British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

JonH wrote:

---

Danny1312 wrote:

---

I think it was wholly on Tuchel! Cowardly... could say lots but I shan't but to go out that way was gut wrenching! To remove our only outlet with 30 minutes left for a CB seemed bad but then to compound it with 2 more defenders for more attacking players invited pressure and gave space to technical players to play at there own pace! Worst managerial performance I've ever seen! End of rant.

---

 And it looks like the FA are sticking by him through the Euros. Thing is, I think, we host the next Euros in 2 years time - with other home countries. Not sure what the qualifications rules are, but presumably we (and others?) get in directly as the primary hosts?

Which means two years of pointless friendlies etc. 

The good news we will be hosting a big tournie in the UK and I shall, for sure, be looking to go to that - we will have hope in our hearts, likely to be dashed again - if I can. 

But Tuchel is getting paid massive money, won't be tested again in 2 years or so, what a job!! 

---

 Apparently not as there are 4 hosts and there only allowed 2 free spots so they all have to qualify. Thing is we always do the same... but I am not sure about you but certainly to me it seemed all on the manager this time! This Argentinian team you do not sit off and let them play football you push them back and ask them to try and play through from deep. Because there technically good, they are not fast and powerful runners in behind! Played right into their hands!

Seems its basically a fall back - if we fail to get in through qualies, 2 of the home nations can still get in as hosts. Youd hope England and one other can get in through the groups? Forgot it was Rep Ireland and not NI hosting, so NI have to do it through the groups.

The host nationsEngland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Waleswill participate in the qualifying group stage but will be drawn into separate groups. Two spots in the final tournament are reserved for the two best-ranked host nations (based on the overall qualifying group stage rankings) that fail to qualify as group winners or among the eight best runners-up.[1]

Type to move on #Euros 2028

#euro2028

Lots of positives I think we will have world class players through the team

Keepers sorted

OReilly will be immense given another 2 yrs so versatile, athletic beyond belief would love to see him at CB stepping into midfield.

Anderson will have loved his first World Cup worth every penny City have spent

Bellingham will keep working at it will probably get better worry about his head .. needs to reign in some of his behaviours did better this tournament but needs to empower the group as Messi did

Barcelona could take Gordon to the next level. Would like to see Saka at an elite European Club too. Playing the Arsenal way wont make the best of him. Morges will improve

Also like Wharton and Mainoo although feel a younger player may go past them

Some outstanding 16/17yr olds already featuring in PL Dowman, Ngumoha (already a more precise threat than Madueke

Kane should make 2028? But if not our Brian (Madjo) 193cm and only 17 should be good to go

Stircrazy wrote:

---

Re tonight's third/fourth place play-off,  TT:  throw on the reserves, throw caution to the wind & ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK!  There's nowt to lose.

---

No Kobbie Mainoo because of injury!    Kane & Bellingham on the bench, Rice the captain.

Crazy and very enjoyable match! Spence was immense! Saka fabulous, Rashford also in first half. Great goal to end with Bellingham !

Crazy, enjoyable game indeed. But this won't be remembered for a World Cup that England finished 3rd in but the tournament in which they got knocked out in the SF. Particularly, as to my mind that does hugely come down to Tuchel. I had a lot of thoughts after the SF but let them be at the time and left some of our actual English forum members to express many of these. I had such regard for Tuchel as being a step-up from Southgate and then that     - the Alamo act vs Mexico with 10 men was fairly understandable, ( though it did need the end to really justifuly the means ) but that against the oldest team ( squad? ) in the tournmant was not. Old Messi becomes rather useful when you give him total time and opportunity to create!

Ah Saka, he did very well yesterday considering he was evidently not worth playing a minute on Wednesday. England surely needed fresh legs in forward areas to at least provide more of an outlet, even if a bit more cautious ( and literally a bit more is as much as it should ever have been ). The Argentinian back 4 included 2 centre halves on yellow cards - OK, Leandro Martinez was subbed after 72 minutes but the always reliable ( ?! ) Romero happily played out the match. They were also able to bring on Lautaro Martinez ( who of course scored the winner ) after 81 minutes for a hardly needed full back.

Sorry to go back over painful ground but it just got even more baffling after last night, particularly with regard to Saka.

Moving forward, yes there should be positives but England evidently continue with a manager who it is stongly rumoured left many of his players aghast at his tactics on Wednesday as many dreams were shatteted.

-- Edited by indiana on Sunday 19th of July 2026 11:55:28 AM

Var wrote:

---

I liked Rice as captain TBH. Looking at that team last night could be lifting the European cup? I think England need to win that to then step up to the World Cup.

---

 They could and probably should still have been stepping up to at least the final of this World Cup.