#we all need a telling off and gareth southgate is good at that by the way

[thetarttfuldickhead]

It’s two days before Jamie leaves for the World Cup and Roy’s making him lunch after a fairly relaxed morning workout session. As he cooks, he listens with half an ear to Jamie’s happy chatter about his upcoming trip, about the camp, the other lads, and did Roy see the home kit, it’s good, yeah? For all that Roy doesn’t offer more than grunts in response, he can’t help but feel Jamie’s excitement wrap around him, contagious, and leaving him feeling fond, proud, and envious in equal measure.

“And they’re letting us have a day off to have family come visit us, you know,” Jamie says. “Guess it’s to keep everyone from getting homesick. It’s nice, innit?”

Roy hums non-comittedly. Maybe it is nice. The sort of thing Lasso would have loved, that’s for sure.

“Mum’s coming, and Simon. Maybe Keeley too, if she can get away. Might not, though, they’re getting dead busy, her and Barbara.”

Oh. “Keeley’s family?” Roy asks, and he tries very hard to sound neutral about it. Nonchalant; a little teasing, even. After Brazil, Jamie had been careful to let slip – every bit as casual as Roy is striving to be right now – that nothing had happened between him and Keeley there, but even so…

He dares a glance in Jamie’s direction, and sees him pulling at his sleeves, distinctly not looking back at Roy. “Well, I mean, no. Guess not. But they said we could invite friends, too, if we wanted. Not like, all of them, ‘course, but one or two close ones maybe.”

Huh. Roy’s instinct is to scoff because why would you need friends from home come and distract you when you’ve got a cup to win, but he holds back. Trying not to be so stuck in his old ways, and all that.

“So—“ Jamie takes a deep breath and then looks up at him, smirk suddenly in place and with his eyebrows raised. “You coming to see me, Coach?”

And Roy blinks. “You want me to come visit you at camp?” he demands after a moment of stunned silence. “In Australia? On fucking family day?” If he sounds incredulous, it’s less because he’s surprised at Jamie having the audacity to ask, and more because Jamie would even want to.

Then again, Jamie had asked him to come to Brazil, too. Roy had told him no, too proud to accept what he worried was a pity ask, and had spent every day of the week Jamie and Keeley were away regretting it.

Jamie shrugs, seemingly unruffled. “I mean, yeah.”

That’s all he says. As if it’s reasonable. As if it’s simple. But Roy knows him well by now, and he can tell from the slight jitter of Jamie’s left foot that the other man isn’t nearly as  blasé about this as he would like to pretend.

Turning back to his frying pan in a bid to win some time and get a grip on his swiftly rising and conflicting emotions, Roy mutters, “Doubt Southgate would appreciate you bringing in a private coach.” Gareth was, judging both by rumours and by Roy’s own recollection of their short time playing together, reasonably relaxed, but there were limits.

Jamie snorts. “Not asking you to come as me coach, am I?”

Roy is aware. That’s what makes this complicated. He knows how to be Jamie’s coach; he’s still not entirely sure how to be Jamie’s friend, even as he has surrendered to the fact that this is what he is now.

He knows that he’d like to be better at it, though. Admits, privately and somewhat ruefully, that he is pleased to have been asked.

“I’ll fucking think about it,” he says, and pretends he can’t hear the smug triumph in Jamie’s answering yeah, ‘course, decent.

Busies himself with plating the omelette so that he can pretend that he hasn’t already made up his mind.

[existence-is-overrated]

Dear England review !!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿♥️

(spoiler warning!!)

This show was AMAZING as you can probably tell by the standing ovation given to the cast and especially Joseph Fiennes for his job as Gareth.

It had it all; the overall tone was light but became serious when needed and addressed the big problems (Euros 2020 aftermath etc.) and there were so many quick witted jokes that the audience was always laughing!! Kane and Pickford’s characters provided most of the laughs, their actors did such a good job portraying them and there was just the right amount of banter between all the lads to make it feel like the team hehe.

The overall message of the play is that England is about stories, and that stories have 3 acts. For England, Russia 2018 was act 1 - the beginning, the Euros 2020 was act 2 - the struggle, and Qatar 2022 was supposed to be act 3 - this amazing finale to a long journey, but by the end we come to realise that Qatar was never act 3. Act 3 is the Euros 2024, and the play ends on a hopeful note.

The play begins with Southgate’s penalty miss and ends with Kane’s in Qatar. It draws parallels between the two of them and through comforting Kane, Gareth is able to finally forgive his past self and move forward. He instils in his England the values he wishes he had back then to fall back on and it was such a lovely message to see portrayed.

Sweet Caroline played after the actors took their bow and the entire crowd was singing it back to them :,) then to top it all off Three Lions plays as you exit the theatre dwelling all too much on the tragic legacy of England and attempt not to get too emotional…

It was an amazing evening out!! If anyone’s thinking of going last minute I’d definitely urge you to - every seat in the theatre seemed a good one, the stage was very open and my view was perfect even from the cheapest and highest circle!

(I made notes halfway through and on the way home about my favourite parts lol but I think that’ll have to be another post now!!)

[sixohsixoheightfourtwo]

seriously how is this article about pippa grange the psychologist for the england nt the most healing mental health thing i have read in forever??? 

She wrote in 2013 that being a woman in a male team environment “is a constant navigation, for everyone. I have no interest in being one of the lads and I don’t quite fit in the ‘nurturing mother figure’ category in terms of the leadership work I do. I would be professionally ineffective if I remained in the background, psychologically safe with minimal voice, and I am not here to be the centre of attention as some form of entertainment. I don’t want to be completely separate because that would make me inaccessible and probably be a lonely place to operate from.”

so first - i really feel this is strong advice for any female person who’s working in a mostly male environment! don’t be a ‘mother’, don’t be ‘safe’, don’t be there for some sort of entertainment; there are a number of traps you can fall into as a female person in work and she’s sharply delineated a bunch of them

getting the players to sit down together in small groups to share their life experiences and anxieties, and to reveal intimate truths about their character and what drives them. The point, Southgate has said, is to build trust, “making them closer, with a better understanding of each other”.

getting them to open up!!! talk to each other! bond! õnly cønnect. is this important?? well, a) some of the older england players have said that in the past, entrenched club rivalries were an obstacle for them (steven gerrard: “i think the bond and the spirit and the closeness has to improve”), b) access to the psychologist for the 2014 WC 

. . .was offered to the players only if they felt they needed it – and not many would have admitted to wanting help.

and uhhh all of this - trust, preparation, routine, learning continually

Michael Caulfield says Southgate, with whom he worked at Middlesbrough, has a leadership style “built on incredible levels of trust between him and his players and staff. He was determined to convince the team there was nothing to fear from playing in the World Cup for England, whereas in the past people were nervous or fearful. He was determined to change that mindset from one of fear to one of adventure.”

“The skill is in your application to a task because that’s the bit you’re in control of . . . if you’re feeling fear you’re already mentally rehearsing it in a negative way. [In mental rehearsal] you prime your brain to play it how you would like to be. You might want to be confident, speak clearly. It’s not just positive thinking.”

“If you watch Harry Kane, if he’s been interrupted [before taking a penalty], he starts again – he picks the ball up and puts it down on the spot and goes through his whole routine again, and that’s something I’ve never seen England players do before. They usually want to get it over with as quickly as possible, but fear causes us to do things that are unhelpful.” Routines, says Barton, help to keep us in the moment, focused and in the right frame of mind.

Southgate : “I have learned from things that have gone wrong and had to pick myself up … Because of those failures, I feel it gives you the freedom of being able to say, ‘How might we be the best possible team?’ and not be afraid of what goes wrong – because whatever goes wrong we can deal with, as I have lived through it.”

Grange has written: “I’d like to turn this unhealthy preoccupation with success on its head and put it on the record that I think failure is really useful. For without failure we cannot progress longer, higher or faster. It’s a funny paradox – our successes are achieved through trying, and trying most often ends in failure. Every day in our general lives and our sporting lives we will win some and lose some; it’s just part of the way life should be . . . the important lesson is to learn from our failures, reassess, rethink, move forward (sometimes in a different direction) and keep those dreams and goals alive.”

like . . . this completely relives a bunch of conversations i had with my therapist c. 2014-2015 when i was clawing my way through depression. ultimate point though is that 

The era of hard-talking, tyrannical managers is over – both on and off the pitch. “Football, which I love and work in, is really bad at talking,” says Caulfield. “It does instructing and telling off but it doesn’t do talking and listening and empathy that well. . . Southgate, he says, realised early in his coaching career that instilling fear wasn’t going to work. “We all need a telling-off now and then – and he’s good at that, by the way –

he’s good at that by the way 

— but you’ll get far more from putting your faith in people than you will anything else. People had this lazy opinion that he’s too ‘nice’ and they see kindness as weakness, but it’s the most unbelievable strength if you use it in the right way.”

love’s got the world in motion tbh 

[tomsparkyr]

Being tuchels or Southgates daughter and mason having a crush on you. You can make it smut if you want to. (Who doesn’t love a smut with mason:))

𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐑

*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:

summary: having a crush on the gareth southgate’s daughter is hard, especially everyone in the room can see the sexual tension between the two of them.

masterlist.

mason mount x southgate!reader

mason mount x fem!reader

warnings: mild smut because i’m rubbish at writing but i need sexy mase, small injury mention, fluff, sex references, the england team boys, nothing else?

word count: 1.4K+

thanks for the request! p.s sorry this is so late,, i went on a break from tumblr but now i’m back x

don’t steal any of my work please, thanks!

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃𝐍’𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏 staring the minute you walked out the doors. You were wearing a small white dress that hugged your waist and puffed at the shoulders, the material hanging elegantly around your thighs. Mason practically thanked God for making summer a thing and seeing you in those beautiful dresses and those shorts he adored more than Declan.

You were absolutely capturing, no matter the day: you were the most beautiful person in Mason’s eyes (and no doubt the world thought so too). His cheeks flared everytime you entered the room, he was whipped to say the least. His heart would pound everytime you came in close proximity to him, eyes taunting as he knew you knew what you were doing to him. Safe to say, Mason Mount had the biggest crush on you.

But the cherry on top of the cake, the thing that made Mason’s crush just that little bit more unbearable: you were the Gareth Southgate’s daughter. The manager of England, the national club he played for. Fun.

Little rundown of what would happen if Mason supposedly dated you, remember: Gareth Southgate’s daughter. 1. His job and career would be at major risk. Finding out he was making out with the manager’s daughter, that’s not exactly going to look good for possible transfers.

2. Your status would be ruined, headlines would be switched to the worst of words about you. Imagine if the public found you had got in on with your dad’s players, immediate sentence for Mason instagram fans.

3. His ass would get beat. Not just by Southgate, but by his teammates. You were Gareth’s daughter and now practically sisters to the entirety of the England team, all treating you with the upmost respect. So if they ever saw Mason locking lips with their metaphorical sister. Punches to his face, multiple punches (Grealish has his hands ready.)

If you couldn’t tell, it’s basically physically impossible for Mason to date you; so all he can do is admire from afar. For not very long.

The shrill sound of the whistle being blown straight in his head made him jump back and whack his arm on one of the mannequins, hearing laughter from his mates beside him. Southgate had the whistle in his mouth, a glare at Mason’s way, his finger pointed at him. “Back to the drills, Mount.”

Mason brushed off the embarrassment of what just happened, you clearly could tell as you covered you mouth and the corners of your eyes creased; he could tell you were laughing at him.

He winced when he saw a small cut on his finger after abruptly hitting on the edge of the object while trying to cover his tracks of not-so-subtly staring at you.

Declan peered over Mason’s shoulder to see what he was whining about, then glancing down at the split on his finger; a small smirk on his face.

Rice waved his hand up in the air, calling for someone. “Hey! We have a bleeding finger over here!” Mason looked behind his shoulder at his best friends with confusion written on his face.

“Yeah, it needs help. Y/N do us a favour and take Mase to fix up his cut!”

Mason’s face paled at his words. Southgate pulled his attention away from the training, eyes flickering at the tiny ounce of blood barely dripping from Mason’s finger. He shook his head, “Rice, I don’t think he needs help. It’s football not—“

“Nope! Nope, it’s practically falling off. Mase, go follow Y/N she’ll show you where the plasters are.”

Declan pushed his friend forwards to step closer to you, your hand out for Mason to take. Before Mason followed you off of the training grounds, Declan whispered, “I’ve just got myself a guaranteed spot on the bench next match for talking back to the coach, atleast make a goddamn move.”

Mason nodded abruptly, fear danced across his face at the sheer thought of being alone with you. Butterflies burst in his tummy as he watched the white dress sway between your legs he oh-so adored, the ones he wanted around his waist.

You led the way into the empty room, medical kits scattered around the room, large tables and massage beds adding to the decor. You looked back a Mason, his figure standing awkwardly at the entrance, you smiled sweetly at him and patted the seat in front of you and the kits. He took the seat, heart racing and fighting back a blush he knew was bound to slip out.

You looked in his eyes. “Right, let’s see it.” Mason’s mind fell straight to the gutter.

“Wha— What?” His cheeks tainted a rosy red, spluttering on his words and hands suddenly clammy.

“Your cut.” You blinked, brows furrowed and heart picked up a pace as you knew instantly what his first thought was.

“Right. Right.” He swallowed, holding his hand out for you to take. He felt your hand touch his, the smooth skin of your fingers tracing everywhere but the cut, deep in thought and concentration. He lifted his head up to watch you bite your lip and inspect the injury. You looked up at him and locked eyes. “Okay, I think you need—“

“I love you.”

“What?” You retorted on instinct, Mason’s eyes widening and taking a deep breath in.

“No—No, I don’t love you, I don’t even like you!”

“Oh.”

“I mean, I do love you!”

“Oh?”

Mason practically died right then and there. Your face was pale and so was his, hearts racing and hands still touching. He stared deeply into your eyes. “Fuck it.”

He lunged forwards and locked lips with yours. Immediately slipping his tongue into your mouth and gripping your thighs to yank you onto his lap. Your hands thread through his hair and tugged on the brown locks you adored so much.

Your breaths became quicker, more needy for each other. Mason couldn’t bare the thought of not having every inch of you on his skin. He felt your hands slip to underneath his shirt, tracing the abs on his stomach.

Mason smirked into the kiss the more he felt you toy with the ends of his england jersey. He nodded into the kiss, allowing you to pull up the top and over the top of his head, leaving him shirtless and more hot and bothered than ever.

His hands moved further up your thighs, far under the dress and resting towards your ass. He groaned into the kiss, feeling you grind on him slightly in response. “I can’t tell you how badly I’ve wanted this—“

“Goddamn prescriptions, man.” You both pushed away from each other hearing the whine of Ben Chilwell outside the medical room. You whacked your back on the desk trying to fix your dress as Mason scrambled to find his shirt you threw across the room only a mere few minutes ago.

The door opened, Ben walked in and froze at the sight of you, Gareth Southgate’s daughter with the skirt of her dress scrunched up and red marks on her thighs poking out; and Mason Mount, the golden boy, shirtless and hair all over the place.

Ben’s mouth fell agape, a finger pointed between the two of you, “Did you two—“

“I was just fixing the cut on Mason’s finger.” “Yep, yep. The cut, that cut.”

Ben squinted his eyes, “So that’s why he’s shirtless?”

Mason snapped his head towards you, begging you for an answer he simply could not sum up. “It’s the summer, gets hot in buildings. You know?” You nodded nonchalant, lips pursed together as Ben grew a smirk on his face.

“So that’s it. That’s all that happened.” Ben nodded slowly, seemingly convinced in the eyes of you and Mount.

Mason perked his chin up confidently, “Yeah, just whacked a plaster on that cut and back to training we go. Walk with me, Ben?”

Ben smiled at Mason, “Of course, Mase.” The two headed towards the door, Mason pressing a kiss to your cheek quickly as soon as Ben turned his back to the two. A breath of relief came from the two.

“That cut was pretty narly, huh?” Ben said to Mason, his brows furrowing.

“You don’t have a plaster on it.”

Mason froze on his spot and snapped his head towards you with your eyes wide. Fuck.

Ben Chilwell knows Mason nearly shagged the Managers Daughter.

[chilly-me-softly]

Every Little Thing’s Gonna Be Alright • Chapter 18

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12 - Chapter 13 - Chapter 14 - Chapter 15 - Chapter 16 - Chapter 17

"Wow girls you are... wow" Ben is pleasantly surprised as soon as he sees the two girls leave the room. Deb immediately approaches him and the two share a tender kiss while Evelyn looks down embarrassed at the compliment, suddenly feeling in their way.

Eventually the three of them make their way to the lift and Evelyn's heart misses a beat every time the lift stops at other floors, opening those doors so slowly it tortures her again and again by showing people she doesn't know, before finally arriving at the right one. And so she suddenly decides to get herself together. She went through a birth weeks before and nearly feels sick about a guy. Absolutely not.

The room is bright and warm, not making her regret wearing a strapless dress at all. There are already plenty of people around, small groups chatting and laughing. Ben at her side places a hand at the base of her back leading them forward to find Gareth Southgate, Harry Kane and his wife a few steps later.

"Ben, good to see you. And with two lovely ladies I can see"

"My girlfriend Deb and my sister Evelyn" he makes the introductions after shaking his manager's hand.

"Oh Evelyn, nice to finally meet you in person. Congratulations on your baby girl" the girl smiles trying to keep from glaring at the guy next to her as she shakes hands with everyone there.

"I'm sorry if he bothered you. My brother doesn't know where to draw the line"

"Nah next training session he'll get what he deserves" Kane teases him making everyone laugh under his brother's mock indignant look.

The round of introductions continues as Ben leads both of them around the room. She doesn't feel as nervous as she had imagined, everyone is so nice and friendly and the fact that she sees almost everyone at least once a week via a screen has helped to make the environment even more familiar despite not really knowing them. But it's only fair because she finds herself on the other side for a few minutes too, experiencing what it feels like to be known by everyone but not be known at the same time. It turns out that everyone seems to know her thanks to Ben's big mouth but if nothing else that had taken the pressure off of finding conversation topics.

"You know who just walked in, get ready" Deb whispers to her while Ben is busy having a conversation with James a few steps away from them. And Evelyn does everything in her power not to turn around, clutching her glass of water wishing it was something more at that moment.

"Oh finally! You're always late mat," Ben comments as soon as he sees Jack, the two of them exchanging the usual handshake as the boy laughs. And her gaze inevitably ends on him.  

The suit wraps his body properly, the tie is perfectly done and for a moment she wonders if someone has helped him. But there is no one at his side and she feels stupidly relieved. Their eyes meet for a brief moment and that is enough to send a shiver down her spine.

"Jack, do you remember my sister Evelyn?"

"How could I not. I mean we spent a whole day putting that cot together, did we?!" he steps forward leaning over slightly to leave a kiss on her cheek. And as he does the same greeting Deb, a trail of his scent reaches her nostrils. He looks so calm, as if nothing has happened, while she is in complete shambles. Again.  

"How's the baby? I hope the cot held up. I wasn't so convinced we'd be able to make it" Evelyn laughs partly and mostly at the absurdity of the situation.

"She's fine. And the cradle too, it's very comfortable. Not that I've... tried it out or anything" she replies, stumbling on a few words, wanting to facepalm herself, miming a gritted 'help me' to Deb when she's sure no one's looking.

"I need a refill. Eve are you coming with me?" Deb points to her glass before taking the girl under her arm and heading for the small bar area.

Evelyn sighs relieved once she walks away as Deb laughs, "Girl you are so hopeless"

"God why do I have to be so stupid?"

"Did I ever tell you about how I met your brother?" Evelyn shakes her head, interested in the story. Her brother had never been a fan of gossip, it was bad enough that he had let them know he was seeing someone let alone the whole story of how it happened.

"I was out with my friends and I was trying to impress this guy"

"You hooked up with my brother when you were interested in someone else?!" she asked amused as Deb shushed her with a hand gesture, taking the full glass and moving a little further aside.

"Let me finish. Anyway what I was saying, oh yeah I was trying to impress this guy. Nice looking bloke... but apparently he didn't see me. I reckon I spent hours dancing, fooling around with my friends trying to get his attention. But nothing"

"Until I practically ran into this guy who smiles at me and says you know it's not worth wasting time on someone who doesn't want you the way you want him"

"Ben" she states almost unnecessarily but Deb nods anyway smiling.

"Turns out he'd been watching me all night instead, only I was too busy being a fool to notice"

"So you're saying I need to look over?" Deb almost rolls her eyes in exasperation.  

"No. I'm telling you to open your eyes and look around. You feel stupid because you're trying so hard to hide your feelings. Let yourself go. If it goes well you'll have a decent person by your side, if it goes wrong... you'll get back up as usual"

"And if you're going to say you have a baby girl, I'm going to slap you. Right here in front of everyone" Evelyn immediately shuts her mouth, not wanting to challenge the girl who is more than capable of doing such a thing.

"You really know how to comfort people" she comments instead sarcastically glaring at her, trying to make her feel guilty at least a little.

"You don't need comfort, just a little push" she winks at her before they are interrupted by Ben dragging his girlfriend away to dance after making sure once again that everything is fine.

Evelyn stands there watching the two of them sway mindlessly in the middle of the dance floor and smiles. She remembers the first wedding their parents decided they were old enough to attend, how they hid under a table for almost half the reception to escape the entertainer and how Ben swore he would never dance like the groom and bride that day because 'too close, too much contact yuck'.

"What are you drinking?" a voice brings her back down to earth and when she turns her head she finds Jack at her side leaning against that counter with absolute nonchalance.

"Water"

"Oh. It definitely takes a bit of alcohol to get through these nights" he says with a hint of hilarity ordering a beer from the person behind the bar.

"I can't. I haven't touched a drop in ages now and I don't fancy making a fool of myself in front of everyone thanks"

"Something interesting. Sure you don't want some?"

"I'm glad my public humiliation excites you so much" Jack laughs before bringing the freshly served bottle closer to his lips.

"Besides, it doesn't seem to me they're forcing you to attend"

"I was so close to not coming in fact. Then I heard you were going to be there" their gazes intertwine as she tries to figure out if he's messing with her or if by some strange twist of fate she's misunderstood. But it's all there, in his ever so penetrating eyes. If she chooses not to see it, it's up to her.

"Are you two getting friendly?" she almost jumps on the spot not having heard him coming as Jack imperceptibly straightens his back.

"Something like that" Jack takes a long swig from his bottle, "I was just telling your sister that without alcohol these evenings are pretty boring"

"You're going to have to start looking for someone or we're going to start calling you Jack the boozer" Ben jokes as Deb scolds him for being rude and Jack shoots Evelyn a look before scoffing at him and taking another sip of that beer.

-

The first thing she thinks of as soon as the signal comes that they can leave is to run to her room as fast as she can to get rid of those heels. She had forgotten how confident they made her feel but also how uncomfortable they were after a while. That's why when Ben and Deb suggest her to go get something to eat with them, she flatly refuses. It's okay, she had a good night at the end and they deserve some time alone too without having to babysit her.

She heads for the lift as the two then head for the hotel exit, not taking long to get into the cubicle. Almost as the doors are about to close a hand blocks them and two people enter the lift. The door is about to close again but it's blocked again and she's about to huff loudly, dreading her plan, when her gaze meets Jack's. He approaches her as the doors finally close and the lift begins its ascent.

There is silence in the cubicle, Evelyn keeps her eyes on the display showing the current floor number, swaying slightly on her knees. When she feels something brush her hand along her side, first imperceptibly, so much so that she thinks she imagined it, then more firmly. The pinkie of Jack's hand searches for hers before intertwining and stupidly something inside her bursts, radiating a sudden warmth.

She doesn't look at him, instead keeping her gaze fixed on that number that keeps going up slowly. But she doesn't even do anything to interrupt that moment, enjoying the warmth released by that contact no matter how small and everything else.

The lift doors suddenly open and before she can realize it, the grip on her hand tightens and she finds herself in a hallway being led by Jack.

"What are you doing that's not my plan" she states confused but offering no resistance, curious as to what he might be up to.

"It's mine" he just says turning his head towards her for a second before taking the key card with his free hand and stopping in front of a door.

"I just want to spend some time with you. I can't waste this opportunity" he admits sincerely and she simply smiles at him waiting for him to open that door.

When she walks inside the first thing she does is let herself fall on the bed kicking off her heels, moaning at the feeling of freedom as Jack smiles closing the door behind him.

"Don't you dare use that against me. They were killing me"

"I didn't say anything" Jack raises his hands holding back a giggle and she tries to glare at him as he places his jacket on the chair nearby loosening his tie before sitting down on the bed next to her.

"Just know that you just ruined all my plans"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. I could already see myself in my room getting rid of these heels and this dress, maybe a nice warm bath and a good refreshing sleep"

"Oh you can go if you want"

"Nah I'm here now" she says shrugging and he smiles before laying down next to her. They look into each other's eyes, both studying the other's face as if for the first time, until Evelyn sighs.

"I practically asked Deb never to leave me alone tonight and yet here I am" if she thinks about it it only makes her laugh.

"Were you afraid I might kidnap you?"

"That I might do something stupid actually"

"Like what?"

"Like be alone with you somewhere and-"

"And kiss me again. Is that what you're worried about?" Evelyn sighs closing her eyes but she can still feel his gaze on her, so persistent.

"Do you want to kiss me? Because I want to, so bad" she can hear his desire in his voice and she's thankful her eyes are closed and she can't see his expression too because that's the only reason she hasn't thrown herself at him frankly. She's struggling so much in that moment with her brain, and then here he comes.

"Can you open your eyes please?" he asks softly as she shakes her head, holding her breath when she hears him move.

"You know I stood outside your house I think for at least an hour that day. Hoping maybe you'd change your mind" he whispers catching her off guard, his voice closer now. And finally she gives in opening her eyes looking at him intently.

"Why?"

"Because whatever this is between us it's clear we both feel it Eve. I don't want to dance around it anymore"

"Jack I-"

"And I gave you your space because I knew you would need it. But all I've been doing is thinking about you, thinking about that kiss"

Evelyn sits on the edge of the bed at that point, leaning forward resting her elbows on her thighs and closing her fists in her hair. She feels him do the same as the bed moulds under their weight.

"You scare me. Because you make me feel things I thought I'd never feel again. Not as strong" a few seconds pass in which silence is the main protagonist, before he changes position kneeling in front of her. His hands go to release her hair from that hold, fingers to intertwine with each other.

"I know it's hard to trust and letting you go again after a breakup"

"That's the problem. I feel like I can trust you and that scares me because with Lucas I... we shared so much in such a short time and I even thought I loved him, and with you... I don't want that to happen again, I couldn't bear it"

"Little by little, allow yourself to be happy again. Let me in Eve" Evelyn's body comes forward imperceptibly as she pulls her hands from Jack's grasp, laying them immediately afterwards on his cheeks to pull him to her and make their lips meet. She stops thinking for once, following her feelings. And if she doesn't feel on the clouds, she doesn't know what describes that moment frankly.

"You don't know the confusion in my head right now" she giggles, resting her forehead against his. "I really want to turn my brain off sometimes"

"Oh I'm here for that" Jack grins mischievously pushing Evelyn backwards suddenly, causing her to lose her balance, and lie down next to her as she lets out a choked squeal in surprise before laughing. He moves closer to her again connecting their lips together smiling, he can't help but want more and more.

They can't break away but at the same time Evelyn doesn't want to rush things so she puts some space between them, deciding to take off that dress to get more comfortable and borrowing something from Jack's suitcase. She takes her time in the en-suite bathroom, sorting herself out and admiring in the mirror how those clothes are soaked in the boy's scent and she brings them to her nose stupidly before shaking her head and getting out of there.

Jack has changed too in the meantime, ditching his fancy shirt and trousers for something more comfortable, getting into bed and fiddling with his phone while waiting for her. It's a bit late but neither of them wants to close their eyes because it would mean ending the day and leaving, parting ways again.

"What will happen once we leave this room?" Evelyn voices her thoughts with a sigh causing him to look up from his phone which is immediately pushed aside.

"Come here" Jack holds out his hand to her and she walks over to him settling on his lap and letting his arms wrap around her.

"I'll tell you what's going to happen. You're gonna go back to your beautiful little girl and cuddle her because you've missed her so much and I'm gonna go back to my house and let my dog do that" the girl laughs as he leaves a kiss on her temple, "But we're gonna do everything we can to keep in touch like before or even more because I'm not leaving you now, that's for sure"

"Sorry, I just seem to need some comfort all the time"

"I'm here to give it to you. Whenever you need it. We said little by little right?" she kisses him again and each time a smile arises spontaneously on her lips. It's absurd, at the beginning of the day she had wished for it to pass as quickly as possible so she could go home to her little girl, but now she wishes it would last a little longer so she wouldn't have to be separated from Jack. To stay in that bubble they have created for themselves in those hours and in which they are so comfortable.

They talk and talk over and over until the yawns outweigh the words and then they give up, holding each other for what's left of the night taking all they can before they inevitably burst that bubble and test themselves in the tangled world they live in.

----

Tag: @alexajanecollins @emwritesfootball @rosie7703

Chapter 19

[footballfanfictions]

Influence - Ben Chilwell

“What are you looking at?” Mason asked, angling his neck to try and look over my shoulder at the screen of my phone.

“None of your business!” I laughed, swatting him playfully away.

We were sat having lunch after our last training session before the international break. Me and Mason had both had call ups to the England squad and would be staying with the rest of the team for our Nations League fixture so there was no getting away from him.

“Not that instagram girl again.” Mason rolled his eyes as he spoke, giving me a look that told me that I either needed to get over this obsession of mine, or do something about it. Trouble is, how do I do something about it when we are under strict guidelines because of the pandemic. Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden had recently got into a lot of trouble for sneaking instagram models into their hotel room and I had already been sent home from international duty recently and didn’t want to repeat the embarrassment.

“She isn’t just an instagram girl, she is actually a really nice person.” i told him, defensively.

“Oh right, all those paid promotional posts really tell you a lot about her personality do they?”

“We happen to have a mutual friend” I grinned, pointing to Tammy.

“Eh?” Mason asked, confusing spreading across his face. “Please tell me you aren’t doing a Wan Bissaka by trying to sleep with a team mates’ ex. That is messed up mate.”

I had completely forgotten about the whole Aaron Wan Bissaka and Jesse Lingard situation and cringed as I thought about how awkward it must be to be either of them right now.

“Er no. Tammy’s girlfriend went to school with her and they’re still really close. They post pictures all of the time together. Therefore, I have a chance of actually meeting her.” I grinned. I would have to wait until after the England game though, there was no way I could risk being sent home again, and Tammy owed me because it was his damn birthday celebrations that got me sent home the last time.

“So the plan is to ask Tam and his girlfriend to have a small group of people over and casually introduce you?” Mason looked away from me as he spoke, then down at his own phone. “I really need to leave the England whatsapp group, the banter is out of control already and we haven’t even left yet.”

~

It had been two days and I hadn’t really thought about her, apart from rewatching her latest instagram stories about four times before bed each night. I was conveniently room mates with Tammy who by now had figured out my massive crush on his girlfriend’s best mate and was fully egging me on to ask her out. 

He had said he was just popping down to the hotel’s reception to grab something but when he reentered the room he had a mischievous look on his face.

“What?” I asked him cautiously, kind of worried he might get me into some sort of trouble with Gareth Southgate again.

“We have visitors” He grinned.

“Oh no-” I started.

“Nah mate nothing like what Phil and Mase tried to pull off, plus they wouldn’t tell on us. They are outside the hotel so we can’t get into trouble.” he reasoned. 

My head told me not to follow Tammy out of the room but the rest of me was spurring me on to find out if she was really out there. 

On our way down in the lift I got a notification that she had posted a new story. I cautiously clicked on it and saw the familiar backdrop of the shard which I had noticed when we pulled up at the hotel yesterday.

“Fuck she is actually here isnt she” I gulped.

“She just wants to say good luck” Tammy smirked. 

We reached the ground floor and Tammy pulled me out of the lift into the lobby area and had to guide me by the arm out of the more discreet side entrance to the hotel and out into the street. I saw Tammy’s girlfriend first, wearing her England shirt and absolutely beaming,.I pulled her into a quick hug.

“Oi get off my missus!” Tammy joked before pulling her gently by the elbow out of my arms.

Then I saw her, standing in an England shirt with a similarly big smile on her face.

“Good luck.” she mumbled with a shy smile on her lips.

[amoveablejake]

You’ve Got To Hold And Give, But Do It At The Right Time

One more night in dreamland. 

At about half past ten on Wednesday night I was standing in my sitting room in stunned silence. I wasn’t shouting, I wasn’t screaming, I wasn’t cheering, no, I was silent. I could feel a lump in my throat as I watched the England players run to each other and to the crowds. It has been a tournament filled with moments like this but this was struck a different note. The other moments of the European Championships 2020 where England have triumphed were just as sweet, getting through the group stage, facing Germany and beating them with style. Going on to beat the Ukraine in quite the fashion and then that game against Denmark. It has been a road filled with moments of pure elation and joy where I’ve jumped so high the signal for the TV has wobbled a little when I touched back down. But this game against Denmark was all the more special. Not because we came back from behind, not because it went down to the wire in extra time but because we finally, after fifty five years, made it to another final and boy oh boy does it feel good. 

Some of my earliest memories are of my Dad telling me about when he was a boy watching the England team, sorry, that England team win the World Cup in 1966 and how wonderful it was. Its funny how a victory that many of us didn’t experience still holds a warmth to it when we discuss it. And I think that largely is because of the legacy it has attached to it on more of a familial and friendship level. For those of us who didn’t experience it first hand we certainly have been told stories about it. Its a connection that we have with those storytellers as we experience it through them. 

I’ve spoken before about how football was a big thing for my Dad and I and how important following it together was. So important and integral that for a long time I dropped off of football completely because it was too hard to follow without him. In the past couple of years I have slowly come back to it and for the past year or so have been all in just like the old days as will come as no surprise to regular readers who have to put up with my sprawling thoughts on football every now and then. All of this is to say that when I’ve spoken about football before especially with reference to my Dad its been about club football and that connection. The England team though, was and is all the more special. 

This is in part because of my Dad watching the 1966 World Cup final and trying to reach that feeling of euphoria again and watching England stumble or get painfully close time and time again. But we always believe that we can do it again. The last game I watched with my Dad where the England team played was where England crashed out of the 2010 World Cup to Germany. And even though it was a tough game to watch, afterwards the attitude changed to, we’ll get them next time. That belief, that hope in the England team is what makes the connection with the team all the stronger and more special. My Dad passed it onto me and I know I’ll pass it on in the future. And the thing that makes it even more powerful is that countless people have stories like this, who share in the legacy of the team and are able to be drawn closer to those people when we watch the England team. The England team is England at its best, its considered, its thoughtful, its diverse, its a unit and a real community. The players clearly have a bond as they will need to when they go through heartbreak time and time again and they know that England supporters, well the good ones, are behind them every step of the way. 

But it isn’t a team that is solely focused around legacy, what Gareth Southgate has done here is build a new team, one that is fresh and whilst retaining the pillars of the 2018 World Cup run also features new legs ready for a kick about. And with these new players comes a new generation of fans who I’m worried if England win will not know what its like to experience that heartbreak we’ve had so many times before. They may expect England to win trophies consistently and well, we’ll see about that. Especially because we haven’t even won this one yet and its quite the opponent coming to Wembley. 

It was always going to be Italy wasn’t it. Unbeaten in their last thirty three matches, this Italy team is worlds away from the one that didn’t qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Roberto Mancini has transformed the squad and built one that doesn’t revolve around one or two players. Like England it is a unit but perhaps even more so. It is a team without superstars, it is a true Italian team in the sense that whilst there are stand out players when you see it you see a national team rather than a compilation of lots of different club players which is perhaps where some nations fell short this year. I should stress here that saying it isn’t a team of superstars is not a bad thing. It is a team filled to the brim with some of the best players in the world including but not limited to Chiesa who has already shown his talent at Juventus and will continue to do so after this tournament and the sublime Insigne who is a bastion of Naples and I will be quietly cheering on tonight. But not too much mind. It is a team that appears from the outside to put egos aside and to know they have a mission. Throughout the tournament they have shown that they’re the team to beat and even though they have been brought to extra time and penalties they are still here and you can count on them turning up for a battle for the ages. 

The thing is though, finals are strange beasts. Anything can happen in a final, miracles do happen but saying that I’m not too sure that we need one. This England team I think are a good match for Italy and it may be a little too close to call. I will be watching the game through my fingers and I can’t even get my head around what it would feel like if England did go onto win. I’m not sure if I’d be standing in silence or singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ which seems to be our new national anthem. Tonight I’ll be watching the game with my Mum and I hope that this run we have shared ends with, well, you know. I don’t need to say it do I. We’ve heard the song for days on end. We all know the phrase. We’ve seen the adverts and heard the talking on the radio, in the streets and in our hearts. But, saying that, maybe, just maybe today it will come-

Steady. 

-Jake, a man who is fully prepared to wake up any second, 11/07/2021

[dialux]

time will eventually knock on my door... notes

This is a set of notes for this football rpf fic. Go wild, enjoy, hope y’all like it!

Hendo was subbed off at 109′ and Mandzukic made his goal at 112′ so not saying that this was the reason we lost BUT that’s totally what I’m saying

Evidence for the latent Hendo/Wellbz that y’all have been sleeping on??? chop chop come on now

Danny was present for the group stages but I’m not sure if he was around for the rest of the WC; let’s SAY THAT HE WAS FOR FIC REASONS

Someone once told me when I was fourteen that I couldn’t resist bieber satire and I’ve since spent my entire life proving them right, what can I say

Though apparently Harry Kane is a Belieber

I stan one man

Vardy and the pool...... bc...... he can’t..... get any lower...........

Whoever said I don’t pay my debts? RUSSIA IS BLUE IT IS KNOWN FROM HERE TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

The team’s flight to St. Petersburg was supposed to be the next day, but I can’t get confirmation of it either way so.... just go with it.

Hendo and Trent are... ridiculously cute.

Hendo did get a yellow against Sevilla in the CL in May; idk if Carra was commenting on that match but he does have a habit of picking on Hendo on the whole

Steven Gerrard did in fact say, of the 2013-2014 season, “the past three months have been the worst of my life.” Which was kind of maybe what spawned this entire fic?

Idk it was supposed to have Jesse Lingard as the person going back in time but then I did a little more research and went.... nvm.... i need someone who’s... a little smarter....... and went straight for hendo bc C H R I S T there’s enough angst there to drown an elephant yeahhhhh

In 2015-16, Liverpool ended eighth in the league. I couldn’t find the table for March, but- well, research is overrated anyways

Hendo is mostly deployed as a defensive midfielder in lfc according to wikipedia... and tumblr seems to agree in general that he’s a defensive player, more than attacking. So. That’s that.

He dislocates his knee when he lands badly- it’s very painful, rare, and also can and will make you lose consciousness from the pain. I chose this particular problem really well!

“Jordan walks on” is this a reference to YNWA???????????

Hendo debuted at Sunderland in a match against Chelsea- he came on as a substitute at halftime, when they were 3-nil down. They eventually lost, 5-0. 

This is the same time that Danny was on loan from United

Gerrard wore the eight at Liverpool. Now Jordan wears the 8. PARALLELS.

Skin always tastes bitter after bandaging, because of the substances manufacturers put into the sticky part so it actually sticks to the skin.

When Hendo signed for Liverpool, his first match for them was against Sunderland away. Sunderland fans apparently clapped for him when he came on.

Pickford isn’t ‘Jordan’ bc it’d be too confusing I’M SORRY PICKS 

also he was wearing yellow, I literally rewatched the highlights just for that info.........

Far as I can tell, none of the English players did an official post-match press conference; it was Gareth Southgate alone who did his after Perisic. But clearly this’d be different if they won.

There’s a lot of good things I can say about the team but I think the best is possibly the trio of Jordan Henderson, Danny Welbeck and Trent Alexander-Arnold. 

Anyways Dele has said he’d “actually like” to get into acting. NERDDDDD

I... think it was Buffon who said that he got like six hours of sleep before the semifinal and only two before the final? He was talking about how Italy acted during the 2006 WC; they all felt like they’d already won, when they beat Germany. That doesn’t really matter to anything but LIKE HEY I’m pretty sure England wouldn’t hesitate to get drunk as fuck all if they’d actually won that semi, just saying.

[aion-rsa]

Ted Lasso and Other TV Bosses We’d Walk Over Hot Coals For

https://ift.tt/3ryGOvx

In the heady moments of celebration after England’s victory over Denmark in this year’s Euros semi-final, the sight of team manager Gareth Southgate prompted ITV pundit Gary Neville to comment: “The standard of leaders in this country the past couple of years has been poor. Looking at that man, he’s everything a leader should be: respectful, humble, he tells the truth.” 

The former Man U right-back’s words, directed at the political rulers of a country riven by Brexit, tap into a modern craving for decency. Fed a diet of self-serving narcissism from our public figures, we hunger for more wholesome fare: moral character, humility, honesty, kindness. In the year of horrors that was 2020, that appetite was temporarily sated on TV by fictional football manager Ted Lasso. 

Played in the Apple TV series by Jason Sudeikis (who, in true Ted style, wore a shirt to the Ted Lasso season two launch in support of the three young Black England footballers who received racist abuse after their team’s eventual loss to Italy in the final), Ted’s thoroughgoing decency won everyone over to The Lasso Way. He’s the gold standard of TV bosses – selfless, caring, wise, inspirational, and patiently dedicated to bringing out the best in his players and the team as a whole. He may not always win on the pitch, but he always wins in our hearts. And if those words make you want to heave, then you, friend, may just need a little more Lasso in your life. #Believe.

To celebrate his return, we present Ted’s TV peers, the bosses for whom you’d go any number of extra miles.

Leslie Knope – Parks & Recreation

There is no finer example set in the TV workplace than Leslie Barbara Knope. The Pawnee public servant leads from the front, the sides and the back. She’s the waffle-powered sheepdog of City Hall, yapping co-workers and townsfolk into shape with her relentless work ethic and bottomless optimism. Leslie’s a boss who cares so much that she’s already bought your Christmas gift. And your birthday gift. And made you a special hand-crafted gift to mark the half-year anniversary of the day you first met. She sleeps three hours a night, runs entirely on sugar (or should that be salgar?), has a binder for every eventuality, and always, always has your back. Her rubber-soled energy is so infectious that over seven seasons she even manages to motivate the lazy (Tom), disaffected (April), dumb (Andy), aloof (Donna), hapless (Jerry) and the downright obstructive (Ron). For a gal named ‘nope’, she’s a whole lot of yes. LM

Bertram Cooper – Mad Men

Technically, advertising firm Sterling Cooper on Mad Men has two bosses – Roger Sterling and Bertram Cooper. Coop, however, is the let’s say…more experienced of the two and takes on the role of boss. And what a boss he is! The eccentric office sage played by Robert Morse takes a decidedly hands off approach to managing the workplace. Do whatever you want in this Madison Avenue ad agency, as long as you take your shoes off when you enter Bert’s office. And if you’re nice enough he might show you his collection of erotic octopus art. AB

Jacqueline Carlyle – The Bold Type

The Editor-In-Chief of Scarlet magazine, the women’s title at the heart of ridiculous millennial wish fulfillment vehicle The Bold Type is part mentor, part mother figure, part fairy godmother to the three young women at the centre of the show. Jane is an intern when she first meets Jacqueline, who greets her with “Are you a writer? You look like a writer.” Because, yep, it really is that easy to get a job at a top magazine. The Bold Type is nonsense but it’s very good hearted nonsense which tries in earnest to tackle big issues while maintaining a sunny outlook. Be yourself, be passionate, be bold, the show says, and the world is at your feet. Sent a couple of tweets? Congratulations, have a promotion! Threatened with a lawsuit because of something you wrote? No bother, have a promotion! Fraudulently passed yourself off as a stylist when you’re not, thereby ruining a key relationship? Meh. Promotion for you! Promotions all round! Jacqueline is glamorous and wise, endlessly patient with her proteges and seemingly in possession of a bottomless budget. We all wish we worked for Jacqueline and she’s a wonderful (imaginary) role model. We’re just slightly nervous for any young fans of the show who ever get to work for an actual, real life Editor-In-Chief… RF

Mr. Krabs – SpongeBob SquarePants

Mr. Krabs is a good boss because he’s refreshingly upfront about what matters to him. Simply put: the crab likes money. As long as you’re putting in the hours and keeping the profit margins fat, Mr. Krabs will be your best friend. Sure, he takes advantage of SpongeBob’s naivete from time to time. But deep down, you know the guy has a heart as big as his enormous whale daughter, Pearl. AB

Supt. Ted Hastings – Line of Duty

Think of Ted Hastings, head of Central Police’s Anti-Corruption Unit 12, as Ulysses – a man sailing on dangerous waters but so determined not to be seduced by the sirens’ song that he’s tied himself to the ship’s mast and stopped his ears with wax. Except replace ‘siren’s song’ with ‘bungs from criminal gangs’, and ‘ship’s mast’ and ‘wax’ with ‘sheer force of will, son’. Ted’s a colossus of integrity in a world of backhanders and turning-a-blind-eye. He does the right thing even when it’s the hard thing, and if you’re one of his officers, then you’re his for life. (Unless you’re a corrupt gangster plant, in which case, by Mary, Joseph and the wee donkey, he’ll never live down the shame.) Ted may have more decency in his side-parting than most officers have in their whole bodies, but he still has his flaws. The stock he puts in loyalty makes him inflexible, and his temper’s a thing to be seen, but the key thing about Ted as a leader is that when he makes a mistake, he owns up to it. We should all be so lucky to have a gaffer like him. LM

Ron Donald – Party Down

Starz’s brilliant comedy Party Down premiered around the same time as classic NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. As such, Ken Marino’s perpetually stressed boss character Ron Donald didn’t get nearly as much attention as another boss named Ron: Ron Swanson. Let’s be clear, however, nobody would want Ron Swanson as a boss because that means you’d have to regularly interact with a libertarian. Instead, it’s far better to be in the good graces of Ron Donald. This Ron will support your dreams all the while telling you about his own to own a Souper Crackers franchise. AB

Read more

TV

Press Gang: How Steven Moffat’s First Show Shaped a Generation

By Rosie Fletcher

TV

Party Down: a US sitcom that richly deserves your time

By Louisa Mellor

Lynda Day – Press Gang

Bit of of a niche one – you probably have to be British and in your 40s to even know who this is – but Lynda Day, played by Julia Sawalha deserves a mention as the youngest boss on the list. Editor of the Junior Gazette, the after school newspaper run by pupils at the heart of Steven Moffat’s very first show she’s an erudite journalist, a ruthless news hound and a self possessed young woman who cares more about being right than about being liked. Lynda isn’t particularly soft or warm but she is a boss who would make you a better writer. You’d strive to please Lynda, want to live up to her incredibly high standards and know that the work you were doing on the paper could actually make a difference. Lynda is all about work ethic and integrity. Small of frame, sharp of tongue, you wouldn’t wanna mess with her, but you know she’ll get shit done. RF  

Captain Holt – Brooklyn 99

It says something about a boss when you wouldn’t just walk over hot coals for them, you would also do it for their pet dog. Cheddar the corgi is just one of many reasons to snap your sharpest salute to Captain Raymond “Do Not Call Me Ray Or Use Contractions In My Presence” Holt. Precinct captain of the 99, Holt is a walking yardstick of fine taste, good manners, linguistic clarity and grammatical coherence. Holt values simplicity and despises vulgarity. Do your job and do it right, and you will earn his hard-won respect, perhaps indicated by a very slight incline of the head if he is feeling frivolous. Holt has already earned your respect, for leading an exemplary career as an openly gay NYC cop since 1987, facing down racists, homophobes and the lowest of the low: people who use “What’s up?” as a greeting. Captain Holt’s impossibly high standards are a bar few reach, but to which we can all aspire. LM

Ian Grimm and Poppy Li – Mythic Quest

Mythic Quest creative directors Ian Grimm (Rob McElhenney) and Poppy Li (Charlotte Nicdao) are messes on their own. But when their personalities combine, they create one great boss unit who keeps things moving and keeps things lively. Granted, I wouldn’t want to work for Ian and Poppy as a programmer or dev on the Mythic Quest team because crunch is real (and I also have no such skills). They would make for a great boss team in just about any other industry though. AB

DCI Cassie Stuart – Unforgotten

Some bosses try to impress their status on employees by turning up the volume, but not DCI Cassie Stuart. Everything she does in ITV police drama Unforgotten, from case meetings to suspect interrogations, she does in the same controlled, low voice. It gives her words an intensity that shouting wouldn’t achieve and makes her cold-case murder team lean in to absorb the significance of what she’s saying. Usually, that’s on the theme of how they owe victims answers and are going to find them. Diligent and dedicated, she trusts her team, especially partner Sunny, and is the kind of boss whose praise really means something. A ‘good work’ from her and you’d be walking on air. LM

Conan O’Brien – Conan

This is technically violating the spirit of this thought exercise because Conan O’Brien is not fictional. What he is, however, is a boss…in both the metaphorical and literal sense of the word. No late night talk show host has ever reveled in being the boss of a staff as much as Conan O’Brien has on his shows like Late Night, The Tonight Show, and Conan. He views his role as boss as an opportunity to troll his employees like a corny father torturing his children with dad jokes. Many of Conan’s behind the scenes workers have become stars in their own right, like producer Jordan Schlansky or assistant Sona Movessian. And it’s all because Conan can’t help but want everyone to be involved and having a good time. Just like any great boss would want. AB

Captain Janeway – Star Trek Voyager

Anyone can be a good boss in a thriving workplace, but it takes a person of strong character to stay empathetic, decisive, and focused when everything goes to hell. In the very first episode of Star Trek: Voyager, Captain Janeway is stranded with her crew on the wrong side of the galaxy, 70,000 light years from home. She is tasked with getting not only her Starfleet crew home, but also the remaining members of the Maquis vessel Voyager was trying to capture when they were both pulled into the unexplored Delta quadrant. She does this all without the institutional support of the Federation, and without the certainty that they will ever make it back. It’s not always pretty, and Janeway makes some questionable decisions along the way, but it’s hard to imagine Voyager making it home without Janeway as their tough-as-nails boss. KB

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Ted Lasso Season 2 is available now on Apple TV+

The post Ted Lasso and Other TV Bosses We’d Walk Over Hot Coals For appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[eurotickets20]

Euro 2020 - Some Power Rankings of England Squad in February

Another month is done, another month closer to this summer's Euro 2020 Championship. And another month closer to Gareth Southgate determining who'll be with him on his quest to end England's 54-year wait for a major international award. England Vs Croatia Tickets can be grabbed from our global event ticket sales market.

Yes, the Three Lions' misery which Southgate knows pretty well after his Euro '96 penalty mistake against Germany continues to crash. But this time around there's plenty of young talent hitting around to suggest a change of wealth are on the horizon.

But who I hear you bellow from your wing chair is England planning to include in their 23-man Euro 2020 squad? Well, that's a very good question. And one I will attempt to answer taking the reins from Andy Headspeath by telling you who could be aboard the understand plane as it stands

Danny Rose (New Entry)

And that's just what Danny Rose is doing at Newcastle first coming off the bench in a drab 0-0 draw against Norwich, before starting the 4-0 pumping at Arsenal. Then Rose had a truck with Toon fans on the train back to Tyneside what other evidence do you need to suggest he must be included?

Tyrone Mings (New Entry)

Who’s on the Plane series selected only three central defenders. That in hindsight was probably an error. So to make up for it we've selected Mings a prolific tackler this season to fill the void just ahead of Fikayo Tomori who cooperatively has lost his place at Chelsea at just the right moment.

Dean Henderson

The third goalkeeping berth in England's squad has been the talk of the town in erm goalkeeping circles for some time now and it now looks like a race that Dean Henderson will undoubtedly win. England Euro Cup Tickets can be grabbed from our global event ticket sales market.

That's because Hendo is handsome damn good and his only rival for the spot Tom Heaton is almost certainly done for the season through injury. Euro 2020 Fans from all over the world can buy Group D Euro 2020 Tickets online.

We are offering Euro 2020 Tickets so Euro 2020 fans can get Euro 2020 Tickets through our trusted online ticketing market place. EuroTickets2020.com is the most reliable source to book Euro Cup 2020 tickets.

[ticket4futball]

Euro 2020: Gareth Southgate warns against England complacency

Gareth Southgate has warned beside complacency when England was handed a fortunate draw for next summertime’s Euro 2020 finals that means they face a replay of the 2018 World Cup semi-final alongside Croatia.

Wales face a complicated undertaking to progress after being combined with Turkey, Italy, and Switzerland. Euro Cup fans can purchase England Euro Cup Tickets online to enjoy its stunning performances.

England, by now guaranteed of playing all their Group D competitions at Wembley because of the distinctive nature of the 60th anniversary of the contest in which 12 cities across Europe play swarm will take on the Czech Republic and the victors of play-off C, one out of Scotland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, and Norway.

None of those must predominantly worry Southgate, who acknowledged he was reassured not to have been strained in the group of demise that contains Germany the world champions, France, and the containers, Portugal.

England beat Croatia 2-1 at home during the Nations League last year to gain a modicum of revenge for their defeat by the same scoreline in Moscow four months earlier.

Southgate’s side put five past the Czechs during qualifying on the way to topping their group although they did suffer their first qualifying defeat for almost a decade against Jaroslav Silhavy’s side in Prague in November:

Gareth Southgate saying

Southgate was cautious of undervaluing their enemies, predominantly with the individuality of the fourth side not to be resolute until the play-offs in late March: “The two teams that we know we have had certainly good consequences beside them and poor consequences.

So it is not a group we can be complacent about,” he said. “I think everyone will be looking at Group F and be pleased they are not in it. But Croatia at Wembley is a bright inaugural game for the followers and the performers.”

England will face Croatia in their first game on 14 June, with the playoff winners up next on 19 June and the Czechs in their final group match on 23 June.

Croatia went on to misplace to France in the World Cup final and completed onward of Wales in succeeding. But their director, Zlatko Dalic, insisted England will start as preferences beside his side.

Southgate took those comments with a pinch of salt, although he admitted that even beating Croatia at a major tournament would not exorcise the disappointment of two years ago. I’m sure he is being tactically economical with the truth there, he said.

England v Croatia Euro 2020

We have had three tight games with them with very little between the teams all three times. In their last game, they left Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic on the bench which tells you a little bit about the quality they have. There is quite an interesting contrast.  

They have hugely experienced player’s right throughout the team who has played big matches, and we are right at the other end of the scale: very young with a lot of energy but still learning and improving.

While England will be hoping home advantage will mean they end up topping the group to set up a last-16 tie in Dublin that is likely to be against one out of Germany, France, and Portugal.

Everybody else can work over that like they had to in Russia, he said. It was a while like: do we need to be top sources for this appeal?

In the end, you want to try and win every game you play and at least have control of your destiny. Then prosperity will take you everywhere it takings you.

At a tournament, you have to have a strategy to get out of the group that is three games, not one, and then you go from there. We want to make Wembley somewhere that teams fear to come and we do that by the level of our performance.

In a complicated draw procedure in which 36 countries were represented at the Romexpo in a rain-sodden Bucharest, Wales were placed in Group A and face a 3,000-mile trip to play their inaugural match beside Switzerland in Baku on 13 June before gathering Turkey in the Azerbaijani capital four days late.

About Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs’s side then travel to Rome to face Italy in their final group stage match on 21 June. The former Manchester United midfielder admitted Roberto Mancini’s side will start as favorites.

“I think they are and that is not disrespectful to Turkey and Switzerland because they are both good teams,” he said. But because of their past and their performances in succeeding, 10 victories out of 10 and counting lots of goals, Italy will be observing to gain the group.”

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland also have confidence in creating it to the finals via the play-offs and will be located into Group E with Spain, Sweden, and Poland if they are prosperous.

In our experience the Euro 2020 will be a very festive event, at least within the stadiums, said its vice-president, Giorgio Marchetti.

We are self-assured that this specific atmosphere will take importance over unwise and sometimes illegal things that inappropriately from time to time occur in football and we never want to see in our game.

Euro 2020 fans can get England vs Croatia Tickets through our trusted online ticketing marketplace. Ticket4football.com is the most reliable source to book Euro Cup Tickets.

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Euro 2020 qualifiers: 10 things to look out for | Football

1) All eyes on fans in Prague

In what looks certain to resemble the world’s most unedifying stag party, an estimated 6,000 England fans will descend on Prague to watch Gareth Southgate’s team take on the Czech Republic. Unsurprisingly designated as a “high risk” fixture, this Friday night game will attract no shortage of thirsty visitors to the Czech capital, hellbent on making a weekend of it in a city renowned for the cheapness of its beer and myriad other nocturnal delights. Scheduled to kick off at 8.45pm local time, when more patriotic fans will have had all day to occupy the city’s Old Town Square, get liquored up and perform their traditional repertoire of ditties, it is difficult to imagine the local constabulary will be kept idle following Uefa’s refusal to move the game to a more suitable day or time. While many England fans are perfectly well-behaved, anti-social behaviour of the kind seen in Amsterdam and Porto on recent excursions seems dismally inevitable. “You’re part of our team, make the country proud,” said Gareth Southgate, in the FA’s attempt to get in front of the problem by releasing a video entitled Don’t Be That Idiot. Somebody will almost certainly be that idiot and, if recent history tells us anything, they are unlikely to be alone. BG

• Czech Republic v England, 7.45pm Friday (all times BST)

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2) Is Connolly the solution to Ireland’s scoring problems?

Mick McCarthy’s second coming as Republic of Ireland manager got going in earnest in March when his team played with impressive vibrancy at home to Georgia, though they only won 1-0. Goals, you see, remain extremely hard to come by for Ireland. But a solution may have emerged: Brighton’s Aaron Connolly, fresh from scoring twice against Spurs last weekend, could make his senior international debut in Tblisi on Saturday. If he shows the same sharpness that he did against Tottenham, then Ireland could take a big step towards Euro 2020 qualification, and young Connolly will be hearing more of that ‘new Robbie Keane’ talk. PD

• Georgia v Ireland, 2pm Saturday

3) Ramsey injury may force tactical change on Giggs

Anything less than a haul of four points from games at Slovakia and at home against Croatia over the coming days is likely to end any chance Wales have of qualifying for Euro 2020, although they could still be thrown a lifeline via the Nations League. Suffering from discomfort to his adductor, Aaron Ramsey, arguably a more important player for the Welsh than even Gareth Bale, is out of the Slovakia game. Ryan Giggs could be forced into a tactical change and the thinking by Danny Gabbidon and Iwan Roberts on Elis James’s Feast Of Football podcast was that Giggs needs to avoid playing the brand of expansive football he prefers in charge of making his team more difficult to beat. With this in mind, playing five at the back with two midfielders sitting directly in front of them was mooted as a potential solution. Whatever Giggs decides, a very talented generation of Welsh players is in danger of being wasted and the results of the next two games could have a major say in the future of a young manager who has been far from convincing during his tenure so far. BG

• Slovakia v Wales, 7.45pm Thursday

Gareth Bale at Wales training in Cardiff, in the runup to the match in Slovakia. Photograph: Athena Pictures/Getty Images

4) Endangered Iceland should fear Ben Yedder

Darlings of the last European Championship, Iceland need to pull out some big results if they are to reach Euro 2020. They are third in Group H, behind an exciting young Turkey team and France, who thrashed them 4-0 earlier in the group. On Friday they host Les Bleus, who will be without the injured Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappé but still have no shortage of options. Didier Deschamps could, for instance, use Mbappé’s absence to give Wissam Ben Yedder his most meaningful cap to date. The striker, who joined Monaco in the summer and has been as prolific there as he was at all his previous clubs, has had to wait a long time for international recognition but, at 29, he is still young enough and good enough to make an impact. He would boost his chances of appearing in an international tournament if he helps France beat Iceland on Friday and Turkey three days later. PD

• Iceland v France, 7.45pm Friday

5) Another toothless performance from Scotland?

While Scotland’s rugby players scored 61 without reply against Russia at the Rugby World Cup, their footballing counterparts would gladly settle for victory by a far slimmer margin when they are entertained in Moscow on Thursday. Scotland trail Russia, who are second in Group I behind Belgium, by nine points with four games remaining and their hopes of qualifying via any other route than the play-off place they earned through the Nations League have evaporated. In Ryan Fraser, John McGinn, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay and John Fleck Scotland have decent players, but their inability to score goals remains aconcern. The six forward players picked by Steve Clarke squad have just eight international goals between them and urgently need to improve that tally ahead of those play-offs so many Scottish hopes are pinned on. BG

• Russia v Scotland, 7.45pm Thursday

John McGinn holds off Ryan Fraser during Scotland training before the match in Russia. Photograph: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

6) O’Neill’s rock-hard run-in starts in Netherlands

Second behind Germany in a group that also contains the Netherlands, Northern Ireland’s remaining fixtures in Group C could scarcely be more difficult. Following their trip to Amsterdam they travel to the Czech Republic for a friendly, before completing their qualifiers against the Dutch at home and Germany away in November. Michael O’Neill will have to make do without Norwich left-back Jamal Lewis, who has pulled out with a knee injury, but the manager remains upbeat about his team’s chances of doing enough in successive qualifiers against the Netherlands to not have to concern himself with a potential route to the finals through the Nations League play-offs. “We are in a double-header with Holland and I believe if we get four points we will qualify,” he said. Having made his first international start in defeat against Germany last time out, Linfield striker Shayne Lavery could be the manplaying up front faced with a defence marshalled by Virgil van Dijk, as O’Neill has hinted the 20-year-old’s pace and intelligence could be a key weapon in a battle against one of the world’s best defenders. BG

• Netherlands v Northern Ireland, 7.45pm Thursday

7) Switzerland need to find the right side of late dramas

Switzerland could have already secured their qualification for Euro 2020, instead they are set for a tense finale in Group D: and they have not coped well with tense finales so far. In their first match, at home to Denmark, they blew a three-goal lead in the last six minutes; and in their last outing, in the Republic of Ireland, they looked comfortable before conceding an 85th-minute equaliser and hanging on for a point. They face those two countries again in the next few days, starting with a trip to Copenhagen on Saturday. Xherdan Shaqiri has chosen to remain in international exile but manager Vladimir Petkovic has recalled Stephan Lichtsteiner after omitting him for the trip to Dublin. Apparently he values the 35-year-old’s experience. “He is still our captain and leader,” said Petkovic of the Augsburg defender, without saying whether Lichtsteiner will actually play. PD

• Denmark v Switzerland, 5pm Saturday

8) Crunch time for Finland to break drought

Finland have never qualified for a major tournament. It’s somewhat of an annoyance for a nation of over five million people who gave football the supremely talented Jari Litmanen. Even tiny Iceland have beaten them to the punch. But having assumed a strong position in Group J – they’re second behind Italy – they will never have a better chance of enjoying a summer party themselves. Markku Kanerva’s side have won four and lost two (both to Italy) but now it’s crunch time. They face Bosnia-Herzegovina and Armenia next, the two teams directly below them. They travel to the Bilino Polje Stadium in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday. With Norwich’s in-form Teemu Pukki leading the line, Kanerva’s compact system is well set up to pick off their inconsistent opponents on the break. Finland have not conceded a goal against any team except Italy and Pukki has been just as lethal in qualifying as he has in the Premier League, scoring five in his last six. If he can continue his hot streak over the next few days, Finland’s long wait for some summer fun could soon be over. GB

• Bosnia-Herzegovina v Finland, 5pm Saturday

Finland’s Teemu Pukki has scored five times in his last six matches. Photograph: Markku Ulander/AFP/Getty Images

9) Can Hungary capitalise against inconsistent Croatia?

Going into their game against Slovakia last time out, Hungary were pretty much two wins from Euro 2020. Now, after a 2-1 loss, qualification from Group E looks unlikely. Hungary did beat a sluggish Croatia in Budapest in their previous group encounter, and looked impressive in doing so. But with Hungary distinctly lacking in individual quality, it’s the sum of their parts that makes this Hungarian apparatus tick. And when two or three of those parts falter, the whole machine malfunctions, as evidenced against Slovakia. Things don’t look like changing in Croatia either, with very few of Hungary’s key men finding any kind of form at club level this season. Yet Hungary are an odd side full of players unheard of in western Europe, but who are prone to big performances in big games. Croatia are massive favourites, but Hungary have refound a quality of turning up when it matters most under Italian coach Marco Rossi. And with Croatia looking decidedly inconsistent since the World Cup, maybe this isn’t as improbable as first thought. TM

• Croatia v Hungary, 7.45pm Thursday

10) Andorra aim to – finally – end long losing streak

Andorra have played 55 European Championship qualifiers and lost 55 European Championship qualifiers. It’s not pretty but maybe, just maybe, the tiny principality (population 76,965) could end that ugly losing streak against Moldova at home. Their visitors are the one nation that have a worse defensive record than them, having shipped 17 goals in six Group H qualifiers to Andorra’s 14. Moldova have managed to win once, 1-0 at home against Andorra, but if ever there was a chance for Koldo Álvarez to take a point – or even three – in a Euro qualifier, it is at the Estadi Nacional on Friday night. It would help if they could score a goal, mind. They haven’t managed that in six Euro 2020 qualifiers but even a 0-0 draw would be enough to make history. GB

• Andorra v Moldova, 7.45pm Friday

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Euro 2020 Team Previews: Group D

England:

In their first Euros outing in 1968, England finished third, of four teams. They’re still waiting to improve on that. Only Belgium and the old Yugoslavia could claim to have performed better at European Championships without winning one. England have been international football’s big underachievers since 1966, from home-soil heroes to the failed Golden Generation. The Three Lions have won one knockout game in the history of this competition. On penalties. As hosts. I'm not even kidding, look it up. Five years ago, they crashed out to Iceland; as the song goes, we’d seen it all before. What followed, though, was new: it led to a scorched earth rejuvenation of English football, led by some of the greatest minds in the game. Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Marcelo Bielsa all arrived, followed by a cast of club legends making early forays into management. Together, they’ve helped to reshape the country’s tactical make-up into something more modern. An Icelandic volcano turned English football to ash, but from the rubble, something new and exciting has risen from it. There’s hope for the class of 2021. The Three Lions’ current pride isn’t an empty collection of big names – there are still titans of elite European sides, but vitally, there’s a balance that seems to have evaded the national team for 55 years. England finally have defensive midfielders and left-footers. A good grouping of the current XI are captains of their clubs. Importantly, the country’s youth-level champions of recent years are coming of age, giving Gareth Southgate genuine selection migraines. For many, England’s talent reserves are the envy of Europe as many sitting on the bench would have started for other nations competing in Euro 2020. Since 2018, the pragmatism of Southgate’s World Cup semi-finalists has come to the fore: they are prepared to win ugly, even if a squad packed with attacking prowess suggests otherwise. If we're being honest, the 12-month postponement of Euro 2020 may have even worked in England’s favor, too, as so many young Lions have received a year’s extra education before the big tournament. Mason Mount and Phil Foden have developed into legitimate superstars, Reece James looks like one of the best fullbacks in football and this new "Golden Generation" may actually be better than the last. Could the stars align? We haven’t seen a crop quite like this for some time, and while England doesn’t quite expect to win it all, there’s plenty of serious promise.

Euro 2020 may be a bridge too far for Southgate’s squad, but their journey over the last five years shows they’re on the right track. If they can shake off the nation’s tag as perennial underachievers in football, then maybe, just maybe, this fucking thing is "coming home".

Croatia:

In the past three years, Croatia seen a generational shift occur within their national team – never an easy task for a country with so small a talent pool. The situation was hardly helped by Ivan Rakitic’s sudden international retirement last September; the midfielder following forward Mario Mandzukic and goalkeeper Danijel Subasic in saying goodbye to the national team in the aftermath of the sepia-tinged summer of 2018. Yet, still led by Luka Modric’s effortless brilliance, the perennial dark horses remain a strong outfit, albeit a little green around the edges. Some squad members have already shown great maturity in stepping up, particularly 26-year old Dinamo Zagreb keeper Dominik Livakovic, whom has between fantastic between the sticks, and 23-year-old former Everton midfielder Nikola Vlasic. Dinamo’s Mislav Orsic is still floating on air after his stunning hat-trick knocked Tottenham out of the Europa League. Most encouragingly? Manager Zlatko Dalic can also rely upon one player the wider European public has yet to meet: striker Bruno Petkovic. Similar to Olivier Giroud in many ways, the hulking Dinamo centre-forward offers Croatia an important tactical variant as a hulking in-the-box presence amidst a sea of pint-sized technicians. Yet more vital is that Modric, the quintessential captain, who is still playing at the highest level after yet another fine Real Madrid season, isn’t tired of wearing the famed checkered shirt. They'll go as far as his mastery, wizardy, incredible ability and undying passion for his national team will take them. This team is green, but by no means does that mean they're incapable of making a semi-finals appearance. Croatia’s group is extremely demanding because it contains two hosts (England and Scotland) and the reawakened Czech Republic, whose players increasingly recall previous generations. That being said, reaching the knockout stages should not be an issue. The fact that reaching the knockout stage is now the minimum expectation from the Croatian public is proof of just how far this team has come. The big names may lack their forebears’ name recognition, but the talent remains for them to go far.

Scotland:

Don’t let anyone tell you that international football is irrelevant and that representing your country doesn't matter anymore in the age of mega-contracts, "Super Leagues", "Champions Leagues" and endorsement deals. If they persist, point them in the direction of Ryan Christie’s post-match interview with Sky Sports on the night that Scotland finally ended their agonizing 23-year wait to appear at a major international tournament. For about two minutes, the Celtic star did his best to juggle obvious exhaustion, joy and sheer relief while the tears flowed down in his face in an abject display of patriotism that would make even the biggest skeptic struggle to watch without wondering who was cutting onions or who opened the window and let all this pollen into the room. This had been a long time coming. The night of their play-off in Serbia was about as ‘Scotland’ as it gets. Even though Steve Clarke’s side put in a confident, and composed performance against visibly shaken opposition; given the lead through a Christie goal that looked to be enough for victory, Serbian star and all-together disappointment Luka Jovic delivered a sucker-punch equalizer in stoppage time. Long-suffering Scotland supporters at home feared the worst. And, as it were, the Serbians pushed Scotland to the brink in extra time. But Scotland stood firm, then David Marshall secured legendary status among the Tartan Army with a superb save from Aleksandar Mitrovic's effort to settle the penalty shootout at 5-4. Back in Scotland, there was utter pandemonium. Football can’t do much to make up for a year of loss and sacrifice, but it has at least reaffirmed its status as the most important of the least important things. For one night, Christie & company gave their country the gift of a priceless distraction in a year when we needed it most. Scotland’s hard-fought win in Belgrade lengthened their unbeaten stretch under Clarke to nine games – their best run in 44 years. It hasn't been easy, however. Clarke and his management team have had to tweak their system along the way and injuries have forced some previously unheralded players to earn caps. Others have been forced out for resting on their old laurels (sorry Leigh Griffiths), while others have been handed opportunities based on merit and ability (hello, Lyndon Sykes). For all that qualification represented to Clarke, though, he’s too proud for his side to just make up the numbers this summer. They probably won't make it to the next round. They were handed a rough draw this time around and the Czech Republic is a tough out. That said, Scotland is going to fight until they can't anymore. It's what they know.

Czech Republic:

Back in England for another major tournament a quarter of a century after their incredible run to the Euro 96 Final, the Czechs travel to the UK with a buoyant mood and a settled squad. They’re unencumbered by expectation, and bring a team of promising young players and hungry internationals from Europe’s top five leagues, so another underdog showing is the hope for the nation's fans and for manager Jaroslav Silhavy.

Tomas Soucek – he of the granite forehead, man-mountain shoulders and elbows that can be thrown like boulders – and full-back Vladimir Coufal already delivered solid performances for Slavia Prague, but not even the most ardent Czech fan would have expected the level both have reached in West Ham’s excellent 2020-21 Premier League campaign, thus leading both players to capture the imagination and incite the excitement of a country who is beginning to believe this team may have what it takes Meanwhile, the Czechs’ best forward, Patrik Schick – on loan at RB Leipzig last year – has finally sorted out his future by leaving Roma for Bayer Leverkusen. The 25-year-old looks settled at his new club, and by mid-April he had scored 13 goals in 29 appearances for the German outfit. He'll be expected to lead the line, and from all appearances, looks prepared to do so, finally living up to the potential and expectations bestowed upon him at a young age. That being said, no Czech side has ever been about individuals, not even in Pavel Nedved’s era: even in a loaded team, with Karel Poborsky and Vladimir Smicer, the Czechs were more than a one-man show and played united, hard-nosed football, stoked more in pragmatism and a cohesive identity than individual moments of brilliance. Team spirit, tactical preparation, defensive organization and a well-balanced squad tend to trump all when it comes to the Czech squad. Boosted psychologically by their promotion to Nations League A, Silhavy’s troops also know what to expect in this group: they’d already beaten England in qualifying when they pipped Scotland to top spot in their Nations League division. Their football is unlikely to be beautiful, but they will be tough to beat, and with their would-be stars in top-form coming into the tournament, do not be surprised to see the Czech Republic make the knockouts as one of the best Third-Place teams.

[torentialtribute]

England boss Gareth Southgate is right to deal the loyalty card with his team selection 

Gareth Southgate's boss in England is right to handle the loyalty card with his team selection

Gareth Southgate was right not to make too many changes against Bulgaria

I wanted James Maddison, Mason Mount, and Jadon Sancho to all begin

Southgate rewarded for persevering with Ross Barkley and Marcus Rashford

] By Danny Murphy For The Mail On Sunday

Published: 00:00 BST, 8 September 2019 | Updated: 00:00 BST, September 8, 2019

I was a little disappointed when I saw England's team sheet for the game of Saturday night because I wanted to see more of James Maddison, Mason Mount and Jadon Sancho. But in the course of the game I saw that I was wrong, and Gareth Southgate was right.

The 4-0 victory showed the depth England now has available and those players that could have been omitted, such as Marcus Rashford and Ross Barkley, both did really well and played intensively.

Declan Rice gets better with every game and needs Harry Winks who pushes him completely and Kieran Trippier deserves special mention on the right back. They have been bold to go to Atletico Madrid and play regularly and so far it has paid off. He had a very good game.

Gareth Southgate got his selection right by keeping confidence with a lot of of his regular starters

What Gareth showed with his selection is your need to earn your place in this English team. There is a high premium for loyalty and the gradual integration of new players is the best way to get the best out of them in the long run

Barkley did not have the best start at Chelsea this season, but he has the English team been there for a while and that he was dumped by Gareth on Saturday in favor of Mason Mount would have been tough.

By doing this, I am sure that Ross has the greatest respect for his manager, and if he goes for Mason in the second game against Kosovo, he has not had a wasted international break.

Southgate remained loyal to Ross Barkley and was rewarded when the midfielder impressed

It's pretty smart that players who've been in the team for a while don't get upset and let the new ones come to Hungary and get them used to their environment.

There may be changes for Kosovo on Tuesday, I would like to see Maddison and Winks play, possibly also Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mount. But we are beyond the era of large-scale changes for the sake of it. Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, Harry Maguire and Jordan Pickford.

They are the oldest boys who can accompany the others, regardless of the time of a competition. On Saturday, Sterling broke past two or three when the game was flat and needed someone to take responsibility.

Marcus Rashford is another player who repaid the belief that Southgate in him showed

When you need someone to grab and hold the ball, Henderson has become very good, Kane can do it too. – the Bulgarian competition won indicates that they will be important again this week, she and Pickford and Maguire are the guys Gareth needs and relies on.

It is true that Winks and others such as Mount and Maddison now get a chance because they are in shape and will not weaken the team. But loyalty is rightly important in this attitude in England, so it makes sense that changes are kept under control.

A hat trick for England after a mixed start of the season with Spurs and controversy about diving. For some players that can be seen as a boost for confidence, but with Harry Kane you get the feeling that he is not someone who suffers from self-doubt.

Whether Harry & # 39; s form is at its best or not, he has this habit of scoring goals. He has the mentality that the true top strikers fully believe in themselves, I would be surprised if he had been worried for the last few weeks that other people think he is going through a bad patch or passing too easily.

I just love the way he hits the ball and takes risks. The way he behaves in the field always tells me that he is convinced that he will score. It is the same attitude of Wayne Rooney or Michael Owen, they never doubted themselves.

Harry Kane had a difficult start to the season but showed its quality with a hat trick

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I’ve been with my wife since we were kids at school and she had never seen me cry, ever,” Steve Sidwell says as he remembers the spring evening this year when he sat next to her on their bathroom floor. Sidwell cried for a long time, his tears leaving little marks wherever he looked, as he finally accepted that his career as a professional footballer was over.

He had joined the Arsenal academy 26 years before, aged nine, and played in the Premier League for Reading, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Fulham and Stoke before joining Brighton in 2016. Sidwell helped Brighton gain promotion to the Premier League last year but he had been injured for the whole of their first season back in the top flight. A varied career, which saw him work under managers as different as Arsène Wenger and José Mourinho, had ended and Sidwell felt overwhelmed.

“We’ve had my wedding day and four kids,” Sidwell says. “Big moments when I felt a real buildup of emotion but kept it all in. But that evening there was no stopping it. It was near the end of the season and [his wife] Krystell was in the bath. I sat on the floor next to the bath. We’d locked the door because we didn’t want the kids coming in. The conversation got going and it all opened up.”

A small smile drifts across his previously serious face. “In a way I wanted the tears to happen. It was good, it was a real relief. Once it happened I accepted it. That was it. I was done as a player.”

On an autumn morning at Brighton’s training ground, where Sidwell will coach the under-16 squad an hour from now, the 35-year-old reflects on the pain of letting go and the anticipation of a new life. He may fulfil his ambition of becoming a high-level coach or carve out a different path as a pundit as Sidwell is bright and perceptive. The former midfielder is also honest when he considers the divide that separates most footballers from mainstream society – while capturing the insecurities inside the Premier League bubble.

“The year I’d had without playing because of injuries [back surgery was followed by a broken ankle] was tough. You feel disabled in a way because you can’t express the stuff you’ve done for 20 years. I’m lucky I’ve got a very strong family so I didn’t go down the road of depression. But sportsmen close to me have slipped into depression. You need someone to get you back into the real world because it’s a dark and lonely place.”

Did he avoid showing emotion as a footballer? “Yeah. You grow up not wanting to show weakness in a dressing room because the other players will have a different opinion of you. You don’t want to show the gaffer that either because you might not be selected. So you build up a front.”

That front disappeared once he decided to retire. “There was a honeymoon period where you’re telling people and it’s all new. But then you reach the stage of ‘I’m crossing the line’. So I was nervous, excited, scared. It’s every emotion you can imagine – an out-of-body experience. It’s similar to scoring a goal. You can’t really describe it. Football is something I’ve always done so I’ve had that structure and been given instructions day in, day out.

“I’m really close to my wife but others aren’t so lucky. You see how the divorce rate goes up for former footballers. You’ve been doing something you love for so long and then it’s gone. It can be a bereavement and you take it out on the ones nearest to you.”

Sidwell describes the jolt footballers feel when cut free from their high-pressured but numbingly cosseted world. “Football is about instant results. Yes, footballers live a luxurious life and we get given everything. If you split a pair of boots you get a new pair that same afternoon. If you’ve got a cough you see the club doctor. And you get a prescription that’s filled straightaway. Everything’s given to you instantly.

“You’re a commodity to the club, and they want you to have no stress. So you lose a little touch with reality. I’ve never had a GP because I’ve never needed to go outside my club but in the big world you need to pay accounts, sort out your MOT. People outside football won’t always grasp this but not doing these little things can mean you lose touch with society.”

It also means that some footballers don’t develop many social skills. “One hundred per cent,” Sidwell says. “It’s even more so for the top players. They get criticised if they go out or if they stay in. They can’t win so in the end they build up a barrier. Now when your career finishes you’re not really used to talking to people. And you obviously need that skill in the real world.”

Sidwell is different because, as he explains, “throughout my career I’ve been very grounded and that’s come from mum and dad. My dad had a scaffolding company in south London and he had me working as a kid – even on my days off when I was a pro at Arsenal. He’d come into my room at half-six and get me up for work.

“My kids are very fortunate, they can get most things but I’m having the same thing with my 12-year-old son. He smashed his iPhone and said: ‘Dad, can I have another one?’ I said: ‘Well, give me £600.’ He only had £150 in his savings. I said: ‘OK, earn it.’ My brother’s now taken on my dad’s company so my eldest son has been working there in the holidays.”

His three sons play football and, as Sidwell says, “sometimes they think: ‘Dad’s a footballer, I can be one too.’ But they’re slowly grasping it’s a brutal and relentless road.”

Sidwell expresses concern that, despite admiring the way in which Gareth Southgate helped his England World Cup squad reconnect with the public, the gap between Premier League footballers and ordinary people is deepening. “More so than ever now. The Premier League, PFA and clubs do a lot in terms of trying to interact with fans and local communities. That’s great but there’s a big gap now. How many times do you see teams get off the coach and they can’t go near the barriers? They can’t sign autographs, so that connection is lost. We need to get it back quickly. Football should be about enjoyment but the business side is taking over.”

Did Sidwell ever feel guilty about the money he earned as a footballer? “I’ve never been one to buy ridiculous things or waste money. Obviously I’ve done nice things. I’ve been fortunate enough to take my whole family to Florida. First class, paid for everything. But when I was at Aston Villa [from 2008 to 2011] I was on the most money in my career. But that was when I was at my unhappiest. I was living in Birmingham away from my wife and family. My middle son caught meningitis and was in hospital. The football never really took off and me and Martin O’Neill clashed. So it was a combination of things. But some people would say: ‘Wow, if you’re earning that much how can you be unhappy?’”

Mourinho signed him for Chelsea, in 2007, and he struggled to break into the first team, making 15 appearances in his one season at the club. Sidwell’s personal experience with Mourinho, however, stands in stark contrast to his impressions of the manager’s troubles at Manchester United. “He was brilliant with me even though I came in the year he left. It was that third-season syndrome for him. But his player management was unreal then. He told me two weeks before my starting debut: ‘You’re training really well. You’re not playing this Saturday but you’re starting at the Bridge, against Blackburn, the following Saturday. Get mentally prepared.’ He had brilliant little touches then.

“I’m not sure what’s going on now. He doesn’t seem the person he was. Something has changed. Back then his key skill was getting everyone on side. Yeah, there were times when he showed that other side. Against Fulham he brought off [Arjen] Robben and [Shaun] Wright-Phillips after 20 minutes because they weren’t doing their jobs. That’s harsh.”

Steve Coppell is Sidwell’s favourite manager, after they forged such a close bond at Reading, but his respect for Brighton’s Chris Hughton runs deep and he believes “the gaffer is right up there and I’ve worked with some of the best in the game”.

As well as being an assistant coach of Brighton’s under-16s Sidwell is a club ambassador. “Brighton have been fantastic and allowed me to adjust. I had a summer holiday in August which was my first in 20 years. I’m now loving the coaching. I’ve got my B coaching badges and I’m in the final stages of getting my A licence. You need to earn your stripes, learn the trade, and your coaching career could swiftly take off – or come crashing down. But I’d rather do it, and fail, than not try.

“In six months I might say: ‘This is not for me’ and the media side might take off. I would’ve liked to have done TV and media to start but look at Stevie Gerrard and Frank Lampard. They could’ve done media work permanently but they’re competitive. The competitive edge draws us back in. I’m spinning plates and we’ll see what takes off.

“But I’m happy with my decision to retire. The toughest thing was admitting it – because of injuries I didn’t go on my terms. But there’s nothing I would change. I did everything with purpose and intent. If it worked out, or didn’t, I knew I’d tried my best.”

Sidwell looks up, nods and smiles with the certainty that, after the pain of retirement, he will apply the same principles in his new life.

[eurotickets20]

Harry Kane isn’t 100 percent fit for the Euro 2020

If Harry Kane isn’t 100 percent fit for the Euro 2020 finals this summer then one of the fundamentals Gareth Southgate will look for in his replacement is someone who can play with his back to goal. England Vs Croatia Tickets can be grabbed from our global event ticket sales market.

And what I’m seeing of Marcus Rashford is that he is getting better and better at it as he continues to prove wrong everyone who tells me he is a wise man and not a central striker. Euro 2020 Fans from all over the world can buy Group D Euro 2020 Tickets online.

I’ve banged the drum for the Manchester United man to get his chance and by chance, I mean a proper run, not a game here or there through the middle.He’s getting it now finally under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his remarkable rise.

This season has to be silencing those doubters once and for all. Nineteen goals in 30 games in all competitions are the sort of numbers that tell you he is a reliable center-forward.

And now I’d love to see Southgate play Rashford up top with Raheem Sterling just off him in some of England’s prestige friendlies in the coming months just to see how they play with one another. England Euro Cup Tickets can be grabbed from our global event ticket sales market.

The fact Sterling has 20 goals in 30 games for Manchester City shows both are in potent form and I’m confident they’d dovetail well. Yes, they sometimes play a little too off-the-cuff for my liking, but it’s certainly worth looking at them properly to see if they are trustworthy alternatives.

What we don’t want is a situation like those we had with Wayne Rooney four years ago and David Beckham before the 2002 World Cup where the prayer mats were out over their fitness. Or like Spurs fans had with Kane before the Champions League final last summer.

We need players who are arriving at the finals in peak form and condition if we are going to go as far as we want and as far as we can. I’d also like Southgate to have a look at Danny Ings because with 10 in 10 he’s in red-hot form for Southampton.

And that’s one of the reasons I can never fathom strikers being bit-part players in so many teams as they look to become known as sides which share the ball out equally across the positions. If you’ve got a striker you know can score, play to him come rain or shine and he’ll get you out of Dodge so often you’ll finally realize why it’s the most important position on the pitch.

You just have to blinkin’ play them. And if Ings fires Saints not only to safety but into mid-table respectability then I’d be having a very good look at him and Nathan Redmond as a back-up double act to Rashford and Sterling as well.

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