England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread 23:58 - Jun 30 with 19350 views | Ned_Kennedys | Following our rousing success this evening it’s my pleasure to start the next match thread again as we stumble towards Euro success. Foden and Saka out, Eze and Palmer in. Centre midfield sorted after Mainoo’s decent performance. Not sure about LB: stick with Trippier I guess? | ![](/images/avatars/24226.gif) | | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 00:25 - Jul 1 with 5308 views | Boston | The Swiss eh - you'll have to be on guard. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) |
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England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 01:17 - Jul 1 with 5246 views | numptydumpty |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 00:25 - Jul 1 by Boston | The Swiss eh - you'll have to be on guard. |
Names on the cup. We been average at the very best Shocking yet there we are Switzerland stand between us and semi finals !!! Unbelievable goal from Bellingham. Time to start playing England 4 Switzerland 0 | ![](/images/avatars/9720.gif) |
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England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 01:34 - Jul 1 with 5231 views | SydneyRs | I know we've been poor so far but that ending is the sort of thing that can turn a tournament around. We've seen others do it. Teams have won competitions without winning any group matches in the past. Getting to the business end you'd expect teams to attack more and not employ the low block we've seen so far from opponents. Maybe this will create more opportunities for the undoubted talent our forward players possess. Or maybe we'll be rubbish again and the Swiss will send us home? Still in it. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 05:06 - Jul 1 with 5151 views | PlanetHonneywood | Super Ned's freds are fantastic, Bazza's were atrocious! The Swiss have looked decent and I'm sure they're delighted and encouraged by the thought of playing England. We will need to be on it from the off. Absolutely no idea at all! | ![](/images/avatars/16575.gif) |
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England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 06:25 - Jul 1 with 5092 views | DesertBoot | Bellingham’s goal had echoes of Platt’s volley in Italia ‘90. I predict another heart-breaking semi final defeat this time to Austria. | ![](/images/avatars/2009.gif) |
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England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 07:08 - Jul 1 with 5012 views | Rs_Holy | heart says 2-1 to England... head says 2-1 defeat | ![](/images/avatars/3053.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:09 - Jul 1 with 4883 views | francisbowles |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 07:08 - Jul 1 by Rs_Holy | heart says 2-1 to England... head says 2-1 defeat |
Who's going to replace Guehi? | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:12 - Jul 1 with 4877 views | MrSheen |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:09 - Jul 1 by francisbowles | Who's going to replace Guehi? |
Eze. Unless he plays in goal. | ![](/images/avatars/1288.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) | Login to get fewer ads
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:23 - Jul 1 with 4850 views | BrianMcCarthy | Rice is the biggest problem that I can see. I haven't seen much of him as I rarely watch the First Division games, so I'm only basing it on his form in this tournament. In any of the games so far, he hasn't played like a quality 6. He hasn't wanted the ball in pivot positions off his defenders or goalie, hasn't taken it on the half-turn, has shown a poor range of passing, rarely played forward, and has often even shown poor technique. He just points. I hate pointers. He had two awful moments tonight. One at 90+4 (approx) when he could have recycled the ball but just panicked and half-hooked it into the box and lost possession and one at 118 (approx) where he panicked and half-hacked a crap clearance to a Slovakia player to send back into the England box. he laso got robbed on the halfway line. He just slows everything down. He's not brave and whatever else he is, he doesn't look like a 6 to me. | ![](/images/avatars/1570.gif) |
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England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:29 - Jul 1 with 4836 views | MedwayR |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:23 - Jul 1 by BrianMcCarthy | Rice is the biggest problem that I can see. I haven't seen much of him as I rarely watch the First Division games, so I'm only basing it on his form in this tournament. In any of the games so far, he hasn't played like a quality 6. He hasn't wanted the ball in pivot positions off his defenders or goalie, hasn't taken it on the half-turn, has shown a poor range of passing, rarely played forward, and has often even shown poor technique. He just points. I hate pointers. He had two awful moments tonight. One at 90+4 (approx) when he could have recycled the ball but just panicked and half-hooked it into the box and lost possession and one at 118 (approx) where he panicked and half-hacked a crap clearance to a Slovakia player to send back into the England box. he laso got robbed on the halfway line. He just slows everything down. He's not brave and whatever else he is, he doesn't look like a 6 to me. |
The big question is, when did the number 6 stop being a CB? As for Rice, he's fantastic at covering ground and winning the ball back, he can also carry the ball forward. The one thing he can't do is play creative passes which is why Arsenal put Jorginho next to him. I guess Southgate tried the same with TAA but that was never going to work. I don't think England have a midfield playmaker like Jorginho or Rodri, maybe having a midfield 3 with Mainoo & Bellingham either side of Rice would work but in a different way, I definitely prefer Bellingham playing deeper than he currently is. | ![](/images/avatars/3276.gif) |
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England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:35 - Jul 1 with 4814 views | CamberleyR |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:23 - Jul 1 by BrianMcCarthy | Rice is the biggest problem that I can see. I haven't seen much of him as I rarely watch the First Division games, so I'm only basing it on his form in this tournament. In any of the games so far, he hasn't played like a quality 6. He hasn't wanted the ball in pivot positions off his defenders or goalie, hasn't taken it on the half-turn, has shown a poor range of passing, rarely played forward, and has often even shown poor technique. He just points. I hate pointers. He had two awful moments tonight. One at 90+4 (approx) when he could have recycled the ball but just panicked and half-hooked it into the box and lost possession and one at 118 (approx) where he panicked and half-hacked a crap clearance to a Slovakia player to send back into the England box. he laso got robbed on the halfway line. He just slows everything down. He's not brave and whatever else he is, he doesn't look like a 6 to me. |
I don't think he is a 6 to be honest. Arsenal started him there initially but in the latter part of the season Arteta was playing him as an 8. [Post edited 1 Jul 9:53]
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England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:42 - Jul 1 with 4770 views | ParkRoyalR |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:23 - Jul 1 by BrianMcCarthy | Rice is the biggest problem that I can see. I haven't seen much of him as I rarely watch the First Division games, so I'm only basing it on his form in this tournament. In any of the games so far, he hasn't played like a quality 6. He hasn't wanted the ball in pivot positions off his defenders or goalie, hasn't taken it on the half-turn, has shown a poor range of passing, rarely played forward, and has often even shown poor technique. He just points. I hate pointers. He had two awful moments tonight. One at 90+4 (approx) when he could have recycled the ball but just panicked and half-hooked it into the box and lost possession and one at 118 (approx) where he panicked and half-hacked a crap clearance to a Slovakia player to send back into the England box. he laso got robbed on the halfway line. He just slows everything down. He's not brave and whatever else he is, he doesn't look like a 6 to me. |
Those may be fair observations but he was the only player in that 2nd Half who stood up, others (including Bellingham) just disappeared and hid, Nearly got the equaliser through showing desire and this desire and belief has been on show all season with Arsenal, In a team lacking characters he's a must start. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:44 - Jul 1 with 4760 views | Malintabuk | Well after last night I think we are on a (Swiss) roll Surely the cup is coming gnome I canton believe we are still in the competition But the Jura is still out about the balance of the team Hopefully our performances will just get better and Federer 2-0 to the 3 lions And you can take that to the bank | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:52 - Jul 1 with 4700 views | CamberleyR |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:09 - Jul 1 by francisbowles | Who's going to replace Guehi? |
Got to be Konsa surely. | ![](/images/avatars/1250.gif) |
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England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:54 - Jul 1 with 4679 views | TheChef |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:23 - Jul 1 by BrianMcCarthy | Rice is the biggest problem that I can see. I haven't seen much of him as I rarely watch the First Division games, so I'm only basing it on his form in this tournament. In any of the games so far, he hasn't played like a quality 6. He hasn't wanted the ball in pivot positions off his defenders or goalie, hasn't taken it on the half-turn, has shown a poor range of passing, rarely played forward, and has often even shown poor technique. He just points. I hate pointers. He had two awful moments tonight. One at 90+4 (approx) when he could have recycled the ball but just panicked and half-hooked it into the box and lost possession and one at 118 (approx) where he panicked and half-hacked a crap clearance to a Slovakia player to send back into the England box. he laso got robbed on the halfway line. He just slows everything down. He's not brave and whatever else he is, he doesn't look like a 6 to me. |
Surely the biggest problem is Trippier playing at left back, thus pretty much negating any attacking play down that flank? Shaw is still unlikely to be fit (maybe for the final, tee hee) so chances are Southgate will persevere with that. But then I think he needs to replace Foden who has not been great (and would be a lot more effective centrally). We could be good but the manager will only play one way, and we still haven't lost. So if you can't be good, be lucky. | ![](/images/avatars/2559.gif) |
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England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 10:01 - Jul 1 with 4648 views | Watford_Ranger |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:54 - Jul 1 by TheChef | Surely the biggest problem is Trippier playing at left back, thus pretty much negating any attacking play down that flank? Shaw is still unlikely to be fit (maybe for the final, tee hee) so chances are Southgate will persevere with that. But then I think he needs to replace Foden who has not been great (and would be a lot more effective centrally). We could be good but the manager will only play one way, and we still haven't lost. So if you can't be good, be lucky. |
Assuming Trippier plays it has to be Gordon ahead of him for me. That left side has produced nothing. I’d love him to be aggressive and play Gordon and Toney. Push Switzerland back. Be direct sometimes. Be horrible. But I fear it’ll be the same team with Gallagher in for Bellingham and Mainoo played higher which won’t go down at all well. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 10:09 - Jul 1 with 4596 views | Marshy67 |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 00:25 - Jul 1 by Boston | The Swiss eh - you'll have to be on guard. |
Yep because they sure wont roll over..... | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 10:09 - Jul 1 with 4594 views | TheChef |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 10:01 - Jul 1 by Watford_Ranger | Assuming Trippier plays it has to be Gordon ahead of him for me. That left side has produced nothing. I’d love him to be aggressive and play Gordon and Toney. Push Switzerland back. Be direct sometimes. Be horrible. But I fear it’ll be the same team with Gallagher in for Bellingham and Mainoo played higher which won’t go down at all well. |
Why would he drop or rest Bellingham? | ![](/images/avatars/2559.gif) |
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England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 10:19 - Jul 1 with 4501 views | Metallica_Hoop | 2-1 England. Whatever happens though, I've stuck by Southgate but as King Willie said in Predator 2 "Timee to gooo". All those flair players and most of the time we play like Greece in (forget) coached by that German chap. Zzzzz | ![](/images/avatars/1335.gif) |
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England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 10:39 - Jul 1 with 4404 views | kernowhoop |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:54 - Jul 1 by TheChef | Surely the biggest problem is Trippier playing at left back, thus pretty much negating any attacking play down that flank? Shaw is still unlikely to be fit (maybe for the final, tee hee) so chances are Southgate will persevere with that. But then I think he needs to replace Foden who has not been great (and would be a lot more effective centrally). We could be good but the manager will only play one way, and we still haven't lost. So if you can't be good, be lucky. |
Eze was at left back for a few minutes. No more of that Gareth, please! | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 10:48 - Jul 1 with 4375 views | Watford_Ranger |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 10:09 - Jul 1 by TheChef | Why would he drop or rest Bellingham? |
I thought he was suspended. Apparently not. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 11:06 - Jul 1 with 4332 views | daveB |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:09 - Jul 1 by francisbowles | Who's going to replace Guehi? |
Konsa or Dunk and possibly Trippier missing as well | ![](/images/avatars/1922.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 11:14 - Jul 1 with 4283 views | Hunterhoop |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 09:23 - Jul 1 by BrianMcCarthy | Rice is the biggest problem that I can see. I haven't seen much of him as I rarely watch the First Division games, so I'm only basing it on his form in this tournament. In any of the games so far, he hasn't played like a quality 6. He hasn't wanted the ball in pivot positions off his defenders or goalie, hasn't taken it on the half-turn, has shown a poor range of passing, rarely played forward, and has often even shown poor technique. He just points. I hate pointers. He had two awful moments tonight. One at 90+4 (approx) when he could have recycled the ball but just panicked and half-hooked it into the box and lost possession and one at 118 (approx) where he panicked and half-hacked a crap clearance to a Slovakia player to send back into the England box. he laso got robbed on the halfway line. He just slows everything down. He's not brave and whatever else he is, he doesn't look like a 6 to me. |
Completely agree, Bri. I have been a big fan of Rice as a central midfielder. At Arsenal I think he’s shown a lot of strings to his bow: covers the ground, great at breaking up and tackling, body on the line, connecting play and getting forward and striking a few goals from 25 yards. For England, in this tournament, especially in the last two games, I think he’s played like a donkey. Absolutely no bravery in possession to thread a forward pass through the lines. Way too many touches before moving it on. He slows us down so much time and time again. There were moments against Slovakia where he was tripping over the ball his touch was so bad. In another moment, under limited pressure he took 5 touches to end up playing a simple square pass. Personally, I think this double pivot is the route of England’s problems. Most top nations and club sides play a “worker” like Rice alongside a cultured ball player. Think Derry and Faurlin at QPR 13/14 years ago. I think he was trying that with TAA alongside Rice, but TAA is positionally awful there and was exposed several times. His touch looked too poor to play in there as well. It won’t happen but I think we need to play a Bellingham/Foden/Palmer/Eze alongside Rice (or Mainoo or Wharton), to pick the passes, drive with the ball, break lines and get England up the pitch. Second major issue is left back. IMO, Shaw or Saka must start there. It needs to be a left footer yo stretch the pitch and help move the ball up the flank quickly. Trippier is a disaster out there. Wide left and wide right, I would now play Eze and Palmer. They showed so much more dynamism and ability to beat their men last night. Saka behind Eze could transform our left hand side. If you played Bellingham alongside Rice, you could the retain Foden but at 10, or play Palmer there and put Bowen on the right. Up top, I would start Toney or Watkins over Kane now. Against the Swiss, I’d probably go with Watkins as I think they’ll play higher up the pitch. If we make it through to Austria, I’d play Toney I suspect they’ll sit that bit deeper. All a moot point; he’s not dropping Kane. | ![](/images/avatars/2027.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 11:23 - Jul 1 with 4274 views | connell10 |
England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 01:17 - Jul 1 by numptydumpty | Names on the cup. We been average at the very best Shocking yet there we are Switzerland stand between us and semi finals !!! Unbelievable goal from Bellingham. Time to start playing England 4 Switzerland 0 |
2-1 ENGLAND | ![](/images/avatars/7025.gif) |
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England v Switzerland Quarter Final match thread on 11:26 - Jul 1 with 4268 views | Snipper | I can’t believe some people are still defending Southgate after yesterday’s performance. We were 1 minute from an embarrassing exit. Before the match yesterday, all pundits and fans knew the starting line up had to be shaken up, but Southgate being the stubborn person he is, decided to make just one change. We were extremely lucky to get to half time only 1-0 down. All three pundits in the ITV studio said that we need at least 3 substitutions at half time. Roy Keane said that good brave managers make these decisions. Southgate proved he’s neither good or brave. Second half starts, and to the bewilderment of the commentator, summariser and practically every England fan watching, he made no changes at all. We all knew what was needed, but Southgate and his coaching staff, which laughably includes Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink, didn’t know, or stubbornly refused to know. He had to make a change 20 minutes into the second half as Trippier was injured. He brought on Cole Palmer to play on the right. Palmer tried to get England going, but whenever he got the ball in space, he was gesturing for movement so he could make a good pass, but he wasn’t getting that movement. He looked exasperated. It still clearly wasn’t working, but he waited until the 84th minute to make his next change, Eze for Mainoo. More was desperately needed, but he waited until the 93rd minute to make his next sub, Toney for Foden. Why the hell did he wait until the 93rd minute to bring another striker on? I was resigned to our fate at this point, but we got lucky, very very lucky. We somehow scored from a long throw with a spectacular finish. We were 1 minute away from total humiliation. Southgate got very very lucky. He was 1 minute away from being torn apart by the pundits in the studio and 99.9% of England fans. I don’t know whether he’s just plain stupid or plain stubborn. Everybody knows we need to make changes for the quarter final vs Switzerland. Absolutely everybody apart from Southgate. There’s not a hope in hell that he’ll make the changes that are needed. The only change he’ll make is the enforced one in defence with Guehi suspended. I honestly can’t see how the team he started with yesterday can beat Switzerland. You can only go to the well so much. This Southgate team in this tournament has gone to the well so much, there’s nothing left to drink. I really do fear for us on Saturday if he doesn’t do something drastic. | ![](/images/avatars/1293.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
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