England v Slovenia, Pre & post Match Analysis.

[Robbie]

Today is the day when there will be lots of scrutiny on Gareth Southgate & his England team.

Can they get an impressive win today to silence some of the criticism that Manager & Players have been getting since their last match with Denmark?

Many of those questions will be answered today, or maybe there will be even more questions asked depending on the performance & result.

All supporters want to see an England improved performance, with an impressive big win & a few goals to celebrate too.

So CMON England.

[Wheelbarrow repair man]

@Robbie

You Reckon? England thanks to results in other Matches are through to the Knock Out Stages. Their Best Performance at the Euro's yet. Expect another Dismal Tippy Tappy pass it sideways then back to the Keeper kind of Performance. Southgate doesn't know how to play any other way. However should the Players ignore their Coach, and play with Style and Flair and to the Best of their Abilities then a Team ranked 52 places below England could be in for a right Tabbing as it should be. But what EVER YOU DO @Robbie DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH.

[Robbie]

@Wheelbarrow repair man yes, we may have qualified because Albania lost, but we are only assured of a best third place finish, so that would have England playing one of the big teams next, & Southgate certainly doesn't want that, you would think.

Forget that we have qualified already, that really means nothing at the moment.

England need to demonstrate that they are going to be serious contenders to win the Euro 24 trophy, & that means winning big tonight, nothing else will do.

[Wheelbarrow repair man]

@Robbie 

As you say England need to Win and Win Big. But if that is the case and the 3 lions Win 4-0 Fans and Pundits will expect the same the following match. The Trouble is  as History shows England Have one decent match per tournament (remember England beating Holland 4-1 and Spain in a Penalty Shoot Out? During past Tournaments) Then they Go Back into the Old Familiar Routine. Then the inquiry will begin Why were England So Poor, So on and So forth  the Media will ask and the same Conclusion and Right Conclusion By the Fans will Emerge, the England Team haven't got the Right Man in Charge. This refers to Southgate and many of his Predecessors.

[Robbie]

Team news for England v Slovenia via the independent.

"Gareth Southgate ruled Luke Shaw out of England’s final Euro 2024 group match against Slovenia, with Conor Gallagher expected to be the only change from the side that started against Denmark".

Harry Kane looks set to be leading the attack again. I personally think Kane lacks the pace now and we should be thinking of alternatives. I would go for Ollie Watkins to give England pace upfront.

So it looks like we are going to see only one change from England's dissapointing draw against Denmark. If that is true it is just another predictable Southgate decision.

[liampie]

i dont like how we seem to be pinning our hopes on luke shaw, i think its good that he was able to train but throwing him in at this stage it does seem to be rushing things. i think england will do better, but i dont expect a full 90 minutes of great play. 2-0 would be my prediction. i can see an own goal happening too, but fingers crossed england do a well enough job that things do start to improve.

[Robbie]

So as expected, it is just the one change for England for tonight's match with Alexander-Arnold out and Gallagher replacing him.

I would have liked to see Ollie Watkins start tonight with Kane up front. It would have been a bold & positive decision to play two strikers.

I want to be positive about tonight, so I'm hoping for a big win tonight with a few England goals.

I'll be watching very closely to see how England play if they get the lead early, will they go for more goals or go negative?

[Robbie]

England team for tonight.

Also includes the Slovenia team too.

https://g.co/kgs/i8R4Zj2

[Wheelbarrow repair man]

Kane's playing with a Back Injury. If that's the case Why play him? England are through to the Knockout Stages. Rest Kane get him fully fit for the next match  give Ollie Watkins a go tonight plus there are other Strikers Southgate could try but..... Well let's wait and see.

[Fan of Big Tone]

10 hours ago, Wheelbarrow repair man said:

Expect another Dismal Tippy Tappy pass it sideways then back to the Keeper kind of Performance.

@Wheelbarrow repair manAre you related to Mystic Meg? 

[Wheelbarrow repair man]

@Fan of Big Tone

Funny you should say that, I once bought a Crystal Ball but all I Predicted was Heavy Winter Storms. Turns out the Shop had Sold Me A  Snow Globe.

[Robbie]

Seriously guys, let's celebrate, England won the group & they are still undefeated, we've scored 2 goals and only let in one.

And forget that we've just played the 57th ranked team in the World, they were very difficult to break down & were very well marshaled.

It was a hot evening and the pitch was cutting up a bit, England had over 70% of the play, so they got plenty of tippy tappy practice.

Slovenia didn't create a single chance so our defence held firm against everything they could throw at us, when Slovenia got into our penalty area about half a dozen times in the match.

And another very important point, the England team are saving themselves for the harder games in the knockout stages. It wouldn't be sensible to be going hell for leather & finish up getting an injury, & tiring themselves out.. 

[Fan of Big Tone]

That’s what we like to hear @Robbie optimism and positivity. 
 

Have you been drinking.

[KingMaynard]

Slovenia was a difficult team to play against. They exaggerated fouls and often fell with minimal contact. The referee seemed to encourage this behaviour. Cole Palmer is a fantastic player who deserves more playing time. I’m not sure Harry Kane did enough. I would have preferred to see Ollie Watkins. Despite these issues, they attacked and created opportunities. This is a significant improvement, but there’s still work to do.

[Wheelbarrow repair man]

Saving themselves for the harder Matches in the Knockout Stages. Yeah Alright @Robbie IF You Say So (Ha Ha). You're a Joker You.

@Fan of Big Tone

If @Robbie as been drinking, then I want a Pint of it. 

[Robbie]

I get what you are saying @KingMaynard and I agree we have some World class players in the side, and the positive thing is we have qualified as group winners and are now in a different side of the draw to some very strong sides.

I think some of the squad players like Ollie Watkins need to be given a start in the last 16 game, but I don't think the Manager will change much at all 

@Wheelbarrow repair man

Having a bit of a laugh is what releases a bit of tension, & at the moment this England side does get one going. Shouting at the telly never did do any good. 

[Robbie]

Gareth Southgate was upbeat about England's performance against Slovenia after the match.

 

[Piethagoram]

 

[Piethagoram]