Just now, andy said:

Dutch were unlucky, I think England probably just deserved it but huge slice of luck in there 

I agree. Not a lot between them, but England had the slight upper hand and finally made it count. I'm not at all convinced England can rise above themselves in the final, though.

2 minutes ago, andy said:

Dutch were unlucky, I think England probably just deserved it but huge slice of luck in there 

Don't think they were unlucky. Penalty decision aside.  They never played to win the game and their subs were just to stifle the game 

If Southgate starts Watkins and Palmer in the final (he won't) I'll praise him. Until then, nothing changes from me. I still think he is holding this England team back.

Just now, Valerie said:

I agree. Not a lot between them, but England had the slight upper hand and finally made it count. I'm not at all convinced England can rise above themselves in the final, though.

Spain have been the best side by a long distance, that 16 year old genetically engineered superstar is pick of them.

Will be a tough ask, but England have Southgate so they have a chance.

No chance he starts Cole and Watkins which is exactly what the Spanish defence doesn’t want someone running in behind like Watkins.

1 minute ago, Scott Harris said:

If Southgate starts Watkins and Palmer in the final (he won't) I'll praise him. Until then, nothing changes from me. I still think he is holding this England team back.

Hmm me thinks if he starts them and England lose you will blast him all the same.

Looked to me like he used Kane and Foden, along with Jude and Saka, to grind the Dutch down and then used the fresh Palmer and pacey Watkins to get them while they were tired.

Kane and Foden off the bench not going to bring the same effect.

7 minutes ago, andy said:

Dutch were unlucky, I think England probably just deserved it but huge slice of luck in there 

England by far the better side in the first half. Second half was more even but England deserved the win.

I said Cucu would come back Euro champions after beating England in the final as a a joke but it might actually happen!🤣🤣🤣

1 minute ago, El regreso said:

No chance he starts Cole and Watkins which is exactly what the Spanish defence doesn’t want someone running in behind like Watkins.

A smart coach would see this as a great opportunity. Palmer up against Cucurella. Who in the England team knows about his weaknesses more than a player that see's him every week? He won't do it though, he will stick with Saka who doesn't seem to want to run at players much in this tournament.

1 minute ago, El regreso said:

I said Cucu would come back Euro champions after beating England in the final as a a joke but it might actually happen!🤣🤣🤣

Well either he does or Palmer does. Well Conor as well before he moves on to Atletico/Spurs/Wherever.

2 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Hmm me thinks if he starts them and England lose you will blast him all the same.

Looked to me like he used Kane and Foden, along with Jude and Saka, to grind the Dutch down and then used the fresh Palmer and pacey Watkins to get them while they were tired.

Kane and Foden off the bench not going to bring the same effect.

He picked Kane and Foden because he always picks Kane and Foden. There's no tactical plan behind it, they are his untouchables.

12 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

If Southgate had the balls to start Watkins and Palmer over his favourites, we wouldn't have to sit through so much sh*t before we get the win. The changes work because these players are positive. Palmer see's a pass, he will play it. Watkins can see the space, he will run into it. They do things the likes of Saka and Kane won't do, and in Kane's case, he can't do anymore because he doesn't have the legs.

Personally don’t think so, & Southgate has clarified his reasons for using Palmer off the bench which makes perfect sense. Coaches have a tactical plan to stop a Saka/Foden, and we have seen Saka getting double marked in some games as he is a known threat. Palmer is still an unknown; & unless you are a Messi, most coaches wouldn’t tweak their tactical plans to neutralise a player coming off the bench. He has been proven right so far, and I am not convinced Palmer would be effective starting games for England at this point.

 

One thing is for sure he is not going to change the starting 11 much for the final if at all  

5 minutes ago, ducavis said:

Personally don’t think so, & Southgate has clarified his reasons for using Palmer off the bench which makes perfect sense. Coaches have a tactical plan to stop a Saka/Foden, and we have seen Saka getting double marked in some games as he is a known threat. Palmer is still an unknown; & unless you are a Messi, most coaches wouldn’t tweak their tactical plans to neutralise a player coming off the bench. He has been proven right so far, and I am not convinced Palmer would be effective starting games for England at this point.

You're underestimating how good Palmer is.

Yamal gets into the Spanish side, and he is even more of an unknown than Palmer. The difference is the manager. The Spanish manager is progressive and Southgate is conservative.

23 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Hmm me thinks if he starts them and England lose you will blast him all the same.

Southgate is tactically useless! We had the easier group and he's winged it to the final down to luck and some brilliant clutch last-minute goals! Also, Pickford's bottle helped!

The difference between having Southgate and a good manager means we win the last Euro, did better in the World Cup and go in against Spain with more confidence!

I was disappointed with Shaw many times he could have pushed forward yet passed back.

However despite looking very ordinary in that 2nd half Palmer and Watkins late subs made the difference.

Nice comments by Kane and also Koeman later on.

14 minutes ago, andy said:

One thing is for sure he is not going to change the starting 11 much for the final if at all  

Only one change maybe Trippier, if he is injured. 

1 minute ago, Mod said:

Southgate is tactically useless! We had the easier group and he's winged it to the final down to luck and some brilliant clutch last-minute goals! Also, Pickford's bottle helped!

The difference between having Southgate and a good manager means we win the last Euro, did better in the World Cup and go in against Spain with more confidence!

Alright so maybe Scott won't be alone in being on Southgates case even if England win lol.

1 minute ago, axman2526 said:

Alright so maybe Scott won't be alone in being on Southgates case even if England win lol.

If you could see how many likes someone got from a certain member, I'm sure @Scott Harris would be at the top of my list!

3 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Alright so maybe Scott won't be alone in being on Southgates case even if England win lol.

If England win, I couldn't give a stuff about Southgate, I will just be celebrating England winning a tournament for once in my life. If England do win it, it will be in spite of Southgate, not because of him. He's the luckiest coach in international football to be in charge of this squad, even more lucky than Roberto Martinez.

25 minutes ago, Mod said:

If you could see how many likes someone got from a certain member, I'm sure @Scott Harris would be at the top of my list!

No way, that has to be Munk!

21 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

If England win, I couldn't give a stuff about Southgate, I will just be celebrating England winning a tournament for once in my life. If England do win it, it will be in spite of Southgate, not because of him. He's the luckiest coach in international football to be in charge of this squad, even more lucky than Roberto Martinez.

When you have really good penalty takers like Saka and Rashford bottle it in a final you deserved to win I would not call him a lucky coach. That is enough bad luck to kill a career.

18 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

If England win, I couldn't give a stuff about Southgate, I will just be celebrating England winning a tournament for once in my life. If England do win it, it will be in spite of Southgate, not because of him. He's the luckiest coach in international football to be in charge of this squad, even more lucky than Roberto Martinez.

Sorry mate, with the greatest respect that is so wrong. 

His record is outstanding and even if we lose Sunday he will go down in history