Abbey, I accept that I was probably wrong backing Sven's decision to include Walcott. (I hasten to repeat that I have always been anti-Sven and have never described him as 'fantastic' as you seem to think). I say 'probably' because we never got to see Walcott play. But I assume that Walcott was unimpressive in training sessions hence Sven's reluctance. However, what I will say is that the Walcott inclusion/Defoe exclusion was not the problem at this World Cup. If Defoe had gone, he may have played as a sub in the group matches but I really doubt he would have played any major role after that. The problem was that Sven and McClaren could not motivate and refused to pick a team to fit the formation but picked a formation to fit the players. People on this board have bleated about it for ages and ages, Lampard and Gerrard cannot play together but Sven picked them both blindly. Do Germany have superior players to England? Nope. So why could they play impressive, bright attacking football in a simple 4-4-2 and England labour to one struggle to another against such mighty opponents as Ecuador and Portugal?

Anyone want Hargreaves at Rovers now? Why did it take so long for England fans to see his true talents? Because Sven was using him as a right back/left winger/ general dogsbody for nearly ALL his reign.

Why, why, why, why, why did the stupid imbeciles at the FA not give the England job to Scolari or Martin O'Neill?! The very thought of that English Sven taking over the reins is making me physically sick. What is the point of qualifying for tournaments when that dunderhead (who is culpable along with Sven) will ensure we won't win? The current crop of English players are the best we've had for so long - better than the 1990 squad. We just need a manager who can motivate and has tactical nouse. FFS We might have been better of with Souness in charge.

Bunch of bad losers you lot. Ronaldo's behaviour was disgraceful but that's not why England went out. If anyone should be targeted it's the FA, Sven and Steve McClaren for doing a @#/? job. English fans have caused Anders Frisk and that Swiss ref to retire and to force Ronaldo out of England would just go to prove that we are terrible losers. He gets up my nose with his antics but to try to force him out of the country is taking things too far.

Sorry but you still haven't found a quote where I said Sven was fantastic. I think other people on this board will vouch for the fact I am not a Sven fan and never have been. I backed Sven on picking Walcott but ultimately I don't think that was why we went out and didn't perform. Have you got anymore insults? I wonder how many you can direct before the mods consider a mild rebuke.

Abbey you are such impetuous and ignorant individual. People humour you for some reason but I don't see why I should. Please find the quote in which I said Sven was fantastic. I have always maintained he was a bad manager. I praised him for picking Walcott because he seemed to have disposed of his spineless nature and started backing his own judgment and I mistakenly believed he had a plan. Get your facts right before you make your comments. Bobby G, Sven did not make England a force to be reckoned with - did they actuallly put in one impressive performance in this World Cup despite having a plethora of excellent players? stick to debate and cut out the abuse

McLaren will be out of his depth but at least he'll be paid less. He'll have enough to qualify us for tournaments but we can forget about winning anything for a while. Credit to Hargreaves - the guy was simply outstanding.

Damn right, Paul. The stats might state otherwise but the guy has been a horrendous appointment. Imo this England 'failure' boils down to his spineless nature which prevented him from choosing one from Gerrard and Lampard . They can't play together, how many bleedin matches do they need to play before that is concluded?

ozziejones, I'd go for the last option as well. Hargreaves starts in the anchor role and Rooney stays up front on his own. Come On England!

Germany have a central midfield that works. Lampard and Gerrard hasn't and we're only where we are due to the luck of the draw. I expect a much improved performance v Portgual but ultimately, Scolari's motivational talents will prevail imo.

So Arjen Robben, Didier Drogba, Joe Cole, Michael Ballack and add to that list, Duffers isn't averse to the odd theatrical tumble. Something tells me Mourinho won't be complaining about a lack of Chelsea penalties next year.

I quite like Mr Gobby - Alan Green. He says it how he thinks it is and doesn't pander to the egos of the players and managers.

Heard that. The guy can't even say 'penalty.' He says 'palenty'. (Not that it makes the Aussies feel any better).

Did Nuno Valente get through the battle with Holland without earning a suspension? If so, Aaron Lennon is the man to take England to the next round. Valente is a slow left back who would could be exposed by a pacy winger. I.e Not David Beckham. Thank God for Wayne Rooney. For all his failings, you cannot deny that he is a superbly talented footballer who will perform wherever he is played, support or no support, fully fit or not. The same cannot be said of our midfield 'superstars'.

Rev, I totally agree with you but those men with the analytical skills of a spoon (aka the MOTD pundits) seemed satisfied, almost impressed, with England's performance. It defies belief that all tournament Hansen, Shearer and Wright have been dismissing Germany and yet after an England game like that, they are eulogising about the team. Lampard and Gerrard? Still they flatter to deceive. Carrick was reasonable but certain people (guess who) thought he was astoundingly splendiferous. I'm glad England won but how many would Germany or Argentina have scored against that lot? England need to improve (how many times have we said that?).

I really think that Germany could give Argentina a scare, even if it's just by taking them to pens and still losing. Lahm and Schweinsteiger are such a good combination down the left and the Argies play with a diamond formation, so their flanks are definitely vulnerable.

So Scolari would've accepted the job if the FA would've waited until after the World Cup?

Very cultural, Phil. I like it.

Zokora of Ivory Coast - although clubs have been linked with him before the World Cup

Didn't Fiorentina get dumped out of the football league and a new club set up which was promptly re-instated into Serie B for no good reason except they were once a big club and someone up amongst the powers that be had a fondness for them?

Are you suggesting Joe Cole and Beckham play as wing-backs? You know what would happen if we had someone REALLY good in the air up front. Our long-ball adoring midfielders and defenders would be doing what they love but which isn't much good for winning.

I couldn't believe that Martin O'Neill was suggesting Ribery wasn't good enough for the France team at the moment. Apart from two horrendous misses, I thought his all-round contribution was very impressive.

Italy look average at the moment. Pirlo, Gattuso and Perrota - is that a midfield to get you excited?

Ghana to win in an exciting game. (Appiah on the score-sheet) Italy to win and dump the Czechs out of the World Cup in another good game. (Toni scores) you heard it here...

No doubt there are wingers out there licking their lips at the prospect of facing Ashley Cole in the next rounds. He just does not look fit and his defensive efforts in this tournament have been comedic in comparison to his wonderful showing in Euro 2004. Eg. for Stern John's offside goal, Cple almost literally ushered the Trinidad player in-field to get a shot in on goal that John tucked in from an offside position. A fit Ashley Cole is one of the best in Europe, if not the world. However, he currently looks a shadow of his real self. (Also he keeps slipping over at crucial times which doesn't help. Buy some decent boots, Ashley!)