Pretty much all of Southgate’s substitutions during the tournament have worked, and I was discussing this with my brother. We’ve questioned some of them, and been made to look silly.
What ive found strange is how Watkins was the “answer” against Denmark, then the next two times a centre forward came off the bench for us it was Toney, to great effect. He got an assist and scored the penalty. We then turned to the bench against the Netherlands, and Watkins was the answer and it worked magnificently. I questioned why not Toney at the time.
Bowen was our “answer” earlier on in the tournament as a substitute, but now can’t get a look in and we’ve favoured Eze, whose scuffed effort against Slovakia, found Toney who found Kane.
Palmer has made a huge impact off the bench, his assist against Netherlands case in point. Shaw it’s been great to see, and when Gallagher has come on it’s been for his legs and he has done a job.
Even the players we’ve wanted to be substituted have worked. Against Slovakia, I’d have taken Bellingham and Kane off, I felt we’re both really poor, but they both got the goals. If I was in charge, they’d have been off the pitch.
Konza, was a forced replacement for Guehi, and was excellent, then Southgate has a decision to make, goes for Guehi, and he was excellent against the Dutch. Mainoo has been very good since his inclusion into the starting XI.
Some of the stick he has had all tournament has been awful. The beer thrown at him, people demanding him being sacked during the tournament and so forth. If there is one person who deserves to win tomorrow night, it’s Southgate. Stuart Pearce got his redemption for Italia 90 in Euro 96. Saka got his redemption for Euro 2020 against Switzerland in this tournament, it’s now the turn of Southgate to get his redemption for Euro 96 and Euro 2020 by getting his hands on the trophy tomorrow night.