity. They will just react with violence.
Guirassy. Yay or nay?? After he was discussed over the weekend it does make sense to get him in my opinion. His fee is not high, he has vast experience and last season alone had a goal per game record average. personally I think we need a ‘Sheringham’ type oldie (although Guirassy is 28) who has vast experience, will know he is not going to play all games especially in the EPL/CL/FAC/CC, plus the fact that he will not be in the way of young strikers. Although I would have loved Sesko with Arsenal, even Gyokeres, however, it would have sent the wrong message to young strikers (like Chido obi) especially if Haverts has a great Euro plus the signing of Sesko/Gyokers. Young pros would know that to dislodge two would be a bit on the impossible unless you happen to have your name Messi, Ronaldo (Brazilian), Bellingham.
Speaking of Bellingham….I have heard it from various people at my place of work that Bellingham should have taken Kane’s place in attack
Oh dear, Kev,…..you and I were typing the same thing just a few minutes apart. When I read the post there were no comments yet.
Great minds eh Kev.
Like you I think that Germany and Spain are the best two teams so far. Italy as well….they never panicked and administered the game in the way only Italy know. Their next test will be Spain. Italy will sit back and absorb them and look to hit them on the break.
But as you said…..Germany and Spain are the best at the moment.
Devil
France come to the party this evening and you can be sure that despite the recent revival in the form of Austria that they’ll be thoroughly dominated by the French who it must be certain will be on a similar level to Germany and Spain.
I don’t though share your high regard of Italy, I think that they are a bang average team but what they do have, in spades, is a winning mentality throughout from the coaching staff, manager and players and that can be the difference…
Morning Kev, Devil, guys.
I can see this guy being a plan b, a more clinical finisher perhaps than Eddie, stronger too..
I fancy France, Spain or Germany. England, as suggested before, there’s little about them which fills me with hope that a trophy is just around the corner. When Serbia stepped it up, we looked second best imo.
Yes Kev, they are average. They don’t have a Totti, a Del Piero, a Buffon, no dinosaur centrebacks like Chiellini, nor a Rolls Royce of Maldini or Cannavaro.
But what they have is optimal team work, a winning mentality, calmness and above all a master tactician in Spalletti. That can keep them going right to the end.
Like you I will say wait till we see France as well.
Breaking news…..the German Police are looking for the Serbian defenders (who have gone into hiding) who are refusing to release Kane from going to his family. While Southgate is panicking various players and some pundits are urging calm so as not to put pressure on the police while others are telling the CID to give up because they fear he is already hidden in the Serbian mountains and attempts to find him would be a waste of time
2024/25 fixtures are released tomorrow…
Guirassy or whoever, the objective is to raise the floor. He must be better than Nkethia. Wenger’s style was to bring in an understudy, but it led us to having so many deadwood in the team. Arteta must go beyond bringing in “understudies” as injuries, burn out and loss of form can happen to first teamers and we begin to struggle with understudies.
The recruitment strategy must recognise that Saka, Saliba, Harvetz, Odegaard & co cannot play 38 Premiership games plus others and be at the same level. It must be one that gives Arteta the confidence to rotate and involve the bench more.
To go above City, the quality of our bench must improve. Injuries were kind to us this past season, you can never say same for the incoming one.
Non negotiable #1 —
All players need to press and defend. Guirassy would need to convince Arteta in a conversation that he wants to show he can do that… to get the opportunity to go to a massive club and compete for trophies.
I had my say about Guirassy on the previous post. I still don’t think he would be a first choice in-comer, but if his reported transfer fee is as low as €34 million and his wage only circa €47 K a week, as a last resort he may be an option but if his idea of pressing is to follow Kane’s example, I wouldn’t touch him with a barge pole.
I heard on Sky that England had the lowest number of shots in a Euros game since 1980,remarkable really.I haven’t seen all the games but that was the worst game I’ve seen.
Limey, did that stat include Serbian shots as well?
Mudryk being as insipid for Ukraine as he usually is for Chelsea, that was such a lucky escape for us.
Guirassy – As much chance as pronouncing his name correctly.
England were good in the 1st half. Bellingham was the MoM ably supported by Saka and Rice. Big questions to be asked about Foden, Stones & TAA.
Foden and Stones are made to look very good by the other players at Man City. TAA ran around and gave the ball away. The midfield looked unbalanced.
Southgate needs to rethink his line up and tactics. Not sure he has the ability to do that.
I’ve never seen a Rumanian national team play such sparkling attacking football as today! They’re usually dour, cynical, defensive and horrible to watch. This team is really good.
Kev
Yes all shots overall apparently.
Just waiting for Arsenal to make a move,I suppose none of the big clubs have signed anyone yet,only West Ham,Crystal Palace etc
Daniel, that’s my opinion too. Strengthen the bench with players better than who we sell.
Cicero, but if we need a goal with 10-20 mins to go, there’s a chance he might get one. If he’s fit of course… 😜
Serbia were good though Limey.. lol
Seriously, England looked good to begin with but as the game went on it became clear that they looked good because Serbia started badly. Once they upped their game, England looked bang average imo. I nearly turned off to watch Love Island… 😂
Excellent for the women’s team. If true.
Arsenal negotiate ‘final terms’ in Walsh move
Arsenal are so close to signing Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh the move has entered negotiations over the “final terms” for the ex-Man City star, according to the Daily Mirror.
Walsh joined Barca from City in 2022 in what was then a world-record fee for a women’s player, and has won back-to-back Champions League and Liga F titles with the club since then.
Walsh is out of contract in Catalonia next month, and reportedly wants to return to England – with Arsenal now said to be close to a deal to bring her to the capital.
Walsh would be a brilliant signing, if it happens. She’s not only a lifelong Man City fan but she also played for them for several years before moving to Barcelona. I imagine that if City whistled, she’d come running.
Nah, I reckon she’s been there and done it and wants a new challenge.. 🤞
Limey, with only one goal from two matches Group C is in danger of not exactly becoming the Group of Death but actually more like the Group of Snooze.
Love Island…. 😬
Blimey Rico it wasn’t that bad…
True Kev, Serbia were quite entertaining in the second half.. lol
Saliba starting for France v Austria
Saw a bit of the Belgium vs Slovak game, you know dipped in and out to see how Trossard was playing and thought that Onana looked good. Whenever I’ve seen him playing before for Everton he’s usually been firefighting as they’re so poor in possession, but he looked ok among better more technical players Belgian players…
I’ve not been too impressed with the refereeing standard in this tournament, the refs are missing or ignoring so much body checking, shirt pulling and general shithousery
Rico, I thought that Serbia were rubbish and we made them look better than what they are. I guess you’ll know for sure when they play Slovenia and finally Denmark.
What’s the betting on England finishing with 9 points and 3 goals?
I thought it was the other way round Kev, certainly in the second half. Still, we all see things differently…
Rico, you defend from the front and with a cart horse at centre forward that isn’t happening, we had no penetration down the left so it was down to Saka and later on Bowen to create anything from the flanks.
With no pressure on the Serbian defence they pushed up and squeezed us into our half with no outlet because Kane is too slow.
Serbia weren’t that good but tactically we were pants
Saliba to see out the whole match.
What I meant Kev is that Serbia made England look good but reality hit home once Serbia played better. Either way, England weren’t very good which I think we agree on. As suggested before, surely this is the last tournament for Southgate and Kane..
The problem started immediately Bellingham scored, we reverted to Southgate’s negative tactics of hold what we have. We gradually lost all forward momentum and were forced back by Serbia’s growing confidence.
As the second half progressed the situation worsened, Kane’s lack of pace meant we had no target for an out ball to relieve the pressure on our defenders.
Rico, you are surely right that this should be the last tournament for both Southgate and Kane.
Good morning all.
Southgate is in denial as far as Kane is concerned.
In his after-match comments he made no mention of the fact that Kane touched the ball only twice in the whole of the first half. On the second half he said of Kane “I thought he did an incredible job, holding the ball up, the number of fouls that he won, got his body across well”.Maybe that’s what’s expected of him rather than pressing hard and scoring goals.
Good morning everyone
Wolves in the first match. Villa in the second.
Last match of the season against Southampton
Morning guys.
New post up with our fixtures.
Cicero, and there’s Southgate’s problem. He simply doesn’t seem to have the strength to drop the captain. A stronger manager would have replaced him at halftime. Are the alternatives that bad? I’d say no, absolutely no.