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Jul 2021
11:03am, 12 Jul 2021
18,116 posts
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Chrisull
Grealish all over social media today saying he wanted to take one but the gaffer wouldn't let him. Like I said big mistake by Southgate. If he'd made no subs, and Walker and Henderson or Grealish had missed, no-one would have been shouting the opposite.
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Jul 2021
11:07am, 12 Jul 2021
34,791 posts
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SPR
I do remember that, I'd guess keeper is more likely to work?
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Jul 2021
11:14am, 12 Jul 2021
38,804 posts
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Nellers
First off, I’m proud of the team and the performance and, yes, even the result. In my lifetime it’s head and shoulders the best tournament outcome my nation’s men’s team have managed. 10 years ago we weren’t even close to doing this sort of thing.
At the same time I’m disappointed. I wanted us to win and we came so close.
But is it because Southgate managed the team badly? Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Picking 3 players to take pens that missed is shoddy, now we know they missed.
Beforehand? Well based on what he knew of those players, their mentality, their ability, they were the ones he was willing to bet on. It’s a big call and that’s what he made when the pressure was on.
And if Rashford’s had been a couple of inches to the right etc. we’d be hailing him as the visionary that brought us glory.
Well you know what? He is that anyway. The way the team played, the results they achieved, and more importantly the way they behaved throughout the tournament, was glorious.
For most of my life we’ve not been competing at the top level internationally whatever the bookies’ odds pre-tournament might have told you. The times we’ve made it to semis have been standouts and surprises. We’ve not been very good.
Now we are. We’re hard to beat. We’ve got a good young squad. There’s something of a production line of young players coming through behind this squad as well.
It’s the World Cup next year. None of our squad is too old to be going to that. Hell, most of our squad will be ok for another decade if they look after themselves.
Southgate (and his whole back room team) did that.
If we never win a tournament then so be it but we’re suddenly (after years of patient work behind the scenes) in a position where we can compete with the very best in Europe and the world.
Can’t wait for the World Cup. Can’t wait!
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Jul 2021
11:20am, 12 Jul 2021
3,263 posts
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Oscar the Grouch
Well said, Nellers. Completely agree.
Iceland was only 5 years ago...
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Jul 2021
11:29am, 12 Jul 2021
38,805 posts
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Nellers
Thanks OTG. I’m still gutted but I’m far more grateful that we made the final than frustrated we didn’t win it.
It might be the hope that kills you in the end, but until then it’s the hope that makes you live!
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Jul 2021
11:31am, 12 Jul 2021
6,857 posts
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FenlandRunner
Totally agree with you, Nellers.
I'm amazed and also disheartened by all the comments made in hindsight.
Southgate, like the team, gave it their best shot.
England in this tournament have outperformed every other nation bar Italy. That is a magnificent achievement.
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Jul 2021
11:39am, 12 Jul 2021
38,806 posts
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Nellers
Huge, FR.
And if anyone thinks they could have made better decisions in that moment they should send their cvs to fa.com/imenoughofabellendthatithinkicoulddobetterthangareth.
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Jul 2021
11:43am, 12 Jul 2021
50,989 posts
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Derby Tup
Good summary of how I feel too Nellers
Grealish would have probably fallen over trying to back heel his penalty 
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Jul 2021
11:44am, 12 Jul 2021
38,807 posts
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Nellers
Who knows, DT. The road not taken and all that.
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Jul 2021
11:44am, 12 Jul 2021
26,287 posts
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fetcheveryone
I've just remembered that one of Pickford's saves came against a player that the commentators referred to as "Mr 100%". To me that says that anyone can fail to score on the night, and therefore the conversation about who should take penalties seems a bit pointless. They tried their best.
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