Certain pundits have really let their masks slip over the past week, when it comes to their criticisms of England manager Gareth Southgate.
Firstly, I have to say, Gareth Southgate is not the man to take England on to the next level – he’s nothing more than an FA ‘yes man’.
The 53-year-old Three Lions boss is very much like former West Ham manager David Moyes in the sense that he is extremely functional, to an extent, until his side faces top-class opposition, and that’s when all of his flaws are laid bare for the world to see.
Moyes inadvertently showcased to the whole world exactly why he was moved on from the London Stadium during Scotland’s draw with Switzerland, after he responded when asked if he would have settled for the draw at half-time, if he was in charge:
“No, not at the moment. At the moment, I’ve got the draw. I need to keep the intensity and pressure up, I don’t want Switzerland to dominate the game. I need to see how it goes to the 80th minute or so, I want to really stay in the game.”
Those comments reminded the Hammers fans of what we had to put up with for so long, and the England fans who don’t support West Ham have been given a real taste of what that feels like recently.
England have been woeful out in Germany during EURO 2024, aside from the first-half performance against Serbia and a decent 15-minute spell during our clash with Denmark.
Southgate has the entire nation on his back right now, and rightly so – he has underperformed in his role as England manager as far as I’m concerned.
What’s more, he keeps making the same mistakes time and time again, and we all know what the definition of insanity is don’t we!
England boss Gareth Southgate getting it from all corners
The former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough centre-half is not getting an easy ride right now, and neither should he.
The majority of England fans want him gone, due to the fear of a real golden generation being wasted once again.
It’s not just the fans who are kicking up a stink though.
Alan Shearer absolutely ripped into Southgate last night, after the Three Lions’ display against Denmark, and insisted that he’s not getting the best out of his players (Daily Mail).
The former Newcastle man is 100 per cent right, and it’s clear for everyone who understands football to see that Southgate is not up to the required standard at international level.
Rio Ferdinand was another high-profile pundit who left the England boss nowhere to hide.
The former Manchester United star turned pundit explained how the players were not energetic enough, and were far too placid (Daily Mail).
Remind you of any other teams? How about West Ham under Moyes?
The thing is, I can’t remember the pundits mentioned above bringing the same energy to the debate about our form last season.
Sycophantic pundits are so transparent is laughable
Back in April, Shearer was one of the pundits who rolled out the tired old ‘be careful what you wish for’ cliche, when analysing West Ham’s situation.
The 53-year-old said: “I look at West Ham in eighth position, two points off sixth, I would say be careful what you wish for. Their recruitment has been very good. In terms of where they think they should be, other than Aston Villa, I think they’re top of their league if you like, in terms of how high West Ham can actually go.”
Ferdinand was another one who thought the Hammers fans were fair game for criticism, due to some of us demanding better football under Moyes.
Rio explained, “Where’s the fans, I need to speak to the West Ham fans. I would like to know what you’re really expecting. What are you asking for from David Moyes? I’ve seen people disgruntled, not happy with Moyes, asking should he be changed. When you look at it, they won a European competition last year. They’ve spent the £100 million from Declan Rice exquisitely well and they’re sixth in the league. You have to be realistic sometimes and I think it’s disrespectful to be asking about David Moyes because he’s done a fabulous job here. To be questioned is just ridiculous. You need to sit back sometimes and say, ‘be careful what you wish for’.”
In my opinion, the motives of the sycophantic pundits who criticised the West Ham fans last season have now become clear.
They were just spouting their ill-informed opinions to gain traction online, and to initiate debate with the Hammers fans.
When it comes to one of their own clubs, or in this case their nation, they have no shame in demanding a better playing style, and more in-game nouse from the manager.
The way that this England team play under Gareth Southgate is no different to how West Ham operated with Moyes in charge.
And the fact that so many high-profile pundits have changed their tunes so quickly proves just how much their opinions should be ignored.
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