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.

I think Benzema is not under consideration for his part in a blackmail plot against former France team mate Valbuena. Anyway, come on England! Same 11 as last time out.

Belgium started better then once France got to grips with Belgium's system it was only a matter of time. Fellaini got caught out on the goal. When you have Hazard starting in his own half you are doing something right. He is some talent though. Lukaku keeps his flat track bully tag intact. Goals against Tunisia and Panama, nothing since. Although he did play well against Brazil. Matuidi was man of the match for me; he was everywhere. I wonder if he's concussed. Although even if he is he'll be back out for the final as FIFA aren't bothered about it.

Until the game we won't know. I am with you in that If Modric and Ratikic get space they'll cause havoc. However, our back 5 are better than the shower that Argentina put out. I wouldn't change a winning team though.

I still say Southgate will keep the same 11. He has a system and will continue to use it. All 4 of the front men can drop in and help out. Kane did it against Colombia, Alli did a lot of it against Sweden. Croatia battered Argentina because they were crap, then struggled against Denmark and Russia as they were very defensively organised.

I agree with you. I don't think that Southgate will change much at all. He'll spend the next few days working on refining set pieces, and getting their minds right. Modric is class. He is someone to watch, but they don't have 11 of him..

I thought England were solid. No one a bad game. Some had iffy moments but overall it was a good performance. Sterling is still getting pelters. He's not finishing but his contribution yesterday was very good. He never stops moving. I'd rather play Croatia than Russia. Same team again for the next game. No injuries, no suspensions, and no extra time fatigue. Come on England.

Yep. If I was going to make changes, those 2 would be it. I've mentioned Young a few times. I'll go with Southgate sticking with the same 11 though.

England doesn't have a great record against Sweden, but the more they go on and on about how they are going to win I think the more motivation it gives England. I've read Hakan Mild, Andreas Grandqvist, and even Sven Eriksson talking up their chances. It will be very tight.

You've done nothing but moan and groan about England. You need to give it a rest. We are through to the last 8. Enjoy it.

James has not bene fit for the whole tournament. He missed game 1 and came off last time. Hopefully he hasn't recovered as he is a dangerous player. Cuadrado is an interesting one. Undeniable talent but was useless at Chelsea. I'm not worried about him. I've said it before but don't mock the BBC until you've spent 2 weeks watching Alexi Lalas. You'll be craving Ferdinand after that. England can do it today.

Catching up on today's posts and some got me thinking about England's World Cup exploits in my lifetime. Looking back England have had some bad luck, and idiotic individual mistakes. 1982 - went out without losing a game. Weird format, but a 0-0 against West Germany in the 2nd group stage allowed them to advance to the semis. 1986 - Maradona's hand of God. England didn't start playing until 2-0 down. 1990 - lost on pens in the semis to the winners. 1994 - didn't qualify. Did I not like that. 1998 - 2nd round penalty loss to Argentina. Played with 10 men for a long stretch due to Beckham's sending off. Robbed of a winner early in extra time. 2002 - Quarter final loss to Brazil, the eventual winners. Beckham bottling a tackle and Seaman nailed to the floor caused the goals. I'll leave the fact that they played with 10 men for ages out of it. Probably about right. 2006 - QF penalty loss to Portugal. Again played with 10 men. This time Rooney was the offender. 2010 - first knockout round defeat to Germany. Completely outplayed, but had a potential equalizer disallowed just before half time. 2014 - out without wining a game.

Mexico are out in the first knockout round again. It was always going to be hard for them to beat Brazil but they hardly helped themselves by playing old man Marquez from the off. Regarding Neymar's antics. It's a hard one. He gets kicked from pillar to post each game, but doesn't half make a meal out of every one of them. Layun tried to do him, but made it subtle enough that he got away with it.

Spain paid for being too pedestrian. They have so much skill but no end product. They didn't impress before today, and went out to an organized and enthusiastic home nation. When they were the kings of the world they had killer strikers with pace in Villa and Torres who would benefit from incisive through balls that Spain's crew could play regularly. As good as Costa is he's not a player who can run in behind defenders, thus stifling the attack. Add that to the fact that Spain have no pace in midfield to run past Costa made it worse. Costa should have stuck with the nation of his birth. Croatia-Denmark was a very boring game that cried out for some excitement. Some bad penalties failed to add to it. I appreciate the take on the Modric penalty. I thought it should have been a red, but if the rule is a genuine attempt for a ball isn't one, then so be it. It's been a wonderful world cup. There are more hair raisers to come. For the first time in a while England have a cohesive team. Let's back them and hope for the best on Tuesday. This weekend has proven that team play is worth more than individual talent.

France - Argentina was a great game. Sampaoli should have been fired after their 2nd game. It's definite now. As has been said, he has some real attacking talent at his disposal yet plays no name Argentine league players ahead of quality goal scorers. Otamendi needs a long ban. For the 2nd time this tournament he booted a ball at a player lying on the ground. Clown.

The press need something to batter England for, this is the latest overblown reaction. It's ridiculous. It's also par for the course on here that people moan and groan. Southgate did what he saw best for the team. As has been said, if he played Kane and then Kane picked up an injury it would have been a much worse outcome. Professional athletes want to win. Those lads playing on Thursday want more game time so wanted to impress. There has been endless debate on Rashford v. Sterling. I don't think that Rashford did enough to warrant a start. It would have been in his best interest to run rings around Belgium and have scored 2 giving Southgate a real headache. As it was he ran up a lot of blind alleys and missed an absolute sitter. England were through after 2 games therefore Southgate was preparing for the next round. I doubt that he thought "ooh, I'll lose this one so we may get an easier quarter final opponent." He will take it 1 game at a time. I think that England are the only team to use all 20 outfield players. That experience is invaluable.