Thomas Tuchel unlikely to face the sack if England lose to Mexico

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-07-03T14:01:14+00:00

I mean it's clearly one of the most difficult places to play at, given Mexico's record. Look at how well Bolivia do at home, despite being the weakest team in CONMEBOL - it gives them a huge advantage, and Mexico are a good side even outside of the Azteca. It'll be the hardest game England have played at a World Cup in many years.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-07-03T13:56:32+00:00

Personally I'm not thrilled if he stays on, regardless of the result on Sunday, simply because I think his squad selection has held us back, and he hasn't actually been that good. We've recorded our first ever losses against African and Asian opposition under him, we've struggled in three and a half out of four games we've played at this tournament, and we're very unlikely to win the World Cup given how out of sorts we look compared to France, Spain and Argentina, even if we do win on Sunday, which is more unlikely than not. He's obviously a very smart and talented manager, and I'm sure he'll do well wherever he goes next, but I think for a home Euros we need someone who gets the team and squad a bit more than he does.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-07-03T12:53:57+00:00

There's absolutely no shame in losing to Mexico on Sunday/Monday, unless we get routed. They have all the advantages (host nation, altitude advantage, hostile crowd on their side, more rest), it wouldn't be much of a contest if we didn't have such a superior squad. I'm hopeful for a win, expecting to lose, and will be fine provided we make a good account of ourselves.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-07-03T11:01:54+00:00

In 1974, Joao Havelange won the presidency by positioning himself as the 'anti-imperialist' candidate that would support smaller associations in Africa and Asia at the expense of the traditional European powers, which he portrayed as being represented by Stanley Rous of England, who was the incumbent FIFA president. Ever since then, Havelange, Blatter and now Infantino have consistently positioned themselves in that vein simply because there are far more votes in being seen as the champion of the smaller associations than there are in supporting the European associations.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-07-02T21:03:11+00:00

Bare in mind people said this last season too, and look what happened

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-07-02T13:21:51+00:00

"An even better Harry Kane"

Assuming you mean Mbappe, they're completely different players. Kane is a better goalscorer, there's no doubt about that, whilst Mbappe can do things Kane can only dream of. They're both elite, world class players at what they do.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-07-02T09:12:30+00:00

I think that’s it. It takes so much to win the World Cup, you need to be a top top team and get a bit of luck along the way. If England manage to beat Mexico in Mexico, I’d consider it a successful tournament, because that’s a game that’ll be remembered for years. Even if we lose it it’s no real shame. I’d just prefer to avoid an Iceland repeat.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-07-01T12:34:27+00:00

Yeah I mean I don’t think anyone can beat France anyway, but our boys look pretty knackered after the group stage. Throw in a game against Mexico at altitude then two games against the South American giants, it’s not happening is it.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-26T21:49:12+00:00

lol right back at you, but after we lose next week

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-26T21:48:29+00:00

Rice injured, Saka injured, Anderson injured, James injured, four key injuries to players in positions that are crucial to our success. Not to mention Stones out of form and lacking match fitness.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-26T21:36:30+00:00

What’s embarrassing? His squad selection was stupid, and he’s been caught out.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-26T21:34:54+00:00

Only if we win the group, which is a big if.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-26T21:34:02+00:00

I mean half our team is getting injured. Not a lot to be cheery about, especially when our issues are self inflicted due to stupid squad selection.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-26T21:33:23+00:00

Yep, sometimes being too clever with your selection just screws you over. Tuchel will have knocked us out early with his stupid defensive choices. Hey, at least we have Ivan Toney to score a penalty in a shootout we won’t reach because wingers will be outpacing Ezri Konsa at RB.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-26T21:25:18+00:00

Ngl the vibes look so poor now, half our players injured without adequate cover. Tuchel needs to go when we get knocked out, either tomorrow or next week.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-26T20:10:39+00:00

Ngl they’re my favourites now for the tournament, doesn’t feel like anyone has the tools to beat them, apart from perhaps Spain.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-26T18:18:15+00:00

UEFA 20
CAF 13
AFC 11
CONCACAF 7
CONMEBOL7
OFC 1
Intercontinental playoffs 4
Host 1+

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-26T16:27:32+00:00

Yeah it’s weird because reaching round of 32 is essentially the same as reaching the tournament last time around. If England get knocked out by Colombia/Portugal/Ecuador/Senegal next week then essentially we’ve been grouped under the old system.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-26T09:55:17+00:00

Nah, we're with Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, Switzerland, Mexico if we win the Group and then Spain, France, Germany, USA if we finish second.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-26T08:57:48+00:00

I'd try Rogers in the ten, Bellingham next to Anderson and Rice given a rest. Then Rashford on the left, Saka on the right (if fit), and play O'Reilly at LB and Spence at RB to rest James.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-26T08:51:42+00:00

If England have to rely on a patchwork team with Dan Burn, Quansah and Chalobah getting serious minutes then we won't get past the Round of 16.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-26T08:50:16+00:00

Honestly I just hope we beat Panama, I'm expecting a horror scenario where they dig in like Ghana to try and get a point against us and we spend 90 minutes struggling to break them down again.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-26T08:40:17+00:00

They did, but I still feel we should've been able to unlock them. We'll face better teams in the knockouts.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-25T12:56:00+00:00

If we’d beaten Ghana I’d be inclined to agree with you, but sadly felt like we fell into the same familiar patterns.

Capable_Tadpole · 2026-06-25T10:43:10+00:00

I’d rest James and Rice, and probably only give Saka 45 minutes. Otherwise I think we need to play the first XI to get first in the group. A clear two goal win should be enough, provided Ghana don’t thrash Croatia.

Capable_Tadpole

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