Other Games - 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Edition (+ warm-up matches): Villa-watch

[Hillbilly]

If back to the wall defending was on the cards he could have done worse than bring Tyrone Mings along (big, happy to get in the way, left-footed, can pass the ball most of the time).

But the biggest error was not having a plan or counter for Messi moving out to the right in the second half.

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

'Oh look, a short corner again, let's not do too much about it.'

[Nev]

If back to the wall defending was on the cards he could have done worse than bring Tyrone Mings along (big, happy to get in the way, left-footed, can pass the ball most of the time).

But the biggest error was not having a plan or counter for Messi moving out to the right in the second half.

The latter was identified by Vickery early on in the Argentinian campaign. He said they missed De Maria so Messi essentially took that role to successful ends.

Bringing up the DNA thing is a further abdication of responsibility, compounding his post match dismissal, almost casually that if he had done something different it wouldn't have made a difference. And if everyone blithely accepts this then England might as well pack up.

Smarts subs may have seen England through. Immediately after the goal you are going to be under pressure for 10 mins or so, and it's then that the manager plots his subs. We needed an outlet, however had a couple of options, he didn't use them and England lost. DNA my arse.

[Halfway to Moseley]

The comments about DNA sound like he’s trying to get himself the sack.

Guehi’s interview is pretty scathing. Some of the players clearly don’t believe in him.

[Dogtanian]

I don’t blame them after that.

[ChicagoLion]

The FA will sound out the players after the stupid game on Saturday.
The senior players know that Tuchel totally fcukd up.

Fair but the irony of Kane and Bellingham complaining about the lack of pressing is outstanding.

I think the point they were alluding to, was that once he changed the shape of the team by the subs they could no longer effect any pressure on the ball.

[PeterWithesShin]

Tuchel is paid 5m a year to not make those mistakes. And yet he probably produced the biggest car crash performance ever from England, and we've produced some shite in my time but never such a gutless tactical implosion. He couldn't have fucked it up any worse if he'd been deliberately trying to sabotage England.

[ChicagoLion]

Tuchel is paid 5m a year to not make those mistakes. And yet he probably produced the biggest car crash performance ever from England, and we've produced some shite in my time but never such a gutless tactical implosion. He couldn't have fucked it up any worse if he'd been deliberately trying to sabotage England.

His mate Klopp has defended him and most of the defence of Tuchel seems to be this line about the English mentality and blaming the players.

[PeterWithesShin]

And yet they do fine at club level. And even if we do believe the DNA bullshit, it was his job to change it. It's a bullshit copout though, he just completely bottled it and isn't man enough to admit it.

[Dogtanian]

I think if it’s true that the manager is blaming his squad, and the squad is blaming the manager, then that’s the end.

[Ian.]

I did believe we had a manager with some steel, after correctly dropping Foden and Palmer after poor seasons and not picking due to reputation. He didn’t show bravery at the end when it mattered.

Some of his in game management has to be questioned. Eze for Rice, James in the centre midfield, taking him in the first place was strange due to his injuries when you have so many games in a short space of time. Not trusting the likes of Mainoo when Rice seems shot.

I don’t think he will stay anyway, I think he’ll walk.

[German James]

Tuchel comes across as a twitchy, thin-skinned, stubborn, slightly unpleasant man. I know he's been a successful club manager, but God knows how he's managed to motivate any of the players he's coached. It's no surprise to me that he wouldn't accept any blame for the result.

[Somniloquism]

And yet they do fine at club level. And even if we do believe the DNA bullshit, it was his job to change it. It's a bullshit copout though, he just completely bottled it and isn't man enough to admit it.

Surrounded by better players usually, although look at Arsenal defending for 90 mins in the European Cup.

[German James]

I've only just seen that BBC video of all the celebrities singing Wonderwall like that terrible Imagine video from lockdown times. It's the worst thing I have ever seen and it's not even close. I would ban us from the next ten tournaments because of it, it's simply what we deserve. Fucking hell.

You jest, but Wonderwall is perfect for this England team. Dull, bland and massively overrated.

[Somniloquism]

The FA will sound out the players after the stupid game on Saturday.
The senior players know that Tuchel totally fcukd up.

Fair but the irony of Kane and Bellingham complaining about the lack of pressing is outstanding.

I think the point they were alluding to, was that once he changed the shape of the team by the subs they could no longer effect any pressure on the ball.

However they had started sitting back and was in that position most of the second half upto the advert break, the point he made those point of no return subs. I suppose their is an argument that Argentina changed tactics at half time to counter ours (plus an early sub) and Tuchel had no response for them, but the players were not helping on the pitch anyway pre-subs. It might have been better IF Argentina had scored just prior to the break instead of Pickford saving it.