England v Slovakia: Pre & Post Match Analysis.

[Robbie]

So this is the crunch time for England. They are Scheduled to play Slovakia in the last 16 of Euro 24 at 5 pm BST on Sunday evening.

Can England get through to the quarter finals? England may have won their group, but they have stuttered through the games they played & flattered to deceive as they really struggled to show any cohesion in those three games.

England will need to up the ante against Slovakia if they are to progress to the next round.

England will be hoping they can.

If England do get through they will meet Switzerland, who impressed against a below par Italy side in their last sixteen match today.

[Robbie]

Matchday. England v Slovakia.

Can the the three Lions win and move on to the quarter finals?

The match starts at 5 pm BST 

CMON England.

[Robbie]

Via Sky news

"Southgate warns against 'throwing everything out the window'

England have faced heavy criticism about their poor performances in the tournament so far. 

But manager Gareth Southgate has warned against "throwing everything out the window" by making sweeping changes to tonight's line-up. 

"A team is never quite as poor as people might think, and never quite as good as people might think," Southgate said yesterday".

So we shouldn't expect many changes at all from Southgate.

Ever the ultra cautious. Hope he not going to play for penalties.

[liampie]

a lot is riding on this game, its important england start off brightly and i hope it happens. i think people calling phil foden being selected is a joke. we need his spark and getting that out of him could change the outcome. i think the game will be a nervous 2-1 win to england.

kane and palmer to score.

[Robbie]

Agree @liampie. England have a tremendous opportunity to get to the Semis. If we get past Slovakia, it would be Switzerland next and you'd think we would be favourites to beat them.

[Robbie]

Team News.

The England eleven to face Slovakia 

A single alteration for England, with Kobbie Mainoo in for Conor Gallagher in midfield.

England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Mainoo, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Foden.

[Chris]

Big hype leading into the game, it's something which makes me nervous at times - especially when the performances haven't been great. I think England have started off better so far, but the challenge that Marc Guéhi just made was a bit rash. I don't think it was a yellow, the referee seemed very keen to issue it.

Good early signs is that the play is wide open, it means if we get a grip we should be able to make something of it.

Slovakia are looking good though, a chance just past the post.

[Robbie]

We've just had TWO players booked. Slovakia are pressing us hard.  Slovakia had two good chances.

[Robbie]

Bellingham booked now, that three in total 

England are wide open down this left flank.

[Chris]

They have been warning us, with their chances, and it was a good team goal by Slovakia. Defensively, we have done okay, but we need to try to avoid the error of leaving winning the ball so late. Attacking wise, we just need to be calmer. Despite comments about it not being a good start, I think it has been alright.

The goal puts a dampener on things, but we have looked like we can ask questions.

[Robbie]

England are all over the place at the back.

They haven't improved since their last two games.

England look tired, especially Bellingham. Tippy tappy football, trying to walk it into the net.

[Chris]

I believe that Jude Bellingham has a promising future lined up for a slot on Strictly Come Dancing.

[Robbie]

So England are losing 0:1 at half time.

We are not playing any different than the first three games. 

We haven't really threatened the Slovakia goal yet.

I admit, since their goal Slovakia are defending deeper and deeper and haven't really threatened England since. 

But I believe we need some fresh blood at half time to try to get behind the Slovakian defence more and get plenty of crosses in.

The ITV pundits are absolutely scathing of this England performance.

[Robbie]

England score but Foden is adjudged offside by VAR. He was offside 

 

[TheSkipper]

Since falling behind 1-0, England have shown more initiative. There was a nerve-wracking moment when Slovakia took a shot at an open goal. The quality of play has improved; they just need to find the back of the net. With Cole Palmer now on the pitch, I believe we will see more energy in their pursuit of a goal. We need a spark of genius, something to bring us back on equal footing. It’s disheartening to be trailing, but the match has undoubtedly become more engaging.

[Chris]

I think Slovakia's performance will be overlooked by the negativity that surrounds England, it's been a much better performance. The goal was a major lapse in judgement and alertness, but our opposition has shown they are a good team. England are approaching the dying embers of the game and should have done more to get back on level terms.

A moment just past, where Harry Kane wasn't quite able to get the direction on the ball from a free kick.

It's going to be heartache at this stage, I never say never or give up easily. I haven't, as there's still time, but Slovakia are putting up a good fight to protect a lead they worked so hard to take.

[Robbie]

I just don't see a change in England at all, yes, there is a little more urgency, but nothing more than that 

This is the 45th ranked team in the World, 45th.

Southgate has 10 minutes to save his Managership.

We've just hit the post. It's not going to happen is it.

2 minutes ago, Chris said:

I think Slovakia's performance will be overlooked by the negativity that surrounds England, it's been a much better performance. The goal was a major lapse in judgement and alertness, but our opposition has shown they are a good team. England are approaching the dying embers of the game and should have done more to get back on level terms.

A moment just past, where Harry Kane wasn't quite able to get the direction on the ball from a free kick.

It's going to be heartache at this stage, I never say never or give up easily. I haven't, as there's still time, but Slovakia are putting up a good fight to protect a lead they worked so hard to take.

@Chris Slovakia are 45th in the rankings. It's just not good enough from England.

[Robbie]

What happened to the substitutions?

Only 2 substitutions from Southgate. He had 5 available.

He's too cautious. Always has been.

[Robbie]

BELLINGHAM.

What a goal!!!!!!

Overhead Kick goal.

[Robbie]

KANE ENGLAND IN FRONT.

CMON England.

 

[Robbie]

England are sitting back 

It's going to be a nervy last 15 mins of extra time.

[Robbie]

ENGLAND HAVE WON!!!!

WE ARE IN THE QUARTER FINAL.

Did we deserve it?

WE WON THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS.

[Sirrels County]

England had a very lucky escape from what should have been a well-deserved win for Slovakia. The performances are improving, but without changes, England lacks creativity. The changes Gareth Southgate made are like picking up a "get out of jail free" card in Monopoly.

[CliftonMagpie]

1 hour ago, Robbie said:

@Chris Slovakia are 45th in the rankings. It's just not good enough from England.

They are flourishing as a footballing nation, playing very well and showing no fear. Their current world ranking counts for nothing, as it will be higher thanks to this competition. They deserve credit for the way they played, just as much as England does for turning it around when it seemed all over. We can hope for a better performance against Switzerland.

[Robbie]

So @Wheelbarrow repair man

What did you think to the England performance?

I'm pleased they won but I think they were very lucky tonight.

Southgate a minute away from losing his job.

Bellingham has been blowing hot and cold, but he was real hot with the best goal of the tournament so far.

Certainly got Southgate out of Jail.

But England can't play like that against Switzerland.