Although an achievement worth celebrating the primary purpose of the u-19's is to have players move up to the full national team. The last winning team included Aaron Ramsdale, Mason Mount, and Reece James who are currently in Southgate's set up. I Looked up the squad; England Euro u-19's 2017 Edun and Brereton were also in it. As is a lad who now plays for Southport. If the 2022 team can have multiple players break move up then the development team continue to do their job. From what I read Chukwumeka (sp?) from Villa was the stand out player for England.

I wonder what the Man U hierarchy are thinking today; ESPN - Pochettino sacked by PSG. I'm sure that they have wanted him for years. They could have waited a month and got him for nothing. Instead they are pinning everything on ten Hag. Either way they aren't catching Liverpool or City. Chelsea and Spurs are better than them too.

Tart, tit, and baby were used interchangeably in my neck of East Lancs (Accy/Blackburn). Although baby lining was the least popular of the 3. Looking at it through 2022 eyes it would seem that goal poaching was seen as unsporting and thus to try and pressure the alleged offender into not doing it fellow players intimated that only babies and loose women did it.

If judged on performances he's lucky to be included as he has been crap, but Southgate trusts him and as you say he has always performed for England. I wonder if the manager is using this England outing to try and restore his confidence. Unless there are marked changes in the next few months I assume that Maguire and Stones will partner at the back in Qatar. I actually think the back 5 will be the same as the Euros - pending Shaw returning to fitness. His team mates Sancho and Rashford haven't been afforded the same treatment but with England having a good few options in the wide roles it was an easy decision for Southgate.

He is very lucky to keep his spot especially as Eric Dier has played very well for Conte. But unlike many in previous generations he tends to play better in an England shirt. Mings had a bad season too and missed out. TAA, Trippier, Walker, James, Justin - all right backs although with no left backs available I think Justin and Trippier will play on the left.

Southgate has named his squad for the June Nations League games; ESPNFC - England squad Some newer names are; Jarrod Bowen, Fiyako Tomori and James Justin. Sancho and Rashford are out.

Brown the ex-player is the straight man, Parkin the foil. Brown is quieter but tries to ask better questions. Of all the ones I've listened to (probably 20 or so) I think that the Marshall one was the best. It had a bit of everything. Simon Ferry was good because of the way he portrayed Di Canio and Gravesen although there was little insight into the game nor was he a memorable player. The John Sheridan one was crap. His Manc accent grated.

It may be on another thread too, but I got around to listening to the Keith Treacy one over the past week. He never really did much at Rovers so didn't pay much attention to him so had no idea what his history was. It was an interesting one, he doesn't shy away from his demons. I bet he was a nightmare to deal with.

It's an old trope saying that British ale is warm. Every pint I've ever bought has been nice and cold. I wonder if it has something to do with ale being stored in cellars? Or colonial days when it was shipped across oceans?

The Seville police chief has a few thoughts on the event; ESPN - too many people in Seville A quote from him; "We will host two fanbases that drink a lot. These citizens, who are used to drinking warm beer in their countries, when they find our fresh and cold beers, will drink even more".

Liverpool beat Southampton 2-1 setting up the title race going down to the last day. Southampton didn't look interested outside of the first and last 10 minutes. They are a funny outfit. Depending on how Thursday's games go 3 teams could be playing to avoid the drop too. If you really stretch it and care that 4th place is still up for grabs then 6 of the 10 games have something extra over points, pride, and placement money to play for.

Here you go Bazza. Even the team sheet makes me laugh. They have to name the soap actors characters as nobody would have had a clue who they were otherwise. John Birt and Greg Dyke, both big TV hitters. Ronnie Corbett presenting the trophy. It's brilliant. I more than likely watched the game but have no memory of it.

There's something not right with him. Maybe he does realise that the end is coming.

Surely it would have come out by now if he did have a problem. He's been in the public eye for 30 years. He signed up to play in the PGA championship this weekend but he dropped out last week. He's the defending champ so it must have been a hard decision for him.

I don't exactly know where to put this as it's not Rovers but it's nostalgia so I'm sticking it here. I saw this on twitter and found the video on YouTube. It's the 1987 FA Cup final celebrity match. I think that it's superb, a different world. There is all sorts going on; playing on the pitch before the actual cup final. Sponsored by Kaliber. Assorted soap opera celebs involved. Daley Thompson clearly on another planet physically than everybody else. Saint and Greavsie commentating. I find it fascinating.

You have been trumpeting Lampard since you read in the papers that he was in line for the Everton job. Your m.o. is to then stick to your guns no matter what. Lampard has been in charge for 19 games, he has accumulated 23 points. A simple, inaccurate I know, extrapolation would have his team on 46 points over a full season. His current win rate is 36%. Mowbray's Championship winning percentage with Rovers was 36%. He may turn into a good manager but he's not there yet and is struggling - as his history suggests - to build a side that can keep a clean sheet. Starting Jarrod Branthwaite isn't the answer either. There were some odd decisions against Everton yesterday - Richarlison would have got a penalty on other occasions, alas it was not to be. But the players look like they do like playing for him. I will also say that Carlo Ancelotti, one of the best in the business, couldn't get a tune out of Everton. If he struggled the list of people who could sort it out is very short indeed.

Leeds have had no Bamford all season, and their playmaker Philips has also been out for the vast majority of the campaign. Not having either looks like it will cost them. I have Wolves v. City on. De Bruyne is making a mockery of the Wolves team, although their keeper has had a nightmare. Not letting balls through his legs type nightmare, but so shaky and his kicking has been pitiful.

More news on Phil Mickelson; ESPN - Mickelson lost over $40m over 4 years gambling An unauthorised biography of him is coming out. A teaser published is reporting that he lost over $40m over 4 years. If true no wonder he wants that Saudi cash. I've heard stories about him, so have no reason not to believe the claim.

I figured that that played into your thinking. I live in fan boy America. I hear all sorts. However, I'm glad that they watch the game.

I looked it up. Including this year, 5 of the last 10 finals have been teams from the same country. I agree different countries participating adds to the game. Not for me. Real have won it 13 times, with countless decisions going their way each and every time. I'm not saying it's crooked, but I am saying that they get some lucky breaks. Some quite literally when Ramos did Salah in 2018.

City only have themselves to blame for not progressing. They were by far the better team over both legs who should have been out of sight after the first half last week. They mostly controlled last night too. Kyle Walker going off was the game changer. He kept Vinicius quiet. De Bruyne going off robbed them too. He looked knackered though. In Tuesday's game Liverpool were absolutely awful in the first half. Villareal's constant harassment really rattled them. Although the goals came from errors from the fullbacks, with Roberston uncharacteristically at fault in both. The second half was a different story. Villareal's keeper helped but Liverpool turned it on. It's now a repeat of the 2018 final. Liverpool will want revenge. They are a better side than then, and Real are not. It's still a toss up as to who wins. I'm looking forward to it.

I'm arguing small points here. I'm with Gav. It's the best ever made, but there are wasted storylines that could have been used to expand on already known entities rather than new ones that didn't need the airtime. Without spoiling; Kevin Finnerty(sp?). Tony Blundetto. Vito. Christopher's film. They all link but could have been done is smaller batches, whilst working other ideas. No more Pine Barrens either.

It's my favourite too, but I think it went on a season too long. I'll not write any details in case anyone hasn't yet seen it.

You are good, no spoilers there. It seems like loads of decent TV dramas do this. Game of Thrones went wacky, Breaking Bad should have needed a season early. The Sopranos brought in new plotlines far too late. I still have Line of Duty and Peaky Blinders to watch as well. It will take me ages as I'm not a binge watcher.

It's Bournemouth v. Forest tonight. That will be a really good game. As for Rovers they'll end up either 1 above or 1 below 9th. What are the odds on 10th place with West Brom jumping ahead?