I looked at JacknOry's Wikipedia links of the Portuguese signings. I'm no Sherlock Holmes but it looks well dodgy. All signed for undisclosed fees, all got 3 year contracts. All were crap. Only Henrique seems to have played more than a handful of games since he left Rovers. It's interesting that 3 of them ended up at some Romanian team. Also one went to Whitehawk FC. I am pretty sure that they were charged with some football related crime or other a few years back. Hopefully hose days at Ewood are over and Venkys have entrusted Waggott to run a football club. Edit; Whitehawk details; Former Whitehawk president with previous convictions jailed 2 Whitehawk players charged for match fixing Stinks to high heaven.

You are absolutely right about Southgate in that regard. He has an idea of how a side should look. He gets lambasted as the FA's man and a failed manager, but he spent years with the u21's and has brought some of that experience with him. England doesn't have Germany or Spain's talent, but they'll be organised, quick on the break, and possess a top notch striker.

Would that not be Ashley Young? He played left back for Mourinho most of the season. I put Delph in the middle as without him there are only 3 which doesn't give much cover, and they all may play too.

I grabbed the squad from the BBC website. My guess is that Southgate will look at it like this. Goalkeepers: Butland, Pickford, Pope Central defenders: Cahill, Jones, Maguire, Stones, Walker, Wide men: Alexander-Arnold, Rose, Trippier, Young. Holding Midfielders: Dier, Henderson, Delph, Loftus-Cheek. Attackers: Kane, Rashford, Sterling, Vardy, Alli, Welbeck, Lingard, Delph, Lingard, and Welbeck can all do the wide man job too. Let's see what this lot can do.

England squad is named; Goalkeepers: Butland, Pickford, Pope Defenders: Alexander-Arnold, Cahill, Delph, Jones, Maguire, Rose, Stones, Trippier, Walker, Young. Midfielders: Alli, Dier, Henderson, Lingard, Loftus-Cheek. Forwards: Kane, Rashford, Sterling, Vardy, Welbeck

England isn't blessed with talent at the mo. If Southgate goes with Livermore it's because he thinks he's worth a spot. I doubt that he'll play much though. For comparison here's Germany's provisional squad; Germany Provisional squad. They will be hard to beat, although if Neuer and Boateng aren't fit they won't be as solid.

Here is the Mirror's predicted squad; GOALKEEPERS Pickford, Butland, Pope DEFENDERS Trippier, Walker, Stones, Jones, Maguire, Rose, Young MIDFIELDERS Dier, Henderson, Delph, Livermore, Lallana, Loftus-Cheek, Alli, Sterling, Lingard ATTACKERS Kane, Vardy Rashford, Welbeck It's very similar my effort from a few days ago with the only changes being Jones for Tarkowski, and Young for Bertrand. Contentious names seems to be Delph and Livermore in, Shelvey and Wilshere out. Wilshere has had potential for years but never fulfilled it, and I don't think that Shelvey was ever getting a look in. England doesn't have the best defence. It needs protecting so Wilshere is being sacrificed for Livermore. Kane, Sterling, Vardy, Rashford, Lingard, Lallana, and Alli are capable to causing problems for any team.

Apparently Hart won't make the plane to Russia. Quite right if you ask me. He has been a horror show for England since before Euro 2016 - and he was shocking there. Since then he's been dropped by City, played iffy in Italy, and spent 2018 keeping the kit man company at West Ham. Hardly international form.

I'll be happy with a quarter final appearance. After looking at your squad I reckon that Tarkowski won't make it. I think Smalling will go instead. He's been a regular for Man U this year. You had Jones in there and although Ithink Jones is a better player, who can also play midfield at a push, he's always injured. I also have Andy Carroll in the back of my mind. He would be a great super sub, coming on and causing havoc. But he's another one with the robustness Jacob's crackers.

I'm surprised that Southgate is announcing his World Cup squad next week. It seems early. I assumed that he'd name a provisional 28 or so then whittle it down. However, by naming only 23 he probably decided a while ago and sees no point in prolonging it. My quote above was the squad from the last round of friendlies. So using that as the provisional squad with Ox and Gomez out, Kane and Loftus-Cheek back my guess for those missing out are; Joe Hart, Alfie Mawson, Lewis Cook, Ashley Young. Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland, Nick Pope Defenders: Kyle Walker, Kieran Tripper, Ryan Bertrand, Danny Rose, John Stones, James Tarkowski, Harry Maguire Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jack Wilshere, Jordan Henderson, Jake Livermore, Adam Lallana, Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard, Ruben Loftus-Cheek Attackers: Danny Welbeck, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane As for a starting 11 Southgate has stated he is playing with a back 3. Kyle Walker played as one of the 3 last time out which has me stumped as to what he'll do. Today's prediction; Pickford Walker Stones Maguire Lingard Henderson Dier Rose Sterling Alli Kane I'd like to see Loftus-Cheek ahead of Dier as he is a class act. Palace improved dramatically when he returned. I'd also not argue against Rashford for Alli, or Welbeck for Lingard. Despite his bang average club form Welbeck has always been excellent for England, which is rare.

Here here. Fantastic for Stanley. Rovers need to get out of the division sharpish. I heard from a couple of mates who reckon they are getting season tickets for next year. They've never set foot in the Crown. I'll believe it when I see it.

Weirdly, I remember people saying put some wallop on it when I was a kid. I just thought it was something strange that adults said. East Lancs does have a long history with engineering, and aerospace. There are loads of companies no longer around.

Vinjay's belaboured point does have a little merit, and I understand his view; he's not from Accrington, so he has no affinity. But it is relevant, certainly not small minded, to think that the 2 clubs in the same league is bad. 20 years go Stanley were in the Northern Prem, and Rovers were in the actual Prem.

Yes it is. Stanley were one step up from a pub team when I was growing up. I think because of that I never gave them a second glance. I don't now either and I'm an Accy lad. What they have managed to achieved is remarkable. Promotion to League 1 would be up there with Leicester winning the league as far as achievements go. Coleman has done a tremendous job. The once chasm like gulf between Stanley and Rovers could be no more. Not good, but I'll give Stanley all the credit they deserve.

I'll argue that your top quote says that you did. Anyway, I really hope that Kane shines this summer. If he does then England will do well and he'll banish the horror show of 2 years ago. He is an impressive player in the Shearer mould but not as good. His physical strength has improved as has his finishing. He's not much of an aerial threat but Spurs don't really play that way. Southgate needs to get his side picked. These friendlies will hopefully bring some clarity. Is Wilshere out for good? Him missing these 2 games won't help his cause.

As Jim says, he scores lots of Premier League goals but until he proves it for England I'll not consider him world class. I've still not forgotten how bad he was at the last Euros.

True true. Coupled with the cheap import being easier is the continued practice by big clubs of signing any promising English youngster long before they are fully developed. Luke Shaw is the latest. Ashley Cole's heir 4 years ago. Now he can't get a game as his club mate, a converted right winger, is ahead of him. It's tragic and hurts the national team. Jadon Sancho upping sticks and leaving City for Dortmund last year was a good move. More should follow his lead and play their trade abroad.

Decent run out for England. Still a long way to go, but I'm a hopeless fool when it comes to England. Germany drew 1-1 with Spain. Germany will be there or thereabouts as usual. Their team tonight was; Ter Stegen, Kimmich, Hummels, Boateng, Hector, Khedira, Kroos, Ozil, Muller, Draxler, Werner. Premier Leaguers Rudiger, Sane, and Gundogan were subs. As was Mario Gomez who I thought retired years ago.

That is unfortunately true. England doesn't produce enough world class players. I'm sure the powers that be have debated long and hard as to why. Is it facilities? Mentality? Weather? Set up? My hope is that it's all changing though. Take out Cahill and Hart and this England crop is the youngest in a long time. Couple this with the youth teams' successes last year should build a platform to improve.

Here's a little snippet to illustrate what England are up against in Russia. Spain squad for friendlies; Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao), David De Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli) Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Marcos Alonso (Chelsea), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Alvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad). Midfielders: Isco (Real Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid), Dani Parejo (Valencia), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Rodrigo Hernandez (Villarreal), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid) Forwards: Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Rodrigo (Valencia), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid) Excluded from this squad are Busquets (Barcelona), Alacantra (Bayern Munich) - injured, Martinez (Bayern Munich) - out of favour, and Morata - currently crap. It will be a tall order for England to beat their best 11.

Well spotted. No wonder I think England can win. I'll drop Lallana and Wilshere then. Here is Southgate's squad for next week's friendlies; Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland, Nick Pope Defenders: Kyle Walker, Kieran Tripper, Ryan Bertrand, Danny Rose, John Stones, James Tarkowski, Alfie Mawson, Joe Gomez, Harry Maguire Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jack Wilshere, Jordan Henderson, Jake Livermore, Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling, Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard, Lewis Cook Attackers: Danny Welbeck, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford My guess is that Pope, Mawson, Tarkowski, Cook are being rewarded for playing well but they'll struggle to make the WC 23. I reckon Southgate will take Hart for his "experience". Cahill too. Loftus-Cheek and Kane to return therefore, marring injuries, there aren't many spots to play for,

This is the first article I've seen in 2018 trying to predict England players; Who to take? For the first time in a while England have options. Some middling v. middling but still options. Here's a starting 11; Pickford Gomez - Stones - Maguire Walker Rose Dier - Loftus-Cheek Lallana Sterling - Kane - Rashford Subs; Butland Smalling - Lascelles- Cahill Trippier Bertrand Oxlade-Chamberlain - Henderson Wilshere Alli - Vardy - Lingard

No question at all. England will be there. It's not the first time it's happened, nor will it be the last. The British government won't do anything. Nor can it in it's current weak state. Russia's status in the world should be debated, but in the non football section of this forum. Russia will be on its best behavior this summer. Streets will be clean. Stray dogs will be gone. Beer will be plentiful. But you still can't pay me to go.

Some interesting tunes there K-Hod. I'll add a few to my playlists. Living abroad I forget loads of songs that I like but never hear.

I hadn't thought about that. The only stipulation was only 2 European teams in each group. They must not think that it's needed. I think Moyes has done England a favour. He dropped Hart yesterday. Adrian kept a clean sheet. Hopefully Hart doesn't get back in and Southgate leaves him at home.