speeeeeeedie

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.

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.