Phillips has assisted 10% of England’s goals at the finals.

How can you give 2 players 2 mins on the field and expect them to be mentally ready to take a penalty?!

It can happen to anyone unfortunately Seth. Cant knock anyone for stepping up and taking one.



England have a great young team and a great spirit. Just wasnt to be unfortunately. Great tournament from the team.

Penalties... again.

It never gets easier.

Absolutely can’t fault them I said it though when they came on, to sit down for 100 mins then step up to take a penalty in a final, that’s a poor call from Southgate.



Seems like Shearer agrees with me

I know what you are saying but its a lottery isnt it? If the players score hes a tactical genius

They didnt and he has to live with the decision. Hes got everything right in this tournament in fairness to him.



Like i say you cant knock any player for being brave enough to take one. I dont think anyone will these days.



Weve players with potential who arent quite there yet but they will be better for the experience.



Where n when is the next World Cup???

Brave lads stepping up to take one,but all were pretty poor pens. It was there for the taking

These lads are going to be around for 3 or 4 tournaments, so they need to get used to this kind of experience, so no problem with them being brought on.



They'll be back.

Have to disagree, biggest game of your life you play 2 minutes (not even time to touch a ball) then here you go take a penalty, no if you’re wanting them to take one give them at least 15 to get into a game psychologically and physically. Pens are a lottery to a degree but you stack the controllables in your favour. Credit the lads for stepping up, credit Southgate for his calls throughout the tournament and the manner and spirit he’s instilled, but on that one he made 2 bad calls.

Thought Sterling should have taken that last penalty and Rashfords was a gimmie he just had to hit the target.

Henderson poor again but the best team won on the night just a shame it was decided on penalties.

I thought we were in control in the first half and deserved to be in the lead at HT, we came out too deep in the 2nd half and failed to react to the Italian substitutions . But to still lose a penalty shootout after the Italy missed 2 themselves is extra gutting.



This squad have done brilliantly though, and I really hope they don't suffer the kind of criticism previous players have received.

It's disappointing but I'm hoping that it's the equivalent of our 99 Grand Final defeat. Now they know what it takes and there's plenty of years ahead for this group. Take my hat off to all the penalty takers, takes some big balls to step up. Southgate made some mistakes, but he's a young(ish) manager himself and will learn from it. Proud of the way they've evolved in the competition

Thought Southgate got it wrong last night. The second half was crying out for a tactical change. It was crying out for Grealish and either Rashford or Sancho. We got worse when Saka and Henderson came on. Game looked too big for Saka. He’s a talent but too raw yet. We were far too deep, it needed changing quickly. Italy fully deserved imo. Overall a great tournament and this team will get better for this, youngest England team at a tournament in their history.



Whether it’s Southgate or someone else we need to find a way of unlocking that attacking talent we have. We have the players to scare the pants off teams. The pace we had should have had been stretching the old Italian back line all game.. something to work on.

Oh so now theres not enough creativity in our midfield to unlock the attack??? Interesting that you say that cos when I say people claim its a wind up. Its actually the truth and I agree with your point Trebor.



Kane is a top centre forward but hes not been at his best tnrough this tournament in truth but hes not had enough service either. Sterling, despite some on here saying he shouldnt be selected lol, has been electric. Personally, going forward in the future i think Sancho, from what ive seen of him, looks our best option for the other attacker in the 3. But will they get enough chances with the midfielders we have against top opposition. Phillips and Rice are 2 very good defensive midfielders, as ive said all tounament, but neither pass the ball forward enough and neither can create chances. We lack the player to unlock the attack. A Pirlo type midfielder who can provide a killer pass.

I think playing the 5 at the back is a problem at times, it worked early doors but Italy soon sussed it out. Rice and Phillips were good last night and did their jobs well but needed someone like Foden or Grealish to unlock that defence and keep the ball in the business end. Mount for me falls a bit short, but he’s also young and will get better.



Southgate or whoever takes us forward needs to get that balance better. 34% possession at home in the final isn’t good enough.

It's hard. I've said for a while that two defensive midfielders is a bit negative. But it has got results. No goals conceded from open play in the tournament. Southgate has made us very hard to beat. I think the next level for him is being able to react and make the right attacking substitutions

Absolutley agree. It'll be interesting to see what he does Southgate, he was extremely dejected and will have some major food for thought. I think the quick turnaround for the world cup will help England though.

To be fair, Southgate got his subs right throughout most of the tournament, but I'd probably agree that he waited too long to make last night. He could probably do with being more ruthless with them at times, as well. Sterling and Mount were knackered after an hour, but he probably kept them on too long.



Still, I'd rather focus on the positive aspects, and the fact that we got to a major final for the first time in a generation without losing in 90 minutes and without conceding a goal in open play is tremendous progress, and given the age of this squad, it feels like the beginning, rather than the end.



We've also made great progress off the field with the team reconnecting with fans and generally being a very classy bunch. It's just a shame some of the fans are an embarrassment to the country and to the human race in general.



The biggest issue England and the FA need to address though is the number of certified coaches in this country. The likes of Germany have over twice as many as we do, and Spain have 10k more than we do. The price of a uefa A and B license costs something like 5 or 6k in England, but costs a grand in Spain, and even less in Germany, which given the amount of money in the English game should be relatively easy to fix.

Sterling was our only threat 2nd half. He caused them all kinds of problems when he ran at them. They looked terrified of his pace. I wouldnt have taken him off.

Some good points there. agree apart from Sterling. thought he was still running well. Mount was the one who needed to come off early in the second half.



But as you say, it's a very very young side this, and one that will undoubtedly improve further. I'm feeling very very positive about their future as a team. We just need to take that step further with the attacking threat.

[size=150=#4000FFLogged on to find a flurry of reports and accusations on this thread.



These are being looked at and will be dealt with in due course, we (Mods) are not ignoring them, we do take them seriously and actions will be taken.



Why people get so het up over nothing is beyond me but leave it to us.

[/size

ESR

In response to some of the comments made above.

Admittedly Sterling the best England player this tournament which considering his club form is a real positive.

Pep wouldn`t pick him for the last 10 games or so based on form that`s in answer to Marty .

I also said I wouldn`t take Rashford and I think the tournament proved that one right.

Southgate always plays a defensive game hence the 2 holding/defensive midfielders.

Personally I think he got his subs wrong for the semi when he got lucky as it was crying out for a change in normal time.

He also got it wrong in the final imo.

First half we were on top but then Mancini sussed it out in the second half but Southgate didn`t change the system.

Mount wasn`t doing anything and it needed Grealish and Sancho not Henderson and Saka again imo.

Pleased we got to the final and should have won on pens considering they missed two.

On the other hand like the World Cup we didn`t really beat anyone of note and probably had our best chance this year playing at home.

Whilst Southgate is young ish he could have done better tactically.

Enormously proud of the young squad that has been amazing under the superb leadership of Southgate. All of them should be very proud of both their efforts and achievements. This group of players is so young and exciting it reminds me very much of the period around 2003 when the Rhinos were falling just short but learning what it takes to win.



This is not a failure, it's a very important lesson on a journey to lifting another major trophy.

Pens are not a lottery. 90 percent in the takers favour to score. 2 from 5 is frankly laughable... (and I did)!

To the person who thought Phillips had got lucky winning a lottery to get in the England squad.

The outfield player who has played more minutes than any other player during this tournament.

And the player who has topped the stats for making most tackles and pressing the opposition.

Take a bow the waste of space that is Kalvin Phillips.



Daily Mail - 8/10

England's very own Duracell bunny. He has not stopped running since kick-off against Croatia on June 13. Every blade of grass covered, every sinew in his body strained. And to think he has just one season of Premier League football under his belt. Immense.



Daily Mirror - 6/10

Never wasted a pass. Covered every blade of grass to force the Italians backwards. A player who has grown in stature during the tournament



Daily Express - 7/10

Held centre ground and gave Rice licence to roam. Effective with his distribution. Real workhorse.



Daily Telegraph - 8/10

A revelation, midfield spoiler and protector of the back-three. Has an inbuilt radar for sniffing out danger. Was playing in the Championship 18 months ago yet has assumed the appearance of a veteran



Guardian - 8/10

Tireless in keeping Italy’s threat at arm’s length. Unable to stretch them with his passing but stifled them physically.



The i - 7/10

The England player to have enhanced his reputation the most during this tournament delivered another assured display.



The Independent - 7/10

Not quite as omnipresent as Rice but as tenacious in the tackle and relentless in his pressing as we have come to expect during this tournament.



The Times - 7/10

Another notch on his belt in a remarkable tournament where he has established a regular position in midfield. He has been incredibly consistent, barely putting a foot wrong in the middle of the pitch.



The Sun - 8/10

The Leeds ace went toe-to-toe with the Italy midfield and gave everything. Shame it meant nothing in the end.



Daily Star - 6/10

On it from off, giving Italian midfield trio no peace and quiet. But outnumbered later on.