England favourite to win the Euros - is this fair?
- Thread starter top_cat
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Scotland are now my favs at evens. This bookies shite is easy.
Scotland are now my favs at evens. This bookies shite is easy.
A Class Above
Well-Known Member
Their squad is outrageous. They now have a better squad than France in my opinion. I think they have better forward players and Frnace have a better Defence.
Thornliebank_Bear
Well-Known Member
The odds on the top few sides are always terrible value when you think of how tight knock out games usually are, they should not fear anyone and do have a genuine chance to win it but as always with England there is the fear of penalty kicks. For some strange reason i think Scotland are going to do well as long as we dont get battered in what is a very tough opener.
Zizou
Well-Known Member
It’s fair players wise…not manager wise.
RoxburghGer
Loves an O’Slophouse
They have the players certainly, but they'll end up playing that boring walking football rather than cutting loose
The U.S. Male
Well-Known Member
France or Spain
Them and France look a level above the rest. Could come down to a possible semi-final between the pair.
There's not much evidence to suggest that Southgate is capable of beating other top teams. He's mostly come up short when up against similar quality. I'm not convinced he is astute enough to make the most of the attacking quality he has at his disposal. But they are stacked going forward and have a real chance.
There's not much evidence to suggest that Southgate is capable of beating other top teams. He's mostly come up short when up against similar quality. I'm not convinced he is astute enough to make the most of the attacking quality he has at his disposal. But they are stacked going forward and have a real chance.
CambridgeRanger
Active Member
I think talent wise, we have the chance to go the whole way, but feel anything less than getting to the final would be disastrous
temperance
Well-Known Member
Not a bad selection.
Flying_Scotsman
Active Member
Tbh they'd probably could put out two squads capable of winning it but as long as Southgate is in charge that ain't going to happen.
Stewie Griffin
Member
If the draw pans out as per the favourites win their groups & progress, England will meet France in the semis, unlike the quarters in Qatar.
The tournament winner comes from that fixture I reckon.
I sincerely hope negative Nigel takes the handbrake off the team, like he did at Hampden last September.
The tournament winner comes from that fixture I reckon.
I sincerely hope negative Nigel takes the handbrake off the team, like he did at Hampden last September.
WLF
Well-Known Member
Probably not enough of them playing in the Premier League to be afforded the respect they deserve, that’s in spite of many of them having actually won these big tournaments.
WinkieWATP
Well-Known Member
Helstead
Well-Known Member
Always have to correct people?
tazzabear
Well-Known Member
No, very seldom do it in this context.
Don’t mind when it’s an opinion that’s wrong though
Englands record under Southgate reads semi final, runner up, quarter final.
In that time Germany have had two group stage exits and a last 16,
Italy have one trophy plus two where they failed to qualify.
Netherland failed to qualify for one, a last 16, and a quarter final.
Portugal have two last 16s and a quarter final.
Spain have two last 16s and a semi.
Only France have a better record, who have had a really strong squad for a long time now. While I accept the argument that he hasn’t got his hands on silverwear, Southgates record stands up against most and certainly any historic England manager.
Success at tournament football requires a big slice of luck - fitness of players, luck of the draw, timing of form, matches hinging on one moment. He’s had that in some areas and not in others.
I don’t necessarily agree with the ‘handbrake’ off comments either. He bowed to that public pressure in the last two friendlies and you saw the results. They don’t have the defence to do that. He will need to go with two deep midfielders to protect the back 4 and that will affect what he can do at the top end. Put a peak Rio Ferdinand in that team and they would walk it!
In that time Germany have had two group stage exits and a last 16,
Italy have one trophy plus two where they failed to qualify.
Netherland failed to qualify for one, a last 16, and a quarter final.
Portugal have two last 16s and a quarter final.
Spain have two last 16s and a semi.
Only France have a better record, who have had a really strong squad for a long time now. While I accept the argument that he hasn’t got his hands on silverwear, Southgates record stands up against most and certainly any historic England manager.
Success at tournament football requires a big slice of luck - fitness of players, luck of the draw, timing of form, matches hinging on one moment. He’s had that in some areas and not in others.
I don’t necessarily agree with the ‘handbrake’ off comments either. He bowed to that public pressure in the last two friendlies and you saw the results. They don’t have the defence to do that. He will need to go with two deep midfielders to protect the back 4 and that will affect what he can do at the top end. Put a peak Rio Ferdinand in that team and they would walk it!
I agree that international football often comes down to fine margins some of which are outwith the manager's control. But I reckon the difference is that Southgate has benefited from far easier draws than his predecessors.
In 2018 it was Colombia and Sweden, after a walkover group with Panama and Tunisia.
In 2020 it was Germany, Ukraine and Denmark.
In 2022 it was Senegal.
During those tournaments he has faced Belgium twice (lost both), Croatia (lost), Italy (lost), France (lost). Now we could make an argument about Germany in 2020 being a 'top side', but they were at a low ebb having been papped out in the group stages in 2018. But otherwise there isn't a single top side that Southgate has defeated in a major tournament.
Wazza
Well-Known Member
If you look at England in the full history there haven’t been many, who has their been this century? Argentina in 2002? Germany were poor in 2000. Before that where do we go - Holland in 96? These are all group matches. It’s not a new trend at the end of the day.
Garth will play Maguire and Henderson unfortunately for England.
Semi final exit beckons.
Semi final exit beckons.
Viper_RFC
Well-Known Member
In answer to the question - Wouldn’t put England as favourites over France but very little in it.
It looks like, it should be a fantastic, open tournament some great players and all of the favourites have some weaknesses in defense.
No real value in outright winners at mo, Germany possibly best value, they have home advantage and with some fantastic in form young players - outwith options of sitting midfielders, Kimmich, Gundogan, there attacking midfield three, Jamal Musiala, Wirtz out left, and Sane on the right, with Fullkrug through the middle.
Havertz (still only 24 by the way) and likely to be on the bench?. Only slight issue is there manager appears to be undecided on best formation (like Southgate).
It looks like, it should be a fantastic, open tournament some great players and all of the favourites have some weaknesses in defense.
No real value in outright winners at mo, Germany possibly best value, they have home advantage and with some fantastic in form young players - outwith options of sitting midfielders, Kimmich, Gundogan, there attacking midfield three, Jamal Musiala, Wirtz out left, and Sane on the right, with Fullkrug through the middle.
Havertz (still only 24 by the way) and likely to be on the bench?. Only slight issue is there manager appears to be undecided on best formation (like Southgate).
bluetonic
Well-Known Member
They are always the favourites going into tournaments, I guess they reached the final of the last Euros so are in with a shout definitely.
Wazza
Well-Known Member
Englands price won’t drop much if all the big guns are in when it comes to the quarters, that’s what people forget - very hard to see England having any problems to that point, others have trickier routes hence the bigger price.
Wazza
Well-Known Member
Someone else said this, when were England favs for another comp? Even at the last Euros it was co favs with a few at 5/1. No idea where this comes from.
Helstead
Well-Known Member
The opinion isnt wrong ,the words could have been phrased better, with the emphasis being put on Southgate,simply put England have players that can produce an attack minded game , but are playing a defensive tactic from a manager that's too inept to understand his teams strengths.
StaunchGer
Well-Known Member
Middle to front - Yes.
Defence and goalkeeper - No
Manager - No
Defence and goalkeeper - No
Manager - No
Ally’s Golden Boot
Well-Known Member
I can’t see by France. I expect Germany to have a good Euro’s as well even though their form has been dreadful,
England will bottle it as usual,
England will bottle it as usual,
tazzabear
Well-Known Member
Sorry bud.
I did intend putting a smiley emoji at the end of that line.
Used the phone emojis that don’t work.
wee bud's pit boots
Well-Known Member
In Bellingham, Kane and Foden, they have three truly top notch attacking players.
It's what is all around them that matters.
It's what is all around them that matters.
Class of 72
Well-Known Member
They won’t win it with Southgate
WinkieWATP
Well-Known Member
For all their talent I think what they really lack is that midfielder that controls a game. Speeds it up when needed and slows it down when needed. It seems to be the type of player that we just don’t ever seem to produce in Britain. Players like your Rodri’s, Modric’s etc.
They may well go on and win it but I certainly don’t get the if they don’t win it it will be a disaster thing at all. France are a very very good side, the Germans at home will be in chance, Portugal are littered with very talented players, Spain if someone comes into the tournament and can score the chances they will undoubtedly create as they control games will all be in with a chance.
Flesher's Haugh
Well-Known Member
Going to go against the grain and say I reckon they will win it.
Suppose Maino is the big hope to have the ability to do that.
Capable and have the talent and players to do so. However, you could say the same about France and can't rule out the Germans on home soil. I think England are in the conversation but having the label of "favourites" is a bit flattering imo. Should be the French.
Italy, Portugal and Spain also dark horses and can't be counted out.
Italy, Portugal and Spain also dark horses and can't be counted out.
julian candy
Well-Known Member
I'm guessing that everyone has learned to never write off Germany or Italy under any circumstances.
Davidsmith1
Well-Known Member
Shoehorn Foden arguably the best player in Europe this season
Davidsmith1
Well-Known Member
As usual ?
They were in the final and lost on penalties after getting to semi of the World Cup hardly bottling eh
I’d say bellingham has been and is the main man already in that England team.
I’d have Wirtz, Kane, Kroos, Vinicius, Mbappe above Foden individually this season as well.
TheDerryend
Well-Known Member
I think your post shows that the German team have really fallen since winning the wc.
The fact it took so long for them to be mentioned in this thread tells you all you need to know. It's the worst German team in my lifetime and back in the day they would have been in amongst it, no matter what country it was held in.
Ally’s Golden Boot
Well-Known Member
Very true, I was harsh.
They just fail at the final hurdle once they come up against top class opposition.
I wish them the best of luck, however, I believe they will come up short again.
BrooklynBlue
Well-Known Member
England could be playing Spain/Croatia/Italy (2nd place from this group) in the QFs with France in the semi-finals. I'm not sure they're getting through both of those ties.
Ultimately, it's a very fine margin that could be determined by how bold Southgate is...or isn't.
Ultimately, it's a very fine margin that could be determined by how bold Southgate is...or isn't.
