England Fall Short Once Again | EURO 2024

[@therestisfootball]

Thank you all for spending some of this year's tournament here with us on the channel, it's been top 🙏🏽⚽ Much more content coming from the guys before the year is out. Take care.

[@harml3ss28]

A real highlight for me, thanks to you and the whole team, great laughs and stories

[@AaAa-je5eo]

Some of it? I spent all of it with you guys! Cheers for the brilliant content. Imagining the scenes of the guys if we'd have won 🥲

[@jordannufcfan]

See you guys next season

[@Blue_3rd]

@@therestisfootball It’s been a lot of fun. Cheers!

[@natures_child]

Thank you for providing us with such an incredible podcast. I'm going to miss my daily fix of Gary, Alan and Big Meeks.

[@benhughes3632]

Podcast has been one of the highlights of the tourney for me. Cheers lads

[@rwb_gary6355]

Your only highlight 😂😂

[@crocodileteet9837]

Couldn’t agree more

[@peterhiggs1844]

The best football podcast ever. Well done guys.

[@markhammond150]

Yeah this pod has been a revelation

[@sandipanroy3106]

For sure.

[@Adamm357]

Sick of people saying, "You can't drop your captain." Where has that loyalty got us? Similar to when Lucas Moura dragged Spurs into a Champions League final, just to be dropped for Harry Kane. It's like the answers are right there, but Southgate just can't see them. To get the best out of Kane, he needed to play Gordon.

[@HakunonMatata]

We were doing exactly what Portugal was doing but we didn't notice. Too much loyalty to big "names" but not the squad itself and it costed us. Spain did it with Rodri who got hurt and he was their best player and it severely helped them. But this classic "keep calm and carry on" mentality is our biggest weakness.

[@karabomafa5609]

Gordon isn't doing shxt against that Spain... Stop being naive, Gordon is not Vini jr

[@Grandmastergav86]

@@HakunonMatata We noticed but the man on stupid money a year "didn't".

[@Bloodlustian]

This is the exact same reasoning which forced Portugal out in the quarters. Too much reliance on someone who's past their prime. Watkins and Tony we're screaming out for minutes.

[@ppate8]

@@karabomafa5609against a more tired team may have been more useful

[@daviebananas1735]

The fact that even Southgate himself said after the game that they couldn’t get Kane up to fitness or match speed, yet he still started every game says everything. If your striker isn’t match fit, don’t start him.

[@keithhayward8678]

I think the players knew that as well and felt held bk because of him

[@TheLastCrumb.]

Here's a thought, why don't you become england manager? You seem to know the game better than periods that have played it all their lives

[@SuchaDoofus]

​@@TheLastCrumb.Periods? What are you wittering on about?

[@ShortRav3n]

@@TheLastCrumb. someone is mad lmao

[@daviebananas1735]

@@TheLastCrumb. Do you disagree with what I said? Southgate said I’m his post match interview that they couldn’t get Kane up to fitness and up to match speed the whole tournament. Is it really absurd to suggest he shouldn’t have played every game from the start in that case?

[@TomboBrewster]

And that's another reason Shearer isn't a manager. Repeatedly saying you can't drop Kane because of his past, is exactly what holds you back in the present.

[@parmsingh4739]

So true. I like this podcast but Shearer and all of them are being close minded. How can Toney and Watkins do worse than Kane...can't imagine. And his 3 goals I think were all off penalties and Toney buries those. Also drop Rice. Another overrated player.

[@Dan-lg4bs]

@@parmsingh4739 rice might aswell of had a dodgy vindaloo from a 2 star hygiene rated Indian restaurant and curled a shit out on my carpet he stunk my living out so much

[@Anchises]

Shearer suggested playing Kane and Watkins as a front two and I think that in a 3-5-2 could have been very effective.

[@hrothgar64]

You could argue that Portugal had the same problem. Martinez seemed frightened to drop Ronaldo, even though he stank the place out. How many free kicks did he insist on taking? All of which either hit the wall or ended up in Row Z.

[@JustJay1234-ht3bx]

I think he was more saying he is the best finisher but rather than drop him we should pick a team and formation that suits him. Sake and Eze/Gordan both as wingers running in behind. Not foden and Bellingham playing deep along with Kane.

[@Benniboy93]

The silver lining of England losing is that hopefully it proves once and for all that the idea you can't win a tournament by playing attractive attacking football is BS. Look at Spain. Southgate had the players to play a similar style, and instead set us up to play like Stoke for the entire tournament

[@tunptl18]

Good point

[@YTA5690]

Any half-decent manager wouldve won England the Euros. Even Mikel Arteta would've.

[@fugaziishime]

​@Haydersublate that was a sight to behold.

[@Ross-f6g]

We scored from a long throw 😂😂😂😂​@Haydersublate

[@leehaslam5751]

Who had this idea brazil are the most successful country and they have only ever attacked

[@MrAZweistein]

I am german and this series of podcasts was the best reporting around the Euro for me. Loved the relaxed banter and analysis. I don't know why german television is not capable to produce at a same level as you guys. Kudos!

[@Suroky232]

Germany and Spain were the 2 best teams at the Euros for sure!

[@artschool673]

​@@Suroky232But Spain were way better!! In Germany!! That was bloody epic!! They've outclassed all the major European teams and had it more difficult than any other team so rightful winners they are!! Four time European champions🎉🎉🎉🎉⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@roshansum]

He is talking about the podcast, not teams 😅

[@ryanpeck7013]

Having lived in Germany for 6 years now your television production is terrible compared to the UK! they are so rigid and undynamic, just ask questions and answers the whole show and switch to the news at half time. Having said that I'd swap our media for yours and some trophies immediately 😂

[@torstenkaudt4793]

@@artschool673 Spain had less posssesion, less xG and less shots in the match against germany. At least both teams were on level. Germany just didn't use their chances. Saying spain were way better in this match is just stupid.

[@binbag5238]

I imagine Gordon, like Ben White before him, is wondering why he compromised his summer to sit on a bench for four weeks listening to Gareth talk about “the bigger picture”.

[@JustJay1234-ht3bx]

I don’t know why in the third group game we didn’t just rotate the squad, give Kane, Bellingham etc a rest and try out the likes of Gordon, Toney, Palmer for an extended period.

[@richarddsouza7761]

Feeling really bad for Gordon. He did well in the 5 mins he came on and helped create England's biggest chance in that game. I guess Gareth wasn't amused when he fell off the bike lol

[@rogerioceni2640]

Would be weird if he did tbh. He’s a multi millionaire who has about 50 years after retirement to ponce about in Dubai. Going to a major international tournament and sitting on the bench is an amazing experience and a privilege, regardless of whether you like the manager or agree with his decisions.

[@3VOLUTION369]

Shearer saying "you can't drop Kane" is part of the problem of the english mentality which is the acceptance of failure and mediocrity. He was absolutely abysmal throughout the whole tournament and should've been dropped after the first 2 games, but in this country we prioritise names and reputation over actual quality. Yes his INDIVIDUAL stats are great but every team he's ever played in has underperformed when it mattered and him not winning anything in his entire career is not a coincidence. When you play with him in the team you're literally carrying a passenger for 90 minutes with the exception of the odd good pass and the fact that he usually scores if he gets a chance, but at the highest level of football you need MUCH more than that. Not to make one man the scapegoat though, because ultimately the manager holds more responsibility for picking him consistently and constantly setting up the team in a completely negative way. On paper our players are far better than Spain (only Yamal, Rodri & Williams could get into this england team based on talent imo) yet everyone in the media were calling England the 'underdogs' for this game, when we should've been the FAVOURITES but we have a completely inept and incompetent manager setting us up like we're a non league side.

[@streetspirit956]

its also not a coincidence that Spurs this season have been a much better attacking team without him.

[@bernardadams6538]

It’s not the individual players that make a team though, it’s the collective and this team doesn’t gel.

[@DribbleP]

When kane plays at his best he has 2 flying wingers each side of him like he had a spurs and bayern Munich how is it he can score all these goals for the clubs for fun the whole team was flat we sat back let Spain have all the ball you can't just blame kane eveytine England have a poor performance england needed to play like spain but we didn't Southgate is a defensive manager we didn't play on thr front foot like we should have we gave spain way to much freedom

[@Suroky232]

Kane has been off form, however, he does require runners like Gordon to whip the ball in etc. Personally i think it comes from the top and our mentality needs to change to an attacking mindset and not just when we go a goal down.

[@_Ben4810]

You'll be crying when either Steve Bruce, Neil Warnock or Graham Potter are the next England manager...😉

[@matt94alexander32]

Spain showed us how to play. Can’t just sit back, ride your luck and hope for moments. Will come unstuck against top opposition.

[@ronnyron4681]

England Right hand side defense was the weakness as Spain 2 goals was came from there. The Man City duo were very much overrated defenders. But in 2026 tournament England should leave them and go for youth like Quansah, Harwood-bellis, Collwill, and Branthwaite

[@conors2104]

@@ronnyron4681 stones and walker are not overrated ....

[@simonjrgensen6761]

Spanish teams have showed English teams that many times over the years. Both club and country. Guardiola and Arteta have been and are trying to pass on the knowledge.

[@ps5andstuffhere]

Need Spanish style manager yes. Play Wharton

[@zionee1]

@@ps5andstuffherelol Bellingham don’t know what he was saying in 2020 in terms of skill apparently his level has elevated way up from then but he was in the squad and didn’t even get a sniff, now this year the same ole story for Wharton !

[@mavrico7773]

Sorry Alan. A manager with courage drops Kane coz he affected the team negatively more than any other player.

[@DribbleP]

Or did Southgates tactics do that whatndo you expect kane to do with the team being so deep miracles you people are clueless

[@nav2009]

We didn't pass the ball !

[@SirMonkeySuit]

​@DribbleP Don't play Kane then. Also I'm not hearing that the system is the reason Kane was bad. Kane didn't even try, he never once jumped for a header, battled a defender or made a run. He was crap

[@audreyhall8644]

Portugal and Ronaldo proves a point.

[@johnnyfreespeech5815]

It’s telling that as soon as Watkins and Palmer come onto the pitch we look so much better. We’ve seen the subs make us better every game yet Gareth kept reverting back to the same players each game. So frustrating…

[@dejjibd424]

Why was Kane on for most of the final when he playing so poorly yet again and Watkins and Toney are just sitting on the bench? Ridiculous.

[@vijaywestbroek7861]

and the subsitutes have been the highlight of multiple games to boot. the bench rlly showed up.

[@therabbitwhisperer4538]

Thats like taking ronaldo off at age 30 even if he's half fit

[@vijaywestbroek7861]

@@therabbitwhisperer4538 comparing Ronaldo to a guy with no trophies?

[@phiIipt]

@@therabbitwhisperer4538ronaldo at 30 was winning champions leagues and balon d’ors, wet wipe

[@hussan163]

Southgate finding formations that routinely nullify all his best players is a special talent. Surely it's time for a change.

[@SFM35.8]

100%

[@turnittoglue]

Do you know England's history in tournaments? If you think England are champions you are deluded. Another final reached is a huge accomplishment for this small nation

[@connormcleod9595]

😂😂😂😂​@@turnittoglue

[@nudisco7882]

​@@turnittoglueand THIS mentality is why England fails. Spain has a SMALLER population than England. Truth is England played HORRIBLE against nations even smaller (Slovakia, Slovenia, etc) all tourney.

[@AntonyHudson-pi3ty]

​@turnittoglue you know f all about football, go and watch xfactor

[@Niko-hi5my]

I think with Kane England has to look at how Germany handled Miroslav Klose, their record goal scorer, towards the end of his Germany career. He was still in the squad for their 2014 WC win, but not starting every game, and his impact was still significant.

[@bobhope707]

Its crazy, hes only 30 but moves like he’s 36. I dont think he takes his fitness as serious as he should.

[@robharwood-stamper9857]

​@@bobhope707I'm a spurs fan, it was known that Kane was the fittest player in the spurs squad year on year. He used to run his socks off, press, defend, he was everywhere.... The significant change in Kane was José Mourinho. In the all or nothing documentary, he literally coached Kane to not defend and stay fresh for attacking - the fittest player. From that season onwards, I've seen Kane amble around between defenders, not pressing, but staying in space (like Messi did) so that when we did win the ball, Kane was free. My feeling is that Kane has had that teaching embedded into his mindset since and perhaps that has psychologically affected his fitness - he is one of the hardest working, model pros, that's why he's never dropped, that's why he plays when he's apparently not 100%.. It's hard to watch him these days, knowing he's got so much more to give...

[@keighlancoe5933]

​@bobhope707 He had a long and gruelling season at Bayern. Without him and his goals, they'd probably have finished 6th. He started nearly every game for Bayern last season, and then got injured right at the end. Worst of all, it was a back injury. Having suffered from numerous back injuries, and currently recovering from one right now, I can personally attest to the fact they take months to fully heal, and they are very debilitating. Harry shouldn't have been picked for the tournament this year, as unfortunate as that is. You just can't play football if your back is screwed up, and you could tell it was by the fact he was so slow and rigid all the time.

[@ankurm4100]

Linekar articulates most of us fans' thoughts so well.. and he's been doing it his whole broadcasting career. It's always been a pleasure to hear him put to words what fans expect and want. We want to see joy in the pitch and that's what Spain delivered successfully, simple.

[@johnnyfreespeech5815]

I think he’s a Prat. I mean, what on earth was he talking about when he said that ‘the media were trying to drive a wedge between the team and the BBC?’ - Um Gary, the BBC is the media. Duh!

[@abstraqtphilosophy7357]

Lineker is one of the worst English sports broadcasters. Famous for over hyping average English players. He's one of the media representatives who makes non English sports lovers h8te England and always want to see England lose games.

[@donohirst]

​@@abstraqtphilosophy7357took a poll have you?

[@Passportbros8]

Lineker the diver who cheated cameroon a world cup in 1990. Justice for Cameroon. I guess that's why England can't win no more major competitions. England cheated Cameroon in 1990. Cameroon was supposed to be the first African team and country to win the world cup. They were not ready to see an African nation win the world cup. They cheated cameroon with two fake penalties given to England..

[@effar]

@@abstraqtphilosophy7357and yet, here you are.

[@karzy2645]

"Spain had 70% possession in the first half" Yeah because Jordan Pickford kept hoofing the ball upfield to them, I honestly don't understand why pundits aren't mentioning it, 9 accurate long balls out of 25 attempted by Jordan Pickford in the whole match. How do you expect to keep possession when your goalkeeper has lost his rag and keeps hoofing the ball upfield like it's the 90's and giving it to the opposition? This isn't anything new either in the Euro 2020/21 Final against Italy Jordan Pickford had 11 accurate long balls out of 24 attempted, It's just not good enough, It's old fashioned tactics from a bygone era and no pundit is mentioning it.

[@wolvezy]

Shit keeper he didn't make any saves that Any other keeper wouldn't of made

[@CaptainJTSpaulding]

100% . Plus when he finally didn't lump it and quickly threw the ball out, we got the ball in midfield, played it out early to Saka who finally had space to run at the fullback for once. He passed it into Watkins who laid it off to Palmer and we scored!

[@kamranscent]

Lack of discipline and no manager told him, stop hey passing balls to opposition

[@adamellis6765]

Alot of those long balls where hoofed up to kane who couldn't win them. I don't think it was a bad plan as we are never gonna play through Spain they're just too good with their press they'd win the ball back and tear us to shreds. We needed someone up there winning the headers and people running off them. Probably would've been better with 2 up front ie Watkins and toney. It just further showed Southgate cluelesness in attacking strategies.

[@Bosspigeon230]

Even the best teams in the 90's didn't do that, underdogs tactic for the league (and fair enough if you're playing Arsenal or Man U. of the time) Not for aspiring champions...

[@siltybottomcarpers7418]

What I can't get my head around, we have just equalized, Spain are rattled, we have a throw in near the right corner flag, Walker takes the ball, I'm thinking "get it in the box". He throws it toward the half way line and one touch, Pickford has it, he then belts it the length of the pitch, out for a goal kick! Who thought that was the way to go? Is that what we are being coached?

[@dicerevo]

It’s a fear of making a mistake. That’s definitely from the manager. But that fear is holding the team back. You have to risk it all to win.

[@soundsean100]

Wasn’t the first time we’ve seen set pieces like that either

[@Pale_Mooncalf]

We lost all momentum after that moment. Especially maddening as Bellingham's goal came from a throw-in in that position.

[@amirrg859]

Walker is fucking abysmal, he made a cross yesterday that missed everybody, it was over then

[@damienslade]

Exactly, he literally threw the game away right there. They were for the taking.

[@godseye13k]

1 thing is for sure. We will never get an easier run to a Final than that. The fact we give that so much praise is a joke. We should be walking our way through that with almost any manager.

[@squidguard1]

Yeah imagine next World Cup you get a tough group or Brazil, Argentina, Spain, France, Germany in the knockout stages, early exit for England.

[@StealthBoyElite]

That's what everyone said when we got to the semi in 2018... They even suggest it happened in 2021 when we beat Germany! Every team that reached the stage they reached did so for a reason. It's arrogant to assume England should "walk through". No team walks through. Even Spain. Slovakia beat Belgium. Switzerland beat Italy and drew with Germany. The Netherlands drew with France. Nothing easy about any of them. But Spain were a cut above everyone else and that's that.

[@leonjupe7152]

Well if we keep winning the group we're in we will

[@leonjupe7152]

​@@squidguard1that can't happen coz of the way they are seeded

[@leonjupe7152]

Germany had the chances to beat Spain ​@@StealthBoyElite

[@dicarpio2177]

For me, the spain loss doesn’t compare to Italy or even Croatia. Those were two games where we were easily the better team on paper, took early leads and had chances to put the game to bed and then conceded poor goals. Spain were the best team in the competition and the best team in the night and thoroughly deserved it

[@DJMorley18]

Similar in a sense that the game was there for the taking though at 1-1, and Spain looked a little rattled. We then went full Southgate and sat back just like the Italy/Croatia games. That said, Spain much better than those two as Italy ran out of steam by the end of the tournament.

[@Dignity4allhumanity]

This is it 👍

[@a.c.slater573]

I agree the Italy loss was worse. Spain were the better team.

[@dicarpio2177]

@@DJMorley18 true, we have a habit of conceding any advantage we have and playing into the oppositions hands. But realistically, in any game in the tournament, we barely made the opposition keeper make a save. Even when we were on top we created next to nothing. We could have equalised at the m end yesterday but Spain could have already scored 4 if it wasn’t for Pickford

[@AH-be6bu]

The game was there for the taking in all three of them. I was over the Croatia result pretty quickly as it was an inexperienced squad with a first-time tournament manager and very few expectations going in. What made last night more frustrating for me was that the experience was there, the opportunity to go for the win was there, and yet the players and manager proved they hadn't learned from their mistakes in previous matches, sat back and let the opposition seek out the winner instead. Yes Spain were the better side and deserved winners, but the frustrations with England and Southgate are arguably more potent this time around.

[@rawdah786]

You have to admit the ‘best team’ won the tournament, providing great entertainment along the way, congratulations to Spain 🎉🎉🎉🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸

[@createcreate34]

Alan surprised me with his live commentating on TV. He was spot on with what England needed to do, was very unbiased (not when Newcastle is playing) and overall, has raised his game as a pundit. As for England, if we are totally honest,we were lucky to get through to the final with that type of anti football. Relying on glimpses of brilliance isn't the way.

[@mpblolly]

Well said

[@MasterPodcast-m2e]

well

[@matthewbrears2129]

I think the 'anti football' is more down to the fear and lack of belief in the squad than tactics. Southgate legitimately doesn't say "stop pressing, drop deep and stop being able to play 5 yard passes" after 30 minutes. We had confidence for a period during the Holland game and it was beautiful (maybe because the penalty win gave us a bit of juice). But otherwise, we were fearful, panicked and lacked any leader on the pitch to keep standards/energy/discipline, which meant we dropped deeper and deeper and couldn't get our heads up. Southgate has probably taken us as far as he can and he's been great, but maybe we now need someone the players can buy into and believe in with more tactical identity. It's always more nuanced than the media makes out

[@dylanevans16]

I thought Shearers commentary was pretty biased tbh. Sounded a lot of the time like England were the better side in most games he commentated, when clearly they weren’t. I love Al on here but his commentary was woeful

[@marcuslouison3998]

Well said. Agree.

[@maxmagnus3793]

Southgate is wasting all of England's attacking talent by putting them into his defensive straightjacket

[@stevenphillips4494]

Tempo, pace, press, energy .. all of these players are used to playing with these fundamentals week in week out .. then Southgate’s philosophy comes along and drops of turd bomb .. over and over again without learning

[@robertlangdon494]

you can also see the difference in individual quality, spain has artists/ball protectors all over the pitch, they are so much more comfortable on the ball / under pressing. the difference is so jarringly obvious, spain's wingbacks looks much more fluid in narrow spaces than england's suposedly most technical players like foden. and dont get me started on fabian ruiz olmo , these guy's dont need two touches to thread a perfect ball to their two mercurial wingers who btw, makes foden and saka look like schoolboys. it's not just about the team arrangement. Individually, england is just not up to par with spain player for player.

[@chrisliddiard725]

Yeah why bother with a defense. Defense isn't valued as much as attack, or the press make that point. There are more stats for attacking play than there are stats for defensive play, so we undervalue it, we can't see it as equally entertaining. We demand goals, until those goals are in the back of our net.

[@et2226]

Massively infuriating watching the English players working hard to win possession back and when they pass it back to Pickford just for him to send it long EVERYTIME and instantaneously turn the ball over to Spain. WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT HOW PICKFORD BROUGHT PRIME DYCHE BALL TO THE EUROS?!?!?! Look at Unai Simon going long, going short, lofting passes and finding the Spanish players in space while Pickford sprays and pray is just absolutely baffling.

[@StevenRoddy-o2h]

Exactly. But its not just the keeper. Generally, the Spanish players have a higher technical level across the board.

[@czhaok]

I know, I feel like we are in the twilight zone because nobody is talking about it

[@stevejobs5533]

Pickford did pass quick for the counter which led to our only goal. Not sure what he was told because he can play it short quite well

[@oreroundpvp896]

He was clearly told to do that by Southgate

[@MethsiaMae]

I noticed this and I thought I was going crazy

[@SamoIsKing]

As a Scotland fan, you’ve got a team full of world class players being hindered by a bad system and bad tactics. Palmer was one of your best players and he barely played 2 hours of football across 7 games. Ivan Toney always looked like a threat when he came on aswell, but Southgate just stuck with Kane and Foden who were poor the whole tournament. With the squad you’ve got theres no reason you cant breeze past teams like Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland. With a better manager you could win everything.

[@forestsunset9617]

If Southgate didn't play star players and England still didn't win the final then you would be calling him worse than you are now.

[@Norvik_-ug3ge]

Foden had two good games, was a little unlucky, and also was making runs and the rest of the team were ignoring him and not playing the ball to him. Kane was dire.

[@NY-Dani]

I don't think so. You can't go from that to "winning everything ". British players are technically inferior.

[@robharwood-stamper9857]

The team is always greater than the individual. That falls on the manager to get the team playing to its strengths. That's how we have fa cup minoes beating prem teams. Serbia/Slovakia teams etc.. play together and the standard is not like it was in the 90's. The margins are much closer apart from elite individuals like Rodri's, Bellingham's, fodens, Kane's etc... but if they don't operate as a team, they're done... It took Messi several world cups to win one. When he did, Argentina were a team from Martinez to Romero and through to Messi. What we forget, is that tournament football is a few cup games, not a conservative league where you play the long game. That's why flair, attack minded teams and managers win.. they just go for it

[@paulsmith2516]

​@@Norvik_-ug3geSorry but Phil Foden has NEVER turned up in an England shirt. Not even for half an hour and that is entirely down to the idiot who picks the same awful 11 in the same weak system EVERY. SINGLE. MATCH.

[@ShaneBedford-ud1ts]

How the fuck did FODEN get to start seven games in the euros ? and was piss poor in every game apart from 15 mins against the dutch

[@damo666]

Kane did no pressing of the two cbs. Southgate has his favourites and it cost us the final.

[@ezeee595]

Complete utter bs. Spain were simply awesome and much much better than England. That is why you lost.

[@Jonontoast]

Yeah I remember before Southgate, we made it to every final, and won them all!

[@ezeee595]

@@Jonontoast England should count their lucky stats it did not end up 4-1.

[@howardroden]

Spain were not as assured playing out when Watkins came on which lead to us having more success. Then we scored and we sat back and gave them time again. Spain are just better but we made it easier for them with our tatics.

[@jdizzle1779]

​@@JonontoastWe've got top 3 or 5 in alot of positions. This could be one of the best England squads in a long time but Southgate is clueless.

[@bubsybrown8308]

"you can't drop Kane" said just about everyone. I thought the laws of the game had been changed so I looked into it. Turns out it is still within the managers remit of picking the best team to win the game, no matter whether that player is the captain or the top scorer or what. Who knew!?

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Who knew? You knew? Yoo hoo. Make your mind up.

[@jan2000nl]

Not Gareth.

[@juanhenning4308]

Thank you Gary, Alan and Micha and of course everyone behind the scenes. I am not a number 1 English Fan internationally, it's Italy for me but I am a Liverpool supporter. I do really enjoy every episode! As Micha would say "you've gots the energy!!" WOW! Thank you for the Euros and every other episode! Enjoy your rest and I will hear you again when the EPL Starts! A South African fan of TRIF! Thank you.

[@deancameron2575]

These frequent Podcasts have been sublime, well done to the whole team involved in this. It gives us fans a level of insight we‘e all desperate for which we don’t get in the broadcasts.

[@jonnyandali]

I can't wrap my head around Gordon not playing on the left.

[@aryavansh108]

Having players, we need to play them. Look at Spain with wingers.

[@jonnyandali]

@BareBreath go on.

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

@BareBreath Bollocks

[@yourdadhasadogfilter2505]

​@BareBreathYet Rashford and Sterling were left at home. Please think a little

[@jarrodstrachan8998]

@BareBreath It would be a completely unfounded and WRONG guess

[@michaelgainford]

Micah is genuinely one of the most respectful people in football punditry. The flowers he gives the former and current stars of the game is so kind, heartwarming, and sincere. He also ensures the backroom staff get their plaudits, too. What a guy. Great pod, lads. Been a journey, through the Euros. Looking forward to the next episode of the podcast. The Premier League will be back soon 😊

[@shadow_realm47]

Micah is the best part of the pod atleast he doesn't mince words like the other 2.

[@bigboydownstairs9651]

England won't win anything until hypejobs Foden & Kane finally get dropped 🤷🏼‍♂️ but sadly Micah 'yesman' richards will never have the balls to say that

[@forestsunset9617]

I hate "give him flowers" saying, it's the most cringe.

[@jc12szn]

@@forestsunset9617 Bit strange of a topic to hate on

[@kc8563]

I have absolutely loved watching these during the Euros!!! Thanks guys - great effort.

[@hartshaped]

We had one of the fastest players in Europe sat on the bench and amassed just 4 minutes all tournament on the pitch and even then that was against Slovenia in the 89th minute, which he still created the first real chance of the game out of nothing. Anthony Gordon, tracks back, has the stamina and willingness to chase down every ball, he's a natural left winger, was the player of the tournament in the U-21 Euros just last year while playing in an England team that included Palmer, he had 20+ goal contributions last season, is the only player in Premier League history to score against each of the top 6 in a single season, played Champions League football against the likes of Dortmund, Milan and PSG so has experience of big game atmosphere. He could quite literally have been for us what Nico Williams was for Spain this tournament. 🤷‍♂

[@grantlaurence2060]

100% !

[@mcp1981]

Gordon isn’t half the player Nico Williams is come on

[@KevinSheedy10]

@@mcp1981Are you sure? He looked pretty stand out for Newcastle and won player of the tournament at the u21 euros.

[@hartshaped]

@@mcp1981 I suspect you've only seen Williams play at the Euros, "isn’t half the player" you say that but the facts paint a different picture. Gordon quite literally has had more goal contributions last season while in the same position, in the same style of play and role but in the Premier League and he's done it against the top teams in the league, 2 of just the 5 goals Williams scored last season were against Rayo Vallecano the other 3 were against underperforming Villarreal and Atletico sides and 10 of his 14 assists have come against teams in the lower half of the league (basically the relegation battlers), zero against the top 6. Whereas just some of the 11 goals Gordon scored have come against Liverpool, Arsenal, Man Utd (twice) , Chelsea, Man City, Tottenham and from his 10 assists some have come against Villa, Chelsea, Liverpool and twice against Tottenham. Nico Williams is famously a player that will not track back and do the dirty work, Gordon will do both the attacking and defensive side, now I'm not saying Anthony Gordon is better but the facts (not opinions) clearly show he's at least effective in the exact same position against decent opposition, considering you don't consider him "half the player"

[@ronnyron4681]

Southgate value reputation over everything. Gordon's reputation are not so high so he will never be considered beside as bench cleaner

[@jeebus-br7mo]

Southgate needs to go this is the second final his impressive lack of tactical flexibility has cost us again. Fans have been saying we need him gone after the last world cup when it was highlighted how bad he was

[@Craig-e9m]

The FA LOVE their yes man though.

[@kityhawk2000]

I hear Klopp is available

[@whodiss4473]

You're all missing the point. Southgate could have easily won the Euros final if he wanted to, but he CHOSE not to because he did not think the english people deserved it after their many tantrums. You lost England the euros

[@philipfriend9737]

Kane was simply awful throughout the tournament.

[@SirMonkeySuit]

​@@whodiss4473Yeah, I'm sure he threw the final to prove a point 🤨

[@iangilmartin810]

Micah too much of a nice guy, the boys are spot on. They didn't take any risks ever until they concede

[@cypriotkingyt2161]

As soon as I seen harry play I knew it was over I was watching it with a 100 people to see the pain in the room was 😢

[@Juragemon]

From Spain, it has been a real pleasure to listen this podcast. Football knowledge in upper Letters. Magnificent. Thanks a lot

[@Chigz10]

It’s maddening that everyone accepted Kane had been bad and looked off it this tournament yet there was still this idea that he had to play. He actively held the team back the whole tournament and was predictably anonymous in the final again. Playing favourites might have cost us

[@czhaok]

Even worse than that, all 3 of them in this podcast STILL the day after have said he should still have played every game and there was still no reason he shouldn’t have. Deluded.

[@shadow_realm47]

Ronaldo got stick while Kane got sloppy toppy from the media

[@Piqueblinders11]

We didn’t play favourites…. Kane was our top goal scorer and saved our ass twice…. But he’s white and native so that doesn’t matter… if he wasnt native he’d never get this abuse

[@Piqueblinders11]

@@czhaok deluded? He scored the most goals for us and he got zero service the whole tournament

[@GetGwapThisYear]

⁠@@Piqueblinders11 turn it in mate. He’s a goal hanger, who failed to hang out in the box all tournament. He slotted one contentious penalty and was MIA the rest of the tournament. He’s slow, he lacks awareness, and he’s lazy. That’s it, his footballing ability. All you’re demonstrating is that you’re the type to racially abuse the rest of the lads.

[@matthewjamison]

Ya gotta love when "the media" refer to "the media" as if it's not them.

[@ASI-l2w]

Spot on….well put! 😂😂😂

[@joebrinley699]

well at least shearer and lineker are brave enough to be honest about southgate. cant tell if Micah is scared to jump in with them for wanting to be in the good books or if hes actually just a southgate ass kisser tbh

[@shadow_realm47]

Linekar is taking the piss. Its always "the fans said:" " the fans are being negative:" "social media is bad for the player's mental health" " the media is saying:" "Other people are saying that Lampard is balding." He never takes responsibility for his own words and thinks he's slick. It's never "England isn't good enough." You cant trust podcasters cus they have so many betting sponsors, so it's always"50:50" It's not 50:50 when the 16 year old Pele regen just violated France Italy Germany.

[@Passportbros8]

​@@shadow_realm47Lineker the diver who cheated cameroon a world cup in 1990. Justice for Cameroon. I guess that's why England can't win no more major competitions. England cheated Cameroon in 1990. Cameroon was supposed to be the first African team and country to win the world cup. They were not ready to see an African nation win the world cup. They cheated cameroon with two fake penalties given to England.

[@SuperLeica1]

Best comment!

[@DannyuleEXTRA]

Just want to say it’s been a pleasure watching / listening to you guys over the tournament - always knew in the build up and after the games I would have something nice to listen to and I love the humour you guys share. Just wanted to let you know before I disappear I listened to every one of your Euro podcasts (and I’m sure is the same for a lot of people) and they were much enjoyed. I will 100% be back for the world cup! Look forward to hearing from you guys then and keep up the smashing work!

[@Eddie_McFly]

Shearer is right about Bellingham. He did not look enjoying his role on the pitch.

[@randomdaveUK]

He's been restricted for the team tactics. Was only found breaking the lines a few times all tournament except for that goal in the Serbia match. Need a new style of play that suits him and Foden

[@Daniboi971]

Petulant

[@shadow_realm47]

Bellingham wants it to be his team and Phoden wants it to be his team and Kane wants it to be his team.

[@milocavapoo1852]

He came across badly in interviews with an ego who couldn’t read the room. He was the biggest disappointment for me given his ‘superstar’ status.

[@m.t.r813]

Why would he and the rest of the team enjoy playing for England when you are carrying Kane

[@Oliver.Elliott95]

Absolutely loved these podcasts.. Going to be part of my memories of this Euro’s tournament. Thank you Gary, Alan, Micah and the producers behind the scenes 🙌👍

[@redeyegooner]

Kane is a serial loser. He's never won a single final he's played in, it must be a nightmare trying to hype up the team fir a match with that guy moping around expecting to lose yet again.

[@danielcharles3553]

He hasn't even scored in one of his finals

[@snaggiz]

You saw it, he barely bothered to run. Not even the most basic part of the game. If that guy plays like that? And he’s team captain? Imagine the message that sends. Awful leader.

[@paullee5449]

Kane nobhead

[@martinsmith1538]

Extremely overrated

[@GetGwapThisYear]

He’s just a goal-hanger. For some reason he spent almost no time in the box this tournament, and resulted in naff all. Starting him is like starting with 10 men. The heavy touch of Rice or Gallagher reduces it to 9, because they just give possession away every time they come within spitting distance of the ball. The quality was there, but the brain to use it wasn’t, and that’s on Southgate.

[@rael1999]

Tactically inept. In this tournament he's been forced to bring in players like Palmer, Watkins and Toney late on and they've all done well and put us on the front foot and every time he's put them back on the bench for the next game. He can't even see what's staring him right in the face. It's an absolute tragedy that we had one of the strongest squads of attack minded players in the tournament and we've a manager that sets us up and plays so defence minded. He's totally clueless and if it wasn't for the Father Christmas loves England draw and three pieces of individual magic in games, then we'd have have got nowhere near that final or the last. Under Southgate we've played a team ranked in the top ten teams in the world 26 times, we've won 5 of those matches. Those stats are the ones that truly matter and show just how strong we've become as a world footballing force under Southgate's managership. On top of everything else, watching England is like watching paint dry.

[@williamf.9615]

Cucurella had been magnificent the last 8-10 games playing for Chelsea.That's what got him into the Spanish squad.

[@artschool673]

Well, no one thought anything of him in Spain. It was De la Fuente's brilliance of ignoring everyone else that got him in the team. De la Fuente knows all these players because he used to be the under 18 and under 21 manager and he had already won some major tournaments with them and played finals. Stunning manager!

[@Emmet-q4h]

Looks like a freak

[@XPythonidae]

@@thecornishbiker9323 Yet the guy had zero yellow cards the entire tournament and didn't even fold while getting boo'd for the last two games, clearly he's not as hot headed as you think.

[@artschool673]

@@Emmet-q4h No, he does not and anyway, looks don't make you lose finals. Cucurella is awesome in every respect!

[@bobbobson9952]

​​@@thecornishbiker9323Stop waffling. He hasn't been sent off once in his entire career.

[@robwalkerletthemusicplay]

Kane should have held his hand up and said I’m not fit ..

[@czhaok]

That’s what a true leader would have done. But he wanted that personal glory, that golden boot and that attention for himself. Selfish.

[@shadow_realm47]

Rooney did it. Kane blocked Lucas Moura from starting a CL final that Lucas Earnt as well.

[@chuak.c7349]

Should said he is not good enough.

[@javierk2143]

Players are very selfish. They never think that way. Unfortunately

[@Piqueblinders11]

Apart from the fact he was our top goal scorer and was the only reason we were in the final

[@paulkenchington6976]

BBC aren't the only ones being critical of England .. Virtually every other outlet available, have said the same thing...

[@HM-mw7cg]

Anthony Gordon is older than Saka, Bellingham and Palmer. It’s annoying that ppl keep talking about his age as if he’s not ready

[@hernebaybob]

Cracking entertainment along the way and it’s all free! Thank you guys

[@YTA5690]

Today was just a carbon copy of the Croatia game in 2018 and Italy game in 2021. Southgate clearly hasnt learnt has he, he needs to be sacked now.

[@heppolo]

​​@Haydersublatehow was it sitting back with the kind of goal Spain scored? If anything, that wasn't even proper defending, Southgate needed to go balls to the wall José Mourinho 10-0-0 formation after going 1-1.

[@alphaevolution]

@@heppolo As soon as England scored back in those games, they sit back like what happened again against Spain. Even then you can say this final was an exact copy of every other game in the tournament, they score and England plays. Spain had chances yes but they were shaking when England actually ran towards them. Even the Spain goal is down to tactics, in fact both. The first half, Saka was tracking back to help Walker down their left side and where was Saka for both goals? Mainoo came off and what happened minutes later?

[@kailashpatel1706]

@Haydersublate We didn't...We need to understand why we sit back...At no time after that equalising goal did Spain look like their were under real pressure at all...They reasserted themselves through game management...It was the Croatian midfield via Modric that changed the dynamic (England made chances of course)...You can't dominate the game like you are saying at international level...

[@garydagg9112]

​@@heppoloI disagree a bit. It was bad defending but that was a danger all game. They had several chances to play curcuella on the left. The manager of it's defensive style or attacking should of corrected. As for going park the bus after the goal, all that does is invite pressure. When you have a team on the ropes and you have palmer, Watkins saka, foden Bellingham seize the chance. If you are a bad team say Sunderland and playing against man city, then sure. You got a lucky goal now defend as much as you can. If it's arsenal who equaliser I doubt arteta is saying OK lads everyone behind the ball.

[@artschool673]

I said this a long time ago: I am happy Engand don't sack Southgate; better chances for the other teams to win😂😂😂. Please, do not sack Southgate 😂😂

[@oliverc1293]

We were a better team with Watkins, and probably Palmer. Shame that we only had them on for half an hour.

[@leehaslam5751]

For 5 mins when we needed to score then when we did tell me how many times Watkins touched the ball when we sat back

[@cheeesypuffs]

​@@leehaslam5751doesn't help that he barely got any service, especially from Pickford. Worst goalie hoofs I've seen in a while.

[@leehaslam5751]

@@cheeesypuffs bit like kane ffs

[@joebloggs6922]

​@@leehaslam5751Watkins was actually making runs behind the defence unlike Kane tho, just like he did for his goal against Netherlands

[@ric112]

That's a symptom of the midfield being overrun and outplayed. Rice and Mainoo barely played a forward pass all game​@@leehaslam5751

[@nomvuladlamini4618]

Thank you all the way from Cape Town, South Africa. This podcast has been the best way to follow the EUROs! Gary Lineker got me into EPL football and Ian Wright got me to become an Arsenal supporter. I have enjoyed your analyses ... Gary & Alan Shearer are England footballing greats and Micah Richards with that infectious laugh have been a delight to watch. You reminded me why I love football. Your different English accents added to my delight. THANK YOU❤

[@horsehollerer]

Well done lads, thanks for keeping us company every day throughout the tournament. Fantastic pod.

[@haggiesm]

The game between Germany and Spain was decided on such fine margins, it served as a great example of how to play against the Spanish. But England avoid risk, which is why they only played proper football when they were a goal behind. And that's no way to win a final.

[@OfficialFingazMC]

Wish I had stayed pessimistic now, it hurts so much more.

[@Signalfromabove]

I spent a 100 quid in the office for last night's game And realised straight after my balls took a harder kicking then Kane in the whole of that tournament

[@kityhawk2000]

​@@Signalfromabove well that's what hiring a dominatrix will do to you

[@Signalfromabove]

@@kityhawk2000 I wish I payed for that instead 😜😂😆🤣😭

[@jonodunn2592]

I learned that a long time ago always be pessimistic with England as a Newcastle fan as well it seems I may be a fuxing jinx

[@Mikejames1080]

I bought into the delusion too 😢 This must be how Arsenal fans feel 😭

[@shoebontoobaloo]

Love seeing you guys laid back. It's been a pleasure.

[@rogerjoyce7336]

Thanks guys, for the podcast. It’s been a fantastic companion piece to the Euros.

[@CTOTHER]

Gutted for the lads. Despite how much I disagree with our tactics and want to moan… I won’t. I’m still proud. I still to got to experience a moment of ecstasy with the people I love, which I won’t forget. Congratulations to Spain. Thoroughly deserved. Loved this pod all tournament and looking forward to the prem being back now. Cheers guys 🍻

[@81chipper89]

That's the thing about these tournaments under GS, even though we didn't win any of them, the lads provided big moments that we'll never forget! The shootout against Colombia was amazing considering the awful record we had. Beating the Germans in a ko game, the last minute winner against Holland and a few others, too. Watching England in a tournament with your family and friends can be an experience that you'll never forget. Not always in a good way, unfortunately.

[@Baldrick_dogsbody]

Please stop taking ecstacy

[@CTOTHER]

@@Baldrick_dogsbody 😂😂

[@19822andy]

The manner of the whole tournament for England was unacceptable. Now isn't the time to congratulate the team and give them a pass. It's unacceptable for this England team to perform so poorly during the entire tournament and the buck stops with Southgate. He was awful and he's taken us as far as he can.

[@CTOTHER]

@@19822andy I’ll do what I want

[@TheBleachy]

Any team that’s won anything in recent years has played to win. England play to not lose, and this won’t ever get you over the line

[@czhaok]

I don’t think that’s true for the tournament as a whole. However you’re right in terms of when you’ve got to the final, you’re 45 minutes away from a potential trophy at 1-1 halftime, then is your que to change, and garethina just doesn’t have anything but a mound in his pants.

[@nathandrake6531]

Correct england failed

[@gredax]

Nonsense, the 2006 world cup italian basically played to not lose every game and it worked. It's clearly working because England have reached 2 fianls and 1 semi first time in like 30 years.

[@nathandrake6531]

@gredax didn't win tho so it doesn't matter

[@adamprice4559]

Portugal won Euro 2016 and played horrendously, always the worst team in every game and they won it

[@gabrielcandil8746]

Thanks for the podcast. We love you guys. Desde España con todo nuestro corazón. See you in MOTD

[@SootySpark-n1z]

Our hearts wanted England to win but our heads knew they couldn’t…

[@kshitijdobriyal3003]

Believe me brother no one I mean no one outside of England not even full uk wanted them to win the pundits talk so much without doing anything look at Garry trolling cucrellla 😂

[@Soulfulboy1111]

Should have been an equalizer with the tripple header, also the second goal is avoidable. But yeah, Spain played better in the 2nd half

[@kshitijdobriyal3003]

@@Soulfulboy1111 by this logic yamal and almo should have scored easily game over and if Rodri was there palmer could have not ever scored

[@Soulfulboy1111]

@@kshitijdobriyal3003 ironic Spain looked more dangerous when Rodri was out

[@bartderuiter3509]

@@Soulfulboy1111Should have been 4-1 around that time already

[@bsagy]

This Pod has been my highlight of this tournament. You guys need to win some sort of award for your body of work this summer. Has been brutally authentic, informative and thoroughly entertaining.

[@thedizzlor]

Because we lost, walker has just got away with an atrocious performance. He's been at fault for goals in 3 major finals in the space of 3 months. Pundits seem unable to criticise him

[@Rivelino824]

Did you watch walker in the tunnel coming out for the 2nd half chatting to Laporte. No focus looked like it was a friendly. Walker was terrible all tournament.

[@coleedwards7156]

Spot on If trent was rb and the same goals were conceded he'd be slaughtered everywhere but walkers immune to criticism for some reason

[@robertnapier624]

Yeah, why do they seem unable to criticise him though?

[@adeldaqo3880]

He looks so scary without the ball

[@ab42506]

playing walker over trent after how walker has been this tournament is wild lol

[@dari4707]

Been following along with you guys for the entire tournament, great company 👏🏾 Thanks guys

[@joshuarigby7361]

Thank you so much for all the episodes during the euros, it really made us feel like we were a big family cheering and laughing together. My favourite podcast by far

[@relenadina]

Thank you Alan for being the most honest pundit about the status of the team, it has been a breath of fresh air. I do strongly disagree with you though about the "not dropping the captain", because Kane deserved to be dropped and others given the opportunity who would have utilised the system and use the chances. Thank you guys for making this tournament more enjoyable even when the football wasn't

[@jonathang8263]

Micah is a very well-dressed man. Bravo.

[@SamMerchant-vn4or]

sometimes, but he does go on about if

[@AC_Milan1899]

But the guy ain't got a clue about tactics

[@ZmyBro]

Last time my guy wore a Parachute 😂

[@JungleTunes94]

Meanwhile Shearer in his George polo, Linekar Next ofcourse

[@frankmcloughlin7076]

​@@AC_Milan1899Don't agree, he's the best of these three; albeit that's a low bar ....

[@francescogeo]

Alan should be a next coach! Big Respect to you Alan!

[@CR-vr9cx]

Don’t want to see Kane or Southgate near an England set up ever again

[@jdizzle1779]

Literally that simple. Southgate isn't a risk taker, isn't brave and has a pessimistic mentality

[@doublejumpvideogames....]

Cry.

[@johnnyfreespeech5815]

I’d take Kane with a good manager in a team that actually suits his striker dropping back routine. But not in a team where two other guys are doing the exact same thing.

[@czhaok]

I agree. Also, whoever is coaching with Southgate need to go. It’s not just the manager it’s the whole coaching team that poisoned this team

[@kityhawk2000]

You will probably get your wish. Southgate will likely quit and Kane is unlikely to play any significant role in a future international competition

[@akamcnabb2034]

at 1-1 in the last 10 minutes of the second half we had a throw in on the right about 6 yards from the Spain end corner flag, instead of attacking Goal in two touches we passed it back to Pickford who booted it up the pitch and we lost possession, that typified the mindset, we were never playing to win in any match we were always playing not to lose. Getting to the last two finals is an amazing achievement Gareth has done a magnificent job, next step is to be more expansive/adventurous and win the world cup please!!!

[@juliantaylor2223]

Great podcast all through the tournament. Really enjoyed it

[@YouTube]

what a tournament it's been 👏🏿👏🏼👏🏽👏🏻👏🏾

[@kingdel3552]

The same People that said Ronaldo should be drop are giving excuse for not droping Kane because he is a Captain. Make it make sense pls

[@russelconor8704]

exactly, amen!

[@omegaman6494]

Time for Southgate to go, he's taken the team as far as he can

[@prosknox]

yeah.. twice 🙄🤯

[@omegaman6494]

@@prosknox and no further-twice!!

[@kityhawk2000]

I don't hate Southgate but FA need to start thinking of England in a similar light as a top tier premiere league team and get a manager appropriate to that status.

[@Ludydobry]

@@prosknox 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@khalidqawdhan3265]

Go where he reached the final

[@Pdartfrog]

Shall miss this podcast more than I will miss Kane and Southgate.

[@1dlecap]

All good, Premier League starts in a month.

[@nonamenoname448]

38:29 keep coming back to this bit, Gary sounding pissed and then giggling warms my heart

[@joshuaking4483]

1 thing people arent mentioning is southgate was about to put on 2 defensive subs beofre spain scored the second goal then he changed to toney which proves he was playing for extra time or pens shameful

[@pmacca4830]

They did on the pod..

[@1234Cheesus]

Literally said that around 7-8 mins in

[@czhaok]

@@1234Cheesushe said people he didn’t just say this 1 particular podcast.

[@wildbill7289]

Carvajal spent the second half as a RWF as he had no fear about anything on the left. Gordon should have been there supporting Shaw and giving the threat of a counter. Zero pace up front.

[@gameforalaugh5743]

Players that probably needed to be subbed/dropped in that game - Walker, Rice, Foden, Kane - Gareth's favourites, fitting players in AGAIN, takes me back to Sven and 2002.

[@RobertH-f7z]

Sven was shocking at times

[@gameforalaugh5743]

@@RobertH-f7z yep, another manager who picked favourites to fit them in. Scholes on the wing?!

[@mikem9309]

I can’t work out why people keep slating rice who on earth would you have played instead. He made some errors but was pivotal for us in that tournament

[@paulcrick9163]

@@mikem9309 Wharton, miles better

[@daviebananas1735]

@@mikem9309 Rice was very poor. He’s just not a deep midfielder. Doesn’t keep the ball well enough and can’t take it on the half turn. He’s a box to box but was another who was exposed by playing in an unfamiliar position/role.

[@NoBordersMusic432Hz]

I´m german and I stand with Alan (great former striker). In my opinion should every footballnation have a manager from their own country. Otherwise tournements don´t make sense. My understanding of a tournament is that nations compete against each other in sporting terms, but of course without excessive, inappropriate national pride, but with a healthy national pride. That means that you are more or less proud of your country, but also respect all other nations. And I respect the English, although in the past (for no reason, because I was born in a different time) I was quite often defamed as a Nazi when I was travelling abroad. I like watching your show because, in addition to the football expertise, it also contains many entertaining moments. Best wishes and keep up the good work : o )

[@crimson_yeti]

I hate the narrative that pragmatic teams win trophies, sure Portugal did it. Every other major trophy winning team I can remember in recent history has played good football. 1. France when they won a trophy (not in the recent finals) had high scoring games 4-2 Croatia, 4-3 Argentina. 2. Italy in Euro went 40 something games unbeaten. 3. Argentina played some amount of sexy football. 4. Spain speak for themselves. Unless you want to go back to old Italy teams, I don't know where the fuck this idea came from and why we(Gareth) cling to it so hard. Just play the goddamn game

[@Bert-lw1ot]

Greece. Germany and Italy you could argue have won multiple by being pragmatic first

[@YTA5690]

We're wasting so much attacking talent on this inept manager, 8 years of failure Southgate has had.

[@johngriffiths6742]

You make it sound so easy. Spain was the best team by a country mile in this tournament & deserved to win the trophy. It's also very hard to breakdown teams who squeeze the middle when defending if you don't have real options on both flanks to progress the ball (England's huge problem with Trippier). We have got to the last 2 finals in the Euros, a semi & quarter final (I believe) in World Cup. I would have dreamt of this in the 90's & 2000's.

[@johngriffiths6742]

​@FastCheetah-oq6kj you must be young. This has been the best period for English football I have seen since I was born in the early 80's. When I was growing up, England would have dreamt of this success.

[@ftclips-qu8sh]

​@@Bert-lw1otGermany had world class strikers

[@JuddmonteColours]

Southgate won nothing as a player and now nothing as a manager. Get a proper winner in & we might have a chance.

[@Tom-ws2zx]

2004 League Cup he did win with Middlesbrough but get your point entirely

[@teeambird2079]

That didn’t work with Capello though. That team was incredible and he’s a champions league winning manager

[@snakebite002]

Hopeless

[@eightiesmusic1984]

@@LdevArt Start writing a coherent sentence.

[@kityhawk2000]

​@@Tom-ws2zx he also got borough relegated

[@michaelsilvestri202]

This podcast has genuinely been the best thing about the Euros. Please keep it up for the next world cup!

[@javierhernandezaparicio9435]

Gracias por tu programa Gary, creo que sois muy respetuosos con España y eso es de agradecer, también es verdad que nuestra Selección nos ha sorprendido para bien, el país pasó de dudar a ilusionarse. Ahora estamos muy ilusionados con el mundial y los jóvenes que están en la recámara como Gabi, Cubarsí, Zubieta, Yeremi Pino, Alejandro Valde, Stefan Bajčetić, Iván Fresneda, Assane Diao, Cristhian Mosquera, Iker Bravo, Samu Omorodion, osea que el futuro de nuestra selección es ilusionante.

[@TheBhup]

That’s what happens when you refuse to drop players due to piss poor form

[@tedhazell]

I genuinely think that the main problem was the Southgate wasn't brave enough to bench Kane, when he was clearly not in form when both Watkins and Toney are hungry and fit. So many times throughout the whole tournament Saka and co. were getting in behind and when the time comes to put the ball in the box, Kane was drifting on the outside like a CM. Hopefully the next manager is brave to make choices based on form, performance and suitability of tactics rather than name value.

[@nikolaimiller183]

The majority of the country was screaming for kane to be dropped. Absolute waste of space. Kane lost us the Euros, selfish to be honest. Should have stepped aside for his country.

[@brendangood1052]

No. The fact that Spain can hold the ball for 20 passes, and England were under pressure after 2 passes lost the tournament. The Spanish players all work to give an easy pass. They just work harder for each other. More fitness, speed and skill. I was hoping England would have been in the fight more but they lacked everything in all positions

[@Beachdudeification]

Agree

[@paulchristopher8634]

Nope becuase Southgate chose to pick him when he is injured

[@brendangood1052]

@@paulchristopher8634 Spain outplayed England in every area on the field. England's biggest problem has always been retaining possession for a long time and moving foward while doing it

[@jacklane3679]

Kane ran 500m more than Saka with 30 minutes less game time in the tournament, 8 years his senior and playing centrally. The issue with England is not effort, nor an individual player, it's a tactics problem.

[@chingon784]

Watkins and Palmer must be mad knowing they were effective yet didn’t get one start

[@JamesMc2051]

Yep. And Gordon and Bowen must be feeling similar.

[@Nabweezy]

Gotta give credit to the team for delivering high quality content everyday. Became an essential listen the day after a match to provide the perfect summary

[@Webbtheboy]

Shearer before the game “you have to start Kane” hes this he’s that yet he let down the team yet again

[@ccan_max5285]

England obsessed with certain players. Kane was so poor and Watkins and Toney are just sitting on the bench

[@barneyhall2753]

"Did they get the tactics wrong?" Yes, Southgate lacks the ability to be flexible. He tried to fit the players into his system instead of adapting the system to the players he had available.

[@UMS-dj3sx]

Exactly! Also, you cannot sit back as deep and concede as much possession as England did against this Spain team because they will pick you apart. Germany gave Spain the most trouble and they did it because they tried to attack and retain the ball themselves. In the final you saw glimpses that Spain can be vulnerable if you quickly switch to the other side of the pitch and then run at them. It's shame because England has a lot of top offensive talent. I'm not even English and don't care about the English national team but it was so infuriating to watch such an inept manager waste all that talent by playing such negative and boring football. If I was a fan, I'd rather watch my team play exciting football and then maybe go out in style than play like this (and not win it either).

[@patrickl131]

@@barneyhall2753 he changed the formation mid way into the tournament…

[@artschool673]

That takes guts and he...ahem...he may not have what it takes, same as Roberto Martínez not leaving Ronaldo on the bench.

[@thrilla72]

No he tried to adapt his system to his players i.e. Kane and Foden. The issue is England for the last 30 years always have undroppable players who perform badly

[@daviebananas1735]

@@barneyhall2753 Good managers ALWAYS have a system and fit their players into it. The idea that because you have three good strikers you play there up front is hilarious. If you have two great number 10s, then one is on the bench.

[@gordonarnott6628]

Really enjoyed that - balanced and thoughtful commentary.

[@shomgerry]

Micah is ready for UCL nights, suited and booted like a proper pundit 😂

[@jacnah63]

Three things we want out of a national coach. 1) Moral and ethical representation of the nation on a global stage. 2) Create the right conditions and culture. 3) be tactically astute and flexible. Southgate seems to be very good on the first two but is woeful at the third.

[@GetGwapThisYear]

I duno if he’s got 2 either tbh. It looks pretty apparent that Kane was toxic at Tottenham, and it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s much of the same in the England squad. The likes of him and Foden seem to feel entitled to their spots, despite producing nothing. He needs to demand more of the lads.

[@DJMorley18]

@@GetGwapThisYear Haha Kane was never toxic at Tottenham, what a bizarre take! Was universally loved by fans, staff and teammates.

[@GetGwapThisYear]

@@DJMorley18 not the fans I know, and the morale of the seems better since he left. He’s shit regardless, so it doesn’t really matter lol.

[@Kdash89]

Main thing for me was speed. Spain moved and passed so quickly through the entire game, whereas we just didn't. Everything looked and felt so slow when we had the ball, no matter whereabouts on the pitch we were.

[@aidandorrian920]

Spanish Players had a better sense of "space", plus can play, "confined contested", or "open", ... it's actually very "instructive football" for England

[@raz.van.amsterdam]

Thank you for the daily podcasts. You've been great! ❤

[@Richard-d1y]

Tonight would determine whether Southgate would become England's greatest ever manager or merely its most important. This morning he is consigned to be the pivotal figure in English football history, the man who floated a sinking ship, turned it around, and set it back on course. But enough now. Someone else needs to captain this ship into new horizons. I have nothing but love and respect for Southgate - I remember the years before him well - but it is clear now that something new is needed, and to at least be tried. I don't have much hope for success... history tells me that... but it at least needs to be attempted.

[@subculture2006]

It was never a sinking ship. Southgate inherited a super talented crop of young players and wasted it!

[@HarvesterYT]

​@@subculture2006Southgate inherited a pretty mediocre bunch to be fair, the team on 2016 was nothing special.

[@johnnyfreespeech5815]

This is my sentiment too. I think he’s done a great job changing the culture of the national team: we have a togetherness and team spirit that we didn’t have before. Couple that with the fact that we always have some talented players and as we’ve seen, that can take us far and beat the teams that we used to routinely slump out against. A good team spirit will only take you so far though. I think when you’re against the top sides you’re going to need more than that and that is where we come short. Tactically we haven’t got it. There’s no clear style of play and it always feels like Gareth doesn’t really understand his players and know his best side. Regardless, a fresh face and new ideas in the dugout can’t be a bad thing. Four tournaments and two nations league campaigns, this is Southgate’s ceiling.

[@subculture2006]

@@HarvesterYT The players coming through I mean. We will never have a better chance with lucky draws and our main rivals at their weakest. I thought Sven was past his sell by date but he faced a brilliant Brazilian team. Southgate was tactically clueless and too defensive. Terrible manager.

[@hurataimad-s3q]

Southgate isn't a defensive manager. A defensive manager like Mourinho has a defensive philosophy and entailed in that philosophy will be creating space for attack and attackers. Southgate is a manager without a philosophy who knows how to to set up a defensive structure.

[@tomsleeman683]

Completely agree with the Klopp shout!

[@CommonAlf]

Thanks for a fantastic series of daily podcasts guys, You are such a great trio. Enjoy your summer break and I can’t wait till your all back and grassing up Micah for his antics yet to be. Respect