It happens in football. It's a risk every player takes. Is there video? Did Marker get sent off because of it? I've no idea. I feel for Ben Thornley but I doubt Marker's motivation was to end his career.

Usain Bolt scored 2 for the Central Coast Mariners in a pre season game; Bolt scores 2 Is it a marketing stunt or a genuine opportunity? It is interesting. He is football mad, but spent the last 15 years running. Imagine having to mark him though? 6'5" and the quickest ever. Who was the British sprinter who was on trial at Wigan (I think) years ago?

What has he done wrong? He got a limited outfit to a World Cup semi final, got the squad to gel, and restored some pride in the shirt. He should be rewarded. England's problems aren't Southgate. It's a toothless FA. They need to regulate their own league to enable more English players opportunities to play. Talent such as Rashford, Loftus-Cheek, Lingard, not to mention some of the promising youth cup winners are being wasted by Prem clubs necessity to stay on the gravy train.

Rovers fans need to be very careful in their wishes. Mowbray has done a good job so far. He is methodical, but that is exactly what the club needs after years of idiocy. Signs are there that Venkys are listening to his plans. Shelling out for Bereton is one of them. I'd stick at the moment. Rovers aren't good enough to go up this year, but hopefully they can build a squad of challengers soon. As for Villa, Carvahal will do absolutely nothing. Let them have him.

Bruce is a good manager. Villa should stick with him. I feel a bit sorry for Rowett if Stoke do pot him. As Rovers fans well know dropping down a division after a long spell in the top flight isn't easily remedied.

Yet another fantastic Ryder Cup. Europe were far better than the USA. I thought that it would be much closer. 2 years ago the Americans couldn't miss a putt. This time out they couldn't hit a fairway. Lots of hand wringing over here on why the USA lost. From a lack of understanding of the course, no team chemistry, tiredness, to iffy partnerships, the USA is going back to the drawing board again. Furyk seems like a decent bloke, but he missed on his captain's picks. Woods, Mickelson, and DeChambeau combined for 0 points. Although Woods won last weekend, he looked spent. He already had a miserable Ryder Cup record, this should be the end to his participation. Europe too will have to reevaluate. Poulter and Garcia may be too old next time. Those 2 have under performed in tour events over the years but come alive come cup time. They will be missed.

One of my favourite sporting events begins tomorrow; the Ryder Cup. This year it's in Paris. The USA team looks to be stronger than the European one this time out but it will be close.

I've had a think about this. Southgate isn't going to drop Trippier or Walker off the back of a few good games by Gomez. I also think Rose will play ahead of Shaw, although Shaw is the long term replacement - if he keeps his form.

Although right footer Ashley Young played on the left in the World Cup, I don't think that's what should happen. I'm pretty sure that if Rose wasn't injured for the best part of last season he would have been there. Rose is now fit and Shaw is back to form which is good. I'd have Walker as the right wing back and either of the other 2 on the left. Young surprised me and played well but he always cut back in onto his right slowing play down as well as limiting his forward pass options.

Young English talent is going to struggle to get a game at a top level Prem team. The necessity to play in the Champs League means that those clubs will buy in ready made players. Aside from Chalobah the others you named are 20 or under. Those 21 or younger would really benefit from playing in another country. Language, culture, food, fans are all different. Those willing to learn will thrive.

Absolutely true. I'll give you a classic mate of a mate story. The lad was employed by Premiership club as a translator, however he essentially spent his week acting like the players mums; to all of them, not just the foreign ones. They'd ring him at all hours with daft questions; how do I use the washing machine? I've run out of petrol, can you come and pick me up? Can you help me set the TV up? Really basic stuff you'd expect a teenager to be able to handle. Dack is a clown and should be treated accordingly. If Rich Sharpe's numbers are accurate then Dack has to average 5 hours per week to get it done in time. 1 trip per week to a school should do it. I will say though that all this will be forgotten if he comes back, knuckles down, and plays like he can, which reminds me of a quiz I read in Viz years ago; Quiz - question 4 applies here

The squad almost picks itself after the World Cup. Southgate is right to complain about the chances of England players. I say regularly that promising English youngsters should go abroad to play. It will do them no end of good. Striker options do look bleak. What about Calvert-Lewin from Everton? He starred for the successful youth teams, and seems to be getting a game this year. He's big, strong ,fast, but I've no idea how well he can finish chances. Solanke was another who shone at the youth level, however he's way down the pecking order at Liverpool, and all he seems to do is run like a chicken with no head. I think that Lallana is on borrowed time. Liverpool have a glut of midfielders, when Ox returns he'll be further away from a spot. He's a very tidy player though.

This season's groups are; Group A: Atlético Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Monaco, Club Brugge Group B: Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, PSV Eindhoven, Inter Milan Group C: Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli, Liverpool, Red Star Belgrade Group D: Lokomotiv Moscow, Porto, Schalke, Galatasaray Group E: Bayern Munich, Benfica, Ajax, AEK Athens Group F: Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk, Lyon, Hoffenheim Group G: Real Madrid, Roma, CSKA Moscow, Viktoria Plzeň Group H: Juventus, Manchester United, Valencia, Young Boys Will Real win again? I don't think so.

Did anyone think that Venkys man from Brazil was going to sort the club out post Allardyce? I can't remember his name.

I thought that Kean would keep Rovers in the Premier League the season he took us down. I'm usually way off on England predictions. I also said that Burnley would struggle to win another game toward the back end of last season. They promptly won 4 or 5 in a row.

If Blackpool's owners really want to stick it to the fans, they'll hire Coyle. He is a poor manager. He's lost more than he's won at every club since Burnley. How can people defend him with the "he got Burnley promoted" line? It happened 10 years ago.

Another one for those foretelling the death of football; La Liga games in the USA

I second that. Awful kit. It needs to be royal blue. Don't like the dark socks either.

The last part is worth a smile too;

I see that Barcelona hijacked Malcom from under Roma's noses. I also believe that this is the same Barcelona who cried, moaned, and cried again last summer when PSG poached Neymar. Hypocrites. In MLS news Bradley Wright-Phillips has become the fastest player to 100 goals. He scored them in only 159 games.

I know where you are coming from, and I'm not having a dig Tyrone but this made me chuckle. It's on a par with Monty Python's "what have the Roman's ever done for us" sketch. Goals win games. As a side, I enjoyed the last month on this forum, generally talking World Cup. It's a bit depressing back in the real world reading endless speculation on which cast off or has been Mowbray is trying to bring in on a free. I do think though that the current squad is better than the one that went down 2 seasons ago. That plus no Coyle has me optimistic about a better than average year.

Regardless of perceived slights and perceived bad refereeing decisions the best team won the tournament. France were just too strong for Croatia. They have good players all over the park, including match winners in Griezmann and Mbappe. They will be there or thereabouts for the next one too. It was an excellent world cup. Some great games, good performances, and progress from England. I only missed watching 3 games. Kick off times were great for me. My top 4 are; France, Belgium, Croatia, Uruguay. Modric was given the player of the tournament award. I agree with that. I'd have Hazard at number 2. That big lad up front for Russia had a great run too. Certainly not top class, but was excellent.

A poor game. England huffed and puffed in the first half, and played much better in the second, only to be done on the break. There is a lot to look forward too. The foundations of a very good side is there. Very few of the squad are over 26. Sessegnon from Fulham is getting rave reviews. Hopefully he keeps his head screwed on and he can be the next long term left back. Another central defender is needed. Jones was once touted as an England captain. He'll never get there now. Luke Shaw has gone the same way. He was in the 2014 squad. He'll not get a look in as long as he's at Man U. Rashford has flashes. He and Lingard need to leave Man U so they can play consistently. I'm sure Klopp would turn Rashford into a world beater, but that will never happen. Stones did well, but will he get a game for City? The successful youth team players should be looking to play abroad. Sancho has gone. Lookman at Everton wants to. I shall look forward to the final tomorrow, and not before long the league season will start and all will be forgotten.

I suggested taking Trippier and Alli off for Dier and Delph, and switching to 4-4-1-1. Walker as an orthodox right back. Dier and Henderson in the middle, Delph on the left. That would have cut off their full backs who were causing havoc. You are correct though, a second goal would have killed it off.

The dream is over. It was a good ride, yet defeat at such a late stage is always hard to take. However, England have a lot to look forward to, unlike previous tournaments. This article from 2011 is very interesting; Southgate's vision. Progress from that plan is now being seen. I do think that some of the England squad need more playing time. Rashford and Lingard will not get any better playing for Mourinho.