Kick Off Merchants Blog
Rashford for Sterling, Sancho for Mount - What changes would you make?
Posted by john smith on
After a solid opening performance against Croatia, Gareth Southgate’s England side stuttered to a boring 0-0 draw against Scotland. In his time as England manager, Southgate has been a very cautious manager – setting his teams up to “not lose” rather than “win”. Now whilst this cautious mind set can lead to going far in tournaments, even winning; you also need your team to create the chances needed to win a game. And against Scotland whilst England never looked like conceding they also never looked lie scoring. 2 defensive midfielders against a Croatia, France or Germany is sensible. Against Scotland...
Buzzing to be back
Posted by john smith on
It is finally here. After 18 months without going to a game – having previously done home and away for 10 years – I am set to return to being in an away end this weekend. And I am absolutely buzzing. I am looking forward to meeting mates in the pub before heading down to the ground. I am looking forward to nodding to that guy whose name I don’t know but have said “alright” to for near enough a decade. And I am looking forward to raising a beer and my voice to those no longer with us. Everything...
Closing in on a return to football away days
Posted by john smith on
So I have just bought away tickets for what will be my first game for nearly 2 years. Before lockdown, my life revolved around football. I was home and away. Every weekend. I would travel the country with the same group of lads. Beers on a train no matter the time of day. Without football there has been a huge whole in my life. From seeing the same close mates every weekend for nearly 10 years to hardly seeing them at all due to various lockdowns. And it is not just the people you travel with that you miss. Any...
How much has your club spent so far in the 2021 transfer window?
Posted by john smith on
Data correct as of 20/07/2021
Is Southgate still the one?
Posted by john smith on
It seems odd to call for a managers head after he has gotten you to your first final in 55 years. Someone who 3 years earlier took England to their first World Cup semi final in 28 years. On paper, Gareth Southgate has done a fantastic job with England. But there is also a nagging doubt that England might be wasting a generation of world class attacking talent on a manager who is not up to it. Italy won the Euro’s and one key reason behind it is they had the best manager. Roberto Mancini is has won the league...