Forum Topic

Surrender

England’s surrender last night was embarrassing. After Gordon scored a great goal Argentina had 92% possession. I am afraid that Thomas Tuchel must take a large share of the blame, bringing on defensive players with over half an hour of the game to go. He is paid £8 million per year to get the important decisions right and in the most important game of his tenure he failed. I am not sure that he can continue as England manager.

Steven Rose ● 1d13 Comments

Spot on - a surrender and an embarrassment. We've seen it all before, for which Southgate received a knighthood. It's one thing we ARE good at - rewarding failure..

Michael Brown ● 14h

I think there is a precedent for banning players who engage in political propaganda on the pitch though I doubt that FUFA would take action in this case. But it would be amusing if Lisandro Martinez (who was holding the Malvinas bannerand MacAllister (who was standing next to him) were refused entry at Heathrow as persone non grate on their return to England next month, I text month to rejoin their clubs.

Steven Rose ● 16h

Ms Hammond'The Argies have always been a dirty football team; it seems to be part of their psyche or perhaps as a result of national team training? 'Like those from other Latin American countries they seem to have an inferiority complex which shows itself in petty aggression.They are quick to strike out but buckle under a firm response.Hence Mrs Thatcher's victory in the Falklands war.

John Hawkes ● 16h

Ms Hammond'Do you think (as I do) that the Argentina players who broke FIFA rules, including Martinez and Romero, should be banned from playing in the Final? I expect Gianni Infantino will make a firm and decisive decision on this at the next FIFA board meeting !Held I suspect in the most expensive hotel on Lake Geneva.

John Hawkes ● 16h

Do you think (as I do) that the Argentina players who broke FIFA rules, including Martinez and Romero, should be banned from playing in the Final?

Sue Hammond ● 16h

I agree, Sue. However as Troy Deeney pointed out this evening, England were already retreating before Tuchel’s substitutions were made. Unlike Argentina, our players  seemed more afraid to lose than eager to win. Tuchel saw that but rather than scream at them to get upfield he decided to help them defend by bringing on Konsa and Burn. I think someone said that to win a World Cup you probably need four world class players. We had two on the pitch, Kane and Bellingham. Rice is world class but he was too injured to perform. Saka, who is near world class, didn’t get on to the field. And Tuchel decided to leave Trent Alexander and Cole Palmer, who are also exceptional players, at home.

Steven Rose ● 19h

The Argies have always been a dirty football team; it seems to be part of their psyche or perhaps as a result of national team training?  All through the match, particularly in the first half, their players were constantly fouling us and I was shocked that none of them got a red.Tuchel definitely made a grave mistake with his substitutions, it was far too early in the match to play a defensive game because we needed at least one more goal as a cushion.  So whatever was Tuchel thinking by taking Gordon and Rice (my fave) off when Bellingham and Kane were being impeded and shut down all the time?  The best form of defence is attack and our players lost all impetus to push forward and I found it very hard match to watch after the subs were made.Hopefully the Argies will be absolutely crushed on Sunday! "Viva España!" 🇪🇸👍🏆(Just to deprive MB of a gotcha moment - I grudgingly bought another TV licence so I can stream Tennis TV live events)

Sue Hammond ● 19h

Mr Pike'Will be interested to see how the premier league based Argentinians are welcomed back by their club fans, not for the result but, for the Anti British display post match.'Spot on.Is it racist to abuse players who are happy to take our money but show such obvious antipathy to us and our country ?Will cries of "effing Argi bastard" get one banned for life at Craven Cottage next time Man Utd, Villa, Liverpool, Chelsea or Spurs play there ?

John Hawkes ● 1d

The Argentinians were cynical in the first half but in the second half they didn't need to foul.

Steven Rose ● 1d

Tuchel got it wrong last night but not a sacking offence for me.Will be interested to see how the premier league based Argentinians are welcomed back by their club fans, not for the result but, for the Anti British display post match.

Andy Pike ● 1d

Steven'I am not sure that he can continue as England manager.'If only Mrs Thatcher were alive to take his place !You have not mentioned the political background to this match.It was a fight and continuation of the Falklands war and our team was not up for it.Argentina spent the first 20 minutes kicking any English player to hand.That's the sort of people they are.Our team did not retaliate.That's the sort of people we are.A difference in national mentalities which perhaps we should applaud.A small consolation is that any win bonus money the Argentinians might have been given will be reduced by one third in a year through inflation.Hopefully they went straight to the Bank of America to deposit it.Let's hope Spain give them a good thrashing on Sunday.

John Hawkes ● 1d

Perhaps as this is a repeat offence,  FIFA could throw Argentina out of the World Cup:-)https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c935pgr4dklo

Michael Ixer ● 1d

Correction. £5m pa. But he is still not worth the money.

Steven Rose ● 1d